Chapter 51

Xia Qing came over today to announce an important matter.

"Today is the Winter Farewell Festival, so we have a day off. You can do as you please, but come to the cafeteria in the evening; I have something to say."

Hearing Xia Qing's voice, many of the young people's faces lit up with joy.

"Is it a festival already? So soon?"

"Time flies when you're cultivating; I forgot about the festival."

"Great, this is my favorite festival!"

The Winter Farewell Festival is a traditional festival in Daxia, the last festival of winter, symbolizing the farewell to winter and the welcome of spring, bringing hope.

"Festival time~"

Meng Jing, who had been diligently cultivating just a moment ago, ran down from the twelfth floor upon hearing about the festival.

She ran up to Jiang Ping'an, jumping with joy, her ponytail swinging back and forth.

"Woodhead! It's the Winter Farewell Festival today, let's go shopping! The streets will definitely be more lively today!"

Jiang Ping'an shook his head. "I still have a lot to learn and need to focus on cultivation."

Their village, close to Daxia, also celebrated this festival, but he had no heart for play.

A single spot in the competition was already so hard to secure; the Hundred Counties Tournament, which gathered geniuses from hundreds of counties in Mingtang Province, would be even more challenging.

Time was tight, and there was no room for relaxation.

Meng Jing suddenly punched Jiang Ping'an, moving extremely fast.

Jiang Ping'an's heart raced, and he quickly raised his hand to block, bending his arm to deflect the force.

"What are you doing?"

If that punch had landed, it would have sent him flying several meters.

"What? Of course, I'm hitting you!"

Meng Jing raised her hand and slammed it down on Jiang Ping'an's head, shouting a scolding.

"I know you dream of becoming a transcendent and want to revive your uncle and aunt, but becoming a transcendent isn't that easy?"

"Do you want to spend your whole life cultivating? If your uncle and aunt were alive, do you think they would want you to be like this every day?"

After shouting these words, Meng Jing suddenly realized something and whispered, "Sorry, I didn't mean to bring up your uncle and aunt."

Jiang Ping'an was silent for a moment, then smiled slightly. "Let me change into clean clothes."

"Okay~"

Meng Jing beamed.

A short while later, Jiang Ping'an changed into a clean, neat white outfit.

Due to cultivation, he was no longer the skinny boy he was six months ago; he had grown taller and more robust, and his youthful features were gradually fading.

In another two years, he would be a handsome young man.

After this Winter Farewell Festival, he would be fifteen.

The two laughed as they headed to the Blackwind District.

Red lanterns hung everywhere, and cultivators flew through the air, stopping to greet familiar faces with smiles and clasped hands.

Many shops put up discount signs to attract customers, and the atmosphere was filled with joy.

Jiang Ping'an had never seen such a bustling scene before and was deeply moved.

"If my parents were alive, they would also be amazed. If I could become a transcendent, I could enjoy this happiness forever!"

Jiang Ping'an's determination to become a transcendent grew even stronger.

Meng Jing, like a little kitten, ran around the city, buying a bunch of seemingly useless things, with Jiang Ping'an silently following behind.

As night fell, Meng Jing happily returned to the governor's residence; Xia Qing still had something to say, and they couldn't be late.

In the cafeteria, various delicacies released spiritual energy, which formed a mist that drifted through the air, creating a fairy-like atmosphere.

"Wow! So many pastries!"

Meng Jing's eyes sparkled as she stared at the mountain of pastries, pulling Jiang Ping'an over.

The plump Ma Wei walked up to Jiang Ping'an and asked with a smile, "How do you like our Daxia Kingdom's festival?"

Jiang Ping'an frowned, sensing something was off about Ma Wei's words.

Ma Wei suddenly raised his voice. "Does your Lingtai Kingdom also celebrate the Winter Farewell Festival?"

Sure enough, the fox's tail was showing.

The geniuses, who had been enjoying their meal, all turned to look at the mention of "Lingtai Kingdom."

Meng Jing's face darkened, and she said in a low voice, "Ma Wei! What are you doing?"

"What am I doing? I'm just asking Brother Jiang if their Lingtai Kingdom also celebrates the Winter Farewell Festival."

Ma Wei smiled, looking very annoying.

"Jiang Ping'an is from the Lingtai Kingdom?"

"Damn! How could he be here?"

"Spy!!"

The Lingtai Kingdom was currently at war with Daxia, and they were enemies.

Lingtai was not strong and had been incited by other countries to start the war, causing adverse effects on Daxia.

People in Daxia had no good feelings toward the Lingtai Kingdom.

Upon hearing Ma Wei's words, many immediately cast hostile glares at Jiang Ping'an.

Ma Wei smiled brightly.

This was his goal.

When he investigated Meng Jing's information, he also found out about Jiang Ping'an.

It turned out this guy wasn't from Daxia at all.

Because of previous conflicts with Jiang Ping'an, he had been looking for an opportunity to teach him a lesson.

Today, with everyone present, he brought up this matter, using the hostility toward the Lingtai Kingdom to target Jiang Ping'an.

Meng Jing naturally saw through Ma Wei's scheme and gritted her teeth.

"Jiang Ping'an's parents were forced to their deaths by the Lingtai Kingdom, and he has a deep-seated hatred for them. He once helped our Lianshan County destroy Pingshui County and is no longer a part of the Lingtai Kingdom!"

Ma Wei's lips curled upward; he had expected her to say this.

"Who knows if this isn't just a performance by the Lingtai Kingdom, with the goal of infiltrating our Daxia."

"Just one Pingshui County, I could destroy it alone. To trade such a useless county for a spy, that would be a great deal."

Hearing Ma Wei's words, the hostile gazes toward Jiang Ping'an grew even stronger.

"This Jiang Ping'an is likely a spy!"

"Seize him and interrogate him thoroughly; we cannot let any spy go!"

"Better to mistakenly kill a thousand than to let one spy escape! If he is a real spy, it would have a very negative impact on our Daxia!"

Many people's spiritual senses were already locked onto Jiang Ping'an, and there was a growing tendency to take action.

"I'll see who dares!" Meng Jing threw down her pastry and stood in front of Jiang Ping'an.

Ma Wei's smile grew even wider. "Miss Meng, are you going to betray your country?"

Great, if Meng Jing insisted on protecting Jiang Ping'an, there would be a chance to get rid of this woman.

If she continued to grow, she might push him out of the competition.

Under the pressure of public opinion, even the Ninth Princess couldn't ignore it.

"I am not betraying my country!" Meng Jing shouted.

"Then why are you protecting someone from the Lingtai Kingdom?" Ma Wei continued his attack, despite his young age, he was very cunning.

"Because Jiang Ping'an can't possibly be a spy!" Meng Jing was almost in tears, her eyes welling up with moisture.

"What makes you so sure? Can you see into his heart?" Ma Wei sneered.

"You..."

Before Meng Jing could say more, a large hand pressed down on her shoulder.

Jiang Ping'an stepped forward, calmly staring at Ma Wei.

"I come from a farming background and had a conflict with the soldiers of Pingshui County, which created a life-and-death enmity with the Lingtai Kingdom."

"It was Miss Meng's father who saved me, and I am grateful to him. The princess has favored me and given me resources, and I will not forget these kindnesses."

"I was indeed born in the Lingtai Kingdom, and I have no evidence to prove I am not a spy. No matter what I say, you won't believe me because your goal is to attack me."

Ma Wei ignored the other information and shouted to the surrounding cultivators, "Everyone heard it, he admitted he is from the Lingtai Kingdom!"

Many of the young people lacked the ability to think critically and were filled only with hatred for the Lingtai Kingdom.

"Such a person cannot be allowed to stay here!"

"If he is a spy, he is using our Daxia's resources to cultivate!"

"Drive him away, no, arrest him and interrogate him!"