Chapter 27

“It’s been incredibly hard—I’ve finally arrived at Zhu Wu Linked Manor.”

In the Heaven Sword world, Zhang Jie, holding his longsword, gazed at the ornate halls and painted beams before him,

a vast manor spanning several mu, and sighed deeply.

It had been more than half a month since he bid farewell to his master Yu Lianzhou and left Mount Wudang.

During this time, the hardships he endured surpassed those of his entire decade-plus on Mount Wudang.

Had there not been a Tianlong Zhang Jie ahead of him, suffering far more,

he would have long since gone to the Shared Space to complain to the Water Margin Zhang Jie.

The Heaven Sword world was now in the chaotic transition from Yuan’s end to Ming’s beginning, with Red Turban rebels and countless other insurgent bands emerging endlessly.

The famous prophecy, discovered on a stone statue with a single eye—“Don’t say the Yellow River stone man has but one eye; it stirs the whole realm to rebellion”—had spread across the land.

Amid the Yuan nobility’s oppressive taxes and ruthless exploitation,

and the back-and-forth battles between rebel forces and Yuan troops suppressing them,

the common people were utterly destitute, their lives worth less than grass.

During these days, as Zhang Jie traveled from Mount Wudang toward Mount Kunlun,

he saw no people for a hundred li, no rooster’s crow for a thousand li; of a hundred souls, one remained—thinking of it broke his heart.

Even though his master Yu Lianzhou had given him considerable silver when he descended,

with no one around, the silver was useless!

For this entire period, Zhang Jie had endured wind and rain, sleeping under the open sky, nearly becoming a wild man.

Even so, he had only managed to cross nearly a thousand li safely from Mount Wudang to Mount Kunlun

because of his formidable martial skills.

Along the way, scattered bands of deserters, Yuan troops raiding villages,

and bandits who seized mountains and declared themselves kings—those who cried, “This road I opened, these trees I planted; if you pass here, leave your toll”—were as numerous as cattle.

In this short span, the number of wicked men slain by Zhang Jie’s sword exceeded a hundred.

As a result, his body now carried a heavy aura of bloodshed.

“In chaotic times, a person is worse off than a dog in peace!”

Recalling the horrors along his journey, Zhang Jie recalled the poem written in old age by Wang Anshi, the stubborn chancellor of the Song dynasty, who had declared:

“Our ancestors’ ways need not be followed, heavenly mandates need not be feared, public opinion need not be heeded—my Dao is Heaven’s Dao, my law surpasses all laws.”

“I wish I were a carefree youth of the Five Tombs, born in the Zhen Guan and Kai Yuan eras,

chasing chickens, racing dogs through life, unaware of the world’s peace or peril.”

As Zhang Jie sank into memory, the gatekeeper of Zhu Wu Linked Manor noticed him.

Seeing Zhang Jie’s attire was far from ordinary, the gatekeeper approached and bowed respectfully:

“May I ask, young master, what business brings you to Zhu Wu Linked Manor?”

“I am Zhang Jie, third-generation disciple of Mount Wudang, here to pay respects to Masters Zhu and Wu.”

Zhang Jie, returning to himself, bowed in reply and showed the gatekeeper his longsword—

the standard Wudang blade, its hilt engraved with the black-and-white Yin-Yang fish.

“So you are a high disciple of Mount Wudang!”

The gatekeeper exclaimed in surprise upon learning Zhang Jie’s identity.

Mount Wudang’s prestige had risen steadily in recent years, surpassing major sects like Emei and Kongtong,

and now stood shoulder to shoulder with Shaolin, the sect famed for “All martial arts originate from Shaolin,” jointly holding the reins of the martial world.

Not to mention their founder, Master Zhang Sanfeng, still alive.

That hundred-year-old immortal, with white hair and ruddy complexion, bearing the aura of a celestial being, was unquestionably the number one martial artist in the world!

The prestige of being a third-generation Wudang disciple was extremely high.

At least, Wei Bi, the young master of Zhu Wu Linked Manor, nephew of Zhu Changling and senior disciple of Wu Lie, held a lower status than Zhang Jie.

“Young Master Zhang, please wait a moment—I’ll go summon the masters.”

The gatekeeper, not daring to delay, led Zhang Jie into the reception hall,

had a maid serve fine tea, then hurried off to fetch the two masters.

“Thank you, young man.”

Zhang Jie replied gently.

“This is merely my duty, Young Master Zhang—you honor me too much.”

The gatekeeper waved his hand, yet a smile still crept onto his face.

He hadn’t expected Zhang Jie to be so courteous to a mere gatekeeper.

“Wudang disciples truly live up to their reputation as disciples of a great sect—

as refined and gentle as the gentlemen in tales.”

The delighted gatekeeper praised Wudang disciples’ cultivation in his heart, then briskly went to fetch the two masters.

The gatekeeper waved his hand, though a faint smile still appeared on his face.

Zhang Jie lifted his teacup, blew gently to disperse the floating foam, and took a small sip of the clear tea.

“Deng, Deng.”

Before Zhang Jie finished his cup, a steady, powerful, rhythmic step echoed outside the hall.

Clearly, the approaching figure possessed profound internal energy and was a stern, imposing man.

“Hahaha!

Young Master Zhang’s visit truly brings glory to Zhu Wu Linked Manor!”

Before the man entered, his hearty voice reached Zhang Jie’s ears.

As he spoke, a middle-aged man in silk robes, tall and robust,

with a noble and imposing countenance, stepped into the hall.

The returning gatekeeper eagerly introduced him:

“Young Master Zhang, this is our master, Wu Lie of Zhu Wu Linked Manor.”

Zhang Jie set down his teacup and rose to reply:

“If Zhu Wu Linked Manor, under Masters Wu and Zhu, is but a humble abode,

then what estate in the world could be called grand? Master Wu, you are too modest.”

“Hahaha, Young Master Zhang flatters me.”

Wu Lie appeared humble on the surface, yet inwardly felt great pride.

Zhu Wu Linked Manor was the fruit of his and Zhu Changling’s tireless efforts, now flourishing like oil poured on fire.

To hear such high praise from Zhang Jie, how could he not be pleased?

“Young Master Zhang, please sit.”

As host and significantly older than Zhang Jie, Wu Lie naturally took the main seat.

“How is Master Zhang Sanfeng?”

Wu Lie first expressed his concern for the venerable elder of the martial world.

“My ancestor is in perfect health.”

Zhang Jie bowed toward Mount Wudang.

Then followed a stretch of empty pleasantries.

Seeing the small talk had run its course, Wu Lie steered the conversation to the point:

“What business brings you to Zhu Wu Linked Manor?

If there is anything we can assist you with, please speak freely—we will lend every possible aid.”

Not knowing which cliff Zhang Wuji had jumped from, Zhang Jie chose to hedge:

“I have come precisely because I require Master Zhu’s help.”

Wu Lie’s expression stiffened.

He had only meant to make a show of goodwill—never expecting Zhang Jie to seize the opportunity.

Wu Lie: I only meant to pretend—I didn’t think this Zhang Jie would treat me like a donkey.

Yet, having already spoken grandly, to save face, Wu Lie had no choice but to grit his teeth and say:

“Please, speak freely.”

Zhang Jie revealed his purpose:

“I have a junior brother, Zhang Wuji, who has wandered the martial world for years and remains missing.

I descended the mountain specifically to find him.

My investigations indicate his last known location was near Zhu Wu Linked Manor.

I ask you, Master Wu, to mobilize your people to help me trace his whereabouts.”

"Young Master Zhang, please speak freely."

Zhang Jie informed him of his purpose:

"I have a junior brother, Zhang Wuji, who has been wandering thejianghu for years and is still missing,

I descended the mountain specifically to find him.

My investigations indicate that the last place he was seen was near the Zhu Wu Linked Manor.

I ask you, Master Zhu, to mobilize your people to help me trace my junior brother's whereabouts."

Zhang Jie stood up and bowed deeply to Wu Lie to make the performance more authentic.

Zhang Jie: Life is a play, all about acting!

For the Nine Yang Divine Art, for the Kunlun Valley Secret Realm, Zhang Jie was willing to risk everything!

“Young Master Zhang, you flatter me too much, you flatter me too much.”

Wu Lie hurriedly pulled up the bowing Zhang Jie.

Yet in his heart, thoughts churned endlessly:

Three years ago, Zhang Wuji, under the alias Ceng Aniu, arrived at the Zhu Wu Linked Mountain Villa.

He and Zhu Zhangling went to extreme lengths to obtain the Dragon-Slaying Blade, which Zhang Wuji’s sworn father Xie Xun held.

The blade was famed as “Supreme in the Wu Lin, commanding all under heaven, none dare defy; if the Heaven-Defying Sword does not appear, [110] who can stand against it?”

The Dragon-Slaying Blade, famed for “who can rival it,” was employed to the utmost extreme.

First, they employed the Beauty Scheme: Zhu Zhangling deliberately arranged for his daughter Zhu Jiuzhen to draw near Zhang Wuji, [112] using her beauty and gentleness to win his trust.

She deceived him with her beauty and gentleness.

They sought to exploit Zhang Wuji’s trust in Zhu Jiuzhen to extract the whereabouts of the Dragon-Slaying Blade and Xie Xun.

After the Beauty Scheme failed, they devised another deception:

He and Zhu Zhangling falsely claimed Xie Xun was dead, using the devastating news of Zhang Wuji’s sworn father’s death to lure him in.

Then they used the Self-Harm Scheme: Wu Lie disguised himself as Xie Xun [117] and fought fiercely with Zhu Zhangling inside the villa, fabricating the illusion that Xie Xun was dead.

She fought fiercely with Zhu Zhangling within the estate to create the illusion that Xie Xun was dead.

Both schemes ended in failure, and under duress, [119] they attempted to forcibly seize Zhang Wuji and force him to reveal Xie Xun’s whereabouts.

They attempted to forcibly seize Zhang Wuji and interrogate him about Xie Xun’s whereabouts.

During the chase, they drove Zhang Wuji to the edge of a cliff.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Wuji refused to yield even unto death—he leapt off the cliff.

As Zhang Wuji jumped, he hesitated, but Zhu Zhangling, utterly blinded by greed, [123] grabbed Zhang Wuji and leapt after him.

She even grabbed Zhang Wuji and leapt off the cliff with him.

Now three years have passed; Zhang Wuji and Zhu Zhangling are surely long turned to white bones!

To prevent the events at the Zhu Wu Linked Mountain Villa from drawing the attention of major sects like Wudang and Kongtong, [126] for these three years he has played two roles himself, spreading the false illusion that the Zhu Wu Linked Mountain Villa remained unchanged.

For three years, he played both roles, projecting to the outside world the illusion that the Zhu-Wu Linked Mountain Estate remained unchanged.

He never imagined that despite his tight secrecy, Wudang’s people had still found their way here!