Chapter 58: Their Blood Was Shed, His Defenses Crumbled

Jiang Ming’s words left the three of them utterly stunned.

“You mean, if you just stand still without defending yourself, I still couldn’t kill you?” Lu Yuan was eager to try, but deep inside, he was terrified.

The other had said so, and it was more likely true than not.

He had witnessed the terror of Jiang Ming’s body-forging techniques.

Heavens! For someone’s physique to be this powerful—how could anyone else hope to survive?

“You mean I could become a Grandmaster?” Chief Jin’s eyes were shining with excitement; she could hardly stop herself from leaping at him.

A Grandmaster—standing at the pinnacle of martial arts, able to roam the world unhindered.

Though she was a top-tier genius, she had always thought becoming a Grandmaster was nothing but a distant dream.

Yet now, she might one day reach it?

Jiang Ming’s image in her heart grew even taller, almost haloed with light.

“One sword breaking two thousand suits of armor, a thousand swords without exhaustion? Doesn’t that mean you could slaughter two hundred thousand heavy-armored soldiers?” The Ninth Princess drew in a sharp breath.

To kill two hundred thousand armored soldiers, to massacre an entire city—such feats would be effortless.

As for helping her reach the Grandmaster realm in a short time, she did not doubt it.

After all, Lu Yuan had broken through so easily thanks to his guidance.

“Brother Jiang, are you man or god? Immortal or demon?” Lu Yuan asked dazedly.

“He’s a Saint—a Martial Saint!” Chief Jin’s gaze burned bright.

“Yes, a Martial Saint—Jiang the Martial Saint.” The Ninth Princess exhaled a long, slow breath, her eyes flickering as if she’d made a decision. She turned to Lu Yuan. “Lu, there’s an old tavern at the east end of town with excellent wine. Go have a taste.”

“The old tavern?” Lu Yuan was taken aback, his mind racing. Suddenly understanding, he smiled, nodding. “Ha, very well, I’ll go sample its delights. The old tavern—perhaps I’ll drink myself into a stupor. The world’s greatest empress—tsk tsk… when the time comes…”

He grinned, then leapt away, vanishing into the night.

Chief Jin was a bit confused.

Jiang Ming frowned ever so slightly. Was there still something secret at play?

“Brother Jiang, please, let’s speak inside.” The Ninth Princess shot Chief Jin a meaningful glance, then walked toward the master bedroom.

“That’s not necessary, is it?” Jiang Ming followed.

Chief Jin scratched her head, having no idea what the princess was up to.

So many great matters had been discussed—why keep something from her now?

It all seemed rather suspicious.

Inside the room.

As soon as Jiang Ming entered, the Ninth Princess closed the door.

No lamp was lit.

Only the faint moonlight seeped through the paper window, but it did not hinder their vision.

“What is this about?” Jiang Ming had his suspicions, his heart suddenly pounding.

The Ninth Princess remained silent, her body trembling ever so slightly. In moments, her clothes slipped away piece by piece until not a single one was left. Her shy voice rang out, “I have nothing to repay you with, only my body. If I bear you a child, let him inherit the throne.”

“I won’t restrict your freedom, nor will I ask you to take responsibility.”

“I don’t care how many women you have.”

“All I ask is that, in the empire’s hour of peril, you lend your aid.”

Her voice quavered.

“I am still a maiden.”

“My lord Jiang, love me!”

She wrapped her arms around him, burying her head in his chest, her body shaking.

Jiang Ming opened his mouth, speechless.

In a flash, a billion thoughts raced through his mind, but in the end, he was driven by the heat surging within him.

The large bed soon sang a melodious tune, playing a symphony beyond compare.

Within the chamber, the essence of yin and yang began to flow, slowly intensifying.

Outside.

Chief Jin, puzzled, heard the strange sounds begin. At first she was baffled, but as she listened intently, her cheeks flushed crimson.

She pouted, stamped her foot.

She wanted to leave, but some strange impulse made her stay.

“I’m just... just standing guard for them!” Chief Jin found herself a strong excuse.

Her tender ears twitched, and before she realized it, her body began to sway as well.

An hour passed.

Then two.

“At last, some peace!” The Ninth Princess’s voice was barely a whisper, followed by a cry of surprise. “How can you be awakened again—my lord Jiang, I… I can’t, I’ll die. Yinhua, come in. I… I order you to enter.”

She was clearly forcing her voice.

Chief Jin, who had been standing outside gazing dreamily at the moon, stiffened as she heard the call, then shuddered—and, as if compelled by some unseen force, she entered.

The night was jubilant.

It was also the greatest contributor to the legacy of bloodlines.

For it is because of the night that there is restlessness,

That there is new life,

That lineage endures.

Beneath the moonlight, the yin-yang symbol spun rapidly from within the room, drawing in a dense aura of heaven and earth, as well as supreme Daoist resonance.

Pure yin cannot endure; pure yang cannot thrive.

Only the harmony of yin and yang brings forth all things.

This is the true Dao of yin and yang, the genuine Great Way.

The next day.

Jiang Ming, refreshed and spirited, walked into the courtyard. Gazing at the rosy dawn in the east, his spirit soared, his eyes grew brighter, his aura rounder, more pure and natural. “In just one night, my understanding of the yin-yang realm has reached minor completion. Immersed in endless bliss and fortune, I have grasped the most primal meaning of yin and yang, and even my yin-yang art has advanced.”

“The Dao of yin and yang is indeed the Great Way.”

“My previous art no longer suits me; from now on, my main cultivation method shall be called the Yin-Yang Canon!”

“The twin energies of yin and yang are the source of all things; they can manifest the five elements, transform into myriad forms.”

He turned to look toward the room.

His expression was complicated.

He had never imagined such a thing would happen.

After all, only three short years remained—who could have expected to be taken like this?

Not even allowed to take responsibility.

And if a child was born, he might inherit the throne.

Jiang Ming almost felt as if it were all unreal.

At first, he’d been vigorous and exuberant, surging this way and that, overturning rivers and seas. But unable to restrain his own strength, he eventually surrendered—only to rise again in a mere moment.

Alas, alas!

The Ninth Princess’s delicate body was like a bashful lotus, unable to withstand the raging storm, and so she called Chief Jin to join the fray; the two of them together struggled to keep up.

A night of indulgence, and the wind of romance faded away with the dawn.

When the sun rose, the door finally opened again.

The two women emerged, heads bowed, faces crimson, muttering to each other.

“My strength has improved—I’m at least at the mid-stage of Grandmaster now. What about you, Sister?”

“I’ve reached the peak of Grandmaster. The greatest improvement is in my physique—it’s several times stronger. Jin, do you think he’s an immortal?”

“Then that makes us gods. Gods and immortals—gods above, immortals below.”

Jiang Ming showed a trace of embarrassment. He coughed lightly. “You are both mine now. While I’m here, I will take responsibility for you.”

“While you’re here?” The Ninth Princess caught the meaning in his words.

“In time, you’ll understand.” Jiang Ming did not elaborate, but looked at the Ninth Princess. “Yan Feng, next we’ll head straight for the imperial capital together and cut down all obstacles.”

“We’ll do as you command.” The Ninth Princess was docile.

“Good, then let’s go!” Without further ado, Jiang Ming stepped forward and pulled both women into his arms. His longsword leapt from his back to float before him, and he jumped onto it.

True energy surged forth, and using the sword as his vessel, he formed a gigantic flying blade.

It wobbled, then stabilized.

He was steering the sword with his energy, reinforcing it with his spiritual will, and channeling the power of the wind’s domain.

“It worked!” Jiang Ming breathed a sigh of relief.

He’d tried riding the sword with pure energy before—it consumed a lot, but was no trouble for him.

With spiritual will added, it was effortless.

Since today he needed to reach the capital quickly, he decided to try sword flight—and the result was excellent.

Amid the two women’s cries of amazement, the sword sliced through the sky.

“Brother Lu, see you in the capital!” Jiang Ming sent a voice transmission.

“What the—Brother Jiang has truly become an immortal!” Lu Yuan, hurrying back, saw the scene and was so shocked his eyes nearly fell out of his head.