Calamity Messenger-Chapter 86 - 68: Obstacles (First Update)

Has she gone mad?

Countless eyes watched Jiang Shi, from the outermost spectators of the noble families, to the soldiers holding the Divine Machine Crossbows, and even to the people in the center of the camp like Lu Wangji. Everyone was stunned by Jiang Shi’s sudden actions. It was as if, on the eve of a storm’s calm, the lone fisherman still drifting at sea sang a mad testimony, summoning a tsunami that blotted out the sky.

Clearly, the matter had ended. The murder case was raised high and put down gently. Although she couldn’t join the Jie Family or the Shang Family, she could advance further in the Huainan Underground Palace. The oppression from other noble families was also alleviated, allowing her to claim sixty percent of the reward from the Mansu Forest Land. It’s no exaggeration to say she made a full retreat.

Before this, even though the murder hadn’t happened yet, many believed in secret that Jiang Shi would have to pay a heavy price to leave the forest. The Qian Family couldn’t protect her. As a commoner, a black belt, and more importantly, as a weakling, she had tasted the sweetest part of the Mansu Forest Land, like a child driving a carriage full of gold through the street at a gallop.

Liang Kingdom is a nation that values law above all else, but it’s not merciful enough to allow the weak to possess wealth beyond their ability. Strength can come from one’s family, connections, or combat power. Thanks to Jiang Shi’s team having the eldest daughter of the Jie Family and the Fourth Miss of the Shang Family, she had a year to grow and was able to claim sixty percent of the treasure chest’s yield.

No one found this unreasonable, even Qian Gongyu thought so. In this world, there’s no such thing as inherent ’fairness’; all resources must flow through dynamic contests between strong and weak. To be precise, Jiang Shi wasn’t even eligible to receive the treasure chest: as an unregistered person, everything she gained on Liang Kingdom’s land was illegal.

This was a result everyone could accept, even those like Shang Xinlei, who were wholly considering Jiang Shi’s situation, couldn’t negotiate better terms. Yet, they never pondered whether Jiang Shi could accept this result.

Do they really understand Jiang Shi?

Life, future, interests, freedom, emotions—how much weight do these things the ordinary chase hold in Jiang Shi’s heart?

"Jiang Shi, calm down!"

Blocking Jiang Shi first were neither Lu Wangji nor Chen Linchuan, but Shang Yue and Jie Zilong. If anyone could halt this tsunami now, it would be them, so Lu Wangji and the others remained silent, allowing them to negotiate with Jiang Shi.

"If you have any dissatisfaction, you can talk to us instead of messing everything up on your own!" Jie Zilong tried to suppress his anger. As the Spear Instructor of North River Military Town, he wasn’t a person with a good temper, "Admit it directly when framed, do you think acting like this makes you arrogant, clear-headed, and invincible? Do you know what people like you are called in my hometown? Foolish dweller! How can someone as stupid as you exist?"

"Instructor Jie, calm down," Shang Yue pressed Jie Zilong’s shoulder, "You’ve been young too, haven’t you? When faced with injustice, young people can’t control their emotions. We definitely didn’t handle this well; retreat, compromise, endure—things we take for granted are great humiliations to a spirited youth."

"Jiang Shi, anyone would be angry when framed—I understand. But I hope you understand us too—they had planned this long ago, and we temporarily have no evidence or means to prove your innocence. We’ve done all we can." He sighed.

"Even though the time spent together has been short, I can see Xinlei, the Jie Family’s young lady, and the Qian Family’s young lady all regard you as an important friend. I know you’re unafraid of death, unafraid of power, like a blade that would rather break than bend, but I’m pleading with you as a brother, could you swallow this pride for your friends?"

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

"Jiang Shi, you don’t need to fight the world alone. You can trust your friends, trust us, and most importantly, trust your future. Why bother confronting these petty villains?"

Jie Zilong’s frustration and regret.

Shang Yue’s heartfelt advice.

Whether Jiang Shi was convinced is unknown, but Qian Gongyu and the others were persuaded. Jie Yuan Shao stepped forward, passing through the crowd, grabbing the arm of Jiang Shi’s raised blade, his face full of plea: "Jiang Shi, leave it to us. I promise on behalf of the Jie Family, we will ensure justice for you."

"Jiang Shi," Shang Xinlei reached out to press down the White Iron Straight Saber, saying: "Just as we unconditionally trusted you in the Mansu Forest Land, it’s your turn to trust us outside."

Qian Gongyu remained silent; she didn’t have the ability to make any guarantees, biting her lower lip as she looked at Jiang Shi, her eyes filled with worry and unease.

Faced with everyone’s concern, after a silent moment Jiang Shi finally lowered the long saber, relieving everyone. Yet for some unknown reason, Shang Xinlei felt a bit disappointed.

She recalled the private conversation with Jiang Shi.

’Shang Xinlei, unlike you, I have no one to rely on, nor do I need to rely on anyone.’

Previously, Shang Xinlei focused on the beginning of that sentence ’I have no one to rely on,’ so she hoped Jiang Shi would join the Shang Family. She thought with the protection of a big force, Jiang Shi wouldn’t be so suicidal, wouldn’t be under someone like Yellow Dog’s control, and could have a better future.

But... what if the focus of Jiang Shi’s words was actually on the latter part ’nor do I need to rely on anyone’?

Without attachments, one can move forward without hindrance.

Once the blade is sheathed, who can it cut?

The Shang Family, Jie Family, Jie Yuan Shao, Qian Gongyu, and even herself formed a network of connections tightly wrapped around Jiang Shi, forcing this genius living on the edge of a blade to consider consequences, the bigger picture, the future. They genuinely wanted the best for Jiang Shi, with no malice, even her brother Shang Yue and Jie Zilong weren’t involved in the plot against Jiang Shi, instead contributing tirelessly by offering the yield of a Second-Turn Secret Realm to earn her a year.

Blame lies only with Lu Wangji’s group who set up, or with Qunyu Book who fueled the fire. But they represent the Court and other families. Jiang Shi is weak and alone now; should she smash her head against a rock?

Such is life, just do your best.

Rather, who in this world can truly not rely on others? Society is a web binding everyone with interests, and those who can break free are either beasts or gods. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Jiang Shi’s confidence was nothing more than a child’s arrogance.