Chapter Six: Raising an Army to Demand Justice

At this moment, Song Liyao found herself bewildered by the torrent of scolding hurled at her, unable to fathom what exactly the two of them meant. Had they come to demand justice? She had always heard that her mother was the most compassionate soul—lifelong vegetarian, gentle countenance, a heart like a Bodhisattva’s. She wouldn’t even crush an ant and never did harm. Yet, deep down, Song Liyao harbored a suspicion: Was this seemingly kind-hearted mother-in-law actually a serpent behind the Buddha’s lips? Otherwise, how could she have silently deceived her husband’s spiritual root away?

A flicker of fear stirred within her as she clutched Jiang Haohuo, anxiety gnawing at her inexplicably. “Did Mother come out of pity for us, to offer some help?”

Old Madam Jiang looked at her naïve daughter-in-law with that same gentle, earnest tone and said, “You foolish child, your methods are far from wise.”

Standing nearby, the maidservant began translating bluntly, “Second sister actually rushed to become a servant to a mere foundation-building cultivator. You, too, are all over the place with your words, causing chaos and harm to fellow cultivators. Your conduct is coarse and unbecoming of the Jiang family’s standing, bringing disgrace upon us.”

Jiang Haohuo thought silently, this old woman was formidable indeed—how could they know of matters that only she herself was involved in?

Old Madam Jiang continued softly, “Our Jiang family never expected much from you. Knowing the Dao is out of reach, you shouldn’t have made someone a servant, ruining Second Sister’s life, nor sullying the reputation of the Yuan Ying ancestor of our clan!”

Hearing such merciless reproach from her mother-in-law, Song Liyao’s heart sank deeper into sorrow. Over the years, the Jiang family had never extended any help; no matter how hard things were, they endured on their own. Even when her brother-in-law was ill and she sought assistance from the Jiang family, they had driven her away.

Her resentment boiled over! If it had been ordinary people causing trouble, she would have long ago driven them off with her spiritual tools, not standing here being shouted at.

But over the years, Song Liyao had grown wiser. Whenever she clashed with the Jiang family’s main house, she was always the one to suffer loss. Besides, that spiteful maidservant was already in early foundation-building stage—she couldn’t win against her.

So she swallowed her anger and, mimicking her mother-in-law’s compassionate tone, said, “Mother, you are right to admonish me. We have failed to teach the child well, being too focused on digging in the spiritual fields. Truly, we are coarse and unrefined, incomparable to your daughter Mo’er, with her heavenly spiritual roots and gentle beauty. Surely, Mo’er will soon attract the attention of a Golden Core master and become a favored concubine!”

Old Madam Jiang’s once Buddha-like gentle face darkened, her eyes, usually devoid of desire, now flickering with a murderous gleam before quickly extinguishing it.

Hmph, how dare this lowly woman compare Mo’er to their inferior offspring! How audacious!

Though Old Madam Jiang maintained her dignified composure, the maidservant understood her mistress’s intent perfectly and unleashed the Eagle Claw technique to teach Song Liyao a lesson for daring to offend her.

But the fierce Eagle Claw was deftly avoided by Song Liyao, stepping aside with ease.

The old woman was left questioning her very existence. How could she dodge her Eagle Claw? Had she broken through? It was inconceivable.

Seeing the maidservant repelled, Old Madam Jiang could only storm off in anger, flinging her sleeves as she left.

As the wind rose and the drizzle fell, a faint, gentle voice whispered: “Amitabha, truly a disgrace to civility.”

Song Liyao’s fury threatened to erupt. Every time this old woman came to “offer guidance,” she tore their family apart with ruthless criticism, accusing them of heinous crimes beyond reckoning.

Yet she was secretly pleased to have evaded the old woman’s magic today; usually, she was the one standing there taking the blows.

After all, the gap between foundation-building and Qi refining was vast, but recently Song Liyao felt her own barrier loosening—she was likely only months away from foundation-building.

Excited, she meticulously tidied the house before returning to her room to continue cultivation. Holding the warm bundle in her arms, all her anger melted away.

Misfortune and blessing intertwined. Without this woman, how could she have found a Dao companion as good as her brother-in-law?

By the time dinner was ready, the Jiang family returned one after another.

Eldest brother Jiang Lin, like a traveling frog, brought back various random items from Sister Xiangxiang.

Song Liyao’s mood was too unsettled to lecture this son today.

Second sister Jiang Yunyun came home from working at the Hidden Spirit Master’s cave, her face gloomy.

“Mother, Yiyun is about to marry that boy, and I’ve lost my job!”

Song Liyao paid her no mind, letting her brood alone.

Jiang Xu was the last to return, carrying a small piece of red spiritual pig meat.

After quickly stir-frying a dish of spiritual peppers with the red pig meat, he happily explained to everyone:

“Today is an auspicious day. Your father has been promoted to steward of the spiritual stones, and his monthly salary has increased several times. From now on, our family will have meat every day!”

Jiang Lin, eating the spiritual meal in a whirlwind, suddenly remembered his father’s superior and asked with concern:

“Isn’t that Master Li’s job? Did he get promoted too? He’s so vicious—several times I tried to see you, and he just kicked me out. I still remember how it hurt!”

Jiang Xu ate slowly and elegantly, then said in his usual calm tone:

“He was caught stealing by the authorities and perished utterly.”

The family was stunned. Jiang Haohuo recalled overhearing her parents whispering about the spiritual stones her father had brought back...

She swallowed nervously, feeling a chill.

Song Liyao’s face turned pale as she looked at Jiang Xu with deep worry.

Jiang Xu gave a subtle glance, and Song Liyao slowly let the matter drop.

If her husband said it was fine, then it must be fine.

Second sister Jiang Yunyun tried to lighten the mood:

“Father got promoted! I’ll help Mother take care of the little sister and cultivate myself. With meat every day, life will only get better!”

Afterwards, everyone ate seriously, filling their stomachs to avoid waking hungry during cultivation at night.

When night fell, Jiang Haohuo waited as usual for her parents’ whispered conversations.

But they never came. Nearly asleep, she finally heard her handsome father’s somewhat heavy voice as he held her mother:

“Yao, do you think I did wrong?”

“Though Master Li was cruel, when I found out he wanted to use me as a scapegoat, I plotted against him. He died, and I survived—and got promoted.”

“Yao, no wonder your mother says I’m rotten to the core.”

His voice choked with emotion. The small room was silent except for Song Liyao’s hand, softly patting his back without pause.

Jiang Haohuo feigned sleep, though the pillow damp with tears felt sticky and uncomfortable. She disliked it very much.