Chapter 3

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

The small silver moon fell into his right palm, transforming into a silver moon mark before disappearing.

But Jiang Wang could still clearly sense its presence. It had no power, but it would reappear when Jiang Wang recited the incantation, connecting to the Taiyin Star and guiding his spirit into the mysterious and unfathomable Void Illusion.

He did not explore the Void Illusion for long, as the wilderness where he was could not be a place for peaceful exploration.

Not to mention, after the aftermath of the battle between powerful cultivators, whether cultivators from Maple Forest City would come to investigate. For Jiang Wang himself, there were more pressing matters.

If he had not miscalculated the time, in three days, it would be the time for the inner courtyard selection at Maple Forest Dao Academy.

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

Because the inner courtyard students were the ones truly recognized by the state of Zhuang, and Dao Academy students could not be easily insulted, let alone harmed!

With a final glance at the dilapidated temple where he had lingered for many days, Jiang Wang stepped into the moonlight and walked away.

Weeds grew wildly in front of the broken temple gate. A breeze blew, allowing the moonlight to fall on the old plaque that had lain on the ground for years. The characters were blurred, but the words "Zhenzhen" could still be faintly discerned.

The moon illuminated the new grave at the broken temple, and the wind rustled through the leaves.

It seemed like a sigh, filled with sorrow, yet also a sense of relief.

Maple Forest City was not small. For many who had lived there for generations, this 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.

In the deep night, the back door of the Yicui Tower was pushed open. Amid the giggles of a plump girl, a man in a long robe with slits on both sides staggered out, his body reeking of alcohol, which only made him seem more self-satisfied.

His name was Fang Decai.

The "Fang" surname was not easy to come by. Since his grandfather's generation, his family had served the Fang family for three generations before being granted this surname. It was because he was trusted by the Fang family that he could afford such a luxurious life, entering the pleasure quarters of Yicui Tower every month.

After pinching the plump girl one last time, he laughed and left.

The plump girl looked at him with a mix of shame and anger, muttering a few complaints. When his figure disappeared down the alley, she spat and slammed the small door shut, muttering, "A dog relying on its master's power."

She did not notice that a ragged man had already approached Fang Decai from behind.

Fang Decai, who had some martial arts skills, sensed something amiss and suddenly raised his fist to turn around. But the other person just casually slapped his fist away.

Then his throat was grabbed, and he was lifted off the ground and slammed against the wall.

Compared to the pain on his rapidly swelling face, the gradually difficult breathing was even more terrifying, especially the face in front of him.

The calm and composed face of Jiang Wang.

"Jiang... Jiang..." Fang Decai choked out in fear and struggle.

"Who was behind this, the Fang family, or Fang Pengju? Who else was involved? What poison was in the wine? How did you contact the remnants of the Western Mountain bandits?"

Jiang Wang slowly asked these questions, and just before Fang Decai passed out, he casually let go: "Now, tell me slowly."

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

The night wind gently pushed the clouds, slightly obscuring the moonlight. The whispers in the alley were as soft as the whispers of evil spirits.

That night, the moon was bright, the night was windy, and the one who had not died had returned to the city.

When the sky was bright, Jiang Wang stood at the gate of the Maple Forest Dao Academy.

In the state of Zhuang, Daoism was the state religion, and the strongest supernatural power naturally came from Daoism. The Dao Academies spread across the three prefectures and various cities of the country were clear evidence of this.

The Dao Academy was not only the preferred place for cultivation for young people in the state of Zhuang, but even officials at all levels needed to have a record of studying at the Dao Academy to gain public trust.

Therefore, in the entire Maple Forest City, the most prestigious place might not be the city lord's residence or the mansions of the three major families, but the Maple Forest Dao Academy.

The Dao Academy of 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 splendid manner. Just the pair of jade lions squatting on either side of the main gate exuded a sense of authority and nobility.

Jiang Wang's clothes were still tattered, and if you sniffed closely, there was even a faint sour smell. He had simply washed his face and tied his messy hair back.

He stood in front of the open gate of the Dao Academy, standing tall and straight like a pine tree.

The outer gate disciple on duty rubbed his eyes repeatedly, then shouted in disbelief: "Jiang... Senior Brother Jiang!?"

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

As the most daring outer gate disciple at the Maple Forest Dao Academy, he had participated in countless Dao Academy missions. Any outer gate disciple who had been there for more than a year basically knew 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!"

In no time, many outer gate disciples gathered at the main gate, filling it to the brim, chattering non-stop. This showed how well-respected Jiang Wang was among the outer gate disciples.

Among the dozens of outer gate disciples, a few stood out. Even in the crowd, people subconsciously made way for them.

"Son of a bitch surnamed Jiang! Where have you been these days? I thought you were dead!"

The one shouting from a distance was Du Yehu. His muscles bulged as he ran, and his face was different from the others, with a full beard. Standing there, he looked much older than the surrounding outer gate disciples, and some might even believe he was a mountain bandit, not an 18-year-old youth.

Because of his premature beard, he was known as "early beard."

He squeezed through the crowd like a bear, hugging Jiang Wang tightly, ignoring the faint sour smell on him, and repeatedly saying, "Damn! Damn!"

"Good to be back!"

Saying "good to be back," Ling He's eyes were teary, and his lips were trembling.

His face was dignified, with a full forehead, giving him a calm and composed appearance. He stood behind Du Yehu, looking steadily at Jiang Wang.

Only one handsome youth approached, first sizing up Jiang Wang, then pointing at his tattered clothes and laughing, "How did you end up like this?"

His name was Zhao Rucheng. His appearance was the most outstanding, and his smile seemed a bit frivolous. But only those who truly knew him could see the faint tears in his charming eyes.

These few people, though different in appearance and personality, were all close friends who had risked their lives for each other.

In many trials and missions of the outer gate, they had worked together, overcoming countless difficulties and dangers, forming a deep bond.

But Jiang Wang's gaze passed over them and focused on the handsome youth in the crowd, whose eyes seemed to be red.

He did not speak or make any movements, but just standing there, he was the center of attention.

"Pengju, it's been 57 days." Jiang Wang spoke slowly, "I think of you every day."

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

Ling He and Zhao Rucheng, however, were silent.

57 days was a very specific and sensitive time, exactly 57 days since Jiang Wang's disappearance.

Fang Pengju, dressed in rich brocade, smiled and stepped forward: "It's good to have you back. Everyone has been very worried about you these days."

"Yes." Jiang Wang also smiled, "Without seeing a body, how could you not be worried?"

Fang Pengju's face changed, "What do you mean by that? When you were in trouble, I was extremely anxious! I sent people to search for you everywhere!"

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

"Jiang Wang! The attack on you was by the remnants of the Western Mountain bandits, everyone knows that! Could you actually suspect me?" Fang Pengju's face turned red, showing shock and anger, "We, the Five Heroes of Maple Forest, are as close as brothers! Did you hear some rumors?"

Ling He, Du Yehu, Jiang Wang, Fang Pengju, and Zhao Rucheng were the most outstanding outer gate disciples of the Maple Forest Dao Academy. Because of their shared ideals, they often went on missions together, forming the Five Heroes of Maple Forest.

Feeling the sudden tension in the air, the outer gate disciples who had come to welcome Jiang Wang began to feel uneasy.

"Could it be that Fang Pengju harmed Jiang Wang?"

"Don't be ridiculous, 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."

The crowd whispered.

"Brothers, don't say such things!" Du Yehu stared at Jiang Wang, his face very anxious. His intuition was not good, but he had no way to stop what was about to happen.

Ling He thought for a moment and said, "Third Brother, you must have gone through a lot and suffered a lot in the past few days. Why don't you settle down first? In a few days, it will be the time for the inner courtyard selection, a crucial event for your life. We need to be cautious. The remnants of the Western Mountain bandits have already been eliminated by us. If there are any hidden details, we can sort them out slowly. If you have any grievances or hatred, we, your brothers, will help you, even if it means going to the prefectural or national Dao Academy!"

"But Pengju is our brother, who we swore blood oaths with. I believe there must be some misunderstanding. Perhaps someone is sowing discord..."

"Big Brother." Jiang Wang interrupted him, "When have I ever spoken rashly? I value our brotherhood as much as you do. So if I say this today, it means it's true."

"Fang Pengju!" Jiang Wang turned to the young man in brocade, pointing at him, "I hope you can still be so confident after opening this box!"

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

"No matter what happens, I, Fang Pengju, will never harm my friends!" Fang Pengju, after a moment of hesitation, said resolutely, "I will personally see what false evidence could make Third Brother suspect his own brother!"

He walked out of the courtyard, drew his sword from his waist, and slashed open the box lid!

A man bound and gagged with a rag appeared inside the box, his face filled with urgency, making desperate sounds.

Du Yehu and Ling He were also silent, recognizing him as Fang Pengju's close servant, Fang Decai.

"That day, your servant delivered a letter, inviting me to drink at the Moon Viewing Tower. When I arrived, you weren't there yet, and he persuaded me to drink a few cups of the fine wine you had specially sent. The poison in the wine... was Yin-Yang Separation Powder.

When the poison took effect, bandits broke in... I personally eliminated the Western Mountain bandits, but I never expected to almost be killed by a group of remnants right here in Maple Forest City!"

Jiang Wang's voice echoed softly, "So the first thing I did when I recovered was to find Fang Decai."

Fang Pengju was silent for a moment, then his sword lunged forward!

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

The sword was fast and accurate, blood splattering. Fang Decai convulsed, made a few choking sounds, and then lay still like a dead dog. From start to finish, he did not even have a chance to defend himself.

"Fang Pengju!" No one present was a fool. Du Yehu, though rough, was not stupid. His eyes widened, and his anger surged.

"Second Brother." Fang Pengju, with his sword dripping blood, looked ashamed, "I... was overwhelmed by anger and just wanted to avenge Third Brother!"

"It's okay." Jiang Wang, after watching Fang Pengju's performance, pulled out a piece of paper from his chest, covered in dense writing, "Here is Fang Decai's confession and signature. Does Pengju want to see it?"

"Clang!"

Fang Pengju casually discarded his sword and knelt down, "I don't need to see it to know what it says. The remnants of the Western Mountain bandits must have paid a high price to make this beast so loyal! But Third Brother, believe me, I have always been honest and upright. How could I ever do such a despicable thing? Regardless of the cause, my family will give you an answer. I will offer a reward of ten thousand coins to eliminate all bandits within a hundred miles, to wash away the hatred in your heart!"

"I am willing to pay all my private wealth to compensate for your pain; I am willing to endure the whip to correct my mistake; I am willing to fight alone to eliminate the remnants of the Western Mountain bandits, and I will not return to the city until they are all gone!"

"I am willing to do this not for compensation, but because Third Brother almost died, and this hatred is hard to repay! But as brothers, I cannot forgive myself!"

"If..." Fang Pengju, almost in tears, gritted his teeth, "If Third Brother still harbors hatred, then pick up this sword and kill me! Pengju will have no regrets!"

Everyone's eyes were on the blood-stained sword on the ground.

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

"I believe it's not your fault, a true man doesn't speak of death easily!"

In this scene, everyone was moved and spoke to dissuade him.

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

Jiang Wang waved his tattered sleeve and stood straight, "Pengju, I have been wounded many times for you, and you have also stood up for me. We five brothers have been through life and death together."

Ling He, Du Yehu, and Zhao Rucheng, all with red eyes, knew the blood and tears they had shared, the days they had fought together, the joy they had experienced... Only they knew.

The bond of brotherhood, forged through life and death, could not be expressed in a few words.

"Third Brother..." Fang Pengju lowered his head, tears streaming down his face, sobbing, "All the mistakes are mine, I shouldn't have trusted that evil servant, almost causing a great mistake!"

"But since you say that..." Jiang Wang said slowly, "Then Third Brother will, out of respect, follow your command!"