Chapter 3: Unforgettable Regret

Outside the Still True Temple, before a freshly dug grave, Jiang Wang opened his eyes.

The small silver moon fell into his right palm, transforming into a silver moon mark branded upon it, before vanishing.

Yet, Jiang Wang could still sense its existence clearly. It possessed no power of its own, merely resurfacing at his will, connecting him to the Great Yin star and carrying his spiritual consciousness into the wondrous and unfathomable Illusory Realm.

He did not tarry long in the Illusory Realm; the wilderness he found himself in was no place for leisurely exploration.

Leaving aside the potential for cultivators from Maplewood City to arrive and investigate after the residual energy of the powerful cultivators' battle dissipated, Jiang Wang himself had more pressing matters to attend to.

If his memory served him correctly, the selection for the Inner Court of the Maplewood Daoist Academy was just three days away.

Once he missed this window, it would be exceedingly difficult to find another opportunity—an opportunity for vengeance.

For only the disciples of the Inner Court were truly acknowledged disciples of the Daoist Academy by the Zhuang Kingdom. And a Daoist Academy disciple must not be lightly insulted, let alone harmed or killed!

Taking one last look at the dilapidated Daoist temple, which had been his refuge for days despite his weakened state, Jiang Wang stepped out under the moonlight and strode swiftly away.

Wild grass grew rampant before the broken temple gates. A gust of wind swept through, allowing the moonlight to fall upon the old plaque lying on the ground for years. The characters upon it were blurred, but the words "Still True" could vaguely be discerned.

Moonlight shone upon the broken temple and the new grave, wind rustled through the leaves.

It was as if someone had sighed.

...

Maplewood City was not small, by any means. For many generations who had resided there, it was, in fact, their entire world.

Aside from the City Lord, who represented the will of the Zhuang Kingdom, the three great clans—Zhang, Fang, and Wang—were the true masters of this land.

The night was deep. The back door of the Green Jade Tower creaked open. Amidst the flirtatious laughter of a voluptuous woman, a man in a long gown with slits on both sides stumbled out, reeking of alcohol, yet seeming all the more smug and self-satisfied.

His name was Fang Decai.

That "Fang" was no easy acquisition. Since his grandfather's generation, they had served the Fang clan for three generations before being granted the surname. It was precisely because he was considered a trusted confidant by the Fang family that his hands were so generous, allowing him to visit pleasure dens like the Green Jade Tower once a month.

He gave the woman he was with a firm squeeze before bursting into laughter and leaving.

The curvaceous woman watched him with feigned annoyance, uttering a few saccharine complaints. Only after his figure had disappeared into the alley did she spit and mutter, "A dog relying on its master's influence." She slammed the small door shut.

Because of this, she failed to notice a man in tattered clothes, already close behind Fang Decai.

Fang Decai had some martial skill. Sensing something amiss, he suddenly threw a punch and turned around. But the other person simply slapped him aside with a casual flick of the wrist, disrupting his stance.

Immediately following, his throat was seized, and he was lifted into the air, then brutally slammed against the wall.

Compared to the rapidly swelling pain in his face, the increasingly difficult breathing terrified him more. It was the face.

The gentle, serene face of Jiang Wang.

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

"Who ordered you? The Fang family, or Fang Pengju? Who else was involved in this? What poison was in the wine? And how did you contact the remnants of the West Mountain bandits?"

Jiang Wang asked these questions slowly, releasing his grip just as Fang Decai was about to suffocate. "Now, tell me slowly," he said casually.

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

The evening breeze gently pushed the clouds along, slightly obscuring the moonlight. The quiet conversation in the alley was as faint as the whispering of malevolent spirits.

This night, the bright moon hung in the sky, the night wind blew, and the man who had not died had returned to the city.

...

When the sky was fully bright, Jiang Wang stood before the gates of the Maplewood City Daoist Academy.

The Zhuang Kingdom considered Daoism its state religion. Its most powerful transcendent force naturally originated from the Daoist sect, evidenced by the Daoist Academies spread throughout the nation's three prefectures and various cities.

Daoist Academies were not only the preferred place of cultivation for young people in the Zhuang Kingdom, but even officials of all levels had to have a record of studying at a Daoist Academy to gain credibility.

Consequently, within Maplewood City, the most important place was perhaps not the City Lord's mansion, nor the residences of the three great clans, but the Maplewood City Daoist Academy.

The Zhuang Kingdom's Daoist lineage belonged to the Jade Capital Mountain branch and placed great importance on ritual. Thus, the entire Daoist Academy was built in a magnificent and grand style. Leaving aside other things, the pair of jade lions guarding the entrance alone were exceedingly majestic and noble.

Jiang Wang's clothes were still worn and tattered; a faint sour odor even emanated from them. He had simply washed his face and tied his messy hair back.

He stood before the wide-open gates of the Daoist Academy, his entire being standing tall and straight like a green pine.

The outer court disciple on duty rubbed his eyes repeatedly before calling out in disbelief, "Senior Brother Jiang... Jiang?!"

Jiang Wang nodded in greeting. "Junior Brother Wu, hello."

As the most dedicated outer court disciple in the Maplewood City Daoist Academy, he had participated in countless Daoist Academy missions. Practically no outer court disciple who had been in the academy for over a year did not know him.

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

In a short time, numerous outer court disciples swarmed out, filling the Daoist Academy gates. Senior brothers and junior brothers called out in a cacophony, clearly showing Jiang Wang's popularity among the outer court disciples.

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

"You bastard, Jiang! Where the hell have you been hiding these past few days? I thought you were dead!"

The one shouting from a distance was Du Yehu. As he ran, his muscles seemed ready to burst through his training clothes. His appearance was also unusual, with a full beard covering his face. Standing there, just looking at his face, he seemed two or three times older than the surrounding outer court disciples. Someone might even believe he was a mountain bandit from somewhere; he simply didn't resemble an eighteen-year-old youth.

Because he had matured too quickly, he was known as "Prematurely Bearded."

He squeezed out of the crowd like a bear, embracing Jiang Wang tightly, completely disregarding the faint sour odor emanating from him. He kept repeating, "Damn it! Damn it!"

"It's good you're back!"

Saying "it's good you're back," yet his eyes were bloodshot and his lips were trembling, was Ling He.

His face was upright and his forehead full, making him appear calm and composed. At this moment, wearing a washed-out training uniform, he stood behind Du Yehu, just looking at Jiang Wang intently.

Only one handsome young man, approaching, first sized up Jiang Wang from head to toe, then pointed at his tattered clothes and smiled playfully, "How did you end up looking like this?"

His name was Zhao Rucheng. His appearance was the most outstanding, and the smile on his face seemed slightly frivolous. But only those who truly knew him could discern the faint glint of tears in his charming eyes.

These few individuals had different appearances and personalities, but they had a life-and-death bond with Jiang Wang.

In many outer court trials and missions, they had worked together, overcome countless difficulties and dangers, and had long since forged a deep friendship.

But Jiang Wang's gaze went past them, only resting on the handsome young man in the crowd whose eyes seemed red.

He didn't speak or make any movements, but merely standing there, he was subtly the center of the crowd.

"Pengju, fifty-seven days." Jiang Wang spoke each word almost syllable by syllable. "I thought of you every day."

"Only thought of Pengju? Didn't you think of your Second Brother?" Du Yehu grabbed Jiang Wang's shoulders and shook him, shouting wildly.

Ling He and Zhao Rucheng, however, fell silent.

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

Fang Pengju, clad in rich brocade, stepped forward with a smile. "It's good you're back. Everyone has been very worried about you these past few days."

"Yes." Jiang Wang also smiled. "How could you not be worried when you couldn't find the body?"

Fang Pengju's face changed. "What do you mean by that? After you had an accident, I was frantic! I sent people everywhere to look for you!"

Jiang Wang said quietly, "That's why I only dared to show myself today."

"Jiang Wang! The ones who attacked you were the remnants of the West Mountain bandits. This is known to everyone! Do you actually suspect me?" Fang Pengju's face flushed, appearing both shocked and angry. "We, the Five Heroes of Maplewood, are like brothers! Have you perhaps heard some rumors?"

Ling He, Du Yehu, Jiang Wang, Fang Pengju, and Zhao Rucheng were the most outstanding outer court disciples in the Maplewood City Daoist Academy. Because they were kindred spirits, they often went together to suppress bandits and went in and out together, earning them the title of the Five Heroes of Maplewood.

Sensing the instantly tense atmosphere, the outer court disciples who had come 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 who can be easily deceived."

The crowd whispered among themselves.

"They are our own brothers, don't talk nonsense!" Du Yehu stared at Jiang Wang, his face anxious. He had a very bad feeling, but he couldn't do anything to stop what was about to happen.

Ling He thought for a moment and then spoke to persuade him. "Third Brother, I'm sure you've been through a lot during this time and suffered greatly. Why don't you settle down first? The selection for the Inner Court is in a few days. This is a matter of a lifetime and needs to be treated carefully. The remnant bandits of the West Mountain have already been jointly annihilated by us. If there are any hidden details in this, we can slowly sort them out. If you have been wronged or have hatred, our brothers will definitely help you, even if we have to take it to the Prefectural Daoist Academy or the National Daoist Academy!

But Pengju is a brother with whom we swore a blood oath. I believe there must be some misunderstanding. Perhaps someone is stirring up trouble..."

"Big Brother." Jiang Wang interrupted him. "When have I ever spoken thoughtlessly? I cherish this brotherhood no less than you. So since I'm saying this today, it means that's exactly how things are."

"Fang Pengju!" Jiang Wang turned to look at the brocade-clad youth, pointing a finger. "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 was stunned for only a moment before saying with righteous indignation, "I will personally see what kind of fabricated evidence can make Third Brother doubt his own brother!"

He strode outside the academy, drew his long sword from his waist, and slashed open the lid of the box!

Inside the box, a person bound with ropes was revealed, with a rag stuffed in their mouth. Upon seeing Fang Pengju, their expression was extremely anxious, and they kept mumbling in a frantic manner.

Du Yehu and Ling He were also silent. They both recognized the person as Fang Decai, a close servant of Fang Pengju.

"That day, your servant brought a message saying you invited me to the Moon Gazing Tower for drinks. When I arrived, you weren't there yet, and he urged me to have a few drinks first, to try the fine wine you had specially sent. The poison in that wine... was Twin Separation Yin Yang Powder.

As soon as the poison took effect, mountain bandits broke in and attacked... I personally annihilated the West Mountain bandits, but I didn't expect to be nearly killed by a group of their remnants here in Maplewood City!"

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

Fang Pengju was silent for only a moment. The next moment, he thrust his long sword forward quickly!

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

This sword strike was both fast and accurate. Blood splattered. Fang Decai twitched violently, made a few whimpering sounds in his throat, and finally became as still as a dead dog. From beginning to end, he didn't even have time to say a single word in his defense.

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

"Second Brother." Fang Pengju lowered his blood-dripping long sword, his face full of shame. "I... was momentarily consumed by anger, thinking only of killing this beast to vent Third Brother's anger!"

"It's alright." After watching Fang Pengju's performance, Jiang Wang slowly shook a piece of paper from his sleeve. There were dense characters on it. "Here is Fang Decai's confession and his fingerprint. Does Pengju want to take a look?"

"Clang!"

Fang Pengju casually cast aside his long sword and knelt down abruptly. "I don't need to look to know roughly what is written on it. I can only say that the West Mountain bandits were determined to destroy me. I don't know what price they paid to make Decai, this beast, so loyal! But Third Brother, you must believe me. I have always been open and aboveboard. When have I ever acted like a petty person? Whatever the cause of this matter, my Fang family will definitely give you an explanation. I will offer a bounty of ten thousand taels, and I will surely clear out all the bandits within a hundred li radius, to cleanse the hatred in Third Brother's heart!"

Among the crowd, some outer court disciples also spoke up. "Yes, Senior Brother Jiang, the Five Heroes of Maplewood are all valiant men, and they are the pride of our Maplewood City Daoist Academy's outer court. Don't let petty people stir up trouble!"

"My elderly mother was once seriously ill, and it was Senior Brother Fang who generously helped. I believe he is not that kind of person."

There were also those who spat at Fang Decai's corpse. "This wicked servant deserves to die. He even slandered Senior Brother Fang's reputation and destroyed the brotherhood of the Five Heroes of Maplewood. If he were still alive, I would wish to cut him into a thousand pieces!"

"All fellow disciples, there is no need for more words!" Fang Pengju waved his hand to stop the crowd's discussion, then kneeled a few steps closer and looked sincerely at Jiang Wang. "After Third Brother disappeared, I led people everywhere to search, weeping several times! My affection for Third Brother is known to everyone, and it can be testified by heaven and earth! But even if I have a clear conscience, if it weren't for me trusting Decai and Third Brother trusting me, how could this beast have taken advantage? All the blame is on me. I am willing to bear it all!"

"I am willing to give all my private wealth to compensate Third Brother for his pain; I am willing to endure the whip as atonement for the mistake of misplaced trust; I am willing to go alone to eliminate the bandits, vowing to destroy the remnants of the West Mountain. As long as the remnants exist, I will not return to the city!"

"I am willing to do this, not for compensation. Third Brother was nearly killed, this hatred cannot be repaid! It is just that we are brothers who have been through thick and thin together, and I cannot forgive myself!"

"If..." Fang Pengju finally bit his lip, his voice almost choked with tears. "If Third Brother's hatred still cannot be appeased, then pick up this long sword and kill me with one stroke! Pengju will have no regrets!"

Everyone's eyes were cast upon the bloodstained long sword lying on the ground.

"Senior Brother Fang, you mustn't do this!"

"I believe it's not your fault. How can a true man easily speak of death?"

At this scene, onlookers were deeply moved and voiced their remonstrances one after another.

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

Jiang Wang swung his tattered sleeve and straightened his back, stepping forward. "Pengju, I have been wounded countless times for you, and you have also stood up for me. We five brothers have also gone through life and death together."

Whether it was Ling He, Du Yehu, or Zhao Rucheng, they were all deeply moved. The blood and tears they had shared, the days they had fought side by side, the joys they had experienced together... only they truly understood.

How could a bond forged in life and death be explained in a few words?

"Third Brother..." Fang Pengju lowered his head, tears streaming down his face, weeping uncontrollably. "All the mistakes, all the mistakes are my younger brother's fault. I shouldn't have wrongly trusted this wicked servant, nearly causing a great disaster!"

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