Jiang Clan

Wu Shu's expression darkened as he stared at the jade scroll lying on the ground. "These worthless fools from the Shadowclaw Sect really refuse to learn."

Only recently had he dealt with Elder Jin, and now another was foolishly jumping into the pit.

"Yet, her words aren't entirely wrong," Wu Shu admitted, a frown deepening on his face.

Jiang Chen, once a mere nobody, had rapidly ascended to become a Nascent Soul Realm expert. Worse still, he was exceptionally talented, with a strong potential to reach the Divine Transformation Realm.

With a heavy sigh, Wu Shu reflected, "I should have acted decisively and exterminated the Jiang Chen back then."

The background of the Jiang Clan in the Violet Sea World was far from simple, as others might believe. Their progenitor was none other than Wu Jiang, a prodigy from the Wu Imperial Clan, expelled a thousand years ago.

Wu Jiang had been a remarkable talent, nearly reaching the half-step Divine Transformation Realm.

Wu Jiang, once a prodigy of the Wu Imperial Clan, was born into an era where the Wu Clan ruled supreme over vast territories in the Sea and Mountain Realm. From his youth, he displayed unparalleled talent for cultivation, surpassing even the most gifted members of the clan. By the age of fourty, he had already reached the Nascent Soul Realm—a feat that earned him both admiration and envy from within the clan.

However, Wu Jiang's brilliance also sowed seeds of resentment among certain factions within the Wu Imperial Clan. His unorthodox methods and independent thinking clashed with the rigid traditions upheld by the elders.

More importantly, rumors began to circulate about his ambitions—whispers suggesting that he sought to challenge the authority of the reigning Emperor himself.

These accusations were fueled by jealousy rather than truth, yet they found fertile ground in the hearts of those who feared his growing influence.

The turning point came during what became known as the "Thousand-Year Promise Incident."

A thousand years prior, the previous Wu Clan Emperor had made a pact with another powerful sect—the Azure Phoenix Sect—to maintain peace between their two forces. This agreement stipulated that neither side would interfere directly in each other's internal affairs or use underhanded means to undermine the other. Over time, this promise became sacred doctrine within the Wu Imperial Clan.

Wu Jiang, however, believed the terms of the pact were outdated and detrimental to the Wu Clan's long-term survival. He argued passionately before the council that the Wu Clan should renegotiate the terms, citing changes in the balance of power across the realm. His bold stance infuriated the conservative faction, led by Elder Wu Cheng, who viewed it as going against the emperor.

In secret, Wu Cheng conspired with others to discredit Wu Jiang.

Wu Cheng's machinations against Wu Jiang were subtle yet devastating. He began by planting seeds of doubt among the council members, whispering insinuations that Wu Jiang's ambition wasn't merely to renegotiate the pact but to overthrow the emperor and seize control of the clan himself. These whispers spread like wildfire, fueled by fear and envy of Wu Jiang's unparalleled talent and growing influence.

To further solidify his case, Elder Wu Cheng orchestrated a false incident. A forged letter purportedly written by Wu Jiang was "discovered" during a routine inspection of documents within the imperial archives. The letter allegedly detailed plans to ally with the Azure Phoenix Sect—not for peace, but as part of a plot to betray the Wu Clan from within. Though many doubted its authenticity, the mere existence of such evidence cast an irrevocable shadow over Wu Jiang's reputation.

When confronted in front of the entire council, Wu Jiang vehemently denied writing the letter. His passionate defense only deepened suspicions, as some interpreted his fervor as desperation. The conservative faction, led by Wu Cheng, demanded swift justice: exile or execution. Despite pleas from a few sympathetic voices who believed in Wu Jiang's innocence, the majority ruled in favor of banishment.

The emperor of the Wu Imperial Clan at the time of Wu Jiang's exile was a man named Wu Tianheng—a ruler known for his pragmatism but also his indecisiveness in moments of crisis. When faced with the accusations against Wu Jiang, he found himself torn between two factions: those who believed in Wu Jiang's innocence and potential as a future leader, and those who saw him as a threat to stability and tradition.

Elder Wu Cheng had cleverly framed the situation not just as a personal vendetta against Wu Jiang, but as a matter of the clan's survival. He argued that allowing someone like Wu Jiang—who openly questioned sacred doctrines and challenged authority—to remain within the clan would set a dangerous precedent. What if others followed his example? What if dissent became normalized?

Wu Tianheng, fearing unrest among the elders and the possibility of internal division weakening the clan, ultimately sided with the conservative faction. However, rather than executing Wu Jiang outright—a move that might have sparked outrage among his supporters—the emperor chose what he believed to be a "compromise." Exile was harsh enough to satisfy Wu Cheng's demands while avoiding bloodshed within the clan.

But this decision came at a cost far greater than anyone could have anticipated.

When the decree was announced, Wu Jiang's expulsion wasn't limited to him alone. The emperor declared that his entire lineage—anyone directly descended from Wu Jiang or associated with his branch of the family—would also be stripped of their titles, lands, and rights as members of the Wu Imperial Clan. This included distant relatives, loyal retainers, and even servants who had served under Wu Jiang's household.

To many, this seemed unnecessarily severe. While Wu Jiang himself was undoubtedly talented and influential, his immediate family consisted mostly of non-cultivators and children too young to pose any real threat. Yet, by casting them out alongside him, the emperor inadvertently turned a single act of punishment into a generational curse.

For the exiled members of Wu Jiang's lineage, life outside the protection of the Wu Clan was brutal. Stripped of resources and branded as traitors, they struggled to survive in a world where alliances meant everything. Many perished in the early years, hunted down by enemies emboldened by the emperor's decree or succumbing to poverty and despair.