Chapter 3: An Unforgivable Grievance

Outside Huanzhen Temple, in front of a new grave, Jiang Wang opened his eyes.

The small silver moon fell into the palm of his right hand, transformed into a silver moon mark, and then disappeared.

But Jiang Wang could still clearly sense its presence. It had no power of its own, but would reappear when Jiang Wang thought of it, connecting to the Taiyin Star and taking his spiritual consciousness into that mysterious and unpredictable illusory realm.

He didn't explore the illusory realm for too long. The countryside he was in was not a place where he could safely explore.

Aside from whether cultivators from Maple Forest City would come to investigate after the aftershocks of the battle between powerful cultivators had dissipated, Jiang Wang himself had more pressing matters.

If he remembered the time correctly, the selection of inner courtyard students at Maple Forest Dao Academy would be in three days.

Once he missed this opportunity, it would be difficult for him to find another chance—a chance for revenge.

Because inner courtyard students were truly recognized as Dao Academy disciples by the State of Zhuang. Dao Academy disciples could not be easily humiliated, let alone killed!

Taking one last look at the dilapidated Daoist temple where he had stubbornly lingered for many days while struggling with illness, Jiang Wang strode away in the moonlight.

In front of the broken temple gate, weeds grew densely. A gust of wind blew, allowing the moonlight to shine on the old plaque that had been lying on the ground for many years. The writing on it was blurred, but the words "Huan Zhen" could still be faintly made out.

The moon shone on the broken temple and new grave, and the wind rustled through the leaves.

It was as if someone sighed.

...

Maple Forest City was actually not small. For many people who had lived there for generations, it was their entire world.

Apart from the City Lord, who represented the will of the State of Zhuang, the Zhang, Fang, and Wang families were the masters of this land.

The night was deep, and the back door of the Yicui Tower was pushed open. Amidst the giggling laughter of a plump girl, a man in a long gown with slits on both sides swayed out, his drunken state only accentuating his smugness.

His name was Fang Decai.

The surname "Fang" was not easily earned. Since his grandfather's generation, he had been serving the Fang family for three generations before he was granted this surname. It was precisely because the Fang family trusted him as a confidant that he had such ample funds and could afford to visit pleasure houses like the Yicui Tower every month.

He pinched his lover's bottom hard, laughed heartily, and then left.

The plump girl glared at him in annoyance and coquettishly complained a few times. Only when his figure had disappeared into the alley did she spit and say, "A dog relying on its master's power." She slammed the small door shut.

As a result, she did not notice that a ragged man had approached Fang Decai from behind.

Fang Decai had some martial arts skills. When he sensed something was wrong, he suddenly threw a punch back, but the other party simply slapped his fist away.

Immediately afterward, his throat was grabbed, his entire body was lifted into the air, and then he was slammed against the wall.

Compared to the pain of his rapidly swelling face, the increasingly difficult breathing, what frightened him even more was that face.

The gentle, serene face of Jiang Wang.

"Jiang... Jiang..." Fang Decai croaked in terror and struggled with his constricted throat.

"Who ordered you? The Fang family, or Fang Pengju? Who else is involved in this matter? What poison was put in the wine? How did you contact the remnants of the Xishan bandits?"

Jiang Wang asked slowly, releasing his grip just before Fang Decai passed out from suffocation, and then said calmly, "Now, tell me slowly."

He looked up at the moonlight, "We have plenty of time."

The evening breeze gently pushed the clouds away, slightly obscuring the moonlight. The hushed conversations in the alley were as faint as the whispers of ghosts.

That night, the bright moon was in the sky, the night drum sounded in the wind, and the undying man had returned to the city.

...

When dawn broke, Jiang Wang stood at the entrance of the Maple Forest City Dao Academy.

The State of Zhuang took Daoism as its state religion, and the most powerful extraordinary force naturally came from Daoism. The Dao Academies scattered throughout the three prefectures and cities of the country were proof of this.

The Dao Academy was not only the preferred place for young people in the State of Zhuang to cultivate, but even officials at all levels had to have a record of studying at the Dao Academy to be convincing.

Therefore, for the entire Maple Forest City, the most respected place was probably not the City Lord's Mansion, nor the residences of the three major families, but the Maple Forest City Dao Academy.

The Daoist tradition inherited by the State of Zhuang belonged to the Yujing Mountain lineage, which placed great emphasis on rituals. Therefore, the entire Dao Academy was built in a magnificent and luxurious style. Not to mention anything else, just the pair of jade lions squatting on both sides of the gate were extremely majestic and noble.

Jiang Wang's clothes were still ragged, and there was even a sour smell if you sniffed closely. He simply washed his face and casually tied his messy hair behind his head.

He stood in front of the wide-open gate of the Dao Academy, his head held high, standing as straight as a pine tree.

The outer disciple on duty rubbed his eyes again and again before daring to shout in disbelief, "Senior Brother Jiang... Jiang!"

Jiang Wang nodded, "Hello, Junior Brother Wu."

As the most daring outer disciple in the Maple Forest City Dao Academy, he had participated in countless Dao Academy missions. As long as they had been enrolled for more than a year, there was basically no outer disciple who didn't know him.

Junior Brother Wu turned and ran into the Dao Academy, shouting excitedly, "Senior Brother Jiang Wang is back! Senior Brother Jiang Wang is back!"

Before long, many outer disciples swarmed over, crowding the gate of the Dao Academy. Senior brothers and junior brothers chattered incessantly. It was evident that Jiang Wang was very popular among the outer disciples.

Among the dozens of outer disciples, there were a few who were particularly eye-catching. Even in the crowd, people unconsciously made way for them.

"You Jiang bastard! Where have you been hiding all these days? I thought you were dead!"

The one who started shouting from afar was Du Yehu. When he ran, the muscles on his body seemed like they would burst out of his training clothes at any moment. His face was also different from others, with a full beard. Standing there, just looking at his face made him seem two or three times larger than the surrounding outer disciples. One might believe he was some mountain bandit, not an eighteen-year-old youth.

Because he developed too quickly, he was known as "early-bearded in his youth."

Like a bear squeezing out of the crowd, he hugged Jiang Wang tightly, not caring about the faint sour smell on his body, and kept saying, "Damn it! Damn it!"

"It's good that you're back!"

The one who said "it's good that you're back" with bloodshot eyes and trembling lips was Ling He.

His face was proper, with a full forehead, making him appear to be a calm and composed person. At this time, he was wearing a washed-out training uniform and standing behind Du Yehu, just staring at Jiang Wang fixedly.Only a handsome young man came forward, first sizing up Jiang Wang, then pointing at his ragged clothes and laughing, "How did you end up in this state?"

His name was Zhao Rucheng. He was the most attractive, with a smile that seemed a little frivolous. But only those who really knew him could see the hint of tears in his charming eyes.

These few people had different appearances and personalities, but they all shared a life-or-death friendship with Jiang Wang.

In many trial missions of the outer sect, they had worked together, overcome countless difficulties and dangers, and had long established a deep friendship.

But Jiang Wang's gaze passed over them, only focusing on the handsome young man in the crowd whose eyes seemed red.

He didn't say anything, nor did he make any movements, but just standing there, he was vaguely the center of the crowd.

"Pengju, fifty-seven days," Jiang Wang said, almost word by word, "I've been thinking about you every day."

"Only thinking about Pengju? Don't you miss your second brother?" Du Yehun grabbed Jiang Wang's shoulders and shook him, shouting wildly.

Ling He and Zhao Rucheng were both silent.

Fifty-seven days was a very specific and sensitive time, exactly fifty-seven days since Jiang Wang disappeared.

Fang Pengju, dressed in rich brocade clothes, stepped forward with a smile: "It's good that you're back, everyone has been worried about you these days."

"Yes," Jiang Wang also smiled, "How could you not be worried if you didn't see the body?"

Fang Pengju's expression changed: "What do you mean by that? I was anxious when you had the accident! I sent people everywhere to find you!"

Jiang Wang said faintly: "That's why I didn't dare to show my face until today."

"Jiang Wang! It was the remnants of the Xishan bandits who attacked you, everyone knows this! Do you actually suspect me?" Fang Pengju's face flushed red, appearing shocked and angry, "We, the Maple Forest Five Heroes, are as close as brothers! Have you misunderstood some rumors?"

Ling He, Du Yehun, Jiang Wang, Fang Pengju, and Zhao Rucheng, these five were the most outstanding disciples of the outer court of the Maple Forest City Dao Academy. Because they shared the same aspirations, they often went together to eliminate bandits, and were known as the Maple Forest Five Heroes.

Sensing 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 fooled."

The crowd whispered.

"We're all brothers, don't talk nonsense!" Du Yehun stared at Jiang Wang, his face very anxious. He had a bad feeling, but there was nothing he could do to prevent what was about to happen.

Ling He thought for a while and advised, "Third Brother, you must have experienced a lot of things during this time and suffered a lot. Why don't you settle down first? The inner court selection is in a few days, this is a major event related to your life, you must treat it with caution. The remaining bandits in Xishan have already been jointly eliminated by us, if there are any hidden secrets, we can sort them out slowly. If you have grievances, have hatred, we brothers will definitely help you, even if it means taking it to the county Dao Academy or the state Dao Academy, we won't hesitate!

But Pengju is a brother we swore an oath with, I believe there must be some misunderstanding. Perhaps someone is instigating trouble..."

"Big Brother," Jiang Wang interrupted him, "When have I ever spoken carelessly? I cherish this brotherhood as much as you do. So today, since I'm saying this, it means that things are indeed like this."

"Fang Pengju!" Jiang Wang turned to look at the brocade-clad youth, and pointed his finger at him, "I hope that after you open this box, you can still be so confident!"

Only then did everyone notice that behind Jiang Wang, there was a large box.

"No matter what happens, I, Fang Pengju, will never harm a friend!" Fang Pengju only hesitated for a moment, then said with emotion, "I will personally see what kind of dirty evidence can make Third Brother suspect his own brother!"

He strode to the courtyard, drew his long sword from his waist, and with one sword, he opened the box!

Inside the box, a person tied up with rope was revealed. His mouth was stuffed with rags, and his expression was extremely anxious when he saw Fang Pengju, and he kept whimpering desperately.

Du Yehun and Ling He were also silent, they both recognized that this was Fang Pengju's close servant, Fang Decai.

"That day, this servant of yours sent a post, saying that you invited me to Wangyue Tower for a drink. When I went, you hadn't arrived yet, he advised me to have a few drinks first, to try the fine wine you specially sent. The poison in that wine... was Two Separations Yin Yang Powder.

As soon as the poison took effect, bandits broke in and attacked... I personally wiped out the Xishan bandits, but I didn't expect that in this Maple Forest City, I would almost be killed by a group of remnants!"

Jiang Wang's voice echoed faintly: "So the first thing I did after I recovered was to find Fang Decai."

Fang Pengju was only silent for a moment, and the next moment, he sent his long sword out urgently!

"Beast! My Fang family has treated you well. How dare you collude with bandits, forge letters, and harm my Third Brother!"

This sword was fast and accurate, blood splattered. Fang Decai twitched violently, whimpered a few times in his throat, and finally remained motionless like a dead dog. From beginning to end, he didn't even have time to say a word to defend himself.

"Fang Pengju!" No one present was a fool. Although Du Yehun was boorish, it didn't mean he was stupid. At this moment, his tiger eyes widened and his anger surged.

"Second Brother," Fang Pengju said, lowering his blood-dripping long sword, his face full of shame, "I... I was momentarily overwhelmed by anger, I just wanted to kill this beast to vent Third Brother's anger!"

"It doesn't matter," Jiang Wang watched Fang Pengju finish his performance, and then shook out a piece of paper from his arms, with dense writing on it, "Here are Fang Decai's confession and signature, does Pengju want to see it?"

"Clang!"

Fang Pengju casually discarded his long sword, and suddenly knelt down, "I don't need to look to know what's probably written on it, I can only say that the Xishan bandits are determined to destroy me, I don't know what price they paid to make this beast Decai so devoted! But Third Brother, you believe me, I have always been upright, when have I ever had petty behavior? 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 I will definitely clear out the bandits within a hundred miles, to wash away the hatred in Third Brother's heart!"

Some outer court disciples in the crowd also spoke out, "Yes, Senior Brother Jiang, you Maple Forest Five Heroes are all good men, and the pride of our Maple Forest City Dao Academy's outer court, don't be instigated by villains!"

"My old mother was seriously ill before, and Senior Brother Fang generously helped. I believe he's not that kind of person."There were even those who spat on Fang Decai's corpse, saying, "Such a wicked servant is not worth regretting in death! He even sullied Senior Brother Fang's reputation and ruined the brotherhood of the Maple Forest Five Heroes. If he were still alive, I would tear him to pieces!"

"Fellow disciples, no need to say more!" Fang Pengju waved his hand, stopping the crowd's discussion, and crawled forward on his knees, sincerely looking at Jiang Wang: "After Third Brother disappeared, I led people to search everywhere, crying bitterly several times! Everyone knows my feelings for Third Brother, and Heaven and Earth can attest to it! 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 a chance to take advantage? All the blame lies with me, and I am willing to bear it all!"

"I am willing to give all the wealth in my private treasury to compensate for Third Brother's pain; I am willing to endure whippings to atone for the mistake of trusting the wrong person; I am willing to go alone to suppress the bandits and vow to eliminate the remnants of West Mountain. If the remnants are not eliminated, I will definitely not return to the city!"

"I am willing to do this, not to make amends, as Third Brother nearly died, and this hatred is hard to compensate for! It's just that we are brothers, and I cannot forgive myself!"

"If..." Fang Pengju finally said almost in tears, gritting his teeth, "If Third Brother still cannot let go of his hatred, then pick up this long sword and kill me with one strike! Pengju will have no complaints!"

Everyone's gaze was cast on the blood-stained long sword thrown on the ground.

"Senior Brother Fang, you must not do this!"

"I believe it's not your fault, how can a true man speak of death so easily?"

Seeing this scene, all the onlookers were moved and spoke out to dissuade him.

Even Ling He, after a moment of silence, spoke again: "Third and Fourth, this matter..."

Jiang Wang waved his torn sleeve and stepped forward with a straight back: "Pengju, I once suffered many wounds for you, and you once stood up for me. We five brothers have shared 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 experienced together, the days they had struggled together, the joy they had shared... only they knew clearly.

How can the brotherhood of sharing life and death be expressed in a few words?

"Third Brother..." Fang Pengju lowered his head, tears streaming down his face, sobbing uncontrollably: "All the mistakes are the younger brother's mistakes. I shouldn't have trusted the wicked servant, nearly causing a catastrophe!"

"But since you've said so, Pengju..." Jiang Wang slowly said, "Then Third Brother will, respectfully accept your offer!"