Two Paths Laid Before Him

Jiang Wang held the bronze mirror, but no matter how he patted or called out to the Wangliang, it showed no further reaction.

Is it depressed?

He felt a little guilty, as if he had accidentally broken the monster.

"Young Marquis, have you resolved it?"

Constable Zhou witnessed Jiang Wang's repeated torture of the monster, but he mistook it for the monster being difficult to deal with. He thought the Young Marquis was exhausted, his face pale. For the safety of Hun City, the Young Marquis was truly selfless, a model for all!

Jiang Wang hesitated slightly.

The Wangliang was definitely still there.

But it was no different from being dead.

The previous actions were not without meaning.

He truly felt that his control over that power had become more proficient.

He could even tell that although the Wangliang in the bronze mirror had a heavy malevolent aura, it had likely never harmed anyone.

Wangliang needed to hide in old objects. Unless someone moved them, the Wangliang could not control the object's movement. If it stayed in an uninhabited place, then naturally it would have no opportunity to harm or kill.

Furthermore, Master Tao had captured it and kept it at home. Although he didn't know exactly what he did, the Wangliang in the bronze mirror was indeed very weak, incomparable to the one in the broken alley of Qixia Street.

The combination of these two situations had made the Wangliang in the bronze mirror extremely weak, only capable of scaring people.

Now, after being tortured by Jiang Wang, it was probably incapable of even scaring people.

He looked at Constable Zhou and said, "Of course, it's resolved. Please return this bronze mirror to Master Tao."

Thinking that the Wangliang, already weakened to this extent, was suppressed by Master Tao's talismans, it was unlikely any major issues would arise. If Miss Shu hadn't accidentally encountered it, hadn't everything been normal while Master Tao captured the Wangliang for so long?

Constable Zhou thanked Jiang Wang and then comforted Master Tao a few words before taking his leave.

Master Tao slumped to the ground, staring at the bronze mirror in his hand. His expression changed several times before he looked up at Jiang Wang and said, "Thank you, Young Marquis."

Jiang Wang smiled and said, "It's good that you understand. If any more accidents occur, you should also understand what I will do."

Master Tao nodded. The facts had already proven that the Young Marquis was by no means ordinary. He felt a little apprehensive.

It was true that he could make some talismans, but they were not as miraculous as rumored in Hun City.

In fact, he couldn't even be considered a true Master.

The so-called drawing talismans to expel demons was merely him having just touched the threshold, having figured out a very simple type of talisman that could suppress weaker Wangliang, but he was completely incapable of killing them.

However, it could indeed ward off misfortune and bring good luck, and could even be used to heal certain illnesses. The fact that he had saved the garrison commander was purely coincidental.

He thought that if he could use the Wangliang to research truly powerful talismans, he could solidify his reputation.

Now, it seemed he would have to act with more discretion in the future.

Originally, cultivators were rarely seen in Hun City, so whatever he did would not be noticed. But after this incident, he felt a little scared.

He no longer mentioned anything about calculating Jiang Wang's fortune and left the Xunyang Marquis Manor with faltering steps.

The sound of swallowing could be heard.

Ning Shisi tightly gripped Miss Shu's sleeve, his voice trembling, "Junior Sister, it was truly a misunderstanding. This person is not a monster at all, but clearly a cultivator."

Only a very small number of Wangliang could pose a threat to Dongming cultivators; otherwise, it was only a matter of how quickly they would be dealt with. But for someone like Jiang Wang to toy with a Wangliang like this was something no ordinary Dongming cultivator could achieve.

Moreover, he knew very well that Junior Sister was also a true cultivator, but she was clearly no match for Jiang Wang.

He could only reasonably guess that Jiang Wang might be a great cultivator at the peak of the Dongming realm.

Even though they had the same teacher as Miss Shu, Ning Shisi was only a Martial Artist.

He was confident he could defeat Junior Sister with one punch.

He was also certain that even with a hundred punches, he couldn't do anything to a cultivator at the peak of the Dongming realm.

The two were simply not on the same level.

Miss Shu stubbornly retorted, "Perhaps he's just pretending? Who says a monster can't kill a monster?"

Even though she felt something was amiss, she also felt it made a lot of sense.

Ning Shisi hesitated, "Why don't we retreat first? Regardless of whether he's a monster or not, it seems he's not someone we can handle."

Miss Shu was very hesitant.

Meanwhile, her companions hiding outside the Marquis Mansion had their legs gone numb from squatting.

If they hadn't been either Third Realm Martial Artists or cultivators in the process of Hundred Days Foundation Establishment, and understood how to conceal their presence, Constable Zhou would have caught them all long ago.

While Miss Shu was still hesitating, Jiang Wang, taking advantage of the fact that the power of the 'Mirage' had not yet dissipated, immediately threw several punches into the empty air. Accompanied by explosions, the entire Marquis Mansion trembled.

Those hiding outside were startled and dodged.

Ning Shisi was shocked.

Although Jiang Wang appeared to be punching randomly, the wind from his punches all pointed towards his companions' hiding spots.

Since his companions were all outside the Marquis Mansion, Jiang Wang's actions were clearly just a warning.

He grabbed Miss Shu without a word and bowed to Jiang Wang, saying, "Forgive my intrusion and disturbance, sir. It is a sin. We will leave immediately, please do not be angry."

He was somewhat panicked and, pulling Miss Shu, climbed over the wall and out again.

Jiang Wang stared blankly at the top of the wall.

He wondered if he should build the wall higher.

Du Family Manor.

The old butler stepped out of the yet-to-be-repaired main gate.

Du Heng saw him off nervously.

Only when the old butler's figure disappeared from sight did he wipe a cold sweat.

Except for Jiang Wang himself, all the important figures from the Marquis Manor had visited the Du family. It was like being bitten by a snake once, and fearing a well rope for ten years. Du Heng urged the household servants and hired a large number of craftsmen, wanting the main gate repaired as quickly as possible.

Turning to look at Du Yanruo, Du Heng sighed, "We're being visited by the Marquis Manor every few days. I can't even sleep soundly. I'm considering moving the entire family out of Hun City."

Du Yanruo looked at the craftsmen repairing the gate, pulled Du Heng to a secluded spot, and said, "Cai Tanggu has returned to Fish Abyss Academy and intends to exaggerate the matter. If a powerful figure from the academy intervenes, Jiang Wang will have no choice but to beg for mercy on his knees. But I worry that if any further accidents occur, the Du family will be implicated with no way out."

"There are only two paths before us: either we gain the forgiveness of the Xunyang Marquis Manor and extricate the Du family, or we can only fight to the death and put Jiang Wang to death."

Du Heng was surprised by his daughter's ruthlessness.

"If Cai Tanggu fails again, what power do we have to put Jiang Wang to death?"

He said in a deep voice, "Although Cheng'er's legs were broken by Shan Qiyu, Jiang Wang ultimately spared his life. And Tong Ji only suspected us because Jiang Wang was assassinated again. We've already explained it, haven't we? I really don't think we need to take the second path."

Du Yanruo said, "If we want to take the first path, we will inevitably suffer some humiliation. I am absolutely unwilling to bow down to Jiang Wang. Regardless, we must prepare a trump card."

Du Heng said sternly, "Ru'er, do you already have an idea?"

Du Yanruo nodded and said, "When Senior Brother Su and I first left Fish Abyss Academy, we heard the Chancellor mention that the court highly values this immortal seeking expedition. We are merely pathfinders. It is rumored that the Qingxuan Bureau will also send people, and they will be stronger cultivators than Cai Tanggu."

Du Heng asked, "Why would the Qingxuan Bureau help us?"

Du Yanruo smiled, "The Qingxuan Bureau is high in the court, in charge of the cultivators of the Sui Kingdom, and bears the heavy responsibility of suppressing demons and monsters. Only students who graduate from Fish Abyss Academy with excellent results have the opportunity to serve in the Qingxuan Bureau. The two have always had a close connection."

Her expression turned cold, "As long as we link Jiang Wang with monsters, both publicly and privately, the Qingxuan Bureau will have no reason to turn a blind eye."

Du Heng was shocked, "Isn't this too risky!"

At this moment, he felt as if he was meeting his daughter for the first time.

If it was just because she was too proud to face Jiang Wang to beg for forgiveness, and directly put him in a desperate situation, this was not something he would expect his daughter to do.

Even Du Heng felt this plan was too vicious.

In fact, if anything went wrong, it would plunge the Du family into eternal damnation.

After Du Zicheng returned safely, Du Yanruo had been pondering one question.

What was Jiang Wang's purpose in telling Du Zicheng that he liked him?

After much thought, she concluded it was for humiliation.

If she were to visit him now, begging Jiang Wang to spare the Du family, she couldn't imagine what kind of scene she would face.

Since Jiang Wang was heartless, she would not be blamed for being unrighteous.

What you cannot get, you destroy.

The Du family was in a difficult situation, and this was their only chance to turn the tables.

Otherwise, she would live in Jiang Wang's humiliation every day.

The night sky was clear, with brilliant stars.

Xunyang Marquis Manor.

Jiang Wang lay on a rattan chair in his room, his brow furrowed. "If it wasn't Du Zicheng, then where did that old man come from?"

The old butler sat beside him and said, "Investigating his identity is not easy. Although we didn't truly fight, just by the force with which he threw the short knife, he is at least a Fourth Realm Martial Artist. Moreover, his decisive movements, seizing the opportunity when it arose without any hesitation to withdraw, all fit the modus operandi of a Jianli."

He looked at Jiang Wang and speculated, "If there's no accident, he's likely related to the Jianli who assassinated you in West City Lane. Or perhaps there were already two Jianli in Hun City, and Du Zicheng only found one of them, with the other now seeking revenge."

Jiang Wang rubbed his temples and said, "Although it makes sense, speculation is just speculation. I imagine he won't succeed on his first attempt and will definitely seek a second opportunity. During this period, have Uncle Tong find a reason to temporarily leave the Marquis Manor, and have Shan Qiyu return to the Black Flame Army camp first. Instead of painstakingly investigating, it's better to actively give him a chance."

The old butler was now very reassured by Jiang Wang and didn't think there would be any danger in doing so. He nodded and said, "Then, young master, please rest early. Tomorrow morning, I will use the excuse of investigating this person to take Shan Qiyu with me."

Jiang Wang said, "We still need to do this properly. He will definitely be observing from the shadows for a short time. We must give him the best opportunity to act, without revealing any flaws, otherwise, we might fail."

If one wanted to avoid suspicion, there must be the most suitable reason. If the reason was inappropriate, it would cause problems with the timing.

For example, if something that could be resolved quickly was inexplicably delayed for a long time, any vigilant person could see through the ploy.