Chapter 127: Betray the Sect or Protect the Dao?

When the sword is drawn, it has a destination—where it points, it cuts.

What Ji You felt in the forest was the sword intent that had repeatedly targeted Tianjian Peak, thick with murderous intent.

As soon as he finished speaking, Qi Zhengyang’s hand suddenly stopped.

He had always wiped the blade gently, never touching the sharp edge, yet now the deer hide in his hand was slit open.

Qi Zhengyang lifted his head and looked at Ji You with serious intensity, his eyes carrying a cold, ruthless edge.

“Clever tricks will get you killed. Some things you shouldn’t know, yet you insist on guessing—your life won’t last.”

Ji You was not afraid: “Then it proves my sword heart is truly clear.”

Qi Zhengyang frowned: “When did you figure it out?”

“I felt the murderous intent in the first forest, but only confirmed in the third forest that the Elder intended to kill. Yet the killing intent was erratic, as if unsure whom to target—especially that [Si Wu Xie], which inexplicably weakened at the end. It wasn’t meant for me.”

Qi Zhengyang continued wiping the blade: “That [Si Wu Xie] was always meant to weaken slightly—it has nothing to do with you.”

Ji You nodded: “Indeed, it has nothing to do with me. But I suspect Elder Qi changed the sword intent early not to harm Yan Shujing, because you knew your disciples were innocent—the guilty party is Tianjian Peak.”

As soon as the words fell, the courtyard fell utterly silent.

Yet a sharp, rising murderous intent began to seep out, as if foretelling someone’s death.

Qi Zhengyang was an Elder of Tianjian Peak, yet Ji You repeatedly claimed his sword pointed at Tianjian Peak—by rights, he should already be headless.

But after a howling surge, the murderous intent gradually faded, and no blade ever struck.

“Many in the ruins shouldn’t have died. My son was no exception.”

“He had average talent, mediocre cultivation potential, and loved only the game of go. Yet Tianjian Peak forced him into the ruins—and he died there.”

“I was in seclusion at the time. By the time I learned of it, the chance to act was gone.”

“Later, several Elders from Tianjian Peak sent their own sons to me, claiming they wished to serve me in filial duty—but I knew they wanted my sword art.”

“At that time, the entire Zheng family was dead. I didn’t know who to strike.”

“But if I don’t avenge my son, am I even worthy to be a father?”

“When I set up the Sword Forest, I intended to slaughter all of Lingjian Mountain. But in the end, I realized those people were innocent. Today, I can only draw one sword—and it must strike the one most deserving of death.”

Qi Zhengyang’s voice was calm, restrained.

From his expression alone, no one would guess this Elder of Tianjian Peak was about to settle a debt of filial vengeance against Tianjian Peak.

Only someone who truly understood his sword intent could know where his blade pointed.

At this moment, Qi Zhengyang felt only regret—that this man was a disciple of the Heavenly Book Academy, and the sword art he had spent his life refining could not be passed to him.

But at least, he had passed on four swords—so his life’s work would not vanish entirely.

“You’ve learned three swords. Leave.”

“I thought you told me all this because you planned to kill me afterward anyway—so why not talk?”

Qi Zhengyang didn’t even look up: “My sword is already drawn. Your words won’t outpace it.”

Ji You didn’t leave. Instead, he found a cushion and sat closer: “I escaped from the ruins. I saw Tianjian Peak’s orders forbidding their disciples from retreating—even though everyone knew a conspiracy was at play.”

After a long silence, Qi Zhengyang spoke: “Whose fault do you think it is?”

Ji You thought a moment before answering: “No one should die for another’s greed—unless they themselves are greedy…”

“My son was never greedy!”

“Then it’s all Tianjian Peak’s damn greed.”

Qi Zhengyang’s gaze grew deep, and he murmured: “Yes. It’s Tianjian Peak.”

Ji You looked at the sword and changed the subject: “But Elder, you still have a wife and daughter. The Qi family still has other kin. Now, if you destroy everything, you’ll only invite greater karmic retribution. Elder Qi taught me three swords—I consider you my sword master. I came here to urge you to reconsider.”

Hearing this, Qi Zhengyang studied him anew.

Ji You wore Yan Shuyi’s old sword robe, too loose to close properly, revealing his full chest muscles—too much to look at.

“So it wasn’t me who dragged you here—you came of your own accord. No wonder you didn’t struggle.”

“If I hadn’t finally realized where your sword intent pointed, I would’ve run the moment I broke through the forest. I’m a disciple of the Heavenly Book Academy—I never intended to become your student. I came here only to voice my opinion.”

“I’ve heard plenty of such opinions.”

Qi Zhengyang placed the sword on his knees: “Everyone knows I have family. Everyone says this is all the Zheng family’s fault—or Chen Shixian Clan’s. I pretended to agree. But in the end, I couldn’t suppress my sword heart.”

The sword art of Lingjian Mountain seeks straightness—clean, direct.

Once a thought takes root, even the one who holds it cannot suppress it.

After the ruins incident, everyone said they must settle accounts with Chen Shixian Clan, with Yu Danzong.

But to Qi Zhengyang, the true culprits were those who knew the mountain held tigers yet still sent their disciples into the tiger’s den.

Every time he thought of his son, his disciplined sword heart stirred uncontrollably—he could not persuade himself to reconcile with Tianjian Peak.

After long thought, Ji You spoke again: “If you draw your sword now, you’ll only be branded a traitor to your sect, despised by all, and forgotten—your sword art will vanish with you.”

“So what? At least I’ll have avenged him. It will only bring suffering to my kin—to my wife and daughter…”

Beneath the immortal sects of Qingyun, powerful clans stand—foundation, yet also chains.

Just as when they entered the ruins, Wen Zhengxin, Ban Yangshu, and Pei Ruyi knew they were walking to their deaths—yet still had to go.

But Qi Zhengyang’s sword was too straight—it could hide his heart, but never his blade.

For the past half-month, his sword heart nearly deviated into madness; the murderous intent could not be contained. He held on this long only because he didn’t know how to secure his wife, daughter, and kin.

“If you were me, what would you choose?” Qi Zhengyang suddenly looked at Ji You.

Ji You sat in silence for a long while: “On my way here, I thought long and hard. I imagined myself in your place—and I believe there’s a path that can avenge him without bringing ruin.”

Qi Zhengyang regarded him with interest: “What path do you propose for this old man?”

“The immortal sects are too powerful. Private vengeance is impossible without endangering your family. If I were Elder Qi, my only choice would be to abandon Tianjian Peak and aid Xuanjian Peak.”

“Because in my view, that young Inspector is the true future of Lingjian Mountain—and she can ensure Tianjian Peak’s greed comes to nothing.”

“When I came with my sect to seek the Dao, I heard a story on the mountain: the young Inspector of Lingjian Mountain never wanted to be Inspector. Once, she was so angry she threatened to sink the Lingjian Mirror into the Xuan Sea.”

“But then she learned Xuanjian Peak’s disciples were constantly bullied by Tianjian Peak. After that, she never spoke of abandoning the Mirror again—and imprisoned herself atop the peak, becoming the fastest Nascent Soul of this age.”

“Your daughter is on the mountain. Your nephews and nieces are surely there too. If the Dao lineage ultimately returns to Tianjian Peak…”

Ji You paused here, fell silent, then said: “All men must die. Some deaths weigh lighter than a feather; others, heavier than Mount Tai.”

Hearing this, Qi Zhengyang frowned: “All the Yan family are the same. I won’t trust them again.”

“But Xuanjian Peak has no dead. The young Inspector ordered her disciples to evacuate long before—she refused to let them die needlessly. And she was near the ruins then because several disciples had gone missing—she went down herself to find them.”

Ji You looked at Qi Zhengyang and spoke with finality: “My sword is the straightest—it should not be used to betray the sect, but to protect the Dao.”

He had bitten her little hoof and held it close for a long while.

If she later pouted and wanted to marry him, he couldn’t let her ally with the Wenda Sect—he’d have to find a way to guard her mountain.

The highest realm’s fullness is the strongest combat power under the Dao lineage—only five exist in the Heavenly Book Academy.

When he felt that murderous intent in the third forest, he guessed Qi Elder had a rift with Tianjian Peak.

So forcing his way through the fourth forest wasn’t just for face—it was because he wanted to meet this Elder Qi, to kill three birds with one stone.

He was a sword thief, and a disciple of the Heavenly Book Academy concerned with honor.

But no one would guess he was also a messenger for Xuanjian Peak.

Qi Zhengyang stared at him, fell silent, then looked up: “Do you know our young Inspector of Lingjian Mountain?”

“I’ve always admired her.”

“A lecher, then…”

Ji You coughed: “Admiration is one thing—but ultimately, I don’t want you to die pointlessly, letting your enemies rejoice and your kin grieve. The young Inspector may be weak, but she is the true heir of Lingjian Mountain. In name and righteousness, your future sword strikes must be far more upright than this one.”

Qi Zhengyang murmured the phrase “kin grieve, enemies rejoice,” then his eyelids trembled slightly: “How long must I wait? Must I wait until I die of old age?”

“It won’t be long.”

“You speak lightly.”

“Elder, everyone says the world is about to fall into chaos. The barbarians have begun attacking Han Tie Pass; the demon clans, after a thousand years of isolation, suddenly seek trade with humanity. In this climate, Tianjian Peak will surely grow restless and move to seize the Dao lineage.”

As soon as he finished, Qi Zhengyang’s sword rang sharply, and he fell utterly silent.

Those with a clear sword heart can sense shifts in sword intent—just as now.

After long silence, Qi Zhengyang lifted his gaze to him: “You came here saying nothing of learning sword art, yet kept talking of irrelevant things. I’m curious—what do you truly want?”

“I want nothing. I simply have a kind heart—I always want to right the world’s wrongs.”

“Tell the truth.”

“I want to gift a fine sword to a woman, but every one I’ve chosen feels too poor.”

Qi Zhengyang looked at the sword in his hand: “You want my sword? Too bad—it’s my life-soul sword. I cannot give it away.”

Ji You smiled inwardly: No need—I’ve already found her a fine sword.

(End of Chapter)