Chapter 988: Chapter 234 Standards and Outline
Lin Youxie had always believed in the saying, "Good people can do bad things."
Thus, even if she acknowledged Jiang Wang’s integrity, she would not reduce the suspicions she had about him.
Her steadfast principle in handling cases was that the case itself must not be disturbed by any factors outside of the evidence.
Jiang Wang’s actions during his overseas trip indeed moved her, but these could not change the suspicions that Jiang Wang had previously left behind.
However, since she had stated that she would not investigate privately anymore, that was sufficient.
For Jiang Wang, the notion of "retaining doubts" was not a big deal.
It was certain that not everyone thought Jiang Wang was a good person, at least most disciples at the Diao Hai Building definitely had a poor impression of him—arrogant, brutal, and vicious, those were possibly even some of the better judgments.
Sometimes, a standpoint decides everything, as the saying goes, "One’s hero is another’s enemy."
Jiang Wang’s logic was simple, regard me as an enemy if you will, but coming after me to seek revenge is not allowed.
Feel free to intensely dislike or resent me in your heart, but if you actually take action, wanting to cause harm to Jiang Wang, then Longing does not recognize anyone.
Towards Lin Youxie, Jiang Wang’s attitude was to respect but keep a distance.
As for Wu Lie... he was even more cautious.
The perilous secrets of a deity-like powerhouse were not what he wanted to explore. What he had borne and encountered were already enough.
Thus, even though Wu Lie had explicitly stated that Tian Huanwen of the Da Ze Tian Clan was a malignancy, Jiang Wang, as a Fourth Grade Green Badge holder, did not make any special demonstration.
He only said, "Senior Wu worries about the country and the people, which is admirable."
"Having received a salary for my position in the past, I still remember the obligation to share the nation’s worries," Wu Lie casually responded, then countered, "Officer Jiang, wearing the Green Badge, have you never thought about removing harm for the country?"
This question became quite serious, and Jiang Wang could no longer avoid giving a direct answer.
He finally understood where Lin Youxie’s obstinate character came from—it was exactly like that of the previous generation, Wu Lie!
For interesting people and incidents, he would certainly dig deep, never willing to let go easily.
This might be an excellent quality for investigating cases, but for those being "targeted," it was somewhat unpleasant.
Jiang Wang thought for a moment, then directly asked, "May I ask Senior Wu, was the traitor Wu Yi from the Gold Needle Sect personally captured by me? Does that count as removing harm for the country?"
Wu Lie looked at him, "Are you trying to say, ’Do as much as one’s strength allows?’ I have indeed heard a phrase, ’Youth does not dare to forget national worries,’ to eliminate harm for the people is righteous, and to eradicate problems for the country is loyal. Is weakness really an excuse?
"No, senior, you misunderstood,"
Jiang Wang shook his head and said, "What I mean is that the case of the Gold Needle Sect is recorded as a file, listed in the Imperial City Inspection Mansion. The evidence and testimonies are all complete. The case is clear, and the crimes are evident. I took up this case from the Inspection Mansion and then went overseas to apprehend the criminal. This is my understanding of the duties of a Green Badge, which I consider removing harm for the country."
"You said Tian Huanwen is a malignancy and mentioned that the Da Ze Tian Clan has serious issues. May I ask, is there evidence? You said you have been investigating them, may I ask, is there an official document from the Court requesting the Green Badge to investigate the Da Ze Tian Clan?"
At this point, Jiang Wang spread his hands, "If there is none. How can I say that the Da Ze Tian Clan is a ’harm’? Regardless of who the other party is, could handling a case be based solely on a senior’s declaration of guilt?"
Of course, there were none.
If Wu Lie were acting under imperial orders to investigate, how would Tian Huanwen dare to touch him? Even if it was assassinations hidden behind obscured trails, that would be courting death. Any action would lead to the catastrophe of annihilation.
If Qi Ting really wanted to investigate a top Aristocratic Family, it wouldn’t be as simple as just dispatching Wu Lie.
The renowned Withering and Flourishing Temple was annihilated overnight in those days. Its influence lingers even now, even today within the Qi Boundary all Sects are suppressed to a certain level, never again will there be another Withering and Flourishing Temple.
A great veteran, a True Man of the Age named Chongxuan Futu, also had no choice but to venture far into the Battlefield of Mystical Realm, to demonstrate his resolve through death.
If Qi Ting really started taking action, there would be no room for Tian Huanwen to play around with assassinations overseas!
Jiang Wang could easily infer that Wu Lie’s investigation of the Tian family was an act sparked by his personal initiative. Perhaps, his retirement back then was also related to this matter.
Thus, he all the more could not get involved in this murky affair.
Jiang Wang’s stance was very clear, if help was needed in investigating Da Ze Tian Clan, simply producing the official document from the Imperial City Inspection Mansion would suffice. And to investigate a top-notch family, the seal of Emperor Qi was necessary for the document to be considered valid.
Holding high the banner of moral righteousness, trying to lure him into joining an adventure with just a few guiding remarks in private, this was absolutely impossible.
He didn’t have such trust in Wu Lie, nor did he have such a friendship.
Wu Lie, of course, understood. He fell silent for a while, then said, "For Qi Country, some grievances must be endured, some hardships must be tolerated. Indeed, my investigation is nameless and unsupported by the Court, solely following my personal conscience and integrity. If one day I unfortunately die, or even fail to stir the slightest ripple, this time being noticed, Tian Huanwen taking immediate action might indeed be a warning for me, instructing me to turn back."
He slowly said, "But I will not turn back. I must continue investigating."
These words indeed commanded respect. Wu Lie’s perseverance was moving.
An entire Daze County almost entirely under the Tian family, jurisdiction over the Secret Realm of the Seven Star Tower, two islands overseas, God Arrives Tian Xili and Tian Huanwen, and the terribly talented Tian Anping whose ten-year term is about to end... Just the muscles shown by Da Ze Tian Clan were terrifying enough.
How much courage and resolve does it take to investigate a top Aristocratic Family alone, without Court support?
Ordinary people couldn’t possibly imagine.
A Cultivator who had broken human bodily limits, whose Golden Frame and Jade Marrow would only perish upon death, could completely enjoy his retirement laden with honors, or focus wholeheartedly on Cultivation to strive for higher peaks.
But Wu Lie chose such a difficult task, risking death in his lonely endeavor!
Although Jiang Wang’s heart was not completely unmoved, he simply said, "You say you are doing this for Qi Country’s sake, if I go ask Tian Huanwen what he is doing. He will surely say, he is doing it for Qi Country’s sake as well. Then who is truly doing it for Qi Country?"
He shook his head, "I do not know."
"I will not judge with words. If one day I can see crucial evidence, if by that time I am still a Fourth Grade Green Badge, then I am willing to fulfill the duties ’to punish the evil’. Before that, please excuse my silence."
Strictly speaking, this was neither gentle nor respectful.
But Wu Lie didn’t seem to feel offended at all, he even smiled, "That’s good. The word ’standards’ truly represents the essence of the Green Plate. Many people spend their lives not as clear-headed as you. Yue Leng bringing you into the Green Plate System was an extremely wise choice."
He leaned back, resting against the cabin, "Regarding the matters of the Tian family, I have said nothing today."
It was through Beiyar Commander Zheng Shi’s path that Jiang Wang initially joined the Green Plate System. But truly entering the Green Plate System was orchestrated by Yue Leng. Thus, what Wu Lie meant was that Yue Leng brought him into the Green Plate System.
Jiang Wang nodded, and very seriously made a promise, "Rest assured, I have also heard nothing."
He was actually very curious: what actions the Tian family might be taking at sea, why Tian Huanwen went overseas, what exactly had Wu Lie discovered... The mere hints revealed by Tian Chang and Tian He had long sparked his curiosity.
But he asked about none of it.
The strength was not enough; he did not wish to seek death.
