Chapter 124: Conviction

“Lord Anqing rejected his strategist’s advice and stubbornly led two thousand soldiers out of the city. Only one thousand who refused to risk their lives stayed behind. He marched through the night and rescued his friend’s son just before the stronghold fell. But as he succeeded, an enemy army surrounded the city, trapping him inside with endless soldiers closing in.”

“When despair gripped everyone, a thunderous roar came from outside—the upstream river had burst its banks. The isolated city, perched on higher ground, survived. The besieging army wasn’t so lucky. Hundreds of thousands drowned. Even Lord Anqing’s original city was swept away, taking the thousand deserters with it. Only his two thousand men and his friend’s surviving troops lived.”

After the battle, Lord Anqing stood on the city walls, staring at the drowned ruins and the fallen enemy. A chilling thought struck him: had he not saved his friend’s son, would he have drowned like the others? Did he save another… or himself?

The white-robed monk fell silent. Aunt Ma and Wang Mei sat quietly.

“What’s the point of this story, master? I just came for a blessing…” Aunt Ma frowned. Wang Mei’s mind raced—the monk’s earlier shift from youth to age, his cryptic words about fate… Was this a warning?

Or was Lord Anqing the monk himself? And the friend’s son in danger… her son, Le Le?!

The more Wang Mei thought, the more it made sense. The monk’s supernatural tricks proved the world wasn’t ordinary. This story hinted that Le Le faced danger. By saving Le Le, the monk would save himself.

Mothers often believe their children are special. To Wang Mei, her son Ding Le was no exception—destined for greatness.

“Since you understand, you may leave.”

“The jade pendants on the table are yours.”

Masters always knew when to stop. Jie Ming was no different. The story was planted. When the little chubby boy met trouble, Wang Mei would return. Then molding Ding Le’s fate would be easy. Creating “trouble” wasn’t hard—the jade pendants themselves could do that.

“Thank you, master!”

Aunt Ma, though baffled, grabbed a pendant instantly. A “living buddha’s” gift might sell for millions!

“Thank you.”

Wang Mei hesitated but took hers. The monk turned away, ignoring them. They left quietly.

“Did the master say anything?” Two old monks waited outside, curious why their master met these ordinary women.

“He told us a story.”

A story? The old monks exchanged puzzled glances. After thanking them, Aunt Ma and Wang Mei headed home.

Underground Fighting Ring

This was Jiang Yue City’s darkest pit—a den of money, power, and death. Built by the Dark Prince, a level one ability user from the ‘Evil’ faction. By day, Guardian Leader Wu Qiuyue ruled; by night, the Dark Prince reigned.

Tonight, the Dark Prince lay dead.

A young man sat on his corpse. The prince’s once-arrogant underlings trembled on the floor. Their ruler had died just by meeting the intruder’s gaze.

“From today,” the young man rose, “I, Chen Fei, rule Jiang Yue’s shadows.”

“Your will commands us!”

None dared look up.

Chen Fei wanted to linger, but the bamboo doll’s power stirred inside him. He’d seized it using his golden finger, not through skill. Until he surpassed taboo level, its rebellions would haunt him.

Stepping onto a rooftop, he gazed at the city. The doll’s restlessness faded as he calmed.

“Power… lets me forge my own order. Now, I *am* Jiang Yue’s law.”

He felt like an emperor claiming his throne.

News spread fast. The ‘Evil’ faction mobilized, dark disciples converging on Jiang Yue. The demon monk Jie Ming’s schemes faded into obscurity—Chen Fei’s rise consumed everyone’s attention.