Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess

Hearing this, the cold light flickered in Jiang Yi's eyes, and the killing intent around her surged.

But Jiang Shouzhong appeared thoughtful.

Jiang Shouzhong gently pressed the fragrant shoulder of the woman beside him, indicating for her not to act impulsively, and said to Zhou Zhilin:

"Since that's the case, there's no need for you to trade with me. After all, the initiative is in your hands. Unless... you are apprehensive or want something from me."

"Oh? Do you really think so?"

Zhou Zhilin gazed at him with interest.

Jiang Shouzhong nodded and said, "That's right, that's exactly what I think. Moreover, what you want should be the Yin Yang River Map, right? Because it can assist your Dual Cultivation Secret Technique. However, the premise is that I willingly relinquish it, after all, this thing recognizes its owner."

Zhou Zhilin gave a thumbs up: "Jiang Mo, you're very smart, I like negotiating with smart people."

"I can be even smarter and guess who you are."

Jiang Shouzhong said.

"Oh?"

Zhou Zhilin's smile was eerie, "Then try guessing."

Jiang Shouzhong's gaze was like a torch as he slowly opened his mouth:

"You casually mentioned giving me the entire Nanjin Country, as if this nation is already in your grasp, which means that in your heart, Nanjin Country is originally yours.

And you're so keen on Dual Cultivation and eyeing the Yin Yang River Map on me, showing that you've been delving into Dual Cultivation techniques, having practiced it with many women.

Moreover, you disdain women, seeing them as commodities, obviously, in your eyes, women are indeed worthless.

Secondly, during my previous investigation of Mingjing Valley, I accidentally discovered that Zhou Zhilin's earthly branches and fate numerology coincide highly with someone, even to the point where..."

At this point, Jiang Shouzhong stopped beating around the bush, straightforwardly saying:

"The former emperor of Nanjin Country's death was a mystery, especially after shaving his head before the mirror, his health deteriorated and he eventually died of illness. But did he really die of illness?

An emperor who hated monks, yet had a monk shave his head for him. An emperor once ambitious to conquer the world, who never appointed a Crown Prince and even intentionally stirred up internal strife among his sons.

What was he seeking? What was he planning? I really want to know. Please, former emperor, enlighten me."

Beside him, Jiang Yi's delicate face was filled with shock.

She widened her eyes, staring incredulously at Zhou Zhilin.

This guy is actually the former emperor of Nanjin Country?

Zhou Zhilin laughed.

The suspended fragmented mirrors around began to vibrate violently, the reflection gradually showing the figure of a strange old man.

The old man had a tall figure, a dignified face, though his temples were graying, it couldn't hide his kingly aura of the past.

He was none other than the previous emperor of Nanjin Country — Wanyan Wulie.

Wanyan Wulie slightly narrowed his eyes, his gaze deep as an abyss, staring at Jiang Shouzhong: "Jiang Mo, have you ever wondered why so many cultivators spend their lives longing to ascend?"

"Immortality is definitely the most important reason."

Jiang Shouzhong said.

Wanyan Wulie smiled and nodded: "That's right, immortality holds endless allure for everyone. I am no exception, but I do not greedily seek it, because the longer one lives, the lonelier one becomes, drifting further from oneself, especially for an emperor.

However, I also do not desire a short life, because I have the greatest ambition, which is to unite the world. Unfortunately, life and death are the norm, especially as I have had a chronic illness since childhood that could not be cured, and surviving till now is because of the Dual Cultivation Manual.

One could say, my life was borrowed from the Zen Rebel Monk, the longer I live, the shorter his life. This is also why I was willing to give him all my women.

But no matter what, he is still my dearest brother, and I do not want to harm him again, so I sought other ways to prolong my life, thankfully, I finally found it."

"The power of the Demon Mirror." Jiang Shouzhong said, "You can use the mirror to replicate another version of yourself, one dies, another is copied."

However, Wanyan Wulie shook his head:

"That is not a good method, for the mirror changes with your age, if you get sick, the you in the mirror also gets sick, if you grow old, the you in the mirror also ages."

Jiang Shouzhong understood: "Then you can only possess, find a younger body."

"Exactly."

Wanyan Wulie nodded, "But it is extremely difficult for the Emperor to possess someone else, because the True Dragon Qi Fortune is inherently bound to him. Therefore, over the years, I have tried to find more concubines and father more children, to store the True Dragon Qi Fortune in others.

One part is given to the Zen Rebel Monk for safekeeping, allowing him to absorb it. As for the other part, I will personally retrieve it.

Moreover, this technique of possession must sever the Karma Line, only then can the True Dragon Qi Fortune perfectly merge into this body. Hence, the reflection of myself in the mirror shaves its head, substituting for me to cut off karma."

Jiang Shouzhong curiously asked, "A person who treats his own women as commodities and his children as goods, do you truly have something called brotherhood? The Zen Rebel Monk, isn't he just your scapegoat?"

Wanyan Wulie showed a hint of a smile, "You don't understand, when a person falls into utter helplessness and despair, even a flicker of warmth can be cherished for a lifetime."

"Human nature is complex, especially for an Emperor who stands above everyone."

Jiang Shouzhong still could not believe that the cold-hearted emperor before him would cherish any sense of brotherhood.

Wanyan Wulie explained no further, pointing at Jiang Yi with a domineering tone:

"I've said so much, merely to show my sincerity. You don't believe I have brotherly feelings, and I don't believe you could truly care for a woman. If that were true, Jiang Mo wouldn't have so many women around him.

As evidenced in your heart, women are nothing but playthings. So, I'm still negotiating terms with you. Whether you agree or not, this woman, I will borrow her for forty-nine days. After forty-nine days, I will return her to you."

Jiang Shouzhong raised the Seven Kills Blade in his hand, "It seems, only one of us can live."

"Rotted wood cannot be carved."

Wanyan Wulie sighed with some regret, raising his hand toward Jiang Shouzhong, "I won't kill you, I still have use for you."

Crack——

The shattered mirrors around released blinding light, silver lines interwoven around Jiang Shouzhong.

Jiang Yi wanted to make a move, but suddenly a mirror appeared before her.

The woman in the mirror who looked exactly like her clutched her own neck, a sinister smile on her face, and Jiang Yi suddenly felt a choking sensation from her neck.

Jiang Shouzhong forcibly broke through the surrounding threads and punched at the charging mirror.

The mirror shattered directly.

But each fragment of the mirror turned into a blade, sweeping towards him like a storm.

Wanyan Wulie laughed, "Here, no one is a match for me."

"Oh? Is that so?"

An icy yet melodious voice filled with immense authority suddenly appeared.

Wanyan Wulie was stunned, turning sharply.

In the instant of turning, the mirrors around him turned to powder, and Wanyan Wu Hai kept retreating, blood trickling from his mouth, until he slammed heavily against the hall wall.

Only to see on the throne above the hall, surprisingly sat a woman.

The woman wore a long black dress like the flowing night, tightly fitting her figure, outlining her graceful form.

Strands of crimson hair seemed like leaping flames, unfettered as they danced behind her, like fluttering blood silk, emitting a chilling aura.

Qingchen!?

Jiang Shouzhong's eyes widened.

And Jiang Yi, upon seeing Ran Qingchen, her face burst into joy, but then she thought of something, slightly lowering her head, her jade hand subconsciously clutching her clothes.

"Shura... Empress?"

Wanyan Wulie stared intently at the woman on the throne, his body trembling.

He distinctly felt the terror of his own cultivation being suppressed by her, without even a thought of resistance.

"Fighting on my own territory, isn't that showing great disrespect to your host?"

Ran Qingchen leaned lazily on the throne, legs crossed, her right hand casually resting on the armrest, her index finger gently tapping it, producing a crisp sound.

Each tap was like a heavy hammer, pounding on Wanyan Wulie's heart.

The entire hall was silent.

Only her tapping echoed in the spacious hall, further highlighting her absolute dominating presence.