Chapter 633: A Blade, the Snow Moon Sword Immortal

Illusion.

Zhang Sanfeng did not yet know what had happened in the outside world; after leaving Shaolin, he went into the Jianghu with Guo Xiang, acting with chivalry and righteousness along the way, and fought fiercely against the Tartars to protect the common people.

Over the years, he left behind many good reputations in the Jianghu and became a respected hero.

At the same time, Guo Xiang also founded the Emei Sect, just as in his memories.

Having spent many years in the illusion, Zhang Sanfeng initially felt that everything was unreal, but as time passed, the feelings hidden in his heart since his youth fermented, and at this moment, it was already difficult to distinguish reality from illusion.

He truly could not tell anymore; what was real and what was illusory?

On this day, he stood atop the peak of Mount Emei, looking up at the firmament, watching the azure sky, yet a sense of loneliness and desolation arose in his heart; everything was clearly within reach, yet he worried that in the next second, it would all shatter into pieces.

"Sigh!" Zhang Sanfeng could not help but sigh, as if he had understood something.

Guo Xiang, in a pale green dress, suddenly appeared by his side; she looked at the young man before her and asked:

"Zhang Junbao, why have you come to the peak of Emei again?"

Zhang Sanfeng turned his head to look at the girl before him; her pretty face entered his vision, and ripples could not help but stir in his heart; he hurriedly said: "Ahem, Heroine Guo Xiang, I am just looking at the scenery."

Upon hearing this, Guo Xiang slapped Zhang Sanfeng on the head in annoyance and said:

"I have told you not to call me heroine, just call me Guo Xiang."

"Very well, Heroine Guo Xiang," Zhang Sanfeng laughed.

"..." Guo Xiang.

"Nowadays, Dasong is weak, and the grassland forces are constantly expanding; it will not be long before Dasong is perhaps conquered by the grassland."

"At that time, with the country destroyed and families broken, it will be the innocent common people who suffer."

"After all, we are people of the Jianghu; we can save one, ten, or a hundred. But who will protect the thousands upon thousands of common people?" Guo Xiang sighed.

"We need only do our best," Zhang Sanfeng said.

The fall of Song was a trend of the times; there was not much hope left, and under such a mighty trend, it was not something that the commoners of the Jianghu could resist.

However, the trend of the world is that long division leads to unity, and long unity leads to division.

It would not be long before a Han dynasty would rise again.

"Now I finally understand why my parents insisted on defending Xiangyang," Guo Xiang said.

"The greatest of heroes serves the country and the people. Chivalry will not disappear; it will only continue to be passed down in another form. Guo Xiang, you are the successor of chivalry," Zhang Sanfeng said.

Hearing this, Guo Xiang blushed slightly; she was a little embarrassed by the praise.

She had not expected that this little novice monk from Shaolin could be so eloquent.

Zhang Sanfeng took a step forward, staring intently at Guo Xiang, and asked earnestly:

"Guo Xiang, if I told you that this world is an illusion, and that you are also an illusion, would you believe it?"

"??" Guo Xiang.

Seeing this, Zhang Sanfeng explained: "All of this is an illusion; everything is fake."

Guo Xiang could not help but reach out to touch Zhang Sanfeng's forehead, looking at him with the gaze one gives a patient, and said:

"Zhang Junbao, have you pulled a Tendon in your head? What kind of nonsense are you spouting? What illusion, what fake?"

Guo Xiang's reaction was within Zhang Sanfeng's expectations; yes, who would be willing to admit that they lived in an illusory world and that everything around them was fake?

"I also wish that all of this were real, but unfortunately, it is indeed fake."

"A dream must eventually have a moment of waking, and I must also recognize reality."

Zhang Sanfeng said, and in his heart, he finally made his choice: to leave this illusion and not remain lost in it any longer.

Guo Xiang was increasingly bewildered, not understanding at all what had happened.

Zhang Sanfeng's expression was resolute as he said:

"Guo Xiang, I will prove it to you."

"All of this is born from my state of mind; as long as I realize it is an illusion, then it will be broken."

Having said this, Zhang Sanfeng closed his eyes, allowed himself to reach a state of clarity, cast aside all distracting thoughts, and said:

"My heart is like iron, indestructible."

"Illusion, break!"

As the words fell, Zhang Sanfeng used his powerful spiritual energy to strike at the illusion, wishing to leave it.

Whoosh!

After a few breaths, a faint, cool breeze brushed across his face, and Zhang Sanfeng opened his eyes slightly.

The sky was still that same sky, and the person was still that same person!

It was just that Guo Xiang was staring at him with a look as if he were a fool, saying:

"After all, you fight the Tartars every day; I understand you are under a lot of pressure, but let this be the last time."

"??" Zhang Sanfeng.

This time it was Zhang Sanfeng's turn to be dumbfounded; he had already prepared himself mentally to break the illusion, asking himself to have no distracting thoughts and to sever the ties of the past, so why was he still in the illusion?

This really was an illusion.

Zhang Sanfeng doubted his life; it was not that he had never encountered illusions, but this was the first time he had seen one so real that he could not break it.

"Could it be that this is the reality?"

Zhang Sanfeng thought, then shook his head in denial.

If this were the reality, then what were his previous experiences?

Right, the Chat Group!

Zhang Sanfeng finally thought of his group members, but upon checking, the connection to the Chat Group had actually disappeared.

The evidence of the Chat Group's existence had vanished without a trace.

Even a Master of a generation like Zhang Sanfeng felt his heart cracking at this moment; why had it turned out like this?

Who could tell him what is real and what is false!

At this moment, he truly could not tell them apart.

But as a Master of his generation, after Zhang Sanfeng struggled with closed eyes for a while, he slowly opened his eyes and said:

"Everything in this world is like flowers in a mirror and the moon in the water. To obtain it is my fortune; to lose it is my fate."

He let go, no longer entangled in what is real and what is illusory.

…

In the Chat Group, the members watched all of this.

Ye Fan Zhen Bu Hei: "This illusion technique is indeed powerful; Old Zhang actually couldn't break free."

Demon Queen: "Actually, illusions are quite good; didn't Old Zhang's regrets get fulfilled?"

Kyushu's Number One Golden Core: "Fake is fake, and besides, where are there ever eternal dreams?"

Uchiha Dance King: "This is indeed not an illusion technique, but a pupil technique similar to Infinite Tsukuyomi, though I am very curious how this masked person cast it."

Journey to the West Scripture Seeker: "Now is not the time to dwell on illusion techniques. If I have guessed correctly, this should be a test set by the Chat Group for its members, and the target of this test is True Person Zhang. If True Person Zhang can successfully escape the illusion, perhaps he can obtain a large amount of rewards."

Diviner: "Xuanzang Sheng Seng is right; this is indeed a test from the Chat Group."

Spring and Autumn Sword Deity: "To think there is such a test; I have never encountered one. It is truly impossible to guard against."

Bad Commander: "Do not panic! With no woman in one's heart, drawing the sword is naturally divine."

Ye Fan Zhen Bu Hei: "That is not necessarily true. Based on my understanding of the Chat Group, it certainly wouldn't set a simple test."

Exploding Heavens Faction Leader: "Makes sense."

Peach Blossom Island Little Fairy: "Then how can Old Man Zhang be considered to have completed the test? He can't just stay lost in it forever."

Yin-Yang School's Number One Extraordinary Woman: "There is no lack of illusion techniques within the Yin-Yang School. How to break an illusion depends primarily on the caster. But one can also rely on powerful internal energy to force it open. However, the masked person's realm is even stronger than True Person Zhang's, so I fear it will not be easy. There is not much time left for True Person Zhang."

Journey to the West Scripture Seeker: "The Great Dao is simple. The so-called 'when a person dies, the lamp goes out'; there is great terror between life and death. If True Person Zhang can kill himself, perhaps he can break the illusion."

Spring and Autumn Sword Deity: "Ah, this!"

Axe Gang Leader: "As expected of Master; the way to solve problems is just this simple."

Yin-Yang School's Number One Extraordinary Woman: "Uh, Brother Xuanzang is right!"

Na Du Tong Backbone Feng Baobao: "Is there a possibility that if you die in the illusion, you really die?"

Playboy: "According to scientific reports, when a person dies in a dream, they secrete a special substance. This substance deceives the brain, making the brain mistakenly believe the host is truly gone, and then under the brain's control, all organs paralyze, and one truly dies."

Baiyue Jiaozhu: "Interesting, the True Person is too scientific."

Diviner: "Anyway, life and death are fifty-fifty right now."

Zui Ai He Shounai: "True Person Zhang will definitely be able to pass this test."

In the outside world, Zhang Sanfeng continued to travel the world with Guo Xiang, protecting the common people and calling upon capable and righteous people to guard the mountains and rivers together.

Therefore, they became a thorn in the side of the grassland imperial clan and were constantly besieged.

However, with Zhang Sanfeng's help, Guo Xiang turned danger into safety many times.

But the grassland imperial clan's poisonous schemes were endless, and later they used the lives of three thousand commoners as a threat to lure Guo Xiang to come alone.

For the sake of the lives of these three thousand commoners, Guo Xiang knew there was a conspiracy, yet she still went.

In the end, thirty thousand grassland soldiers charged out together to besiege Guo Xiang and Zhang Sanfeng.

Although the two were already among the world's absolute best in martial arts, fighting one against a hundred or a thousand was not a problem.

But facing the vast and mighty thirty thousand troops, it was difficult to resist, and they suffered extremely heavy injuries.

Fortunately, Zhang Sanfeng erupted in a moment of crisis, charging alone into the dangerous situation, beheading the commander of the grassland soldiers and throwing their ranks into chaos.

Only then did they find a gap to escape and preserve their lives.

However, although Guo Xiang preserved her life, her injuries were too severe, especially the hidden gunshot wound to her lungs and viscera.

Even though Zhang Sanfeng continuously transferred his own Qi to protect her heart, she only had three months of life left, and there was no way to save her.

To save Guo Xiang and extend her life, Zhang Sanfeng ran all over the world alone, searching for ten-thousand-year spiritual medicine.

It was just that when he finally returned, he was still a step too late.

What he saw was no longer Guo Xiang, but a lonely grave, a cold mound of earth.

Seeing this, Zhang Sanfeng was bathed in tears, his heart and strength exhausted, and he spat out blood and fainted.

If this were an illusion, it would be too real!

The illusion was also too painful!

But for Zhang Sanfeng at this moment, whether it was an illusion or not no longer mattered at all.

After Guo Xiang died, Zhang Sanfeng's world suddenly dimmed, losing its luster, without a trace of vitality.

Although he was a Master of his generation, at this moment he was nothing but a broken-hearted, walking corpse.

Every day he drank heavily at the lonely grave, using alcohol to numb himself, letting his martial arts go to waste; as for the common people of the world, he could no longer care about them.

In the blink of an eye, ten years passed.

Zhang Sanfeng still guarded Guo Xiang's grave, even though the grass around the grave was already taller than a person.

On this day, Zhang Sanfeng suddenly wanted to visit the Emei Sect, so he temporarily left the grave.

After arriving at Emei, a female disciple who looked fierce recognized Zhang Sanfeng, and then the female disciple took out an envelope for him, saying that this was what Guo Xiang left for him before she died.

Zhang Sanfeng did not expect that ten years ago Guo Xiang had left him a letter; ten years ago, after hearing the news of her death, he had completely collapsed.

Moreover, Guo Xiang was buried in Xiangyang, so he had never returned to Emei.

The people of Emei saw that Zhang Sanfeng had disappeared and had no trace for ten years.

They also assumed he had perished together with the grassland soldiers, so there was no further contact.

So this letter was ten years late; Zhang Sanfeng tremblingly opened the envelope and saw the words on it:

"To my soulmate Zhang Junbao: Junbao, when you see this letter, I should already be dead, haha."

Seeing these few words, Zhang Sanfeng's heart shattered once again, and tears gushed forth like a spring.

In his eyes appeared the green-clad girl, like an elf, whom he had first met at the foot of Mount Shaoshi—innocent and naive, yet heroic and spirited.

And from these few words, Zhang Sanfeng felt Guo Xiang's open-minded attitude, completely devoid of fear toward death.

"Junbao, I have died; do not be sad. I am very happy to have had you walk this stretch of the road with me, wielding swords in the pugilistic world and slaughtering all the enemy invaders.

However, it is still a bit of a pity that a girl as pretty as me should die young; truly, being beautiful invites the jealousy of the heavens, sigh."

Seeing this, Zhang Sanfeng was both crying and laughing.

At the same time, the members of the Chat Group all acted as if they had gotten stones in their eyes.

"Junbao, you have followed me for many years, and I know your heart, but the enemy invaders have not been eliminated, the world is not yet settled, and the common people are still in deep water and scorching fire; how could I dare to indulge in romantic feelings?

But a real man need not worry about having no wife; Junbao, with your appearance and martial arts, finding a good girl would be easy—do not hang yourself on this one tree and grow old in loneliness.

Now that I am dead, your chance has come; live well, bury the past, and start anew."

Reading to this point, Zhang Sanfeng was already experiencing a complex mixture of emotions.

Guo Xiang truly trusted him; a real man need not worry about having no wife, but he was precisely the one to hang himself on one tree and be lonely for a lifetime.

"Junbao, you once asked me whether this world is real or illusory.

Now I will tell you the answer: my answer is that I do not know either; perhaps it is different for everyone, and perhaps you are correct.

However, what is real is that I have indeed died, so you understand now, right?

Finally, Junbao, do not be sad, do not be sorrowful; is it not the purpose of the living to live well for the sake of those who have died?"

Seeing this, Zhang Sanfeng's emotions had returned to calm from his earlier agitation, all his feelings buried deep in his heart.

"Is the purpose of the living to live well for the sake of those who have died!"

Zhang Sanfeng's thoughts became clear, and he suddenly attained enlightenment.

His state of mind underwent a Transformation; in an instant, his beard and hair turned completely white, and his entire body radiated a majestic and vigorous aura.

"I am sorry, Guo Xiang. I may not be able to promise you that I will live on well!"

As his words fell, Zhang Sanfeng, amidst the shocked gazes of the Emei disciples, stretched out his palm and struck toward his own head.

Outside the illusion, the masked person walked up to Zhang Sanfeng, who was trapped in the illusion and unable to move.

"A pity for a Master of a generation, but those who submit to me prosper, and those who resist me perish."

The masked person reached out, and one could see True Qi like a blade, emitting a cold aura; he was about to cripple all the Tendon and Viscera meridians in Zhang Sanfeng's body.

Clang!

At the most critical moment, a Sword Qi, as beautiful as a startled swan, slashed down, carrying a mountain full of Peach Blossom.

Facing the sharpness of this Sword Qi, the masked person's pupils constricted, and he hurriedly used Shrinking Ground to an Inch to dodge.

A great wind came from the firmament, and amidst the sky-filling Peach Blossom, a figure in red descended.

The red-clad figure was Absolute in beauty, with an extraordinary aura!

The Sword Qi on their body was also as high as the sky and as deep as the earth, causing the heavens and earth to undergo a Transformation.

"Who are you?" the masked person asked in confusion; how could he not know that Wudang had such a Sword Immortal figure?

……