Lin Youxie had always believed in the saying, “Even good people do bad things.”

Therefore, no matter how much she acknowledged Jiang Wang’s character, it wouldn’t lessen her suspicion of him.

Her principle of handling cases was that the investigation itself would not be influenced by any factor outside of the evidence.

What Jiang Wang had done on this trip overseas had indeed moved her. But these events could not change the doubts he had left behind earlier.

However, since she had said she would no longer investigate him privately, that was enough.

For Jiang Wang, the matter of being “under suspicion” was no big deal.

Not everyone would think he was a good person; at least most of the disciples of the Sea-Pacing Tower certainly had a poor impression of him. Arrogant and overbearing, cruel and vicious, these might even be considered milder descriptions.

Stance sometimes determines everything, just as the saying goes, “One man’s hero is another man’s enemy.”

Jiang Wang’s reasoning was simple: considering him an enemy was acceptable. Coming to “seek revenge” against him was not.

They could wholeheartedly dislike and resent him in their hearts, but if they actually took action and wanted to harm Jiang Wang, well, Changxiang Si wouldn’t recognize anyone.

As for Lin Youxie, Jiang Wang’s attitude was to respect her from a distance.

As for Uriel… he had to retreat even further.

He did not want to probe into the dangerous secrets of a Divine Ascension realm expert. He had already shouldered and encountered enough.

Therefore, even though Uriel had explicitly stated that Tian Huanwen of the Tian family in Daze was a tumor, Jiang Wang, being a fourth-rank Qing Pai, didn’t show any particular reaction.

He merely said, “Senior Uriel’s concern for the nation and its people is admirable.”

“Having held a position and received salary, I merely remember to share the nation’s burdens,” Uriel replied casually, then asked, “Captain Jiang, with the Qing Pai badge on your waist, have you ever thought of eliminating harm for the nation?”

This question was quite serious, and Jiang Wang could no longer beat around the bush.

He finally understood where Lin Youxie’s stubborn personality came from; it was practically identical to this former renowned Uriel!

For people and things they were interested in, they would definitely dig to the root of the matter and absolutely would not let it go easily.

For investigating cases, this might be an excellent quality. But for the person being “targeted,” it was inevitably a bit unpleasant.

Jiang Wang thought for a moment and directly asked, “May I ask Senior Uriel, was Wu Yiyu, the traitor of the Golden Needle Sect, captured by my own hands? Does that count as eliminating harm for the nation?”

Uriel looked at him: “Are you trying to say, do as much as your strength allows? I have heard a saying, ‘Youth does not dare to forget the nation’s worries.’ Eliminating harm for the people is where righteousness lies. Eliminating trouble for the nation is the path of loyalty. Is weakness of strength an excuse?

“No, Senior, you misunderstand.”

Jiang Wang shook his head and said, “My meaning is, the case of the Golden Needle Sect is recorded in the archives of the Capital Prefecture Patrol Office. Human and physical evidence are all complete. The case is clear at a glance, and the crimes are distinct. I took on this case at the Patrol Office and then went overseas to pursue the culprit. This is my understanding of the Qing Pai’s responsibility, what I believe is eliminating harm for the nation.”

“You say Tian Huanwen is a tumor, that the Tian family of Daze has major problems. May I ask, is there evidence? You say you have been investigating them all along, may I ask, is there an official document from the imperial court requiring the Qing Pai to investigate the Tian family of Daze?”

Saying this, Jiang Wang spread his hands: “If there are none. How can I say that the Tian family of Daze is ‘harmful’? Regardless of who the other party is, can a case be determined based on Senior’s words alone?”

Of course, none of this existed.

If Uriel was investigating under imperial decree, how could Tian Huanwen dare to touch him? Even if it was an assassination after concealing one’s tracks, that would be seeking death. A move would mean the disaster of extermination.

If the Qi court truly wanted to investigate a top aristocratic family, it wouldn’t be as simple as one Uriel taking action.

The famous Ku Rongyuan of yesteryear was exterminated overnight. The impact has lingered to this day; until now, all sects within the Qi borders have been suppressed below a certain level, and it is impossible for another Ku Rongyuan to emerge.

A renowned general of his generation, the True Man of his time, Chongxuan Fufu, also had to travel far to the Maze Realm battlefield to prove his integrity with death.

If the Qi court were to truly make a move, where would there be space for Tian Huanwen to play assassin overseas!

Jiang Wang could easily deduce that Uriel’s pursuit of the Tian family was his own spontaneous act. Perhaps his retirement back then was also related to this matter.

Then it was even more impossible for him to get involved in this murky business.

Jiang Wang’s attitude was very clear: if he was needed to help investigate the Tian family of Daze, just produce an official document from the Capital Prefecture Patrol Office. And an official document investigating a top prestigious family would necessarily require the seal of the Qi Emperor to be valid.

Putting on a show of righteousness, then trying to draw him into a risky alliance with a few words in private, was absolutely impossible.

He did not have that much trust in Uriel, nor did he have that kind of friendship with him.

Uriel, of course, understood. He was silent for a moment, and then said, “For the sake of the Qi Kingdom, some grievances can be endured, some difficulties can be tolerated. Indeed, my investigation has no name or status, nor any support from the imperial court. It is solely based on my personal conscience and integrity. If I unfortunately die one day, perhaps not even a ripple will be stirred. This time I was detected, and Tian Huanwen immediately took action, perhaps it is a wake-up call for me, telling me to turn back.”

He slowly said, “But I will not turn back. I will continue to investigate.”

These words were indeed respectable and admirable. Uriel’s persistence was moving.

A Daze Prefecture where almost everyone is surnamed Tian, the jurisdiction of a Seven Stars Tower secret realm, two islands overseas, two Divine Ascension realm experts Tian Xili and Tian Huanwen, a terrifying genius Tian Anping whose ten-year period is almost up… the Tian family of Daze’s visible muscles alone are terrifying enough.

How much courage and determination does it take to investigate a top aristocratic family alone without the support of the imperial court?

Ordinary people could not even imagine.

A cultivator who has broken through the lifespan limit of a mortal body, whose golden body and jade marrow only decay upon death, could completely enjoy life in a relaxed manner after a retirement filled with honor, or wholeheartedly cultivate and strive for higher realms.

But Uriel chose such a difficult path, risking death, walking alone!

Jiang Wang’s heart was not entirely without emotion, but he just said, “You say you are thinking for the Qi Kingdom. If I were to ask Tian Huanwen what he is doing, he would also say he is thinking for the Qi Kingdom. So who is truly thinking for the Qi Kingdom?”

He shook his head: “I don’t know.”

“I will not determine guilt based on words. If one day I can truly see crucial evidence, and if I am still a Qing Pai at that time, then I am willing to fulfill the responsibility of a Qing Pai, ‘punishing evil whenever it exists’. Before that, please forgive my silence.”

Strictly speaking, these words were neither gentle nor sufficiently respectful.

But Uriel didn’t seem to feel offended; instead, he smiled: “This is very good. The two words ‘rules’ are the meaning of the Qing Pai. Many people have muddled through their entire lives and are not as clear-headed as you. Yue brought you into the Qing Pai, which was a very wise choice.”

He leaned back, half-reclining against the cabin: “Regarding the Tian family, I didn’t say anything today.”

Jiang Wang’s initial assignment as a Qing Pai went through Zheng Shi, the Commander of the Northern Army. But it was Yue Leng’s operation that truly brought him into the Qing Pai system. That’s why Uriel said that Yue Leng brought him into the Qing Pai.

Jiang Wang nodded, and also made a serious promise: “Please rest assured, I also didn’t hear anything.”

He was actually very curious about what the Tian family was doing at sea, why Tian Huanwen went overseas, and what Uriel had found… The scattered clues revealed by Tian Chang and Tian He had already piqued his curiosity.

But he didn’t ask anything.

His strength was insufficient; he didn’t want to seek death.