Chapter 241: The Celestial Emperor

A world of wind and clouds.

Chinese Hall.

Chu Yang and Wuming discuss the Dao in their daily routine; the sword qi surrounding them falls like a rain curtain, and within the sword‑qi‑shrouded area time seems to stand still.

"Your extrapolation of 'Ten Thousand Swords Returning to the Sect' has reached this level; it truly surpasses the founder's mindset and becomes an entirely new martial art."

Wuming picks up the teacup on the table and sips the tea delicately.

At the same time he withdraws the sword qi surrounding him, his words tinged with emotion.

Chu Yang also disperses his sword qi, grabs his teacup and drinks it in one gulp, like a bull chewing a peony.

"I must thank you, senior, for helping me sort out the sword Dao martial arts."

"There's nothing to thank me for; I too have greatly benefited. Your talent is truly rare in the world, and there are some sword techniques I couldn't even imagine."

"That may be so, but you, senior, also learn it quite quickly."

Wuming shakes his head and laughs, "Let's stop flattering each other and talk about something else. By the way, there's been a lot of buzz about a sect in the jianghu lately; have you heard about it?"

Chu Yang has been in seclusion at the Chinese Hall for a long time; he either cultivates sword Dao martial arts or goes to the Soul Palace to exchange updates with others, and knows nothing at all about jianghu affairs.

Anyway, Wuming is an important plot figure; no major event can be hidden from him.

"Senior, just say it straight, don't tease. I spend my days eating, sleeping, eating—how could I know the big happenings in the jianghu?"

"You, you…" Wuming is provoked into a hearty laugh, then says, "Since Xiongba's downfall, no divine being has died at your hands; the jianghu has been quiet for a long time. Recently, a mysterious person has been gathering the underworld to establish a sect."

"Almost every prominent underworld figure in the jianghu has been brought under this mysterious man's command; the momentum is enormous."

"Rumor has it this person is called Di Shi Tian, and his sect is named Heaven Gate."

Chu Yang lifts the corner of his mouth in a mocking smile, "Heaven Gate? That's a bold claim, but given his status, he does have the right to speak such grandiose words."

Wuming looks at Chu Yang in surprise, "Do you, little friend, know this person?"

Chu Yang says, "Not exactly knowing him, but I've read some obscure accounts in ancient texts, which mention Di Shi Tian."

Wuming is even more astonished; the word "ancient" in Chu Yang's words proves that Di Shi Tian has existed for a considerable time.

"Senior, are you aware of the story from several thousand years ago when Qin Shi Huang sought immortality and sent people to find the elixir of eternal life?"

Chu Yang does not directly reveal Di Shi Tian's identity, but instead brings up the ancient legend.

"The story of the First Emperor's quest for longevity is known to every Chinese man and woman."

Wuming, though finding it somewhat baffling, still nods.

Chu Yang continues, "Then you must also know the alchemist Xu Fu, right?"

Wuming replies, "The alchemist the First Emperor sent out to seek the immortal elixir, right?"

"Yes, that's correct." Chu Yang inhales deeply, his voice low, "That enigmatic Di Shi Tian is none other than Xu Fu himself."

Wuming is suddenly stunned, looking at Chu Yang's sincere eyes; he slaps his leg and laughs loudly, "What a joke, kid. You scared me for nothing. If Di Shi Tian really is Xu Fu, wouldn't that mean he's lived for over a thousand years?"

Chu Yang remains silent. The laughter fades, and Wuming's forehead suddenly breaks into cold sweat, his composure vanished, "Really?"

Chu Yang nods, "Senior, it's normal not to believe. If someone else told me this, I wouldn't believe either, but the fact is indeed so."

Wuming swallows, closes his eyes to steady himself, and asks, "If Di Shi Tian truly is Xu Fu, how did he survive…"

His words are cut off; Wuming, shocked, exclaims, "The immortal divine elixir?!"

Chu Yang smiles, "Senior, you're right; it's the immortal elixir. Xu Fu didn't fail in his search; in fact, before crossing eastward he had already obtained the immortal elixir, but he simply didn't give it to the First Emperor."

Knowing the immortal elixir truly exists, Wuming's curiosity spikes, "What exactly is the immortal elixir?"

Chu Yang, with a mysterious expression, says, "Senior, have you heard of the Four Auspicious Beasts?"

Wuming replies, "Dragon, Phoenix, Fire Qilin, and the Mysterious Turtle. Why are you asking about auspicious beasts—what's the connection?"

Chu Yang stops teasing and says, "The so‑called immortal elixir is forged from phoenix blood. Back then, Xu Fu led a large force to capture phoenixes and refined their blood into an immortal golden core."

"But he saw the First Emperor's tyrannical ways and feared that the emperor would achieve immortality, causing the common people unbearable suffering. So he pretended to embark eastward, taking the immortal golden core far from the Central Plains, only returning centuries after the First Emperor's death."

Hearing this earth‑shattering revelation, Wuming's expression turns dramatically, "By your account, Xu Fu shouldn't be a villain; he chose to deceive the emperor for the sake of the common people…"

"At first he truly wasn't a villain," Chu Yang sighs, "but the horror of time lies in this: it silently erodes a person's mind, and for a thousand years only Xu Fu alone lives on."

"Family, close friends, beloved siblings, even descendants all become lost in the river of history; how could such loneliness not drive a living person mad?"

Wuming, after listening, can't help but imagine: if he were Di Shi Tian, what would his state of mind be now?

His hair stands on end all over his body, and he shivers.

"There's a saying that heights are cold; the chill of immortality is even greater than that,"

"Time holds no meaning; Xu Fu can use his endless life to pursue whatever he wishes. I've heard he once was a Martial World Overlord, also the Sovereign of the Nine Five, and even joined various sects, covertly learning their techniques and gathering the strengths of a hundred schools."

Wuming is startled, "With so many years of martial foundation, who in the world could match him?"

Chu Yang shakes his head, "Almost none."

Wuming frowns, puzzled, "By your account, Xu Fu has already been a Martial World Overlord; then what's the purpose of establishing Heaven Gate?"

Chu Yang casually utters a single word, "Play."

"Play?" Wuming understands Chu Yang's meaning; his pupils narrow as he says, "He caused such a huge commotion just for fun?"

"Exactly," Chu Yang explains, "Fame, wealth, and even time hold no meaning for Xu Fu. He has experienced everything the mortal world can offer; only manipulating people's hearts still amuses him."

Wuming inhales a cold breath, "Isn't that just a madman?"

"Senior, you're right; time eroded Xu Fu's humanity, and the remaining Di Shi Tian is merely a madman. What a madman intends, a normal person could never fathom,"

"No way!" Wuming stands and paces, "We cannot let this madman run amok. If we let him stir up the jianghu, inciting feuds and killings everywhere, how can the common people's lives go on?"

"I must stop him,"

Chu Yang pours Wuming a cup of tea, then urges him to sit, smiling, "Senior, no need to rush. Since Di Shi Tian wants to toy with the jianghu, how could he spare the renowned Heaven Sword?"

(End of Chapter)