Chapter 73

Chapter 73: Arrogance Part 16 2

That night, a major uproar erupted.

At midnight, nearly fifty family heads of various ranks gathered in the Golden Pavilion on Jin Lingtai, seated according to their status. At the head of the table sat Jin Guangshan. Jin Zixuan was away on business, and Jin Zixun was not yet experienced enough, so only Jin Guangyao stood respectfully by his side. In the front row were figures like Nie Mingjue, Jiang Cheng, Lan Xichen, and Lan Wangji, all family heads or renowned scholars, their expressions grave. The back rows were filled with lesser family heads and cultivators, all on edge, occasionally whispering to each other, "I knew it," "This was bound to happen," "Let's see how this plays out."

Jiang Cheng was the focal point of everyone's attention, sitting in the front row with a scowl on his face, listening as Jin Guangyao spoke in a respectful and gentle tone:

"...Four overseers were killed, and about fifty remnants of the Wen family escaped. Wei Wuxian led them into the Burial Mounds and summoned hundreds of fierce corpses to patrol and block the area. Our people haven't been able to take a single step forward since."

After hearing this, the Golden Pavilion fell into silence.

After a long pause, Jiang Cheng finally spoke, "This matter has indeed been handled inappropriately. I apologize on his behalf to Jin Guangshan. If there's any way to make things right, please let me know, and I'll do my best to compensate."

However, Jin Guangshan was not interested in his apology or compensation. He said, "Jiang Cheng, out of respect for you, our Jin family of Lanling would normally not say a word. But these overseers were not all from the Jin family; some were from other families. This is..."

Jiang Cheng frowned deeply, rubbing the throbbing veins at his temples, and took a silent breath before saying, "...I apologize to all the family heads. You may not know this, but the Wen cultivator Wei Wuxian is trying to save is named Wen Ning. He and his sister Wen Qing once helped us during the Sunshot Campaign. Therefore..."

Nie Mingjue interjected, "What do you mean by 'helped'? Wasn't the Wen family of Qishan responsible for the massacre of the Yunmeng Jiang family?"

Over the past few years, Jiang Cheng had been working late into the night every day. Just as he was about to rest early that night, he was hit with this thunderous news and had to rush to Jin Lingtai. Exhausted and already simmering with anger, he was forced to publicly apologize, which only added to his frustration. When Nie Mingjue brought up the massacre, a wave of hatred surged through him.

This hatred was not only directed at everyone present but also at Wei Wuxian.

Lan Xichen pondered and said, "I have heard of Wen Qing's reputation, but I don't recall her being involved in any atrocities during the Sunshot Campaign."

Nie Mingjue retorted, "But she didn't stop them either."

Lan Xichen replied, "Wen Qing was one of Wen Ruohan's close confidants. How could she have stopped them?"

Nie Mingjue coldly said, "If she remained silent and did not oppose the Wen family's evil deeds, then she was complicit. One cannot expect to enjoy the benefits when the Wen family was in power and then refuse to bear the consequences when they fell."

Lan Xichen knew that Nie Mingjue harbored deep hatred for the Wen family due to personal grievances and that he was uncompromising in his principles, so he chose not to argue further. Another family head chimed in, "Nie Mingjue is right. Besides, since Wen Qing was one of Wen Ruohan's confidants, it's hard to believe she wasn't involved. Which of those Wen dogs didn't have blood on their hands? Maybe we just haven't discovered it yet!"

As soon as the atrocities of the Wen family were mentioned, the crowd became agitated and noisy. Jin Guangshan, who had intended to speak, was visibly displeased. Jin Guangyao, noticing his expression, quickly raised his voice and said, "Everyone, please calm down. The focus of today's discussion is not on this." As he spoke, he had household servants bring in chilled fruit slices to divert attention, and the Golden Pavilion gradually quieted down. Jin Guangshan seized the opportunity and said, "Jiang Cheng, originally, this is your family matter, and I shouldn't interfere. But given the current situation, I must remind you about this Wei Ying."

Jiang Cheng said, "Please speak, Jin Guangshan."

Jin Guangshan continued, "Jiang Cheng, Wei Ying is your right-hand man, and you value him highly. We all know that. But the question is, does he respect you as his family head? That's hard to say. In all my years as a family head, I've never seen a subordinate so arrogant and presumptuous. Have you heard what people are saying outside? That the Yunmeng Jiang family's achievements in the Sunshot Campaign were all thanks to Wei Wuxian alone. What nonsense!"

At this, Jiang Cheng's expression turned extremely grim. Jin Guangshan shook his head and said, "At the grand banquet of the hundred families, he dared to show disrespect in front of you and just walked away. Yesterday, behind your back, he was even more reckless, saying things like, 'I don't care about Jiang Wanyin as a family head at all!' Everyone present heard it with their own ears..."

Suddenly, a cold voice interrupted, "No."

Jin Guangshan, who had been in the middle of his tirade, was taken aback and, along with everyone else, turned to look.

Lan Wangji sat upright, his expression calm and unruffled, as he said, "I have never heard Wei Ying say those words. Nor have I heard him show any disrespect toward Jiang Cheng."

Lan Wangji rarely spoke in public, even during scholarly debates. He only answered when directly questioned or challenged, and his responses were always concise and to the point, often outshining others' lengthy arguments. Therefore, Jin Guangshan was more surprised than displeased when he was interrupted. However, being caught embellishing the truth in public was slightly embarrassing. Fortunately, Jin Guangyao quickly stepped in to smooth things over, saying with feigned surprise, "Really? Ah, that day Wei gongzi stormed onto Jin Lingtai and said so many shocking things. Perhaps he said something similar, but I can't recall exactly."

His memory was as sharp as Lan Wangji's, and Nie Mingjue immediately knew he was feigning ignorance, frowning slightly. Jin Guangshan took the opportunity to step down from the awkward situation and said, "Well, in any case, he has always been arrogant and presumptuous."

Another family head spoke up, "Actually, I've been wanting to say this for a while. Although Wei Wuxian made some contributions during the Sunshot Campaign, there are many other retainers who contributed just as much, if not more. None of them are as self-important as he is. To put it bluntly, he is, after all, the son of a household servant. How can someone from such a humble background be so arrogant?"

When he mentioned "the son of a household servant," some people naturally glanced at Jin Guangyao, who was standing in the hall—a "son of a prostitute." Jin Guangyao clearly noticed these disdainful looks but maintained his perfect smile, unfazed. The crowd began to voice their dissatisfaction:

"Jin Guangshan asked Wei Ying to hand over the Yin Tiger Tally out of concern, fearing that he might not be able to control it and cause a disaster. But he took it as a personal slight, thinking everyone coveted his treasure. How ridiculous! As for treasures, every family has their own heirlooms."

"I always thought his practice of ghost cultivation would cause problems. Look! His violent tendencies are already evident. He's killing our own just to save a few Wen dogs..."

At this moment, a cautious voice interjected, "It's not wanton killing, is it?"

Lan Wangji, who seemed to have entered a state of meditative silence, stirred upon hearing this and looked up. The speaker was a beautiful young woman standing beside one of the family heads. Her out-of-place remark immediately drew a barrage of attacks from nearby cultivators: "What do you mean by that?"

The woman seemed frightened and spoke even more cautiously, "No... I didn't mean anything else. Please don't get so agitated. I just feel that the term 'wanton killing' isn't quite appropriate."

Another person spat out, "What's inappropriate about it? Wei Wuxian has been wantonly killing since the Sunshot Campaign. Can you deny that?"

The woman tried to explain, "The Sunshot Campaign was a battlefield. On the battlefield, doesn't everyone engage in wanton killing? We're discussing the matter at hand, and I don't think it qualifies as wanton killing. After all, there was a reason. If those overseers really abused prisoners and killed Wen Ning, then it's not wanton killing, it's revenge..."

One person angrily retorted, "That's absurd! Are you saying he was justified in killing our people? Are you praising this as a righteous act?"

Another sneered, "We don't even know if those overseers did those things. No one saw it with their own eyes."

"Exactly. The surviving overseers all say they definitely didn't abuse prisoners, and that Wen Ning accidentally fell off a cliff and died. They even kindly collected his remains and buried him. Who knew they would face such retaliation? It's truly disheartening!"

The woman said, "The other overseers, afraid of being held accountable for abusing prisoners and killing, would naturally insist that he fell on his own..."

Suddenly, someone coldly laughed, "No need to keep defending him. We don't want to hear the words of someone with a guilty conscience."

The woman's face turned red, and she raised her voice, "Explain yourself. What do you mean by a guilty conscience?"

The person said, "No need to explain. You know it in your heart, and we all know it. Back then, when he saved you at the bottom of the Tortoise of Slaughter cave, did you become infatuated with him? To this day, you're still twisting the truth for him. Tsk, typical of women."

The incident where Wei Wuxian saved a beauty at the bottom of the Tortoise of Slaughter cave had once been a topic of romantic gossip, so many immediately realized that this young woman was none other than "Mianmian."

Someone immediately muttered, "No wonder she's so eager to speak up for Wei Wuxian..."

Mianmian angrily said, "What twisting the truth? I'm just discussing the matter at hand. What does it have to do with me being a woman? Can't win an argument, so you attack me with something else?"

Someone sneered, "Tsk tsk tsk, speaking so righteously. Your heart is biased, and you still talk about discussing the matter at hand?"

"Don't waste words on her. How can someone like her be from our family and even get into the Golden Pavilion? I feel ashamed just being associated with her."

Many of those who verbally attacked her were fellow disciples from the same family. Mianmian's eyes reddened with anger, tears welling up. After a moment, she shouted, "Fine! You're loud! Fine! You're right!"

She gritted her teeth, abruptly removed her family robe, and slammed it onto the table with a loud bang, startling several family heads in the front who hadn't noticed the commotion. Others were shocked by her action, as it symbolized "leaving the family."

Mianmian said nothing, turned, and walked out. After a while, someone mocked, "If you dare to take it off, don't dare to put it back on!"

"Who does she think she is... Leaving is leaving. Who cares? Who is she trying to show off to?"

Scattered voices began to chime in, "Women will be women. Can't take a few words, and she'll definitely come back in a couple of days."

"Of course. After all, she worked so hard to go from a servant's daughter to a disciple. Hehe..."

Lan Wangji, ignoring the chaotic voices behind him, also stood up and walked out. Lan Xichen, after understanding what had happened, listened as the conversation turned increasingly vulgar and said in a deep voice, "Everyone, she's gone. Let's stop."

With Lord Ze Wu speaking, others naturally had to show some respect. The Golden Pavilion resumed its scattered conversations, condemning the Wen dogs and Wei Wuxian with fervent hatred, allowing no room for rebuttal. Seizing the atmosphere, Jin Guangshan said to Jiang Cheng, "I think his trip to the Burial Mounds must have been premeditated. With his abilities, establishing his own sect wouldn't be difficult, so he took this opportunity to leave the Jiang family, planning to roam free outside. You worked so hard to rebuild the Yunmeng Jiang family, and with his controversial nature, he still doesn't restrain himself, causing you so much trouble, without considering you at all."

Jiang Cheng forced himself to remain calm and said, "That's not the case. Wei Wuxian has always been like this since childhood. Even my father couldn't handle him."

Jin Guangshan said, "Was Fengmian unable to handle him?" He chuckled twice and said, "Fengmian, he favored him."

Hearing the word "favor," the muscles at the corner of Jiang Cheng's mouth twitched.

Jin Guangshan continued, "Family Head Jiang, you're different from your father. The Yunmeng Jiang family has only been rebuilt for a few years, and this is the time for you to establish your authority. He doesn't even try to avoid suspicion, letting the new disciples of the Jiang family see this. What will they think? Should they all take him as an example and not respect you?"

He pressed on, one sentence after another, taking advantage of the momentum. Jiang Cheng slowly said, "Family Head Jin, no need to say more. I will go to the Burial Mounds and resolve this matter."

Jin Guangshan was satisfied and said earnestly, "That's right. Jiang Cheng, some people and some things cannot be indulged."

After the gathering ended, the family heads felt they had gained remarkable topics for discussion. They hurried off, still passionately discussing and seething with indignation. After the Sea of Golden Stars and Snow Waves, the three leaders gathered. Lan Xichen said, "Third Brother, you've had a tough time."

Jin Guangyao smiled and said, "I'm not the one who worked hard. It was Jiang Cheng's table that suffered. He crushed several parts of it. He must have been really angry."

Nie Mingjue walked over and said, "Smooth talker, indeed. Must have been hard work."

Hearing this, Lan Xichen smiled without speaking. Jin Guangyao knew that Nie Mingjue had seized another opportunity to lecture him on being a good person and felt quite helpless. He quickly changed the subject, "Ah, Second Brother, where is Wangji? I saw him leave early."

Lan Xichen gestured ahead. Jin Guangyao and Nie Mingjue turned to look. In the sea of golden stars and snow waves, Lan Wangji and the woman who had left her family in Jin Lingtai were standing face to face. The woman's eyes were still glistening with tears, while Lan Wangji's expression was grave. They were talking.

After a moment, Lan Wangji gave her a slight, respectful bow, his demeanor solemn. The woman returned an even more solemn bow and, wearing the unmarked gauze robe, gracefully descended from Jin Lingtai.

Nie Mingjue said, "This woman has far more backbone than the rest of her family."

Jin Guangyao smiled and said, "Indeed."

Two days later, Jiang Cheng took thirty disciples to Yiling.

At the foot of the Burial Mounds, in front of the toppled curse wall, hundreds of ferocious corpses indeed roamed. Jiang Cheng approached, and they remained indifferent. But if the disciples behind him got too close, the corpses would emit low warning growls. Jiang Cheng ordered the disciples to wait at the foot of the mountain and went up alone. He trekked through the dark forest for a long while before finally hearing voices up ahead.

By the mountain path, there were several round tree stumps—one large one like a table and three small ones like stools. A woman in red and Wei Wuxian sat on two of the stumps, while a few seemingly honest men were digging in a nearby patch of land.

Wei Wuxian said, shaking his leg, "Let's plant potatoes."

The woman said firmly, "Plant radishes. Radishes are easy to grow and hard to kill. Potatoes are too fussy."

Wei Wuxian said, "Radishes taste bad."

Jiang Cheng snorted. Wei Wuxian and Wen Qing turned around and were not surprised to see him. Wei Wuxian stood up, came over without saying a word, and continued walking up the mountain with his hands behind his back. Jiang Cheng didn't ask and followed him.

Soon, another group of men appeared by the mountain path, busy working in front of a frame made of several logs. They should have been cultivators of the Wen family, but they had taken off their Sunshot Robes and wore coarse clothes. Holding hammers and saws, carrying logs and straw, they climbed up and down, bustling about, no different from ordinary farmers and hunters. Seeing Jiang Cheng, they recognized him as a great family head from his clothes and sword. They seemed apprehensive, stopped their work, and looked over hesitantly, not daring to breathe. Wei Wuxian waved his hand and said, "Continue."

At his words, the group felt reassured and continued their work. Jiang Cheng asked, "What are they doing?"

Wei Wuxian said, "Can't you tell? Building a house."

Jiang Cheng said, "Building a house? What about those digging earlier? Don't tell me you're really planning to farm."

Wei Wuxian said, "Didn't you hear? We're farming."

Jiang Cheng said, "You're farming on a mountain of corpses? Can anything grown here be edible?"

Wei Wuxian said, "Believe me, when people are really hungry, they'll eat anything."

Jiang Cheng said, "Are you really planning to stay here long-term? Can people live in this ghostly place?"

Wei Wuxian said, "I stayed here for three months."

After a moment of silence, Jiang Cheng asked, "Not returning to Lotus Pier?"

Wei Wuxian said lightly, "Yunmeng and Yiling are so close. I can sneak back whenever I want."

Jiang Cheng scoffed, "You’re too full of yourself."

He was about to say more when he felt a weight on his leg. Looking down, he saw a one or two-year-old child had sneaked over and hugged his leg, looking up at him with round eyes and a round face.

He was indeed a child as lovely as jade and pure as snow, but Jiang Cheng, being a man devoid of affection, said to Wei Wuxian, "Where did this kid come from? Get him out of here."

Wei Wuxian bent down, picked up the child, and sat him on his arm, saying, "What do you mean, 'get him out of here'? Can't you phrase that better? A Yuan, why do you hug people's legs whenever you see them? Go! Don't bite your nails after playing in the mud. Do you know what kind of mud this is? Take your hands away! And don't touch my face. Where's your grandma?"

A white-haired old woman, sparse in hair, hurriedly hobbled over with a wooden cane. Seeing Jiang Cheng and recognizing him as a significant figure, she appeared somewhat frightened, her hunched figure becoming even more stooped. Wei Wuxian placed the child named A Yuan by her side and said, "Go play over there."

The old woman quickly limped away with her little grandson, the child stumbling as he walked, constantly looking back. Jiang Cheng sneered, "Those sect leaders thought you had gathered some remnants of rebels to wave flags and claim the mountain as your own, but it turns out to be a ragtag group of old, weak, women, and children."

Wei Wuxian smiled self-deprecatingly, and Jiang Cheng added, "Where's Wen Ning?"

Wei Wuxian said, "Why are you suddenly asking about him?"

Jiang Cheng coldly replied, "These past few days, countless people have been asking me about him. Who should I ask? I suppose you're the only one I can ask."

Wei Wuxian pointed ahead, and the two walked side by side. A cold, eerie wind swept over them, and a large, wide cave appeared before their eyes. After walking straight for a while, Jiang Cheng kicked something. Looking down, it was half a compass. Wei Wuxian quickly said, "Don't kick that, it's not finished yet, but it's useful."

He picked it up, and Jiang Cheng stepped on something else. Looking down, it was a crumpled flag. Wei Wuxian said again, "Watch where you step! This is also useful, almost done."

Jiang Cheng said, "You're the one who left it lying around. If it gets stepped on, it's your own fault."

Wei Wuxian said, "This is where I live alone, what's wrong with leaving things around?"

As they walked further, talismans were scattered all along the path, stuck to the walls, thrown on the ground, crumpled into balls, torn into pieces, as if someone had gone mad scattering them everywhere. The further they went, the messier it became, leaving Jiang Cheng feeling overwhelmed. He said, "If you dare to mess around like this in Lotus Pier, I'll burn all your things to ashes!"

Entering the main cave, a person lay on the ground, covered from head to toe in talismans, only the whites of his eyes visible. It was Wen Ning. Jiang Cheng glanced at him and said, "You live here? Where do you sleep?"

Wei Wuxian threw the things he had picked up into a corner and pointed to a crumpled pile of blankets in another corner, saying, "Just bundle up; you can sleep anywhere here."

Jiang Cheng didn't want to continue discussing this topic. He looked down at the motionless Wen Ning and said, "What's wrong with him?"

Wei Wuxian said, "He's a bit fierce. I was afraid something might go wrong, so I sealed him up to keep him still for now."

Jiang Cheng said, "Wasn't he a timid stutterer when he was alive? How can he be so fierce after death?"

His tone was not friendly. Wei Wuxian glanced at him and said, "Wen Ning was indeed a rather timid person when he was alive. Because of that, all sorts of emotions were buried deep inside—resentment, anger, fear, anxiety, pain. These things accumulated too much and erupted after death, with a force you can't imagine. It's like how the nicer someone is, the scarier they are when they get angry. The more someone like that, the fiercer they become after death."

Jiang Cheng said, "Haven't you always said, the fiercer the better? The heavier the resentment, the greater the hatred, the stronger the killing power."

Wei Wuxian said, "That's true. But I don't intend to refine Wen Ning into such a corpse."

Jiang Cheng said, "Then what do you want to refine him into?"

Wei Wuxian said, "I want to awaken his mind."

Jiang Cheng scoffed, "You're fantasizing again, trying to awaken his mind? What's the difference between such a fierce corpse and a human? If you can really do it, no one needs to be human anymore, nor seek immortality. They can just ask you to refine them into fierce corpses."

Wei Wuxian laughed, "Yeah, I've realized it's damn hard. But I've already boasted to his sister a dozen times, and now they all believe I can definitely do it. I have to refine him, or where would my face be..."

Before he could finish, Jiang Cheng suddenly drew Three Poisons and slashed at Wen Ning's throat, as if intending to sever his head with one strike. Wei Wuxian reacted swiftly, striking Jiang Cheng's arm and deflecting the sword's path, shouting, "What are you doing?!"

His voice echoed endlessly in the vast Burial Mounds, reverberating loudly. Jiang Cheng did not sheathe his sword, instead he shouted fiercely, "What am I doing? I should be asking you what you're doing. Wei Wuxian, you've been quite impressive these days, haven't you?!"

Long before Jiang Cheng came to the Burial Mounds, Wei Wuxian had anticipated that this visit would not be a peaceful chat. All along the way, both of them had a tense string in their hearts. Having chatted nonchalantly until now, pretending to be calm and suppressing it for so long, that string finally snapped.

Wei Wuxian said, "If Wen Qing and the others hadn't been pushed to the brink, do you think I wanted to be so impressive?"

Jiang Cheng said, "They were pushed to the brink? Now I'm being pushed to the brink by you! A few days ago, a bunch of families, big and small, surrounded me on Jin Lingtai, demanding an explanation for this matter. So, here I am!"

Wei Wuxian said, "What explanation is there to give? This matter is already settled. Those overseers killed Wen Ning, and Wen Ning, as a corpse, killed them in return. A life for a life, a debt for a debt. That's the end of it."

Jiang Cheng said, "Call it quits here? How is that possible! Do you know how many eyes are on you, on that Yin Tiger Tally of yours? Given this opportunity, even if you're justified, they'll twist it against you!"

Wei Wuxian replied, "You've said it yourself, even if I'm justified, they'll twist it against me. What else can I do but trap myself in a corner?"

Jiang Cheng said, "A solution? Of course, there is."

He pointed Three Poisons at Wen Ning on the ground and said, "The only way out now is to act decisively before they make their move!"

Wei Wuxian asked, "What decisive move?"

Jiang Cheng said, "You must immediately burn this corpse and hand over all these remnants of the Wen faction. Only then can we avoid leaving any handles for criticism!" As he spoke, he raised his sword to strike again. Wei Wuxian firmly grabbed his wrist and said, "Are you kidding! Handing over Wen Qing and the others now would be a death sentence for them!"

Jiang Cheng retorted, "Clearing your own name is already a challenge, why bother with their fate? If they're to be wiped out, so be it, what's it to you!"

Wei Wuxian was furious: "Jiang Cheng! You—take back what you said or I'll slap you! Don't forget who helped us cremate Uncle Jiang and Lady Yu, whose ashes are now buried at Lotus Pier, and who took us in when we were being hunted by Wen Chao!"

Jiang Cheng shouted, "I should be the one beating you to death! Yes, they helped us, but don't you understand? Now, the remnants of the Wen family are the target of everyone's hatred. Anyone with the surname Wen is considered heinous! And protecting those with the surname Wen is defying the world! Everyone hates the Wen dogs, wishing them a miserable death. Anyone who protects them is opposing everyone, no one will speak for them, and certainly no one will speak for you!"

Wei Wuxian said, "I don't need anyone to speak for me."

Jiang Cheng angrily said, "What are you so stubborn about? If you can't do it, step aside, I'll do it!"

Wei Wuxian gripped him tighter, his fingers like iron clamps: "Jiang Wanyin!"

Jiang Cheng said, "Wei Wuxian! Do you not understand? When you stand with them, you're a rebel, a hero, a standout. But as soon as you voice a different opinion, you're a lunatic, disregarding human ethics, a heretic. Do you think you can stay detached and carefree? There's no precedent for that!"

Wei Wuxian shouted, "If there's no precedent, I'll create one!"

The two glared at each other, swords drawn, neither willing to back down. After a while, Jiang Cheng said, "Wei Wuxian, haven't you seen the current situation? Do I have to spell it out for you? If you insist on protecting them, I can't protect you."

Wei Wuxian said, "No need to protect me, abandon me."

Jiang Cheng's face twisted.

Wei Wuxian said, "Abandon me. Announce to the world that I have defected. From now on, whatever Wei Wuxian does has nothing to do with the Yunmeng Jiang family."

Jiang Cheng said, "...Just for these Wens...?"

Jiang Cheng said, "Wei Wuxian, do you have a hero complex? Can't you live without stirring up trouble?"

Wei Wuxian remained silent.

After a moment, he said, "So it's better to sever ties now to avoid future disasters for the Yunmeng Jiang family."

"..." Jiang Cheng murmured, "My mother said you were trouble for our family. How right she was."

He sneered and muttered to himself, "...'To do what is known to be impossible'? Fine, you understand the family motto of Yunmeng Jiang, better than I do. You all understand."

Sheathing Three Poisons with a clang, Jiang Cheng indifferently said, "Then let's settle this with a fight."

Three days later, Jiang Cheng, the head of the Yunmeng Jiang family, challenged Wei Wuxian to a duel in Yiling, which turned into a sensational fight.

Negotiations failed, and the two fought fiercely. Wei Wuxian used the fierce corpse Wen Ning to land a blow on Jiang Cheng, breaking his arm, while Jiang Cheng stabbed Wei Wuxian with his sword. Both were severely injured, spitting blood, cursing each other as they parted, completely severing their ties.

After the battle, Jiang Cheng publicly declared: Wei Wuxian has defected from the family, openly opposing all clans. The Yunmeng Jiang family has expelled him, cutting all ties. From now on, whatever this person does has nothing to do with the Yunmeng Jiang family!