Chapter Twenty-Two: The Way of the Hero Vanishes
Within the Eastern Peak Innate Sect, Shangguan Yanxin sat calmly on his high throne, exuding an air of dominance. His followers, fierce and menacing, stood in orderly ranks, bowing respectfully.
"Master Shangguan, with a century of glory, has created a martial arts master and will unify the martial world!"
Meanwhile, in the southern part of Mount Dongyue, within the Sword Pavilion of Dumu Peak, stood a man with an air of otherworldly grace. With white hair and a youthful face, dressed in a magnificent blue robe, his spirit soared, his brows furrowed in a cold expression, and his clear eyes held no trace of turbidity. This was none other than the peerless swordsman—Jian Wuji. Beside him stood two disciples, Xuanjian and Xuanduan.
Xuan Jian apologized, saying, "The theft of the Black Remnant Sword is my fault. Please punish me, Master!"
Jian Wuji coldly said, "I'll punish you! Can you return my sword?"
Xuan Jian hesitated and said, "No."
Jian Wuji flicked his sleeve, turned around, and said, "Then what's the point of punishing you?"
Xuan Jian: "Disciple knows his mistake and humbly listens to Master's teachings to make amends."
Jian Wuji: "A very good realization."
Throughout the entire process, Jian Wuji's expression remained cold and indifferent, without the slightest change.
Jian Wuji: "While I'm away, go up Dumu Peak, break the sword formation, and take the broken sword. Who else but Jian Wuer could do this?"
Xuan Duan: "Senior Uncle! Why did he do this?"
Jian Wuji suddenly said coldly, "Watch your words!"
Xuan Duan hurriedly replied, "Yes, it is Jian Wuer!"
Jian Wuji: "His actions are nothing more than an attempt to draw the conflicts of the martial world to the Sword Pavilion and force me to enter the world."
Xuan Duan: "Master is cultivating and is at a critical moment of ascending to immortality. If he rashly enters the mortal world, it will only add to his tribulations."
Jian Wuji: "That's right, this is exactly his plan. He's done everything for me, he's really gone to great lengths!"
Xuanjian: "Please let me go down the mountain, Master. I will definitely find the Black Remnant Sword!"
Jian Wuji stopped and said, "There's no need to mention this matter again. Let things take their course. What you should do now is focus on your cultivation and comprehend the Sword Realm."
Xuan Duan: "Master, these days, the Xiantian Sect has started to oppress the people again, stealing livestock and food. The people are fleeing and wandering, and cries of agony are everywhere."
Jian Wuji said calmly, "This is the martial world, the scene and flavor it should have."
Xuan Duan hesitated and said, "Should there be?! This disciple does not understand, please enlighten me, Master."
Jian Wuji: "Very good. Since you are so eager to learn, I will tell you about the past of the Xiantian Sect."
Xuan Duan: "The past of the Primordial Sect?"
Jian Wuji: The Xiantian Sect, currently the largest sect in Dongyue, was formerly known as the "Tianmen" sect. The Tianmen sect was an extremely mysterious sect. Although its members were few, their cultivation levels were all unparalleled. Legend has it that since its founding 220 years ago, the Tianmen sect has only had one master, known in the martial arts world as "Shadowless!" No one has ever seen his true face.
Xuan Duan: "Even Master has never seen him?"
Jian Wuji: "I only saw his body, but not his face."
Jian Wuji continued, "One hundred and eighty years ago, Dongyue was in chaos. Beisha and Dongyue fought a bloody war, and the cities and regions of Dongyue fought each other. Corpses littered the fields, starving people filled the land, and families were torn apart everywhere. It wasn't until Tianmen unified Dongyue and conquered Beisha that the people were able to live in peace. Under Tianmen's strong rule, although the people have had a hard time for the past one hundred and eighty years, there has been less conflict in Dongyue. There is no fighting between gangs, no war between the three states, and no more families being torn apart or people being displaced."
Xuan Duan: "So, this Heavenly Gate has also brought 180 years of peace to the Eastern Peak!"
Jian Wuji said sternly, "I haven't finished speaking. Can you please not interrupt?"
Xuan Duan: "Yes, Master!"
Jian Wuji: "Until forty years ago, although Dongyue was at peace, Nanyang was constantly at war. Tianmen forcibly requisitioned meat, food, cloth, and utensils from the people in preparation for attacking Nanyang. However, the people of Dongyue had been living in peace for too long, and faced with this sudden forced requisition, uprisings broke out in various places. Shen Ying Wuzong, in a fit of rage, ordered all those who resisted to be killed. After this incident, the three most outstanding masters of Dongyue at the time prepared to uphold justice and join forces to eliminate Shen Ying Wuzong." Jian Wuji closed his eyes slightly and took a deep breath.
Jian Wuji: "Why don't you ask who those three peerless masters are?"
Xuan Duan: "...Master told us not to interrupt!"
Jian Wuji said, "Foolish! It was me, Xu Zhuzi, and Murong Xuanxiao who faced the Saintly Shen Ying Wuzong. After three moves, Murong Xuanxiao died on the spot, and Xu Zhuzi and I were seriously injured and unable to move. But Shen Ying Wuzong let us go, saying: 'The way of chivalry is not just about being brave. To walk the true path of chivalry, one needs a different kind of heart! You are merely heroes, not yet on the path.' After saying this, he left with his head held high."
Xuan Duan: "The true way of chivalry?"
Jian Wuji: "After Murong Xuanxiao died, he left behind an eight-year-old son, Murong Mingde. Xu Zhu and I began to comprehend the Dao from then on. He returned to his Tianji Palace, and I returned to the Sword Pavilion. Shen Ying Wuzong did not stop his conquests. Ten years later, a saint appeared in the South Seas."
Xuan Duan: "Who is he?"
Jian Wuji said seriously, "That's right, when you should ask, don't hesitate!"
Xuan Duan: "Yes, Master!"
Jian Wuji: "This person is called Guiguqi Hengsheng. Thirty years ago, he challenged Shenying Wuzong to a duel. The two fought in the North and South Seas and disappeared from the world after that."
Xuan Duan: "Disappeared? Did they both die in battle?"
Jian Wuji: "No one knows the specifics, let's just assume they're dead! After Shenying Wuzong died, Dongyue fell into chaos again, with constant fighting and killing everywhere. Beisha also took the opportunity to attack, kill, and plunder. When the people of Tianmen saw that there was another upheaval, they all went into seclusion in the mountains. Only Shangguan Wenyi led people to resist Beisha. But in the end, they were outnumbered and weak, and it was difficult to unify Dongyue. Ten years passed with fighting, killing, and plundering everywhere."
Xuan Duan: "I never imagined that after Shen Ying Wu Zong's death, the people would fall into such a state."
Jian Wuji: "Twenty years ago, Shangguan Wenyi died of illness, and the twenty-six-year-old Shangguan Yanxin inherited his will. He joined forces with the twenty-eight-year-old Murong Mingde, and fought east and west, finally ending the war in Dongyue that lasted for more than ten years. Those who supported Shangguan Yanxin back then now occupy a city in Dongyue, which is why Dongyue is now divided into three prefectures, six strongholds, seven forts, nine villages, and fourteen cities."
Xuan Duan: "I never imagined that the peace in Dongyue was thanks to Shangguan Yanxin."
Jian Wuji: "The forty of them made an agreement that they would not plunder or wage war against each other. But Shangguan Yanxin dominated the north, monopolizing the territory and people of four cities. He acted recklessly in his territory, and no one could control him."
Xuan Duan: "Master, I understand!"
Xuanjian asked in confusion, "Junior brother, what do you understand?"
Xuan Duan: "I understand the chivalrous path that Master spoke of! If I hate Shangguan Yanxin's actions and eliminate him, then Dongyue will surely be thrown into turmoil again, and the people will be plunged into war once more. What we will see then is families torn apart and corpses strewn across the fields."
Jian Wuji said domineeringly, "You are teachable! Everything in this world has its cycle of change. If you do not have the ability to change it, you should not interfere. If killing one person could bring peace to the martial world, then thirty years ago, Xu Zhu and I would have killed all the leaders in the world!"
Xuan Duan: "Master, Xu Zhu is on par with you, he must be an extraordinary person. Is he still alive?"
Jian Wuji was overcome with grief and said in a hoarse voice, "He left me ten years ago. Although his cultivation had reached the Saint level, he did not pass away in the end due to the mortal tribulation."
Xuanjian: "Master, how old was that Shadowless One?"
Jian Wuji: "He has been in charge of the Heavenly Gate for 220 years, and he is at least 300 years old."
Xuan Duan: "It's too disheartening that someone hasn't ascended to immortality at three hundred years old."
Jian Wuji: "Persistence, is this all the path you've taken?"
Xuan Duan: "This disciple was just feeling sentimental for a moment and did not think deeply about it."
Jian Wuji: "Hmph! I have said all I need to say about chivalry. As for how you view it, I will not ask." With that, he swept away.
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