Scourge Messenger

Chapter 69 Obstacles (First Update)
Is she crazy?

Countless eyes were fixed on Jiang Shi, from the noble scions watching the spectacle on the outermost perimeter to the soldiers wielding crossbows, and even Lu Wangji and the others in the center of the camp. Everyone was stunned by Jiang Shi's sudden action. It was as if, on the eve of a storm's end, the lone fisherman on the sea was chanting a mad testimony, summoning a tsunami that blotted out the sky.

The matter was clearly over; the murder case was handled leniently. Although she failed to join the Jie family's merchant guild, she could advance further in the Huainan Underground Palace. The oppression from other aristocratic families was also resolved, and she could receive 60% of the rewards from the Mansu Forest. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that she had made a clean getaway.

Before this, even before the murder occurred, many people secretly felt that Jiang Shi would have to pay a heavy price to leave the woodland. The Qian family couldn't protect her at all. As a commoner, a black belt, and more importantly, as a weakling, she had devoured the sweetest corner of the Mansu Woodland, like a child driving a carriage full of gold nuggets wildly through the streets.

Liang Kingdom is a country that places great emphasis on law, but it is not so merciful as to allow the weak to possess wealth beyond their means. Strength can be family, connections, or personal combat power. Fortunately, Jiang Shi's team included the eldest daughter of the Jie family and the fourth daughter of the Shang family, which gave her a year to grow and was able to reclaim 60% of the treasure chest's profits.

No one would find this unreasonable, not even Qian Gongyu. There is no such thing as guaranteed 'fairness' in this world; all resources must circulate between the strong and the weak through dynamic competition. To be even more stern, Jiang Shi was not qualified to receive the treasure chest at all: as an unregistered resident, everything she acquired on Liang Kingdom's land was illegal.

This was an outcome that everyone could accept. Even Shang Xinlei and the others, who were entirely concerned for Jiang Shi, felt they couldn't get better terms. They just never considered whether Jiang Shi could accept this result.

Do they really understand Jiang Shi?
Life, future, interests, freedom, emotions—how much weight do these things that mortals strive for really hold in Jiang Shi's heart?

"Jiang Shi, calm down!"

The first to block Jiang Shi's way were not Lu Wangji, nor Chen Linchuan and the others, but Shang Yue and Jie Zilong. If anyone could stop this tsunami now, it would probably only be the two of them. Therefore, Lu Wangji and the others did not speak to disturb them, letting them negotiate with Jiang Shi.

"If you have any complaints, you can tell us, instead of messing everything up on your own!" Jie Zilong tried hard to suppress his anger. As the marksmanship instructor of Jiangbei Military Town, he was definitely not a good-tempered person. "If you're framed, just admit it. Do you think that makes you seem arrogant, clear-headed, or invincible? Do you know what we call someone like you in my hometown? A simpleton! How can there be someone as stupid as you!"

"Instructor Jie, calm down." Shang Yue pressed down on Jie Zilong's shoulder. "You've been young before, and young people can't control their emotions when they're wronged. We really didn't handle this well. Giving in, compromising, and enduring are things we take for granted, but they're a huge disgrace to a spirited young man like you."

“Jiang Shi, anyone who is framed will be angry, I understand.” He sighed, “But I hope you can understand us too—they planned this all along, and we don’t have any evidence or way to prove your innocence. This is all we can do.”

"Although we've only known each other for a short time, I can tell that Xinlei, Miss Jie, and Miss Qian all consider you an important friend. I know you're not afraid of death or power, like a blade that would rather break than bend, but please, as your older brother, I beg you, can you swallow this for the sake of your friends?"

"Survive, become stronger, and then seek justice." Shang Yue stepped aside, letting Jiang Shi see the people behind her. "Remember their faces, and then take revenge on them one by one. Your friends will help you, and we will help you too."

“Jiang Shi, you don’t need to fight the whole world alone. You can trust your friends, trust us, but more importantly, you must believe in your own future. Why bother arguing with these petty people?”

Jie Zilong's disappointment and frustration.

Shang Yue offered sincere advice. Whether Jiang Shi was convinced or not is unknown, but Qian Gongyu and the others were. Jie Yuanshao stepped forward, bypassing the crowd, and grabbed Jiang Shi's arm as he held the knife, his face full of pleading: "Jiang Shi, leave it to us. I guarantee in the name of the Jie family that we will definitely give you justice."

"Jiang Shi." Shang Xinlei reached out and pressed down the white iron straight sword, saying, "Just like we unconditionally trusted you in the Mansu Forest, it's your turn to trust us outside."

Qian Gongyu remained silent, unable to offer any guarantees. She could only bite her lower lip and look at Jiang Shi, her eyes filled with worry and unease.

Faced with everyone's concern, Jiang Shi remained silent for a moment before finally slowly lowering his long sword, which relieved everyone. However, for some reason, Shang Xinlei felt a little disappointed.

She recalled her private conversation with Jiang Shi.

'Shang Xinlei, I'm different from you. I have no one to rely on, and I don't need to rely on anyone else.'

Previously, Shang Xinlei's focus was on the earlier sentence, "I have no one to rely on," which is why she so desperately wanted Jiang Shi to join the Shang family. She believed that with the protection of a powerful force, Jiang Shi wouldn't be so suicidal, wouldn't be controlled by someone like Huang Quan, and could have a better future.

But... what if the key point of Jiang Shi's statement is actually the following sentence, "I don't need to rely on others"?

Only when you have no worries can you move forward without fear.

Once the sword is sheathed, who can it still cut?

Merchants, the Jie family, Jie Yuanshao, Qian Gongyu, and even herself, all formed a network of connections that tightly bound Jiang Shi, forcing this genius living on the edge to consider the impact, the big picture, and the future. Moreover, they genuinely cared for Jiang Shi and had no ill intentions whatsoever. Even her elder brother Shang Yue and Jie Zilong were not involved in any conspiracy to frame Jiang Shi; on the contrary, they wholeheartedly contributed the profits of a second-level secret realm to buy her a year.

If anyone is to blame, it's Lu Wangji and his group for framing them, and Qun Yushu and his group for fanning the flames. But they represent the imperial court and other powerful families, while Jiang Shi is currently outnumbered and outmatched. Is he really going to throw an egg against a rock?
That's just how things are; all we can do is try our best.

Rather, who in this world can truly live without relying on others? The world is a web, where interests bind everyone together. Those who can break free from this web are either wild beasts or gods.

Jiang Shi's confidence was nothing more than a childish arrogance.

(End of this chapter)