"Daoist Jinzhu..." The cultivator paused, speaking with some doubt, "Fellow Daoist, the Daoist has already gone to Splitreed Island, and there's no way to verify your identity at this time. What a pity."
His tone wavered slightly, but fearing they had chosen this time precisely because Cheng Jinzhu wasn’t present, he finally said in a firm voice, "Do the three of you have any other proof? I’m afraid I can’t just let you through based on your words alone."
Li Xizhi immediately felt awkward. The sword gate most likely wouldn't give face to the Azure Pond Sect. If he took out the Azure Pond Sect jade token now, it would not only be ineffective, but the contradiction in actions would also arouse suspicion.
He gripped his sword, just about to speak, when Li Qinghong behind him stepped forward. A streak of bright lightning appeared in her hand, purple and shimmering like a swimming fish.
She spoke gracefully, "I am Li Qinghong of Moongaze Lake. I cultivate the ancient art of the Thunder Dao, might this serve as proof..."
The cultivator carefully examined the lightning in her hand and considered the details. At last, he relented and said after a moment’s thought, "Since you're from the Li Family, it's only right that our sword gate offers some assistance. I see all of you are injured; several elders from our sect are heading to Wu State’s Great Western Plains. Why not travel with them and disembark at Moongaze Lake along the way?"
The Sword Gate truly acts with integrity... thought Li Xizhi.
How could Li Xizhi not understand the arrangement? Since they didn’t look like villains and their identity was still unverified, the sword gate was choosing to escort them all the way to the Li Family. If they were devil cultivators in disguise, it would all be exposed the moment they met the real family.
It was a sound plan, but quite troublesome for the sword gate. Li Xizhi thought to himself that if it were him guarding the ferry crossing, he would’ve just turned them away. He wouldn’t have gone to such lengths.
Li Quantao nodded, having a good impression of the sword gate. He used a secret technique to transmit his voice and advised, Brother Zhi, the sword gate has been an upright gate for many years. They won’t harm us...
"Then we’ll trouble your sect."
Li Xizhi gave a nod in response. The cultivator’s expression softened like spring thawing ice, and he said gently, "Then follow me quickly. If we miss the scheduled time, that’ll be a real problem."
The group followed him across the ferry crossing. The refined architecture of Wanyu Sword Gate had a distinctive sharpness, embodying the style of sword cultivators. The pavilions were connected by walkways, with eaves curving sharply upward, creating a striking scene.
A large sword ship of the sect was anchored at the ferry dock. A sword cultivator, dressed in a simple black robe, stood in front of it with a bright white longsword strapped to his back. He had narrow eyes and long brows, and was gazing westward.
"Martial Uncle!" The cultivator leading the group called out and quietly explained the situation.
The elegant sword cultivator turned his head in surprise and asked, "The Li Family of Qingdu?"
He smiled faintly, the white sword on his back humming softly as he asked, "I am Cheng Gao. It’s been many years, I wonder how Brother Yuanjiao is doing? He once said he’d visit if given the chance, but I’ve never heard from him."
Li Xizhi was startled to hear this and could only reply, "My father perished in Mirage Mirror Heaven... It’s been eighteen years now."
Cheng Gao paused briefly, then asked again, "Who killed him?"
"Tang Shedu..." muttered Li Xizhi.
Cheng Gao crossed his arms, observing Li Xizhi for a breath before speaking, "You’re his son? Then there’s no need to wait in the clouds, come aboard."
He waved for the sword gate disciple to step back, led the group into the sword ship, and sat down by the table. Someone came forward to serve tea, and Cheng Gao spoke quietly, "I had been cultivating my sword essence in the Eastern Sea for twenty years... I didn’t expect so many things to happen during that time. It’s truly a shame..."
Li Xizhi wasn’t sure how close Li Yuanjiao had been with this man, so he refrained from speaking. Then he saw Cheng Gao exhale and say softly, "Now that Tang Shedu has been slain by Senior Xuanfeng’s arrow, I suppose that karma has been resolved!"
Upon hearing this, Li Xizhi felt as if a great burden had lifted from his heart and finally relaxed. Cheng Gao then asked, "Are all of you from the Li Family?"
"I am Li Qinghong, younger sister of Li Yuanjiao..." Li Qinghong replied gently.
Cheng Gao nodded in a friendly manner, while Li Quantao, a bit embarrassed, said softly, "Li Quantao, from Fuchen Peak of the Azure Pond Sect."
Cheng Gao had been pouring tea into a cup, but upon hearing this, he slowly raised his head, set the teapot down, and raised an eyebrow slightly.
He asked, "Who is Li Encheng to you?"
"He is my father..." Li Quantao's voice trembled slightly as he spoke.
Cheng Gao nodded and said kindly, "Then we’re all on the same side, no need to be so formal."
Li Quantao straightened his back a little, his complexion visibly brightening. Cheng Gao glanced at him once again and said gently, "Daoist Master Guanxue was once on good terms with our sword gate and often lent us support. Though your family joined the Azure Pond Sect, the friendship remains. There’s no need to stand on ceremony, Quantao."
The others might not have understood earlier, but after Yu Yuwei’s earlier hints, they quickly caught on, The Daoist Master from Hongxue Gate!
Li Quantao froze, gripping his cup tightly. Cheng Gao said gently, "There’s no need to react like that... No matter who it was, even the Sword Immortal Donghua wasn’t perfect. Not everyone who besieged him back then was evil. Some entanglements aren’t about right or wrong, but simply fate’s mischief."
His words were like a sudden awakening, causing Li Quantao’s eyes to redden slightly as the pent-up frustration in his heart dissipated. He slowly took a sip of tea and asked, "Senior, may I ask... what exactly happened to our family’s Daoist Master?"
Cheng Gao nodded gently and rested one hand on the table as he began to explain, "Back then, the Changzhen Wondrous Arts were released when Donghua fell. All the things that had only existed in the great void with mana came tumbling down, glittering like a sky full of jewels.
"A great battle erupted over the lake, descending into chaos. Daoist Master Guanxue seized the immortal sword and secretly clutched it to his chest. He didn’t dare return to his sect, nor did he dare to flee into the great void. He simply fled westward, toward Wu State."
Cheng Gao’s expression turned wistful as he spoke softly, "It’s said that the sword was called Xueli. It was a true immortal sword.
"When he reached Sun Seeking Pond in Wu State, Daoist Master Guanxue’s injuries flared up, forcing him to stop and look for a place to enter seclusion. But that immortal sword suddenly leapt from his arms, circled once around his neck, and severed his head.
"Caught off guard, Daoist Master Guanxue was wrapped in sword qi and dared not move a muscle. He stood alone above the pond, and soon perished. The immortal sword then escaped into the great void, never to be seen again."
Since it was described as an immortal sword, Li Quantao did not question why a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator would die from decapitation, and instead said, "Thank you for informing me, Senior."
Cheng Gao simply nodded and replied, "I'm heading to Ganzi Prefecture in the Great Western Plains to meet someone, so I can’t talk further now. But when you have time, do come visit me at the sword gate."
Li Quantao nodded of course. After a few sips of tea, the sword cultivator pointed beneath them and said softly, "We’ve arrived at Moongaze Lake."
A cultivator from the Li Family had already come aboard to check, and was overjoyed to see the group.
Cheng Gao nodded at the sight and quietly escorted the three out, saying, "I’ll be cultivating in Ganzi Prefecture of the Great Western Plains for the next few years. If any of you come west, feel free to visit."
He piloted the sword ship back into the sky, returned to his seat, refilled his tea, and fell into silent contemplation.
What a coincidence... Li Quantao is actually traveling with the Li Family of Qingdu... The sword cultivator took a sip of tea, deep in thought, It makes sense... The Li of Qingdu are Wei’s Li, and so are the Li from Hongxue. Helping each other is only natural.