"This is how I think, and this is how I act."

Jiang Wang said thus.

Truly said!

How he acted during this time, everyone with a discerning eye could see.

With the dignity of a marquis, he traveled through several mansions daily, inspecting and supervising exams in dozens of cities. He disregarded anyone’s background, considering no relationships, and wielded the sword to eliminate corrupt practices.

He indeed could calmly utter these words.

On the high platform, Su Guanying and Shi Mingcheng no longer spoke. Their eyes fell on the examination field, expressions turning serious.

At this moment, on the Tiger Platform, the atmosphere was strange.

Jiang Wang earnestly explained how he approached this official examination, as if he truly wanted to convey to Zhao Zi his feelings, choices, and actions.

Zhao Zi listened attentively to Jiang Wang’s explanation, as if genuinely concerned and in need of it.

Yet, on the entire Tiger Platform, everyone was attending to their respective duties, some regulating their breath, some standing guard, and others patrolling. At present, the official examination itself was the most important matter; whatever the two talked about did not seem crucial, even if one of them was Marquis Wu’an.

Amidst everyone’s indifference,

their earnestness appeared all the more absurd.

"I believe you indeed think this way, and have indeed acted so. We’ve seen a lot these days." Zhao Zi, sitting in front of the desk, spoke at a moderate pace, exuding a scholarly air: "But such fairness is not lasting. It resides solely in your personal will. What happens after you leave?"

Jiang Wang said, "I always remembered a saying, my rationale exists only within the three feet of my sword edge."

"After you’re gone, even if the flood waters surge?" Zhao Zi asked.

"I think what I’m saying is, ’To the best of my ability.’"

Zhao Zi looked at him, "Where duty lies, though thousands oppose, I shall go forth alone. A noble man stands between heaven and earth, how can he care for his life?"

Jiang Wang said, "Sometimes when you live, it is not just your own affair. If one can avoid seeking death, it’s better not to. Besides, everyone’s ’duty’ differs."

"Life is bitterly short, like a mayfly, life and death leave no trace. Marquis, have you ever thought about using this life to leave something for the world, to be a great person?" Zhao Zi asked.

Jiang Wang said, "The natural course has its constants, following its logic likely doesn’t require me to leave something behind. I only hope I can avoid adding chaos to this world."

Zhao Zi replied, "Having the ability yet unwilling to change the world is also a form of idly occupying a position."

"What does it mean to have ability? Cultivation is but a form of unconscious power, wisdom sometimes a cage." Jiang Wang said: "I, myself, often do foolish and wrong things, sometimes unable to discern right from wrong, sometimes unable to see the truth, often lost not knowing the road ahead. How dare I claim I can change the world for the better? Changing myself is a choice, one I bear alone. Changing the world, what virtue or ability do I possess?"

Zhao Zi sighed a bit regretfully, "Still, thank you for being willing to discuss this with me."

"Let’s reintroduce ourselves."

She stood up and slowly said, "The first among the Zhao, Qian, Sun, and Li, is ’Zhao.’ The best time among Zi, Chou, Yin, and Mao, is ’Zi.’ My name is Zhao Zi... Dao Protector of Equality Country!"

The entire audience was shocked, the whole venue in an uproar!

After the written examination comes the martial examination immediately.

Once the official examination in the South Border successfully concludes, the Qi Court would truly, in name and reality, completely control the Southern Territory.

This was far from what the Equality Country desired, and not something other forces in the Southern Territory were willing to see either.

Qi Country exerted tremendous effort to destroy Summer Country, encircling and blocking from diplomacy to military fronts, eventually achieving a great victory.

But one war ended, and another continued.

Jiang Wang wasn’t the target, yet he happened to be present.

Zhao Zi spoke a word and the world changed. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Everything before them expanded infinitely, the vast Tiger Platform transformed into a chessboard.

And the well-known National Marquis Wu’an of Daqi, at this moment, was nothing more than a piece on the board.

On this chessboard, black and white intertwined, great dragons battled, life and death were everywhere.

The boundary between body and soul was completely blurred.

Indistinguishable whether this was reality or illusion.

At this moment, Jiang Wang’s body was like ink, standing in the boundless chess world as a black piece, everywhere he looked was pure white, all enemy pieces.

Those were figures whose faces were indistinct but each possessing strength.

Each of them exuded an unshakeable murderous intent.

That murderous intent did not necessarily originate from each person’s heart, yet it became a "rule."

On the board, black pieces kill white, and white pieces kill black; they cannot stand together, life and death must be decided!

Knowing full well they might be the examinees just now, perhaps armored soldiers of the Old Mountain Iron Cavalry, or perhaps officials from the Nanxia Governor’s Mansion.

The murderous intent in Jiang Wang’s heart couldn’t help but surge forth.

Like thirst demanding drink, hunger demanding food, or cold demanding clothing, at this moment, his desire to kill these white-holding enemies was just as natural a principle.

Kill!

Kill them all!

No need to care about any cause, nor to bear any burden, it was simply the cycle of heavenly reason!

All the white pieces surrounding the lone black, if I don’t kill, they will kill me.

Eyes filled with murderous intent fell upon him, icy and bone-chilling.

Jiang Wang’s feet rooted beneath him, like an old tree growing roots, suppressing himself with astonishing willpower.

At this moment, a crimson-gold light radiated from the Five Mansions Sea, illuminating the four seas of the human body in an instant.

The indestructible crimson-gold light shone through the eyes; the murderous intent emanating from the rules continued to boil yet could no longer waver.

No matter those heavenly laws, codes, and rational public reason, my "True Self" does not waver!