Chapter 82: Tingyun, Don’t Be Afraid
The faction of the Supreme Elder defected from Han Shan and, riding flying artifacts, returned to the Zhou family estate by the Huai River. The upheaval in Jingsi Valley within Han Shan did not cause large-scale panic in the cultivation world. For the moment, it produced only two major effects: first, Yu Qishu rose to fame, for everyone now knew that he had awakened the Endless Sky Sword and, borrowing the divine weapon’s power, fought Daoist Revered Tai Heng, forcing that deity of the Nascent Soul stage to flee; second, the identity of Ji Xiao’s Dao companion, Meng Xueli, became shrouded in mystery.
That Dao companion of Ji Xiao’s had been accused by Daoist Revered Tai Heng of being a demon. At first hearing, the claim sounded absurd and bizarre, yet precisely because it was so sensational, it drew even more attention and discussion.
Although the great competition within the secret realm had not yet concluded, those who had lasted until the later rounds were only a few. The majority of contestants had already lost their jade tokens and been ejected. Some cultivators who had lost to Meng Xueli declared that no matter how early one began cultivating, it made no sense for a “normal person” to be so overwhelmingly powerful. Thus, they speculated, Meng Xueli might really be a demon.
Others scoffed at this: “So, you lose to him, and your excuse is he’s a demon? If he truly were one, how could Sword Sovereign Ji Xiao not notice, and even go so far as to form a ceremony of companionship with him?”
“Because demons are cunning! He must have deceived Sword Sovereign! That alone shows the wolfish ambition of the demon race. Who knows—perhaps the Sword Sovereign was slain by a conspiracy between demons and devils alike!”
The two sides each insisted on their own view.
Meng Xueli was still inside the secret realm, so no verdict could be reached outside. At present, Daoist Revered Tai Heng’s faction had not produced solid evidence, and the affair was still within the stage of internal strife at Han Shan. Thus, most cultivators simply stood aside, watching from the riverbank, taking perverse pleasure in the spectacle.
Meanwhile, salacious and wildly exaggerated storybooks circulated among the common folk, with titles like The Chronicle of Changchun and The Tale of Xueli:
“The Sword Sovereign built Changchun Peak for him; the Realm Master caused lotus blossoms to bloom beneath his every step; his eldest disciple, Xiao Tingyun, was hailed as ‘the heir of Ji Xiao’; his second disciple, Yu Qishu, made his name in a single battle. Who is he? He is none other than Ji Xiao’s Dao companion—Meng Xueli!”
These tales spread so widely that they even reached Han Shan itself. Yu Qishu confiscated three or four copies from junior disciples at the Hall of Legal Principles, tore them up angrily after reading: “Utter nonsense!”
Whether nonsense or not, the masses loved it, and wherever there was demand, there was market.
Qian Yuzhi never missed a chance to profit. He ordered his stewards overnight to draft exclusive pamphlets such as Eternal Changchun: Meng Xueli Teaches You How to Plant Peach Blossoms, When Fortune Turns: Meng Xueli’s Feng Shui Arrays, and Silken Garments and Ornaments: A Detailed Guide to Meng Xueli’s Attire and Accessories. These were bundled together with peach-blossom wine and peach-blossom rouge, earning him a hefty windfall while the fervor lasted.
Unlike Qian Yuzhi, the Han Shan Sect Leader and peak masters were not so greedy; instead, they sighed in worry day and night over the sect’s current state.
Before retreating into seclusion to heal his heavy wounds, Sect Leader Jianwei entrusted the peak masters with instructions: “The greater the crisis, the more we must remain calm. We must not break ranks ourselves… Tai Heng has endured for many years. Why did he choose this moment to strike, instead of continuing to bide his time? For him to defect so loudly, with such confidence, and to declare so firmly that Meng Xueli is a demon—this does not sound like a desperate rumor born of panic, but like someone who has backing. Gui Qing Zhenren of Mingyue Lake must have promised him some support. Beyond that, Tai Heng may very well hold evidence in his hands…”
Yueque Peak Master pondered aloud: “The more absurd it sounds to call someone a demon, the more attention it attracts. I fear what happens if Tai Heng truly produces proof.”
Liulan Peak Master spoke softly: “No waves without wind. I have a foreboding… We must consider the worst. If Elder Meng truly has a problem…”
The Sect Leader waved his hand. “Even if he once was a demon, has he ever harmed our sect, or endangered the mortal world? I hear that in the Hanhai Secret Realm, he has displayed tremendous skill and currently stands ranked first. Across countless battles, he has not once taken a life.”
Chongbi Peak Master sounded slightly surprised: “You trust him?”
The Sect Leader said, “It’s not trust in him. To be honest, I’ve not interacted with him much; I only feel he is a courteous, sensible youth. What I trust is Ji Xiao’s judgment. He is someone chosen by Ji Xiao. Since Ji Xiao formed a ceremony of companionship with him, that proves he possessed exceptional qualities, and that he was worthy of trust.”
Even after Ji Xiao’s passing, the Endless Sky Sword remained to guard the sect and turned the tide in their hour of peril. This showed Ji Xiao’s foresight. Such a Sword Sovereign could never be deceived so easily.
After the Sect Leader went into seclusion, the burden of the sect fell upon Chongbi Peak Master’s shoulders. He sent word to Ziyan Peak Master:
“Rumors abound, and hearts waver. When Elder Meng returns, he must somehow vindicate himself. But that is for later—what matters most now is ensuring Elder Meng’s safety.”
Ziyan Peak Master replied: “The key to breaking this situation lies in Elder Meng. If he falls into their hands, Tai Heng will certainly find a way to make the entire cultivation world believe that Ji Xiao’s Dao companion truly is a demon.”
She led several of her direct disciples, patrolling the boundless yellow sands around the exit of the Hanhai Secret Realm, ever ready to receive Meng Xueli.
…
Inside the secret realm, Ji Xiao kept one eye on his surroundings while closely monitoring Meng Xueli’s condition. Should his young Dao companion encounter danger in his breakthrough—should his true essence riot or collapse—Ji Xiao was ready to intervene at once.
Meanwhile, enemies lurking in the mountains and forests tightened their encirclement, closing in toward the central city’s courtyard.
Ji Xiao let out a sigh in his heart. Now there were two saints in the heavens—Hu Si, unwilling to meddle, and Gui Qing, who had taken the lead in cheating, rendering the rules of the secret realm meaningless. This so-called Hanhai Grand Competition might as well never be held again.
Several sword intents arrived with the howling winds. Among them were not only the swords of Mingyue Lake but also those of Han Shan. It seemed the other side had changed their plan.
Ji Xiao’s guess was right. Gui Qing Zhenren’s original plan had been to kill Meng Xueli to remove future trouble, kill the mirage beast to seize control of the secret realm, and then set new rules for the competition—such as jade tokens and resource distribution.
Neutral sects like Songfeng Valley or Nanling Temple had not wanted to participate, but feared that if all the other sects joined while they alone stood aside, they would become the easy target of everyone’s hostility, second only to Han Shan Sword Sect. So most sect masters or high elders turned a blind eye to the schemes in the secret realm. They merely ordered their disciples to leave three days before the official end, to avoid whatever might happen at the very end. As for what exactly would happen in those final days, none dared think too deeply.
Compared to the balance of the entire cultivation world, one Hanhai Competition was a small matter—but its meaning was profound.
Ji Xiao’s era had already passed. By turning a blind eye to the disruption of the competitionand the rewriting of its rules, the sects were in fact offering their allegiance to the new saint. That attitude mattered greatly.
But since Gui Qing had obtained the Mirror of Reflection, the plan had shifted. The task was no longer to kill Meng Xueli, but to capture him alive, escort him out of the secret realm, and in front of all sects, expose him as a member of the demon race.
Gui Qing believed that it would be more fitting if Han Shan Sword Sect themselves were the ones to capture and judge Meng Xueli. However, after Daoist Revered Tai Heng’s faction had lost at Jingsi Valley and been forced to retreat to the Zhou clan of Huai River, Gui Qing instead ordered Mingyue Lake experts to secretly assist the Zhou family. Thus Ning Wei and others came in black cloaks, while a Zhou elder walked in the open, dressed in Han Shan’s white Daoist robes.
Unfortunately for them, Ji Xiao did not judge by appearance or disguise—he only recognized sword intent. With just one glance over the cloaked figures, he could clearly distinguish them: a smaller number from the Zhou clan, the majority from Mingyue Lake. It was as if their faces were openly inscribed with their sects and sword arts.
Ji Xiao thought to himself: this was supposed to be a competition for disciples under thirty years of age, yet even old men over a hundred had come to meddle. Utterly disgraceful.
He recognized the elder leading them—an enshrined offering of the Zhou clan of Huai River, a junior to Tai Heng. As for his exact name, Ji Xiao truly could not recall.
The gale bent tall trees, and leaves rustled down in waves. The two sides stood separated by dozens of paces. Ning Wei overlooked the open courtyard from higher ground, his brows slightly furrowed. Nearly a hundred disciples of various sects were sitting in meditation within the courtyard. In the secret realm, these teams should have been competitors, yet at this moment they were all completely undefended, calmly cultivating.
Something abnormal always hinted at danger. Ning Wei raised his hand, and the black-cloaked figures halted almost simultaneously, holding their ground. He fixed his gaze on the lone figure still standing—whose cultivation seemed mediocre, yet whose bearing was calm and detached—and felt even more unsettled.
“Wait. Something is wrong.”
Not far away, the Zhou elder grew impatient. “What are you waiting for?”
Ji Xiao said calmly, “If you leave now, it is still not too late. I do not wish to hurt anyone… cough, cough.”
It was a sincere warning. Unfortunately, the words were immediately followed by a fit of low coughing, which robbed them of all persuasiveness.
Ji Xiao could have drawn upon the secret realm’s power and, with his divine sense, commanded the Endless Sky Sword to strike down enemies from ten thousand miles away. But this body was simply too weak—like a sharp blade forced into a fragile sheath. The flesh could not endure such strength, and so pain followed.
He did not mind. He had long since grown used to enduring pain.
The Zhou elder squinted at him. “Are you Xiao Tingyun? Shouldn’t you be in seclusion on Changchun Peak? Why are you here colluding with Meng Xueli?”
This was Zhou Wu’s father—the same Zhou Wu whom Meng Xueli had injured on the Sword Training Platform. This time the elder had volunteered himself to capture Meng Xueli.
Ji Xiao did not answer directly but instead asked, “And what do you intend to do?”
The Zhou elder gave a cold snort. He had wanted to rebuke him, but considering that the youth was born with the innate sword spirit physique—a talent Daoist Revered Tai Heng had once considered taking as a disciple—he restrained himself and explained:
“Meng Xueli is a demon. Ji Xiao and Jianwei, as well as others, were deceived by him, nearly committing a great mistake. Fortunately, Daoist Revered Tai Heng has already obtained the divine artifact, the Mirror of Reflection. Once Meng Xueli is put on public trial, his demonic form will be exposed! If you are still a disciple of Han Shan, then come back with me, confess your fault to Daoist Revered Tai Heng.”
He expected Xiao Tingyun to be shocked and flustered. Instead, the other only shook his head lightly.
“Ah.” Ji Xiao sighed. He felt no real anger, only regret, helplessness, sorrow at their misfortune, and grief at the sect’s division.
The Zhou elder led his men charging into the courtyard, but upon hearing that soft sigh, a wave of dread welled up in his heart. In that instant, Ning Wei shouted: “Retreat!”
It was too late. Ji Xiao’s sleeve stirred, his hand moved ever so slightly, two fingers forming a sword seal that pointed gently forward, like a dragonfly skimming the water’s surface.
A sword qi burst forth.
“Ah—!”
A shrill scream tore through the forest. The Zhou elder was pierced straight through by the sword qi, flung backward, crashing through a row of tall trees one after another.
At that very moment, Meng Xueli had just broken through his barrier. His eyes opened, and he saw Xiao Tingyun confronting enemies. He immediately shouted: “Tingyun, don’t be afraid! Master is here!”
Before the words had even finished, he was already leaping into the air, Hundred Generations of Time in hand.
The onlookers, stunned by what they heard, did not even know what expression to make.
Huge shoutout to @_nyanmaru_ on Discord for commissioning this! The chapter will be posted regularly, show your support for Ciacia at Kofi.
