Zhao Ya’s heart was as calm as still water.
Unknowingly, his strength had already grown to the point where he could face all the strong warriors of this place Beyond the World.
But that was still not enough.
Because through this great battle, Zhao Ya realized that this world was far from as simple as it appeared on the surface.
Especially the firearm in Ye Xunhuan’s hand, which left Zhao Ya puzzled.
But this was not the time to ponder over it; Zhao Ya picked up Shen Jiu’s corpse and swiftly returned to the Library.
By the time he tossed the corpse onto the floor, the wine jar Guan Xuejiang and Guo Luming had just opened was only half consumed.
Although they had already surmised Zhao Ya’s strength, seeing him kill the intruder so swiftly and neatly in just a short amount of time shocked Guan Xuejiang and Guo Luming.
"It’s Shen Jiu!" Guan Xuejiang recognized the corpse on the ground.
"Haha, now Jiang Shengwu would be heartbroken, as this Shen Jiu was the top expert of Wanghai Tower," Guo Luming said gloatingly.
Zhao Ya said calmly, "Since Shen Jiu dared to come, it proves that Jiang Shengwu and the others should be not far outside the temple."
"So should I go and meet them?"
Guan Xuejiang and Guo Luming shook their heads in unison.
"No need!"
Guan Xuejiang said, "Jiang Shengwu’s strength is not weaker than mine. Although your strength is already quite extraordinary, rushing there would be too dangerous."
"That’s right, now is not the time to settle accounts with them," Guo Luming also said.
"But if we just leave it alone, won’t Jiang Shengwu come in to find someone?" Zhao Ya hesitated a little.
"Rest assured, he won’t," Guan Xuejiang said with a cold smile.
"Jiang Shengwu is inherently suspicious. After seeing that Shen Jiu did not return for a long time, he will become even more suspicious. Not only will he not come, but he will also be wary and flee."
After saying this, Guan Xuejiang seemed a bit tired and turned around to sit down again.
"Come, let’s not let this minor annoyance spoil the mood, let’s continue drinking."
Looking at Guan Xuejiang’s gradually pale face, Zhao Ya was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright, let’s continue drinking!"
The drinking session went on; this time, although Guan Xuejiang’s spirits seemed high, he visibly grew weaker.
At first, he could still sit up and talk and laugh, but gradually, he could no longer sit up properly and could only recline.
In the end, he no longer had the strength to talk and laugh and could only listen with a smile.
Zhao Ya felt a bitter emotion hard to express, choked up several times, but held back his tears with great effort, forcing a smile while drinking.
Just as Guan Xuejiang predicted, after Shen Jiu’s death, Jiang Shengwu and the others indeed did not come.
That night passed quietly.
As the first rays of morning sunlight streamed through the window into the room.
The still vigorous, somewhat middle-aged looking Guan Xuejiang from last night now appeared frail and worn.
He was leaning against Guo Luming, his clouded eyes took one last look at the Azure Dragon Map outside the window, then he murmured in an almost inaudible voice.
"Senior Brother, I’m going ahead."
Guo Luming smiled and nodded, "Go, everything is here with me and Ya."
Upon hearing this, a slight smile appeared on Guan Xuejiang’s lips; then he gently closed his eyes and passed away peacefully.
"Elder!" Zhao Ya cried out sorrowfully, his voice choked.
Guo Luming gently patted his cheek, and with a smile, said.
"Junior Brother, have a good journey."
Saying this, big tears began to fall down.