HomeTales of Dark RiverAn He Zhuan: Act Ten - Chapter 18

An He Zhuan: Act Ten – Chapter 18

At Mount Qingcheng.

Before the mountain gate.

The man in the bamboo hat gently pulled his reins, bringing his horse to a halt.

An elderly Daoist priest with snow-white hair sat with his back turned, a wine jar beside him on the stone bench emanating a faint peach blossom fragrance.

“Sect Leader Lu,” the man in the bamboo hat quickly dismounted and bowed.

“What brings Baixiao Hall to my Mount Qingcheng without cause?” the elderly priest asked dismissively.

The man in the bamboo hat promptly replied, “It’s not without cause that we seek Mount Qingcheng. Our Hall Master has something to inform the Dao Sword Immortal about.”

“Mount Qingcheng has never had any Dao Sword Immortal, only cultivators of the Way. Whatever your Hall Master knows is merely mundane affairs.” The elderly priest lightly waved his horsetail whisk, causing nearby dust to suddenly swirl up.

“Sect Leader Lu!” The man in the bamboo hat exclaimed, his hand instantly gripping the long sword at his waist.

“Master.” A hand gently lowered the elderly priest’s whisk, then took the peach blossom wine from the stone bench. The man in the bamboo hat looked up to see a handsome, elegant man in purple Daoist robes. The man tilted his head back and drained the wine jar in one go, then turned to him with a gentle smile. “Honored guest, what news do you bring from afar?”

The man in the bamboo hat immediately realized this must be Zhao Yuzhen, one of the Five Sword Immortals, known as the Dao Sword Immortal. He hurriedly said, “Greetings, Dao Sword Immortal!”

The elderly priest let out a dissatisfied cold snort. “I don’t know if Ji Ruofeng has hidden spies in my Mount Qingcheng. My good disciple has never once left the mountain, let alone crossed swords with anyone, yet they arbitrarily gave him the title of Dao Sword Immortal, making it impossible for my originally peaceful and secluded Mount Qingcheng to find any tranquility!”

Zhao Yuzhen smiled, “Master, don’t be so harsh with people. A guest from afar deserves courtesy.”

Seizing the opportunity, the man in the bamboo hat said, “I come bearing a message from our Hall Master for the Dao Sword Immortal.”

“Please speak,” Zhao Yuzhen continued smiling warmly.

The man proceeded, “Su Muyu, head of the Su family, challenged Liu Yunqi, the former city lord of Wushuang City, to a sword duel and emerged victorious. Subsequently, he arranged a duel with Song Yanhui, the current city lord of Wushuang City.”

“What does this have to do with our Mount Qingcheng?” The elderly priest’s voice now carried barely concealed anger. “Go back and tell Ji Ruofeng that if he dares meddle with Mount Qingcheng again, I’ll go to Tianqi and demolish his Baixiao Hall.”

“Hall Master Ji wishes to invite me to observe?” Zhao Yuzhen sighed softly. “But I cannot leave Mount Qingcheng. Surely Hall Master Ji, with his all-encompassing knowledge, must know this?”

“The Hall Master has also invited the other Sword Immortals,” the man in the bamboo hat said mysteriously. “Because the Hall Master believes this battle might give birth to another Sword Immortal in the jianghu. Wouldn’t it be interesting if overnight, the jianghu became home to Six Sword Immortals instead of five?”

Zhao Yuzhen was momentarily stunned before suddenly understanding Ji Ruofeng’s intention. “She will attend, such a sword-obsessed person as she is.”

The elderly priest gripped his whisk, his body suddenly emanating killing intent.

“Master.” Zhao Yuzhen stamped his foot lightly, forcefully suppressing his master’s killing intent.

The man in the bamboo hat broke out in cold sweat, instinctively reaching to draw his sword, only to find the entire blade had been shattered, leaving only an empty hilt.

“Very well.” The elderly priest stood up and slowly walked up the mountain. “Make your own decision.”

Zhao Yuzhen stood at the mountain gate, hesitating for a long while before finally turning around. “Tell Hall Master Ji that Yuzhen appreciates his intention.”

“Understood!” The man in the bamboo hat felt as if granted amnesty, immediately mounting his horse and fleeing. Though he had been to many places and seen many frightening individuals, he never expected to truly experience killing intent at Mount Qingcheng, a seemingly peaceful Daoist mountain.

At Wushuang City.

Liu Yunqi lay in bed, his complexion pale, appearing to be near death.

At the doorway, a row of disciples knelt, some already quietly sobbing.

Despite Wushuang City having countless renowned physicians, after examining Liu Yunqi’s injuries, they all indicated nothing could be done. His departure was merely a matter of time.

Inside the room were only Song Yanhui and Liu Yunqi.

“Master, you’re awake.” Song Yanhui noticed Liu Yunqi opening his eyes for the first time after being unconscious for several days.

Liu Yunqi struggled to sit up. “Yanhui.”

“Master, be careful. I’ll call Physician Xie right away.” Song Yanhui turned to leave.

“No need.” Liu Yunqi stopped him. “Your master has roamed the jianghu for so many years. Don’t I understand such matters? I am already bound for death.”

“Master.” Song Yanhui’s voice choked with emotion.

“Why cry? Isn’t my current state self-inflicted?” Liu Yunqi smiled bitterly. “Yanhui, do you resent me? You wanted to be a wandering hero in the world, but I insisted on confining you to Wushuang City, burdening you with the honor and shame of an entire city.”

“Master, is Wushuang City being number one in the world so important?” Song Yanhui asked in return.

Liu Yunqi coughed heavily for a long while before speaking with difficulty. “Wushuang City has remained supreme in the world for the past hundred years, but in your master’s generation, talent has declined, and no worthy successor appeared. I was forcibly chosen to bear the honor and shame of the city, something beyond my capabilities. But I didn’t want to disappoint my master or those who believed in me, so I did many wrong things. Zhuo Yue’an killing me is what I deserve. After my death, order the city’s disciples not to seek revenge.”

Song Yanhui let out a long sigh. “The moon waxes only to wane, water rises only to overflow. Nothing in this world remains unchanged forever. Someone will always surpass us, and no one can prevent that. We’ve already sacrificed so much, but the three prodigies of Xueyue City all surpass us.”

“But you’re different, Yanhui. From the day I met you, I knew you were someone who could change everything. You’re no less talented than any of them. You were born for the sword, but I often regret if I gave you too much pressure, preventing you from being as free as them, making your sword heart less pure than theirs.” Liu Yunqi wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

Song Yanhui shook his head. “That’s all in the past.”

“And your disciple can open the Wushuang Sword Case!” Liu Yunqi became excited.

“What I’ve experienced,” Song Yanhui suddenly said seriously, “I don’t want Wushang to go through it again. He should choose his path, and Wushuang City will follow that path. From now on, it won’t be Wushuang City forcing our choices, but us deciding Wushuang City’s direction!”

“Good. Very good.” After a long silence, Liu Yunqi nodded. “Let it be as you say. In this life, I’ve only done wrong things. I hope you won’t follow my old path.”

After speaking, Liu Yunqi closed his eyes. A moment later, he fell silent forever.

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