Chapter 8: The Persuader

After bidding farewell to the grateful parents and politely declining their thank-you gifts, the two returned to Yuan Wuxing’s small courtyard.

“I noticed that you have quite a lot to say when you’re talking to me, but when we were in court, you barely spoke. City Lord Zeng might not have even noticed you were there.”

Yuan Wuxing scratched his head and chuckled sheepishly. “I got nervous. I’ve never been in a situation like that before—my mind just went blank.”

Jiang Li couldn’t help but laugh. “You spent ten years investigating the Jiang Family—such a massive force—knowing that the chances of success were slim, yet you still persisted. If someone says you lack determination, they must be blind. But when it comes to the critical moments, you hesitate. You did it at the Jiang Family’s estate, in the courtroom, and even when you tried to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage.

Our Dao Sect teaches that cultivation is a balance of both the mind and the body. But right now, you’re only cultivating your mind, not your survival instinct.”

Yuan Wuxing was struck like lightning.

Jiang Li was absolutely right. Every time he attempted to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage, doubts would flood his mind. He’d think: I’m still young, why risk my life trying to advance now? Why not enjoy a carefree hundred years and try later? What’s the point of reaching Nascent Soul? Even if I do, there’s still the Soul Formation Stage ahead—when will cultivation ever end? So many people have failed to reach Nascent Soul; why should I be any different?

These thoughts always surfaced at the most crucial moment, causing his breakthrough attempts to fail just when success was within reach.

“Thank you for your guidance, Senior.” Yuan Wuxing bowed deeply to Jiang Li, who simply smiled and said nothing more.

Suddenly remembering something, Yuan Wuxing asked anxiously, “Senior Zhang, I suspect the Jiang Family will send people to that spatial node to destroy the evidence. We must stop them!”

Jiang Li remained calm. “I only fear they won’t go. If they do, things will escalate even further.”

He gave Yuan Wuxing a meaningful look but didn’t explain further. Surprisingly, Yuan Wuxing truly believed him and calmed down.

They had only spent one day together, yet Yuan Wuxing found himself instinctively trusting Jiang Li without reason.

“Excuse me, is this the residence of Mister Zhang Li and Mister Yuan Wuxing?”

A soft knocking sounded at the door.

The knock was light, and after speaking, the visitor did not repeat themselves. Instead, they stood outside respectfully, showing great courtesy.

Yuan Wuxing opened the door, his hand trembling involuntarily as he resisted the urge to strike.

“I know I have sinned against the people,” the visitor said. “If beating me will ease Mister Yuan’s hatred, I will not resist.”

Standing outside was Clan Leader Jiang, leaning on his cane. His eyelids drooped slightly, and he wore an apologetic expression. Despite being a Golden Core Stage cultivator, he had come alone to face a Peak Golden Core and a Peak Nascent Soul cultivator, without any followers.

Yuan Wuxing despised Clan Leader Jiang. If Jiang Yixing was the true culprit, then this man was his greatest accomplice. The deaths of those infants were as much on his hands as anyone’s.

“Why are you here? To threaten us?”

Though he didn’t strike, Yuan Wuxing sneered coldly before plopping down on a chair and gulping down tea.

He didn’t dare attack. Who knew what tricks this old fox had? It was best not to complicate things further.

But then, to his shock, Clan Leader Jiang stepped inside, tossed aside his cane, and knelt on the ground.

Yuan Wuxing was so startled he nearly dropped his teacup.

Jiang Li watched with interest, curious to see what tricks this younger generation had up his sleeve.

“The ancestor has indeed committed crimes,” Clan Leader Jiang began, “but no matter how great his sins, they cannot outweigh those of the Human Sovereign’s cousin. If news spreads that the Human Sovereign’s own kin practiced demonic cultivation, what will the people think? They will inevitably lose faith. And if certain forces fan the flames, this could tarnish the Human Sovereign’s reputation irreparably.”

“Beyond the Nine Provinces, the Outer World Demons are eyeing us hungrily. It is only thanks to generations of Human Sovereigns raising the banner of the Nine Provinces and resisting these demons that we have survived. The Human Sovereign’s power comes from faith—if people’s faith wavers, his strength will decline. Can you imagine how dangerous that would be for our continent?”

“I know you are both righteous men who care for the world, while my Jiang Family is nothing more than schemers in the shadows. But against the Outer World Demons, we stand on the same side. Please, for the sake of the billions of lives in the Nine Provinces, drop this matter. I, this old man, thank you both in advance!”

After speaking, Clan Leader Jiang kowtowed three times. The heavy sounds rang through the room, and when he raised his head, there was a bloody imprint on his forehead and tears streaming down his face.

Yuan Wuxing was shaken.

He was genuinely moved by Clan Leader Jiang’s heartfelt words and actions. For a moment, he found himself thinking: Maybe we should drop this matter. If this really affects the Human Sovereign, it could be disastrous.

After all, even if the Human Sovereign had practiced demonic cultivation, wasn’t it for the sake of resisting the Outer World Demons and protecting the people?

The logic was sound.

The Human Sovereign’s strength came partly from his own immense power but also from the faith of the people. Together, these made him nearly invincible—though not an Immortal, he was as strong as one.

Outside the Nine Provinces, spatial distortions occurred regularly, and every few centuries, Outer World Demons invaded. Each attack threatened the survival of the continent. The Human Sovereign, as the strongest warrior of the Nine Provinces, always led the charge against them. More than half of all Human Sovereigns had died in battle, very few reaching a natural end.

If the Human Sovereign fell because his faith power weakened, Yuan Wuxing would regret it for the rest of his life.

“Clan Leader Jiang makes a compelling argument. But if the Jiang Family knew this would shake people’s faith, why did you still sacrifice infants?”

Clan Leader Jiang lowered his head in shame. “The ancestor was greedy for life, eager to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage and see a few more years of the mortal world. But one misstep led to an eternal regret—he wanted to stop, but by then, it was too late.”

Jiang Li raised an eyebrow in amusement. “Clan Leader Jiang, what are you saying? If the Jiang Family truly wishes to repent, how could I not help you?”

Clan Leader Jiang’s heart leapt with joy.

As expected, righteous men could not be threatened or bribed—they had to be convinced with higher ideals.

But then, Jiang Li continued, “Even if we don’t report this, other cultivators will come to investigate. I’ll give the Jiang Family a way out—Great Zhou Law states that the dead are not held accountable. Jiang Yixing should take responsibility for his actions and commit suicide.”

The smile on Clan Leader Jiang’s face froze.

He was speechless.

It was true—if Jiang Yixing died, the case would be closed.

But that was impossible!

I came here to put on a show to make them drop the case. How did the script change so that my ancestor has to die?!

“Mister Zhang must be joking.”

“I only speak from the heart.”

Clan Leader Jiang’s face darkened, his expression cold. He stood up, no longer pretending to be pitiful.

“It seems Mister Zhang insists on seeing this through to the end.”

Only now did Yuan Wuxing realize how dangerous this old fox was. Every word, every expression had been an act. If not for Senior Zhang, he might have fallen for it.

“I simply like to see things through. Clan Leader Jiang, please.”

With a cold snort, Clan Leader Jiang flicked his sleeves and left.