Chapter 27: The Advancing Chief Jin

After the bloody massacre, Jiang Ming staggered once more, as if he had finally reached his limit. Yet even in this state, Master Xiao Yuanhai had failed to catch up—forced to watch helplessly as the scions of his clan were slaughtered to the last. The flames of grief and hatred kindled within him nearly consumed all reason. Still, he understood: relying on his own strength alone, even facing an enemy at the end of his tether, he might not secure victory. If he and Xiao Yuanrang attacked together, they could perhaps bring Jiang Ming down, but one of them would surely perish alongside him.

Given the circumstances, all that remained was to fight with everything they had. If not life, then death.

“Jiang Ming, I will flay you alive!” Xiao Yuanrang appeared atop the city wall, eyes blazing, his sword humming with murderous intent. The sword’s aura surged, slicing the parapet again and again—a truly terrifying power. He was the Xiao family’s other grandmaster. Confident that victory was in hand, he had not intervened at first, choosing instead to drink quietly on the sidelines. By the time he realized something was amiss, it was already too late.

The two men, one on either side, hemmed Jiang Ming in. Their combined presence soared to the heavens, their killing intent shaking the very earth. The oppressive tide of their aura swept dust and debris into the air, rending the ground and forcing the onlookers—many of them powerful figures—to retreat again and again. No one could afford to be careless in a battle between masters.

“Who would have thought the four of us would have to join forces?” Liang Dashan leaped into the fray as well, standing on another side. Though his hair was white, his spirit was vigorous and his gaze sharp. He carried a long blade across his back, its aura slicing through the air above him, so powerful it seemed it could cleave the very sky in two.

“A mere youth, not yet grown, and yet you’ve turned Kaoshan City into a laughingstock.” Liang Dahai arrived, sealing off any escape route. Towering and imposing, he exuded authority without anger. He looked at Jiang Ming with deep-seated contempt.

“Jiang Ming, a master at such a young age—no ordinary faction could produce such a talent. Tell us, where are you really from?” Liang Dahai barked out the question, his tone high-handed and domineering.

“He must be a disciple of the Sun and Moon Demon Sect. How else could he consort with bandits, slay the Sword of Wisdom, and massacre villages so wantonly?” Xiao Yuanhai pronounced, “He is nothing but an executioner, a great fiend, a villain deserving death at the hands of all.”

“Don’t cast baseless accusations!” Jiang Ming smiled, halting abruptly. His aura, profound as an abyss and as oppressive as a prison, showed no sign of weakness now. Since all his enemies had revealed themselves, there was no longer any need to pretend. He had resolved from the moment he acted to uproot both the Xiao and Liang families, but without the Liangs taking the initiative, he lacked a suitable pretext. So he feigned exhaustion, luring Xiao Yuanhai into believing he was spent yet still dangerous enough to drag a master down with him. For safety’s sake, Xiao had called for reinforcements.

Sensing the shift in Jiang Ming’s aura, Xiao Yuanhai and his companions’ expressions changed drastically.

“Kaoshan City is a leading metropolis, yet it sits beside three bandit strongholds—what a colossal joke. If not for the secret patronage and support of the Xiao and Liang families, could those dens have survived so long?” Jiang Ming’s voice rolled like thunder, carrying far across half the city. “After completing my studies, I emerged to find banditry rampant and vowed to rid the world of such scourge. I led my followers along the mountains, killing every bandit and thief we encountered.”

“Upon arriving here, I noticed the three strongholds and found it odd, but didn’t dwell on it—I simply wiped them out. Only then did I discover Xiao Ming, the Xiao family’s eldest son, consorting with bandits and leading the three gangs in an attempt to destroy us.”

“But instead, they fell by our hands.”

“We paused at the strongholds only briefly, but the Xiao family then incited a mob of martial artists to besiege us. The masses are foolish, easily swayed by rumor, so I had no choice but to fight back.”

“And still it did not end—the Xiao family mobilized their private Ironclad Army against White Cloud Stronghold and summoned fighters from all corners.”

“Imagine that: villains turning the tables to accuse us instead.”

“Claiming righteousness while behaving as thieves and harlots.”

“Am I wrong?” Jiang Ming asked, smiling.

“Nonsense!” Xiao Yuanhai thundered. “You are the bandit, the thief, the demon! You are guilty of countless crimes and deserve nothing less than death! Just look at the corpses surrounding us—your handiwork is proof enough of your evil!”

Clap, clap, clap…

Jiang Ming applauded, laughing softly. “Well said. Whether one is right or wrong, in this world ruled by martial prowess, it all comes down to who remains standing in the end. The victor is king, the vanquished outlaw—justice and truth reside in the fist.”

“Your Xiao family is proof enough. Your power makes even the imperial court wary. They send a so-called Divine Constable from the Six-Fan Gate, yet he cowers in fear.”

“Look—the city garrison has been mobilized, the giant crossbows brought out, yet that Divine Constable skulks in his den, afraid to make a sound.”

“Your Xiao family’s Ironclad Army—does he not know of it? Yet he hides, feigning ignorance.”

“Oh, and those three bandit strongholds—he never wiped them out, either.”

“Hah! How amusing!”

“Might makes right—such is the way of this world.”

“Come, then!”

“Today, either I perish, or your Xiao and Liang families are annihilated!”

Jiang Ming’s long howl rang out. He was thoroughly disillusioned with the Six-Fan Gate. The stage was set, his enemies had all revealed themselves, and yet Divine Constable Zhang Tong still refused to emerge and join forces with him to destroy the Xiao and Liang clans. Was he hoping to see them both weakened by mutual destruction?

Wishful thinking!

Whether he preferred to watch from the sidelines or had been bought by the Xiao and Liang families, Jiang Ming would see him ruined regardless.

Atop the city wall, in a battlement, Divine Constable Zhang Tong and his subordinates, including Captain Jin, watched the battlefield from afar. Jiang Ming’s strength astounded them all.

“Sir, Jiang Ming is too strong—truly incredible!” Captain Jin’s face was flushed with excitement and awe. “He slaughtered more than a hundred martial artists in one sweep, including several innate experts—each felled in a single move! He’s defying the heavens!”

A look of dread flashed across Zhang Tong’s face.

“Sir, the Xiao family actually mobilized the city garrison—how bold! They even brought out the giant crossbows. Are they planning a rebellion? Sir, this is treason!” Captain Jin grew even more agitated, his sword trembling in his grip, buzzing with energy.

“Silence!” Zhang Tong snapped, his eyes cold and severe.

“Sir, look—he’s withstood their assault, and he’s mastered the ninth level of the Golden Bell Shield! My heavens, is he going to ascend to the heavens itself?” Captain Jin’s whole body shook, his gaze shining with admiration.

“I said silence!” Zhang Tong’s brow twitched with irritation.

“Sir, aren’t you excited? He’s a peerless genius—there’s no one like him in all the land. He’s bound to become a grandmaster, perhaps even rival the Celestial Master Zhang himself. And look—the Xiao family’s patriarch was slain in an instant. What a kill! Magnificent! I’m utterly convinced!” Captain Jin could barely contain her enthusiasm.

Zhang Tong’s pupils contracted and he glanced at his subordinate with a murderous impulse. His hand itched to silence her for good.