Chapter 3: This Regret Can Never Be Repaid!

Outside the Huanzhen Temple, before a fresh grave, Jiang Wang opened his eyes.

That tiny silver moon fell into the palm of his right hand, branded itself as a silver moon mark, and then vanished.

Yet, Jiang Wang could still clearly perceive its existence. This mark possessed no inherent power; it would only appear when the host willed it, connecting to the Taiyin Star and drawing the host’s spiritual consciousness into that mysterious and unfathomable Tai Xu Illusion.

He did not explore the Tai Xu Illusion for long; the wilderness where he currently stood was no place for a peaceful exploration.

Not to mention whether any cultivators from Maple Forest City might come to investigate once the aftermath of the powerful cultivators' battle here had dissipated. For Jiang Wang himself, he had more pressing matters.

If he remembered correctly, in three days' time, the selection for the inner courtyard of the Maple Forest Dao Academy would take place.

Once he missed this window, he would find it difficult to ever find another opportunity—an opportunity for revenge.

Because only inner courtyard students were truly recognized by the Zhuang Kingdom as disciples of the Dao Academy, and disciples of the Dao Academy could not be lightly insulted, let alone harmed or killed!

Taking one last look at the dilapidated temple where he had lingered for many days while nursing his injuries, Jiang Wang stepped into the moonlight and strode away.

Weeds grew thick before the broken temple gate. A gust of wind blew, allowing the moonlight to spill onto an old plaque that had lain on the ground for years. The characters on it were blurred, but the two characters "Huan Zhen" could still be vaguely traced.

Moonlight shone on the broken temple and the fresh grave; the wind rustled through the leaves.

It was as if someone had let out a sigh.

……

Maple Forest City was not actually small. For many who had lived there for generations, it was the entire world.

Aside from the City Lord, who represented the will of the Zhuang Kingdom, the three surnames—Zhang, Fang, and Wang—were the masters of this territory.

The night was deep when the back door of the Yicui Pavilion was pushed open. Amidst the coquettish laughter of a plump girl, a man wearing a long gown with slits on both sides stumbled out, the smell of alcohol on him only serving to highlight his smug satisfaction.

His name was Fang Decai.

This surname "Fang" had not been easy to come by. Since his grandfather’s generation, his family had served the Fang clan for three generations before he was finally granted the name. It was precisely because he was trusted as a confidant by the Fang family that he had such disposable income, allowing him to visit a den of pleasure like the Yicui Pavilion once a month.

He gave the girl he was fond of one last hard squeeze before laughing and walking away.

The plump girl looked at him with shy annoyance, pouting and chiding him relentlessly. Only when his back disappeared around the corner of the alley did she spit and mutter, "A dog acting on his master's power." She then closed the small door with a flirtatious flick.

Because of this, she did not notice a man in tattered clothes following closely behind Fang Decai.

Fang Decai had some martial arts training. When he sensed something was wrong, he immediately raised his fists and turned around. But the opponent met him with a single slap, shattering his stance.

Immediately after, his throat was gripped, and his entire body was lifted into the air before being slammed heavily against the wall.

Compared to the rapidly swelling pain in his face and his increasingly difficult breathing, what terrified him more was the face that became clearer and clearer in his drunken eyes.

Gentle, calm—the face of Jiang Wang.

"Ji... Jiang..." Fang Decai wheezed in terror and struggle, his throat constricted.

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

Jiang Wang asked these questions in a measured tone, and only a moment before Fang Decai was about to suffocate, he leisurely loosened his grip. "Now, tell me slowly."

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

The evening breeze gently pushed the clouds, slightly obscuring the moonlight. The low-voiced conversation in the alley was as faint as the whispers of evil spirits.

That night, the bright moon hung in the sky, the night wind blew, and the one who should have died had returned to the city.

……

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

The Zhuang Kingdom took the Daoist school as its state religion, and its strongest transcendent power naturally originated from the Daoist school; the Dao Academies spread across every city in the kingdom's three prefectures were proof of this.

It was the primary choice for cultivation for the people of Zhuang, and it was also the eyes through which the Daoist school observed the nation. Without a record of study at a Dao Academy, one could not command respect even with an official position.

For Maple Forest City as a whole, the most important place was perhaps not the City Lord's Mansion, nor the residences of the three great families, but the "Maple Forest City Dao Academy."

The Daoist tradition inherited by the Zhuang Kingdom belonged to the Yujing Mountain lineage, which placed the greatest importance on ritual. Consequently, the entire academy was built with great magnificence. If nothing else, the pair of snow-moon jade lions crouching on either side of the main gate were extremely noble and majestic.

The jade light cast by the lions' eyes fell upon Jiang Wang's tattered clothes. He had simply washed his face and tied his messy hair behind his head... but he could not wash away the sour stench of days spent curled up as a beggar.

Yet, standing before the open gates of the academy, he held his head high, standing as straight as a green pine.

The outer disciple on guard duty rubbed his eyes again and again before shouting in disbelief, "Jiang... Senior Brother Jiang!?"

Jiang Wang nodded in acknowledgment. "Hello, Junior Brother Wu."

As the outer disciple most willing to risk his life in the Maple Forest City Dao Academy, he had participated in countless academy missions. Any outer disciple who had been there for more than a year basically knew him.

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

Before long, many outer disciples swarmed over, crowding the academy gate until it was packed full. Seniors and juniors called out incessantly. It was evident how much prestige Jiang Wang held among the outer disciples.

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

"You Jiang bastard! Where have you been hiding all these days? I thought you were dead, damn it!"

The one who had started shouting from afar was Du Yehu. His overly burly frame made his training uniform look like it was about to burst. His face was also distinct, covered in a thick, bushy beard. Standing there, his face looked two or three times larger than the surrounding disciples; one could believe he was a mountain bandit king, but he certainly didn't look like an eighteen-year-old youth.

Because he looked so mature for his age, he was known as "Old Before His Time."

He squeezed out of the crowd like a bear, wrapped his arms around Jiang Wang, ignoring the sour stench on him, and kept saying, "Damn it! Damn it!"

"It's good that you're back!"

The one who said it was good to be back, but whose eyes were bloodshot and whose lips were trembling, was Ling He.

His features were upright, his forehead broad, and he appeared calm and composed. At this moment, wearing a washed-out martial arts uniform, he stood behind Du Yehu, staring fixedly at Jiang Wang. Though his gaze was soft, no one knew how many sleepless nights he had endured.

Only one exceptionally handsome youth leaned in, looked Jiang Wang up and down, and then pointed at his tattered clothes, laughing, "How did you end up in such a state?"

His name was Zhao Rucheng. His appearance was the most striking, and his smile was slightly frivolous. But only those who truly knew him could see the restrained tears in his charming, smiling eyes.

These individuals had different appearances and personalities, but they all shared a bond of life and death with Jiang Wang.

In many trial missions in the outer courtyard, they had worked together, overcome countless dangers, and had long since forged a deep friendship.

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

This youth was dressed in fine silks and jade; he did not speak or move, but just by standing there, he was vaguely the center of the crowd.

"Pengju, it's been fifty-seven days." Jiang Wang said, almost word for word. "I've thought of you every day."

"Thinking only of Pengju, don't you miss your second brother?" Du Yehu grabbed Jiang Wang's shoulders and shook him, shouting loudly.

Ling He and Zhao Rucheng, however, both fell silent.

Fifty-seven days was a specific and sensitive time. Counting from today, it had been exactly fifty-seven days since Jiang Wang went missing.

Fang Pengju, who had been wealthy since childhood, smiled and welcomed him. "It's good that you're back. Everyone has been very worried about you these days."

"Yes..." Jiang Wang also smiled. "If you hadn't seen my corpse, how could you not be worried?"

Fang Pengju's expression changed. "Third Brother, what do you mean by that? After you went missing, I was frantic! I sent people everywhere to look for you!"

Jiang Wang said gloomily, "That is why I only dared to show my face today."

"Jiang Wang! It is common knowledge that you were attacked by the remnants of the West Mountain bandits! Are you actually suspecting me?" Fang Pengju's face flushed red, showing grievance and anger. "We, the Five Heroes of Maple Forest, are as close as brothers! Have you been misled by some rumors?"

Ling He, Du Yehu, Jiang Wang, Fang Pengju, and Zhao Rucheng—these five were the most outstanding figures among the outer disciples of the Maple Forest City Dao Academy. Because they were like-minded, they often banded together to clear out bandits, acting in unison, and were known as the Five Heroes of Maple Forest.

Feeling the atmosphere suddenly turn heavy, the outer 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 to be easily deceived."

The crowd whispered.

"A-Wang, we are all brothers, don't talk nonsense!" Du Yehu stared at Jiang Wang, his expression very agitated. His intuition was bad, but he had no way to stop what was coming next.

Ling He thought for a moment and spoke up to persuade him: "Third Brother, you must have experienced many things during this time and suffered a lot. Why not settle down first? The inner courtyard selection is in a few days; this is a matter that concerns your entire life, so you must treat it with caution. That group of remnants from West Mountain has already been wiped out by us together. If there are any hidden details, we can sort them out slowly. If you have grievances or hatred, we brothers will definitely help you, even if we have to take it to the Prefecture Dao Academy or the National Dao Academy, we won't hesitate!"

"But Pengju is a brother with whom we swore an oath in blood. He has also been very worried about you during this time... I believe there must be some misunderstanding. Perhaps someone is trying to sow discord—"

"Big Brother." Jiang Wang interrupted him. "When have I ever spoken without thinking? I cherish this brotherhood no less than you do. So, since I am saying this today, it means that things are indeed as they are."

"Fang Pengju!" Jiang Wang turned to look at the youth in fine clothes and pointed back. "I hope that after you open this box, you can still be so righteous!"

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 only hesitated for a moment before stepping forward resolutely. "I will see for myself what kind of false evidence could make Third Brother suspect his own brother!"

He strode to the courtyard, drew his long sword from his waist, and flipped the lid of the box open with one strike!

Inside the box, a man tied up like a dumpling was revealed, a rag stuffed in his mouth. Upon seeing Fang Pengju, his expression became incredibly anxious, and he struggled desperately, making muffled sounds.

Du Yehu and Ling He also fell silent; they both recognized this as Fang Decai, a servant close to Fang Pengju.

"That day, your servant sent a message saying you invited me to the Wangyue Pavilion for a drink. When I arrived, you hadn't arrived yet. He urged me to have a few drinks first and try the fine wine you had specially sent. The poison in that wine... was 'Yin-Yang Separation Powder'."

"Just as the poison took effect, mountain bandits broke in to attack... I personally wiped out the West Mountain bandits and cleared their stronghold. I never expected that here in Maple Forest City, I would almost be killed by a group of remnants!"

Jiang Wang's voice sounded gloomily. "So, the first thing I did after I recovered was to find Fang Decai."

Fang Pengju only paused for a split second before thrusting his long sword forward!

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

This strike was fast and accurate, and blood splattered. Fang Decai began to twitch violently, whimpering in his throat, and finally lay motionless like a dead dog. From beginning to end, he didn't even have time to say a word in his own defense.

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

"Second Brother." Fang Pengju lowered his blood-dripping sword, his face full of shame. "I... I was momentarily blinded by rage, thinking only of killing this beast to vent my anger for Third Brother, and my hand was too quick!"

"It doesn't matter." Jiang Wang waited quietly for Fang Pengju to finish his performance before shaking a piece of paper from his bosom, covered in dense handwriting. "Here is Fang Decai's confession and thumbprint... My fourth brother, would you like to see it?"

"Clang!"

Fang Pengju discarded his long sword and suddenly knelt on the ground with a crisp sound. "I don't need to look to know what's written on it. I can only say that the West Mountain bandits are relentless in their desire to destroy me. I don't know what price they paid to make this beast Decai so loyal to them! But Third Brother, believe me, I have always been upright; when have I ever acted like a villain? No matter the cause of this matter, since it started because of Fang Decai, my Fang family will definitely give you an explanation—I will offer a reward of 100,000 coins and will surely clear out the bandits within a hundred miles to wash away the hatred in Third Brother's heart!"

Some outer disciples in the crowd also spoke up: "Yes, Senior Brother Jiang, you Five Heroes of Maple Forest are all heroes and the pride of our Maple Forest City Dao Academy. Don't be swayed by villains!"

"My 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 on Fang Decai's corpse. "Such an evil servant is not worth pitying, and he even tarnished Senior Brother Fang's reputation and ruined the brotherhood of the Five Heroes of Maple Forest. If he were still alive, I would want to tear him to pieces!"

"Fellow disciples, no need to say more!" Fang Pengju waved his hand to stop the discussion and knelt forward a few steps, looking sincerely at Jiang Wang. "After Third Brother went missing, I led people to search everywhere, waking up from dreams several times in tears! My feelings for Third Brother are known to all, and heaven is my witness! But even if I have a clear conscience, if it weren't for my trust in Decai, and Third Brother's trust in me, how could this beast have found an opportunity? All the blame lies with me, and I am willing to bear it all!"

"I am willing to pay all the wealth in my private treasury to compensate for Third Brother's pain; I am willing to suffer a whipping to make up for the mistake of misplaced trust; I am willing to go and wipe out the bandits alone, swearing to destroy the remnants of West Mountain. If the remnants are not wiped out, I will never return to the city!"

"I am willing to do this, not for compensation—Third Brother almost died, and this hatred cannot be repaid! It's just that we are brothers, and I cannot forgive myself!"

"If..." Fang Pengju finally said, almost in tears, gritting his teeth, "If Third Brother still cannot let go of his hatred, then pick up this long sword and kill me with one strike! Pengju will have no complaints!"

Everyone's eyes turned to the blood-stained sword thrown on the ground.

"Senior Brother Fang, you must not do this!"

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

Seeing this scene, no one present was unmoved, and they all spoke up to dissuade him.

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

Jiang Wang waved his tattered sleeve and stood straight. "Pengju, I have suffered many wounds for you, and you have also stood up for me. The five of us brothers have lived and died together... Knowing each other, holding our swords, yet the hatred remains!"

The brothers all fell silent. Sworn brothers, walking the same path. Those moments of struggle, those moments of joy, the blood and tears swallowed... only time could measure them.

Could the bond of life and death be severed by a single sword?

"Third Brother..." Fang Pengju was streaming with tears, unable to speak. "All the faults are mine, the younger brother's. I shouldn't have trusted an evil servant and almost caused a disaster! These days, these days—"

"But since you've said so, Pengju!" Jiang Wang said slowly. "Then Third Brother will, respectfully, comply!"