Chapter 1: Transcendent Ambitions
There are no invincible martial arts in this world, but there are invincible formations. This one is called “Six Paths of Reincarnation.”
The righteous qi of Tianjue leads, assisted by the mysteries of Yan Fu Ti and the might of Luo Tong Luo, combined with all the inconceivable extraordinary moves of the “Three Evil Paths” – thus was formed this invincible formation that united the two great lineages of Tianzhu and Central Plains.
The “Six Paths” have profound and ancient origins. The formation is perilous, intricate, and strictly disciplined, often killing people invisibly. Therefore, unless facing a martial arts master whose actions are so outrageous as to be universally condemned, there would be no reason for the orthodox Shaolin sect to use numbers against few, six against one. Precisely because the conditions are so rare, although the Six Paths Formation enjoys great fame, it has never actually formed up to kill enemies or truly compete with anyone.
A hundred years ago, by chance, there was once an opportunity to strike. In those days, Shaolin and Wudang competed for supremacy, and Zhang Sanfeng’s martial arts were unrivaled under heaven. Some temple monks proposed that the six paths unite to suppress Wudang’s momentum. But as soon as this proposal was made, it was rejected by the temple elders. After all, sectarian competition was not a battle of good versus evil, and using six against one would greatly damage orthodox dignity. Thus they missed the first opportunity to strike. When Qin Baxian rose to power, the opportunity had arrived – the enemy was strong, the person was demonic, and they should have formed the array to eliminate this demon. But the temple elders, obsessed with their “orthodox” reputation, insisted on one-against-one combat and refused to let the “Six Paths” strike. After several great battles with heavy casualties among the temple monks and no way to continue, the abbot finally made the painful decision to form the array to eliminate the demon. But when they suddenly looked back, they shockingly realized that the veteran elders had died and been wounded to the point where they couldn’t gather six people to fight. Thus they missed the second opportunity to strike.
Over a hundred years of back and forth, the Six Paths Formation repeatedly missed worldly opportunities and seemed about to vanish into obscurity again. But heaven took pity – the dream of one person wielding six sword-blades suddenly descended. Without various unnecessary constraints, the true opportunity to strike had finally arrived.
Who was the opponent? Whose martial arts had reached such heights as to dare match the “Six Paths of Reincarnation”?
A person even more domineering than the Sword King, claiming to be the world’s greatest rebel – it was precisely this hot-blooded demon king who, blade in hand, could unleash the full power of “Raging Fire Burns the City” to resist the world’s most invincible formation.
The “Fire Greed Blade” emphasized the mental state when facing enemies. Only in desperate situations could the ghostly divine inner power within the blade overturn rivers and seas, striking with earth-shattering force.
Fang Zijing could create “Raging Fire Burns the City” but could never master “Raging Fire Burns the City” – precisely for this reason. Without great enemies pressing to the point of mortal crisis, no matter how deep one’s power or how high one’s understanding, one could never pass through the final mystical barrier.
“Raging Fire Burns the City” was like a barrel of gunpowder, using rage as the fuse to ignite the violent qi in the dantian, exploding outward along the Six Yin-Yang Meridians, concentrating a lifetime of power into one strike. Its momentum could swallow Mount Tai and uproot mountains – the power of this single blade was like the combined force of a thousand strikes. To say this blade could destroy heaven and earth, slay immortals and kill demons, would not be excessive.
This wasn’t called killing people – why would a second blade be needed? If killing people, moves like “Nine Continuous Slashes” and “Great Fire Wheel” would suffice. “Raging Fire Burns the City” wasn’t meant to kill people – it was one blade to burn a city, one blade to destroy a nation, the most heroic and dominating peerless strike under heaven.
Who would win? Six Paths versus Burning City? Would it be the spinning disc of blue light sword-blades, or the raging flames of the blood-weeping steel blade?
This battle truly made people hold their breath and fix their gaze, unable to look away.
A pair of eyes blinked and slowly moved away from the crack in the stone wall, the corners of the mouth showing a crafty smile.
A bunch of idiots…
All losers. No matter how you fight, how you kill, you’re still all losers.
The winner stands here – this person is the greatest winner between heaven and earth, the only great winner of the Jingtai Dynasty.
The great winner smiled. His steps were light as he drifted like smoke into the tunnel. Amid thunderous roars, dragons and tigers began tearing at each other in the chamber, and the great winner laughed even more happily, looking even more like a winner.
Raging Fire Burns the City, Six Paths of Reincarnation – everyone’s martial arts are so powerful! But the great winner is very busy and has no time to watch you fight. How could someone busy reaping the spoils spare the time? Haha! Haha!
The great winner swept away twenty years of solemnity and gloom. Now he was beaming with joy, his heart full of gratitude.
He wanted to laugh loudly but didn’t want to disturb the idiots in the chamber. The urge to laugh became a downward curve at the corners of his mouth – he was restraining himself.
Grand Commander, first I thank you and your son for your support. Without you establishing Nucang and resisting the court, without your son climbing dangerous peaks to rebuild Nucang, there would be no convergence of wind and clouds today, and this little brother could never have succeeded so easily. Here I sincerely thank you father and son.
Master Tianjue, second I thank you master and disciple pair, thank you for inviting the wolf into the house and feeding yourself to the tiger. Without your compassion in teaching such a formidable disciple, even if this little brother were ten times more capable and a hundred times smarter, he couldn’t have reaped without sowing!
Ah, and there’s more – that Liu Jing, that Jiang Chong, that Liu Angtian – thank you for your ambitions, black hearts, and ruthless hearts.
Otherwise, relying only on the Empress Dowager’s favoritism and the Emperor’s foolish devotion, the great winner couldn’t have become the great winner!
The great winner suppressed his urge to laugh heartily and quickened his pace forward with restrained breath.
Harvest time! Time to reap! Looking at the chamber just feet away, the great winner couldn’t help beaming with joy, almost dancing with delight.
A dragon robe, a seal stone – equal to twenty years of waiting, sixty years of toil. Having endured countless years, finally waiting for this once-in-a-millennium opportunity – haha, Heaven above, now it’s finally time to bear fruit and change dynasties!
Like a tea-picking maiden or an autumn-harvesting farmer, the happy great winner pushed open the stone door and bounded joyfully inside.
“Is Your Majesty living comfortably?”
The great winner faced the chamber, first smiling slightly, then grinning lightly, finally bending over clutching his chest and laughing maniacally. The laughter grew louder and more excited. The overly excited laughter sounded almost like crying.
Wuu wuu… wuu wuu… the great winner really began to cry.
Because… because…
Because the chamber was completely empty with nothing at all.
In the Tianshan Mountains, Wu Dingyuan put on a dragon robe. In the capital, Qin Zhonghai felt a cotton quilt. Now this great winner had arrived, only to see an empty, cold gray wall and nothing else.
Failed? The mantis stalks the cicada while the oriole waits behind – someone had gotten there first and taken the person away.
The great winner became the great loser. Twenty years of patient waiting, sixty years of blood, sweat and toil – all for nothing. Changing names and enduring humiliation, killing so many people – was this the end result?
“Aiyaya!” the great winner shrieked.
Who was it? Who got there first? After carefully planning for a lifetime, the fat meat at his lips was snatched away. The great loser looked back toward the tunnel, hatred burning in his eyes.
“Bastard… do you want mutual destruction…”
Flames arose and fierce fire streamed forth. In an instant, hatred consumed him in a sea of fire, burning him into a demon no longer in human form.
With a “hey” sound, a black shadow plummeted from above into the black hole, coming with incomparable speed.
Power flowed to his palms as he exhaled and raised his voice. Instantly a palm wind pressed downward from above, accompanied by towering sand and wind from below. The great man leaped into the cave like a flying general, instantly standing on solid ground.
Fierce winds scattered in all directions, air currents spinning chaotically, rushing straight toward the cave ceiling. That great man’s presence was imposing, his hands spread wide, vigorous true qi flowing through his meridians, immediately protecting his vital points.
The “Tianshan Inheritor” arrives before the “True Dragon of a Generation” – even ghosts and gods would fear him three parts.
Jingtai thirty-third year, July first – confusion everywhere.
The dark, eerie black cave before them didn’t resemble a Buddhist sacred place but rather the entrance to boundless hell. The sky wasn’t yet completely dark, and the evening sunset’s remaining glow cast mystical light that didn’t bring peace of mind but instead dyed everything blood red.
The “True Dragon of a Generation” arrived at the Shaolin holy ground. He took a deep breath, looked up, and gestured lightly to his companion.
A light whistle came from overhead as a black shadow flashed past. A young man landed beside the cave wall – he had a rectangular face and a rope around his waist. This was the court official and top scholar Lu Yun, personally descended to the cave bottom.
In Damo Academy, winds and clouds converged. The divine monk Tianjue, the military advisor Qian Long, the literary Yang and martial Qin – all manner of masters gathered here. Looking at the cave entrance, both Shaolin and Nucang sides held their breath in concentration. At the mountain’s base, great armies on both sides waited in strict formation, all awaiting a result.
The world’s cycle of order and chaos, war and peace – today would know the outcome.
As the sun set in the west, darkness like a tide instantly submerged the cave. Lu Yun took out a fire starter, and immediately a tunnel appeared before them. Qin Zhonghai and Yang Suguan must be deep within this passage. He immediately carried a torch and rushed straight into the tunnel.
Before his footsteps could move, his hand was caught tight – Wu Dingyuan had grabbed him. Lu Yun turned his head and saw Wu Dingyuan shaking his head, indicating he shouldn’t rush in. Lu Yun was slightly stunned and urged: “Let’s hurry. Master Lingzhi is still waiting outside. We can’t let Zhonghai and Suguan come to harm – that would be terrible.”
The tunnel was pitch black, filled with peerless masters, none of whom were easy to deal with. Wu Dingyuan was always cautious and unwilling to take reckless risks. He crouched down, his gaze fixed on the dark opening, saying lightly: “Brother Lu, honestly speaking, what kind of shrewdness does that Yang Langzhong possess? Zhonghai is also a heroic talent with great strategy. These wolf-like men have their own plans. You needn’t worry about them.”
Lu Yun was puzzled and couldn’t help frowning: “Dingyuan, we’re all good friends. What do you mean by this?”
Hearing his somewhat resentful tone, Wu Dingyuan immediately sighed and asked back: “Brother, you’re naturally intelligent – have you deeply considered Master Tianjue’s intention in arranging this meeting?”
Lu Yun answered without thinking: “Didn’t Abbot Lingzhi say? Master Tianjue is compassionate and doesn’t want the people to fall into the fires of war, so he invited the Nucang heroes up the mountain, wanting to subdue them in one stroke.” Lu Yun’s words weren’t false. Earlier, Lingzhi had indeed proposed this contest, betting the lives of Qin Zhonghai and “Qian Long” with both sides engaging in three battles each. If not for the sudden change in circumstances, the victory and defeat would have already been determined, and there would be no need for him to come down and investigate.
Hearing this, Wu Dingyuan smiled bitterly and sighed: “These words are fine for outsiders, but they don’t hold up for us Liu sect members. You’ve spent much time with Zhonghai – tell me, with Zhonghai’s temperament, could he be subdued by others?”
Lu Yun reflected on Qin Zhonghai’s character and conduct, his heart growing cold as he shook his head. His friend feared neither heaven nor earth, was naturally spirited and unrestrained. Never mind Monk Tianjue wanting to subdue him – even making him sit quietly and listen to Buddhist teachings would be an enormous difficulty, let alone making him submit to Shaolin.
Lu Yun also saw the crucial point and hurriedly said: “Then according to you, what exactly is Master Tianjue’s intention? Does he want to take the opportunity to eliminate Nucang Mountain?”
Wu Dingyuan shook his head: “Not necessarily.” He stared at the pitch-black, eerie tunnel with an extremely grave expression, saying in a deep voice: “Brother Lu, do you still remember that sheepskin?”
Lu Yun was slightly stunned. That sheepskin was ancient history – after the Huashan gathering, no one had mentioned it again. He hadn’t expected Wu Dingyuan to bring it up and casually said: “Of course I remember. That year when you and I met in the capital, facing life and death nine times out of ten, it was all for that sheepskin.”
That year, Lu and Wu had met in the capital and become life-and-death sworn brothers, then suffered relentless pursuit by Kunlun masters. At that time, Wu Dingyuan was innocent but possessed a treasure that brought calamity – all the mortal dangers were because of that sheepskin. Lu Yun, reflecting on past events, was naturally filled with emotion. He looked at his friend and asked: “Dingyuan, why bring this up? Is the sheepskin related to the current situation?”
Wu Dingyuan narrowed his eyes and nodded: “I have a premonition that the secret hidden in that sheepskin is probably concealed here in Damo Academy.”
Lu Yun was completely astonished and couldn’t help exclaiming. He had once heard Liu Angtian mention that the sheepskin seemed to be evidence of Jiang Chong’s treason. At the time, he had listened and let it pass without asking further, gradually forgetting about it. Now hearing Wu Dingyuan mention it, there seemed to be other mysteries. He blinked, full of curiosity, and immediately asked: “The sheepskin hides a secret? What is it?”
Wu Dingyuan sighed: “That sheepskin has killed countless masters and caused ministers to covet and fight over it – it’s definitely not something good. Brother Lu, you’re someone who keeps yourself clean and wasn’t involved from beginning to end. I’ll stop talking here – please don’t ask anymore.”
Lu Yun chuckled. Before entering the cave, he had heard Wu Dingyuan say there seemed to be some “strange thing” in the cave – could it be the secret in the sheepskin? Hearing Wu Dingyuan speak so seriously made him even more puzzled: “Dingyuan, I’m not someone who fears trouble. Just tell me!”
Wu Dingyuan smiled bitterly and shook his head: “You shouldn’t speak like that. Knowing too much really isn’t good.”
Lu Yun was somewhat unhappy. He looked at his friend with a stern expression: “Dingyuan, is this your first day knowing Lu Yun?”
The two stood facing each other, both with very grave expressions. Wu Dingyuan felt a sense of melancholy arise. This person before him was loyal and righteous, had risked his life to protect him before, rescued Qin Zhonghai after, and now again risked life and death to explore this mysterious realm – he was definitely not a cowardly person. If he concealed and didn’t speak, it would seem like underestimating him. He nodded: “Very well, if you insist on hearing, I’ll speak plainly.” He took a deep breath and said in a low voice: “Brother, listen – that sheepskin hides… hides a person. If we find him, the human world will fall into great chaos.”
Hearing him speak so fantastically, Lu Yun couldn’t help laughing – he hadn’t expected the sheepskin’s secret to be like this, resembling the “fairy in a painting” from ghost stories. He blinked, somewhat disbelieving, and asked with a smile: “The sheepskin hides a person? Who is it? A beautiful fairy?”
Hearing his mockery, Wu Dingyuan immediately smiled bitterly and followed his words: “Fairy – that’s the first character correct.”
Lu Yun laughed: “The first character correct? Is there really an immortal in the sheepskin?”
Seeing his contempt, Wu Dingyuan didn’t argue further and said lightly: “Whether you believe it or not, the person in the sheepskin is surnamed Zhu, named Yan, Wu Ying fifteenth year, twelfth month – disappeared until now, already over thirty years. Who do you think he is?”
Lu Yun jumped up in shock: “The late emperor?”
Wu Dingyuan nodded and said seriously: “This person affects the fate of the entire world. As long as we remain in the court for one day, don’t treat him as a joke, otherwise there will surely be great disaster.”
Learning this secret, Lu Yun couldn’t help breaking into cold sweat and finally put away his dismissive attitude. Only now did he understand why the sheepskin had repeatedly caused ministers to rob and pursue it – it involved legitimate succession and imperial power. Counting from Wang Ning, Liang Zhiyi, Qi Runxiang and others, all the way to the two great heroes Liu Jing and Zhuo Lingzhao – no matter how powerful or skilled in martial arts, anyone who touched this secret met a tragic death without exception.
After hearing everything, Lu Yun suddenly felt somewhat regretful, not knowing if he would bring trouble upon himself, his face already turning pale.
But Lu Yun had spoken boldly earlier, and now even if he wanted to refuse to listen, it was impossible. Indeed, he heard Wu Dingyuan sigh and continue: “That year when I broke into Shenji Cave, I saw Qin Baxian’s testament. He said whoever could grasp the sheepskin, take the riddle, shed fresh blood, cast it into the dark sea, and pass through four perils and four difficulties – this person would be destined by heaven as the ‘True Dragon of a Generation.’ Only this person could inherit his enterprise, restore the imperial framework, and become the Wu Ying Dynasty’s… the… the… Grand Minister of Revival…” He spoke lower and lower, stammering until he finally spoke the last four characters.
Lu Yun said in a trembling voice: “Grand Minister of Revival? You mean… you… you…” Wu Dingyuan closed his eyes and sighed softly: “That’s right, the Grand Minister of Revival refers to me, Wu Dingyuan.”
Seeing Lu Yun speechless with shock, Wu Dingyuan murmured: “In the past, Liu Jing once sought me out – perhaps he too had heard this legend. But Brother Lu, regardless of whether these are baseless rumors, I don’t want to get involved. Who becomes emperor, who becomes a high official – it’s all unrelated to me. I don’t have such great ambitions and don’t want to bear such a great burden. If you hadn’t rashly descended into this cave today, I absolutely wouldn’t have followed you down.”
Lu Yun’s mind was completely confused. The current situation was too strange – there was the late emperor, the sheepskin, plus the “Qian Long” in Shenji Cave was formerly Qin Baxian’s right-hand man. These matters were intricately connected yet couldn’t be puzzled out. He sighed deeply and only frowned in silence.
Suddenly at this moment, a muffled “thump” came from deep in the tunnel. Though the sound was faint, it couldn’t escape their ears. Lu Yun’s heart tightened: “There’s someone in the tunnel.”
Wu Dingyuan made a silencing gesture. Both held their breath and listened intently. In a moment they heard that “thump” again – the sound wasn’t harsh, just a dull, repetitive noise like someone taking an iron hammer and striking the walls.
Lu Yun was greatly alarmed and was about to ask when suddenly there was a thunderous “boom” – an extremely violent sound as if the divine martial giant in the cave had already smashed his prison and broken free. In an instant, dirt and sand fell, and the ground trembled slightly.
The two looked at each other in amazement. Lu Yun said in a trembling voice: “It’s out?”
Wu Dingyuan chuckled. Without another word, he immediately removed his iron hand, gathered his qi and called out loudly: “Wu Dingyuan of Xiliang, by order of the abbot, has come specially to pay respects to Master Tianjue! If anyone hears these words, please come forth to meet!” Wu Dingyuan spoke sternly, a stream of qi energy shooting straight into the tunnel. Echoes arose and the cave walls boomed loudly. Lu Yun hadn’t expected him to suddenly shout so loudly and was momentarily stunned and dizzy – if not for his excellent internal skill foundation, he might have already fallen.
The roar was like thunder, shaking the four walls, but after a long time, no one answered from within the passage. Wu Dingyuan knew something was amiss. He bent down to pick up a stone, and with a great shout, the stone in his hand shot like a cannonball straight into the tunnel.
With a tremendous crash, the flying stone struck the wall. Crackling sounds arose continuously as large pieces of rubble shook loose and fell to the ground, rolling toward the depths of the tunnel with quite frightening momentum. Lu Yun was greatly alarmed and hurriedly grabbed Wu Dingyuan, saying anxiously: “Careful! Don’t hurt our own people!”
Wu Dingyuan didn’t respond but instead snatched Lu Yun’s torch and threw it to the ground, stamping it out in two or three steps. Everything became pitch black. Lu Yun murmured: “Dingyuan, we came to mediate. What… what exactly are you trying to do?”
Wu Dingyuan said in a low voice: “The situation in the cave is strange – we absolutely cannot expose our whereabouts. Follow me in a moment and don’t wander off.”
Lu Yun was both shocked and suspicious, but seeing his extremely cautious expression, he didn’t dare say much and followed Wu Dingyuan’s footsteps as the two proceeded one after the other into the tunnel.
Wu Dingyuan led the way. It was completely dark ahead with visibility of zero. He took a deep breath of true qi and instantly activated his night vision – his rapid scanning gaze revealed everything in his field of view in blue and red colors. Wu Dingyuan’s constitution was different from ordinary people – even in pitch darkness, he could distinguish fine print. If strong enemies were lying in ambush along the road, they couldn’t escape his eyes either.
All was silent as the two headed deep into the cave. Everything was pitch black ahead, growing more humid and hot as they proceeded. Lu Yun couldn’t see or hear anything, as if blind and deaf. Several times he wanted to speak, but Wu Dingyuan stopped him each time. After walking about a hundred zhang, his heart only grew more agitated.
Earlier, someone had broken through a wall with frightening momentum – could it be the famous Nucang master “Qian Long”? But suspiciously, how could Monk Tianjue, who was originally guarding this Left Military Advisor, allow him to escape his prison? Could there be other hidden circumstances? Recalling Wu Dingyuan’s mention of the sheepskin secret, Lu Yun’s heart was filled with both doubt and fear.
Earlier, driven by heroic courage and righteousness, he had jumped into the cave. Now it seemed this was an extremely rash action. He feared that not only would he fail to mediate, but he would also be drawn into the web of mysteries – that would be the ruin of everything.
Walking along, Wu Dingyuan suddenly stopped. Lu Yun’s pace was too quick and nearly collided with him. He stopped and asked: “Can’t find the way?”
Wu Dingyuan took a deep breath and felt along the wall: “Come look at this – there’s something strange about this wall.”
Lu Yun smiled bitterly: “It’s completely dark here – I can’t see anything.”
Wu Dingyuan nodded and immediately lit a fire starter. In the flash of light, Lu Yun looked closely and also exclaimed: “This… what is this?”
There was a very long crack in the stone wall, several inches deep and about a zhang long. It didn’t appear naturally formed – the continuous crack flowed like moving clouds and water, truly shocking to behold. Lu Yun reached out to touch it and found the crack smooth to the touch, with no moss or mud, no sharp stone fragments – it seemed newly made. He swallowed and looked around, even more amazed: “So many… there are so many of these marks…”
Wu Dingyuan looked up to see marks throughout the passage – one here, one there, each slash mark reaching several inches deep, covering the cave walls. Seeing this situation, the two had no more doubt – these marks were definitely made by masters, and there had surely been an intense battle earlier.
Lu Yun raised his “Yunmeng Lake” and scraped it across the wall, instantly carving a faint mark. But it barely penetrated the stone, far from the shocking depth of the wall slashes. Lu Yun murmured: “This is a granite wall – cutting rock like mud… what weapon in the world is so sharp…”
Wu Dingyuan pondered with bowed head when suddenly his body shook as inspiration struck, and four words burst from his mouth:
“Divine Sword Dragon Seizer!”
There were countless precious swords in the world. Many could cut gold and break jade, but to carve zhang-long scrape marks in walls with shapes like flowing water ripples – only the “Divine Sword Dragon Seizer” could do this.
With great battle about to erupt, this cave seemed filled with layers of doubt. Yang Suguan and Qin Zhonghai were nowhere to be seen, “Qian Long” seemed to have broken free, and now even this demon sword had appeared in the world. Lu Yun’s heart trembled as he murmured: “Divine Sword Dragon Seizer… this… isn’t this sword in Zhuo Lingzhao’s hands?”
Wu Dingyuan’s mouth trembled but he couldn’t speak. That day he had seen with his own eyes this strange sword fall into the deep valley with the “Sword God,” disappearing without trace. Who would have thought that on July first when the ghost gate opens, the divine sword would suddenly appear? Could it be that Zhuo Lingzhao had returned to claim lives? Thinking of how the “Sword God” wielding the “Divine Sword” had beaten him until he couldn’t stand, Wu Dingyuan was naturally filled with fear. His hand trembled and the fire starter fell. The tunnel was again plunged into darkness.
Lu Yun chuckled and was about to light a fire when suddenly he saw a light shadow flash past behind Wu Dingyuan, disappearing in an instant.
One wave after another – Lu Yun’s heart was puzzled, not knowing if he had just seen things. He rubbed his eyes and hurriedly shook Wu Dingyuan’s arm. Wu Dingyuan was slightly puzzled: “What is it?”
Lu Yun hadn’t seen the situation clearly and didn’t dare say much, only murmuring: “Just now… just now I think I saw something.”
Wu Dingyuan’s heart tightened and he immediately closed his eyes to listen. But after a long while, the cave remained silent with no sound at all. He opened his night vision and shook his head: “You saw wrong – there’s no one.”
Lu Yun stammered: “No… I really did see…”
Wu Dingyuan didn’t want to argue further. With his current martial arts, as long as he channeled his divine skill, any unusual sound within a zhang couldn’t escape him – even the tiny sound of insects crawling he could perceive, let alone a living person. Lu Yun must have seen wrong due to mental panic.
Seeing Lu Yun’s face covered in sweat and apparently very worried, Wu Dingyuan patted his shoulder and smiled: “It’s fine. I’ll go investigate. You wait here.” Without saying more, he turned and walked forward about ten feet. All along the way was very quiet, and his night vision showed no abnormalities. He walked several more zhang when suddenly he saw the path ahead fork – there were actually two passages, one left and one right. Wu Dingyuan’s heart was slightly puzzled: “How are there two roads?”
Just as he was about to investigate further, suddenly there was a sharp “zing” sound as a cold light flew toward his face!
Wu Dingyuan was greatly shocked. With his current martial arts, within a radius of one zhang, no insects, flies, or birds could hide their breathing sounds from him – unless what was hiding in the shadows wasn’t human but was… but was…
In an instant, cold sweat dripped from his nose bridge to his lips. The weapon had already approached to within an inch of his forehead.
At this life-and-death critical moment, Wu Dingyuan couldn’t help but roar. Instantly displaying his True Dragon status, he urgently flipped backward, his body falling upside down like a green onion, his toes naturally rising like a long spear to kick forward. This kick concerned life and death, so he naturally used all his strength. If the recipient took it solidly, not only would they die on the spot, but their broken bones would probably burst through their body.
The “Tianshan Inheritor” was truly extraordinary, managing to come back from the dead within a single move.
At this moment, there was a sharp “clang” from his toes. This kick hadn’t injured anyone but had knocked the attacking weapon aside. From this kick, Wu Dingyuan knew the long sword’s accumulated power wasn’t heavy – the enemy’s martial arts were quite mediocre. Detecting that the visitor wasn’t a ghost, his fear completely vanished and his courage suddenly arose. He roared: “Bold madman! Your martial arts are only so-so, yet you dare launch sneak attacks? Let Wu meet you!”
Without waiting to flip and jump up, he immediately rolled on the ground. His right hand’s poisonous palm struck backward, palm wind surging upward. Purple light swept everywhere like a thousand-man army, immediately corroding gaps in the stone walls. Using the poisonous qi as cover, Wu Dingyuan instantly charged into the passage, wanting to capture the assassin alive through close combat.
Dust filled the air, everything before him gray and dirty, both black and filthy. Wu Dingyuan had just stood up when he suddenly heard light sounds from all directions – countless swords and blades came killing toward him, as if thousands of people were lying in ambush in the tunnel. He was greatly shocked. Earlier he had heard no sounds in the tunnel – how could there be ambushes now? In his panic, without time to think carefully, he relied on his extremely fast movement technique to continuously dodge the mass of weapons approaching him.
Wu Dingyuan was both shocked and angry, shouting: “What thief are you? Come out here!” Rage surging up, he immediately counterattacked with full force. In the darkness, clanging sounds were endless. Wu Dingyuan’s fists were vicious and feet heavy, both fierce and fast, his martial arts routines coming one after another. His strikes were extraordinarily fierce – if an opponent took even one punch or kick, death was certain.
Weapons, fists, and feet clashed and collided with continuous clanging sounds. But strangely, though Wu Dingyuan’s fists and feet were extraordinarily fast, that person was even faster. For a moment, the sounds were rapid as dense rain, as if the person before him held countless blades that couldn’t be blocked or deflected. Every time Wu Dingyuan intensified his attacks, his opponent immediately sensed it and instead launched thousands upon ten thousands of sword moves, pressing Wu Dingyuan so he couldn’t raise his head.
The visitor’s skills were extraordinarily fast – even with the jianghu reputation of “True Dragon of a Generation,” he appeared inferior in comparison. Lu Yun was completely terrified and wanted to help in the fight, but the cave was pitch black, and both sides exchanged moves at unusually fast speeds – he really couldn’t intervene. His palms were full of sweat as he thought: “What’s happening? Dingyuan’s speed is unmatched in the world. Even when competing with the Dragon Seizer Sword, he was never so embarrassed. This isn’t right – there’s another mystery here!”
In those days, when Wu Dingyuan faced Zhuo Lingzhao in single combat, he had used incomparably swift movement to penetrate dense sword nets. His speed was unmatched in the world – even the Azure Robe Scholar’s supreme lightness skill had to bow in defeat. How could anyone surpass him in “speed”?
Lu Yun was both shocked and suspicious. He hurriedly took out flint to light a fire, wanting to see the enemy’s face clearly. But the cave was full of dust and extremely stuffy, so it wouldn’t light. The sounds of flint and blade clashing rose and fell in succession, accompanied by Wu Dingyuan’s muffled groans continuously. In Lu Yun’s panic, the fire couldn’t be started at all.
Suddenly Wu Dingyuan gave a muffled groan – his left hand was cut, already injured. In his panic, Lu Yun had an idea. He picked up the flint and threw it forcefully at the wall. With a “thud,” the flint hit the wall and weak light appeared in the tunnel. Lu Yun hurriedly looked and was immediately shocked, shouting loudly: “Dingyuan, stop! Don’t fight anymore!”
How could they stop when the enemy’s offensive continued relentlessly? Wu Dingyuan didn’t understand what Lu Yun meant and instead intensified his attacks. Lu Yun had no time to explain, so he immediately removed his armor and threw it toward Wu Dingyuan’s front.
With a “hiss” like tearing silk, Lu Yun’s leather armor didn’t fall to the ground but instead swayed up and down. Lu Yun shouted: “Dingyuan! Quickly retreat!” Wu Dingyuan was completely puzzled and took advantage to retreat backward. Strangely, the originally lightning-fast weapons gradually slowed and quieted. Wu Dingyuan couldn’t understand the principle before his eyes and could only stare speechless for a long time.
Lu Yun borrowed Wu Dingyuan’s flint to light a fire, saying: “See for yourself.”
Wu Dingyuan’s heart tightened as he hurriedly looked up. The space before him was completely empty – there was no Divine Sword Dragon Seizer, no fierce strong enemy. Only about ten weapons hung suspended in the cave, and the passage was completely empty of people.
Wu Dingyuan was dumbfounded. Earlier, when he was in the formation, focused on counterattacking and dodging, his eyes only saw sword blade after sword blade, never noticing there was another mystery. He reached out to push at a blade, but heard continuous clanging sounds. The weapon, once touched, scattered in all directions and spun toward him. Wu Dingyuan didn’t dare touch the weapons with hands or feet again, only using agile and swift movement to dodge. More than ten long and short blades swayed restlessly around him, but the ropes on the cave ceiling didn’t tangle with each other, showing that the positioning of the blade suspension was very deliberate, definitely not random.
Lu Yun had already anticipated this and wasn’t surprised. He sighed and said: “With your current martial arts, if you weren’t fighting yourself, who could be faster than you?” Speaking, he took out a handkerchief from his bosom, tore it open, and was about to bandage Wu Dingyuan. He continued: “First, the tunnel was too dark and you were overconfident in your hearing. Second, seeing the slash marks of the Divine Sword Dragon Seizer, you had preconceptions and unknowingly fell into the trap…”
Wu Dingyuan nodded and was about to respond when he suddenly heard low laughter from behind: “Well said. Without this clever boy helping, who could kill the ‘True Dragon of a Generation’?”
A voice suddenly emerged in the tunnel. Lu and Wu were naturally greatly shocked. Wu Dingyuan had deep internal power and Lu Yun also had considerable attainment, but the two had relaxed their minds and been distracted by conversation, not hearing that there was someone in the passage. Just as the two were about to react, suddenly wind roared behind them as a sharp blade stabbed straight toward Wu Dingyuan’s back!
This was already the second sneak attack. With the sudden change, Wu Dingyuan had the earlier example of turning defeat into victory, so he wasn’t afraid. He knew that with his True Dragon body, as long as he used his enormous internal power to shift three chi to the right, he could easily dodge the killing move.
Just as he was about to leap and dodge, in this instant, Wu Dingyuan suddenly froze.
So that’s how it is. The assassin behind chose this moment to strike – so this was his intention…
In front of him stood a person straight and upright – it was Lu Yun.
If he dodged, Lu Yun would certainly be pierced by the sword.
So sinister… this was the real assassin! The person behind had calculated the timing of the strike, actually wanting to use Lu Yun’s life to force him to death.
In this lightning moment, it was already life for life – no ambiguity allowed.
Wu Dingyuan didn’t know what to do. If he neither dodged nor moved, at the moment of death, his entire life’s events floated before his eyes – from Xiliang to the capital, from childhood to today. Finally, what stopped before his eyes was that gentle and moving face.
Yan Ting…
Suddenly he heard a violent shout beside his ear: “Dingyuan! Get out of the way!”
A great force pushed him, and Wu Dingyuan was moved three chi sideways, escaping disaster. With a “thud,” the weapon had already pierced Lu Yun’s heart, fresh blood spraying and splashing all over Wu Dingyuan’s face.
Wu Dingyuan stared blankly at his companion, seeing him with mouth open, fresh blood gushing out wildly. Wu Dingyuan seemed stupefied, just watching like this. At this moment, the assassin behind pulled out his sword and sighed: “Fool, ruining my business.”
Wu Dingyuan heard that voice – cold, thin, and venomous. He instantly awakened and let out a fierce, tragic scream: “Brother!” He frantically lunged backward with one palm. In the spreading poisonous qi, his left leg had already swept out forcefully. Purple light accompanied the flying leg kick, and the entire stone wall shattered. That person didn’t take the ultimate move head-on but took advantage of the flying rubble to rush toward the left tunnel, disappearing in an instant.
Wu Dingyuan drove off the strong enemy and immediately embraced Lu Yun, shouting loudly: “Brother! Are you alright?”
Lu Yun’s mouth gushed fresh blood, but the corners of his mouth still bore a smile. Gasping for breath, he tore open his inner shirt at the chest, immediately revealing a heart-protecting mirror. The mirror surface was shattered, pierced through by the sharp blade, but thanks to this obstruction, it hadn’t pierced his heart and had saved his life. Wu Dingyuan was both joyful and sorrowful, shedding tears: “Heaven protects… Heaven protects…”
Lu Yun smiled weakly: “Dingyuan, that’s not right… If Heaven truly wanted to protect me… it should have prevented me from being struck by the sword at all…” He spoke a few jokes, then suddenly a mouthful of fresh blood sprayed out directly – this sword wound was quite serious after all. Wu Dingyuan gritted his teeth: “Brother, bear with it. I’ll take you out…”
Lu Yun shook his head, clutching his chest and gasping: “Don’t worry about me. This wound won’t kill… Just now… just now that person must be Qian Long, definitely him… You absolutely mustn’t let him leave Shaolin, and especially can’t let him join Nucang. He… he’s not a good person. He’ll harm everyone…” Wu Dingyuan chuckled, somewhat hesitant and undecided. Seeing him still hesitating motionlessly, Lu Yun reached out to push him lightly and said softly: “Go quickly. Don’t let me take this sword for nothing…”
Wu Dingyuan knew his mission was important. Gritting his teeth, his fingers flew like the wind as he sealed Lu Yun’s pressure points to stop the bleeding, then immediately used lightness skill to chase directly into the left tunnel.
Wu Dingyuan gritted his teeth and flew in pursuit of the strong enemy. His footsteps were extraordinarily fast, his heart filled with excitement.
That’s right. Lu Yun’s speculation was correct – that person was definitely “Qian Long” without doubt. Only such a military advisor with divine schemes and wonderful calculations could use Qimen Dunjia formation methods to injure people. He hadn’t used any wonderful moves or concealed any breathing sounds. He had just hidden far away in the depths of the tunnel and remotely thrust a sword. With clever arrangements, he had indeed severely injured his companion and wounded his own confidence.
Although no one knew, Wu Dingyuan understood clearly that in that life-and-death moment earlier, he had hesitated.
Lu Yun had substituted his body without any hesitation, but he had hesitated.
In those days at Shenji Cave, jumping into the sea to commit suicide, and calmly going to death at Loujiang riverside – what passionate heroism that was! Not to mention that now he was honored as True Dragon with peerless martial arts achieved – even looking at that time when his martial arts were low as a Xiliang constable, hadn’t he also generously gone to death before the Horse King Temple? But now, why would he… would he…
Dingyuan had no hatred rippling in his heart, only shame and confusion. He roared continuously, lowering his head to charge forward when “bang” – his forehead hit a stone wall.
His head throbbed with hidden pain, but he had also collapsed the wall with his collision. Wu Dingyuan gasped unsteadily and looked ahead, seeing blood everywhere on the walls and ground, stone layers scattered about, with extremely intense fighting traces. It was as if two monsters had fought wildly in the tunnel, creating this upheaval.
Wu Dingyuan slowly walked forward and finally reached the end of the tunnel. He saw half a stone door lying on the ground, the upper section broken off and thrown far away on the ground. This blade was known for rigid fierceness with unimaginable power – exactly the hard technique of “Fire Greed One Blade.”
Wu Dingyuan exclaimed and thought: “Zhonghai has been here!”
The strong enemy was right ahead. No matter what this person’s background actually was, he couldn’t be careless. Whether he was Qian Long, Tianjue, Wen Yang, Wu Qin, or even someone else entirely, this person had become demonic and probably even he couldn’t match him.
Thinking that his martial arts came from Tianshan and had been promised by Fang Zijing to be the world’s number one in the future, Wu Dingyuan’s heroic spirit suddenly arose. He raised his right palm and used one move “Heavenly Net Purple” – purple light covered his entire body like mercury spilling on the ground. This purple qi was full of toxicity; the slightest contact would cause muscles to rot and flesh to decay, most capable of deterring sneak attacks from dark places. Protected by his ultimate move, Wu Dingyuan boldly and slowly stepped over the stone door.
When the strong enemy appeared, all secrets would also be revealed. Thinking of the four-line riddle that Monk Tianjue had written on the screen wall, his heart was truly uneasy. This Damo Academy concealed countless mysteries and marvels – the divine sword long hidden from the world, the divine mechanism diagram from Tianshan’s mysterious land, and even his two companions. Countless doubts flashed before his eyes like fleeting light.
It really was similar. This moment was just like that scene before the Horse King Temple… about to take over as General Constable of Gansu and Shaanxi, respected by both black and white paths, and then… then that great event happened, forcing him to hesitate and flee in panic…
Wu Dingyuan faced the chamber, knowing that as soon as he stepped through the door, all mysteries would be resolved. He clenched his fists tightly, blood suddenly surging as he gave a long cry and charged straight into the chamber.
Jingtai thirty-third year, July first, Wu Dingyuan saw…
Supreme Perfect Enlightenment.
I establish worldly aspirations that must reach the supreme path. If this vow is not fulfilled, I swear not to achieve equal enlightenment. Now for the great donor, universally relieving all poor and suffering, May all sentient beings have no worries in the long night. Sentient beings hearing this name, come to my pure land. Void gods of all heavens should rain precious wonderful flowers.
The chamber was empty of people, with fresh blood splattered everywhere. The opposite stone wall was covered with countless blood characters.
It was a vow – the Buddha’s words to Ananda of “Supreme Perfect Enlightenment.”
Wu Dingyuan stared blankly, his heart completely confused. At this moment, squeaking and scratching sounds came from the chamber, growing closer and closer. Suddenly, a large patch of black shadows flowed out from the chamber corner with incomparably fast momentum. Wu Dingyuan was startled and hurriedly leaped backward. As soon as his foot lifted, he saw the black shadows surging from the ground were actually a huge group of black rats – over a thousand black rats scurrying about in panic, densely packed like a tide, all fleeing toward the tunnel.
Wu Dingyuan was full of doubt. He had also heard that rats were extraordinarily alert, knowing of disasters before they came and predicting before they occurred. Could there be some great disaster? He looked toward the chamber corner, wanting to see things clearly. He immediately gathered qi and leaped over, his right palm striking with force. With a thunderous crash, Wu Dingyuan had been filled with fear and unease since entering the cave, and even he couldn’t stand it anymore. At this moment, seeing there was still a passage, thinking of that venomous assassin earlier, he immediately roared and flew upward like lightning, swearing not to rest until he killed that person.
At the top of the stairs was a secret door. Wu Dingyuan raised his palm to push, and immediately his palm felt pain – it was somewhat hot to the touch. He laughed coldly and exerted his right palm’s strength. With a thunderous crash, he had already shocked the secret door open.
“Good heavens… this… what exactly…”
Wu Dingyuan opened his mouth wide, and in a moment his expression was like that of an idiot.
Now speaking of Lu Yun – though he had taken a sword to the chest and Wu Dingyuan had sealed pressure points to stop bleeding, the wound was too deep and fresh blood still flowed continuously. Lu Yun looked at the pitch-black passage, his mind turning over and over with those few words between Qin Zhonghai and Abbot Lingzhi. Agitated and troubled, he had an indescribable fear of this “Qian Long.” He struggled to straighten up and thought: “Most people in Nucang are upright and honest. Not to mention Zhonghai – look at the Azure Robe sect leader with his refined character, Master Lu with his magnanimous bearing. Who isn’t an iron-hard good hero? But this ‘Qian Long’s’ actions are so venomous, truly unworthy of the beautiful name of hero…”
Since the court and Nucang began war, Lu Yun had always maintained his proper place and never favored any side. Only after fighting with Qian Long did he first develop ill feelings toward Nucang heroes. He leaned against the stone wall, physically and mentally exhausted but with unimpaired intelligence, thinking repeatedly: “Isn’t this Qian Long military advisor properly confined in prison? How could he suddenly be released? Could it be… could it be that Zhonghai rescued him? But where did Master Tianjue go?”
The situation in Damo Academy was truly strange, and Lu Yun couldn’t figure it out for a moment. Qin Zhonghai’s intention wasn’t hard to understand – just wanting to rescue the military advisor from the mountain. But Monk Tianjue’s purpose was quite vague and truly puzzling. Looking at that “Qian Long” was also a mysterious figure. Now he had been stabbed by someone but couldn’t even figure out the cause and effect – truly could be considered utterly disgraced.
At the foot of the mountain, court soldiers and Nucang’s great army faced off, the situation explosive. If someone instigated from within, a great battle would probably be unavoidable.
Lu Yun took several deep breaths and turned his head toward the right tunnel, thinking: “Zhonghai… the current plan is only to find Zhonghai… With our friendship, I can definitely persuade him…”
The more Lu Yun thought, the more frightened he became. Though there had been many rebels throughout dynasties, there were only two outcomes. Either kill millions and rule as king, or face the cup of wine that releases military power and end up drinking poison and committing suicide. Lu Yun was well-read in history and unwilling to see his friend fall to this state. Though his head was dizzy and heavy, he still insisted on getting up, his mind fixed on the stubborn thought of finding Qin Zhonghai.
Lu Yun supported himself along the stone wall, walking haltingly. Fresh blood scattered, dyeing all his clothes red. His chest wound was serious, and with excessive blood loss, his feet felt even more weak. After walking about a hundred chi, he had nearly exhausted his internal strength.
Lu Yun walked for quite a while, but the tunnel still seemed endless. He clutched his chest, enduring pain, and called out: “Is anyone there? Zhonghai… Master Tianjue… Yang Langzhong…”
Lu Yun was injured and his internal power impure, so his calls were weak and couldn’t carry far. After shouting several times, still no one answered. Lu Yun was somewhat discouraged. Black qi appeared before his eyes as strength slowly left his body. He leaned against the stone wall, wanting to support his body. Who knew the wall would creak and open just from his leaning against it? Lu Yun couldn’t stand steady and rolled inside with the momentum.
Everything before him was pitch black without the slightest light. Lu Yun was both tired and afraid, not recognizing what place this was. He wanted to crawl out but couldn’t summon the strength. Just at this moment, ancient Buddhist chanting floated up, pervading his ears: “Heaven gives birth to all things, which sometimes end… Human hearts desire without limit…”
Lu Yun was terrified, not knowing who was speaking. He struggled to draw “Yunmeng Lake,” pointing randomly forward and saying hoarsely: “Who… who is it… who’s speaking?”
He asked several times when suddenly that voice responded again, gradually becoming low and slow: “Desire without attainment gives birth to suffering. Suffering transforms to anger, anger transforms to greed, greed transforms to conflict. With conflict comes warfare, and warfare without the Way. Therefore, where there are people in the world, there must be conflict. Where there is conflict, there must be warfare. People harm and devour each other – this is purgatory…”
Hearing this, light suddenly appeared before him. Lu Yun squinted and saw a Buddhist lamp glowing dimly. Not far away sat an old monk, his gaze lowered, corners of his mouth containing a smile, as if about to stroke his head.
Lu Yun was both shocked and delighted, calling out: “Master Tianjue! Is it you?” Though he was severely injured and didn’t know the old monk’s identity, he figured it was probably Tianjue. He immediately crawled forward and kowtowed to the old monk.
When Lu Yun’s forehead touched the ground, he immediately felt something wet and sticky on his forehead, as if he had touched something. Lu Yun’s heart startled as he looked carefully, seeing blood everywhere on the ground. Following the blood traces upward, he saw the old monk’s robes had long been dyed blood red, continuously seeping blood.
Lu Yun said in a trembling voice: “Master, you… what happened to you?”
The old monk smiled slightly: “Child, I am waiting for someone.”
Lu Yun murmured: “Waiting for someone? Who are you waiting for?”
I am waiting for someone, waiting for one who walks alone between black and white…
That person…
Belongs neither to the court nor to Nucang. He is heaven and earth’s final holy light.
Lu Yun said bewilderedly: “Holy light?”
The old monk’s face bore compassion. He slightly raised his right hand, gently stroking Lu Yun’s head, and said softly: “If the holy light is not extinguished, darkness will not come, Asuras will not arrive… and Jambudvipa will not be buried with them.”
The old monk spoke and suddenly smiled gently, saying softly: “This old monk is defeated like a mountain collapse. Today I will die – what more is there to say? I only pity the great chaos in the world. All sentient beings will henceforth be either black or white with no other types… Child, I have no one to entrust this to. I can only pass these two riddle lines to you. Please be sure to remember them well.” He pushed with his hand, and the Buddha lamp toppled to the ground. Flames slowly flowed to his front along the oil. In an instant, he smelled a pungent scent in his nose as hot flames leaped up before him, revealing two lines of riddle: “At Golden Water Bridge the dragon spits pearls, in Shaolin’s Buddha kingdom comes the great early year.”
Light blazed as if this was the final holy light.
Lu Yun’s heart was both fearful and confused. He slowly raised his head to meet the monk’s gaze.
All around was dark. The old monk’s eyes showed no precious light at all, just gray and cold like stones. Lu Yun swallowed saliva. He reached out to lightly touch the old monk’s palm, shocked to find the large hand ice cold and stiff without any warmth.
Lu Yun opened his mouth wide, his heart seeming to stop beating. He repeatedly shook the old monk’s body, but the old monk’s expression was wooden without any words. In his shock and fear, Lu Yun was already crying like rain.
“No need to look. He has already achieved nirvana.” The stone door opened behind him as a cold, stern voice sounded. Lu Yun’s gaze was dim as he turned around and immediately saw his blood-covered companion.
In the lightless, dark chamber, Tianjue sat in the center as if his voice and appearance were still present. Lying on the ground was himself, standing by the wall was…
“Zhonghai!”
Lu Yun had endured thousands of hardships on this journey just to see Qin Zhonghai once. Upon seeing him, he immediately struggled forward and grabbed Qin Zhonghai’s shoulder, saying hoarsely: “Zhonghai… what exactly… what exactly happened? Why did Master Tianjue… why did he die?”
Qin Zhonghai didn’t answer, just looking down with an extremely grave expression. Seeing him constantly avoiding his gaze, Lu Yun’s heart suddenly filled with shock and suspicion as he asked in a trembling voice: “Zhonghai, the person… it wasn’t you who killed him, was it?”
Lu Yun’s heart was terrified, fearing that Qin Zhonghai would lightly nod his head or answer yes. Then not only could he no longer be friends with him, but from then on, the orthodox martial world and Nucang would be irreconcilably opposed with no room for compromise. Qin Zhonghai didn’t answer but gripped Lu Yun’s hand and said softly: “Don’t worry about who harmed him. Trust me – you must forget his last words. No matter who asks, you can’t speak of it. Otherwise…” Lu Yun’s throat was dry as he squeezed out strength and asked softly: “Otherwise what?”
Qin Zhonghai suddenly looked up to the sky and laughed loudly: “Otherwise, the empire will soon change hands and dynasties will change!”
Lu Yun gasped for breath. He had been mentally and physically exhausted all along the way. Hearing Qin Zhonghai’s roar now, he just sat down on the ground and murmured: “Zhonghai… I don’t understand…” Qin Zhonghai sighed: “If you still trust me, then keep this secret. You know that from today forward, I am completely severed from the court. My only friend is probably just you now…”
Lu Yun was about to close his eyelids when he suddenly heard Qin Zhonghai’s words and immediately opened his eyes wide, saying anxiously: “Zhonghai, what are you saying?”
He was full of fear and reached forward to grab, when suddenly his palm tightened – Qin Zhonghai had gripped it firmly. Then his body felt warm as if internal power continuously flowed to him. Lu Yun gripped his hand tightly and wept: “Zhonghai… let’s go together, return to Beijing together, just like before…”
Qin Zhonghai didn’t answer. He just gently stroked Lu Yun’s cheek, smiled softly, then released his hand and slowly stood up. With his back to his friend, he said softly: “Brother Lu, the Qin Zhonghai of the capital is already dead. The world’s hearts are treacherous – please take care of yourself.”
Zhonghai, you can’t! If you leave like this, you’ll truly become a rebel… you can’t…
Lu Yun cried out, not even able to hear clearly what he was sobbing. Though he wanted to stop Qin Zhonghai from leaving, he had lost too much blood. His eyelids gradually grew heavy, and his slightly raised hand finally fell down…
Heaven and earth were dark without stars or moon. The vast rivers and mountains were silent when suddenly the mountain gate creaked with a tragic sound and slowly moved aside.
The greatest rebel of the current generation stepped out. He took a booklet from his waist and gazed at the human world from the cliff.
Everything before him was dark, like a great dye vat that had soaked and immersed everyone until they were pitch black and filthy. In this turbid, dusty world, no one could emerge unscathed. That person sighed softly: “Where there is cause, there is effect. Where there is effect, there is cause… Father, your rebellion was false. Marquis, your pacification was deceptive. Since you planted this poisonous seed, you should swallow this bitter fruit. Don’t blame me for severing ties with the court…” Tears fell like rain as he immediately crumpled the memorial into a ball and said through gritted teeth: “All kindness and righteousness severed!”
Where his internal power reached, firelight soared. The memorial, invaded by demonic fire, actually began to burn.
At this moment, as if responding to his angry roar, twin dragons leaped up at the horizon – red on the left, blue on the right – awakening the vault of heaven.
Fireworks exploded in mid-air – that was the signal for battle. That person looked at the red flames at the horizon, his face full of shock. Slowly the surprise diminished and anger suddenly arose as he gave a mad howl: “Qian Long! Do you want to challenge me!”
The great winner stood in the sea of fire, hearing the distant angry howl, and couldn’t help laughing. Who was challenging whom?
The situation was explosive – then let it explode. Otherwise, why would the great winner be called the great winner?
He raised his palm and gently caressed the soldiers arrayed below the mountain from afar. The battle signal exploded, and commanders on both sides were already deploying troops, everyone running about in panic. The great winner smiled cheerfully as he watched the scene, extremely joyful like a child playing with mud soldier dolls – both innocent and cruel. He laughed to himself: “Just wait and see. If I lose, everyone will lose. No one can win, just like that year, exactly the same…”
“Abbot Master? Where are you?”
With a thunderous crash, beams and pillars toppled, falling right beside Wu Dingyuan’s feet. Before him, great fires filled the sky and fireworks exploded in mid-air, reflecting each other like hell itself. Wu Dingyuan dodged the fire with all his might, his face full of alarm as he shouted loudly: “Abbot Master! Azure Robe Sect Leader! Are you still there?”
Damo Academy was filled with raging fires. The abbot was gone, and the Azure Robe Scholar was also gone. Wu Dingyuan had just emerged from the secret passage to Damo Academy’s inner hall. He hadn’t seen the leaders of both orthodox and evil sides, nor had he seen the divine monk Tianjue, but he saw this shocking scene.
Wu Dingyuan continuously dodged the fierce fires, single-mindedly searching for everyone’s whereabouts. He darted to the mountain cliff’s side. Seeing the fire势 raging and about to flee into a small path, suddenly killing sounds arose from below the mountain. Wu Dingyuan hurriedly looked down and couldn’t help but give a bitter laugh.
“It’s over…”
Jingtai thirty-third year, July first – endless firelight dyed the Central Plains red. At the foot of the mountain, men screamed and horses neighed as ten thousand armies slaughtered fiercely. The court and Nucang finally began the great battle – no one could stop it now.