All of us are one

Chapter 69 The Spectator of Chess is Absolutely Utterly Destroyed

More than ten days passed, and the date arrived at July 23, 348 in the Gregorian calendar.

As summer approaches, the snowy region in the north of Shenwu Kingdom shows some greenery, with unmelted snow and newly sprouting green plants intertwined.

The Plum Blossom Manor, built on the edge of the snowy region, is still filled with the fragrance of flowers, but not plum blossoms.

In the garden of the manor, two middle-aged men wearing mink coats sat at a stone table playing chess. Black and white pieces were intertwined on the chessboard, and the situation was complicated and difficult to determine a winner.

The middle-aged man on the left had white hair at his temples and seemed to be older, but he said respectfully, "Father, I heard that the Great River Alliance has a fleet sailing down the river and then heading west after entering the sea. I guess they are going to Twin Islands."

The middle-aged man on the right chuckled upon hearing this, holding a white chess piece between his right index and middle fingers, and teased, "What, you've got your eye on that bounty too?"

"Father is joking." The middle-aged man with graying temples lowered his head slightly. "He is the son of Duan Shuijian and the young leader of the Great River Alliance. How could I possibly have designs on him?"

"You are still my son, Wan Qianjue," the middle-aged man on the right smiled.

He is none other than the master of Plum Blossom Manor, a peerless master rarely seen in the world—Wan Qianjue!

The older-looking, gray-haired middle-aged man opposite them was Wan Linfei, the only son of Wan Qianjue.

"Father, don't you want the Broken Water Sword to return?" Wan Linfei asked curiously.

"There are only two possibilities for Jiang Yi's return to the country: either he has successfully taken that step, or there has been a change in the Great River Alliance or the death of his loved ones."

Wan Qianjue placed a piece on the chessboard, then shook his head slightly and said, "I hope it's the former, but I think the latter is more likely. He offended too many people in the past when he challenged the world with his sword."

"Does Father believe that the Broken Water Sword has a chance to take that step?" Wan Linfei looked surprised.

"Looking at the Divine Martial Kingdom today, if anyone has the hope of taking that step, it is only Jiang Yi, the Sword of Broken Water." Wan Qianjue said with some emotion, "He stepped into the top at the age of twenty and reached the pinnacle at the age of thirty. I am far inferior to him in terms of talent."

Wan Linfei fell silent. Although his father was said to be the most outstanding in the world, he was not as talented as Jiang Yi, the Sword of Broken Water. This was an undeniable fact.

"If he hasn't severed ties with the Upper Realm, with his talent, he will surely be absorbed as a true disciple and be able to compete for the position of the sect's holy son," Wan Qianjue said softly.

Wan Linfei frowned and remained silent, his eyes fixed on the chessboard on the table.

Plum Blossom Manor has a long history, standing in this snowy region for over a thousand years. Even when strange beasts roamed freely, they could not harm it, and thus it knows many secrets.

To the Upper Realm, the Divine Martial Kingdom was merely a place to cultivate lower-level martial artists. Only those with exceptional talent could be accepted as personal disciples, and very few could be accepted as true disciples, let alone compete for the position of the sect's holy son.

"What, you don't believe me?" Wan Qianjue asked with a smile.

"Duan Shuijian's talent is remarkable, but I think Father is overestimating him..." Wan Linfei said respectfully.

"Overestimating him? You underestimate him too much." Wan Qianjue sighed softly, "I have the inheritance of Plum Blossom Manor, which is why I was able to become a top expert in my forties. What does Jiang Yi have? Yet he only has the inheritance of Xuan Shui Sect and is ten years younger than me to reach the top."

Wan Linfei looked surprised and doubtful. As the successor of Plum Blossom Manor, he knew all too well how important the inheritance of martial arts was.

Before Jiang Yi rose to prominence, the Xuan Shui Sect was nothing more than a small, insignificant sect, not even worth mentioning.

However, with Jiang Yi's rise to prominence, the Xuan Shui Sect gained fame in the martial arts world and almost became one of the most prestigious sects.

Looking at the expression on his son's face, Wan Qianjue shook his head inwardly, then changed the subject, asking, "How is Qi'er doing now?"

"Father, Qi'er is still studying at the Taiyi Sect," Wan Linfei replied hastily.

"With a top expert in charge at Taiyi Sect, there shouldn't be any trouble," Wan Qianjue said softly. "Qi'er dislikes snow and doesn't like the unchanging snow scene outside Plum Blossom Manor, so let him stay at Taiyi Sect."

"Father, are you saying that the martial arts world will be in chaos?" Wan Linfei asked, puzzled.

"Heh, you don't think that only the Thousand Machines Sect hopes for the return of the Upper Realm, do you?" Wan Qianjue chuckled and asked in return.

"There are other forces lurking in the shadows?" Wan Linfei asked in surprise. "What are they planning to do?"

"Of course they want to restore contact with the upper realm." Wan Qianjue's eyes narrowed slightly. "They will find a way to bring Jiang Yi back to the country."

"Restoring the connection with the upper realm, what does that have to do with the Broken Water Sword?" Wan Linfei was even more puzzled.

"Having been cut off from the Upper Realm for over three hundred years, they must have made many attempts, but none of them have succeeded," Wan Qianjue calmly analyzed. "Until Jiang Yi's rise gave them hope. If someone can take that step, they might be able to use this opportunity to restore their connection with the Upper Realm."

"This..." Wan Linfei was taken aback upon hearing this.

If what my father said is true, then the great chaos more than twenty years ago was orchestrated by a hidden force that even outmaneuvered top experts.

"Those involved are often confused, while bystanders see things clearly." Wan Qianjue said softly, "My Plum Blossom Manor is far from the three major river basins and is not involved in the situation, so I can get a glimpse of it. Perhaps Jiang Yi has also discovered it, which is why he has stayed overseas."

"Father, is there really a force that can orchestrate things in the shadows?" Wan Linfei asked, somewhat incredulous.

"Perhaps there is, perhaps there isn't," Wan Qianjue said softly. "The Upper Realm has ruled the Divine Martial Kingdom for countless years. Who knows if they've arranged for some organization to secretly monitor the entire Divine Martial Kingdom?"

Wan Linfei remained silent, filled with surprise and doubt.

Yes, the Upper Realm has ruled the Divine Martial Kingdom for too long, and no one knows if the Upper Realm has planted any spies.

Dengdeng!

Wan Qianjue gently tapped the stone table, pointed to the chessboard on it, and said, "It's your turn to make a move."

"Oh." Upon hearing this, Wan Linfei quickly looked at the chessboard, feeling that the game was as unpredictable and confusing as the situation in the Divine Martial Kingdom.

"Although we are not the players, we are still spectators," Wan Qianjue advised. "Who wins or loses will not affect us."

"Yes." Wan Linfei relaxed.

Plum Blossom Manor is located far away in the snowy region, separated from the Great River Alliance in the Great River Plain by more than a thousand miles. Even if some forces are making plans in secret, it is unlikely to affect them.

Having let go of his inner turmoil, Wan Linfei began to think about how to deal with the chess game on the stone table, where his black pieces were at a disadvantage.

……

Twin Islands, the headquarters of the Dajiang League.

Although Jiang Yanming was quite patient, staying in one room for more than twenty days made him miss the days when he could use a mobile phone and computer.

"Junior brother!" Ling Heng's voice came from outside the door.

"Come in." Jiang Yanming saw Ling Heng and the other two enter with relaxed expressions and couldn't help but ask, "What good news do you have?"

"Mr. Chen just sent word that the fleet sent by the alliance to pick you up, Junior Brother, is about to arrive at Twin Islands," Ling Heng said with a smile.

"They've finally arrived." Jiang Yanming couldn't help but smile.

This means that he can go to the Divine Martial Kingdom to comprehend its profound mysteries, learn about his father's past, and, more importantly, end this life that is like being in prison.