Chapter 159: I Still Want to Become the Number One Under Heaven
Jiangzhou, Xu County, Baima City.
This was a prosperous city cut through by a great river.
Countless merchant ships came and went along its waters, and within the city, numerous large and small streams flowed beneath the streets, forming a network of stone bridges.
The sight attracted talented scholars and graceful ladies from all across the land—some painted upon the bridges, some composed poetry by the willow banks, and some beauties waved their sleeves by the window, their every smile and frown catching the attention of passersby on the bridges and in the streets.
The entire scene was like a grand painting of a flourishing age.
Even though the world was in chaos, Baima City remained lively and untouched by war.
Yet as dusk arrived, the city’s prosperity gained a touch of melancholy.
In the northern district stood a grand residence, with three bold characters carved on its gate plaque—
Lingtian Residence!
The Lingtian Residence was vast, occupying nearly one-quarter of Baima City.
Within its walls were numerous martial training grounds, where many martial artists practiced diligently, sweating as they trained—it resembled the camp of a private army.
At one such training ground, a black-clad man stood with his hands behind his back, watching the young boys and girls practicing before him.
He nodded slightly, eyes full of satisfaction and hope.
“Protector Xiao’s Body Tempering Technique truly is remarkable. Using the energy of Heaven and Earth to temper the body—in less than twenty years, no, in less than ten—these youngsters will already have the ability to roam the martial world.”
So thought the black-clad man.
His name was Tian Jiang, the Chief Instructor of Lingtian Sect, under whose command were a hundred instructors responsible for teaching the young disciples martial arts.
Just then, a man with a blade at his waist approached quickly.
Coming to Tian Jiang’s side, he said, “Tomorrow, around a dozen disciples are expected to arrive—they come from the He-Yue Gang.”
Tian Jiang frowned.
“He-Yue Gang? Never heard of them. Why is the Master recruiting every random cat and dog?”
The blade-bearing man chuckled.
“We’ve only just taken control of Jiangzhou’s martial world—not enough manpower. We take whoever we can. And that He-Yue Gang isn’t weak—only two or three hundred members, but its leader once held great prestige in the martial world, a genuine first-rate expert.”
Tian Jiang sneered.
“First-rate expert? Only one who has entered the Realm deserves that title.”
“Entering the Realm is no easy feat. Even in our Lingtian Sect, few have done so. Stop complaining. Once we unify the martial world, the Sect Master will sort out the ranks himself. Don’t forget—we’ll soon be dealing with Clear Sky Sect. You know well how powerful they are.”
The man lowered his voice.
“There will be deaths. Better for outsiders to die than our own.”
Tian Jiang frowned.
He found such methods despicable, unbecoming of the world’s number one sect.
But with the existence of Clear Sky Sect, Lingtian Sect had yet to earn that title.
He could only endure.
Though he was Chief Instructor, his authority extended only within Lingtian Residence—he had no say in greater matters.
Seeing Tian Jiang’s expression remain dark, the man smiled and said, “By the way, word of our extermination of the Jiang Clan has already spread. The martial world is in turmoil, waiting to see how Clear Sky Sect will react. With Li Qingqiu’s domineering nature, he’s probably already sent people down the mountain. Even with the Protectors here, you’d better stay alert—don’t get killed by a Clear Sky disciple sneaking in.”
Tian Jiang scoffed.
“People in the martial world praise Li Qingqiu to the heavens, saying he can face a thousand soldiers alone. I don’t buy it. If you ask me, it was that foolish Emperor Zhao Zhi—sinful and corrupt—whose soldiers deliberately let Li Qingqiu kill him.”
The man shrugged, not bothering to argue.
It was meaningless talk.
After chatting a bit more, he turned and left.
Lingtian Sect was expanding rapidly—everyone was busy, too many tasks awaited.
In their eyes, Lingtian Sect was not an invader—they were accomplishing a grand, unprecedented cause.
They were unifying order, striving for peace under Heaven.
This belief filled them with boundless zeal.
Seeing that night was falling, Tian Jiang clapped his hands to draw the attention of the young disciples before him.
“That’s enough for today. Tomorrow at the hour of the dragon, no one is to be late!”
His loud voice carried across the ground, and perhaps because of his irritation, his tone was harsh.
But strangely, the young disciples did not cheer and disperse as usual—they all stared fixedly past him.
No—not at him!
Tian Jiang instinctively turned around, his pupils widening.
Along the high walls at the edge of the residence stood numerous figures, overlooking them—and more appeared by the moment.
All of them wore the same blue robes.
Realizing something was wrong, Tian Jiang was just about to speak when a sharp whistling sound cut through the air.
He instinctively stepped aside—
Puchi—
A flying sword streaked past, slitting Tian Jiang’s throat.
The blade embedded itself into the stone floor, blood splattering around it.
The young disciples of Lingtian Sect froze in shock—then, as Tian Jiang’s body fell, screams erupted, and chaos broke out as they scattered in all directions.
At that moment, the sword quivered violently, then flew back into the hand of Jiang Zhaoxia.
The figures on the high wall were none other than the disciples of Clear Sky Sect, led by Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning.
As more and more Lingtian Sect martial artists discovered them, the sound of war drums quickly spread throughout the residence—growing louder and louder, filling the entire Lingtian Residence with a tense, killing atmosphere.
Xu Ning glanced at Jiang Zhaoxia and asked, “How do we kill?”
She could not possibly comprehend the burning rage in Jiang Zhaoxia’s heart after her clan’s annihilation, so she let Jiang Zhaoxia lead.
Jiang Zhaoxia said, “Only kill those of Lingtian Sect. Spare those who were forcibly absorbed. Let’s see who can speak fast—if they hesitate, their death is deserved.”
“From this day forth, let no martial artist in the world dare to join Lingtian Sect!”
With that, she leapt forward, soaring into the residence like a wild goose in flight.
Xu Ning was surprised—given such a blood feud, why was Jiang Zhaoxia’s killing intent milder than before?
In the past, even without personal enmity, Jiang Zhaoxia never showed mercy during missions.
Xu Ning did not dwell on it and followed closely after.
Once they destroyed this Lingtian Residence, there were others to purge—their mission was to uproot every Lingtian stronghold across the Nine Provinces.
……
Sunlight filtered through the leaves into the forest.
A young man stood before a large tree, punching its trunk again and again.
His fists were already bloodied, yet he did not stop.
He was Jiang Nian, Jiang Zhaoxia’s younger brother.
Now twenty-three years old, he bore some resemblance to him, though his frame was thinner.
With each punch, the faces of his enemies flashed through his mind—the sneering visages of those from Lingtian Sect—driving him nearly mad with rage.
Most of all, he remembered Jiang Zhaoxia’s harsh words to him before, and in that memory, he loathed the entire world.
Unprecedented hatred consumed him, and he longed desperately for strength.
Before his clan’s massacre, he had despised martial arts, believing that studying and serving as an official was the true path.
But when his clan was slaughtered—where were the officials then?
Now, he only believed in his fists.
“You won’t grow stronger like this—you’re only tormenting yourself.”
A calm voice came from the side.
Jiang Nian turned his head to see a boy of about ten years old walking toward him.
Despite his young age, the boy carried an aura of composure far beyond his years.
Jiang Nian glared and asked, “Who are you? What do you know?”
“My name is Yuan Li. Like you, my clan was wiped out—only my brother and I survived,” Yuan Li said as he walked closer, stopping ten steps away and looking calmly at Jiang Nian.
Jiang Nian froze for a moment.
He frowned.
“So what? Are you trying to tell me to let go of hatred? To be like you? You’re still a child—what do you even remember of hatred? But I—I just lived through it! Do you know what it’s like to watch your mother’s chest pierced by a sword? To see your father’s arm severed as he screamed in agony on the ground?”
His voice trembled with anger, nearly breaking into sobs.
Yuan Li looked at him and said, “You’re right—I don’t know that feeling. But I do know that your brotjrt has already descended the mountain—he’s probably fighting your enemies right now. And you, here, destroying yourself—do you really think punching a tree ten thousand times will bring vengeance?”
Jiang Nian choked on his words.
He took a deep breath, gritting his teeth.
“Then what should I do? I’ve just joined—how could I possibly learn any profound martial arts?”
“You should first fulfill your duties as a Registered Disciple. Through labor, calm your mind. Once your heart is at peace, you’ll naturally learn martial arts. But the greatest strength of Clear Sky Sect isn’t martial arts—it’s the Immortal Cultivation Method,” Yuan Li said seriously.
“Immortal Cultivation Method?”
Jiang Nian’s eyes widened.
He’d heard rumors that Clear Sky Sect practiced cultivation, but he always thought it nonsense.
Yuan Li continued, “With your connection to Uncle-Master Jiang, you’ll certainly have the chance to learn it one day. But if you keep this attitude, even if you learn cultivation, what use will it be? If you rush off for revenge and die, what meaning will Clear Sky Sect’s efforts to train you have? You’d not only waste your own resources, but also those of your fellow disciples.”
Waste resources?
That was the first time Jiang Nian had ever heard such reasoning.
Instead of anger, he felt a strange curiosity about Yuan Li’s words.
“On Clear Sky Mountain, there are many orphans, and many disciples burdened with deep blood feuds. My master once said: vengeance is right and just—but it must not become the only reason for the living to exist.”
Yuan Li’s words deeply moved Jiang Nian.
He had heard that Clear Sky Sect often descended the mountain to adopt orphans.
During Emperor Zhao Zhi’s reign, those children must have suffered even more than he had.
Yuan Li continued, “Believe in your brother—he’s strong, he’ll avenge you. You don’t need to let hatred consume you. What you should do is become like him—and one day, rebuild the Jiang Clan. When that happens, your parents and kin will surely be proud.”
Rebuild the Jiang Clan!
Jiang Nian’s eyes widened.
A cool breeze brushed against his face, and it felt as though enlightenment dawned within him.
Yuan Li turned to leave.
He had only happened to pass by, and so offered his advice.
Having shared a similar past, he couldn’t help but feel a trace of sympathy.
Jiang Nian called after him, “And you? So young, yet you speak with such wisdom—what is your goal for the future?”
Yuan Li stopped, but did not turn around.
In a firm tone, he said, “I want to cultivate immortality. I want to protect Clear Sky Sect. I want to become my master’s greatest pride.”
“I still want to become the Number One Under Heaven.”
As his words faded, Yuan Li began walking again.
Jiang Nian watched his back.
For some reason, he heard within that young voice a powerful mix of unwillingness and resolve.