Chapter 121: Xuan Gong’s Scheme
Hearing Shen Yue’s words, Zhang Yuchun frowned, Li Dongyue showed a curious look, while Li Qingqiu smiled faintly.
“Alright, we’ll wait until you recover.”
Li Qingqiu agreed readily.
Shen Yue opened his eyes, and blazing battle intent burst forth from within them.
Shen Yue continued, “It’s merely a friendly spar. I’m no longer interested in the Emperor Mystic Sword. I also won’t be leaving the Clear Sky Sect, so you needn’t feel pressured.”
Li Qingqiu couldn’t help laughing.
“I’m not feeling any pressure. What about you? If you lose again, don’t go into seclusion in despair.”
Shen Yue wanted to say, There’s no way I’ll lose now, but seeing Li Qingqiu’s teasing smile, he restrained himself.
Although Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning’s talents were no lesser than his, his comprehension in the Sword Dao was far beyond theirs.
Within the Clear Sky Sect—no, within the entire world—only Li Qingqiu was someone he couldn’t see through, someone who made him uncertain.
“I’ve already lost once. What’s there to be afraid of?” Shen Yue said stubbornly.
He thought to himself, Just wait until I shock you with my Ten Thousand Swords Returning to the Sect!
Li Qingqiu was amused and said with a smile, “Since you’re fine, I won’t give you acupuncture. Your contributions will be recorded by the disciples and posted publicly for all in the sect to know.”
Shen Yue remained silent; his mind had already drifted toward the upcoming duel.
After that, Li Qingqiu left the house with Zhang Yuchun and Li Dongyue.
Once they exited the Sword Sect Courtyard, Li Qingqiu finally spoke.
“You’ll handle this notice. No exaggerations—write exactly what happened.”
“Understood.”
“Also, send someone to invite Li Yang and Zhao Linglong to the Lingxiao Courtyard.”
“Alright.”
The three parted ways at the crossroads.
Li Dongyue, unwilling to rest, headed straight to the Spirit Finance Hall, while Li Qingqiu returned alone to the Lingxiao Courtyard.
He sat on the rocking chair beside the long table and closed his eyes for a brief rest.
After the time it took for one incense stick to burn, Li Yang and Zhao Linglong entered the courtyard and quickly approached the long table, bowing respectfully to Li Qingqiu.
Li Yang appeared calm and composed, without a trace of nervousness.
Zhao Linglong, however, was being summoned by Li Qingqiu for the first time and couldn’t help feeling anxious.
She had witnessed Li Qingqiu’s strength many times before and knew that even with her two hundred years of cultivation, she would be no match for this Sect Master.
Li Qingqiu opened his eyes, looked at Zhao Linglong, and asked, “Miss Zhao, what is your relationship with the Li Yin Sect?”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Linglong pondered briefly before replying, “Although I practice the Mystic Yin Art, I’m not a disciple of the Li Yin Sect. My master is an elder of the Li Yin Sect.”
Li Yang added, “I can vouch for that. She’s been by my side since childhood and has barely spent three months away from me in total. I’ve always wondered when she managed to learn such powerful martial arts.”
Although he was confident now that he could defeat Zhao Linglong, he still felt resentful over her past deception.
Li Qingqiu said calmly, “The Three Founding Sects of the Great Dynasty and the Forbidden Martial Guards tried to trample the Clear Sky Sect, only to be repelled by the Sword God alone. This matter isn’t over. I plan to annihilate the Three Founding Sects and eradicate the Forbidden Martial Guards.”
His tone was casual, as if speaking of something insignificant.
Zhao Linglong’s expression changed drastically.
Li Yang, too, hadn’t expected the Three Founding Sects to ally and invade the Clear Sky Sect.
He was furious.
“What’s wrong with those sects, becoming lapdogs of the imperial court?”
Li Qingqiu said, “Miss Zhao, you’ve been in the Clear Sky Sect for many years. Though you haven’t officially joined, you’ve guided our disciples and even fought alongside us. You’re already one of us. If there’s anyone in the Li Yin Sect you wish to protect, speak now.”
Zhao Linglong hadn’t expected Li Qingqiu to give her such a chance.
After a moment’s hesitation, she replied, “No one. I didn’t become a disciple of the Li Yin Sect by choice—it was forced upon me by my family.”
She believed Li Qingqiu would keep his word.
She simply wanted nothing to do with the Li Yin Sect any longer.
Even without the Clear Sky Sect’s intervention, the Li Yin Sect’s close association with imperial power would soon bring about its downfall.
Li Qingqiu nodded.
“That’s all. You may both leave.”
The two bowed again before turning to depart.
Li Qingqiu rose and made his way toward the forest behind the mountain, preparing to head to the Blessed Land of a Thousand Spirits for cultivation.
After leaving the Lingxiao Courtyard, Li Yang turned to Zhao Linglong and said, “Why don’t you join the Clear Sky Sect too? Zhao Zhi has lost all conscience and brought upon himself the wrath of Heaven. He’ll lose the throne sooner or later, and those sects and noble families serving him will meet destruction. My Li Family has already begun resisting him—though the cost was heavy, we’ve managed to stand firm. The King of Weizhou also bears the surname Zhao; supporting him isn’t treason.”
Zhao Linglong was tempted.
Her main curiosity lay in the Primordial Unity Scripture.
Ever since Li Yang began cultivating it, his strength had grown at a frightening pace.
However…
She asked softly, “Are you certain that when the Emperor falls, the King of Weizhou will ascend to the throne?”
Li Yang looked at her in surprise, not understanding why she would ask such a thing.
Other than the King of Weizhou, who else had the qualification or power to claim the throne?
Zhao Linglong said nothing more and quickened her pace ahead.
——
Night fell.
All the Hall Masters gathered at the Lingxiao Courtyard.
Shen Yue didn’t come—he was still recuperating.
Li Qingqiu had Zhang Yuchun recount the details of Shen Yue’s injuries, though everyone already knew.
Earlier that afternoon, the Free Spirit Hall had posted notices across the sect, exposing the treachery of the Three Founding Sects and the Forbidden Martial Guards.
The entire Clear Sky Sect was furious—and deeply admiring of Shen Yue’s strength.
After this battle, Shen Yue’s status among the disciples nearly rivaled that of Jiang Zhaoxia.
If not for him, the enemies would have reached Clear Sky Mountain, and casualties would have been inevitable.
Shen Yue had saved many lives.
“I’ll destroy the Three Founding Sects myself—and even storm the palace to slaughter the Forbidden Martial Guards!” Jiang Zhaoxia declared coldly, murderous intent flickering in his eyes.
Yang Jueding asked in surprise, “Didn’t expect you to care so much about Senior Shen?”
Li Sijin snorted.
“He doesn’t care about Senior Shen—he just hates being overshadowed.”
Jiang Zhaoxia shot her a glare, and she stuck out her tongue, saying no more.
Xu Ning spoke next.
“I can take charge of the mission.”
The last rescue of the Crown Prince had left her deeply frustrated.
This time, she was determined to face Xuan Gong herself.
Li Qingqiu said, “Make this operation grand. Let the entire martial world know that we’re moving against the Three Founding Sects. As for the Forbidden Martial Guards, deal with them quietly. Xu Ning, you’ll lead the team—I’ll personally select thirty True Transmission Disciples to accompany you.”
He intended to rise atop the ruins of the Three Founding Sects’ reputation and show the entire martial world the might of the Clear Sky Sect.
He wanted the title of Number One Sect Under Heaven to have a true successor.
“Master, I will not fail!” Xu Ning responded loudly.
Jiang Zhaoxia looked like he wanted to speak but held back.
Li Qingqiu continued, “Recently, Fourth Junior Sister and I discovered a Blessed Land that can aid the sect’s development. Third Junior Brother, you’ll accompany her—there’s much I’ll need your help with.”
Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxia’s expression softened slightly, though he still seemed displeased.
He would rather be out slaying enemies.
Everyone grew curious about the Blessed Land Li Qingqiu mentioned.
The Clear Sky Sect’s two existing ones already provided great assistance in cultivation—adding another would benefit all of them immensely.
“The world is in chaos, and we don’t know how long this turmoil will last. The Clear Sky Sect must cultivate more disciples capable of standing on their own. I ask all Hall Masters to dedicate yourselves to this.”
Li Qingqiu spoke earnestly.
He truly believed this.
With Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning soon to be dispatched, the sect’s strength within would thin considerably.
In the end, the number of powerful disciples was still too few.
He hoped that every hall could one day have at least two disciples as strong as Jiang Zhaoxia or Xu Ning.
Though it seemed impossible for now, it was a goal to strive for.
The Hall Masters all nodded solemnly, pledging to give their utmost.
——
Another evening came.
A group of wounded martial experts stopped at the banks of the Xi River to rest and tend their injuries.
Disheveled and long-haired, Xuan Gong stood by the river, gazing at his reflection in the water.
He still wore his Evil Ghost Mask, though his headpiece was gone and his black robe was tattered.
He recalled Shen Yue’s swordsmanship and took a deep breath.
Liu Dai of the Taiwu Sect walked up beside him and asked, “Xuan Gong, how are we going to report this when we return?”
Liu Dai was gravely wounded as well—his face pale, his clothes filthy, no trace of the splendor befitting the Taiwu Sect’s Deputy Sect Master.
Xuan Gong said slowly, “When this mission was decided, I already knew we would fail. I never wanted to fight the Clear Sky Sect, but His Majesty insisted.”
Liu Dai frowned, uncertain what he meant.
“The Emperor believes he controls the world. He sees noble families and imperial relatives as ants and plays his petty games with them. The only thing he truly fears is the Clear Sky Sect—not merely for their martial prowess, but because their cultivation method may not belong to the Mortal Martial Path at all.”
Not the Mortal Martial Path?
What did that mean?
Liu Dai looked puzzled, thinking Xuan Gong had gone mad.
Xuan Gong turned to him and continued, “My battle with the Sword God confirmed it further. Do you truly think sending an army to besiege the Clear Sky Sect will work?”
“Once the stalemate begins and the Emperor’s majesty falters, his dynasty will face an unprecedented crisis.”
Following his reasoning, Liu Dai’s expression darkened.
The Taiwu Sect had tied its fate to the Emperor’s.
His success meant their glory; his fall, their ruin.
Suddenly, Liu Dai realized that siding with the Emperor had been a foolish move.
The Taiwu Sect had grown arrogant, blind to how the martial world had changed, utterly underestimating the strength of the Clear Sky Sect.
“What should we do, then?” Liu Dai asked through clenched teeth.
Returning meant punishment from the Emperor, and their sect could soon face destruction.
Despair filled his heart.
“There’s only one way,” Xuan Gong said in a strange tone.
“What way?” Liu Dai asked eagerly.
Suddenly—
Xuan Gong struck Liu Dai’s chest with his palm.
Liu Dai’s eyes widened in horror.
Immediately, he felt his inner energy being drained, his blood essence churning violently.
Terrified, he tried to struggle, but his body wouldn’t move.
“You…”
Despair filled Liu Dai’s face.
He barely managed to utter a word before his legs weakened, though Xuan Gong held him up, preventing him from collapsing.
Leaning close to his ear, Xuan Gong whispered, “The only way… is to let your power become mine. I will establish a new Emperor and rebuild the world’s order.”
“That’s why I fought Shen Yue—not to harm him, but to protect all of you.”