Chapter 110: Sword Saint’s Legacy
True Martial Mountain.
Dragon Mountain Daoist’s figure stepped through the air as he came. After receiving Ning Qi’s secret letter, he returned at full speed and landed directly outside the Seeker’s Courtyard.
“Little Nine, have you already found some clues?” Dragon Mountain Daoist hurriedly asked.
Ning Qi slowly recounted the events of that night.
He still kept the charming woman’s corpse. Although, as expected, no useful items were found upon searching, Ning Qi had temporarily preserved it with extreme cold gang qi, in case it might be useful someday.
At this moment.
As Ning Qi explained in detail, Dragon Mountain Daoist’s expression gradually grew solemn.
“Southern Border tribes? Blood King Gu?”
Ning Qi nodded and asked:
“Master, how much do you know about the Southern Border?”
This was also the reason he had called Dragon Mountain Daoist back. Books and classics recorded some knowledge, but certainly not all of it.
Ning Qi only roughly knew that the Southern Border was to the south of Great Yan. Dynasties of past generations had tried to conquer the area and incorporate it into their territory, but all failed. In the eyes of Great Yan’s common people, the Southern Border carried a mysterious aura, while experts of sufficiently high standing all knew that the Southern Border was mysterious and at the same time extraordinarily powerful in strength; otherwise, it would have long been swallowed by Great Yan.
Dragon Mountain Daoist’s eyes carried a hint of fear:
“The Southern Border has the Hundred Thousand Mountains, vast within, unknown to anyone, and besides the numerous exotic beasts, what we know are the Southern Border tribes. These tribes are scattered throughout the Hundred Thousand Mountains, not on harmonious terms with each other, and engage in mutual conflicts. It’s vaguely heard that unlike Great Yan, which is unified under a dynasty, they seem more like a tribal alliance.”
“These tribes rarely contact the outside world, each possessing mysterious methods, with gu worm control being one of them. Your master has traveled the world and heard some things: these tribes cultivate strange gu species combined with their own martial way, possessing all sorts of marvels, such as the great strength gu, which after fusion can cause power to explode.”
“Your master has never heard of this Blood King Gu, but from the evil process of its birth, I’m afraid its uses are not insignificant. It might be used to cultivate Heavenly Human Realm martial artists, or even… higher!”
Ning Qi’s spirit shook.
But he also felt it made sense.
A Core Elixir Realm expert was discarded without hesitation; it couldn’t be that they cultivated this Blood King Gu just to produce some Gang Yuan Realm experts—that would obviously be unreasonable, with inputs and outputs severely mismatched.
“The matter behind this likely involves no small connections, almost certainly with Heavenly Human experts participating. The only uncertainty is whether this was done by some Southern Border tribe or if multiple tribes in an alliance were involved.”
The nature of it would be entirely different.
If it was the latter, it was probably something the True Martial Sect could not shake.
“I lean more toward it being just a few tribes involved; otherwise, they wouldn’t be so cautious.” Ning Qi said.
The destruction of Snow Plum Villa was already nine years ago, and Divine Sword Sect was destroyed only recently. If there had been major disturbances during this period, it would have been impossible not to discover them.
By reasoning backward, the people behind it were clearly extremely fearful of Great Yan as well.
Dragon Mountain Daoist nodded in agreement.
“Indeed, perhaps there are one or two Heavenly Human Realm experts behind it, but that’s all.”
“This matter must continue to be investigated, whether for you, Little Nine, or for Divine Sword Brother and Little Ten, or even for those innocent people—it must be investigated to the end. Now that we have a direction, it’s much better. Next, we can investigate in the direction of human trafficking, centered on the human blood pool that Divine Sword Brother mentioned before…”
He began to lay plans.
Ning Qi continuously supplemented from the side.
“Those people who are vastly different from Great Yan’s traditional martial artists can also be noted; combining the two can greatly narrow the scope.”
Master and disciple quickly settled on a plan, both feeling it feasible.
“They might keep a low profile for a while, but as long as they don’t give up cultivating the so-called Blood King Gu, they will inevitably show their flaws.”
Ning Qi nodded and said:
“Right, from the special gu worms that woman carried, they must think she would die instantly upon encountering a Heavenly Human Realm. But they don’t know we’ve already grasped a lot of information—this is our advantage. Now, we are in the dark and they are in the light!”
Dragon Mountain Daoist directly decided:
“Little Nine, same old rules: you continue to hold down True Martial Mountain, while your master goes down the mountain to investigate.”
This time, naturally, there would be no fanfare or making a big show; he would seek out some contacts to investigate in secret.
In Dragon Mountain Daoist’s view, Ning Qi was stronger than him, so it was better for him to hold down True Martial Mountain. For example, with that woman’s night assault last time, if he had faced her, capturing her would be no problem, but he absolutely couldn’t have extracted so much useful information.
Of course, he also intended to give Ning Qi more time to cultivate.
His own cultivation progress was slow now; half a year or a year meant nothing to him. But the same time on Ning Qi would yield much greater progress. He hadn’t forgotten that Ning Qi was still only nine years old.
Ning Qi did not refuse.
“Master, wear this Azure Profound Armored Vest.”
He handed the Azure Profound Armored Vest to Dragon Mountain Daoist. Since they now knew Heavenly Human Realm experts were involved behind the scenes, they naturally had to consider his master’s safety. Anyway, he now had the Azure Profound Body Protection Technique, whose defensive power surpassed the Azure Profound Armored Vest.
Dragon Mountain Daoist’s eyes showed some astonishment. With a slight perception, he knew the vest’s power, and faintly, he felt it carried a trace of familiar aura.
Seeing the doubt in his master’s eyes, Ning Qi did not conceal it.
“This was obtained from the Demonic Sect expert who attacked last time.”
Dragon Mountain Daoist was shocked.
He finally remembered where that familiar feeling came from.
That day, the Great Yan delegation came up the mountain, and five Demonic Sect Heavenly Humans launched a night assault, four of whom were killed, while only the one comparable to a Heavenly Human Ranking expert was heavily injured by King Zhenbei and escaped. During it, he had also tried to beat the drowning dog, but his attacks were naturally of no consequence to Elder Wang, who wore the treasure armor.
“Didn’t that person escape??” Question marks rose in Dragon Mountain Daoist’s mind.
Seeing his own disciple smiling without speaking, he instantly realized.
“No wonder Little Nine appeared so late that night—it was because he went to chase down that thief.”
A powerhouse of Heavenly Human Ranking level was slain by Ning Qi—this feeling made it unreal for Dragon Mountain Daoist. The world thought that person had escaped, yet he was quietly killed by his own little disciple. He feared this black pot had already been pinned on King Zhenbei by the Demonic Sect. He felt somewhat amused.
He sighed inwardly in astonishment and ultimately did not act pretentious, accepting the treasure armor.
It was his disciple’s filial piety.
Ning Qi smiled and said:
“Master, if you have any news, notify me immediately. I know some tracking techniques—don’t alert the enemy.”
Dragon Mountain Daoist nodded solemnly.
He already deeply trusted his little disciple’s methods.
Dragon Mountain Daoist also met Zhuang Chen. After learning that Zhuang Chen’s injuries had healed and his sword bone was already reviving, he was overjoyed and encouraged him a few more words.
“Your First Master’s enmity, your master is still investigating. I will definitely give you an accounting. Rest and recuperate at ease. Your master currently has little time to teach you. If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask your Ninth Senior Brother more.”
He did not conceal it from Zhuang Chen and also told him that the culprit behind Divine Sword Sect’s destruction might be related to the Southern Border.
Feelings deepen step by step. Dragon Mountain Daoist had interacted with Zhuang Chen and knew his pure heart. With heart for heart, he would sooner or later fully acknowledge the True Martial Sect.
Zhuang Chen felt moved inwardly.
Warm and toasty.
Although Divine Sword Sect and his First Master were gone, he had gained a master who cared for him, and a group of senior brothers and senior sisters who cared for him.
Over these past few days, Luo Wentian and the others had come to visit him from time to time, their heartfelt concern warming his heart immensely after the sudden great change.
“Thank you, Master!” Zhuang Chen called out sincerely.
He never had many ideas; if others treated him well, he remembered it in his heart and repaid it with a spring for every drop of water.
Dragon Mountain Daoist waved his hand with a smile:
“Between master and disciple, no need for such formalities.”
Seeing Dragon Mountain Daoist about to leave.
Zhuang Chen remembered something and hurriedly said:
“Master, before First Master passed away, he instructed me to give you the Sword Saint Legacy he obtained before.”
After burying Divine Sword Elder earlier, he had fallen unconscious. Only now did he have the chance to see Dragon Mountain Daoist, and from what Dragon Mountain Daoist had just said, it seemed he would be leaving the mountain again for a while.
Dragon Mountain Daoist was stunned. If not for Zhuang Chen mentioning it, he would have almost forgotten about this.
He did not turn back, merely saying with a smile:
“Tell it to your Ninth Senior Brother.”
Zhuang Chen stared dazedly at Dragon Mountain Daoist’s back, his mood even more comfortable, a trace of reverence rising involuntarily in his eyes.
…
The next day.
Dragon Mountain Daoist quietly went down the mountain, making no fanfare or noise this time. Apart from a few true disciples, even the other members of True Martial Sect did not know Dragon Mountain Daoist had already left the mountain.
Inside the Seeker’s Courtyard.
Ning Qi was still assisting Zhuang Chen in reversing the Innate Sword Body Secret Technique.
After several days of tempering, Zhuang Chen had gradually grown accustomed to the intense pain. Though still quite disheveled, the time he could endure had grown longer. This was also a special experience for Zhuang Chen. At this moment, his eyes were very sharp, like a sword not yet unsheathed—this was entirely different from the previous him.
It was only when Zhuang Chen could no longer endure and spasmed on the ground that Ning Qi stopped.
There was a trace of approval in his eyes:
“Little Ten, now with the power of the sword bone reborn in your body, you should be able to operate the Innate Sword Body Secret Technique on your own. Persist for a month, and your sword bone will naturally fully revive, even becoming stronger than before.”
Ning Qi was no longer worried about the later matters. They had already endured the most painful phase; reversing the secret technique with his own power next would only be easier—just needed patience.
Gratitude filled Zhuang Chen’s eyes.
But he did not say it out loud, merely keeping it in his heart. During this time spent with his master and the various senior brothers and senior sisters, he had learned one thing: no need to be polite; remember it in the heart and repay later.
Zhuang Chen adjusted his breathing.
A moment later.
He looked at Ning Qi and said:
“Ninth Senior Brother, I’ve adjusted my breathing. Now I can tell you the Sword Saint Legacy that First Master taught me before!”
He felt no reluctance whatsoever. Ning Qi had been selfless toward him, so he would hold nothing back. This was perhaps the only thing he could help Ning Qi with at this stage.
Ning Qi nodded with a smile:
“Good.”
There was some anticipation in his eyes.
Though the Sword Saint Legacy obtained by Divine Sword Elder was incomplete, it might still provide him some inspiration.
