Outside the Huanzhen Temple, in front of the new grave, Jiang Wang opened his eyes.
The small silver crescent moon fell into the palm of his right hand, turning into a silver moon mark that was branded on it before disappearing. However, Jiang Wang could still clearly sense its presence. It had no power of its own; it would only reappear when Jiang Wang thought of it, connecting to the Taiyin Star and pulling his spiritual consciousness into the mysterious Tai Xu Illusion.
He hadn't explored the Tai Xu Illusion for long. The wilderness where he was was not a place to explore in peace.
Not to mention that after the aftermath of powerful cultivators' battles here, whether cultivators from Fenglin City would come to investigate. For Jiang Wang himself, there were more pressing matters.
If he hadn't forgotten the time, in three days, it would be the time for the selection of inner court students in Fenglin Dao Academy.
Once he missed this time point, he would find it very difficult to find another opportunity—a chance for revenge.
Because the students of the inner court were the ones truly recognized by Zhuangguo as Dao Academy disciples, and Dao Academy disciples could not be easily humiliated, let alone killed!
He took one last look at the dilapidated temple where he had struggled with his sick body for many days, and then Jiang Wang stepped on the moonlight and walked away with big strides.
In front of the broken temple gate, weeds grew in abundance. A gust of wind blew, allowing the moonlight to fall on the old plaque that had lain on the ground for years. The characters on it were blurred, but the word "Huanzhen" could be faintly outlined.
The moon shone on the new grave in front of the broken temple, and the wind rustled through the leaves.
It was as if someone sighed.
...
Fenglin City is not small at all. For many people who have lived here for generations, this is the whole world.
Apart from the city lord who represents the will of Zhuangguo, the three surnames Zhang, Fang, and Wang are the masters of this land.
The night was deep, and the back door of Yicui Tower was pushed open. Amidst the coquettish laughter of a plump young lady, a man in a long robe with slits on both sides staggered out, his body reeking of alcohol, which only made him look more triumphant.
His name is Fang Decai.
The surname "Fang" is not easy to come by. Since his grandfather's generation, his family has served the Fang family for three generations before he was finally granted this surname. It was precisely because he was trusted by the Fang family that he could be so well-off, able to enter a soul-stirring place like Yicui Tower once a month.
He pinched his favorite young lady again and laughed heartily as he left.
The plump young lady looked at him with a mixture of embarrassment and anger, and cooed a few complaints. Only after his figure disappeared down the alley did she spit and say, "A dog relying on its master's power." She then slammed the small door shut.
She failed to notice that a man in tattered clothes had already approached Fang Decai from behind.
Fang Decai had some martial arts skills. When he sensed something was wrong, he suddenly threw a punch and turned around, but the other party casually slapped his fist away.
Then his throat was grabbed, and he was lifted into the air and slammed against the wall.
Compared to the swelling pain on his face, the gradually difficult breathing, what terrified him even more was that face.
The gentle, calm face of Jiang Wang.
"Jiang... Jiang..." Fang Decai croaked in terror and struggle, his throat constricted.
"Who instigated you, the Fang family or Fang Pengju? Who else was involved in this? What kind of poison was put in the wine? How did you get in touch with the remnants of the bandits from West Mountain?"
Jiang Wang slowly asked these questions, and only released his grip just before Fang Decai suffocated, leisurely saying, "Now, tell me slowly."
He looked up at the moonlight, "We have plenty of time."
The evening breeze gently pushed the clouds, slightly obscuring the moonlight. The low conversation in this alley was as faint as the whispers of evil spirits.
That night, the bright moon was in the sky, the night was windy, and the living returned to the city.
...
When the sky was bright, Jiang Wang stood in front of the entrance of the Fenglin Dao Academy.
Zhuangguo, with Daoism as the state religion, naturally derives its strongest supernatural power from the Daoist sects, and the Dao Academies spread throughout the three prefectures and various cities of the country are proof of this.
The Dao Academy is not only the preferred place for young people in Zhuangguo to cultivate, but even officials at all levels must have a record of studying in the Dao Academy to gain public trust.
Thus, in the entire Fenglin City, the most prestigious place might not be the city lord's mansion, nor the residences of the three major surnames, but the Fenglin Dao Academy.
The Daoist sect inherited by Zhuangguo belongs to the Yujing Mountain lineage, which places great emphasis on rituals. Therefore, the entire Dao Academy is also built in a magnificent and splendid manner. Not to mention other things, just the pair of jade lions squatting on both sides of the main gate are extremely dignified and noble.
Jiang Wang's clothes were still tattered, and if you smelled closely, there was even a sour smell. He simply washed his face and tied his messy hair back casually.
He stood in front of the open gate of the Dao Academy, standing tall and upright like a pine tree.
The outer court disciple on duty rubbed his eyes again and again, and then shouted in disbelief, "Jiang... Jiang Senior Brother!?"
Jiang Wang nodded in acknowledgment, "Hello, Wu Junior Brother."
As the most daring outer court disciple in the Fenglin Dao Academy, he had participated in countless Dao Academy missions. Any outer court disciple who had been there for more than a year basically knew him.
Junior Brother Wu turned around and ran into the Dao Academy, shouting excitedly, "Senior Brother Jiang Wang is back! Senior Brother Jiang Wang is back!"
In a short while, many outer court disciples swarmed over, filling the entrance of the Dao Academy, and everyone was chattering noisily. It was evident how popular Jiang Wang was among the outer court disciples.
Among the dozens of outer court disciples, a few people were particularly eye-catching. Even in the crowd, people subconsciously made way for them.
"Damn you, Jiang! Where have you been hiding these days? I thought you were dead!"
The one who started shouting from afar was Du Yehu. His muscles seemed to be bursting out of his training clothes as he moved. His face was also distinctive, with a full beard. Standing there, he looked two or three times bigger than the other outer court disciples. Some might believe he was a bandit from the mountains rather than an eighteen-year-old teenager.
Due to his overly hasty development, he was known as "prematurely bearded."
He squeezed out of the crowd like a bear and hugged Jiang Wang, not minding the faint sour smell on him, and kept muttering, "Damn it! Damn it!"
"Good to be back!"
Saying "good to be back," but with bloodshot eyes and trembling lips, was Ling He.
He had a proper face and a full forehead, looking like a calm and composed person. At that moment, he stood behind Du Yehu in a training suit that had been washed until it was almost white, just staring steadily at Jiang Wang.
Only one handsome young man came over, looked Jiang Wang up and down first, and then pointed at his tattered clothes with a smile, "How did you end up in such a mess?"
His name was Zhao Rucheng. He had the most striking appearance, and his smile seemed a bit frivolous. But only those who truly knew him could see the hidden tearfulness in his charming eyes.
These few people had different appearances and personalities, but they all had a life-and-death friendship with Jiang Wang.
In many trials and missions of the outer court, they worked together to overcome countless difficulties and dangers, and had already formed a deep bond.
However, Jiang Wang's gaze passed over them and fell on the handsome young man in the crowd whose eyes seemed a bit red.
He didn't say anything, nor did he make any movements, but just standing there, he was implicitly the center of the crowd.
"Pengju, it's been fifty-seven days," Jiang Wang said almost word by word, "I think of you every day."
"Only thinking of Pengju, don't you miss Second Brother?" Du Yehu grabbed Jiang Wang's shoulders and shook them, making a big fuss.
Ling He and Zhao Rucheng, however, were both silent.
Fifty-seven days is a very specific and sensitive number, exactly the number of days since Jiang Wang went missing.
Fang Pengju, dressed in expensive brocade clothes, smiled and stepped forward, "It's good that you're back. Everyone has been very worried about you these days."
"Yes," Jiang Wang also smiled, "Without seeing a body, how could you not worry?"
Fang Pengju's face changed: "What do you mean by that? After your accident, I was frantic! I sent people to look for you everywhere!"
Jiang Wang said quietly, "That's why I only dared to show up today."
"Jiang Wang! The attackers were the remnants of the bandits from West Mountain. Everyone knows that! Could it be that you actually suspect me?" Fang Pengju's face turned red, looking both surprised and furious, "We, the Five Heroes of Fenglin, are as close as brothers! Did you hear some rumors?"
Ling He, Du Yehu, Jiang Wang, Fang Pengju, and Zhao Rucheng, these five people were the most outstanding figures among the outer court disciples of Fenglin Dao Academy. Because they got along well and often teamed up to fight bandits, they were known as the Five Heroes of Fenglin.
Feeling the suddenly heavy atmosphere, the outer court disciples who came to welcome Jiang Wang began to feel uneasy.
"Could it be that Fang Pengju harmed Jiang Wang?"
"Don't talk nonsense. Fang Pengju has always been righteous. How could he do such a thing? It must be a misunderstanding!"
"I don't think so... Senior Brother Jiang is not a fool to be easily deceived."
The crowd murmured.
"All of us are brothers. Don't talk nonsense!" Du Yehu glared at Jiang Wang, his face very anxious. His intuition was not good, but he had no way to prevent what was about to happen.
Ling He thought for a moment and persuaded, "Third brother, you must have gone through a lot and suffered a lot in this period. Why not settle down first? In a few days, it will be the selection of the inner court students. This is a big event that affects a lifetime and needs to be treated with caution. The remnants of the bandits from West Mountain have been jointly exterminated by us. If there is any hidden truth in this matter, it can be sorted out slowly. If you have a grievance, a hatred, we brothers will definitely help you. Even if it causes a disturbance in the prefectural or national Dao Academy, we will do it without hesitation!
Pengju is our brother who has sworn blood oath together. I believe there must be some misunderstanding. Maybe someone is stirring up trouble in between..."
"Big brother," Jiang Wang interrupted him, "When have I ever spoken without thinking? I value this brotherhood as much as you do. So if I say this today, it means that it is indeed the case."
"Fang Pengju!" Jiang Wang turned to the young man in brocade clothes and pointed at him, "I hope that after you open this box, you can still be so righteous!"
Only then did everyone notice that behind Jiang Wang, there was a large box.
"No matter what happens, I, Fang Pengju, will never harm my friends!" Fang Pengju was stunned for only a moment, then he said generously, "I will see for myself what kind of false evidence can make Third Brother suspect his own brother!"
He strode to the courtyard, drew his long sword from his waist, and with one slash, he opened the lid of the box!
A person tied up with ropes was revealed inside the box, with a rag stuffed in his mouth. Seeing Fang Pengju, he looked extremely anxious and kept making muffled noises.
Du Yehu and Ling He were also silent. They both recognized him as Fang Decai, a servant close to Fang Pengju.
"That day, your servant sent me a letter, saying that you invited me to drink at Wangyue Tower. When I arrived, you were not there yet, and he persuaded me to drink a few cups first to try the fine wine you had sent. The poison in that wine... was the Two-Worlds Separating Powder.
As soon as the poison took effect, bandits broke in... I personally exterminated the bandits from West Mountain, but I never expected that right here in Fenglin City, I would almost be killed by a group of remnants!"
Jiang Wang's voice echoed, "So the first thing I did after I recovered was to find Fang Decai."
Fang Pengju was silent for only a moment, and then he thrust his sword forward!
"Beast! My Fang family has treated you well. How dare you collude with bandits, forge a letter, and harm my Third Brother!"
The sword was swift and accurate, and blood splashed. Fang Decai convulsed violently, made a few gurgling noises in his throat, and then lay still like a dead dog. From beginning to end, he didn't even have time to say a word in his own defense.
"Fang Pengju!" No one present was a fool. Although Du Yehu was rough, it didn't mean he was stupid. His eyes widened in anger.
"Second Brother," Fang Pengju, with his sword dripping blood, looked ashamed, "I... in a fit of rage, just wanted to kill this beast to avenge Third Brother!"
"It's okay," Jiang Wang said after watching Fang Pengju's performance. He then took out a piece of paper from his pocket, covered with dense handwriting, "Here is Fang Decai's confession and his signature. Does Pengju want to take a look?"
"Clang!"
Fang Pengju casually discarded his sword and knelt down abruptly, "I don't need to see it to know what it probably says. It can only be that the remnants of the West Mountain bandits, with their undying desire to destroy us, must have paid a hefty price to make this beast so loyal! But Third Brother, you must believe me. I have always been open and honest. How could I have ever done anything so despicable? No matter what the cause of this matter is, my Fang family will definitely give you an explanation. I will offer a reward of ten thousand coins and will surely eliminate all bandits within a hundred miles to wash away the grievance in Third Brother's heart!"
Some outer court disciples also spoke up, "Yes, Senior Brother Jiang, you and your brothers are all heroes and the pride of our outer court at Fenglin Dao Academy. Don't let yourselves be swayed by petty people!"
"I once had a seriously ill mother, and it was Senior Brother Fang who generously helped. I believe he is not the kind of person to do such a thing."
There were also those who spat on Fang Decai's body, "This kind of evil servant deserves no pity. He even tarnished Senior Brother Fang's reputation and disrupted the brotherhood of the Five Heroes of Fenglin. If he were still alive, I would cut him into a thousand pieces!"
"Everyone, please stop talking!" Fang Pengju waved his hand to stop the discussion. He crawled forward on his knees and looked at Jiang Wang earnestly, "After Third Brother went missing, I led people to search everywhere, crying many times! My loyalty to Third Brother is known to everyone, and the heavens can bear witness! But even though I have a clear conscience, if it weren't for my trust in Decai and Third Brother's trust in me, how could this beast have had the chance to take advantage? All the blame lies with me, and I am willing to take full responsibility!"
"I am willing to give all my personal wealth to compensate for Third Brother's pain; I am willing to be whipped to make up for my mistake of misplaced trust; I am willing to go alone to fight bandits and swear to eliminate the remnants of the West Mountain bandits. I will not return to the city until they are all gone!"
"I am willing to do this, not for compensation. Third Brother almost died, and this grievance is hard to settle! It's just that we have been brothers, and I cannot forgive myself!"
"If..." Fang Pengju finally almost cried and gnashed his teeth, "If Third Brother still harbors such deep resentment, then pick up this sword and kill me with one strike! Pengju will have no complaints!"
Everyone's gaze fell on the bloodstained sword that had been thrown to the ground.
"Senior Brother Fang, you mustn't do this!"
"I believe it's not your fault. A true man should not speak of death so easily!"
Moved by the scene, everyone spoke up to dissuade him.
Even Ling He, after a period of silence, spoke again, "Third and Fourth brothers, this matter..."
Jiang Wang waved his tattered sleeve and stepped forward with a straight back, "Pengju, I have fought for you and been wounded many times, and you have also stood up for me. We five brothers have been through life and death together."
Whether it was Ling He, Du Yehu, or Zhao Rucheng, they were all deeply touched. The blood and tears they had shared, the days they had struggled together, the joys they had experienced... only they knew.
The bond of sharing life and death, how could it be summed up in just a few words?
"Third brother..." Fang Pengju lowered his head, tears streaming down his face, and he was sobbing uncontrollably, "All the mistakes are mine. I shouldn't have trusted that evil servant and almost caused a great disaster!"
"But since Pengju you have said so much..." Jiang Wang slowly said, "Then Third brother will, with respect, follow your command!"