Betraying one's master and ancestors
The door opened suddenly without any wind.
The lights in the room were already on, and the woman in green seen from the pier cableway was standing by the window. She had been standing with her back to the door, but now she turned around and bowed to Gu Yi and A Qiu outside the door.
Even with A Qiu's composure, she was completely unprepared for the fact that Xiao Yu, the head disciple of the Hidden Sect whom Gu Yi had just mentioned going to find, was standing openly in their room waiting for them.
She had no choice but to take a closer look at this senior sister whom Meng Jue, an outer disciple, and Bai Shi, a guest elder, mentioned with both respect and awe. She was a powerful figure who currently dominated the Hidden World Sect and the martial arts world in the southwest, and a proud daughter of the Lanling Xiao Clan, a powerful family in the north.
Xiao Yu smiled and returned the gaze politely. Her eyes were clear and bright, and her features were beautiful yet melancholic. She wore a simple blue dress with no decorations except for a copper bell at her waist and a pine-patterned cloud-hidden sword on her back. Her long, black hair was adorned with a very simple wooden hairpin, which was clearly made from a tree branch.
When A Qiu first saw her on the pier, she only knew she was a disciple of the Hidden Sect, and her attire didn't seem out of place. But now that she knew she was a daughter of the Xiao family of Lanling, she couldn't help but compare her to other daughters of high-ranking families she knew, such as Shangguan Yuqi and Pei Yu. The conclusion she reached was that Xiao Yu's low-key and unassuming nature, her seemingly clumsy yet profound skill, was unmatched not only by Pei Yu in her red robes and golden crown, but even by the ethereal and otherworldly Shangguan Yuqi, whose sword-immortal aura was undeniable in comparison.
Of course, it can also be interpreted as Pei Yu and Shangguan Yuqi being straightforward and honest people who would not deliberately hide their talents and brilliance.
The first question A-Qiu wanted to ask her was: "Do you know Xiao Chang'an?"
Xiao Yu smiled and said, "He is my younger brother. Chang'an has mentioned you in his letters many times, calling you the most beautiful woman in the Southern Dynasty. Seeing you in person today, I realize that this young man is not exaggerating."
When A Qiu first heard Xiao Yu's frank admission, she was caught off guard and momentarily felt disoriented, unsure whether she was friend or foe of the woman before her. This was because Xiao Yu was approachable and unpretentious, and her words sounded more like casual conversation.
Even with her intelligence, she found it difficult to discern whether this senior sister was truly simple and unpretentious, or whether she was simply skilled at winning people over.
Gu Yi immediately cut to the chase and asked, "Where is Li Wujiu? As his disciple, what is your purpose in blocking my path like this?"
A Qiu also knew that this was not the time to dwell on Xiao Chang'an's background. The most important thing at present was to find Li Wujiu's whereabouts and confirm his life or death.
But then Xiao Yu looked at Gu Yi, as if he had something on his mind. After a moment, he lowered his head and said, "Young Master, do you know that you are the first person to be so persistent in searching for my master? Most others were dismissed by me with just a few words."
Before Gu Yi could answer, she raised her head again, her eyes flashing with determination, and said, "Young Master must have something to ask my master. In fact, given the current state of the Hidden World Sect, whatever your important matter, you can ask Xiao Yu for the same thing. Moreover, I can promise that the Lanling Xiao Clan will also do its best to help."
This was tantamount to a blatant hint that as long as Gu Yi agreed not to seek out Li Wujiu again, the power of the Hidden World Sect and the Lanling Xiao Clan could be used by him.
Even through the veil, one could feel the fierce glint in Gu Yi's eyes as he shouted, "How dare you!"
A Qiu knew that Gu Yi was furious because he was already worried about Li Wujiu's safety, and no one in the world would use his friend as a bargaining chip.
The sharp sound of a sword being drawn was cut off halfway through. A gust of wind rose, and a cold light flashed as Gu Yi's "Carved Moon" sword was already right in front of Xiao Yu's throat.
But Xiao Yu looked surprised, completely losing her initial composure. She had only pulled half of the Pine-Patterned Cloud Hidden Sword from her shoulder when Louyue was already pressed against her throat.
Gu Yi coldly shouted, "How could Li Wujiu have raised such an audacious and treacherous person like you! You even dare to trade your master's life and death!"
With another flick of his wrist, he used pure suction to pull the Pine Pattern Cloud Hidden Sword from Xiao Yu's back, then sheathed it back into his own hand, saying, "You are not worthy to use Li Wujiu's sword!"
Only then did A Qiu realize that the Pine Pattern Cloud Hidden Sword was actually Li Wujiu's old sword. She couldn't help but think of how Gu Yi had given "Carved Moon" to her only disciple. She thought to herself that Li Wujiu must have once valued Xiao Yu as a disciple.
Unbeknownst to her, Gu Yi's "Carved Moon" and Li Wujiu's "Pine Pattern Cloud Hidden" were once renowned as twin swords in the martial arts world. However, Gu Yi entered the mortal realm while Li Wujiu emerged from it, so in the eyes of the world, Li Wujiu's "Pine Pattern Cloud Hidden" was far less famous than the young master's sword, Carved Moon.
Xiao Yu looked at the cold, sharp sword with the crescent moon carved on its throat, a trace of bewilderment flashing across his expression. He said, "No wonder he once said that it would be useless for me to take his sword, because in front of the young master, Songwen Yunyin would not even have the chance to draw his sword. By extension, with his true martial arts skills, I would not have the chance to draw my sword in front of him either. It is laughable that I actually thought I had already graduated from the master."
Hearing this, A Qiu immediately asked, "Did Sect Leader Li mention the Young Master to you?"
Xiao Yu finally came to his senses, a fleeting smile appearing in his eyes. He said, "That was something he mentioned when I asked him for the Pine-Patterned Cloud Hidden Sword, thinking I had already completed my apprenticeship. He just smiled and said that martial arts ultimately depend on the person, not the weapon. Even if I took his sword, I wouldn't have a chance to draw it against Young Master Gu Yi. That... was many years ago. At the time, I wasn't convinced, and I practiced even harder afterward, thinking that if I had the chance to see Young Master Gu Yi in the future, I would definitely ask him for some pointers. But now, I am finally convinced."
The "being convinced" she referred to was not only about Gu Yi's swordsmanship, but also about Li Wujiu's insight.
Looking at the composed and dignified Xiao Yu before her, A Qiu found it hard to imagine that she herself had once been so competitive. And Li Wujiu, knowing full well that her martial arts skills were insufficient to complete her training, still willingly granted her request, bestowing upon her the Pine Pattern Cloud Hidden Sword—a display of indulgence.
However, that was many years ago. Now, Xiao Yu, in terms of both talent and demeanor, is certainly capable of leading a sect.
Xiao Yu let out a long sigh, met Gu Yi's sharp gaze, and said, "This matter is a long story. I have always kept it from outsiders as much as possible, because... the inside story is very significant. I think this is also Master's wish. But since Young Master has come to my door, I dare not hide anything any longer and must tell the truth. Moreover, the successor of the Heavenly Secret Order is also here, and can serve as a witness..."
Before she could finish speaking, Gu Yi interrupted her, pointing his sword at Xiao Yu and saying, word by word, "You think this is his wish? What right do you, a junior disciple, have to guess his wishes? How much do you really know about Li Wujiu?"
A Qiu was puzzled and was about to speak when Gu Yi waved his hand to stop her, as if he already knew what she was going to ask. He said coldly, "Li Wujiu is the most detached and unconventional person I have ever met. Now that you have turned the Hidden World Sect into such a mess, it is certainly not what he wanted to see. You only need to tell me where he is, and I will go and ask him myself!"
Xiao Yu hesitated, her expression one of profound shock. As the eldest daughter of the Lanling Xiao Clan, she had always enjoyed absolute power and influence in Beidu. After joining the Hidden World Sect, her martial arts skills had shone brightly, making her the undisputed head disciple. Yet now, Gu Yi had denounced her as a "traitor to her master and ancestors," and the thriving Hidden World Sect she had worked so hard to build was being called "a pathetic mess." It was as if she had been struck dumb.
Even if Gu Yi mocked her for her poor martial arts skills, she wouldn't be so bewildered.
She was naturally unaware that Xiao Chang'an's actions after arriving in the capital had already made Gu Yi aware of the Lanling Xiao family's ambitions.
But Xiao Yu was ultimately bold and calmed down, clearly saying, "Master cannot see the Young Master right now because he entered a life-or-death crisis a year ago. As long as he remains in seclusion, no one is allowed to disturb him, not even the Young Master."
Even Ah Qiu, an outsider, was shocked to hear this.
She had read in the books collected by Lanling Hall that martial arts cultivation, at its zenith, similar to Buddhism and Taoism, requires secluded cultivation to comprehend the Great Dao. However, in the past hundred years, no grandmaster in the martial arts world of the North and South had ever entered the life-or-death barrier for cultivation. This is because passing the life-or-death barrier is like hanging by a thread, extremely dangerous, and there is no way back.
There are only two outcomes in comprehending the cycle of life and death: one is liberation from the Great Dao, transcending worldly concerns; the other is inability to break free, leading to meditative absorption until one's natural lifespan ends and the physical body dies of old age. The latter outcome is no different from premature suicide.
Martial arts masters are not monks or Taoist priests, and they do not seek to become immortals or Buddhas, so most of them do not take that risk.
Even behind the veil, A Qiu could sense that Gu Yi had been struck by lightning.
Xiao Yu's gaze was fixed on him without blinking.
After a long pause, Gu Yi looked up at Xiao Yu, his sharp gaze seemingly piercing through the veil: "You are not indifferent to his life or death, so do you know what the matter of life and death means?"
Xiao Yu lowered his eyes uncomfortably, his voice also weakening slightly: "Master only promised me that he would definitely come back and told me to manage the sect well."
Upon hearing this, A Qiu guessed that Li Wujiu had probably not told Xiao Yu the truth about the life-or-death barrier. In fact, very few people in the martial world knew about the life-or-death barrier, as very few could cultivate to that level. Li Wujiu either felt it was unnecessary, or feared it would hinder Xiao Yu's future cultivation, and therefore did not tell her about the dangers involved.
Gu Yi's voice softened slightly as he said, "What if he never comes back?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu's expression immediately changed drastically, as if she had only suddenly realized something at this moment. Her lips turned pale, and she stammered, "Master... he never lies."
Xiao Yu finally lost her composure, and her expression at this moment was as panicked as that of a little girl who had gotten lost from her parents.
Gu Yi continued, "Do you know that regardless of whether he can leave the seclusion or not, the Li Wujiu of the past will never return?" His tone carried a rare sense of melancholy and desolation.
"If he comprehends the Great Dao, then he will no longer be the person you and I know. Everything in the past will be like an illusion to him. If he cannot, then we will never meet again until the end of his life."
Gu Yi sighed again, "Li Wujiu, Li Wujiu, what happened to you that you left without even telling me?"
Xiao Yu's face turned even paler and more ashen, and he could no longer utter a single word.
The only sounds in the room were the crackling of the candlelight and the breathing of the three people.
After a long silence, Gu Yi broke the stillness, saying weakly, "Since you are Li Wujiu's successor, I will not make things difficult for you. What exactly is it that forced him to enter the life-or-death trial?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
