Chapter 499 - 281: Farewell
Chapter 499: Chapter 281: Farewell
Taiheng Sect, Sword Pavilion... ruins.
Sitting in a chair being pushed forward was He Jingming, and pushing the chair was Chen Zhengnan.
One sitting, one standing, they looked at the giant crater in front of the Sword Pavilion, created by Chu Qing two days ago.
Each remained silent.
This crater was enormous, occupying one-third of the plaza in front of the hall.
Deep and profound, vaguely, it seemed there was still a trace of blood.
That was the last trace left in this world by the deceased Prince Xue.
After a long silence, He Jingming slowly spoke:
"If you don’t want to, you should go down the mountain as soon as possible."
Chen Zhengnan was silent.
Two days ago, with his strength alone, Chu Qing first killed Luo Wushuang, then Prince Xue.
The momentum of this battle was truly startling!
Unfortunately, Chen Zhengnan missed this battle because he was under house arrest at the Sword Enlightenment Cliff.
All because that day, Wen Fusheng caused havoc at the Sword Pavilion, and since Chen Zhengnan, a disciple who walked out from Taiheng Sect, did not side with Taiheng Sect.
Ge Hong claimed that since he had left Taiheng Sect, he was no longer considered a disciple of Taiheng Sect.
But ultimately, it couldn’t be considered as such...
At that time, everyone thought that the sword-giving ceremony was of utmost importance.
Guan Changying’s succession was the future of Taiheng Sect.
To avoid any disruptive factors, Chen Zhengnan was placed under house arrest at the Sword Enlightenment Cliff, to prevent him from helping the Third Young Master and Wen Fusheng create chaos.
Unfortunately, the battle two days ago not only exposed Guan Changying’s identity but revealed that the real Guan Changying was already dead.
Luo Wushuang fooled the entire Taiheng Sect, and only when the truth came to light did people realize how foolish the elders of Taiheng Sect were.
That night, Chen Zhengnan was brought down.
He had voluntarily been under house arrest, unable to choose between the sect and friends, so he stayed at the Sword Enlightenment Cliff for some peace.
Moreover, he believed that the Third Young Master he knew would not take blame without reason.
As it turned out, as he thought... the Third Young Master came, bringing the whole truth and incredible cultivation power.
It not only shocked the entire Taiheng Sect but also the entire Southern Ridge Martial World.
Among the attendees that day were experts from two sects, three halls, five schools, and one manor, as well as some wandering heroes in the Martial World, many of whom were highly respected.
The evaluation of this battle was summed up in two words: first-rate!
This evaluation was primarily aimed at Chu Qing alone.
They dared not declare him the number one in the South Ridge, as it would offend many established masters and potentially even Chu Qing himself, given the troubles attached to such a title.
Thus, first-rate was just right.
But in reality, was it really just first-rate?
Chen Zhengnan has been on pins and needles these past two days because he felt that the disciples of Taiheng Sect looked at him strangely.
He couldn’t figure out the source of this oddity until today, when He Jingming came to him.
And straightforwardly expressed the hope that he could take over as Taiheng Sect Leader.
Chen Zhengnan was baffled; he was doing well as the Chief of the Escort, why take up Taiheng Sect Leader?
Even if Guan Changying, the late young sect head, had died, Taiheng Sect had many disciples and deep roots; he didn’t believe they couldn’t find another suitable candidate.
He Jingming said nothing, only led him to the collapsed Sword Pavilion.
And when he saw the devastation at the Sword Pavilion and the large crater in the plaza.
He finally understood...
He Jingming was afraid.
Or rather, the whole Taiheng Sect was afraid.
Because before this, they had been nothing but unfriendly to Chu Qing.
They had left Chu Qing with a deeply negative impression.
If Chu Qing were just a little better in martial arts than them, it wouldn’t matter much.
Even if much better... it could be ignored, at most, not provoking him.
But now, the gap in martial arts prowess was too vast.
One was in the sky, the other on the ground.
Without a doubt, Taiheng Sect was the weaker side...
Though Chu Qing wasn’t currently troubling them, and seemingly didn’t intend to.
But... better safe than sorry.
If one day, Chu Qing suddenly felt displeased, remembered the grudges between Taiheng Sect and him, and decided in anger to destroy the entire sect.
Who could stop him?
No one could stop him!
If that happened, Taiheng Sect could only face annihilation.
So, He Jingming thought of Chen Zhengnan.
Chen Zhengnan had a history with Chu Qing, and when Wen Fusheng caused chaos at the Sword Pavilion, only Chen Zhengnan spoke up for him.
Even if Chu Qing disliked everyone at Taiheng Sect, he wouldn’t dislike Chen Zhengnan.
If he became Taiheng Sect’s Sect Leader, should Chu Qing indeed cause trouble in the future, Chen Zhengnan’s friendship with Chu Qing might salvage the situation.
After understanding He Jingming’s thought, Chen Zhengnan first fell silent, then smiled.
"He’s not that kind of person...
"That matter ended that night.
"Otherwise, why do you think, on the day of the sword-giving ceremony, he only targeted Luo Wushuang?"
Chen Zhengnan released his grip on the chair:
"Taiheng Sect has its own future. I, who left Taiheng Sect long ago, have no right to interfere, much less become its Sect Leader.
"This isn’t out of resentment, but simply the truth.
"Now that everything is over, I should be saying goodbye and heading down the mountain."
"..."
He Jingming remained silent, ultimately only watching Chen Zhengnan descend the mountain.