Chapter 106: One Last Request
Heavy snow fell.
Two figures tumbled into the mountain forest.
“Master, Master, please rest! If you continue like this, you’ll die!”
Zhuang Chen’s voice rang out with a sobbing tone. Both master and disciple were covered in ferocious bloodstains, but the Divine Sword Elder’s condition was even worse. One blood hole after another made one’s scalp tingle. The once robust and majestic elder now looked utterly wretched, filling one’s heart with sadness.
Zhuang Chen looked at his master in this state, tears streaming down like rain, his heart twisting like a knife.
Tonight’s upheaval was too heavy for him, who was only twelve years old—not just mentally, but physically. In the chaos, a strand of Gang Qi had nearly shattered his Sword Bone. Even so, it had ruined his foundation, leaving him no different from a cripple.
The Divine Sword Elder smiled and patted Zhuang Chen’s head:
“It’s fine. For Master can still hold on. Once we reach True Martial Mountain, you’ll be safe.”
There was some regret in his eyes. It was just a pity that he wouldn’t live to see Zhuang Chen grow up, and a pity that his sword hadn’t killed that scourge, only severing one of his arms.
“Chen’er, you must live.”
He murmured in his heart.
He carried Zhuang Chen on his back, then mobilized the remaining Gang Qi in his body to continue fleeing at a speed like extreme lightning.
But the cracks in his Core Elixir within his body were becoming increasingly obvious, teetering on the brink of collapse, as if it would shatter in the next moment.
After using the Sword Core Disintegration Great Law, his combat power had surged. If he fought to the death, he could at least take two or three Core Elixir Realm black-clothed men down with him. But that would mean Zhuang Chen would inevitably fall into their hands.
Therefore, the Divine Sword Elder did not fight to the death. Instead, he feinted an attack, broke out of the encirclement with Zhuang Chen, and now they had been escaping for a day and a night.
His only obsession now was to deliver Zhuang Chen to True Martial Mountain, where he would truly be safe.
As for handing him over to someone else.
He wasn’t at ease with that.
The Divine Sword Elder’s gaze was firm. They were already very close to True Martial Mountain. He had to hold on.
…
Moments later.
Several figures with powerful auras appeared in this mountain forest. They looked at the traces left here, their eyes filled with killing intent:
“Damn old thing, he actually tricked us and escaped!”
“He severed my arm. It’s just a pity I can’t personally take that old thing’s head.” Someone gnashed their teeth in anger.
Earlier, the Divine Sword Elder had suddenly erupted, catching everyone off guard and making them suffer heavy losses. If the Divine Sword Elder hadn’t been solely focused on escaping, several among them would likely have perished there.
The leader snorted coldly:
“But this old guy has paid the price too. He’s held on this far by sheer force, probably only has one last breath left. Even immortals can’t save him now.”
The others all looked toward the leader:
“Should we continue the pursuit?”
The leader’s gaze flickered for a moment, then he finally waved his hand:
“No need to chase. From the route this old guy took while fleeing, his destination is clearly True Martial Mountain. If we get any closer and provoke Dragon Mountain True Person, we won’t have a good end. Moreover, True Martial Mountain has an even more powerful Heavenly Sword True Person—that’s a peerless expert on the Heavenly Human Ranking!”
When mentioning Dragon Mountain True Person, the crowd only felt slight fear, but when Heavenly Sword True Person was mentioned, everyone’s bodies instantly tensed.
The gap between an ordinary Heavenly Human Realm and a Heavenly Human Ranking expert was still very large.
“Fortunately, the Divine Sword old man won’t survive. It’s just a pity about that little fatty’s Innate Sword Bone—it would have been an excellent medicinal ingredient…”
The leader sighed lightly.
Someone hesitated and said:
“If Dragon Mountain True Person finds out…”
“Dragon Mountain True Person has just entered the Heavenly Human Realm, so he’s not to be feared. The key is that Heavenly Sword True Person. If he meddles, then…”
The crowd fell slightly silent.
This surprise attack on Divine Sword Sect was originally meant to cover things up, but now it seemed to have caused an even bigger commotion.
The leader suddenly cursed a few times:
“If not for those idiots saying someone was investigating them and refusing to act this time, the Divine Sword old man wouldn’t have had any chance to escape.”
After a pause, he continued:
“Let’s pause for now. It’s said that Heavenly Sword True Person has little lifespan left, and his temperament is eccentric. He may not bother with such matters.”
“We can secretly keep a close eye on True Martial Mountain’s movements and see their reaction later.”
The crowd nodded in unison.
Then their figures flashed, and all disappeared. The heavy snow continued to fall, gradually covering the faint traces under the snowflakes.
…
True Martial Mountain.
It was within reach.
The Divine Sword Elder’s legs gave out, his last essence, qi, and spirit leaked away. Blood holes kept bursting open on his body. He collapsed to the ground and rolled far away. Zhuang Chen also tumbled several times.
Zhuang Chen looked at his master’s appearance, now with breath as faint as a thread, his eyes turning red.
“Master, we’ve reached True Martial Mountain! We’ve reached True Martial Mountain! Hold on!”
Now there would be no more enemies pursuing. Zhuang Chen hoisted the Divine Sword Elder onto his back and rushed toward True Martial Mountain’s gate.
A shrill wail of grief rang out:
“Ning Qi, save us! Ning Qi, save us!”
The True Martial Sect disciples guarding the mountain were all startled. Upon seeing two blood-soaked figures in the distance, they were all shocked.
Soon.
Dragon Mountain Daoist arrived, along with Ning Qi and numerous True Disciples.
Seeing Zhuang Chen and the Divine Sword Elder’s miserable state, everyone was shocked, not knowing what upheaval had occurred.
“Senior, please save my master!” Zhuang Chen sobbed pitifully. His appearance was wretched, without his previous lively demeanor.
Ning Qi helped him up, sighing inwardly.
He had spent some time with Zhuang Chen. This little fatty was a bit talkative, but he was a good kid.
Given the current scene, Divine Sword Sect must have suffered a calamity.
Dragon Mountain Daoist looked at his old friend with eyes tightly closed, grief rising in his heart. Without hesitation, he immediately supported the Divine Sword Elder and examined his internal condition. At this sight, Dragon Mountain Daoist’s face paled, his sorrow deepening.
Ning Qi also quietly sent out a strand of Gang Qi, then fell silent.
He had developed some healing secret techniques, but the Divine Sword Elder’s condition was far too dire. His Core Elixir was shattered, strands of Gang Qi scattered into his limbs, even his five viscera and six bowels. There were ferocious external and internal injuries. Vitality in his body was nearly extinct.
One could imagine.
What astonishing willpower this elder had exerted to reach True Martial Mountain.
If the Divine Sword Elder’s condition were slightly better, he might have been able to prolong his life and research a cure. But now, time was too short.
He could only barely use a secret technique to activate the Divine Sword Elder’s last trace of vitality.
From the crowd’s silence, Zhuang Chen had already sensed something. He kept wiping tears with the back of his hand, about to kneel, but an arm grabbed him. The Divine Sword Elder’s hoarse voice rang out:
“Chen’er, Master knows his own condition. As long as you’re safe, that’s good.”
Zhuang Chen sobbed uncontrollably.
The Divine Sword Elder turned his head toward Dragon Mountain Daoist.
“Dragon Mountain Brother.”
This first sentence filled Dragon Mountain Daoist’s heart with grief. At this moment, he actually hoped the Divine Sword Elder could laughingly curse him with full vigor as “Dragon Mountain Ox Nose.”
Dragon Mountain Daoist closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then opened them again:
“Divine Sword Brother, what exactly happened? How did you end up so gravely injured?”
The Divine Sword Elder’s expression darkened.
“Alas, misfortune in the family…”
He began to slowly recount.
Though he didn’t know the reason those people attacked Divine Sword Sect, the Divine Sword Elder wasn’t a fool and could roughly guess.
When he finished.
Dragon Mountain Daoist and Ning Qi exchanged a glance, both their bodies instinctively shuddering.
“Human Blood Pool? Dong He betrayed? Black-clothed men night assaulted Divine Sword Sect!”
They felt this scene was so similar to the Snow Plum Villa incident back then. Previously, Ning Qi’s father had also written to Dragon Mountain Daoist about an important matter, then suffered extermination. For some reason, the two felt that this Human Blood Pool likely hid an extraordinary secret—perhaps what Ning Qi’s father discovered back then was something similar.
Behind it all, there seemed to be an invisible giant hand manipulating everything.
Ning Qi’s gaze slightly condensed.
Dragon Mountain Daoist also thought of this. He asked gravely:
“Divine Sword Brother, were the attackers from Blood Rain Tower?”
The Divine Sword Elder didn’t know why Dragon Mountain Daoist mentioned Blood Rain Tower, but he slowly shook his head:
“Not Blood Rain Tower. Their martial arts style is hard to pin down, but faintly not like Great Yan’s traditional martial artists—somewhat peculiar.”
He looked at Dragon Mountain Daoist with some apology:
“Dragon Mountain Brother, I only hope I don’t bring you trouble.”
Dragon Mountain Daoist sighed:
“At this point, why be so polite between you and me? Rest assured, I will investigate this. I won’t let Divine Sword Sect perish in vain. These evil demonic people using human blood as a pool, who knows what dark deeds they’re doing. I absolutely won’t let them off!”
The Divine Sword Elder suddenly burst into loud laughter, laughing freely and unrestrainedly, coughing up blood, but he didn’t mind at all. In life, to have such a friend— no regrets.
“After so many years, only you, Dragon Mountain Brother, have caught my eye. What a pity, even until death, I couldn’t seize True Martial Mountain from your hands once. I have to admit, you Ox Nose really have some skill!”
Dragon Mountain Daoist also laughed, his eye corners slightly moist.
The congregation was silent, Zhuang Chen weeping softly.
Ning Qi sighed inwardly. The Divine Sword Elder’s vitality was already waning.
He pulled Zhuang Chen over and looked at Dragon Mountain Daoist:
“Dragon Mountain Brother, I ask one last thing of you.”
“Speak.” Dragon Mountain Daoist didn’t hesitate at all.
The Divine Sword Elder looked lovingly at Zhuang Chen, his withered hand stroking his head, smiling:
“In my life, my proudest achievement is taking Chen’er as a disciple—not just because he has Innate Sword Bone, but because he has a Pure Heart. He’s a good child; it’s only because he followed me that he suffered this great calamity.”
“His Sword Bone inside is now shattered, foundation completely ruined. I beg you, take him as your disciple.”
“If in the future his Sword Bone can recover, break the cocoon and rebirth, he will surely become a top-tier expert of True Martial Sect. If… if no recovery method is found, let him safely live as an ordinary person on True Martial Mountain.”
His gaze carried a plea, his voice growing lower.
Dragon Mountain Daoist gripped his hands, agreeing without hesitation:
“Rest assured. From now on, he is my Dragon Mountain Daoist’s Tenth True Disciple. Whether his Sword Bone recovers or not, I will protect him for life!”
“Chen’er, perform the Apprenticeship Gift!” The Divine Sword Elder mustered a shout.
Zhuang Chen sobbed uncontrollably, but still respectfully knelt before Dragon Mountain Daoist, kowtowing in worship.
Dragon Mountain Daoist helped him up.
The Divine Sword Elder’s eyes were nearly closed, his voice so low it was almost inaudible:
“Thank you, thank you.”
He leaned toward Dragon Mountain Daoist with effort:
“Chen’er knows about the Sword Saint Legacy I
