Chapter 1413: Stabilizing The Mountain (II)

The Hengzhu Dao and the Supreme Yang Dao lineage had grown increasingly distant in recent years. Hengxing’s appearance gradually made the situation awkward. Li Ximing said nothing, acting as though he had concealed himself.

The cultivators present clearly felt awkward as well and did not know what to say. Fortunately, the umbrella-holding woman said softly, "I could not stop my senior brother from chasing the Grand Daoist Master and that group of Buddhist cultivators. I did not expect to encounter all of you by chance. What a great victory."

Her words sounded distant. Even so, Daoist Master Kuiqi remained very courteous toward her and even somewhat remorseful as he said in a deep voice, "Hengzhu Dao has considered the greater situation and was still willing to come to Mount Tangdao. On behalf of the Xiukui Dao lineage, I thank you first![1]"

It was rare for someone as proud and stubborn as Kuiqi to speak so gently. Yet Hengxing did not accept the gesture and replied with a smile, "Of course the greater situation comes first and disputes come second. Have we not always acted with the greater situation in mind every year? It is only that my people are not very sensible and care less for such matters. We also do not get along with the Golden Feather Sect, so we seldom come north, lest we cause trouble for everyone."

Li Ximing felt uneasy. At his side, Ning Wan transmitted, "I have already ordered the cultivators of the Azure Pond Sect to come. Your Moongaze Lake and the Capital Immortal Dao should come as well to handle White River Stream and Mount Tangdao... Guarding here is far more comfortable than guarding the riverbank!"

Li Ximing nodded secretly and crushed a jade talisman. Suddenly the heavy snow between heaven and earth stopped. A Daoist with a gourd tied at his waist stepped upon the clouds and returned with a sword in his arms. The eyes beneath his full and sharp brow bones were half closed, and his clothing was neat.

"Greetings, Grand Daoist Master!"

When he appeared, Kuiqi secretly let out a sigh of relief. The worry and doubt that had lingered in his heart finally dissipated. Everyone bowed. Even the previously distant Daoist Master Hengxing showed greater respect toward a sword immortal like Louxing whose conscience was clear and saluted him respectfully.

The Frosty Absolute Sword in his arms kept circulating scenes of harmonious balance, emitting waves of white light. It even seemed excited and stirred. Clearly this journey had allowed the spirit sword to display its power. It was obviously quite pleased.

However, the sword immortal did not seem particularly attached to it. He lightly tossed the Frosty Absolute Sword into Ning Wan's arms and replied, "I thought there would still be figures like Jingzhan[2] or Helian Fan[3]. I did not expect the north to be filled with such filth."

His aura had no signs of decline. After all, he cultivated one of the Three Shamanic Daos. Li Ximing could not see any sign that his lifespan was nearing its end. He looked just like a middle-aged man at the height of his vigor.

Ning Wan hurriedly received it while Houfu laughed. "Daoist Master, with the Frosty Absolute Sword in your hands, a single sword strike can rival those from four hundred years ago!"

Louxing stepped forward and casually declined the compliment. "That is a joke. If you go further back there are True Monarchs. How could it be four hundred years? I would not even dare claim forty."

Compared with Kuiqi, who led the group, the Grand Daoist Master seemed closer to the junior Houfu. Everyone else remained respectful, and only Houfu dared to jokingly praise him so highly.

Even though he declined the praise, three heads lay on the ground. The power of that single sword was evident to all. Excluding Shangyuan, saying that this sword could rival those from four hundred years ago was not an exaggeration.

Louxing's return should have been a moment of celebration. Yet Hengxing clasped her hands and said quietly, "Senior, I'll take my leave!"

Louxing did not stop her and simply allowed her to transform into light and depart. Standing with his hands behind his back, Kuiqi seemed hesitant to speak and somewhat frustrated as he listened to the sword immortal say, "Let us all return to Huyi!"

The sword immortal led everyone back, naturally heading toward Huyi. Li Ximing himself also had a spirit embryo to refine, but it would not be proper to take his leave halfway. Thus they traveled all the way to the Snowfall Courtyard on Huyi Mountain, where the scene remained the same with thick white snow and cultivators busily moving about.

Then they heard the Daoist Master ahead click his tongue.

Whoosh...

A gray wind descended from the sky and swept the snow clean from the entire mountain, revealing grayish brown brick ground. Even the cultivators across the mountain were swept away down the slopes, leaving behind only empty temples with faint smoke drifting upward.

The sword immortal said, "Sit!"

Everyone sat down in order. Louxing adjusted his sleeves and restrained the sharp aura around him before saying softly, "This matter with the northern Buddhists is only the beginning, not the conclusion. The reason I chose not to slay Zhelu but instead went to slay Pi Jia was precisely because of that.

"Zhelu is the abbot of the Emptiness Dao. Whether it is the Dharma Master or Majestic Light, if they wish to drive him to act, he must remain alive and continue to contribute. He is not easy to kill. Even if it succeeded, it would merely repeat the story of the Great Desire Dao from years past, yet I do not have a True Monarch standing behind me.

"Moreover, Pi Jia came from the Great Desire Dao to involve himself and claim a share of the spoils. It would not be strange if he loses after gambling on it."

He accepted the tea Kuiqi handed him and said calmly, "They wanted to test me. Since I would have to appear sooner or later, acting early at least limits the losses."

Daoist Master Kuiqi thanked him respectfully and listened as the Grand Daoist Master continued, "The matter with Hengzhu Dao... was stirred up by theGolden Feather Sect, was it not?"

"Master..." Only Kuiqi dared to take responsibility and speak, his voice deep, "Yes. The Azure Pond Sect made certain arrangements with the Golden Feather Sect years ago... benefits tied to matters possibly involving a True Monarch. We dared not interfere, nor could we ruin the Golden Feather Sect's position while it wavered between sides. The Supreme Yang and the Golden One Daos quietly supporting each other has been a long-standing matter."

The sword immortal smiled and replied, "If Yanque[4] were still alive, you and Qiushui alike would all receive a thorough scolding. He would ride out with his divine abilities and force Murong Xia to cough up real blood."

Kuiqi lowered his head as he acknowledged those words. Though he felt some guilt, there was clearly little regret. He said, "The Sword Gate has always upheld the ancestral laws and the lessons of the past remain clear. It would be another matter if nothing had been promised, but since the Azure Pond Sect agreed, and the fact that many people had already benefited by the time I emerged from seclusion, forcing him out afterward would break the Azure Pond Sect's oath. The Golden Feather Sect would suffer severe losses while the Buddhist cultivators would walk away with their bowls filled. The north would rejoice. Would that not be even more foolish?

"Now we only hope for a chance to sit down and discuss matters and resolve the misunderstandings..."

These words made Louxing laugh. The sword immortal had been famous for his fiery temper in his youth, yet now he appeared calm as he stood with his back to everyone. He said, "Whether the Three Profundities[5] and the Four Daos or the imperial descendants of the immortal families, they will ultimately part ways. The Green Pine Supreme Yang Dao lineage will be no exception. Those who follow different paths cannot work together, so there is no need to force it. Three hundred years from now, perhaps the Great Xiukui Temple[6] will no longer even be heard of."

His voice rang clearly within the empty temple halls, "I have failed in attempting the Purple Mansion Threshold in my cultivation, and my divine abilities are insufficient. I have no hope of attaining fruition. In the remaining two or three years of my life, I will devote myself to the sword and end my days.

"When the time approaches, I will go to Luoxia to meet Xueyang and walk the final stretch of my Sword Dao. I will return to the old dispute of art and Sword Intent and see his sword once more."

The sword immortal finished with a faint smile, "Perhaps my sword light would not even match today's strike without the Frosty Absolute Sword. The Supreme Yang Dao lineage will be entrusted to all of you."

Everyone rose from their seats and bowed. They watched as he drifted upward and transformed into faint dark mist before disappearing. The snow upon Huyi Mountain began to fall again, drifting through the air.

1. The original raw is "Lin thanks you first" which implies Kuiqi's surname is Lin. ☜

2. The Wrathful Dao Maha that was first mentioned in Chapter 997. ☜

3. This is the first mention of this name. ☜

4. A Daoist Master of Hengzhu Dao Gate. First mentioned in Chapter 1065. ☜

5. Referring to Qingxuan, Douxuan, and Tongxuan. Check Chapter 1208 and Chapter 1291 for more information. ☜

6. Also known as Xiukui Dao Gate. ☜