Chapter 49: East Sea Water Gate, Sword Master Not Out

The anomalies in the East Sea were soon confirmed.

For three nights, the sea turned red.

Fishermen said they saw golden light drifting beneath the waves, like an inverted gate.

Three coastal commanderies simultaneously developed strange illnesses; victims grew scales on their skin and called out "Return to Heaven Heavenly Gate" in their dreams.

The Anti-Heaven Bureau judged this to be Upper Realm Remnants using the Sea Race's earth veins to attempt opening another Reception Gate.

If the Water Gate forms, millions of civilians across the three East Sea commanderies will be sacrificed as tide.

When the news reached Tian Duan Cliff, Jiang Che was practicing holding his sword.

The Green Bamboo Sword was in his hand, yet still gave no response.

Xie Wuya came to request orders.

"Sword Master, the East Sea Water Gate cannot be ignored."

Jiang Che nodded: "Who goes?"

Everyone froze.

In the past, Jiang Che's first reaction to such matters was always to go himself.

But this time, he asked who would go.

Xie Wuya glanced at him and understood: Jiang Che had changed.

Not from retreat.

But from beginning to truly entrust the Human Realm to more people.

Xie Wuya said: "Old man can go."

Jiang Che shook his head: "Senior must guard Tian Duan Cliff."

Xie Tingxue said: "I'll go."

Jiang Che looked at her.

Xie Tingxue's expression was calm: "Clear Snow Sword Intent can suppress Plague Poison, and Sword Pavilion is familiar with the East Sea Sects."

Jiang Che did not immediately agree.

He knew Xie Tingxue's shoulder wound had not healed.

Xie Tingxue seemed to read his thoughts and said: "You cannot take all the wounds onto yourself."

Jiang Che fell silent for a moment.

"Take three hundred Green Blade Camp soldiers, a thousand Sword Pavilion Disciples, and have Shen Wanjin arrange sea vessels."

Shen Wanjin immediately grimaced: "Again with the ships…"

Jiang Che said: "Put it on the ledger."

Shen Wanjin sighed: "Every time the Young Master says 'put it on the ledger,' I feel this debt may never be repaid."

Jiang Che smiled: "The New Discussion Hall will pay."

Shen Wanjin muttered under his breath: "The Council Hall is harder to collect from than the Emperor."

The East Sea expedition was quickly settled.

Before departure, Xie Tingxue came to see Jiang Che.

The wind on Tian Duan Cliff was fierce; she stood at the cliff's edge, white robe and sword at her back, like a shard of frozen snow.

Jiang Che said: "Be careful."

Xie Tingxue said: "You too."

Jiang Che smiled: "I'm here recovering—what's there to be careful about?"

Xie Tingxue looked at him: "Don't let yourself rot while recovering."

Jiang Che froze.

She continued: "Not being able to draw your sword doesn't mean you can do nothing."

"You are the Guardian of the Nation Sword Master, not the Guardian of the Nation Sword."

Jiang Che remained silent for a long time, then nodded: "I've learned."

Xie Tingxue turned to leave.

Jiang Che suddenly said: "Tingxue."

This was the first time he had called her by name.

Xie Tingxue paused.

Jiang Che said: "Come back alive."

Xie Tingxue did not turn back, only gave a soft "Mm."

The battle in the East Sea lasted half a month.

Jiang Che did not go.

But every day he read battle reports from Tian Duan Cliff.

Day one: Xie Tingxue arrived in the East Sea, sealed the three commanderies' wells, and burned the contaminated Altars.

Day three: Green Blade Camp slew seven Sea Race Priests in a night raid.

Day five: The Water Gate surfaced; a shadow of an Upper Realm Tide Envoy descended behind it.

Day six: Xie Tingxue extended her sword over the sea and froze ten li of red tide.

Day seven: One thousand Sword Pavilion Disciples formed the Clear Snow Tide Sword Formation and slew three thousand Sea Demons.

Day ten: The Water Gate half-opened.

Day eleven: Xie Tingxue entered the tide's eye alone, froze the sea with a single sword, and sealed the gate for three breaths.

Day twelve: Green Blade Camp seized the chance to detonate the underwater altar pillars.

On the thirteenth day, the Water Gate shattered.

On the fourteenth day, the plague Qi of the East Sea receded.

On the fifteenth day, Xie Tingxue sent back just four words:

"The Water Gate has shattered."

Jiang Che looked at the letter and finally let out a breath of relief.

Chen Shanhe smiled and said, "Miss Xie truly wields a fine sword."

Jiang Che nodded. "Yes."

Chen Shanhe suddenly said, "Young Master, aren't you worried?"

Jiang Che said, "Worried."

"Then why not go?"

Jiang Che gazed at the Sword Vein of Tian Duan Cliff.

"Because if I go every time, the Human Realm will never learn to draw its own sword."

Chen Shanhe was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

"The Young Master has truly grown up."

Jiang Che said helplessly, "Uncle Chen, I'm no longer a child."

Chen Shanhe looked at his pale face, his gaze softening.

"In an old soldier's eyes, the Young Master will forever be that little brat from Hou Manor who snuck sips of wine."

Jiang Che smiled.

After the victory report from the East Sea reached the Capital City, the Council Hall, for the first time, did not seek Jiang Che's instruction and passed on its own the East Sea post-disaster relief decree.

Gu Chongming wrote at the end of his letter:

"The Sword Master does not appear, yet the Human Realm still prevails."

Jiang Che finished reading and set the letter down beside the Green Bamboo Sword.

"Did you see?"

"We are no longer a lone sword."

The Green Bamboo Sword remained silent as ever.

But deep within the blade, a wisp of extremely faint Green Light seemed to flash past.