Chapter 27
“Lingpucao grass can also suppress demonic energy,” Xie Chang’an said.
Zhu Xuangguang disagreed, “That only works against ordinary demons, not the Demon Lord.”
Xie Chang’an replied, “How will we know if we don’t try? You carry many unsolved mysteries. Master Shibo once had a long conversation with me, mentioning your tribulation and some celestial records.”
The implication was clear—she knew more than she let on and now wished to trade information with her long-absent master.
Zhu Xuangguang looked at her, and Xie Chang’an met his gaze without evasion.
Time had left no trace on either of them; this disciple had not changed.
Beneath the gentle, harmless, seemingly obedient face lay a heart that was always unruly and reckless.
If she wanted to do something, no matter how difficult or winding the path, she would see it through.
So Zhu Xuangguang didn’t mention returning to certain death again.
“Are my cabbages still there?”
He asked about the vegetable plot midway up the mountain. Most disciples of Chishuang Mountain had a small personal garden where they personally tended plants, often with whimsical ideas.
Only Zhu Xuangguang grew the simplest cabbage.
“They’ve been harvested many times over. Pei San has been tending them, and every year there’s a new crop.”
In truth, it was Xie Chang’an who never let anyone else take over the plot, though she never mentioned herself.
“But fewer people are tending the fields now. Everyone’s busy cultivating without much leisure.”
With Zhu Xuangguang’s disappearance, others quietly kept a low profile. Chishuang Mountain gradually fell silent despite the efforts of Shen Xi and Xie Chang’an. The sect was inevitably in decline.
“All things in the world rise and fall in succession. Since Chishuang Mountain once flourished greatly, it must also endure periods of dormancy. This may not be a bad thing.”
Xie Chang’an took a broad view, perhaps because she grew up in the palace, accustomed to the comings and goings of power—from high officials to ruined families overnight. It was already admirable that Chishuang Mountain could live quietly and provide shelter for its disciples.
“You speak wisely.”
Zhu Xuangguang smiled faintly, seeming gentle and harmless now. Once sharp as a sword, his demeanor was now softer, and since their reunion, he had smiled more than ever before.
“You have grown enough to stand on your own and shield others from the storm. The pupil has surpassed the master—I am pleased.”
Xie Chang’an showed no sign of pleasure or shyness at the praise, only quietly watching him, as if waiting for him to bring up the main matter.
Zhu Xuangguang knew what she was thinking. Though they hadn’t spent eons together, the master and disciple shared tacit understanding.
“I’m not unwilling to tell you, but some things I have searched for all this time and still have no answers. I cannot understand them. Questions without answers only add to your troubles and harm your cultivation.”
“If you don’t speak, how will you know there are no answers?” Xie Chang’an said. “I’m now at the Sword Immortal Realm, just like you were back then. Two heads might find what one cannot.”
Zhu Xuangguang seemed moved, still pondering how to phrase it, when suddenly Xie Chang’an turned her head sharply in a certain direction, her face changing as she rose abruptly.
“They’re here!”
The arrival was so swift that the two wounded didn’t even have time to react or flee.
One after another, they came in close succession.
It was Master Zhuo Su, the leader of Beizhu Mountain, accompanied by Elder Xu Weique.
“Are you all right?”
Beizhu Mountain and Chishuang Mountain had always maintained good relations, and their disciples often mingled. Thus, they did not immediately demand Xie Chang’an hand over Zhu Xuangguang but first exchanged greetings.
Xie Chang’an did not answer but asked instead, “Has the matter of Lin Mengdu been resolved?”
Zhuo Su replied, “It’s complicated. He escaped.”
The secret that Lin Mengdu was possessed by the Demon Lord had been exposed. Xie Chang’an had taken Zhu Xuangguang and fled amid the chaos. The others had tried to detain Lin Mengdu but things went awry.
Although Xie Chang’an had fractured the protective barrier of Fuguang Mountain, it remained a powerful artifact of the sect. During the fight with Lin Mengdu, they were suddenly trapped inside the barrier summoned anew. Though only for a few breaths, it was enough for Lin Mengdu to break free and slip away.
The group suspected Wen Qin Daoist of sabotaging, but Wen Qin solemnly denied it, saying the barrier was Lin Mengdu’s own doing. Besides, Lin Mengdu was at the peak of the Sword Immortal Realm. If he used all his strength to escape, few present could have stopped him.
With the Demon Lord now revealed and the enemy looming, after a brutal battle at the Mountain-Pushing Assembly where many sect disciples died, no one wished for internal strife. They agreed to divide into three groups.
“One group will pursue us, another will chase Lin Mengdu, and the third will clean up the battlefield and contact other sects.”
Hearing this, Xie Chang’an added, “That’s right.”
Zhuo Su, a reasonable man, continued in a gentle tone, “Zhu Zhenren did kill many sect disciples, witnessed by all—this cannot be denied. You are injured now; why not return with us to clear up the matter? If truly linked to the Demon Lord, Beizhu Mountain will protect Zhu Zhenren’s safety.”
“I don’t trust you,” Xie Chang’an said bluntly. “I believe you won’t harm my master, but others might. If you fail to protect him, I won’t take the risk. Master Zhuo, after we return from the North Sea’s edge and have cleansed the lingering demonic energy on my master, we will settle everything then.”
Zhuo Su sighed, “We came specifically to bring you back. For the sake of centuries of friendship between our sects, Daoist Xie, please don’t make this difficult.”
Zhu Xuangguang suddenly spoke, “Lin Mengdu covertly refined demonic energy, using his body as a cauldron to merge with the Demon Lord. The Mountain-Pushing Assembly was his long-planned feast, designed to turn attending cultivators into demonic nourishment, accelerating his transformation.”
Xie Chang’an frowned, “Then why were you at Fuguang Mountain?”
Zhu Xuangguang said, “I have been contending with the Demon Lord all these years. He originally chose me but couldn’t fully control me and eventually gave up.”
Xie Chang’an: “So he turned his attention to Lin Mengdu, who was more willing to cooperate?”
Zhu Xuangguang nodded.
Xu Weique’s expression changed, his lips moving as if to speak but hesitating.
Xie Chang’an was unfazed—she had witnessed once before in that ruined temple how demons infiltrated and corrupted hearts.
Xu Weique asked, “Then why have you stayed hidden all these years and never told us?”
Zhu Xuangguang answered, “The Demon Lord is powerful yet fragile. He won’t miss any chance to absorb spiritual energy but cannot endure long without a host. I can only keep him at bay, living in isolation, searching for weaknesses. Unfortunately, these years haven’t destroyed him; instead, he has grown stronger.”
His expression was calm but weary. The radiance of his former self was now dimmed by visible wounds and illnesses. Zhuo Su and Xu Weique, skilled cultivators themselves, saw his spiritual energy waning and his body failing—the twilight of his life.
Yet even so, he knelt and sat down without rising when they arrived, dusting off his clothes and facing them like a mountain unmoved by the falling world—Zhu Xuangguang still commanded respect.
Xu Weique mused, “This is a grave matter. We must trouble you both to return with us and explain things to other sects. Together, we can face this great enemy.”
Xie Chang’an spoke slowly, “You have seen my master’s state. Without a solution, his spiritual energy will fail him. The time spent traveling to and from Fuguang Mountain cannot be wasted.”
Zhuo Su replied, “Your sect’s Leader Shen has already rushed to Fuguang Mountain. If your master is absent, he will become a target and drag down Chishuang Mountain with him.”
At this, Xie Chang’an ceased politeness and sneered, “If you could capture Lin Mengdu, everything would be solved. The fact is, you cannot. So you pick on soft targets. How did the venerable leader and elder of Beizhu Mountain become willing lapdogs? Have you been possessed by the Demon Lord as well?”
She summoned the Liutian Sword and Zhaohuang Sword, which hovered at her sides, their sword light shimmering. She made no further threats, only actions, signaling she would not let them take Zhu Xuangguang.
Two Sword Immortal Realm cultivators against two others—normally Zhu Xuangguang and Xie Chang’an would not be at a disadvantage. But both were wounded now, tipping the scales.
Xie Chang’an knew well what fate awaited Zhu Xuangguang if taken back—torture was mild compared to what might be done to his soul. When the sect’s glory was still intact under Master She Yun, it could deter enemies. Now, only she could protect him.
Zhu Xuangguang watched her fluttering robes, her half-body shielding him. His expression shifted slightly as if recalling something.
Words had become futile. Xu Weique no longer spoke; with two fingers forming a gesture, he didn’t even need to utter a sword formation.
He transformed directly into a divine sword, a rainbow of energy bursting forth like a cloud flare, striking toward Xie Chang’an with unrelenting force.
The world darkened—only this single sword stroke.
Xie Chang’an stared at the swift beam of light like an arrow. A strange feeling cracked open in her heart, like a pick prying a gap. Cold wind swept by, chilling her spiritual core, then vanished, the gap sealed once more.
That fleeting strangeness did not stop her from defending and counterattacking. As Xu Weique struck, the Zhaohuang and Liutian Swords responded, forming a sword array that blocked the strike.
Yet the defense was not perfect—the sword array was split by a crack.
Xie Chang’an retreated sharply, rising gracefully but barely escaping the sword light that nearly pierced her.
Because of her wounds, the sword array was less stable, making it easier for Xu Weique to break through.
The two clashed fiercely. Zhuo Su, seeing a perfect chance, did not intervene nor try to seize Zhu Xuangguang, instead watching a while before approaching him.
“Daoist Zhu, you don’t look well. Lingpucao grass may not suffice. Beizhu Mountain has a herb called Frostfly, which might help.”
Fuguang Mountain was crowded with onlookers, and Zhuo Su had many words he dared not speak aloud.
“If you need it, I can send for it right now.”
Zhu Xuangguang shook his head, “Thank you, but no. My body is failing; my time is near. No good medicine can help.”
Zhuo Su sighed deeply, clearly seeing the truth.
“I have a question.”
“I know what you want to ask,” Zhu Xuangguang said. “Even without the Demon Lord’s interference, I doubt I could have ascended back then.”
Zhuo Su was slightly shaken. “Why?”
Zhu Xuangguang replied, “You should be able to guess why.”
Master She Yun had sacrificed himself. Other sects had many Sword Immortal Realm masters attempting tribulation crossing, but none had succeeded for all these years.
The cryptic conversation ended there. Zhuo Su fell into thought, asking no further questions.
Meanwhile, the duel between Xie Chang’an and Xu Weique neared its end. Neither held back, but Xu Weique could not gain the upper hand against the injured Xie Chang’an. It ended with both bearing fresh sword wounds.
“With this sword wound, those fellows can’t say anything,” Xu Weique said lazily. “We return defeated, but Fuguang Mountain will not let this rest. Wen Qin won’t either, and will rally other sects to send reinforcements. Then it may not be so easy. Take care, both of you!”
Xie Chang’an knew they had held back. Had they attacked together, the outcome would not have been merely a sparring match.
“Thanks for the warning, Daoist Xu,” she bowed slightly.
Zhuo Su appeared to have gotten the answers he sought but seemed troubled still. He left with Xu Weique.
...
After they left, Xu Weique found an excuse to part ways with Zhuo Su.
Once Zhuo Su was out of sight, Xu Weique drew a circle midair. The circle expanded as he stepped through it, vanishing from sight.
Inside Limeng City, a servant boy stared in surprise as a man stepped out of the circle.
The man swept his sleeve to remove his disguise, revealing his true face.
“The city lord just went in. Why is he out already? Did Xie Chang’an’s great sojourn end so soon?”
“She’s too reckless!” the city lord sighed deeply.
“Xie Chang’an dared to create a self-contained world inside, replacing immortals with demons, prying into the secrets of Heaven. I cannot stay long, or I risk being trapped myself.”
Others entered such trials to relive battles with enemies they could not defeat outside or to experience lives they longed for but could not have. But Xie Chang’an pushed to the limit, attempting to unravel the mysteries of the Heavenly Dao inside with her Sword Immortal Realm cultivation.
The servant boy exclaimed, “I remember last time Daoist Canmiao was similar, and you personally went in to help!”
“She was more cautious than Xie Chang’an,” You Yue explained to the naive boy. “Canmiao was already at the Sword Immortal Realm, just one step away from ascension. She sought one more chance to correct mistakes through the great sojourn. But Xie Chang’an, only at the sword intention stage, wants to leap all at once. No wonder Zhu Xuangguang rushed in himself.”
There is no real Demon Lord outside—only a presence inside the sojourn that cannot surpass the Heavenly Dao of reality. Xie Chang’an tried to cheat by influencing her created illusion with the Demon Lord’s formidable force to substitute for the Heavenly Dao, testing herself.
He sighed, “These two are both madmen who don’t fear death. I hope the master and disciple can emerge safely.”
The servant was stunned. “No, it can’t be that bad. Daoist Zhu is the world’s strongest. At worst, he can bring Xie Chang’an out!”
You Yue shook his head. “You’ve guarded the star chart long enough to gain some insight. It doesn’t matter if Zhu Xuangguang is strongest outside. Inside, he must follow the rules Xie Chang’an set, unable to deviate from the set path easily. Also, if he thought so easily about giving up and bringing her out, what would be the point of the trial?”
Only through absolute adversity can one be tempered and transformed. The lord of Limeng City understood this well.
Yet Xie Chang’an had created an enemy so powerful it was nearly unbeatable.
Will Zhu Xuangguang choose to intervene and help her, or ultimately stand aside, letting her face it alone?