Chapter Forty-Nine: The Decision

Everything had come to an end. There was no chaos before his eyes; it seemed as though everything had transpired, yet also as if nothing had happened at all.

Xu Xing let out a long breath. In this battle, he had lost much, but gained even more.

What he lost was the purity of guarding his body, for now he had stepped into the Foundation Establishment stage.

But what he gained was immeasurable. For instance, being able to activate three Bodhi Trees upon entering Foundation Establishment, earning the recognition of the Sword Spirit, and obtaining a manual of the “Nine Solitary Sword Techniques.”

It was the first form of this manual that he had just used to slay Mo Yi.

Xu Xing was deeply troubled, appearing to be filled with anxiety and calculation.

The great family behind Mo Yi was no pushover; how could they be so easily provoked? Surely, it would not be long before the Mo clan sent people to hunt him down.

The Mo clan was one of the six great families of Seaside City—if he fled, what would become of the Xu family behind him?

Problem after problem left Xu Xing silent; he no longer knew how to resolve any of it.

If it were only himself, it would be one life for another—but would the Mo clan agree to such terms?

Precisely because of this, Xu Xing could not let go; he still had a family behind him.

He rode the wind, flying upon his sword, hovering in the sky like a hunting falcon, lost in thought.

The elderly master waved his hand, and the ground returned to its original state, no longer sunken three feet. The Eight Trigrams arena was restored, and Li Chunyi hid among the crowd, revealing his fangs with a sinister grin.

The feverish heat in everyone’s minds cooled, though from time to time people still discussed Xu Xing.

“Just look at you men—never reassuring,” Su Mei said, arms crossed, pressing her chest as she sighed.

Among this group, Hangri and Su Mei were the most familiar, and Hangri was also naturally acquainted with Xu Xing and his friends, so he replied boisterously, “Don’t pin that on us! We men are perfectly trustworthy.”

“You five—all troublemakers. If anything happens to you, my tender heart wouldn’t be able to take it,” Su Mei retorted. In truth, she cared very much for Xu Xing and his friends, for Xu Xing’s past had stirred her compassion.

Xu Xing’s many qualities convinced Su Mei that he was destined for greatness.

“What trouble? Don’t talk nonsense. Have you seen? All five of us are fine—me, the Xu brothers, Li Yuan, and Jiang Kun. We’re all fine, and nothing will happen to us!” Hangri grinned. Xu Xing’s victory and advancement filled Hangri with genuine admiration, and he laughed heartily.

Su Mei blushed, scolding Hangri for his lack of propriety, but he retorted, “You women always talk about showing strengths and hiding weaknesses, don’t you? Show strengths, hide weaknesses. All five of us are the same—if you doubt it, measure it yourself!”

“Enough, enough—go away, all of you,” she said.

Xu Xing soared through the sky on his sword, his eyes absorbing the beauty of the world.

He truly felt what it meant to stand atop the highest peak, surveying all the mountains below, feeling exhilarated and shedding some of his worries.

Noticing the increasingly heated discussion among his friends, Xu Xing steered his sword toward them.

By chance—or perhaps mishearing—he caught the word “Durex,” leaving him bewildered.

Could it be that in Great Shu, people used such things as cling film?

His friends made room for him as he landed, and Xu Xing asked, “Durex? What are you all discussing so fervently?”

Su Mei stepped forward, pulling Xu Xing aside and, after checking that no one was eavesdropping, whispered, “We’re discussing your escape route. You’ve stirred up big trouble—do you realize that?”

Xu Xing nodded slightly; he knew it well, but was at a loss for what to do, unable to think of any solution.

“Years ago, the Mo clan’s ancestor reportedly broke through and attracted a thunder tribulation. He failed to survive it and died, so they called it ‘Thunder Death.’”

“So that’s what ‘Thunder Death’ means. I always wondered.”

The group stared at Xu Xing, their eyes filled with odd expressions.

“There’s a rumor that the Mo ancestor didn’t die, but went through Nirvana, remaking his body to avoid his enemies. So this time, you’re in serious trouble. You’d better run—the Mo clan’s soul lamp for Mo Yi must have gone out,” Hangri said, throwing an arm around Xu Xing’s shoulder and sighing.

“But if I leave, what of my family? And can I really escape?” Xu Xing asked.

Everyone fell silent—for could Xu Xing truly escape?

“To live another day is another day,” someone murmured.

At that moment, an elder in purple robes appeared before them, unnoticed.

It was the very elder who had saved Zi Yan, and he brought Zi Yan with him.

Zi Yan looked frail, her skin dry and wrinkled, the corners of her eyes lined, her hair mostly white, as if winter had come and snow had covered her head.

The air was thick with the scent of vinegar. Xu Xing’s eyes stung, but he said nothing, holding Zi Yan tightly—for she had done so much for him.

“Let’s disperse—go about your business,” Hangri said, indicating for everyone to leave. The group scattered.

Under the elder’s protection, Xu Yan and Xu Xing embraced each other tightly—perhaps it was simply the affection between teacher and student. The elder wanted to speak, but held back, as if something was stuck in his throat.

Zi Yan’s scent was still so familiar; flowers filled the air, and Xu Xing felt her burning heart thundering in her chest. His own heart softened, and he spoke gently:

“Senior sister, I’m sorry—it’s all because of me.”

“It’s alright... truly alright... Even if I could do it all over again, I would still stand between you and the Spirit-Dissolving Pearl without hesitation, because you are the descendant of the Sinner Clan, and because I believe in you.”

The elder could not bear to interrupt. Zi Yan’s hair had turned white, and she had aged greatly—within just a few hours, she had grown old.

All because of Li Chunyi’s Spirit-Dissolving Pearl. Thinking of this, Xu Xing was furious beyond words.

Sword at his feet, path ahead, Xu Xing stepped onto his blade, ready to fly in search of Li Chunyi.

“This time it wasn’t Li Chunyi—it was Mo Yi who arranged it. He’s dead now, so let it be. But you’ve gotten yourself into huge trouble; the Mo ancestor is involved, and I truly fear you won’t escape,” the elder sighed, pitying Xu Xing.

Hearing this, Zi Yan wept like rain, sobbing, “Grandfather, please, help Xu Xing!”

What!? This elder was actually Zi Yan’s grandfather? How could this be? Why hadn’t he intervened to save Zi Yan earlier, preventing disaster?

Rage—Xu Xing could not understand, and he gritted his teeth, demanding, “Why didn’t you save Zi Yan? She’s your own granddaughter!”

Zi Yan tugged at Xu Xing’s sleeve, whispering, “It’s alright, my grandfather has his own difficulties.”

The elder waved his sleeve, clenched his fist, pounding his chest in regret. “Do you think I didn’t want to save her? But do you know, there were seven other elders present—how many weren’t watching me like a tiger stalking its prey?”

The elder then said, with a hint of anger, “All of this is because of you. I want you to take Zi Yan to the Central Plains!”

He shoved a bamboo slip into Xu Xing’s hands, glancing urgently toward the horizon. “Now, take Zi Yan to the Central Plains. As for the Xu family ancestor, I’ll find a way. Do you hear me, Xu Xing? All of this is because of you!”

“Is it really possible?” Xu Xing asked reverently.

But a hoarse voice spoke: “Grandfather, Xu Xing is meant for great things—I don’t want to hold him back.”

“Xu Xing, you must choose: either wander the world alone, disregarding your family’s fate, or take my granddaughter to the Central Plains, seek a divine healer to cure Zi Yan’s condition! Only then will your clan survive, and the Xu family gain the support of the North Sea Academy!”

“Make your choice!”

Zi Yan’s eyes were wet with tears, gazing at Xu Xing with a smile. “Whatever you choose, I’ll support you. I know you’ll rise like a new star. And I’ll be watching you from below—just don’t forget to look back, that’s enough.”