Chapter 484 - 273: You Want to Be the Young Sect Leader—Have You Asked Him?
Chapter 484: Chapter 273: You Want to Be the Young Sect Leader—Have You Asked Him?
"..."
Lan Shuyi’s lips twitched as he spoke in a deep voice:
"This person is He Jingming!"
"He Jingming!? The He Jingming from the Golden Sun Mountain’s Qianqiu Gathering, famous for ’Sleeves unleash Hidden Clouds, a single strike cleaves Cyan Mountain’?"
Ye Wanqiu’s face was also full of surprise upon hearing that name.
The so-called ’Qianqiu Gathering’ was the pinnacle gathering forty years ago. For some unknown reason, experts from the South Ridge and Lingbei came together, not only the two gangs, three halls, five sects, and one lodge of that time but also Lingbei’s various sects and families’ experts flocked to it.
The two sides competed in martial arts to befriend each other and compare the martial skills of the north and south.
Though He Jingming wasn’t the strongest among them, his Hidden Cloud Sword was highly praised.
Forty years have passed, full of storms and changes. Those who were in the limelight at the Qianqiu Gathering have long since faded from the martial world.
Some have died, some are missing, and some of the two gangs and three halls were surpassed by newcomers, who tread them into the sand, establishing their own fame, making the former less known.
As for He Jingming, there hasn’t been a word about him for half a century.
Ye Wanqiu thought he had already passed away, but unexpectedly, he is still alive!?
Thus she couldn’t help doubting whether Lan Shuyi was fooling her?
Considering his age, how could he possibly know He Jingming?
Lan Shuyi said plainly:
"My Ding’an Hall is not your Yijian Sect."
Ye Wanqiu thought for a bit, understanding his point, and let out a cold laugh.
Ding’an Hall’s ambition is well-known.
Each family and sect has intelligence pouring into Ding’an Hall. Being the right-hand man of Ding’an Hall’s Grand Hall Master Wang Fang, it’s not surprising that Lan Shuyi knows these things.
But being able to find even He Jingming shows that Ding’an Hall’s ambitions should be regarded with higher respect.
He Jingming appeared today obviously because of Li Junmo’s death.
No one else was capable of the sword-passing role, which brought out this esteemed elder of Taiheng Sect.
With this group’s appearance, a rowdy chatter began in the field.
Moments later, footsteps were heard from behind.
Everyone turned and saw a man in his thirties with a wine gourd at his waist and a sword on his shoulder, drowsy-eyed and swaying as if just waking up.
Lan Shuyi and Ye Wanqiu’s eyes merely skimmed over him.
Shao Yan Sect’s top disciple, Tang Qianyu!
He arrived late and, just as he sat down, puzzled, asked:
"Why are there so few people? Where did everyone else go?"
"Dead are dead, didn’t show didn’t show. Obviously, a sword ceremony for Taiheng Sect isn’t enough to bring everyone here."
Ye Wanqiu responded casually.
Tang Qianyu’s face darkened:
"Who didn’t show up?"
Ye Wanqiu was puzzled when did Tang Qianyu become so close to Taiheng Sect?
Not attending the sword ceremony and succession doesn’t please this Shao Yan Sect’s top disciple?
Perhaps noticing Ye Wanqiu’s confusion, Tang Qianyu said earnestly:
"Their absence implies we lose face.
"Look, I’m Shao Yan Sect’s chief disciple and you’re the Young Sect Leader of Yijian Sect.
"That fellow talking about digging and burying breaches, can at least be considered Wang Fang’s right-hand man.
"Uncle Cheng from Iron Blood Hall, even more to say...
"So what does it mean for the others?
"Do they think they are superior? Can’t they send someone if they can’t come themselves? Or do they think this sword ceremony is beneath them, attended only by us?"
Tang Qianyu’s loud voice drew the attention of Taiheng Sect’s elders, each frowning.
There were already just four of ten chairs occupied at this sword ceremony, enough of an embarrassment.
Tang Qianyu’s comments were even harder to bear.
Yet Tang Qianyu, obliviously, gestured to them.
The elders were caught between anger and helplessness.
Fortunately, a voice suddenly echoed through the crowd:
"The propitious time has arrived!!!
"Please, Young Sect Leader, enter!!"
Since it’s an entrance, it couldn’t be from within Sword Pavilion.
The crowd parted, revealing Guan Changying in white, walking slowly towards Sword Pavilion amid the crowd.
He bypassed the spectators and walked through the lines of Taiheng Sect disciples, ascending the platform under watchful eyes.
He came before He Jingming.
"Guan Changying."
He Jingming spoke deeply:
"Let me ask you, why bear the sword?"
"For justice and righteousness of the martial world!!"
Lan Shuyi nearly burst out laughing, but held it in, though Ye Wanqiu noticed.
She shot him a puzzled glance, what’s so amusing?
This is part of the sword ceremony called ’Three Questions with the Sword’.
There is only one question, ’why bear the sword’, asked three times, expecting an answer from the heart with no standard response.
It addresses the sword bearing, the honesty of one’s heart, and the Sword Heart.
Also, it shows the many Jianghu people and Taiheng Sect disciples the demeanor of their Young Sect Leader.
Ye Wanqiu couldn’t see what was funny.
Lan Shuyi waved his hand, indicating it inexpressible...
The main thing was that when he and Chu Qing took on investigating Zhao Qipeng’s death, he asked Chu Qing why he agreed.
Chu Qing answered similarly.
Back then, the answer was clearly unrelated to the heart. Guan Changying’s, now, probably isn’t either.
Three questions with the sword, asked thrice.
Guan Changying gave three answers.
First, it was for justice and righteousness, second, for the people and the common good.
The last answer aimed even higher... stating, for the heart of the heavens, for the order of the people, for the continuation of the sacred teachings, for everlasting peace.
Others saying this might be okay, but hearing Guan Changying say it gave Lan Shuyi goosebumps.
He knew Guan Changying was likely the one who killed Li Junmo and framed Chu Qing.
His words felt hypocritical and insincere.
Especially such grand words, coming from him, felt like an insult to those words.
But others didn’t know, so the entire square exploded with enthusiasm.
Initially, only Taiheng Sect disciples cheered, but soon others joined the raucous crescendo.
He Jingming seemed satisfied with the answers and proceeded to bestow the garment and then pass on the sword.
With that, the sword ceremony concluded.
As Guan Changying took the sword, turned, the entire square reverberated with the voices of all Taiheng Sect disciples:
"Young Sect Leader!
"Young Sect Leader!!!"
Their cries soared to the heavens!
Guan Changying raised his hand to quiet the crowd, ready to speak, when a mighty whooshing echoed through the air.
Everyone turned to see a blackish object shooting towards the Sword Pavilion.
It was so large that all recognized instantly, it was a black coffin!
At the Taiheng Sect Young Sect Leader’s sword ceremony, someone brought a coffin!
Many spectators were instantly thrilled, but some leapt into the air, shouting:
"Insolence!"
Intending to shatter the coffin.
But just as they approached, a powerful force flung them back, leaving them bloodied on the ground.
Someone cried out in alarm:
"Someone’s standing on the coffin!"
Hearing this, the crowd noticed someone indeed stood atop the black coffin.
The person dressed in red contrasted starkly with the coffin.
A sword hung at their waist, hair fluttered with the wind, riding the coffin which swiftly came to rest before the Sword Pavilion.
With a loud thud, the coffin settled upright unharmed.
The person atop the coffin chuckled:
"You want to be the Young Sect Leader, have you asked him?"