Chapter 248: The Storytelling Session — The Legend of Jiang the Human Sovereign
After being driven out of the imperial palace by Ji Zhi, Jiang Li wandered alone through the imperial capital.
A large sign outside a teahouse caught his interest.
Today’s Story: The Legend of Jiang the Human Sovereign
Beneath the sign was a line of tiny millet-sized characters: This story is purely fictional and bears no relation to real individuals.
After all, this was the Great Zhou’s imperial capital, right under the emperor’s nose—first and foremost, liability had to be avoided.
Jiang Li paid the entry fee. As soon as he stepped inside the teahouse, he was met with thunderous applause.
“Now then, though Jiang Li hadn’t yet ascended as Human Sovereign, he already carried a third of the Human Sovereign’s domineering spirit and decisiveness. When he saw the villain attacking, he got serious, raised his longsword, and clashed blade-to-blade with the foe. Each strike deadly, sword light and blade shadows flashing—after a hundred moves, the moment of life and death arrived. With a squelch, his sword pierced the villain’s heart. Jiang Li twisted his wrist, and the scoundrel’s heart was shredded into pulp.”
“And so, the villain met his end—his evil life terminated!”
“Bravo!”
The crowd was riled up, shouting in approval and clapping. Some even tossed spirit stones onto the stage in their excitement.
The place was packed—no empty tables left. Jiang Li had no choice but to share a table.
“Fellow Daoist, is this seat taken?” Jiang Li approached a table with three people.
“Not at all, sit wherever you like,” one of them replied casually.
The storyteller paused to sip tea, preparing for the next tale. The patrons were abuzz with excitement, eagerly discussing the story they’d just heard. The three at Jiang Li’s table were no exception.
“There are seventy or eighty versions of The Legend of Jiang the Human Sovereign floating around, but I say this one’s the most thrilling—decisive in battle, crowned through bloodshed. That’s how a true powerhouse should be!”
“I must disagree. That version ranks second in my book. Do you know what kind of person Jiang the Human Sovereign was? Boundless merit, generous and compassionate—there’s no way someone like him rose through violence. The version where he triumphs through strategy and wit is the best!”
The two began arguing over which version was superior. The third person quickly stepped in to mediate and shift the topic.
“Literature has no fixed ranking—why argue? Even if we can’t meet the Human Sovereign in person, we can feel closer to him through stories. It’s like he’s sitting right next to us. Wouldn’t you agree, brother?”
He turned and posed the question to Jiang Li, who was caught off guard.
“It’s not like the Human Sovereign is sitting next to you… he is sitting next to you.”
Jiang Li’s remark made the three of them burst into laughter.
“Haha! Brother, you’re so immersed in the tale—you’re a true storytelling fan. Much respect.”
“Ahem ahem.”
The storyteller cleared his throat, slapped the wooden block with a crack, wrapped up the previous segment, and launched into the next story.
“Now, let us speak of the time Jiang the Human Sovereign rescued countless young maidens from a villain’s clutches. The girls, scantily clad, cried out to their savior. But Jiang the Human Sovereign was a paragon of virtue—he would never take advantage. He escorted the poor girls home and continued on his journey.”
One man beside Jiang Li suddenly frowned. “Wait a second… that’s not how I heard it. Wasn’t it that Jiang the Human Sovereign, after some resistance, shared a bed with all those women? And the details were super explicit?”
“???” Jiang Li was baffled. This was the Great Zhou! Say things like that and I’ll sue you for slander!
His companion smacked him on the head. “You’re thinking of Jiang the Human Sovereign’s Romantic Escapades. You mixed that up with the official storytelling session!”
“Oh right, right, I got them confused.”
“???” Jiang Li was even more confused now. Could this get any more ridiculous?
The storyteller began the next story.
“At that time, Jiang the Human Sovereign was only at the Golden Core Stage. Passing through a small town, he heard rumors of a vengeful ghost wreaking havoc—several had already died, and the townsfolk were in utter despair. Righteous as ever, Jiang the Human Sovereign stayed behind to investigate and resolve the haunting.”
“He learned that the ghost appeared and vanished mysteriously, killing without drawing blood. All who saw it were terrified to death. Several cultivators had tried and failed.”
“That very night, another elderly man was killed. His face twisted in terror, as if he had witnessed something unimaginably horrific.”
“The townsfolk claimed the ghost feared men with strong yang energy and black dog blood. With those, they believed it could be exorcised.”
“Jiang the Human Sovereign, sword in hand, waited beside the graveyard. His swordsmanship was already exceptional, having slain countless tyrants and evildoers who preyed on the weak. Though his cultivation was low, he already showed signs of becoming a great swordmaster.”
“Under a dark moon, beside dead trees and cawing crows, the ghost emerged from its grave. Jiang the Human Sovereign fought it with a sword smeared in black dog blood.”
“The ghost was a seductive woman in red, wielding mysterious and unpredictable powers. Even Nascent Soul cultivators could fall victim—let alone the then Golden Core Jiang the Human Sovereign.”
“But Jiang the Human Sovereign was… well, Jiang the Human Sovereign—full of vitality and blazing with blood energy. To the ghost, he was a blinding sun. Her powers were drastically weakened.”
“Jiang the Human Sovereign took the chance to subdue the ghost. Just as he was about to decapitate her and send her to reincarnation in the underworld, the ghost wept tears of blood, wailing that Jiang the Human Sovereign was just like the rest of the townspeople—no better than scum.”
“From her account, Jiang the Human Sovereign learned the truth.”
“The ghost was named Lady Ruan, born into a poor family in the town, living with her parents. A wealthy local family’s son had died. Fearing he’d be lonely in the afterlife, they arranged a ghost marriage and chose Lady Ruan. She and her parents refused.”
“Things escalated. Her parents were killed. She was bound and buried alive with the deceased son.”
“Lady Ruan died with deep resentment, refusing to pass on to the underworld. She endured the burning of the mortal world, determined to drag the wealthy family down with her.”
“Jiang the Human Sovereign sighed deeply and let her go. She drifted toward the household.”
“In recent days, it had only been members of that family who died—so they guessed Lady Ruan was behind it. Upon seeing her, they broke down in tears, admitting their guilt and vowing to erect monuments and burn offerings for her, hoping she’d forgive them and move on.”
“But the grudge of a daughter whose parents were slain is deeper than the sky—how could she forgive? Overnight, the entire family perished. Lady Ruan had her revenge. Her soul dispersed, gone from the world. That was the price she paid for lingering in the mortal realm.”
The crowd sighed with emotion—none expected such an ending.
Jiang Li was also thoughtful. He hadn’t imagined Lady Ruan’s story would be reimagined like this. If she could hear it from the underworld, she’d probably be pleased.
After all, taking revenge herself was far more satisfying than Jiang Li doing it for her—even if it cost her very soul.
That small town incident was real.
But there had been no ghost named Lady Ruan—only Jiang Li staying the night there, piecing together clues about her story.
When he learned someone had murdered a couple to conduct a ghost marriage and buried their daughter alive, he flew into a rage.
He stormed the culprit’s home and executed them, avenging Lady Ruan.
There was no ghost, no soul dispersal.
The real Lady Ruan had long since gone to the underworld and reincarnated.