Stronger with More Jobs

Chapter 590 - 269: Symphony of Flesh and Blood (Part 4)

All eyes, filled with astonishment, scrutiny, indifference, and even... a hint of barely perceptible mockery, were fixed on me.

Jiang Taixuan, the Stabilizing Needle, had no expression of surprise on his withered face as his murky eyes glanced over me, carrying a kind of world-weary fatigue and helplessness.

He spoke slowly, his voice hoarse, yet clearly resonating through the entire hall:

"Chengyue, you’ve seen it... Yes, I know, old me knows."

He paused, as if recalling some painful past, "That year at the Battle of the Ice Fortress, my Origin was severely wounded, my lifespan greatly diminished, I should have returned to the heavens. But you also know the current situation of the older generation at the Arctic Front, Glazed Light City cannot go without me, the Jiang Family cannot go without me, to survive, to continue protecting this land, I... had no choice but to take this expedient measure."

My eyes swept over all the elders present, those faces that were usually either stern or kind, not one of them showed surprise or anger at this moment, only a chilling silence and acquiescence!

"These people..." Jiang Taixuan’s voice carried a twisted kind of compassion, "Most are evildoers or Federation traitors, they deserve to die! Using their Qi Blood vitality, to extend the life of this old body of mine, to sustain a measure of power for Glazed Light City, this is their atonement! And... their honor!"

Honor?! Atonement?!!

Watching those elders deeply agreeing, even carrying a hint of ’understanding’ expression, watching the hidden apparentness beneath the supposedly compassionate face of the ancestor...

Faith, the heroic monument that supported my entire life, collapsed at that moment with a loud crash!

Smashed to smithereens!

An uncontrollable surge of anger and nausea rushed to my head!

What Stabilizing Needle?! What heroic legend?!

This is simply a demon clad in human skin, feasting on the flesh and blood of compatriots!

A Taotie that has turned Glazed Light City into his private blood bank!

"What a load of bullshit!!!"

The pent-up anger, the pain of the crumbling faith, the loathing for the indifference of this group was like a volcano erupting completely.

I could no longer control myself, pointing at Jiang Taixuan, pointing at those silent elders, letting out a hoarse, enraged roar!

"Something that must prey on its own kind to survive, is it even qualified to be called a human?! Is it even fit to be called a hero?! You bloodsucking maggots! The root of the Jiang Family, from your place, has long rotten away! Stinks!!!"

The roar echoed in the deathly silent hall, like a thunderclap.

"Seize this traitor!!"

Jiang Hongyuan’s voice, a blend of shock and fury, resounded.

From that moment, I became a traitor to the family, a wanted criminal of the Federation, a disgrace to Glazed Light City.

But I do not regret.

My belief has never changed.

What I pursued all my life was protection, was light.

Upon discovering that the light I followed was devouring darkness itself, destroying it became true loyalty.

After becoming a "traitor," I hid in the shadows, delving even deeper.

The truth, much more appalling than the two floors of hell.

Those "Blood Sources," most were not any death row traitors.

They were merely... Martial Artists.

They were mercenaries who once fought bloodily on the city wall, were the silent Martial Arts Hall instructors, or ordinary Grandmasters with modest backgrounds and talents.

Their only "crime."

Might have just been possessing Qi Blood vitality that could be transformed by the "Gluttonous Stomach."

And within the family, knowing all this, even participating in it, were far more than just the higher-ups.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs, the City Defense Army, even some minor forces depending on the family...

A silent web of evil had long enshrouded the city.

The family, really, was rotten from its roots.

Helplessness, like an icy tide, almost drowned me.

I am merely a Martial Arts Grandmaster, how to fight such a behemoth entrenched for centuries?

How to confront that decayed yet still powerful monster with Martial Saint’s power?

Until... the appearance of Fang Qingyu.

The young man who slayed the Life Ghost at Black Pine Ridge, who faced the God at the Glacial Ruins.

His words, like a faint light piercing the darkness, reignited the nearly extinguished flame of hope in my heart.

"Saving your Jiang Family... is not the responsibility of us outsiders."

"Greater responsibility, heavier burden..."

"Has in fact... always been on your shoulders."

Yes, clearing the house, washing away the filth, letting the Jiang Family find that glory of protection once again...

This responsibility, has always been ours to shoulder.

So now, I stand here.

Standing at the gate of the City Lord’s Mansion, facing this enormous and decaying war machine of the Jiang Family.

Behind me are dozens, like me, who have seen the truth, can no longer remain silent, and are willing to declare their will with their lives.

They were once the valiant soldiers of the Garrison Army, the elite of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the silent Martial Artists within the family.

They bear the stigma of being "traitor’s accomplices," standing against the family, only for that piece of conscience not yet extinguished and the insistence on true protection in their hearts.

Scattered photos like silent accusations, drifting to the cold ground, striking deep into the heart of everyone attempting to rush out of the City Lord’s Mansion.

Those scenes of hell, more potent than any words.

Jiang Hongyuan’s threatening growls, amidst the silent fall of the photos, appeared so pale and laughable.

Watching Jiang Hongyuan’s face, distorted by rage and a barely perceptible panic, watching the surging doubt, fear, and wavering in the eyes of fellow comrades of the past...

I slowly raised the ancient long knife in my hand, stained with the blood of numerous Life Ghosts, now pointed toward my kin.

The blade shimmered with a chilling light under the flowing aurora, pointing slantwise to the ground.