I Am Jiang Renhuang's Brother

In the Jiang Family Ancestral Hall, the old man kneeling was the most senior elder of the Jiang family, as well as the Jiang Family Patriarch.

Seeing the hemp-robed elder arrive, the Jiang Clan Leader tremblingly leaned on his cane, rose to perform a junior's salute, and showed a delighted expression: "Old Ancestor emerged from seclusion two days earlier than planned—have you already broken through Nascent Soul Peak and entered Spirit Transformation?"

The hemp-robed elder shook his head and said regretfully, "Entering Spirit Transformation is no easy feat. It's just a pity about those dozen or so infants; the blood sacrifice didn't help my cultivation much. It seems that to break through to Spirit Transformation, I can't rely solely on infant blood sacrifices—I'll need to find other methods."

A flicker of regret passed over the Jiang Clan Leader's face, and he said, "Just now, an offering passed word that the parents of the missing children this time are spreading rumors all over Qing City, even causing a scene in front of the City Lord's Mansion. It'll be hard to suppress this time. It's good that Old Ancestor is changing methods—we've stolen too many infants over the years, and some people have already started suspecting us."

"Who?"

"A Golden Core Stage rogue cultivator named Yuan Wu Xing. He's been trying to sneak in during our ancestor worship ceremonies for the past few years."

The hemp-robed elder let out a dismissive snort, utterly unconcerned: "So he's noticed the frequency of our rituals matches the frequency of missing children. A rogue cultivator—catch him and use him for the blood sacrifice instead."

"By the way, since those ignorant commoners who lost their children keep making trouble, why not just catch them too and sacrifice them together, so they can reunite with their children."

"As you command."

"How touching. So why don't you go down below and reunite with your own parents?"

"Who?" The hemp-robed elder whirled around, glaring to see who had spoken so insolently, while simultaneously retreating rapidly. He hadn't sensed anyone approaching.

Someone who could evade his perception was either a fellow Nascent Soul Peak cultivator skilled in concealment techniques, or a Spirit Transformation cultivator.

He fired off several spells in quick succession, but Jiang Li dispersed them all.

Without a word, Jiang Li stepped forward and slapped the hemp-robed elder, sending him crashing into the table holding the ancestral tablets. The tablets scattered across the floor, and half of the hemp-robed elder's teeth were shattered.

"You!"

The hemp-robed elder was greatly shocked. He could sense that Jiang Li was at the same Nascent Soul Peak level as himself, yet the other's movements were too fast for him to react.

Jiang Li had experienced so many life-and-death battles in his life that he'd lost count. His combat experience was so rich that even if he suppressed his cultivation to the Golden Core Stage, he could still easily defeat the hemp-robed elder.

Jiang Li remained expressionless, silent, fighting without a word. He pinned the hemp-robed elder to the table and punched him again and again, each blow heavier than the last. In the midst of this, he even heard the system's notification sound.

[Congratulations to host for defeating Jiang Yixing. Novice mission complete.]

Hearing the system notification, Jiang Li felt no joy. He continued to beat Jiang Yixing with the force of the Nascent Soul Stage.

He was afraid that using stronger power would kill Jiang Yixing outright.

The moment Jiang Li scanned the Space Node with his Divine Sense, he recognized the hemp-robed elder as Jiang Yixing.

And since Jiang Li had altered his appearance, Jiang Yixing didn't recognize him as Jiang Li.

"Do you... know... who I am... I'm the brother of Jiang Human Emperor... Jiang Li..."

Jiang Yixing spoke haltingly, his words whistling through the gaps left by his missing teeth.

"Is that so!"

"The brother of the Jiang Human Emperor!"

"What a fearsome reputation!"

"Even the Human Emperor isn't as impressive as you!"

"Setting up a memorial tablet for yourself!"

"Know you deserve to die, do you?"

"Or are you just playing dead to the outside world!"

Jiang Li's heart burned with fury. Jiang Yixing had used his name to commit demonic acts, killing countless children, and this made Jiang Li feel that he bore some responsibility for their deaths.

With each sentence he spoke, he threw another punch, continuing until Jiang Yixing was bleeding from seven orifices and barely conscious before he stopped.

Jiang Li picked up the memorial tablet inscribed with Jiang Yixing's name and let out a cold snort.

"Using the Faith Power from ancestor worship to dissolve the resentment of the infants inside your body—clever."

Jiang Li grabbed Jiang Yixing by the ankle and dragged him outside. As they passed through the doorway, Jiang Yixing's head slammed hard against the doorframe with a loud thud. The Jiang family members, who had already heard the commotion in the ancestral hall, saw Jiang Li emerge and immediately attacked to kill this intruder.

Except for a few, the Jiang family had long believed Jiang Yixing was dead and didn't recognize him. So when they attacked Jiang Li, they didn't avoid hitting Jiang Yixing. Several blows landed on him, but compared to Jiang Li's fists, these attacks were nothing—Jiang Yixing wouldn't die from them.

With his free hand, Jiang Li blocked all their techniques, knocking down everyone who attacked, all with ease.

"Senior, what are you..." Yuan Wu Xing followed behind, startled by Jiang Li's actions. Taking down the entire Jiang family and capturing the culprit was something he'd never even dared to imagine.

"Naturally, I'm going to make a big scene out of this." Jiang Li said matter-of-factly.

"A... big scene?" Yuan Wu Xing didn't understand what Jiang Li was planning. He only felt that this Dao Sect Emissary possessed profound Mana and acted in ways impossible to predict.

"Otherwise, how would I see exactly how many people dare to shield the Jiang family? Whether it's a city lord, a mansion lord, or someone even higher up... I want to see just how big a fish I can catch this time." Jiang Li smiled without any warmth.

If the Zhou Emperor didn't know, that would be fine. But if he knew about Jiang Yixing's deeds and covered them up, then don't blame Jiang Li for no longer recognizing him as a friend...

Yuan Wu Xing's blood surged with excitement. This was the kind of upheaval that could turn the world upside down! "Go call the parents of the missing children. Tell them the culprit has been found and is being tried at the City Lord's Mansion."

"Yes!"

The Qing City Lord's surname was Zeng. He considered his official career to have been exceptionally smooth. Starting as a minor clerk, he had constantly caught the eye of benefactors, rising steadily until he now sat in the position of Qing City Lord—a post many of his colleagues would break their heads to obtain. By connecting with the Jiang family, although he had never met the Human Emperor directly, linking up with the Jiang family was as good as linking up with the Human Emperor, wasn't it?

After all, several former Qing City Lords now held extremely high positions. The highest among them had become a prefect, something Lord Zeng greatly envied.

City Lord Zeng was, as usual, preparing to rest early. It was nearing evening, and although it wasn't yet time to leave work, as the city lord, no one would say anything if he left half an hour early.

Just as he was about to rest, a subordinate reported that someone outside had a major case requiring the City Lord's judgment.

City Lord Zeng was very displeased. A major case meant it wouldn't be resolved quickly, and his work hours would be extended.

"Go tell that person outside that I have business to attend to and to come back tomorrow."

"Your Excellency, according to that man, he has caught the culprit who stole the children—none other than the deceased Jiang Family patriarch, Jiang Yixing. That Old Master Jiang has now been beaten senseless by him. The common folk have heard the news and gathered; our entrance is already packed tight."

"You worthless fool, why didn't you say so sooner!" City Lord Zeng was greatly alarmed. He kicked the clueless subordinate to the ground, hastily straightened his robes, and sat upright in the Main Hall.

"Who is making a racket outside? Bring them up!" City Lord Zeng sat high in the Main Hall, his expression solemn and imposing.

Jiang Li strolled into the Main Hall, carrying Jiang Yixing like a chick. Beside him was Yuan Wu Xing, both agitated and trembling with fear. Behind them were more than a dozen weeping parents, kicking and cursing Jiang Yixing, and further back, a crowd of onlookers.

The Great Zhou Law clearly stipulated that local officials must adjudicate cases publicly.

At this moment, City Lord Zeng deeply loathed this law. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, it was very difficult for him to shield the Jiang Family.