Chapter 6: I Am the Human Sovereign’s Brother
Inside the Jiang Family’s ancestral hall, an elderly man knelt before the ancestral tablets. He was the oldest surviving member of the Jiang Family and also its current Clan Leader.
When the hemp-robed elder entered, the Jiang Clan Leader trembled as he supported himself with a cane, struggling to his feet. With a respectful bow, he greeted the elder like a junior, his face full of joy.
“Ancestor, you’ve come out of seclusion two days ahead of schedule! Have you already broken through the Peak Nascent Soul Stage and stepped into the Soul Formation Stage?”
The hemp-robed elder shook his head and sighed regretfully. “Breaking through to Soul Formation is easier said than done. Those dozen or so infants were wasted—the blood sacrifice barely improved my cultivation at all. If I truly want to break through, relying on blood sacrifices alone won’t be enough. I’ll need to find other methods.”
The Jiang Clan Leader’s look of disappointment flashed briefly before he continued, “Ancestor, our worshippers have reported something—the parents of the missing children are causing an uproar all over Qing City. Some of them have even gone to the City Lord’s Mansion, making a scene at the gates. This time, we may not be able to suppress the matter so easily. Perhaps changing methods is a good idea… After all, we’ve stolen far too many infants over the years. People are beginning to suspect us.”
“Who suspects us?”
“A Golden Core rogue cultivator named Yuan Wuxing. For the past few years, he’s been trying to sneak in during our ancestral worship ceremonies.”
The hemp-robed elder sneered in disdain. “So, he noticed the connection between the worship ceremonies and the missing children? A mere rogue cultivator… We might as well capture him and use him for the next blood sacrifice.”
“Oh, and since those fools—the grieving parents—keep making a fuss, why don’t we just capture them as well? Let them reunite with their children in death.”
“Understood.”
Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice interrupted them.
“How touching! Why don’t you go join your parents down below?”
“Who?!”
The hemp-robed elder spun around, his expression furious, while his body instinctively retreated. He hadn’t sensed anyone approaching.
To avoid his spiritual perception, the intruder had to be either another Peak Nascent Soul cultivator skilled in concealment techniques or… a Soul Formation powerhouse.
In a flash, the elder unleashed multiple spells, but before they could take form—
Slap!
A resounding smack sent him flying straight into the altar table, knocking over the ancestral tablets. His teeth clattered against the floor—half of them shattered.
“You—!”
The hemp-robed elder was shocked beyond belief. He could sense that his attacker was also at the Peak Nascent Soul Stage, yet his speed was so fast that he couldn’t even react.
Jiang Li had survived countless life-and-death battles throughout his life. His combat experience was immeasurable. Even if he suppressed his cultivation to the Nascent Soul Stage, he could easily crush this old man.
Without a word, Jiang Li pinned the elder down onto the altar table. His fists fell like iron hammers, each punch heavier than the last.
In the midst of this one-sided beating, a system notification rang in his mind:
【Congratulations, Host! You have defeated Jiang Yixing. Newbie Quest Completed!】
But Jiang Li felt no joy at all. He continued pummeling Jiang Yixing, carefully restraining his strength—if he used any more force, he might kill him outright.
From the moment Jiang Li detected the spatial node, he had already recognized the hemp-robed elder as Jiang Yixing.
However, Jiang Yixing didn’t recognize him at all—Jiang Li had altered his appearance.
“Do… you… know… who I… am…?”
Jiang Yixing stammered through broken teeth, his words leaking out through the gaps.
“I… am… the brother of… Jiang Li… the Human Sovereign!”
Jiang Li’s eyes turned cold.
“Oh?”
“The Human Sovereign’s brother?”
“How impressive!”
“Even the Human Sovereign himself doesn’t act as arrogantly as you!”
“You even set up a memorial plaque for yourself?”
“So, do you already know you’re supposed to be dead?”
“Or are you just faking your death for the world?”
Jiang Li’s rage burned uncontrollably.
Jiang Yixing had used his name to practice Demonic Cultivation, sacrificing countless innocent children.
That made Jiang Li feel as though he, too, bore responsibility for their deaths.
With each sentence he spoke, he threw another punch, beating Jiang Yixing until blood poured from his orifices and he lost consciousness.
Jiang Li picked up the memorial plaque bearing Jiang Yixing’s name and let out a cold chuckle.
“Using the power of ancestral worship to dissipate the infants’ resentment? Clever trick.”
He grabbed Jiang Yixing by the ankle and dragged him out of the ancestral hall. As he walked, Yixing’s head slammed into the doorway with a loud thud.
The Jiang Family members had long heard the commotion inside the ancestral hall. When they saw Jiang Li appear, they immediately attacked him, attempting to kill the intruder.
Only a few of them recognized Jiang Yixing—most had believed him dead for years. Since they didn’t recognize him, they didn’t bother avoiding him while attacking Jiang Li.
A few stray attacks struck Jiang Yixing, but compared to Jiang Li’s fists, these attacks were practically harmless—Yixing wouldn’t die from them.
Jiang Li blocked every strike effortlessly with one free hand, knocking out every attacker without breaking a sweat.
“Senior, what are you doing…?”
Yuan Wuxing followed behind, utterly stunned by Jiang Li’s actions.
Directly flattening the Jiang Family and capturing the mastermind—this was something he had never even dared to dream of!
“Obviously, I’m going to make a big scene.”
Jiang Li replied matter-of-factly.
“A… big scene?” Yuan Wuxing was completely lost. He could only feel that this Dao Sect Envoy was unfathomable in both power and actions.
“Otherwise, how will we know who dares to shield the Jiang Family? Is it the City Lord, the Province Lord, or someone even higher up?”
“I want to see just how big of a fish I can catch this time.”
Jiang Li smirked, his smile devoid of warmth.
If Emperor Zhou was unaware, that was one thing.
But if he had known all along and chosen to cover it up…
Then Jiang Li would no longer consider him a friend.
Yuan Wuxing felt his blood boil with excitement.
This was going to turn the world upside down!
“Go gather the parents of the missing children. Tell them the culprit has been caught and is being taken to the City Lord’s Mansion for judgment.”
“Yes, Senior!”
Meanwhile, in Qing City, the City Lord Zeng leaned back lazily.
His career had been incredibly smooth, climbing from a minor official to the City Lord of Qing City.
By aligning himself with the Jiang Family, he had indirectly connected himself to the Human Sovereign.
Just as he was about to leave work early, a subordinate rushed in.
“City Lord! There’s an urgent case that requires your judgment!”
Zeng frowned. “Tell them I’m busy and to come back tomorrow.”
“My Lord, the culprit behind the missing children case has been captured! It’s Jiang Yixing—the supposed ‘dead ancestor’ of the Jiang Family!”
Zeng’s face turned deathly pale.
“Why the hell didn’t you say so earlier?!”