Perhaps because they came from different worlds—
Over the next stretch of time, Yuan Tiangang and Ron talked at great length.
Nothing was held back.
From the golden age of the Tang—when all nations came to pay tribute—
to its utter collapse, everything reduced to dust and illusion.
From founding the Bu Liang Ren and plotting everything from the shadows,
to the constant turnover of its members—generation after generation dying off.
Cup after cup of liquor was emptied.
Before long, a row of empty bottles lay scattered in front of Yuan Tiangang.
The alcohol itself didn't intoxicate him.
But reliving three hundred years of memories was more than enough to make a man drunk.
Silvers Rayleigh, who had been quietly listening, finally asked in a low voice:
"Ever thought about leaving behind descendants?"
Yuan Tiangang shook his head slightly and asked in return:
"Do you wish to watch the white-haired bury the black-haired?"
Rayleigh immediately understood and sighed.
"Yeah… makes sense."
Watching relatives and friends leave one by one was painful enough.
If he had children—
Yuan Tiangang would inevitably watch his descendants age, weaken, and die.
In the end…
he would be the one placing soil over their graves with his own hands.
Of course, he had once considered having descendants and letting them consume the elixir of immortality—
so they could succeed him as Bu Liang Shuai.
But the moment that thought surfaced, it was crushed.
The price of immortality was far too heavy.
One had to abandon the five senses and sever the six perceptions—
To live forever.
Yuan Tiangang would never allow his descendants to become something neither human nor ghost.
"Enough," he said calmly.
"The wine's been drunk, the words have been spoken…"
"It's time for this commander to return—
to watch Yang Shuzi rescue His Highness."
"Does he really have to die?" Rayleigh asked softly, having grasped the situation.
"Forcing his death will only make Li Xingyun fear you more… and hate you more."
A flicker of killing intent surfaced in Yuan Tiangang's eyes, along with faint disdain.
"He died as he should."
"Blame neither me nor anyone else."
"If blame must be placed—"
"then it lies solely with himself."
He slowly stood up, hands clasped behind his back.
"As the teacher of a Tang royal descendant, he taught nothing but herbs and medicine."
"If this commander hadn't secretly taught the Tiangang Art—
Li Xingyun would have been utterly useless!"
"Otherwise—his final fate would've been either dying in some forgotten corner,"
"or becoming a living jade seal for the various warlords."
"Tell me—should Yang Shuzi die or not?"
Ron spoke evenly to Rayleigh:
"Old man, think it through."
"What Yang Shuzi taught Li Xingyun—in that world—was effectively killing him."
"It was precisely Yuan Tiangang's eight years of guidance
that gave Li Xingyun the bare ability to protect himself."
There was no doubt about it—
Yang Shuzi was guilty.
Completely defying the Bu Liang Shuai's orders was dereliction of duty.
As the teacher of a future emperor,
leaving him unable to survive in a chaotic age—
dreaming of a carefree life like an ordinary man—
That was pushing Li Xingyun toward death.
A crime worthy of exterminating nine clans.
And yet—
Yuan Tiangang hadn't secretly eliminated Yang Shuzi.
He even preserved his identity as Li Xingyun's teacher
and safeguarded his dignity as a Bu Liang Ren.
That alone was already mercy beyond the law.
"Ron," Yuan Tiangang said calmly, placing a gold ingot on the counter,
"I'll come drink again another day."
He walked toward the exit.
Watching his back, Ron suddenly remembered something and smiled.
"Care to calculate the Heavenly Crime Star?"
Yuan Tiangang's steps halted abruptly.
"Jingxinmo?"
"Heh… nothing more than a chess piece."
As the words fell, his figure dissolved where he stood,
vanishing completely from this world.
Ron's reminder had been nothing more than curiosity—
He wanted to see whether Jingxinmo was truly cursed to his masters.
As the saying goes—
When Wang Zai smiles, life and death are uncertain.
Serve one master, that master dies.
Follow three generations, and he's still around when they're gone.
The keyword is "companionship."
Looking at the big picture—
Jingxinmo made only two decisive moves.
One stabbed Li Cunxu to death.
One calculated Yuan Tiangang's demise.
A true high-level player.
Just as Ron was lost in thought, the system's mechanical voice dragged him back to reality:
[Ding. Guest Bu Liang Shuai: Yuan Tiangang has completed his confession.]
[Guest Yuan Tiangang: Tiangang Art, Huayang Acupuncture, Spirit-Binding Formation… Host may choose one ability.]
[Guest Yuan Tiangang: Huayang Needles, Elixir of Immortality… Host may copy one item.]
[Ding. Individual involved in confession: Li Xingyun will visit the tavern in the near future.]
Ron didn't rush to decide. Instead, he asked internally:
"How many points can the Elixir of Immortality be exchanged for?"
[Ding. Due to severe side effects, exchange value: 5,000 points.]
Five thousand?!
If it didn't have side effects, wouldn't it be worth tens of thousands?!
Wait a second—
Ron suddenly thought of someone.
To be precise—Grey Wolf.
Could he completely eliminate the elixir's side effects?
With that thought, Ron spoke aloud:
"Select the Elixir of Immortality."
A flash of light appeared, and a brown pill materialized in Ron's palm.
"Grey Wolf, take a look at this," Ron said softly.
"Can you remove its side effects?"
Grey Wolf immediately set the Hōgyoku aside and hurried over.
"I'll study it."
Seeing this—
Aizen's heart shattered.
King Grey Wolf, you can't do this to me!
Finishing the Hōgyoku should be the top priority!
But no matter how loudly he screamed inside,
Aizen didn't dare say a word.
There was no choice.
Whether it was Soul Society or this world—
only Grey Wolf could complete the Hōgyoku.
Absolutely held hostage.
Grey Wolf examined the elixir carefully, then nodded.
"Before I leave tonight—"
"I'll completely remove the side effects."
To him, this pill was nothing more than a mixture of substances kneaded together.
Damn… he really can do it.
Ron raised a brow and patted his shoulder.
"Thanks for the trouble."
Grey Wolf waved a paw. "No need for formalities, Boss Ron."
Then he turned to Aizen.
"Go find me a blender."
"And a microscope."
"And a bottle of solvent."
Aizen didn't hesitate for even a second—
he bolted straight for the kitchen to ask Rem and the others where to get those items.
"My little underling really is something," Grey Wolf sighed wistfully.
"Honestly, telling him five years for the Hōgyoku was underselling it."
"Should've said ten."
Ron shook his head helplessly.
If Aizen ever found out what you just said—
he'd definitely try to cut you down.
Just then—
The tavern's bell rang again.
Ding-ling…
As the doors slowly opened—
A long, slender, pale-white leg stepped into Ron's field of view.
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