Chapter 249 - Chapter 249: Chapter 248: Commentary on the Book ‘Biography of the River’s Human Emperor

Chapter 249: Chapter 248: Commentary on the Book ‘Biography of the River’s Human Emperor

Translator: 549690339

Jiang Li was expelled from the palace by Ji Zhi and was now wandering aimlessly throughout the Imperial City alone.

A large billboard outside a teahouse grabbed his attention.

“Today’s Storytelling: The Legend of the Human Emperor Jiang.”

Beneath the sign was a small line of text: “This story is purely fictional and does not correspond to real characters.”

After all, they were in the Great Zhou Imperial City, under the feet of the emperor, and the first thing to do was to avoid responsibility.

Jiang Li paid the entrance fee and entered the teahouse to an immediate round of applause.

“In spite of Jiang Li not having become the Human Emperor yet, he already possessed a third of the emperor’s domineering aura and decisiveness. When he saw the evil culprits attacking, he fiercely drew his long sword and battled them. Every move he made was lethal, bathed in the glares of blades and swords. After hundreds of bouts, the battle of life and death came to an end. With a soft thud, his sword pierced the heart of his adversary. Twisting his wrist, Jiang Li turned the culprit’s heart into a bloody pulp.”

“In this way, the life of the villain culminated in his evil acts!”

“Wonderful!”

The audience’s blood boiled with excitement. They applauded and cheered, even throwing Spirit Stones onto the stage out of pure excitement.

There were too many people listening to the storytelling, and no vacant tables remained. Jiang Li had to share a table with strangers.

“Fellow Daoist, is this seat occupied?” Jiang Li found a table occupied by three people.

“No, feel free to sit,” the three replied casually.

After a story was told, the storyteller took a drink of tea to soothe his throat, giving the audience a moment to discuss the unfolding plot. The three people at Jiang Li’s table were no exception.

“There are seventy or eighty versions of ‘The Legend of the Human Emperor Jiang’ that are popular in the market. Personally, I find this version the most satisfying. It is decisive in killing and ruling, showing exactly how a strong person should be!”

“I beg to differ. This version ranks second in my heart.

He couldn’t have possibly grown through killing. I believe the version where he grows through strategic battles is the best ‘The Legend of the Human Emperor Jiang’.”

The two men started arguing about which version of ‘The Legend of the Human Emperor Jiang’ was the best. Seeing this, the third person quickly intervened and changed the subject.

“There is no better or worse in literature. There’s nothing worth arguing about. Even though we can’t meet the Human Emperor Jiang in person, we can get close to him through stories. It’s as if he’s sitting right next to us. Don’t you agree, brother?”

When the third person addressed Jiang Li, he was stunned.

“He’s not just sitting next to you, he really is right beside you.” His statement brought laughter to the table.

“What a true fan of storytelling you are, brother, to be so immersed. I commend thy dedication!”

“Er-hem.”

After the storyteller had rested, he cleared his throat, struck his wooden clapper, and ended one story, preparing to start another.

“The Human Emperor Jiang has saved countless young ladies from the hands of the wicked. Although these women were barely clothed, calling him their benefactor, Jiang, being a gentleman, never took advantage of their vulnerability. He saw to it that all these pitiful women were returned to their homes, before he started his journey.”

One of the people sitting next to Jiang Li suddenly expressed confusion: “Wait a minute, this doesn’t align with the story I’ve heard. Isn’t it said that Jiang half-heartedly slept with those women under the same quilt? It was described in great detail. ”

“???” Jiang Li was confused. This is the Great Zhou, I could sue you for defaming me.

His companion smacked the confused man on the head: “You’re thinking of ‘The Scandalous History of the Human Emperor Jiang’. You’ve mixed up the contents of the book with this storytelling!”

“Oh yeah, you’re right, I did mix them up.”

“???” Jiang Li’s confusion intensified. Could things get any more absurd?

The storyteller began the second story.

“At the time, the Human Emperor Jiang was only at the Golden Core Stage. He happened to pass by a small town, where he heard that a malevolent ghost was causing havoc. Many people had been killed by the ghost, and the townfolk were crying out in despair. Being righteous, Jiang had decided to stay and deal with the ghost.”

“Jiang had learned that the ghost was unpredictable and killed without shedding blood. Those who saw it were scared to death, and even several cultivators couldn’t deal with it.”

“During the night of his stay, another old man fell victim to the malevolent ghost, who died with an expression of extreme horror.”

“The townspeople said that the ghost was afraid of the yang energy of man and also feared the blood of a black dog. As long as they had these two items, they would be able to kill the ghost.”

“Jiang, armed with his sword, sat by the graveside waiting for the ghost. His swordsmanship was superbly exquisite. Many evildoers and unrighteous individuals died under his blade. Even though Jiang’s cultivation level was not high at that time, he already possessed the potential to become a great master of the Sword Dao.”

“The night was dark and windy, and from a withered tree, an old crow cawed. The ghost crawled out from his cold tomb, and Jiang, with a long sword, smeared with the blood of a black dog, engaged in combat with the ghost.”

“The ghost happened to be a beautiful woman in a red dress, her methods were mysterious and unpredictable. Even a cultivator at the Nascent Soul Stage could easily succumb to her, let alone Jiang at that time.”

“But Jiang was, after all, Jiang, full of life and vigor. To the ghost, Jiang was a

dazzling sun. None of her techniques were able to fully manifest.”

“Jiang took advantage of this and subdued the ghost. Just as he was about to decapitate her and send her to the Underworld for reincarnation, he saw the ghost crying her eyes out, accusing Jiang and the townfolk of being no better than her.”

“From the ghost’s confession, Jiang learned about the truth.”

“Apparently, the ghost was a lady named Ruan, born in a poor family in the town and lived only with her parents. A wealthy family in the town was worried about their deceased son’s loneliness in the Underworld and considered the idea of a ghost marriage. They picked Ruan, but both she and her parents refused.’

“An argument ensued. Both Ruan’s parents were killed, and Ruan was buried alive with the wealthy family’s son.”

“Ruan was filled with resentment. After death, instead of going to the Underworld, she forcefully remained in the human realm, enduring the torment of Red Dust. She vowed to make the wealthy family accompany her.”

“Hearing this, Jiang heaved a sigh, releasing the ghost Ruan, and allowed her to drift toward the wealthy household.”

“Those that had died in the preceding days were all members of the wealthy family. Once they saw Ruan, they cried bitterly, admitting their faults, promising to erect a monument and build a chastity arch for her, burn paper money for her, pleading with her to dissolve her grudge and move on to the Underworld. ”

“The hatred toward one’s parents’ killers is not easily forgivable. Ruan would not relent. In one night, the entire wealthy family was wiped out. Ruan’s revenge was avenged. Her soul was scattered, from then on, she was no longer present in the human realm. This was the cost of her forcibly staying.”

The crowd sighed in sympathy after listening to the story, quite taken aback by the ending.

Jiang Li too, was moved, surprised to see how Ruan’s story had been altered. He thought that if Ruan in the underworld heard about it, she would be pleased.

After all, avenging oneself was definitely better than letting Jiang Li avenge her, even if the cost was the dispersion of her soul.

The incident in the small town was real, just without the ghost Ruan. There was only Jiang Li, who happened to stay overnight in the small town and had figured out what had happened to Ruan from the crucial clues.

When Jiang Li learned that there were people who murdered parents for a ghost marriage, burying people alive, he was immediately filled with anger. He stormed into the wealthy household, killed the mastermind behind the atrocities, and avenged Ruan.

The whole process did not involve Ruan the ghost. There was no dispersion of Ruan’s soul because the real Ruan had already moved on to reincarnation in the

Underworld..