Chapter 370 - 276: A Single Thought Turns to Demonic (Part 2)
Wei Zi’ang awkwardly said, "But didn’t the Grand Elder discover it anyway?"
Yuan Zhixiang shook his head and said, "I actually didn’t discover it; it was only because I also intended to do the same thing with you that I noticed something was amiss."
Wei Zi’ang asked in surprise, "Grand Elder, you also want to deal with Sword One? Why?"
Yuan Zhixiang pondered for a moment, then said, "Because in this era, Sword King City cannot let Sword One become Sect Leader. This is my idea, and it’s also your grandfather’s idea.
You are still a bit immature. Have you never considered that inciting internal strife in the Qianyu Sect went unusually smoothly?"
"I did suspect," Wei Zi’ang said. "I used my wedding to Lian Nanfeng’s daughter as the breakthrough opportunity to collaborate with Lian Nanfeng, having him kill Chen Xuannong and take control of Qianyu Sect. He agreed a bit too readily.
I did suspect at the time, but thereafter, everything Lian Nanfeng did aligned with the plans I set out. He gradually eroded Chen Xuannong’s power, gradually dispelling all of Chen Xuannong’s suspicions of him. There were no issues with these actions, and I couldn’t find any reason to suspect Lian Nanfeng."
"True," Yuan Zhixiang chuckled lightly and said, "After all, everything is proceeding according to your plan, and even if there were suspicions, they would have gradually dissipated."
Wei Zi’ang asked, "So, Grand Elder, at what point did you begin to involve yourself in this?"
"One step ahead of you," Yuan Zhixiang replied. "When you intended to marry Lian Nanfeng’s daughter, your grandfather and I had already speculated about your intentions. It just happened to coincide with our plan, so we followed along and pushed things forward."
Wei Zi’ang realized and said, "No wonder everything went so smoothly, it turns out you and grandfather were helping me behind the scenes."
Yuan Zhixiang nodded and said, "Otherwise, do you think Lian Nanfeng would have so easily agreed to cooperate with you? Without Sword One, your status as the chief disciple of Sword King City would have been sufficient, but with Sword One, it would be difficult to make such a significant decision based solely on your status.
He agreed because your grandfather and I secretly promised to support him as the Sect Leader of Qianyu Sect. Furthermore, although Chen Xuannong is quite mediocre, he is after all a Supreme Grandmaster. If it weren’t for your grandfather and me acting in the shadows, how would Lian Nanfeng have the opportunity, or even dare, to take action against him?"
Wei Zi’ang was rendered speechless for a moment, then said, "I... am indeed a bit immature. However, I don’t understand. Sword One is appointed by the Elder Celestial Master as the next Sect Leader, and his talent is indeed unparalleled. I want to destroy him because he blocks my way, but Grand Elder, why do you and my grandfather want to destroy him?"
Yuan Zhixiang took a deep breath and said, "If it weren’t for Sword King City, your grandfather and I would never do such a foolish thing; it’s akin to killing the chicken to get the eggs. However, Sword One absolutely cannot be the next Sect Leader!"
"Why?" Wei Zi’ang asked, puzzled.
Yuan Zhixiang said gravely, "The chaotic times are approaching, yet the Elder Celestial Master is only concerned with preserving the traditions of Sword King City. But in chaotic times, how can one ensure heritage?
This is different from before. In the past, having a Sect Leader like Sword One could indeed guarantee that Sword King City remained the number one sect in Yunzhou, transcending worldly concerns. But now, with the impending chaotic times, heroes will rise, and the tumultuous times cannot be viewed from afar; everyone will be drawn into the game, becoming participants in the struggle.
To not mention distant places, even in Yunzhou, while Demon Dao seems suppressed by the Righteous Dao, in reality, it has recovered over the years. Moreover, Ye Zhaonan of the Moon Worship Sect is an ambitious leader intent on unifying the Demon Dao.
The Battle of Bright Moon Gorge ended so cleanly in our favor; do you really think Demon Dao has become weak? It’s not that simple. It was Ye Zhaonan’s intention to have Demon Dao experience a crisis, making it easier for him to unify it.
The Battle of Bright Moon Gorge was necessary for all sides involved. Although the needs were different, the outcome was the same, hence why the battle began smoothly and ended swiftly."
Wei Zi’ang slightly squinted his eyes,
Before Yuan Zhixiang mentioned it today, he hadn’t thought that the Battle of Bright Moon Gorge, which resulted in a significant morale boost for Righteous Dao and a defeat for Demon Dao, was a mutually beneficial result.
Yuan Zhixiang continued, "Furthermore, the White Lotus Sect in the Northern Territory has already become a formidable force. Regardless of whether they will eventually be suppressed, they have firmly rooted themselves in Yunzhou. Meanwhile, over in Yundong, the Astronomical Bureau will certainly not sit idly by, and they keep a keen eye on Yunxi.
And in the land of Yunxi, with the constraint of the Cyan Gorge Covenant gone, the internal resentments of various factions, suppressed for years, are bound to erupt, leading to yet another chaotic power reshuffle.
Yet, the current Court is in decline, barely capable of suppressing the entire Nine Provinces. Signs of nationwide chaos are already visible. In such circumstances, how can Sword King City remain uninvolved? How can it stay isolated?
In times of chaos, not advancing is retreating. If Sword King City wishes to maintain its glory, it absolutely cannot cling to one corner. Otherwise, it will be surrounded by ravenous wolves. When the world descends into chaos, not even the three noble families can remain uninvolved, so how could Sword King City? In these times, one must either join the fray as a wolf or become prey for the wolves—there is no third option."
Wei Zi’ang slightly squinted his eyes and said, "So, the reason you and grandfather chose me is because I have ambition, because I can lead Sword King City to join the fray as a wolf?"
Yuan Zhixiang pondered and said, "Not exactly."