Chapter 127: Betraying the Sect or Protecting the Dao?
When a sword is drawn, it has a direction; wherever it points, it will strike.
What Ji You felt in the forest were those Sword Intents that repeatedly aimed at Tianjian Peak, carrying a very dense Killing Intent.
As his voice fell, Qi Zhengyang's hand suddenly stopped.
His motion for wiping the sword had always been gentle, not touching the sharp blade, but at this moment, the deerskin in his hand was cut open with a gash.
Qi Zhengyang looked up earnestly at Ji You, a fierce chill in his eyes.
“Petty cleverness can kill people. Some things you shouldn’t know, yet you insist on guessing, and your life will be in danger.”
Ji You was not afraid: “Then that proves my Sword Heart is truly clear.”
Qi Zhengyang frowned: “When did you guess that?”
“I felt the Killing Intent in the first layer of the forest, but it wasn't until the third layer that I confirmed Elder wanted to kill someone. However, the Killing Intent was erratic, as if it didn't know who to kill, especially that ‘Si Wu Xie’, which inexplicably weakened at the end. I figured it wasn't meant for me.”
Qi Zhengyang continued wiping his sword: “That ‘Si Wu Xie’ was always meant to weaken by half a point at the end; it had nothing to do with you.”
Ji You nodded: “It truly had nothing to do with me. However, this Junior believes Elder Qi didn't want to harm Yan Shujing, which is why he changed his Sword Intent beforehand, because Elder knew the Disciple was innocent, and the fault lay with Tianjian Peak.”
As his words fell, the residence instantly became silent.
But along with it, a sharp Killing Intent gradually emerged, as if foreshadowing someone's demise in the Yellow Springs. Qi Zhengyang was an Elder of Tianjian Peak, yet Ji You repeatedly said he aimed his sword at Tianjian Peak. Logically, he should have been dismembered by now.
However, after a brief howl, the Killing Intent gradually subsided, and no sharp sword was actually swung.
“Many people shouldn't have died in the ruins, and my son was one of them.”
“He had ordinary talent, and his Cultivation Aptitude was also average. He only loved the Dao of chess, but he was forced by people from Tianjian Peak to go to the ruins and died there.”
“I was in seclusion at the time, and by the time I learned of this news, I had no chance to act.”
“Later, several Elders of Tianjian Peak sent their sons to me, saying they wanted to show filial piety, but I knew what they wanted was my Sword Dao.”
“At that time, all the Zheng family members were also dead. I didn't know who to draw my sword against.”
“But if a son's revenge is not taken, how can one be a father?”
“When I set up the Sword Forest, I originally intended to slaughter all of Lingjian Mountain, but in the end, I realized that those people were innocent. Today, I can only draw one sword, and it must strike down the one who deserves to die the most.”
Qi Zhengyang's voice was calm and restrained.
From his expression alone, no one could tell that this Elder of Tianjian Peak was about to settle a score with Tianjian Peak over the death of his son.
Only those who could truly see through his Sword Intent could know where his sword was aimed.
Qi Zhengyang felt regret at this moment, regretting that this person was a Disciple of Tianshu Academy, and his Sword Dao, which he had studied deeply his whole life, could not be passed on to him.
But at least, he had passed on four swords, preventing his life's achievements from turning into nothing.
“You have already learned three swords; leave.”
“I thought Elder told me this because he was going to kill me anyway, so chatting was just chatting.”
Qi Zhengyang didn't even raise his eyes: “Since my sword is already unsheathed, your words won't be faster than mine.”
Ji You did not leave; instead, he found a cushion and sat down: “I escaped from the ruins and also saw the people from Tianjian Peak order their Disciples not to retreat, even though everyone knew there must be a conspiracy.”
After a long silence, Qi Zhengyang spoke: “Whose fault do you think this is?”
Ji You pondered for a moment and replied: “No one should die for another's greed, unless they are greedy themselves…”
“My son was never greedy!”
“Then it's all because of Tianjian Peak's greed.”
Qi Zhengyang's gaze suddenly deepened, then he murmured: “Yes, it's Tianjian Peak.”
Ji You looked at the sword, and his tone suddenly shifted: “But Elder also has a wife and daughter, and the Qi family also has other clansmen. Now, if everything is destroyed, it will only lead to greater karma. Elder Qi taught me three swords, so you are also my Sword Dao teacher. I came here this time to persuade Elder to reconsider.”
Hearing this, Qi Zhengyang suddenly scrutinized him again.
Ji You was wearing Yan Shu's old sword robe at this time, which, being ill-fitting, exposed his full pectoral muscles, making it uncomfortable to look at.
“So, I didn't drag you here just now; you wanted to come yourself. No wonder you didn't struggle at all.”
“If I hadn't finally discovered where Elder Qi's Sword Intent was aimed, I would have run away immediately after breaking through the forest. After all, I am a Disciple of Tianshu Academy, and I never thought of becoming Elder's Disciple. Coming here with Elder was just to offer some humble opinions.”
“I have heard many such humble opinions from you.”
Qi Zhengyang placed his sword on his knees and said: “Everyone knows I have clansmen, everyone says this matter is all the fault of the Zheng family and the Chen Clan. I also pretended to agree, but in the end, I still couldn't control my Sword Heart.”
The Sword Dao of Lingjian Mountain pursues straightforwardness, clean and direct.
Therefore, once a thought arises, it is difficult for the person themselves to suppress it.
After the incident in the ruins, everyone said they wanted to settle accounts with the Chen Clan and the Dan Sect.
But in Qi Zhengyang's view, the ones who truly needed to be held accountable were those who, knowing there was a tiger in the mountain, still forced their Disciples to go into the tiger mountain.
Whenever he thought of his son, his disciplined Sword Heart would stir, unable to persuade himself to reconcile with Tianjian Peak.
After a long deliberation, Ji You spoke again: “If Elder draws his sword now, I fear he will only be branded as a traitor to the Sect, reviled by thousands, and then no one will remember him, and your Sword Dao will also decline.”
“So what? I will have avenged him, but it will be hard on my clansmen, and my wife and daughter…”
In the Qingyun World, there are Immortal Sects above, with Worldly Families below, which are both foundations and shackles.
Just like when exploring the ruins, Wen Zhengxin, Ban Yangshu, and Pei Ruyi knew they were going to their deaths, but still had to go.
But Qi Zhengyang's sword was too direct; it could hide his heart but not his sword.
For the past half month, his Sword Heart was almost becoming demonic, and his Killing Intent could not be contained. The reason he endured until now was because he didn't know how to settle his wife, daughter, and clansmen.
“If you were me, how would you choose?” Qi Zhengyang suddenly looked at Ji You.
Ji You sat and pondered for a long time: “On the way here, I also considered many things, putting myself in your shoes.”
“I feel there might be a path that allows for both revenge and peace of mind.”
Qi Zhengyang looked at him with interest: “What path do you envision for this old man?”
“Immortal Sects are powerful, and personal grudges are hard to avenge, fearing harm to family. If I were Elder Qi, the only option might be to abandon Tianjian Peak and assist Xuanjian Peak.”
“Because in my opinion, that young Master Jian is the future of Lingjian Mountain, and she can also make Tianjian Peak's greed come to naught.”
“When I came to Asked the Dao Sect with my master, I heard a story on the mountain that the young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain didn't like being Master Jian, and used to angrily want to sink the spirit mirror into Xuán Hǎi.”
“But later, she heard that the people of Xuanjian Peak were always bullied by Tianjian Peak, so she never again spoke of abandoning the spirit mirror and confined herself to the mountain peak, becoming the fastest Sky Soaring Realm cultivator of her generation.”
“Elder's daughter is on the mountain, and your nephews and nieces should also be on Lingjian Mountain now. If the Legacy eventually returns to Tianjian Peak…”
Ji You paused here, not continuing, then pursed his lips and said: “Everyone must die, whether their death is lighter than a feather at this moment, or heavier than Mount Tai in the future.”
Qi Zhengyang frowned upon hearing this: “The Yan family members are all cut from the same cloth; I will no longer trust them.”
“But no one died at Xuanjian Peak. The young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain had her Disciples withdraw early, not allowing them to die in vain. The reason she was around the ruins at that time was because several Disciples were lost on the mountain, and she personally went down to look for them.”
Ji You looked at Qi Zhengyang and spoke with conviction: “My sword is the most direct; it should not be used for betraying the Sect, but for protecting the Dao.”
He had gnawed on the young Master Jian's trotters and held her in his arms, doting on her for a long time.
If she were to insist on marrying him in the future, she wouldn't be able to form a marriage alliance with Asked the Dao Sect, so he would have to find a way to help her guard the mountain.
Perfection in the Upper Five Realms is the strongest combat power under the Dao Legacy; even Tianshu Academy only has five.
When he felt that Killing Intent in the third layer of the forest, he guessed that Elder Qi must have had a rift with Tianjian Peak.
So, forcefully breaking through the fourth layer wasn't entirely for face; it was also because he wanted to meet this Elder Qi.
Killing three birds with one stone.
He was a sword thief, and also a Disciple of Tianshu Academy who cared about his reputation.
But probably no one would know that he was also a lobbyist for Xuanjian Peak.
Qi Zhengyang looked at him, suddenly fell silent, then looked up: “You know the young Master Jian of my Lingjian Mountain?”
“I have always admired her.”
“And a lecher.”
Ji You coughed: “Admiration is one thing, but ultimately, it's not wanting Elder Qi to die in vain, causing sorrow to loved ones and joy to enemies. Although the young Master Jian is weak, she is the legitimate successor of Lingjian Mountain. Both in name and righteousness, Elder Qi's future sword strikes should be more honorable than they are now.”
Qi Zhengyang muttered the phrase about sorrow to loved ones and joy to enemies, then after a long while, his eyelids twitched slightly: “Then how long do I have to wait? Do I have to wait until I die of old age?”
“Not too long.”
“You say it so easily.”
“Elder, a chaotic era is coming. The Barbarian Race is attacking Hantie Pass, and the Yao Race has also entered the border. Tianjian Peak will surely move to seize the Dao Legacy.”
As his voice fell, Qi Zhengyang's sword let out a clang, and he fell into silence.
Those with clear Sword Hearts can feel the changes in Sword Intent, just like now.
After a prolonged silence, Qi Zhengyang suddenly raised his eyes and looked at him: “You came here and didn't say you wanted to learn swordsmanship; instead, you kept talking about irrelevant things. I'm very curious, what exactly do you want?”
“I want nothing; I just have a kind heart that enjoys helping others and always wants to manage some injustices in the world.”
“Tell me the truth.”
“I want to choose a good sword to give to a woman, but no matter how I choose, I always feel they are too inferior.”
Qi Zhengyang looked at the sword in his hand: “You want my sword? Unfortunately, this is my Natal Spirit Sword; it cannot be given away.”
Ji You smiled, thinking to himself that it was unnecessary, he had already found a good sword for her.