Chapter 76: The Sect of Peace

Three days later, at dawn, the war drums resounded once more. The River Inspectorate, having besieged Bewitching Bay for so long, finally decided not to delay any further.

"Fellow Daoist, I ask for your help in breaking the enemy," called out Lu Chenzhou from the prow of his ship, his voice ringing clear and loud.

As these words fell, under the gaze of all present, a Daoist clad in a dark robe and holding a ritual sword stepped forward from another warship. He rose with the wind, brandishing his sword and chanting an incantation, then slashed toward Bewitching Bay.

In an instant, a violent wind howled, and the invisible sword light tore the shrouding mists to pieces. From afar, it seemed as if an immortal had descended and split the bay in two. The clouds and fog parted, golden sunlight poured down, and a rainbow arched across the sky—a scene so breathtaking it seemed unreal.

Witnessing this, the soldiers of the River Inspectorate were at first stunned, then erupted in cheers; their morale soared. With such a figure aiding them, what threat could mere river bandits pose?

"Master, master, can I learn that technique?" On the flagship, a young Daoist, unable to contain himself after seeing Bewitching Bay split apart, eagerly pleaded with Master Fang Wen.

At this, Fang Wen's expression darkened. "Learn? Do you even understand what that means? Go copy the Water Infusion Sutra ten times."

With that, he flicked his sleeve and strode into the cabin, leaving the rest to unfold as it would—now, the battle would surely proceed smoothly.

Indeed, with the mysterious Daoist's assistance, the River Inspectorate's forces swept forward triumphantly. Wherever they went, the river bandits were routed and collapsed in disarray. Commander Lu Chenzhou himself battled the bandit chief, Iron Man Tu, for over a hundred rounds before finally driving him into the water and strangling him to death.

The only peculiarity throughout was that many of the bandits seemed eager to surrender. Yet, the soldiers, following Lu Chenzhou's prior orders, showed no mercy, cutting them down and claiming the merits for themselves.

Meanwhile, Jiang Chen, who had played two roles to perfection and withdrawn from the scene, returned to Mount Muyu.

"Have all traces been properly fabricated?" From his vantage, surveying the entire battlefield, Jiang Chen asked.

Wang Yuan hurried to answer, "Sir, everyone has already withdrawn for now, and we've burned some unimportant buildings as well. The traitors have been sent onto the ships, and by now, they should have been executed by the River Inspectorate, thus rendering their final service to you."

His voice low, Wang Yuan dutifully recounted all that had been done during this time.

Jiang Chen nodded in approval. Even if it was a performance, the basic standards still had to be maintained.

After a while, Skinny Monkey arrived from the harbor, accompanied by Lu Xuanping.

"Sir, the River Inspectorate's warships have landed. They should reach us soon," Skinny Monkey reported.

Jiang Chen said nothing, but turned his gaze to Lu Xuanping.

"Greetings, Daoist Brother. The river bandits are no more. My third uncle sent me to ask: What name will your new sect bear? He wishes to report it to the court."

Lu Xuanping bowed as he spoke. Originally, Lu Chenzhou had planned to come himself, but changed his mind at the last moment and sent Lu Xuanping in his stead.

Jiang Chen did not answer immediately. Standing atop Mount Muyu, bathed in a sliver of sunlight and gazing over the war-torn Bewitching Bay, his thoughts drifted far away.

Seeing this, everyone fell silent, waiting quietly.

After a while, Jiang Chen withdrew his gaze. "Let it be Peace—better a dog in times of peace than a man in an age of chaos. May my heart remain tranquil, and the world find peace. From this day forth, the name Jiang Wang passes into dust with the river bandits. My name is Jiang Chen."

With that, he drifted away.

The reactions from those present were varied—some surprised, others delighted, still others thoughtful.

"Daoist Brother attends to matters with care, and holds great compassion," Lu Xuanping murmured, affected by the scene. He had not expected Jiang Chen, who had rooted himself among river bandits for so long, to choose such a name for his sect, nor to change his own name.

"Peace Sect—clearly, we made the right choice this time."

Shaking his head with a smile, Lu Xuanping turned and left Mount Muyu.

Coming from a noble family, his perspective was never as simple as good or evil. Still, since his first encounter with Jiang Chen, he had hoped the man was fundamentally decent. After all, who in all the land, regardless of their own nature, would willingly befriend or ally with a villain of no scruples?

Now, with the Lu family and the soon-to-be-founded Peace Sect joined in substantial alliance, both parties stood together in the eyes of the world, whatever their private thoughts. Once the Lu family had helped Jiang Chen establish his sect, their fates were linked.

After Lu Xuanping left, Wang Yuan, Skinny Monkey, Cao Banshan, and the others set about cleaning up the remnants.

Soon, the River Inspectorate's soldiers ascended Mount Muyu, cut down the river bandits’ flag, and from that moment, the river bandits belonged to history.

"Jiang Chen? This Daoist truly is a man of propriety." From the warship, upon hearing Lu Xuanping's report and gazing into the heart of Muyu Island, Lu Chenzhou's weathered face softened into a rare smile.

The Lu family's dealings with Jiang Chen had hardly been subtle—their performance had fooled only the common folk. Anyone who cared to investigate would quickly sense something amiss. Yet, to Lu Chenzhou, Jiang Chen's willingness to change his name was a gesture of sincerity.

"Send word to the troops—speed up the cleanup and return to camp to receive their rewards. Also, tell them not to set fire to the houses. I cannot bear such scenes."

In high spirits, Lu Chenzhou issued his orders. His aides relayed them at once, and so the River Inspectorate swept through Muyu Island at top speed, hastily bringing their operation to an end.

With the news of the River Inspectorate's sweeping victory and the utter eradication of the river bandits, the merchants and families of Qinghe County celebrated with joy—the great weight on their hearts finally lifted. The bandits were no more; dawn had come to Qinghe County.

At the same time, the name Jiang Chen spread swiftly throughout the county. Tales of how he, with a single sword, dispelled the mists of Bewitching Bay and aided the River Inspectorate in destroying the bandits were passed from mouth to mouth. Unwittingly, an image formed of a Daoist whose immortal arts were wondrous and whose heart brimmed with compassion.

Some, eager for novelty, even dubbed him the Rainbow Sword Immortal, commemorating the miracle of his sword cleaving the clouds and the rainbow spanning the sky. Many were inspired to seek him as a master, not knowing that this so-called Rainbow Sword Immortal did not practice swordsmanship at all.

In this transaction, the River Inspectorate had won, and so had Jiang Chen; perhaps the only true losers were the Gao family.