Chapter 14: The Jiang Family Has Merit, but Merit Cannot Offset Sin

“So, you are Ancestor Jiang Li. Your unworthy descendant pays respects to Ancestor Jiang Li.”

Clan Leader Jiang was stunned by Jiang Li’s appearance. Thinking back to his lecture about the Power of Faith at Yuan Wuxing’s house, his face flushed with embarrassment. But he quickly cast aside his shame, knelt down, and kowtowed.

Jiang Li simply smiled without responding.

“Our ancestor often reminisced about the childhood he spent with you, saying those were the happiest days of his life. He said you were kindhearted, always helping the poor with money whenever you could.”

“He said that in his youth, he was reckless and ignorant, and even caused you trouble. Every time he recalled it, he was overwhelmed with guilt. He wished he could apologize to you in person. But with his limited talent, he feared he wouldn’t live long enough to see you again. And since you dedicate yourself to the world and never return home, meeting you is simply too difficult—far too difficult!”

“In his struggle against his inner demons, our ancestor mistakenly fell into demonic cultivation, using deceitful methods to extend his life!”

Tears streamed down Clan Leader Jiang’s face as he spoke with deep sincerity, as if he would bare his heart for Jiang Li to see. His impassioned words moved the onlookers, making them feel that Jiang Yixing’s descent into demonic cultivation was understandable, even forgivable. Throughout history, balancing public duty and private matters had never been easy. The Human Sovereign took responsibility for all living beings, inevitably neglecting his family.

Alas, Jiang Yixing never even had the chance to say “I’m sorry.”

Yuan Wuxing, watching the scene, found it strangely familiar.

“Our Jiang Family is not only the descendant of Ancestor Jiang Yixing but also your descendants. With an elder in our lineage who became the Human Sovereign, we younger generations dare not tarnish your name. Other than our ancestor’s fall into demonic cultivation, we have never committed heinous crimes. On the contrary, we have worked hard to forge alliances and accumulate wealth, using our resources to build Qing City into a grand metropolis. This is something all Qing City residents can attest to!”

The people of Qing City nodded subtly. They had heard from their elders that the Jiang Family played a crucial role in Qing City’s growth.

Back in the day, though it was called a city, Qing City barely qualified as one. It was so insignificant that many refused to acknowledge it. After all, what kind of city didn’t even have a single Golden Core cultivator?

At the time, outsiders would mock Qing City folk, calling them “uncultured rural people.”

Now, however, Qing City stood among the top-ranked cities in Tianqing Prefecture. When Qing City residents traveled abroad, they walked with pride, and strangers would often remark, “A Qing City native? Impressive.”

“We see ourselves as part of the Human Sovereign Hall and always hold ourselves to its standards. We only seek recognition from the Human Sovereign Hall—from you—so that our Jiang Family does not bring shame to it!”

“Ancestor Jiang Li, as your unworthy descendants, we humbly ask—can we join the Human Sovereign Hall?”

Clan Leader Jiang looked up at Jiang Li, eyes full of hope. The crowd held their breath, their hearts pounding, wishing they could answer for Jiang Li with a resounding “yes.”

Jiang Li gave a small nod and said, “Keep dreaming.”

“The Human Sovereign Hall honors seventy-two past Human Sovereigns. Not a single one ever placed their family within it, let alone admitted an entire clan. What right do I have to break such a precedent for the Jiang Family?”

“But you are the strongest Human Sovereign! If you set a new precedent, no one would object!” Clan Leader Jiang quickly countered.

The surrounding people quietly agreed. Indeed, Jiang Li, as the strongest figure in the Nine Provinces, had never abused his power. In fact, his restraint bordered on excessive.

Many cultivators—even those merely at the Nascent Soul Stage—were far more arrogant than he was. Some blatantly disregarded laws and customs, snatching brides at weddings, looting auction houses after purchases, and justifying it as the “privilege of the strong.”

If Jiang Li wished to include his family in the Human Sovereign Hall, most would likely just shrug and accept it.

Then, from the crowd, a voice shouted:

“Human Sovereign Jiang, not everyone in the Jiang Family is evil!”

The words sparked an uproar, with many chanting, “Let the Jiang Family join the Human Sovereign Hall!” Qing City residents, in particular, were the loudest.

Only the parents of the sacrificed children voiced their objections. But their protests were too faint, drowned out by the majority.

One furious parent turned to the surrounding crowd and demanded, “The Jiang Family murdered children for demonic cultivation! How can such a clan be allowed into the Human Sovereign Hall?”

The person being questioned scoffed, “Putting aside Jiang Yixing’s deep loyalty—he was simply momentarily misled—just look at the Jiang Family’s contributions over the past three centuries! Qing City’s expansion, its peaceful prosperity, and its thriving culture have benefited countless cultivators. Doesn’t such merit outweigh the crime of demonic cultivation? Don’t you people have any sense of collective responsibility?”

The grieving parent was left speechless.

Similar debates broke out across the crowd, and Jiang Li heard every word.

Floating ten feet into the air, he projected his voice, ensuring all could hear him.

Jiang Li smiled. “I’ve heard all of you loud and clear. Wonderful arguments, truly. Especially that line—‘Doesn’t such merit outweigh the crime of demonic cultivation?’ Setting aside the content, your reasoning is quite sound.”

The person who had spoken earlier straightened proudly, feeling honored to be acknowledged by the Human Sovereign himself. After all, he was the first to shout for the Jiang Family’s inclusion in the Hall.

But Jiang Li’s next words wiped the smile from his face.

“Who would’ve thought I’d live to hear such nonsense? Ji Brother, I propose Great Zhou introduce an Intelligence Tax to replenish the national treasury.”

Emperor Ji Zhi nodded approvingly. “Jiang Brother speaks wisely. This proposal shall be submitted for discussion among the Three Ministers.”

The man, now red-faced, tried to argue, “Rewarding merits and punishing faults—balancing merits and crimes—what’s wrong with that?”

The idea of balancing merit and crime had always been controversial. He doubted Jiang Li could refute it so easily.

However, while others might struggle with this question, for Jiang Li, the answer was effortless.

A suffocating killing intent swept across the field like a storm, sending chills down everyone’s spines. With a mere thought, an invisible force grabbed the man by the collar and dragged him before Jiang Li.

Jiang Li clutched the man’s throat, his cold smile devoid of mercy—only wild arrogance and cruelty remained in his eyes.

“I repelled the Outer World Demons three times, saving the Nine Provinces on each occasion. In other words, the only reason you’re alive is because of me. By your logic, wouldn’t it be perfectly reasonable for me to slaughter you all as well? Surely, no one would object!”

The man thrashed helplessly. “L-Let me go…”

“Why should I? I saved you three times—why can’t you let me kill you in peace? Why are you so selfish? Killing you would bring me great joy, yet you refuse to sacrifice yourself for the greater good?”

Jiang Li’s voice was calm, but his grip tightened, leaving no doubt of his seriousness.

Terror consumed the man’s heart.

Regret overwhelmed him.

Maybe the rumors were true—before ascending to the throne, Jiang Li had fought against the Outer World Demons and wiped out an entire city in the process, leaving no corpses behind.