Chapter 121: Song Jiang

Song Jiang’s family was relatively well-off, but he was an honest and upright official. He frequently provided financial aid to those in the martial arts world who had fallen on hard times. As a result, despite his extensive network of friends, he rarely spent much money on his own life—especially considering he even kept a mistress here.

In a tavern, Song Jiang sat by a window, took a sip of wine, and gazed at the sky outside. The overcast clouds mirrored his current mood; the mere thought of meeting that woman tonight filled him with stifling frustration. How had he ever been so bewitched as to take that woman in?

After a sigh, Song Jiang drained his cup. He reached to pour more, only to find the jar empty.

"Put it on my tab, waiter. I'll settle it at the end of the month," a restless Song Jiang muttered before walking quickly out of the tavern.

Rounding a street corner, Song Jiang suddenly stopped in his tracks.

"Which friend is hiding there? If you require Song’s assistance, I am at your service!" He cupped his hands in a salute and scanned his surroundings.

"To think that Song Jiang, the 'Protector of Righteousness' from Shandong, known to the martial arts world as the 'Timely Rain,' is actually a master at the mid-stage of the Innate Realm. If this news got out, it would surely surprise quite a few people!"

The voice seemed to come from all directions. A moment later, Song Jiang realized the surrounding scenery had transformed into a starry void. His expression shifted; this method of manipulation was beyond anything he could counter. How could someone with such power be targeting a minor figure like himself?

Though puzzled, Song Jiang maintained a composed exterior. "Since you can perceive my cultivation, you must be a reclusive expert. I serve the Emperor and am bound by many duties; please forgive me, senior, if there are things I cannot divulge."

"I just want to know how you came to possess the fate of the Heavenly魁 (Tiankui) Star!" Sun Meng appeared behind Song Jiang and pressed a hand firmly onto his shoulder.

"Senior, this matter is of great importance. I beg your pardon, but I cannot reveal the origins of this," Song Jiang said firmly.

"Oh? Are you not afraid that I might kill you? I have seen the reincarnation of the Tiankui Star, but you are like a shadow, also receiving the starlight of the Tiankui. I suspect a struggle for supremacy will arise between you two sooner or later. I hope that he is the one who ultimately commands the stars..." Sun Meng’s figure vanished, but the aura emanating from Song Jiang shifted dramatically.

His somewhat short stature straightened, and stellar images flickered behind him as an armor of internal energy formed over his body. He produced a short blade from nowhere and scanned the surroundings. "I cannot resist your power, senior, but if you truly intend to take my life, I am willing to offer my head!"

He watched his surroundings warily, and a silence fell between them.

"You say you are acting under the orders of the current Emperor to command the stars and serve the country?" Sun Meng asked, feeling he might have stumbled upon a profound secret.

Song Jiang remained silent. Some things Sun Meng could deduce, but he could not speak them aloud.

"It seems I was right. The imperial court has long known about the descent of the stars. To ensure the star-generals do not slip from their control, they used secret arts to forge your destiny. It was all so that once you gathered the star-generals, you could accept amnesty and quell the chaos. A clever scheme indeed! I wonder who masterminded this?" Sun Meng looked at the system notification, which labeled Song Jiang’s destiny as 'Star-General (Demon-Star Reversal).'

"Senior is truly discerning. The descent of the stars is meant to save the world from suffering, but if they remain beyond the court’s control, it will only increase the world's calamities. If you are truly concerned, I can swear to Heaven that I will remain loyal to the country, and I will do my utmost to protect the star-generals as well." Song Jiang pointed his fingers toward the sky in a solemn gesture.

Sun Meng replied, "I can spare you, but you must work for me." Thinking of the many heroes Song Jiang would eventually encounter, he decided to use him to pass on his cultivation techniques to the deserving stars, saving himself the trouble of traveling.

"As long as you do not ask me to commit heinous acts, I am at your service!" As Song Jiang spoke, a sense of righteousness seemed to radiate from him, making him appear remarkably trustworthy.

"Good!" Sun Meng handed over the techniques. "When you encounter unawakened stars, pass these on. But remember one thing: take care of the Star-Generals. If both the Star-General and the Demon-Star of the same celestial body exist, you must find a way to eliminate the Demon-Star. Finally, if you go to Mount Liang, do not touch Chao Gai’s position without my permission!"

Song Jiang lowered his head. *'The Heavenly King who Topples Pagodas, Chao Gai! He is the true reincarnation of the Tiankui Star!'* He was astonished; he had never expected the true Tiankui Star to be someone he knew—and they were on good terms. In that case, he could never lay a hand on Chao Gai.

Furthermore, regarding the Demon-Star, although Song Jiang didn't know why Sun Meng detested them so much, he reasoned that if the Star-General already existed, the Demon-Star was redundant. To prevent them from harming the world, he would naturally seek to eliminate them. The hardest part would be passing the techniques to the other unawakened stars.

Song Jiang was a special agent; without secret orders, he could not leave this area. Just as he was about to speak, Sun Meng said, "You will naturally come into contact with many reincarnated stars in the future. Just follow my instructions then. Remember your word, otherwise..." He injected a burst of energy into Song Jiang’s body. "This energy can take your life at any moment!" With that, the starry void vanished.

Song Jiang looked at his restored surroundings and breathed a sigh of relief. Regardless, he had survived. In this era, someone like him lived one day at a time, with no hope of promotion. This secret organization had been formed after the Emperor learned of the trouble caused by Marshal Hong, but with nothing significant happening for nearly twenty years, how could they possibly be held in high regard?

*'But judging by that senior's actions, something major is about to happen. Should I report this?'* Song Jiang frowned as he walked home. If it were five years ago, he might have been excited by the prospect of a great event involving the stars, but now, he would rather not earn any merit if it meant such disasters would occur.

He was no longer young and hot-blooded, hoping to achieve something world-shaking. Furthermore, he was relatively satisfied with his current life; perhaps a quiet, unremarkable existence was not so bad.

He knocked on the door, and a beautiful woman opened it. Seeing Song Jiang, her face lit up. "Gongming, you’re finally here! The food has gone cold!" She took his arm and pulled him to the table.

As she served him, she asked, "Why are you so late today? Did those fox-friends of yours come begging for money again? I’ve told you, they aren't worth associating with. So-called 'heroes of the martial arts'—they’re just a bunch of thugs who should be locked up!" She poured him a cup of wine.

"By the way, summer is coming. I want to make some new clothes so I won't embarrass you when I accompany you out..."

"Enough!" Song Jiang set his cup down. "What about the brocade I gave you for the New Year? Do you have any idea how much you’ve spent this month? And as for whom I associate with, that is not for you to manage! Don't get ahead of yourself, woman; remember your place!" He set down his chopsticks. "I have matters to attend to. I am not staying here tonight." He rose and left.

An elderly woman approached. "Po Xi! I told you, don't be so pushy! You are a mistress; that Gongming lets us live without hunger or cold is already an act of supreme benevolence. If you keep pushing him, he will grow to hate you. If he casts you aside, how will your mother and I survive?" The old woman began to weep.

The young woman’s face showed disdain. "If I don't ask him for money, how are we to live? He refuses to give me status, won't let me meet his father, and won't let me bear his children. Isn't it because he looks down on us? In a few years, when he tires of my face and casts me aside, won't we have to rely on these savings to survive? If I don't squeeze him for more, I won't even have the money to bury you then!"

"You...!" The old woman pointed at Yan Poxi, too angry to speak. "You! One day you will regret this!" She sighed and took the food away.

Meanwhile, on the street, someone walked toward Song Jiang.

"Gongming, what’s this? Heading to the yamen to spend the night again?"