Chapter 415. Thoroughly with those Mulberry Tree Roots, Tightly and Densely Tie Up (2)

The North Sea Ice Palace Master, Leng Yuefei, could only fulfill her promise to Zhou Xuchuan after roughly dealing with the problems that came with the food shortage.

While it had taken more time than expected, her aid was inevitable.

It was only natural, since the master of the Ice Palace, and the leader of the North Sea, was going all the way to the distant Central Plains.

Not only was there a lot for her to worry about, but considering the long distance and the fact that she was leading nearly a thousand people, it would have been even stranger if she hadn’t slowed down.

“The Central Plains!”

“It’s a fertile land, just as I’ve heard.”

“Just look at those plants, they’re so beautiful.”

“The wind is so warm.”

After stepping onto the Central Plains, the Ice Palace warriors were constantly amazed. It was a world full of things they had never seen in the North Sea.

To be honest, they were so tempted they wanted to invade the Central Plains right away.

However, that thought quickly disappeared.

“It’s so warm.”

“No, it’s hot. Why is it so hot? Did we arrive in the desert that we only heard of in legends?”

“The people of the Central Plains are clearly perverts who enjoy suffering.”

“I think I know why our ancestors gave up on invading the Central Plains.”

“Isn’t the reason the Central Plains is the center of martial arts because they have to overcome this heat?”

It was because of the climate.

The farther south they went, the more painful it became. It wasn’t warm or cozy, but murderous heat.

For the North Sea people who had lived their entire lives in the cold, the climate was difficult to endure.

While it didn't matter to the North Sea Ice Palace Master, one of the Six Empyrean Overlords, since she, like the other Overlords, had reached Extreme Temperature Immunity, the rest of the North Sea warriors were not so fortunate.

There was a reason the North Sea had retreated in the past when they tried to invade the Central Plains. Their biggest issue had been the weather and temperature, which were incompatible with ice arts.

The lower the moisture in the air, the weaker their power became, sometimes even reduced by half. Given how much the environment affected them, the number of elite warriors mobilized had dropped. The damage from their last conflict had also been severe.

“I heard that there's some information left by the Sword God.”

The North Sea Ice Palace stopped by the Gold Will Merchants on their way south from the Heilong River, Jilin, Liaoning, and Hebei, and heard about the war situation.

"We're too far away to help the south."

"We'll go to the northern front."

That was what had led to them moving to join the plains of Anhui through Shandong. However, something unexpected had happened during their journey.

"We see the Righteous and Evil Alliance ahead—no, it's the Shaolin Temple!”

“Only the Shaolin Temple?”

It was not long after they arrived at the plains. They saw the Shaolin Temple passing by.

Seeing the backs of the monks running away, Leng Yuefei could see that they were tense and felt that something was wrong. So, she joined them immediately.

"And what happened after that point?"

“I was planning to lead the Shaolin Temple to the Northern Upper Army, but the Shaolin Abbot Hong Jin requested that we save the Ximen Family, so I decided to act separately.”

"I see."

Zhou Xuchuan leaned back on his chair and folded his arms.

“Thank you, North Sea Ice Palace Master. We are in your debt.”

Last night, the Northern Upper Army had decided to wait for a while after hearing the report from Scout Captain Myagmar.

As the sun began to rise, the Shaolin Temple and the North Sea Ice Palace arrived one after another, and by sunrise, Leng Yuefei had brought Wu Qu with her.

When they heard that Leng Yuefei had cleverly avoided danger while facing the Lord of the Dark Heavens Association, they couldn’t help but admire her.

Not only was her martial prowess extraordinary, but so was her wisdom.

“I came to the Central Plains to repay your favor, so you don’t have to worry about it. Above all, I wasn't able to save the Ximen Family. I just ran away, so it’s pointless to receive thanks.”

“Mmm...”

Zhou Xuchuan sniffed with regret.

It had been too late for Leng Yuefei to help the Ximen Family. All of their warriors, including Ximen Erjin, had died and their bodies couldn't be collected.

While the situation of the bodies was one thing, the threat of the Dark Heavens Association Lord realizing the trick and returning was high, so they quickly fled.

"His strength truly made me understand why a great person like you came all the way to the North Sea to ask for our help.”

“Have you found out anything about the Dark Heavens Association Lord?” Zhou Xuchuan asked quickly.

"We exchanged blows, but it wasn't enough to determine anything. Ask

him

when he comes to his senses.”

As soon as they arrived, he had fallen asleep, clearly drained after making it to safety.

Zhou Xuchuan had feared the man was unconscious from injuries, but the physician had assured him he was just exhausted.

"Okay."

After exchanging a few more words with Leng Yuefei, Zhou Xuchuan left the command barracks.

The guard on duty looked half-asleep, but since Zhou knew he had been up all night, he let it slide and walked past.

In the early light that replaced the fleeting dusk, the Northern Upper Army camp was quiet.

Everyone was tired and looked worn out.

The North Sea Ice Palace warriors were still adjusting to the environment, so they weren't in a good state.

Zhou Xuchuan was worried that people would be concerned about his appearance, so he moved quietly, hiding his presence.

"So here you are."

Not far away, in a quieter area, was Hong Jin.

The curtain of night had lifted in the east, and the pale dawn approached as a lone figure sat quietly.

His eyes were covered with bandages.

“The Ximen Family... what happened?” Hong Jin asked with his back turned.

“...”

Zhou Xuchuan couldn’t bring himself to answer.

He knew how cruel the truth would be for the Abbot of Shaolin. When he opened his mouth, no sound came out.

“Is that so?”

It was silence, but that too, was enough as an answer.

Hong Jin sank into his seat and muttered.

“Buddha told us to save all living beings. I thought that ordinary people shouldn’t be sacrificed in the war of the martial artists, so I decided to stay. This worthless monk also knew how foolish a choice that was, but... but there was nothing else I could do..."[1]

His voice trembled.

"I saw them. If we didn’t know, then we couldn’t be blamed for not helping. But once we knew... doesn’t that change everything? Moreover, if even

we

turned away, who would they turn to for help?!"

He reached out and squeezed the grass.

“That was why I stayed! You can call it playing hero! Even if you call me foolish, that's okay! I thought I wouldn't mind dying to save them!!" Hong Jin opened his mouth and screamed.

"We... no, I! I! This worthless monk should have stayed there until the end! I should have stayed and bought time for the others to escape! Me! But! But!"

When he had met with the North Sea Ice Palace, he hadn't known what had happened. He had just thought that the Dark Heavens Association Lord had chased after the Ximen Family because he hadn't followed them.

So, he had politely asked Leng Yuefei, using the name of the Abbot of Shaolin, to go and help the Ximen Family. It was only after they had returned to the camp that he learned the truth.

"But what?! What does it even mean to 'throw your life away for others?!'"

The prayer beads he held tightly in his hand broke and rolled on the floor.

“What's the use of the Thousand Hands and Thousand Eyes!”

No, claiming that he couldn’t see them was just an excuse.

If he had truly made up his mind, he should have stayed. He should have done the same thing Ximen Erjin did, lied, and sent the others away.

"What?! Just what in the...!"

Hong Jin fell to his knees and sobbed. His cries echoed across the plains, but no one came.

Zhou Xuchuan watched from behind and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. In that moment, it felt unusually small.

"It's okay now."

"What do you mean, okay?!"

"I won't try to console you. I won't try to empathize with you either. I won't even tell you that there was nothing you could do."

Zhou Xuchuan tightened his grip on Hong Jin’s shoulder.

“Since ancient times, people have learned to move forward by looking at someone’s back and following behind them. Shaolin Abbot, Hong Jin, you should do the same.”

All this time, he had looked at the backs of others, always feeling apologetic, guilty, and grateful for their sacrifice.

“It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to fall. But don’t just lie there. Get up and follow those who went before you.”

“...!”

Hong Jin raised his head and looked at Zhou Xuchuan.

“Give up your life for others, monk of the Shaolin. Just like the Ximen Family, give up your life for someone else.”

Hong Jin stared at him, blank and stunned, then burst into tears again.

Hong Gao. This is the Shaolin Temple you had suspected so much.

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Zhou Xuchuan looked at the sight and was lost in thought.

People who sacrificed themselves for others without any hesitation, and those who truly regretted and grieved for not being able to die for those they have fought against all their lives. That is the Shaolin Temple.

The Shaolin Temple was not pure.

Even though they had taken refuge in the bosom of Buddha, those of the Shaolin were still only human, so it was only natural.

Although they sometimes showed many bad aspects, their essence was still good.

The Shaolin Temple wasn't the pillar of the Righteous Faction for nothing.

They had sacrificed throughout their long history, and the Shaolin Temple would continue to sacrifice in the future.

"

Sob...

I'm... I'm so sorry!"

They were heartbroken and in pain over someone’s death.

“Please don't... please don't forgive me, please... I'm so sorry!”

The Ximen family hadn't been a friend, but an enemy. However, Hong Jin cried out sincerely without thinking about the benefit he would gain from the death of that enemy.

The world called such people heroes.

Earlier, there was a hero.

Always, there would be heroes.[2]

***

The Northern Front had come to an end. As expected from the front line, the results of victory and defeat were relayed quickly.

In Kaifeng, Henan, where the temporary headquarters of the Martial Alliance was located, they were the first to hear the news. Everyone there forgot about their pride and hugged each other, cheering loudly.

“We won!”

“That’s it!”

“A series of victories!”

“Hurrah!”

Not only the south, but the north had also won. These weren’t small battles, either. They were large-scale victories, and the joy was beyond words. When they first heard that the Dark Heavens Association Lord had taken the lead, even Zhuge Xiang had frozen in place. But when he later learned that the Dark Heavens Association Lord had retreated, the strategist finally let out a sigh of relief.

“The North Sea Ice Palace?”

“The North Sea Ice Palace Master, Leng Yuefei led her troops to help!”

"Wait, what's with Leng Yuefei all of a sudden?"

"Haven’t you heard the news yet? Zhou Xuchuan recently visited the North Sea. I heard he helped solve their food shortage.”

"Gasp!"

“Long live Great Hero Zhou Xuchuan! Long live the Righteous and Evil Alliance!”

“Long live the North Sea Ice Palace Master!”

In the past, they would have been terrified by the thought, thinking of it as an invasion of the Central Plains. However, things were different now.

Thanks to their strong support, the mood was festive.

The long, difficult journey to the north had been worth it.

They had not only gained reinforcements, but morale had risen like a geyser into the sky.

In addition, various other feats were reported.

“A labyrinth rising from the ground?”

“The Mechanism Dragon did it again!”

“Three thousand of the Dark Heavenly Northern Army were defeated in an instant?”

The Mechanism Dragon, Zhuge Shengji’s name also rose along with morale.

While he wasn't well known before, after the all-out war with the Dark Heavens Association began, his fame spread throughout the Central Plains.

“Please do not forget the Ximen Family."

The Northern Upper Army’s retreat was also known. In particular, the Shaolin Temple actively participated and reported the Ximen Family's deeds.

The martial artists were moved by the story and showered the family with praise.

Contrary to Ximen Erjin’s thoughts, they received treatment and fame they had never imagined before.

Though the family had suffered great losses in martial strength, Evil Valley Master had provided them with generous compensation. They received elixirs, money, and even a promise to keep their place among the Four Gates of the Evil Dao.

“Did you know that the Six Empyrean Overlords have become the Seven Empyrean Overlords?”

“Huh? Seven?”

“Yes. A master of the Gold Will Merchants and the Gold Will Sword Sect, the Sword Demon, has become an Empyrean Overlord.”

“Is that really true?”

“Yes. The Sword God and the North Sea Ice Palace Master have confirmed his skills. I heard that he fought and survived against the Dark Heavens Association Lord.”

“That’s incredible."

Although he may have lost consciousness just before losing, his opponent had been the Dark Heavens Association Lord, who had withstood the combined attacks of the Juvenile Fist Emperor and the Taiji Sword.

Not only was the fact that he had fought the Dark Heavens Association Lord one-on-one widely known, but with the testimony of the Sword God Zhou Xuchuan and the North Sea Ice Palace Master Leng Yuefei, the Sword Demon was able to proudly be named an Empyrean Overlord.

1. While, as you may know, we hate using third person self address, in this case, the author goes out to use the word 貧僧, or literally a poor monk. While it's often used as a way to just humble oneself, as the author generally uses 小僧, or little monk, for the monks to describe themselves, specifically using this is to use its second meaning, which is a derogatory way of calling a monk a failure. ☜

2. I did not translate this literally. Normally, even if I change things, I translate them with the same meanings. In this case, I tried to make sure the intent behind it was what was conveyed, even if they don't mean the same thing. ☜