A master of comedy!

Under the moonlight, Zhou Sheng's voice was cold and authoritative without being angry.

Everyone could feel the pent-up anger in Zhou Sheng's heart, carrying the unparalleled ferocity of someone who had slain an Eight Tribulation Earth Immortal, as if even the wind itself had frozen.

Many people looked puzzled. In their view, Yao Guangxiao had risked his life to lure the enemy tonight and had undoubtedly made a great contribution. Why would the Heavenly Venerable be so angry?
"Cough! Cough!"

Yao Guangxiao's heart was pierced by the dragon's fire-breathing spear, and he coughed up blood continuously. Even more fatally, the remaining magical power of Yama was constantly tearing apart his physical body and primordial spirit.

But his eyes were frighteningly bright, and he slowly uttered a few words through his blood-stained teeth.

"I'm afraid of dying, but I'm even more afraid of losing."

He knew that the Celestial Venerable had seen through everything.

The "fake dragon vein" that he provided to Zhou Sheng for his breakthrough was actually a real dragon vein, the Bi'an dragon vein that Bao Ying voluntarily offered up.

He refined the fake dragon vein himself to forcibly elevate his cultivation to the Earth Immortal Realm and to prevent his disguise from being exposed.

Bi'an is upright and honorable, and its innate supernatural power is to block all prying eyes and to be immune to some sinister and vicious methods of assassination.

The fake dragon vein he cultivated, though still having minor flaws, also possessed related supernatural powers.

Zhou Sheng remained silent, his figure swaying as if he had stepped into the river of time again, trying to change the fate of Bao Ying's death. But soon his figure became solid again, his brows furrowed.

The journey along the path of time ended in failure for the first time.

When he tries to change Bao Ying's fate, the Tortoise Shell and Luoshu will cause strong turmoil, and the golden pattern symbolizing the Bixie Dragon Vein will flash continuously, emitting an uneasy dragon roar.

A strong sense of unease arose in my heart, and even the realm I had just stabilized was trembling.

If he insists on changing the ending, unpredictable disasters may occur!
Zhou Sheng had no choice but to give up for now.

"This is... a letter that Bao Ying left for you."

Yao Guangxiao trembled as he handed a letter to Zhou Sheng. It was addressed to Brother Zhou, and the familiar handwriting was indeed Bao Ying's.

Zhou Sheng opened the letter and unfolded the snow-white paper. The handwriting was neat, but it showed signs of repeated revisions, as if the writer was in a state of turmoil and had too much to say.

"Brother Zhou, it's as if I'm seeing you in person."

"By the time you read this letter, I should already be gone. After reporting to you on the recent progress of my administration that day, I wanted to say goodbye, but you are a cunning fellow, and I was afraid you would notice something amiss, so I had to hold back. Now I can finally say goodbye."

Upon reading these words, Zhou Sheng felt a surge of emotion that lingered for a long time.

During the day, just half an hour before Yao Guangxiao delivered the dragon vein, Bao Yingcai came to see him and told him about the recent news of sending people to investigate the dragon vein, as well as the progress of establishing schools.

He spoke in particular about the latter, detailing many aspects, including the selection of teachers, the compilation of teaching materials, and the admission of students…

When he became thirsty, Zhou Sheng personally brewed him a cup of tea and told him that he didn't need to worry about every little detail and that he could make his own decisions.

Bao Ying just smiled and said that the tea brewed by the Celestial Venerable was better than that from outside.

The two joked around as they had in their youth, chatted briefly about the past, and then he took his leave.

From beginning to end, not a single flaw was revealed.

But who could have imagined that his departure would lead him to Yao Guangxiao, to sacrifice his life to offer up the Bixie Dragon Vein?

I'd give you a cup of tea, and in return, my life.

A scholar will die for one who understands him.

"I entrust my elderly mother and relatives to Brother Zhou."

"My mother is getting old, so don't let her know. Just say I went to investigate another case. That's what I did back then. She has difficulty walking and needs to see a doctor for acupuncture every winter solstice..."

"My younger sister has been widowed for many years. The owner of Wang's Bookshelf is quite nice; perhaps we could try to match them up..."

Bao Ying talked on and on about many things, all of which were private family matters. He wasn't worried about bothering Zhou Sheng at all and listed everything in detail.

From major events like weddings and funerals to minor matters like firewood, rice, oil, and salt.

Zhou Sheng remained silent for a long time, unable to hide his emotion. He carefully and meticulously memorized all those instructions, word by word.

“I have not been in Luoyang for long, but I have noticed some talented people. They may be useful when Brother Zhou pacifies the world and governs a region. They are…” “In addition, Brother Zhou must not take his anger out on Prime Minister Yao. On the contrary, he should be given more important positions. He has the talent to govern a country, which I cannot match.”

Here, Zhou Sheng was recommended some talented individuals. Some were scholars from humble backgrounds, while others were even from merchant families. Most of them came from lowly backgrounds but had talent in some area.

Bao Ying not only pointed out their strengths, but also their weaknesses.

All good things must come to an end.

"Thinking back to when we first met, full of youthful vigor and high spirits, we joined hands to punish evil and uphold justice. How exhilarating it was!"

“Over the years, I have risen higher and higher in rank, but I often dream back to my younger days. Sometimes I really envy my younger self, who dared to venture anywhere in the world.”

"I have no regrets in this life, except that I cannot drink a cup of the hot tea that Brother Zhou created for this peaceful and prosperous era."

"When you have pacified the world, I will pour a cup of wine in your honor."

"Don't forget, or I'll haunt you even as a ghost."

In his last sentence, Bao Ying made a joke, which dispelled the gloomy atmosphere. Through those words, Zhou Sheng seemed to see his open-minded and carefree smile again.

It was just a single sheet of paper, yet it seemed to weigh a ton.

Zhou Sheng carefully folded the letter and stepped into the river of time once more, going upstream to arrive at today's daytime.

“Brother Zhou, we’ve been chatting for quite a while today. I’m afraid the people in Kaifeng must be getting impatient. I’ll come and have tea with you another day.”

Bao Ying smiled at him, turned and left, taking a few tea cakes with him as he went.

As he reached the door, a voice suddenly came from behind him.

"Brother Bao, take care."

Bao Ying trembled. This tough man's eyes welled up with tears. He seemed to understand something and a relieved smile appeared on his face.

This wish for your well-being indicates that Yao Xiang's plan has succeeded.

He turned around, cleared his throat, straightened his clothes, and bowed.

"Brother Zhou, take care."

……

Time flies, and the sun and moon change.

Zhou Sheng returned to that night, looked at Yao Xiang who was about to die, flicked his finger to dispel the magic power left by Yama, and pulled out the Divine Dragon Fire Spear.

The wound to his heart healed rapidly, without even leaving a scar, as if time had reversed on him.

After surviving eight heavenly tribulations, Zhou Sheng's control over the Great Dao of Time had reached an astonishing level. These were all done with ease, without even consuming his lifespan.

He vaguely sensed that he was only one step away from the most core and essential part of the power of the Great Dao of Time.

Taking this final step will allow him to fully grasp this supreme path and become the master of time.

At that time, it is not impossible to forcibly change fate and save Bao Ying.

With this thought in mind, Zhou Sheng did not wallow in sorrow. Instead, his eyes brightened, as if a flame was burning within them.

Send Yama, the King of Hell, to kill me?
Well done. But since I've survived tonight, then... it's your turn to die!
It's all time to end this.

"Beat the drums, muster the troops!"

Zhou Sheng waved his sleeve, his voice filled with domineering and murderous intent.

"Before the sun rises, I will make Chang'an..."

"Change owners!"

Upon hearing this, the generals were filled with fervor and responded with resounding voices.

...(End of this chapter)