The Death of Jiang Huaiming

Yes, today is the fifteenth day of August—the Mid-Autumn Festival.

This is one of humanity’s grandest celebrations. Every year at this time, the moon’s radiance reaches its peak, so profound that even ordinary people can feel its power. Therefore, families bring their tables outside, sharing mooncakes and sipping osmanthus wine, dancing beneath the moonlight.

But now, after a fierce battle, Taicang City lies in ruins. It is only on this Mid-Autumn day that people realize what day it is. Yet, there are no mooncakes or fine wine to be had; most households are struggling just to find enough to eat.

Hua Su is busier than ever, overwhelmed in every direction.

During the war, the vast majority of ordinary citizens were evacuated beyond the city walls, leaving only a few behind to assist the city defense forces. Now that the battle is over, those outside want to return home—but their homes have been devastated, making food and shelter scarce.

Fan Gensheng, after all, is the governor of Danya Prefecture. Once the battle concluded, he led his people back. Before departing, however, he urgently summoned several veteran officials to aid Hua Su, which helped greatly.

Brothers Wu San and Wu Qi still bore exhaustion on their faces but stepped forward once more. They went door to door, recounting the recent events within the city, expressing gratitude to the city defense troops, and encouraging everyone to clear the rubble and rebuild their homes.

The two brothers demonstrated remarkable leadership during the war, and that same prowess proved unstoppable during the postwar reconstruction.

Under their guidance, the populace’s spirits quickly stabilized. They sincerely thanked those who had protected their homes and shared whatever food could be salvaged from the ruins.

Now, Wu San and Wu Qi approached Hua Su directly and said, “Lord Hua, let’s hold a Mid-Autumn night gathering!”

Hua Su held these two brothers in high regard. Despite his busyness, he made time to meet with them. When he heard the proposal, he was momentarily taken aback. “A Mid-Autumn night gathering? Now?”

Life was still precarious at best. Was it too extravagant to hold such an event at a time like this?

Wu San and Wu Qi exchanged glances and spoke in unison, “All the more reason to hold a grand event!”

The war had just ended, and the daunting task of rebuilding lay ahead.

From battle to reconstruction, the mindset must shift, but the spirit and morale that had carried them through must never be lost.

A Mid-Autumn night gathering—a celebration where soldiers and civilians mingle, sharing stories from the battle—would bridge hearts, uplift spirits, and achieve multiple benefits at once.

They briefly outlined their plan to Hua Su, who became increasingly energized as he listened. Nodding firmly, he declared, “Very well. Let it be so!” After a moment’s hesitation, he suddenly asked, “Can I entrust you two with the preparations? Are you capable?”

The brothers exchanged a glance and smiled together. “Rest assured, we will handle it!”

Hua Su gave each of them a token of authority and appointed Lü Nian to assist them, fully entrusting the matter.

Grateful for Hua Su’s trust, the brothers prepared to leave after discussing business. Wu Qi hesitated, then turned back to ask, “Lord Hua, may I inquire—how is Jiang Feng doing now?”

When Wan Qi Yu had troubled Jiang Feng earlier, the Wu brothers had been nearby, speaking up on his behalf and bearing witness. Since then, they had heard nothing and had grown concerned.

Hua Su recalled the incident and was about to update them on Jiang Feng’s condition when a thought struck him. After a moment, he said, “Stand by—I have another matter to entrust to you…”

…

…

Bai Guo was a girl and it was inconvenient for her to stay at the Yuanshan Martial Arts Academy courtyard. Jiang Feng had arranged for her to remain temporarily at the Mustard Seed Pavilion.

Zhutianguo consisted of five prefectures, divided regionally into East, South, West, North, and Central. Yushui Prefecture was situated in Central Zhutianguo, its capital city being Caigui City in the northeast corner—also the largest city in the entire prefecture.

Jiang Feng and his companions would take their prefectural examination in Caigui City.

The exam was scheduled for the sixth day of September, only seventeen days away.

By all rights, they should have set out by now, but they had unanimously decided to stay a few more days to see if Taicang City still needed their help.

They considered themselves native to Yushui Prefecture and, having fought so fiercely in Taicang City, had developed a profound attachment to the place.

They informed Hua Su of their decision, who neither approved nor disapproved but clearly seemed pleased.

He valued their growth in ability but cared even more about their character.

He kept Jiang Feng behind privately and said calmly, “You remember where the dungeon is, don’t you?”

Jiang Feng’s heart tightened, and he nodded.

Hua Su waved a hand. “Go there and resolve that matter.”

Jiang Feng was puzzled but headed toward the dungeon.

Upon seeing its entrance, he clenched his fist and took a deep breath. Soon, his gaze grew resolute, and his steps steady.

Throughout his life, he knew he would face countless agonies like this. Each pain was a forging fire; how could he cower before it?

The dungeon reeked with a foul stench. Jiang Feng’s face remained calm, his heart undisturbed.

The dungeon guard had been reassigned, and now an old soldier stood watch. Jiang Feng showed his token, and after verification, the soldier gestured for him to enter.

Jiang Feng’s confusion deepened as he approached the dungeon, then suddenly understood—it was Jiang Huaiming!

His leg bore a massive wound, untreated and oozing foul pus. After all these years, the wound showed no sign of healing because his bright heart seed had been utterly destroyed. His body was like a sieve, unable to hold even a trace of luminous power.

The last time he had pursued Jiang Feng, causing a delayed warning and enabling the Unification Demon Clan to succeed in merging.

Jiang Xue had disabled him with an arrow but spared his life, intending to deal with him after the situation was resolved. Now, Hua Su had handed him over to Jiang Feng for disposal.

For days, Jiang Huaiming had suffered immense agony, his consciousness dim, teetering on the brink of death.

Jiang Feng glanced at him, grabbed a nearby bucket of water, and doused him.

Jiang Huaiming shuddered, barely regaining consciousness. Seeing Jiang Feng, his eyes filled with fury and despair.

Jiang Feng swept his luminous power over the wound, smiling lightly. “Weren’t you once the descendants of the Medicine People? Why does your wound still look like this?” He raised an eyebrow. “Actually, it’s because your family sold off all the pure-blooded elites. That’s why your power waned, and you’ve become such worthless trash, hasn’t it?”

Jiang Huaiming gritted his teeth, opening his mouth several times, but having not drunk a drop in days, his throat was hoarse and silent.

Jiang Feng sneered, “No, I was wrong. Lacking bloodline power doesn’t make one worthless. It’s those who refuse to strive and instead rely on selling their family’s elite to cut corners who are truly worthless!”

After much effort, Jiang Huaiming finally croaked out, “You—you’re also a Jiang family member!”

Jiang Feng’s tone was cold. “No, I’m not. The day you sold our sister, I severed all ties with the Jiang family.”

Jiang Huaiming’s face twisted into a grotesque smile. “Your name still appears on the Black Stone Registry!”

Jiang Feng tilted his head, considering, then nodded. “Maybe. But it will be dealt with.”

Jiang Huaiming tried to speak again, but Jiang Feng was done. He stepped forward, placing one hand on Jiang Huaiming’s heart.

Jiang Huaiming weakly struggled and rasped, “What… what are you doing?”

Jiang Feng spoke softly, “Jiang Tengqing sold our sister, hoping to revive the family relying on people like you. Do you think he’ll succeed?”

Before the words faded, a powerful surge of luminous power pierced through Jiang Huaiming’s chest and heart!

Jiang Feng now possessed the strength of a six-link nine-orifice chain—far surpassing Jiang Huaiming’s level. The Tianxin seed had nine orifices per chain; Jiang Feng was invincible among equals.

With one breath of his luminous power, Jiang Huaiming’s bright heart seed was utterly destroyed like withered wood.

At the same time, the residual force of the luminous energy swept through Jiang Huaiming’s chest, pulverizing his heart and all internal organs.

Jiang Huaiming spat several mouthfuls of blood and immediately died.

Jiang Feng deftly avoided the blood, his clothes remaining spotless.

He cast a look of disdain at Jiang Huaiming, then turned to leave. Passing the old soldier, he gave a slight bow.

The old soldier had observed the entire scene coldly, then patted Jiang Feng’s shoulder and croaked hoarsely, “Well done. It’s not the absence of bloodline power that makes one worthless; it’s the lack of ambition.”

Jiang Feng smiled and bowed again, striding forward.

…

…

That day, Jiang Feng and Ping Luanshan, along with others, moved tirelessly through Taicang City.

They helped clear rubble, treated the wounded, and sheltered the city’s residents. Once one task was done, they rushed to the next, their figures visible throughout the city.

Along the way, they encountered many acquaintances, many of whom were fellow examinees from the recent great test. Like Jiang Feng and the others, after the exam, they had stood shoulder to shoulder with soldiers in battle, and now again stayed behind to aid in the aftermath.

After several such meetings, Ping Luanshan sighed, “Seeing them fills my heart with ease! There are still more good people in this world!”

This was precisely what Jiang Feng felt.

During the battle for Taicang City, he had seen those who still scrambled for personal gain in critical moments, those who betrayed humanity to collude with demons, and many who were cowardly, grasping for credit.

Yet, against the broader backdrop, these people seemed like mere shadows in a painting.

More numerous were those—warriors and common folk alike—who fought and sacrificed for their homeland without discrimination.

There was Fan Gensheng, who came from Danya to assist without notice; examinees who stayed after the great test to help in battle and reconstruction; veterans from neighboring Yushui Prefecture who risked their lives to seal demon holes… and many, many others.

They were the ones who set the painting’s dominant colors, filling Jiang Feng with warmth and hope, making him proud to be human.

As they marveled at this, a leaflet suddenly floated down. Ping Luanshan caught it swiftly.

At the same time, festive voices echoed from the streets and alleys: “It’s Mid-Autumn Festival! The Prefectural Government will hold a Mid-Autumn night banquet. Everyone come, eat, drink, and celebrate!”

(To be continued…)

P.S. Added a chapter thanks to your votes!

Thanks to Fo Ye Nao Nu, Killer, and Bei He for the votes!!

These days I've been writing five chapters daily—so exhausting… just trying to keep a few chapters in reserve… _(:3」∠)_

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