Volume 9, Chapter 633 – Clues About the Jiang Clan Descendants (Part 5)

Mu Ruoyi’s ominous premonition was quickly confirmed. Before Xiao Li’s parents could even give their answer, the matter had already spread out, becoming common gossip among the neighbors. After all, in these troubled times, stumbling upon a baby girl was rarer than stumbling upon a sack of gold.

Master Chen soon learned of it. Never in his dreams had he imagined that his carefully arranged plan would be ruined by his own son. In a fit of rage, smoke practically poured from his seven orifices as he grabbed a knife, ready to slaughter Chen Kai on the spot.

“What else could I do? If I hadn’t done this, Xiao Li would have gone to settle in the Immortal Sect. I’m already twenty-seven, would you rather watch your son march off to war?”

Chen Kai, not knowing the true identity of his younger sister, shouted in hysteria.

“Alas! Heaven truly wishes to destroy me!”

Hearing this, Master Chen’s heart softened. He dropped the knife, overcome with grief.

“Husband, surely it’s not so serious? After all, it’s only her gender that was revealed.”

Madam Chen spoke hopefully, still clinging to luck.

“Wife, do you not understand? In today’s world, finding a baby girl is rarer than stumbling upon gold. If those lackeys catch wind of this, suspicion will inevitably fall upon us.”

Master Chen sighed miserably.

“What lackeys?”

Chen Kai asked curiously, but his parents remained tight-lipped.

“You all prepare yourselves. We must leave this place quickly.”

Master Chen gave his order.

“Why?”

Chen Kai, not understanding, asked again. But as before, his parents gave no reply.

Sensing the looming crisis, Master Chen went inside and burned the letter left behind by the beggar.

Chen Kai, unwilling to part from Xiao Li, dragged his feet, reluctant to abandon his home, never realizing he was courting death.

Several nights later, under the cover of darkness, three suspicious men approached the Chen family’s courtyard. Each of them was tall and imposing, their movements sharp and disciplined, not ordinary folk.

“This is the Chen family that found the baby girl?”

The burly middle-aged man in the lead asked his subordinates.

“Yes, Lord Wuwei.”

One of the men behind him replied.

Reаⅾ оո КаtRеaԁiոɡСafе

“Hmph! I thought the family that found a baby girl would surely be wealthy or noble. After all, unless their ancestors were blessed, how could they have such luck? Clearly, there’s more to this than meets the eye.”

The leader, Wan Wuwei, sneered.

“Does Lord Wan mean that the baby girl is likely the remnant of the Jiang clan?”

The subordinate asked for confirmation.

“Eight or nine times out of ten. That former dynasty remnant vanished in this very town, and this family just so happened to ‘pick up’ a baby girl. What are the chances of such coincidence in this world?”

Wan Wuwei reasoned.

“If that’s the case, why don’t I go in now and eliminate everyone inside?”

The subordinate asked eagerly.

“Not yet. Don’t startle the snake in the grass. Killing a few commoners is a small matter, but without proof, we won’t be able to explain ourselves to the Commander.”

Wan Wuwei remained cautious.

“Then what should we do? Please instruct us, Master Wuwei!”

The subordinate cupped his fists.

“Do nothing for now. Just keep a close watch on this family. Do not let the baby girl escape. I’ll arrange for others to continue searching for the former dynasty remnant. Once we find him, we’ll naturally be able to confirm whether this family has adopted the Jiang clan’s little princess.”

Wan Wuwei commanded.

“Yes!”

The subordinates obeyed respectfully.

Mu Ruoyi, watching this unfold, felt as though her heart were being clenched tightly in someone’s palm. Though she knew how it would end, she still prayed for a miracle.

Meanwhile, in the real world, Cheng Hongling’s face had grown deathly pale, her once-bright red lips turning translucent, the signs of severe blood loss.

Qi Huang rushed over and quickly gave her another Blood-Replenishing Pill. Though the pill could not instantly heal her, it was better than nothing.

“Should we let her stop for now?”

Qi Huang asked tentatively.

“No need. I can hold on.”

Reaԁ on ΚatReаdiոgCafe

Cheng Hongling stubbornly shook her head.

Qi Huang could only stay by her side, helpless.

Mu Ruoyi continued reading the old tree’s memories. The very next night, hundreds of soldiers stormed the Chen family courtyard under the cover of stars and moonlight, surrounding the unprepared family of three.

Already filled with guilt, Madam Chen trembled uncontrollably at the sight of such a large force.

Chen Kai stood there in a daze, utterly confused about what was happening.

“May I ask why the honored officials have come to our humble home?”

Lord Chen, mentally prepared long ago, remained calm enough to ask.

“Enough nonsense. Hand over the remnant of the Jiang clan.”

Wan Wuwei commanded.

“I don’t understand what you mean by Jiang clan remnants, my lord.”

Lord Chen stood firm. Even if he had to die, he would make sure his death was meaningful.

“You truly won’t shed tears until you see your coffin.”

Wan Wuwei sneered and waved his hand. “Bring the man forward!”

“Yes!”

His men obeyed, dragging out a shackled figure.

Lord Chen looked carefully. This person’s clothes were in tatters, his body covered in countless bruises, every step unsteady from heavy torture. Yet that face… even if it turned to ashes, Lord Chen would still recognize it. It was the very beggar who had entrusted the little princess of the former dynasty to him.

Mu Ruoyi’s breath caught in her throat. She knew now that there was no chance left to reverse fate.

Lord Chen’s face first showed shock, then resignation. He had long prepared himself for death.

“Tell me, did you entrust the Jiang clan remnant to this family?”

Wan Wuwei interrogated the beggar.

The beggar, already broken by torment, hesitated not at all. He nodded without a word.

Madam Chen collapsed to the ground instantly upon seeing this, knowing her entire family was doomed.

“Mother! What’s wrong?”

Rеaⅾ оn ΚatReαⅾіոɡСαfe

Chen Kai rushed to support her.

“And now, what do you have to say?”

Wan Wuwei turned to Lord Chen.

“To tell the truth, ever since I accepted the little princess of the former dynasty, I knew I was destined to die. But I never imagined it would be such a worthless death, not only failing to protect the royal bloodline, but dragging my entire family down with me!”

Lord Chen cried out to the heavens.

“Hmph, that is the price of defying the court.”

Wan Wuwei sneered.

“To think the Jiang clan’s only surviving bloodline ended up in your hands. And in your letters, you dared to paint yourself as some righteous hero. In the end, you’re nothing but a spineless coward.”

Lord Chen cursed the beggar bitterly.

The beggar did not respond. He only bowed his head deeply, his face hidden.

“Search the house. Bring me the baby girl and the letter.”

Wan Wuwei ordered.

“Yes!”

Dozens of soldiers charged into the house. In no time, they came out carrying Jiang Fu in their arms.

“My lord, the baby is here.”

A soldier presented the infant.

“Waa! Waaa!”

Jiang Fu burst into tears at being held by strangers.

“My lord, we also found a letter. It must be the one left by the beggar.”

Another soldier handed over a slip of paper.

“This… how could this be?”

Lord Chen froze in disbelief. He clearly remembered burning that letter, how had it ended up in their hands again?

Reαⅾ οո ΚαtReαԁіոɡCαfe

Wan Wuwei examined it carefully, his face breaking into a satisfied grin. His eyes gleamed coldly as he looked at the baby girl. “Excellent. Once we kill this remnant of the former royal family, the rebels will have no hope left.”

“Dream on!”

Lord Chen suddenly shouted and charged toward Jiang Fu with all his might.

“Courting death!”

Wan Wuwei swiftly drew his blade and slashed without hesitation.

Swish!

The gleam of the blade flashed. Lord Chen’s head flew from his shoulders, his body staggering before collapsing, blood spurting hot from his neck.

“Ah! Husband! I’ll fight you to the death!”

Madam Chen, overcome by grief and rage, threw herself at Wan Wuwei.

With ruthless precision, Wan Wuwei struck back, decapitating her in a single swing.

Chen Kai stood frozen like wood, his mind blank after watching his parents butchered before his eyes.

“By order of His Majesty, all who shelter the remnants of the former dynasty are to be executed without trial. Kill them all.”

Wan Wuwei declared.

The surrounding soldiers raised their weapons. Blades rose and fell, skewering the beggar until blood gushed out like streams from a broken basket.

As Mu Ruoyi watched, she finally saw that the beggar’s face was covered in tears, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on Jiang Fu.

“Help! Somebody help!”

Chen Kai snapped back to awareness, screaming in terror as he tried to flee. Arrows pierced him through, turning him into a bloody hedgehog before he collapsed in horror.

Wan Wuwei did not stop. He tossed little Jiang Fu into the air and swung his blade upward.

“No!”

Mu Ruoyi screamed, desperate to save her, but she was powerless. She squeezed her eyes shut in agony, tears streaming uncontrollably from the corners.

In the real world, Qi Huang and the others stared at one another, completely baffled by what was happening, yet not daring to disturb her.

Unable to bear the sight of Mu Ruoyi weeping like a pear blossom in the rain, Qi Huang gently took up a handkerchief and wiped her tears.