Taiyi Dao Fruit

July 24th.

Under the dim sky, Qi Mountain County was all dressed in white. White paper money fluttered everywhere, and everywhere one could hear people wailing.

After all, both the Jiang Family and the county government had issued statements: second master Jiang and the respected county magistrate had contributed to Qi Mountain, and now both had fallen victim to assassination; all of Qi Mountain should be united in grief, mourning for the second master and the respected county magistrate.

In short, one sentence for all: Cry!

Thus, the entire city mourned, the heavens and earth were in great sorrow, and the cries enlivened the entire county.

The main hall of Jiang Mansion had been arranged into a mourning hall where Jiang Zhaoren and Jiang Zhaoyi, two brothers, knelt in front of Jiang Wuye's spirit, burning paper money. Both brothers were silent, their lowered faces marked with a heavy gloom—as if still grieving over the death of Jiang Wuye, yet also as if they were troubled by some unresolved matter.

After a long while, Jiang Zhaoyi finally couldn't contain himself and said softly, "Must father really be buried so soon?"

Whether Jiang Wuye would rest in peace if buried this quickly, Jiang Zhaoyi did not know; what he did know was that he, Jiang Zhaoyi, would definitely be labeled unfilial, a reputation that both inside and outside the clan, people would quietly prod his backbone for.

For a member of a noble family, this was extremely deadly.

The family was a power established on the bonds of blood, with the closest ties undoubtedly being those of father, son, and brothers. If he, Jiang Zhaoyi, was unfilial to his father, how could he be expected to treat other clansmen well?

"This is also the most suitable way to avenge our uncle."

Jiang Wuming's son, Jiang Zhaoren, replied softly, "Jiang Li has consolidated the branches of our ancestral land, next will be us. If we don't get through the current situation, the best outcome for us would be to be forced to leave Qi Mountain and wander elsewhere."

"People devalue those who leave their hometowns. Consider those branches that were forced to move; their fate is likely what our future holds. There is a future for the family, and only then is there a future for us. If uncle were still alive, he would also agree to this approach."

But if Jiang Wuye were not dead, Jiang Zhaoyi would not have to bear such a reputation.

Jiang Zhaoyi wanted to point out the contradiction in Jiang Zhaoren's words, but after thinking it over carefully, he accepted this reasoning.

It was already a settled matter; it was as if their father had agreed to this action. If any clansmen mentioned it in the future, they would just bring up this reasoning.

"I hope everything goes smoothly," Jiang Zhaoyi could only say in the end.

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Meanwhile, not far from Jiang Mansion, in a wine house, someone on the second floor opened the window and looked out at the morning street below, and laughed, asking, "Senior Brother Ming Yang, do you think Jiang Li will come?"

The speaker was but eighteen years old, a youth without childishness, his features noble and handsome, wearing a white robe and moving with an extraordinary grace.

The "Senior Brother Ming Yang" he was asking was dressed like a scholar, with a distinguished appearance, holding a book, engaging in his early reading.

Hearing the youth's question, Ming Yang put down his book and replied, "Every True Inheritor of a major sect has life-saving measures bestowed by their sect; Jiang Li is sure to come."

Because, even if he does come, he cannot die.

"Indeed, to kill Jiang Li would require either confronting a fourth-rank killing move with another of the same grade or exhausting his life-saving measures."

The youth said, turning to sit across from Ming Yang, "Brother, if we exclude killing moves, do you have confidence you can defeat Jiang Li?"

Ming Yang pondered, "The battle between Jiang Li and Jiang Zhuyun was interfered by the Tianxuan elder from the Dinghu Sect. Although Jiang Li managed to kill across ranks, it doesn't prove he's capable of doing it regularly. The deaths of Jiang Wuye and Qi Mountain County Magistrate should also involve him, but the specifics are unknown. Additionally, it's said that Jiang Jingyuan of the Divine Capital Feiyun Jiang Family also died by his hand…"

"This person's achievements are one more mysterious than the other, truly difficult to believe, but since he was acknowledged as an opponent by that head brother of the Dinghu Sect personally, he must have some real skill. I don't have much confidence in facing him."

"So, Brother, do you really believe Jiang Li could have killed Jiang Jingyuan?" the youth asked, curious.

Ming Yang nodded affirmatively, "It's quite possible. If he has already advanced to Seventh Rank, then even without using life-saving measures, he might be able to kill Jiang Jingyuan. Senior Brother Zhong, back in his days at Seventh Rank, single-handedly killed a Sixth Rank from the Devil God Sect, excelling over all disciples of his generation at the Imperial College and was taken as a closed-door disciple by the Sacrificial Officer."

Though he said this, from Ming Yang's expression, he hardly believed Jiang Li could accomplish such a feat.

"Eighth Rank?" the youth asked.

"Eighth Rank?" Ming Yang smiled, "Seventh Rank single-handedly killing Sixth Rank could be compared to Senior Brother Zhong in his time, but Eighth Rank single-handedly killing Sixth Rank... There might be a second Zhong Shenxiu in this world, but absolutely no one surpassing Zhong Shenxiu."

He knew that in this world there were always others better, so he somewhat believed in the mysterious achievements of Jiang Li, but Eighth Rank killing Sixth Rank was too preposterous.

Unless Jiang Jingyuan had been seriously injured or Jiang Li had external help, Eighth Rank killing Sixth Rank was absolutely impossible.

The youth seemed to realize he had asked a foolish question and shook his head with a chuckle.

Last year, Yun Jiuye of the Dinghu Sect had joined his master in the Divine Capital and fought against the leading disciple of the Imperial College, Zhong Shenxiu, three times without a clear winner.

If someone could kill from Eighth Rank against Sixth Rank, then not only would he surpass Zhong Shenxiu, but he would also surpass the six current Supreme masters.

How could that be possible?

No way could such an incredible person exist in this world. Absolutely not!

As they were speaking, a streak of light suddenly appeared from the youth's sleeve. He immediately turned and approached the window, looking down at the street below.

A mechanical carriage was slowly passing below, its unique look causing passersby to step aside.

While passing by the wine house, someone in the carriage opened the window, looking around, then immediately noticed the youth.

'A scion of the Ji Family...'

Jiang Li noticed the Qi Shu forming a flood dragon above the youth's head and was cautious.

He had not forgotten that a so-called noble had asked the Qi Mountain County Magistrate to approach Jiang Wuye, discussing support to unify the Jiang branches at Qi Mountain.

Now seeing a person from the Ji Family in Qi Mountain, Jiang Li almost instantly connected this noble and the youth.

Even if it wasn't him, there was definitely a connection.

Meanwhile, the youth squinted his eyes and said softly, "Seventh Rank…"

If it was Seventh Rank, it increased the credibility of Jiang Li killing Jiang Jingyuan, also somewhat relieving the youth.

If it had been Eighth Rank, that would have been too shocking.

While it's not discounted that Jiang Li could have relied on external help to kill Jiang Jingyuan, and many would rather believe so, the possibility of Eighth Rank single-handedly killing Sixth Rank was still unsettling.

For Jiang Li to be Seventh Rank was truly a relief.