Chapter 14: Father's Remnant Shadow, A Sword's Inheritance

The moment the Heavenly Gate appeared, every Sword Qi at the bottom of Tian Duan Cliff was pressed down three feet.

More than half of the three hundred elite cavalry dropped to their knees on the spot.

Xie Tingxue braced her sword against the ground, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth.

Though Chen Shanhe was not present, the Zhenbei Flag toward White Bone Pass was also bent by the gale until it nearly snapped.

Jiang Che stood at the center of the Sword Vein, bathed in blood, the Green Bamboo Sword in his hand humming without cease.

The Heavenly Gate was clearer than the one at Han Zhou.

Several tall figures stood behind the gate.

Their faces could not be seen, yet they pressed down atop the Human Realm like mountains.

The leader extended a single finger.

"Seal."

The last Golden Lock's light surged violently, and began to regenerate anew, spreading toward the eight already broken chains.

The Sword Vein let out a mournful wail of agony.

Jiang Che roared and raised his sword to slash at the final lock.

But when the blade fell, it was blocked by an invisible force.

Boom!

Jiang Che was sent flying backward, slamming hard into the cliff wall.

The Green Bamboo Sword flew from his hand.

The Sword Spirit called out urgently: "Boy!"

Jiang Che struggled to rise, only to find that the meridians throughout his body felt as though pressed down — even lifting a hand was difficult.

The power of the Heavenly Gate was too great.

So great it did not seem like anything the Human Realm could resist.

A voice behind the gate said indifferently: "The Jiang Family has guarded this for a thousand years, and in the end it was all in vain."

"The Human Sword Vein returns to Heaven."

The Golden Lock drove once more deep into the Sword Vein.

Jiang Che's eyes turned blood-red.

"You're not allowed to touch it!"

He crawled forward, step by step.

His knees ground to shreds, his palms torn open.

But the pressure of might grew heavier and heavier.

He crawled extremely slowly, yet never once stopped.

Elder Jiang Ling tried to charge forward, but the pressure crushed his bones until they snapped.

He screamed hoarsely: "Young Master!"

Xie Tingxue gritted her teeth and rose, forcing out a thrust of her sword.

The sword-light had barely risen before it was ground to pieces by the Heavenly Gate's pressure.

She dropped to her knees, face deathly pale.

The Sword Spirit said in a low voice: "Jiang Che, let go of your body. Let me handle it."

Jiang Che gritted his teeth: "Can you cut it?"

"I can."

"And the price?"

The Sword Spirit fell silent.

Jiang Che laughed, his mouth full of blood.

"You'll disappear, won't you?"

The Sword Spirit cursed: "What kind of time is this, and you're still worrying about that?"

Jiang Che shook his head.

"Senior, you've already saved me many times."

"This time, it should be my turn."

He continued forward.

One inch.

Two inches.

Ten inches.

Just as his fingers were about to touch the Green Bamboo Sword, a warm white light suddenly lit up deep within the Sword Vein.

Within the white light, a tall figure slowly emerged.

Black Armor, a cape, a saber at his waist.

Jiang Che froze.

"Father…"

That figure turned around.

It was none other than the Marquis of Zhenbei, Jiang Xuan.

Not a real person.

Only a wisp of a remnant Shadow left within the Sword Vein.

Jiang Xuan looked at Jiang Che, his gaze as gentle as in memory.

"Che'er, you've grown up."

Jiang Che's eyes instantly turned red.

He wanted to speak, but no sound came out.

Jiang Xuan smiled: "Don't cry. A son of the Jiang Family may shed blood, but save your tears for when you return home to drink."

The Sword Spirit sighed lightly: "Jiang Xuan, you fellow, you indeed kept one move in reserve."

Jiang Xuan looked at the Wooden Sword and smiled: "Senior, thank you for protecting my son all this way."

The Sword Spirit snorted: "No need for thanks. Your son is more stubborn than you."

Jiang Xuan laughed loudly.

The laughter made the Sword Vein tremble slightly.

Then, he walked to Jiang Che and placed a hand on Jiang Che's shoulder.

"Che'er, the only thing your father can help you with is this final sword strike."

"Watch closely."

Jiang Xuan turned around.

He did not draw a blade.

Instead, he picked up the Green Bamboo Sword.

In that moment, Jiang Che saw his father's true sword.

It was not domineering, not fierce.

It was defense.

Defending Han Zhou, defending the Northern Border, defending the myriad lights behind him.

Jiang Xuan struck with his sword.

The sword light was not dazzling, yet extremely steady.

So steady that even if Heaven and Earth collapsed, it would not shift by a fraction.

The last Golden Lock broke.

A roar came from behind the Heavenly Gate.

Jiang Xuan's afterimage faded simultaneously.

Jiang Che lunged forward: "Father!"

Jiang Xuan reached out and gently ruffled his head.

Just like when he was little.

"From now on, it depends on you."

"Do not fear the height of Heaven."

"The Jiang Family's sword was always meant to be offered to the sky."

The afterimage dispersed.

The Green Bamboo Sword fell into Jiang Che's palm.

The Sword Vein fully awakened.

A column of green light pierced Heaven and Earth.

Jiang Che stood up, and tears finally fell.

But he did not bow his head.

He looked up at the Heavenly Gate.

"After today,"

"the Northern Border Sword Vein belongs to the Human Realm."

"Whoever dares to take it again,"

"I will shatter this Gate."