Chapter 429.1 Zhou Xuchuan (2)

As time passed, snow began to fall.

As if to bury the bloodshed, the sleet came down heavily, covering the land where war had raged.

"The curtain has fallen on the war," the Martial Alliance Leader said.

“The Dark Heavens Association, a group that has humiliated us for decades with the goal of conquering the

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, has collapsed with the destruction of its leader," the Evil Valley Master added.

Blessed Existence remained imprisoned, but for the sake of peace, he was declared dead to the world.

"We, who had been at odds and ostracized each other for a long time, have joined forces to achieve peace."

"It can't be said that everything has been resolved. We still have many problems."

"Discrimination, exclusion, or even hatred based on one's martial arts or sect. In addition, evil deeds committed blindly for personal gain. The destruction and tragedy caused by war. That is why, even if our paths may be different, the Righteous and Evil Factions pledge to work side by side to recover from the devastation of the Era of War and Chaos."

"We don't assume that this peace will last forever. Humans are violent creatures, and are prone to repeat history. However, just as there has never been such a thing as a good war, there has never been a bad peace. And so, we can say one thing..."

The Martial Alliance Leader and the Evil Valley Master spoke in unison.

“At least, we can sleep soundly.”

Of course, the brains of the Righteous and Evil Alliance were the exception.

Starting with the Heavenly Strategist Zhuge Xiang, many were busy repairing the damage from the war and cleaning up the aftermath.

Fortunately, with the confiscation of the Dark Heavens Association’s assets, they had more than enough funds. These resources were distributed to the war’s victims.

Moreover, the lost techniques of each force were also returned to their original owners.

There was no time to rejoice, whether in victory or peace. They worked hard on various tasks, such as dealing with the remnants of the Dark Heavens Association and other traitors.

"As honored guests who saved the Central Plains, it makes me uncomfortable to send you off without a proper reception."

"Don't worry about that. We only came to repay our debt to the Sword God."

The North Sea Ice Palace Master, Leng Yuefei, chose to leave immediately.

Currently, the Xuexue and Sakha Tribes had fallen and were absorbed into the North Sea Ice Palace. Thus, the North Sea needed a leader more than ever.

Before leaving, she said her goodbyes to Zhou Xuchuan and left without any regrets. It was typical of her.

“The Yangtze River... It’s a bit different from the sea.”

Chi Shuishui sat on the body of the Imoogi, splashing her legs as she looked around.

The South Sea Dragon Gate, and the Hainan Sword Sect had decided to stay for the purpose of maintaining peace.

The Central Plains were busy recovering from the war. They didn’t have time to worry about the Yangtze River, which was difficult to handle even on a regular basis, so they decided to recruit help until it stabilized. Of course, the price was paid fairly.

The

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, which had experienced the turbulent era of the Dark Heavens, underwent changes.

The Righteous and Evil factions may not have been united, but at least they no longer looked at each other with killing intent.

They only furrowed their brows to show discomfort.

It was clear that they were fighting less than before.

Much of that was thanks to the Righteous Faction’s Pillar, the Highest Peak Shaolin.

“The Thunder Inheriting Saber Ximen Erjin, and the Ximen Family, bought time for the Shaolin Temple to escape from the Dark Heavens Association Lord. Not only that, they also saved people who weren't involved with the

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. Please, do not forget the heroes who saved the

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."

As soon as the curtain fell on the war, the Shaolin Abbot Hong Jin actively told those around him about what had happened at the time.

As a member of the Righteous Faction that valued honor, it wasn't easy to say that they had fled. However, he didn't hesitate at all.

He also gave the credit for saving the civilians to the Ximen Family. To be frank, the weakened Ximen Family, which had lost its power, wouldn't be remembered for long in people’s minds, but at least in the present generation, they would be clearly recognized.

One day, Hong Jin left the Abbot's duties to his disciple brothers and climbed the mountain once more with several Arhats as his escort.

"This is..."

During the climb, an Arhat looked around and made a curious sound.

“Is something there?” Hong Jin, who couldn't see, asked.

Just as the Arhat was about to answer, they felt a presence.

“Oh, it’s a monk!”

It was a boy’s voice.

“Sir Monk, you’ve come at the right time! I have a favor to ask of you!”

The boy tugged on Hong Jin’s sleeve and began leading him forward.

"A favor? More importantly, it's dangerous to be in the mountains in this cold weather, young Benefactor.”

The boy smiled innocently, either unaware of or unbothered by Hong Jin’s concern, and stopped.

“Ah...”

The Arhats behind him exclaimed in admiration as if they had also seen something.

"Sir Monk, um. Monks also hold funerals, too, right? Then, please, could you light the way for these people?"

"These people? There isn't any presence..." Hong Jin muttered incredulously before pausing. He had sensed this boy's aura before, somewhere.

"There was a big fight around here a while ago. Mom said that our village almost got caught up in it, but these people saved us! They're heroes, don't you think?"

"Ah..."

Hong Jin immediately understood where this place was.

He knew why the Arhats were exclaiming.

He couldn’t see ahead. But strangely, he could see the tombs covered in snow.

“I don’t know who they are, but they seem to be martial artists... Sir Monk? Why are you crying?”

Strength drained from his body. A swell of emotion surged in his chest.

You... were wrong.

Hong Jin clutched his prayer beads tightly as tears streamed down his pure white eyes.

Ximen Erjin, you were wrong.

Hong Jin said that their sacrifice would be remembered.

Ximen Erjin said that their sacrifice would be forgotten.

The Righteous Faction and the Evil Faction hadn't understood each other until the very end.

“Oh, is it because there's no offering? It's winter, so there's nothing to give... But I always bow to Buddha! I do many good deeds!”

Even before losing their lives, they each pushed their ideals.

“I listen to my mother well... would that be enough?"

Hong Jin smiled happily through his tears.

"Please, look, benefactor. I was right!"

***

As the curtain fell on the war, several forces also experienced changes. The Tang Family was particularly shaken.

The Tang Family had lost its power when the Black Shadow Division disappeared. In addition, Tang Mingren's misfortune further dragged them down.

There was even a point in which they were suspected of being part of the Dark Heavens Association, to which Tang Youqi had denied the accusations and actively cooperated. Later, as Tang Hui played an active role in the war, they were able to avoid suspicion.

Sichuan, Tang Family.

Thud, thud, thud, thud!

The corridor outside the door was noisy.

Bang!

The door to the Patriarch's office burst open. And soon, a group of men with a fierce atmosphere came inside.

"What do you think you're doing?!"

Tang Youqi, who was sitting at his desk working, raised his head.

The men of the Tang Family stepped aside without saying a word, and Tang Hui walked out between them.

"Poison Cloud Group Dance."

"What are you talking about?" Tang Youqi asked calmly.

"You're not trying to say that you didn't know, are you?"

"Wasn't that poison smoke made by blowing poison into a person's body as they were still breathing and dissolving them alive? Like the Artificial Fetal Poison, it's a taboo poison that would have only been made by someone from the Demonic Path's Two Lineages. So, what about it? Are the remnants of the Dark Heavens Association, those subordinates of Avaricious Wolf, using it again? Have you come to ask for help?"

"No. According to our investigation, the Poison Cloud Group Dance was only used in the Northern Plains of Hefei."

“Then what’s the problem and why are you making such a fuss?”

“The source of that horrid Poison Cloud Group Dance has been confirmed.”

“Source? By source, that would obviously have to be Avaricious Wolf...”

"The Poison Cloud Group Dance that Avaricious Wolf had wasn't something that he had made, but something that had been stolen from the Tang Family's Poison Repository."

“Nonsense.”

Tang Youqi responded immediately, as if there was nothing to discuss.

“It’s not nonsense, Tang Youqi.”

Tang Hui’s tone changed.

“The ledgers written by Avaricious Wolf during his time in the Black Shadow Division have been discovered.”

"You bitch! How dare you speak that way to your father? In the first place, how can you believe the records left by a traitor from the Righteous Faction..."

“Seize him.”

Tang Hui gestured to the warriors.

“Arrest the criminal!” Yuan Dashi, the captain of the Tang Family’s guards, shouted. In response, the Tang Family’s warriors forcibly dragged Tang Youqi out and made him sit down.

“You crazy bitch! How dare you, knowing who I am?!”

“The head of the Tang Family, the former head of the Black Shadow Division, the Poison King.”

Tang Hui looked down at her father coldly.

“Also, a villain who even conducted human experiments for power.”

"You really speak quite well after being given a mouth by me!"[1]

Tang Youqi’s face turned vicious.

"Fine, you bitch. You must have been blinded by the Patriarch position to the point of framing your own father! Look here, you better untie these right this—!"

Tang Youqi shouted in anger and then stopped.

Those eyes...

As expected, Tang Hui truly was Tang Youqi's daughter.

On her face was a cold-blooded gaze that seemed as though not even a single drop of blood would be shed from it. There wasn't even the slightest trace of affection in those eyes, which had darkened without a trace of warmth.

Tang Youqi realized this when he saw that gaze.

It didn’t matter what the truth of the Poison Cloud Group Dance was.

Seeing her as she was now, Tang Hui would simply invent a pretext if there wasn’t one already.

“From this point on, I strip Tang Youqi of his position as Patriarch. Seal off his meridians, close off his dantian, and place him in the dungeon."

"We accept the orders of the Young Lady... no, the Matriarch!"

“Clearing out corruption is also for the Tang Family. Since this too is for the family, you must be very happy, Tang Youqi.”

Tang Hui turned around on the spot without hesitation.

Yes, this should be enough.

Tang Hui walked down the hallway, leaving Tang Youqi’s screams behind her.

This vicious cycle of not being able to escape one's fate is over now. Now, I can lead the Tang Family by myself.

Tang Hui had become the youngest Matriarch of the Family.

Even within the Family, many supported her regardless, as she had made various achievements as an adjutant during the war and became a hero.

Good, now, I alone...

In Tang Youqi's case, not only was he old, but even though Nangong Weiwu had taken the fall for the Black Shadow Division’s crimes, suspicion still clung to him. His involvement in past misdeeds was never truly cleared, and so, he had no real support left.

The Black Shadow Division incident was something that would be remembered for a long time, as the darkness of the Righteous Faction which had produced countless traitors.

"Matriarch."

"What?"

“There's someone who came to see you.”

“I’m busy, so tell them to go back.”

“That's...”

“Did the Martial Alliance Leader come?”

"That’s not it, but...”

“Then send them back.”

"Well, it's Great Hero Zhou Xuchuan."

“What?”

1. Really hard to translate, better just to be wordy. ☜