113: Chapter 113: A Blessing or a Curse?

Is this the Jianghu?

Once you step into it, even if you have no heart for strife, you will inevitably be swept up by all sorts of entanglements.

Outside the city, Ximen Chuixue wiped the blood from his sword, staring blankly at the canyon cleaved by sword light in the distance.

Even from afar, that sharp Sword Intent, capable of severing everything in the world, still made one's heart tremble.

His expression changed for a long while, as if he had made a decision.

Marry a wife, make two friends?

I will.

Ximen Chuixue turned and left Snow Moon City, his steps resolute.

Xing Hun was much the same.

Xing Hun was unconcerned with the war in Northern Li.

However, the objective of this mission was also basically complete.

Now he too set off to return to Great Qin, to report back to His Majesty.

Yet, none of them knew that the phenomenon caused by Su Rui's world-shaking sword strike was far more complex than it appeared on the surface.

Great Qin, the Yin-Yang School's Star-Gazing Platform.

Donghuang Taiyi, cloaked in black robes, gazed silently towards the northwest. After a long while, he let out a low sigh.

"A Sword Intent soaring through the sky, piercing the highest heavens... Could this be the person indicated by the fate pattern? It seems it is already too late!"

His words caused slight changes in the expressions of Yan Fei and the Moon Goddess behind him.

"Your Excellency Donghuang, did you not already send Xing Hun to investigate?"

The Moon Goddess, her eyes veiled by a light gauze, spoke with a trace of doubt in her tone.

Earlier, Donghuang Taiyi had deduced that a person who could sway the fate of the world might appear in Northern Li. He had summoned Yan Fei and the Moon Goddess to discuss and dispatch an investigator.

Xing Hun, young and proud, had volunteered to go. Naturally, Yan Fei was aware of this.

"It is already too late," Donghuang Taiyi's tone was low. "That Sword Qi just now was transcendent, most likely from that very person.

Now, wanting to bring him back to the Yin-Yang School is likely already impossible."

His tone revealed deep regret, without any attempt to conceal it.

"Your Excellency, has Xing Hun sent any messages back?"

"No word yet, but he should be returning soon."

Donghuang Taiyi shook his head gently.

Yan Fei bowed slightly and said in a low voice, "I have heard the demonic cult from the Heaven Beyond Heaven beyond the borders is marching east against Northern Li. Snow Moon City may find it difficult to remain untouched. Perhaps there is still a chance to make contact with this person."

"We will not discuss this matter for now. We will decide after Xing Hun returns."

Donghuang Taiyi waved his hand and said no more.

At that moment, someone reported that His Majesty had summoned Donghuang Taiyi to the palace.

Not long after, within the Xianyang Palace.

"I pay my respects to the Great Qin Emperor."

Even Donghuang Taiyi did not dare to be too casual in the presence of Qin Shi Huang.

"Troubling Your Excellency Donghuang to come. Have I disturbed your cultivation?"

Though Qin Shi Huang's words were polite, his tone carried an imposing Aura that commanded respect.

"It is no trouble. I merely wonder for what purpose His Majesty has summoned me?"

"Does Your Excellency have any guesses?"

Qin Shi Huang did not answer directly, but instead posed a question in return.

Donghuang Taiyi fell silent for a moment. Qin Shi Huang did not press him, merely watching the black-robed figure quietly.

"Your Majesty, is it regarding the matter of Northern Li?"

"Half correct.

That Sword Qi which descended from the heavens... Did Your Excellency also sense it?"

As soon as Qin Shi Huang said this, Donghuang Taiyi's expression shifted slightly.

Even Yan Fei and the Moon Goddess had not detected that phenomenon, yet His Majesty could perceive it?

Though Qin Shi Huang practiced martial arts, his cultivation was far inferior to theirs.

"Strange?"

Qin Shi Huang murmured softly, then continued, "Master of the Ghost Valley just left earlier."

Donghuang Taiyi suddenly understood.

No wonder Qin Shi Huang could also sense that presence.

The Master of the Ghost Valley's strength was not inferior to his own.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Donghuang Taiyi admitted frankly.

"I heard that young prodigy of your Yin-Yang School went to Northern Li a few days ago?"

Qin Shi Huang asked again.

Donghuang Taiyi was startled.

Xing Hun's trip was originally confidential, known to very few. Now, even His Majesty was aware of it.

"Yes. The Ascending Heaven Pavilion in Northern Li's Snow Moon City recently held a Grand Competition. I sent Xing Hun to investigate."

"Was it truly just to investigate the Ascending Heaven Pavilion? Or was it for the Master of that Sword Qi? Or perhaps that person who might change the world?"

Qin Shi Huang shifted the topic, his gaze sharp.

"It seems Your Majesty has long since seen through everything."

Donghuang Taiyi sighed softly.

Qin Shi Huang nodded with satisfaction.

The Yin-Yang School had always favored indirectness. Now, Donghuang was finally willing to speak plainly.

Donghuang Taiyi recounted the matter of his deductions one by one, also stating his own speculations.

"So that's how it is.

Then what do you think? Is it a blessing or a calamity?"

"This matter is difficult to judge. Only by making personal contact can the outcome be determined."

Donghuang Taiyi answered cautiously.

Hearing this, Qin Shi Huang did not get angry but instead smiled.

"That's fine too."

Though he did not get a clear answer, he did not show disappointment.

"I must trouble Your Excellency Donghuang. Regarding the matter of the elixir of immortality, I still need Your Excellency to devote more effort."

Qin Shi Huang's tone was calm.

"It is only right."

After Donghuang Taiyi left, a youth in white robes slowly walked out from behind a palace pillar.

"Your Majesty, does this matter require further investigation?"

"Mm. I will have Zhao Gao handle it."

Qin Shi Huang gave a slight nod.

He did not quite believe that someone could truly influence the entire world, but if both the Master of the Ghost Valley and Donghuang Taiyi said so, then it was worth investigating.

And from the words of those two, Qin Shi Huang also caught the same piece of information—

That man might truly be extraordinary.

That Sword Qi was clearly not something a Mortal could possess.

How could Qin Shi Huang, who single-mindedly pursued immortality, easily let such a situation go?

Since it was not something Mortals could wield, then it was highly likely to originate from the Immortals.

Did that mean methods for prolonging life, or even achieving immortality, existed?

"Gai Nie, do you think we should mobilize troops against Northern Li?"

This eastern campaign by the demonic cult, though not large in numbers, consisted entirely of elite, battle-hardened warriors.

Although Northern Li was not weak, it was currently at war with Southern Solitude and would likely find it difficult to handle both fronts. This battle might severely damage its Origin Qi.

"You are the ruler of Great Qin. This matter is naturally for you to decide.

However, Northern Li is located at a central hub. To the north lies the Liyang Dynasty, to the south it borders the Great Tang and Southern Solitude, to the west it neighbors the twenty-three kingdoms beyond the border, and to the east it even borders the Great Song!"

Gai Nie spoke slowly, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

"Indeed. Stirring one area will affect all surrounding ones. If we truly act, the various nations will certainly not stand idly by."

Qin Shi Huang was merely entertaining the thought in his mind, not truly intending to wage war.

After all, Great Qin was newly stabilized, and remnants of the six conquered states were still restless within the country.

Though the nation was powerful and its military prestige awe-inspiring, opening another front of war would likely be unwise.

"Summon Zhao Gao for an audience!"

...

At the border between the Song and Ming dynasties stood Wudang Mountain.

Though called an immortal mountain, this title was actually bestowed by the common people, but many in the Jianghu also acknowledged this name.

The reason was that a highly respected Daoist priest lived on the mountain—the Sect Head of the Wudang Sect, Zhang Sanfeng, rumored to be over a hundred years old.

He had an ethereal, immortal-like demeanor, possessing a certain Aura of a transcendent Master.

Yet at this moment, Zhang Sanfeng was in the True Warrior Immortal Cave at the rear of Wudang Mountain.

His robes were disheveled, his appearance haggard.

"Strange, this Sword Intent shouldn't appear here..."

His brow was tightly furrowed, his face full of confusion.

Half a month ago, while he was in seclusion, he had been disturbed by a Sword Intent transmitted from the north. That Aura felt as if it wanted to cleave heaven and earth apart.

Zhang Sanfeng had studied widely from various schools, created his own Tai Chi, and had extensive research into the sword Dao.

Yet that Sword Intent had almost plunged him into bewilderment.

In his view, this was simply not something that should exist in this world.

As he pondered, his expression suddenly shifted, and he immediately left the Immortal Cave.

The old Daoist's mouth fell open as he stared northward. His eyes were clear as a child's, wide and almost popping out of their sockets.

"It's happening again... and this time it's different?"

Su Rui's Heavenly Sword Art was extraordinary to begin with, and it was also an orthodox Daoist Mind-Cultivation Technique.

Therefore, Zhang Sanfeng perceived it even more clearly.

"No, I must go see for myself!"

Having said that, he went straight to the Wudang Sect's True Warrior Hall.

Song Yuanqiao and the others, seeing their Master in such a disheveled state, were all stunned.

What had happened? How had he become like this?

"Your Master must make a trip to Northern Li. The date of return is uncertain. Handle matters on the mountain yourselves."

"..."

We never see you managing things normally anyway!

Song Yuanqiao grumbled inwardly. Just as he was about to turn away, he suddenly caught sight of Zhang Sanfeng's movement and quickly spoke up to stop him.

"Master, you cannot go!"

"Why can't I go?" Zhang Sanfeng turned back in confusion. He looked down at his clothes and seemed to understand something.

"Your Master will go change clothes right now."

Song Yuanqiao was immediately speechless.

"It's not because of that... Master, war has already broken out in Northern Li. If you go now and something happens, I fear it might implicate the Wudang Sect."

"War again?"

Zhang Sanfeng frowned.

War meant bloodshed and death. The old Daoist's heart could not bear it.

"The fighting has never truly stopped. Except for a brief period of peace after Great Qin unified, other regions have been unstable, especially with Northern Li and Southern Solitude currently at war."

Song Yuanqiao explained.

"So that's how it is."

Zhang Sanfeng pondered for a moment, then finally nodded.

"Your Master understands."

He himself had no fear of the flames of war, but Wudang Mountain was different. The common people at the foot of the mountain must not suffer because of him.

Helpless, he could only return to the True Warrior Immortal Cave.

Meanwhile, in the Divine Capital palace of the Great Zhou Dynasty, which bordered the Great Tang...

Empress Wu gazed towards the direction of Northern Li, her expression grave.

That Sword Qi had soared into the sky, vast and righteous, majestic in its Aura.

"Who could unleash such swordplay?"

Her face was solemn.

Since stepping into the realm of the Land Immortal, she had not felt such pressure for a long time.

She had not expected to feel this way again today.

"Your Majesty, what has happened?"

Shangguan Waner, clad in white robes, seeing the unusual expression on the Empress's face, could not help but ask.

"A powerful individual has appeared. Very powerful!"

Empress Wu spoke slowly.

The appearance of a powerful individual had moved even her.

Shangguan Waner deeply understood the Empress's strength. Hearing this, her heart could not help but tremble.

After all, the Foundation of Great Zhou had initially been laid by the Empress's own strength alone.

To seize an empire single-handedly, and moreover, to seize it from the powerful, well-armed Great Tang, was enough to prove the Empress's extraordinary nature.

For even her to call someone 'powerful', what kind of person must that be?

Shangguan Waner herself was a Great Grandmaster, and her Myriad Forms Brush was renowned throughout Great Zhou.

Even so, she found it difficult to fathom the Empress's true strength.

Precisely because of this, the Empress's single statement shocked her all the more.