Starting from the imperial palace guards, his clones spread all over the world.

Chapter 705 Final Choice
The rain continued to pour coldly onto this wounded land, washing away the bloodstains, but it could not wash away the tension and the weight of choices that permeated the air.

Not long ago, in order to win the submission of Queen Yaoshui, the Demon Lord of Wuxu easily broke his promise to Wuling.

That scene, like a cold, poisonous thorn, is deeply embedded in Wu Ling's heart, and it still aches faintly at this moment.

At this moment, history seems about to repeat itself.

The witch's eyes, hidden beneath the twisted bark mask, were fixed on Liang Jin, filled with barely concealed fear and unease.

She was afraid—afraid that the so-called "interests" and "big picture" of this world would once again treat her as a bargaining chip that could be discarded at any time.

She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails almost dug into her palms.

Because a cold truth lingered in her heart—compared to the peerless and beautiful Queen Yaoshui, who ruled a nation, she, Wuling, truly had very few bargaining chips to offer in negotiations.

All she possessed was perhaps that obsessive hatred and a set of unorthodox skills that could not be tolerated in the light.

Faced with Wu Ling's almost desperate question, Liang Jin had not yet spoken when the Yao Shui Queen, kneeling in the mud, raised her head and spoke first.

Although her voice carried a submissive humility, it still maintained a royal elegance and persuasiveness, each word seemingly carefully weighed:
"A wise and virtuous teacher is a wise mentor."

Her voice was clear, piercing through the rain:
"As long as you are willing to accept my submission, the entire Yaoshui Kingdom, along with its millennia-old accumulated resources, will be offered to you without reservation, becoming your most solid foundation."

She paused slightly, her gaze sweeping over the surrounding ruins of the city and the kneeling subjects, her tone carrying a captivating allure:

"Obtaining the Yao River is equivalent to holding the key to ruling the entire Southern Continent. All the peoples of the hundred tribes, no matter how treacherous the mountains and forests they inhabit, can be at your disposal; the rare treasures and mineral resources in the endless mountains can all be taken at your disposal."

"This vast territory of the Southern Continent will become your inexhaustible treasure trove, as well as a natural barrier that allows you to advance or retreat as you wish."

Her gaze finally settled on Liang Jin, her tone becoming increasingly earnest, even carrying a subtle hint of vulnerability and dependence:
"And I will do everything in my power to become your most loyal assistant, to manage the land of Nanzhou for you, and to help you build an immortal legacy in this chaotic world."

At this point, Queen Yaoshui turned her head slightly, her clear but now slightly cold eyes precisely fixed on Wuling standing to the side.

That gaze was not a direct provocation, but a condescending scrutiny tinged with pity and disdain.

That one glance made Wu Ling's heart clench, as if pierced by an invisible ice spike.

Endless hatred churned within her, but more than anything, she felt a chilling despair slowly creeping up her spine, almost freezing her.

She knew all too well how immense and irresistible the value represented by Queen Yaoshui was to any ambitious ruler with aspirations for the world.

With her help, the Demon Lord of Wuxu was able to quickly integrate the Southern Continent at a very low cost.

As for Liang Jin... his ability to support the princess in the Great Qian Dynasty and stand on equal footing with the imperial court demonstrates his ambition and courage beyond question.

As its rear area, the stability of Nanzhou is of paramount importance.

If the best option is to control the entire situation through Queen Yaoshui without bloodshed, it would undoubtedly be the best choice.

Thinking of this, Wu Ling clenched her fists so tightly that they cracked, and her knuckles turned white from the force.

She could almost see herself being abandoned again.

Queen Yaoshui seemed quite pleased with Wuling's reaction. The contempt and coldness in her gaze towards Wuling grew even more pronounced, as if she were looking at an outdated, dirty old object.

"On the other hand, this witch..."

Her voice remained steady, yet every word was like a knife:

"In terms of strength, she is no match for me. If it weren't for her luck last time, she would have been a dead man by my hand long ago. She knows this very well."

"In terms of prestige and status, she is worlds apart from me."

The Queen of Yaoshui spoke with a cruel tone, as if stating a fact:
"Who doesn't know that Wu Ling's name is already infamous among the hundred tribes of the Southern Continent, regarded as an ominous person who brings disaster, and despised by everyone?"

"When she chose to follow a demon king like the Demon Lord of Wuxu, she had already severed herself from all races, forcing the Demon Lord to rely on bloody slaughter and barbaric conquest to suppress this land, resulting in countless wronged souls."

She finally looked at Liang Jin and concluded, her words filled with "goodwill" in consideration for Liang Jin:
"If the Great Teacher insists on bringing along such a shaman in an attempt to win over the hearts of the people of the Southern Continent, he will likely face countless unpredictable twists and turns and obstacles in the future."

Wu Ling's body trembled slightly, and the lips beneath the mask were bitten until they tasted blood.

Although the Queen of Yaoshui's words were malicious, they struck at her sore spots.

In terms of status, position, reputation, beauty, figure, martial arts skills, etc., she was indeed incomparable to the radiant queen before her.

She was like moss forever hiding in the shadows, while the other was a peony bathed in sunlight.

Queen Yaoshui's gaze shifted again, moving away from Wuling and landing on Liang Jin. In an instant, her expression softened with gentleness and sincerity, a change of demeanor so swift as to be astonishing.

Her tone was gentle, as if she were proposing a win-win solution:

"Of course, I understand that Wu Ling is, after all, a second-rank martial artist and a rare talent. She may be able to provide some assistance to the Great Sage Teacher."

She bowed slightly, showing great tolerance:

"Your subordinate is willing to prioritize the overall situation, shake hands with Wu Ling, and make peace, resolving all past grievances."

"If she is willing, we can join hands to assist the great and wise teacher and create a new era for the Southern State."

This statement was undoubtedly a bombshell.

Queen Yaoshui lowered her eyes slightly, her long eyelashes concealing the fleeting smugness deep within them.

She believed that she had offered Liang Jin a condition he could not refuse—to gain two second-rank experts and the submission of the entire Southern State!
This is a situation that any ambitious ruler would dream of.

She knew all too well that, given Wu Ling's obsessive and intense nature, there was absolutely no way she would accept such a "reconciliation."

If Wu Ling refuses, then the label of being unreasonable and disregarding the big picture will be firmly attached to her.

At that time, it is almost self-evident what choice Liang Jin will make.

She seemed to see the scene from the time of the Demon Lord Wuxu repeating itself.

"We are willing to follow the Queen and submit to the Great Teacher of Wisdom!!!"

As if to add the final weight to this bargaining chip, the remaining subjects of Yaoshui Kingdom, whether nobles, soldiers, or commoners, all followed their queen and knelt down in a dark mass before Liang Jin, shouting in unison.

The voices of thousands converged into a massive wave of sound, momentarily drowning out the torrential rain, echoing over the ruins and symbolizing the undeniable "trend" and "public opinion."

Amidst the deafening cries of surrender, Wu Ling felt a chilling despair grip her heart.

She was extremely anxious, and suddenly looked up at Liang Jin, her eyes revealing a pleading look that she herself was unaware of, her voice sharp with emotion:
"No way! I will never make peace with this hypocritical bastard!"

She practically screamed:

"Today, only one of us can live—me or her! There is absolutely no other possibility!"

She stared intently at Liang Jin, her tone even carrying a hint of humble pleading:
"Please, kill her! Right now, use your fists to kill her just like you killed the Demon Lord of Wuxu!"

Perhaps realizing her request was too unrealistic, she quickly changed her mind and settled for something less:

"Or... or you can spare her life! Let me fight her to the death! Don't interfere! Just don't stop me, let me fight her fairly!"

"Great Teacher, I beg you! Don't interfere in my feud with her! This is a personal grudge between us!"

She knew perfectly well that the one who truly held the power of life and death at this moment was the man before her who had just killed the "god".

His will will determine everything.

Just then, Queen Yaoshui slowly and gracefully stood up from the mud.

She deliberately took a few steps closer to the witch spirit and stood side by side with her.

At this moment, the contrast between the two was so stark it was almost blinding.

The witch was petite, and although her figure was graceful, it was tightly wrapped in a black feathered robe that seemed to absorb all light. She exuded a cold, damp, and ominous aura, and the twisted bark mask on her face further isolated her from the world, like a ghost that was forever hidden in the shadows and dared not show her true face.

Queen Yaoshui, with her tall and slender figure and long, straight legs, was even more striking in the rain, which made her skin appear like jade and her features exquisitely beautiful, as if she were the most perfect masterpiece of nature.

Even in the dark night, amidst the bitter wind and rain, and the devastation everywhere, she seemed to be naturally surrounded by a holy and noble aura, like a goddess who had inadvertently fallen to earth, awe-inspiring and unapproachable.

This extreme contrast is like a concrete representation of light and darkness.

Under that dazzling light, Wu Ling couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of shame and inferiority.

She felt that everything about herself, from her twisted heart to her body hiding the Gu worms, was exposed under the other person's pure light, appearing so dirty, deformed, and insignificant.

Like a strange fish in the deep sea, it can never understand the warmth of the sun.

Any normal man would instinctively feel close to, admire, and even yearn for a woman like Queen Yaoshui, while loathing and rejecting himself as someone who exists in the gutter, right?
She lost.

We lost completely.

On every level, she was completely defeated by Queen Yaoshui.

"You bitch! I'll kill you!!!"

Extreme inferiority and humiliation instantly transformed into a madness that destroyed everything!

Wu Ling let out a roar that was not human, and the evil aura around her suddenly erupted. Countless tiny Gu worms scurried out from her sleeves and under her robes. She transformed into a black lightning bolt of vengeance and rushed towards Queen Yao Shui without regard for anything!

She knew this was her last chance; if she didn't act now, she would never have a chance for revenge!

Queen Yaoshui frowned slightly, seemingly having anticipated the witch spirit's madness.

Her green inner energy surged like a living thing, and the scattered leaves and vines around her seemed to be summoned, quickly gathering and swirling to form a solid and vibrant emerald barrier in front of her, steadily blocking the witch spirit's attack, which contained deadly poison and curses.

The disadvantage caused by the mental chaos resulting from the death of the Demon Lord of Wuxu is no longer present.

At this moment, the Yao Shui Queen, whose mind was at peace, was already stronger than the Wu Ling. Although she could not easily crush her, she was calm and composed and handled the attack with ease.

However, just as their strength was locked in a stalemate, their auras locked together, and neither could easily break free—

A sudden change occurred!

Suddenly, a fist covered in dark armor appeared and attacked without warning!
This punch, without any flashy light or earth-shattering momentum, contained a terrifying power that was pure to the extreme, and its speed was beyond the reach of the eye.

The target is the leaf barrier surrounding Queen Yaoshui and the surging green internal energy!
That punch came too suddenly and too fast!

Queen Yaoshui's beautiful eyes were instantly filled with boundless horror and disbelief!

All her spirit and strength were devoted to dealing with the witch spirit's frenzied, suicidal attacks. Where would she have any strength left to resist this fatal blow from a third party, a blow powerful enough to shake mountains and shatter peaks?
"Bang—!!!!"

A deep, thunderous explosion rang out!

The emerald green barrier surrounding Queen Yaoshui shattered instantly, and the surrounding leaves scattered as if torn apart by a gale!
Like a kite with a broken string, she was violently blasted away by that irresistible force. Her graceful body drew a messy arc in the air before crashing heavily into the mud several dozen feet away, splashing up a large amount of murky water.

When she struggled to lift her upper body out of the mud, her once meticulously styled hair was now completely disheveled, with mud-covered strands clinging to her pale cheeks.

The moon-white robe, a symbol of nobility and power, was now filthy, clinging tightly to her curvaceous yet utterly disheveled body.

She raised her head and looked at the person who had thrown the punch—Liang Jin—with a gaze that was a mixture of excruciating pain, bewilderment, and the deepest incomprehension!
Just now, it was Liang Jin who suddenly made a move and sent her flying with a single punch!
The Witch Spirit was also greatly shocked.

The instant Liang Jin moved slightly, she almost instinctively tensed up, preparing to face the backstabbing and attack from her "ally"—this was how the Demon Lord of Wuxu had treated her back then!

She had even closed her eyes in despair, awaiting the familiar pain. However, the expected attack did not fall on her.

When she opened her eyes in surprise and disbelief, she saw the tragic scene of Queen Yaoshui being blasted away and crashing into the mud.

This sudden reversal left Wu Ling's mind blank.

She involuntarily stopped all movement, standing there blankly, her gaze fixed on Liang Jin, her lips moving but only uttering a dry syllable:

"you……?"

Liang Jin slowly withdrew his fist, the residual force of shattering the barrier still lingering on the tip of his fist.

He strode over to Wu Ling's side, standing shoulder to shoulder with her.

Then, under Wu Ling's slightly stiff gaze, which was filled with shock, he reached out and gently placed his hand on her thin shoulder, which was trembling slightly from nervousness, with an almost comforting tone.

His hands were warm and steady, radiating a reassuring strength through his damp clothes.

His gaze, however, was like two cold, sharp arrows, piercing through the rain and firmly locking onto the Yaoshui Queen struggling in the mud in the distance.

His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority and a hint of mockery, clearly echoing across the silent battlefield:

“I have always said that I am a close friend of the National Master Wu Ling.”

Why do you always ignore what I say?

"Why do you all think that I would betray my good friends who fought alongside me and helped me so much for you, strangers I've just met?"

"Am I, the dignified Great Teacher of the Way of Peace, really such a cold-blooded scoundrel in your eyes, someone who only cares about profit, is ruthless and heartless, and would betray his friends at will?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everything fell silent.

Everyone was stunned, as if struck by an invisible thunderbolt.

Queen Yaoshui sat blankly in the muddy water, even forgetting the pain and embarrassment on her body, her mind a complete mess.

why?
From any perspective, weighing the pros and cons, Liang Jin should absolutely choose himself!

He could give him the entire Southern Province, he could give him supreme power, he could give him... himself!
But why?
The one he ultimately chose was that useless, infamous witch spirit?!
This completely defies common sense and overturns her understanding of human nature and self-interest!
The witch spirit felt as if she were in a dream.

An indescribable, unfamiliar surge of warmth suddenly rushed into her heart, making her nose sting and her eyes burn.

Really...

He actually considered me his "closest friend"?
In this world, in this quagmire of betrayal and exploitation, there are actually people who are willing to give up their readily available power and beauty for someone like her who lives in the shadows.

This sudden and overwhelming "recognition" and "protection" made her feel unprecedented fear and apprehension, and even a slight... urge to escape.

Is she worthy?
Liang Jin's expression remained calm and indifferent, as if he had simply done something perfectly natural.

Of course he'll choose the Witch Spirit!
To unify the southern region?
The Queen of Yaoshui could indeed enable Liang Jin to obtain the entire Southern State.

Throughout history, many emperors with great talent and ambition have shown little interest in this wild and untamed land, and Liang Jin was no exception.

His most pressing need is to improve himself, not to expand his power.

Beauty?

Queen Yaoshui was indeed very beautiful; she was definitely among the top tier of beauties Liang Jin had ever seen.

However, Liang Jin was not lacking in beautiful women, and he had long since lost interest in them and matters of the heart, so he didn't care about them at all.

strength?

Queen Yaoshui is also very strong, a master of the second rank.

But Wu Ling is no worse than Queen Yao Shui.

Although Wuling is no match for Queen Yaoshui in a direct confrontation, Wuling's Gu and witchcraft are far more valuable than Queen Yaoshui's.

Most importantly, the ancient secrets that the witch spirit possesses, secrets that may even touch upon the very origin of the world.

He may not need the knowledge of witchcraft right now.

However, one day, when Liang Jin becomes a true master in this world, Wu Ling's knowledge might be of great help to him!

This potential, long-term investment is far more valuable than the seemingly substantial "spot assets" of the Yaoshui Queen.

Moreover, he had known Wu Ling for a long time and knew her better.

Queen Yaoshui was just a stranger, and Liang Jin had neither the time nor the interest to get to know her.

Since Wu Ling has already made her stance clear, only one of her and Queen Yaoshui can survive.

Therefore, Liang Jin would naturally choose Wu Ling!

then.

He ignored the distraught Queen Yaoshui in the distance, turned to the witch spirit beside him who was still in a state of great shock, and solemnly extended his hand, offering the final olive branch:
"The Witch Spirit Grand Tutor,"

His voice softened, carrying a sincere invitation.
Please come and help me.

"I have killed the Demon Lord of Wuxu, which means I have fulfilled the conditions we agreed upon."

"And now, as an additional token of sincerity and in exchange, I am willing... to kill Queen Yaoshui for you."

Liang Jin's words were like pouring cold water into a boiling oil pan, instantly igniting the emotions of all the subjects of Yaoshui Kingdom!
Terrified screams, angry curses, desperate cries... all kinds of sounds intertwined, merging into a lament for the fall of a nation.

But Liang Jin turned a deaf ear and a blind eye to all this noise.

He didn't belong to these mountains, and he didn't care what the people here thought of him.

His gaze remained calm and resolute as he looked at Wu Ling, awaiting her response.

Wu Ling stared blankly back at Liang Jin's deep eyes, which held no calculation, no pity, only a pure respect for her choice.

This made her panic, as if her eyes, which had long been accustomed to darkness, were suddenly exposed to bright light, causing her pain and discomfort.

No one in this world has ever been willing to go to such lengths for her!

She took two deep, trembling breaths of the cold, damp air, forcibly suppressing the intense emotions churning in her chest, but her voice was unusually resolute:
"I don't need you to kill her for me!"

Her gaze instantly sharpened like a knife, abruptly turning to the Yaoshui Queen in the mud, her boundless hatred and resentment reigniting:

“You have already wounded her and weakened her... Now, I can finish her off myself! And settle this score!”

Before she could finish speaking, Queen Yaoshui's expression changed drastically!
Without hesitation, she endured the excruciating pain in her internal organs, forcefully unleashed her green inner energy, and transformed into a streak of light, fleeing swiftly towards the distant, dilapidated city wall!

Liang Jin's punch severely injured her, and now, facing the relatively healthy and extremely hostile Wu Ling, she had no chance of winning!
"Hmph! You think you can escape?"

Wu Ling let out a cold sneer, a laugh filled with the smug satisfaction of finally getting revenge.

Black energy surged around her, and her figure rose up like a ghost, closely following the direction in which Queen Yaoshui fled, chasing after her like a shadow!
Two figures, one green and one black, one fleeing and one chasing, quickly disappeared into the vast rain and the depths of broken walls and ruins, leaving only lingering energy ripples and an intense killing intent in the air.

Liang Jin stood still and did not follow.

He believed that the witch spirit was capable of handling what followed.

Moreover, he had already sensed another aura slowly approaching.

The sound of footsteps wading through the puddles grew louder as they approached.

Carrying a bronze sword and dressed in a gown like the wings of a colorful phoenix, Feng Wu strode across the ravaged battlefield, step by step.

Her face held a sense of relief after avenging a great enemy, and an almost ethereal calm.

Then, she stopped in front of Liang Jin, bent her knees, and knelt down without hesitation in the cold mud.

"Many thanks to the great and wise teacher for avenging this blood feud for my Wuli clan!"

Her voice was calm, yet it contained a resolute determination to sever ties with the past.

“Feng Wu, I am willing to fulfill my promise. From this day forward, I will dedicate my life, my body, and my soul to the Great Teacher.”

She prostrated herself deeply, her forehead touching the mud:

"From this day forward, you will be my master, and I will be your most loyal slave!"

With the Demon Lord of Wuxu defeated, her greatest obsession for living had vanished.

At this moment, she has come to fulfill the promise to exchange herself for the power of revenge.

Liang Jin slowly squatted down in front of Feng Wu, stretched out one hand, and gently pinched Feng Wu's chin, which was covered in mud but still couldn't hide her beauty, with two fingers. He lifted her face with a little force, forcing her to meet his gaze.

His eyes held no lust, only a bottomless calm, like an ancient, cold well.
“I don’t like the term ‘slave’ and I’m not used to this kind of relationship.”

He looked directly into Feng Wu's somewhat evasive eyes, his tone calm yet undeniable:
"You don't have to completely abide by that agreement."

"What I've been interested in from beginning to end has only been your first time. That's the reward I deserve."

Feng Wu's eyelashes trembled violently, and her gaze involuntarily lowered, unable to meet Liang Jin's overly direct eyes.

Two faint blushes rose uncontrollably on her pale cheeks, but more than that, there was a numb resignation.

She was silent for a moment before answering in a barely audible voice:
"At any time...we await the arrival of the great and wise teacher."

Liang Jin nodded in satisfaction and released his grip.

He didn't care about Feng Wu's inner struggle and humiliation at this moment, nor did he intend to play any tricks of gradually cultivating feelings.

This is a deal.

He has completed his part, and now it is time for him to collect his due reward.

After taking his virginity, he could pull up his pants and leave without any lingering attachments. He would have no more attachment to this land of Nanzhou or to the people and things there.

He feels no guilt about it, and he doesn't care at all whether others see him as a "scumbag".

However, Liang Jin still had some sense of shame and couldn't possibly do such a thing in front of everyone, amidst the ruins.

He stood up and looked around.

Yaoshui City has been ravaged by successive battles, and it would be difficult to find a room that is intact and suitable for carrying out activities.

Moreover, the current chaotic environment is by no means the right time to do such a thing.

His gaze seemed to glance almost imperceptibly towards a shadowy spot in a certain direction, as if he already knew something.

Then he spoke softly, his voice clearly penetrating the silence:
"You guys, stop hiding there."

"Everyone come out."

(End of this chapter)