Chapter Seventy-Seven: This Old Fellow Is Far from Honest

Su Jian’s display of authority had an immediate and unmistakable effect.

He was in no hurry to slaughter the Bai family; there were still questions he needed answered. Otherwise, the outcome could very well backfire. He had no intention of letting his newly acquired Summon Player: Ultimate Edition slip from his grasp so soon.

But first, Su Jian needed a different method to restrain the Bai family’s patriarch. Under the spell’s immobilizing power, the man could not even speak, let alone answer questions.

Without further ado, Su Jian took out bedrock and began to build. To be thus honored was, in some ways, the pinnacle of this man’s life.

A short while later, Su Jian surveyed his handiwork with satisfaction and promptly tossed the Bai family’s patriarch inside. Two more blocks of bedrock thudded into place, leaving only the man’s head visible.

This would suffice—there was no way the man could shrink his body to escape. And even if he could, Su Jian could simply use another immobilizing charm.

He peeled the talisman from the man's brow, his expression stern as he spoke slowly: “Your Bai family’s deeds have been exposed. I am here to take you to the Righteous Alliance to answer for your crimes. Unless, of course, your family has powerful patrons who can persuade me to show leniency.”

He knew perfectly well that the Bai family would not confess easily. Thus, he decided to probe with a feint, starting with the possibility of a hidden mastermind.

From the beginning, Su Jian suspected the Bai family’s presence in Lingxiu Village was linked to Li Lingguang. Yet the patriarch had just claimed the Bai family had acted discreetly in Lingxiu Village for decades, predating Li Lingguang’s return.

This could be easily verified by asking any villager if the patriarch was lying.

“Senior, my Bai family is blameless! We’ve stayed clear of worldly disputes for years and cared for the people of Lingxiu Village, distributing spirit rice to the villagers every month...” The patriarch’s eyes flickered as he put on an air of upright righteousness.

Upon learning Su Jian was from the Righteous Alliance, the patriarch secretly breathed a sigh of relief. At least the alliance was supposed to be just, not wantonly murderous. And even among them, there were a few good men.

Su Jian let out a cold laugh. “Were it not for your so-called generosity with spirit rice, I would never have uncovered your vile deeds. My patience is limited—do you still wish to keep lying?”

No one gives gifts without reason—such behavior is always suspect.

He didn’t believe for a moment that the patriarch was so benevolent. Spirit rice was not especially expensive, but for mortals, regular consumption could extend their lifespan. Most of it was consumed by Qi Refining cultivators who had not yet built their foundation. For the Bai family to distribute so much every month to so many people, it must have cost at least a dozen spirit stones monthly; over decades, that added up to nearly a thousand.

The Bai family patriarch’s face turned ghostly pale at these words. Su Jian knew then that he had struck the mark, exposing the other’s malicious intent.

He already had a rough theory, though the details remained unclear. This wretched task was truly a close call. He found such processes tedious—the opponent was simply too weak, offering no challenge. Perhaps there would be some unexpected twist.

Su Jian smiled coolly. “It seems there’s no longer any need to take you back to the Righteous Alliance. Since you refuse to speak, in order to close this case swiftly, I’ll use the Soul Searching method directly. The Righteous Alliance never wrongs a good man.”

Such was indeed the style of the Righteous Alliance.

The Bai family patriarch’s mind was in turmoil. Was this confinement in such a cramped space meant as humiliation? Yet he dared not risk an escape—if branded a fugitive, he would have no hope of vindication.

After a moment’s hesitation, the patriarch cried out, “Senior, please wait! My backing is the Academy of Humanity. In fact, we are family!”

Su Jian paused—family?

The Academy of Humanity was not a Jin Dynasty power, but it wielded considerable influence in Da Qian. His own understanding was superficial; he had never heard of any connection between the Righteous Alliance and the Academy of Humanity.

He decided to let that lie; it was too easy to betray oneself by speaking rashly.

Su Jian asked, “Were you sent by the Academy of Humanity to monitor Li Lingguang?”

The patriarch’s eyes lit up. “Senior, you’re aware of that matter? Then this is truly a case of kin not recognizing kin—a family feud!”

Su Jian arched an eyebrow. It seemed very few in the Righteous Alliance knew of this; otherwise, the patriarch would not have reacted so.

He pressed on, “Then explain the matter of the spirit rice. Don’t tell me that, too, was at the behest of the Academy?”

By now, Su Jian’s suspicions were mostly confirmed. The old man was likely practicing some sinister art. The spirit rice fed to Lingxiu Village’s people over many years was meant to strengthen their bodies—or perhaps, it was never ordinary spirit rice to begin with. If something special was added, mortals would never notice.

The patriarch’s gaze became evasive, but at last he braced himself and said, “I hope, for the sake of the Academy of Humanity, that you might show some mercy. Life in the mundane world is hard...”

Seeing the man about to play the victim, Su Jian cut him off, signaling him to get to the point.

The patriarch sighed heavily. “I added Soul-Fortifying Powder to the rice. Mortal lifespans are short, so I thought to make use of what would otherwise be wasted. After their deaths, I collect their souls. Once I have enough, I’ll use a secret technique to attempt a breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage...”

Clearly, the old man was not being entirely honest.

Su Jian sneered but did not immediately expose his deceit. Instead, he continued, “You’ve been here monitoring Li Lingguang for decades. Did you ever discover what is hidden within the ancestral Li residence?”

The patriarch was momentarily stunned. “The ancestral Li residence?”

Su Jian frowned. “You don’t know of it? Then what are you watching Li Lingguang for?”

“I arrived in Lingxiu Village the very first year Li Lingguang went to Da Qian. Young Master Hua merely told me to monitor his movements. If he ever left Lingxiu Village, I was to report to Young Master Hua at once,” the patriarch replied truthfully.

His life was in Su Jian’s hands; it was no different than having a blade at his throat. Besides, Su Jian was from the Righteous Alliance—he probably knew even more than the patriarch himself.

“And what does any of this have to do with the young couple who just arrived in Lingxiu Village?” Su Jian continued.

He had nearly unraveled the entire affair; only a few details remained.

“I just found Li Lingguang’s behavior odd and wanted to test them,” the patriarch answered, bewildered.

Su Jian understood in an instant—he was merely caught in the crossfire. Anyone even tangentially connected to Li Lingguang risked being targeted.