Chapter Seventy-One: Bad News
Jiang Wei had finally regained consciousness. He lay half-reclined on his chair, a single tear tracing down from the corner of his eye. He longed to rise, to kneel before Master Fengyuan and beg for his teacher’s mercy, to plead for forgiveness for himself!
At this moment, thoughts of clan or pride no longer crossed his mind.
He knew all too well what his master had just done for him.
Moments ago, Jiang Wei had forcibly invoked a forbidden technique, burning his own life force to summon the avatars of the Six Divine Generals to descend and assist him. Had the summoning succeeded, the generals would have been invincible; mere An Zhengqing would never have stood a chance.
But Jiang Wei would have paid the ultimate price—his life force sacrificed, leaving him with nothing but annihilation.
Yet, at the very instant the divine avatars descended, his master, Master Tongpu, intervened and broke his spell, using his own power to forcibly send the generals back.
Most crucially, the life force Jiang Wei should have lost was instead transferred to his master by a secret art.
This act would at best diminish Master Tongpu’s cultivation, or at worst, directly shorten his lifespan.
Jiang Wei was now consumed by regret and despair.
But the backlash from the forbidden art left him paralyzed, unable to move or speak. He could only gaze dumbly at his master, tears of remorse streaming down his face.
Master Fengyuan smiled serenely as he surveyed the crowd, raising his voice: “Since this is settled, I agree with Brother Tongpu’s decision. From this day forth, I will assume the position of Sect Leader of the merged Tianyuan Sect!”
“Yes!”
“Long live Master!”
The disciples of Tianyuan erupted in cheers.
Master Fengyuan gestured for silence, then turned to the assembled representatives of the great sects from the Twelve Provinces and declared, “With this, I hereby announce the successful conclusion of the Tianyuan Sect’s merger assembly. Please, feel free to depart. If any wish to remain as guests, disciples will be assigned to receive you after the gathering.”
The various sect representatives rose, offered their congratulations, and left the dueling platform in succession.
“You two young friends, please wait.”
Sun Fanbai and Bai Qiu had just turned to leave when a voice called out behind them.
They turned around to find Master Tongpu, carrying Jiang Wei, appearing before them in a flash.
The two saluted; Sun Fanbai clasped his fists and asked, “Senior, what matter do you have for us?”
Master Tongpu spoke calmly, “Friends, may I ask a favor of you?”
Bai Qiu replied, “Senior, you flatter us. Whatever you need, please speak freely.”
Tongpu set Jiang Wei upright on the ground and pressed a finger to his brow.
A comforting warmth swept through Jiang Wei’s body, easing his pain. He tested his limbs—though still aching, he could at least walk.
Jiang Wei immediately knelt down, weeping, “Master, I—”
Tongpu waved him silent. “Enough. All is fated. There’s no need to say more.”
He turned to Sun Fanbai and Bai Qiu.
“You have both seen the situation in Tianyuan Sect. I am about to retreat to the back mountain, never to return in this life. Jiang Wei has been expelled and must leave immediately.”
The two nodded. They had witnessed everything.
Tongpu continued, “I am old and it matters little to me. But my young disciple here—I cannot rest easy. I ask you to take him with you. Once he has recovered, let him go his own way.”
They looked down at Jiang Wei, still kneeling and weeping, and nodded their assent.
Sun Fanbai saluted. “Senior, rest assured. We will protect Brother Jiang Wei and ensure he comes to no harm before he recovers.”
Hearing their conversation, Jiang Wei raised his head and cried, “Master, I won’t go! I want to accompany you to the back mountain, I’ll go nowhere else! Master!”
“Silence!” Tongpu barked.
Jiang Wei instantly lowered his head.
Tongpu shook his head. “Jiang Wei, I have never scolded you before. Today is the first—and the last—time. I hope you will become more mature after this.”
He paused, then sighed. “After today, the other disciples of the Tongshen lineage will scatter. Jiang Wei, you are the last hope of our line.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Wei raised his head to look at his master.
Tongpu sighed again—perhaps he had never sighed so much in his life as today. “Do not blame me for placing such a heavy burden on your shoulders. But I am old, and before I pass on, there are things I must yet do. This burden is your destiny, do you understand?”
Jiang Wei wiped away his tears, gazing earnestly at his master. “Master, I understand! I will not fail your expectations—I will carry on the Tongshen lineage and make it flourish!”
Tongpu smiled with relief, patting Jiang Wei’s head. “Good child, good child...”
Suddenly, Tongpu’s expression turned stern. His right hand, still on Jiang Wei’s head, pressed down firmly.
Jiang Wei felt a surge of warmth at his crown. He tried to look up, but Tongpu held him fast, and a rush of energy flowed from the top of his head to his dantian.
Sun Fanbai and Bai Qiu watched silently. They knew Tongpu was transferring his cultivation.
After the time it took for a stick of incense to burn, Tongpu withdrew his hand.
Jiang Wei looked up and saw his master seemed to have aged tremendously in that instant.
“Master...”
Tongpu smiled. “The entire Tongshen lineage’s techniques are now yours. Cultivate well. Remember, our methods cannot be rushed. You must be patient and devout.”
Jiang Wei nodded repeatedly. “Master, I understand!”
“That is enough,” Tongpu said, waving his sleeve. “The three of you, go down the mountain now.”
With that, he turned and slowly walked away.
Jiang Wei knelt, watching his master’s retreating figure until it disappeared from view. Then he kowtowed three times in the direction Tongpu had left.
Only then did he rise, wiping the tears from his face, and bowed to Sun Fanbai and Bai Qiu. “Brothers, I will trouble you for a while.”
They waved away his formality and the three left Tianyuan Sect, heading down Tianyuan Mountain.
Bai Qiu glanced at Jiang Wei. “Brother Jiang, what are your plans now?”
Jiang Wei shook his head and gave a bitter smile. “I have no idea. The Twelve Provinces are vast—I don’t know where to go.”
Sun Fanbai said, “Brother Jiang, since we promised Master Tongpu to keep you safe until you recover, why not come with me to Yunqing Sect in northern Eastern Province? It’s not far from Yongzhou. You can recuperate there and decide your next move afterward.”
Jiang Wei replied, “That is most kind. I will have to trouble you for a while.”
Sun Fanbai smiled. “You are too polite.”
Bai Qiu pouted. “I doubt Tianyuan Sect will let this go so easily. They might act against you, Brother Jiang.”
Jiang Wei shook his head slightly. “Who’s to say? I’m not familiar with the Mathematical Arts line, but I’d like to think the righteous path wouldn’t stoop to anything so disgraceful.”
Bai Qiu chuckled. “What is the righteous path, what is the demonic? The path is just the path, but human hearts are never the same.”
Sun Fanbai waved his hand. “Brother Bai, don’t say such things carelessly. Words can bring disaster.”
Bai Qiu spread his hands.
The three descended Tianyuan Mountain, brushing past a small dwarf.
Bai Qiu leaned over and whispered, “That little potato—is he from Tianyuan Sect too?”
Jiang Wei considered, then answered, “His name is Shi Cai. He’s had a physical defect since childhood—though over thirty in age, he’s the size and looks of a three-year-old. He joined Tianyuan Sect as a boy and mastered the arts of earth-burrowing and concealment—a real expert in infiltration and gathering intelligence.”
Bai Qiu sighed, “There really is no end to the wonders of this world.”
Just as they left Tianyuan Mountain, a flying sword came hurtling toward them.
Bai Qiu said, “It’s a message sword from Baixiaosheng.”
He formed a seal with his fingers and summoned the sword.
Because Tianyuan Mountain was under a restrictive barrier, the message sword had been unable to reach Bai Qiu earlier and had waited outside. As soon as Bai Qiu left the barrier, the sword sensed his presence and flew to him.
He drew his fingers along the blade and a letter sprang from the sword into his hand.
Bai Qiu read the letter. Sun Fanbai watched as Bai Qiu’s expression shifted from a smile to calm, then to sorrow, and finally to a trembling rage. Alarmed, he asked, “Brother Bai, what’s happened?”
Bai Qiu’s hands shook as he gripped the letter, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at its contents. Through gritted teeth, he forced out several words: “Something’s happened to Shi Qi!”
“What?” Sun Fanbai exclaimed.
Bai Qiu took a deep breath to steady himself, then explained, “My fellow disciples in East Sea City sent word. A few days ago, there was a violent confrontation on a beach south of the city.”
“One side was Yuan Chenglu, current master of Starpoint Manor, together with the Sun and Moon Brothers of the underground assassins’ guild.”
“The other side—Shi Qi and Su Xiaomu.”
Sun Fanbai frowned. “It must be Starpoint Manor’s revenge. That Yuan Chenglu—he’s colluding with assassins now? Outrageous! What happened to Brother Shi? The enemies had three Nascent Soul experts!”
Bai Qiu replied slowly, “According to the intel, Su Xiaomu died on the spot. Shi Qi was severely wounded—saved only by Su Xiaomu’s dying effort—but fell into the East Sea, his whereabouts unknown.”
Sun Fanbai clenched his fists. “Starpoint Manor is despicable!”
Bai Qiu added, “No wonder I haven’t received word from him through the Jade Wish in some time. So this is what happened—unforgivable!”
Sun Fanbai patted Bai Qiu’s shoulder. “Calm down, Brother Bai. Shi Qi might still be alive.”
Bai Qiu exhaled deeply, forcing himself to calm down. “Old Sun, I won’t go with you to Yunqing Sect. I’m heading to the East Sea to search for Shi Qi.”
Sun Fanbai nodded. “I’ll take Brother Jiang to Yunqing Sect first. Once he’s settled, I’ll hurry to East Sea City as well. Yunqing Sect has some connections in Eastern Province—I’ll do what I can to help search for Shi Qi. Brother Bai, do not act rashly.”
Bai Qiu muttered, “I know. I’ll search for him for three months. If there’s still no news after that…”
He tore the letter to shreds, glaring ahead with fury. “I’ll raze Starpoint Manor to the ground!”