Chapter 132: Supreme Elder, Overwhelmed By Momentum
Ever since the True Martial Sect opened its mountain gate on a grand scale, many people had been paying close attention to the matter.
The Formless Sect’s capitulation would undoubtedly elevate the True Martial Sect’s prestige to a higher level.
Sometimes, a sect’s rise happens just like this, stepping on one old-established top-tier martial way sect after another to ascend.
But the Sword Asking Pavilion’s lack of movement was somewhat intriguing.
“The Sword Asking Pavilion is an old-established Sword Dao Holy Land, with numerous top-tier swordsmen and several Heavenly Human swordsmen, especially its Grand Elder, the Heart-Seeking Sword Gu Changhe, who ranks fourteenth on the Heavenly Human Ranking! There’s no reason for such strength to fear the True Martial Sect.”
“The Formless Sect fears the Heavenly Sword True Person’s sharpness, but the Heart-Seeking Sword will not. His fourteenth place on the Heavenly Human Ranking is a solid achievement earned through battles!”
“Tsk tsk, I wonder how the Sword Asking Pavilion will ultimately respond? If the sincerity is insufficient, I’m afraid the True Martial Sect won’t let it rest easily.”
Some people keenly detected the gunpowder scent within.
Especially the swordsmen, who were somewhat excited.
The Sword Asking Pavilion versus the True Martial Sect.
On a deeper level, it could be seen as the Heart-Seeking Sword versus the Heavenly Sword True Person.
This was the internal strife among swordsmen.
Previously, the Heavenly Sword True Person had stepped on the Thunderous Blade Venerable’s reputation to ascend further, but now, with these two peerless swordsmen facing off, no matter who won or lost, they were delighted to see it.
At this moment.
They instead hoped the Sword Asking Pavilion could be a bit tougher.
One gaze after another turned toward the Sword Asking Pavilion.
…
Sword Asking Pavilion.
A sword tower three hundred and thirty-three zhang tall stood piercing the heavens, majestic and solemn, the sharp sword intent contained within eliciting awe.
This was the Sword Asking Pavilion’s inheritance ground. Outstanding swordsmen of the Sword Asking Pavilion, upon nearing their end, would voluntarily enter it, choosing a level to slumber eternally, leaving behind their lifetime of Sword Dao Essence—the stronger they were, the higher they could go.
Swordsmen of the Sword Asking Pavilion took pride in this.
Over time, no one knew how much Sword Dao inheritance had been left inside. Sometimes, swordsmen of absolute talent were also allowed to enter and absorb the inheritances left by their seniors.
And now.
One powerful figure after another waited respectfully outside the sword tower, all high-level members of the Sword Asking Pavilion.
Their expressions were solemn, eyes straight ahead, as if on a pilgrimage.
Suddenly.
A special fluctuation emanated, causing everyone to perk up, their sword intents involuntarily stirred, resounding with the intent of ten thousand swords chiming together, their gazes all growing fervent.
There appeared an elder with white hair, silently.
Clearly emerging from the sword tower, yet no one had detected it.
The elder appeared utterly ordinary, with no powerful aura, his gaze flat. If there was one unique trait, it was his left hand, with only the thumb and index finger remaining—the other three fingers neatly severed.
“We pay respects to the Grand Elder!”
The congregation respectfully saluted.
Gu Changhe waved his hand slightly and said:
“Tang Qiu, what matter required summoning me?”
His gaze fell on the Sword Asking Pavilion Sect Leader, flat yet carrying an oppressive pressure.
Tang Qiu’s heart tightened, and he immediately said:
“There is one matter that requires the Grand Elder’s decision!”
Moments later.
In the grand hall, silence reigned.
Gu Changhe sat in the main seat, overlooking the congregation, his voice betraying no emotion:
“You want to tell me that you sent people to infiltrate another sect, got caught on the spot, and now they’ve sent a letter demanding an explanation?”
Tang Qiu felt his scalp tingle:
“Grand Elder, this matter arose because of the True Martial Sword Stele. That sword stele is indeed miraculous…”
Before he finished, he was interrupted:
“Useless!”
The congregation fell deathly silent.
Gu Changhe said coldly:
“Our Sword Asking Pavilion’s inheritance spans nearly a millennium. Just the Inheritance Sword Tower alone is enough for our disciples to benefit endlessly. Why covet others’ possessions? If you had devoted even a bit more thought to the Sword Dao, our Sword Asking Pavilion would long have become the world’s number one Sword Dao Holy Land! We wouldn’t be left with only this old man as a Heavenly Human Ranking swordsman!”
Tang Qiu’s face grew bitter:
“The Grand Elder is right. I will immediately send someone to reply, expressing our apologies…”
Gu Changhe’s face grew even colder:
“Tang Qiu, it seems you truly are unfit to be the Sword Asking Pavilion’s Sect Leader.”
At these words, Tang Qiu was struck as if by thunder, his face turning ashen. He knelt prostrate in terror, not daring to respond.
Gu Changhe stood, scanning the congregation:
“Is this also what you all think? A bunch of useless fools! All of you have lost the sharpness of swordsmen!”
Unnoticed, sharpness had begun to manifest around him, pressing down until the congregation could hardly breathe.
“If you reply subserviently this time, are you intending to disregard our Sword Asking Pavilion’s millennium of reputation? A sect founded merely decades ago has you all cowering like this?”
“Heavenly Sword True Person, True Martial Sword Stele—you marvel at others’ power, forgetting your own roots.”
“Do you still remember the pride of swordsmen?”
His gaze was piercing.
One sentence after another struck at their hearts, leaving the congregation drenched in sweat.
As the Heart-Seeking Sword, at age thirty he had severed three fingers of his left hand to question his sword heart, thereafter advancing smoothly, his Sword Dao soaring. Seeing his juniors like this now, he felt disappointment.
Scolding them as useless was because they guarded a Treasure Mountain yet refused to excavate it, instead diverting their attention elsewhere.
The grand hall was silent.
Once Gu Changhe’s anger subsided.
Tang Qiu cautiously asked:
“Then, in the Grand Elder’s view, what should be done?”
He could tell the Grand Elder harbored some resentment. He had been in closed-door cultivation in the Inheritance Sword Tower perfectly well, only to be abruptly summoned—naturally displeased.
Gu Changhe glanced sideways:
“The True Martial Sect calls them spies, so they are spies? Have them produce evidence.”
“Is our Sword Asking Pavilion so easily bullied? What can one Heavenly Sword True Person do? He merely suppressed a Thunderous Blade Venerable. Though erecting this True Martial Sword Stele is indeed somewhat extraordinary—perhaps with unique insights in the Sword Dao—this old man hasn’t been entirely idle in these years of closed-door cultivation. Perhaps I can advance even further on the Heavenly Human Ranking!”
As he spoke, a trace of pride appeared in his eyes.
The congregation was overjoyed.
“Congratulations, Grand Elder!”
Tang Qiu smiled and said:
“Then I shall have someone send the reply.”
Gu Changhe nodded slightly. His gaze turned toward Qingzhou, battle intent rising.
After so many years in closed-door cultivation without acting, he felt a bit restless. If that Heavenly Sword True Person was unconvinced, let him come.
…
Several days later.
True Martial Mountain.
Inside Mingwu Pavilion.
Luo Wentian spread out the letter paper, his face suppressing anger.
Dragon Mountain Daoist and Ning Qi looked it over.
Ning Qi’s gaze flickered, but he remained calm.
Dragon Mountain Daoist snorted:
“It seems this Sword Asking Pavilion, with its vast foundation, intends to deny it to the death?”
The letter’s content was simple, the wording very polite—roughly expressing regret that so many spies had infiltrated the True Martial Sect’s entrance assessment, but the Sword Asking Pavilion had never dispatched any spies. They inquired if the True Martial Sect had mistaken identities and offered aid anytime if needed.
The words were full of superficial courtesy, yet entirely omitted any mention of compensation or apology.
Beneath the surface, there was even a faint air of detached superiority.
Compared to the Sword Asking Pavilion, the True Martial Sect was indeed but a toddler taking its first steps.
“It seems the Heavenly Human Ranking fourteenth, Heart-Seeking Sword Gu Changhe, has given them great confidence.” Luo Wentian frowned.
They had already considered this point, but hadn’t expected the Sword Asking Pavilion to be so domineering and shameless.
“What now?”
Thoughts raced through his mind.
Rushing to kill their way to the Sword Asking Pavilion over this would tarnish the sect’s reputation, seeming rash and imperfect.
But failing to retaliate.
Would invite ridicule.
Voices were already saying the True Martial Sect only picked soft targets, ignoring the Demonic Sect and Southern Border, instead squeezing the Formless Sect and Sword Asking Pavilion hard. If this ended anticlimactically, it would harm the True Martial Sect.
Ning Qi was also pondering.
To resolve it, it had to be resolved perfectly and smoothly.
The Demonic Sect and Southern Border were silent only because their headquarters were hard to find—not out of fear. If an opportunity arose, Ning Qi would strike like thunder.
But the Sword Asking Pavilion now could serve as an object to establish prestige.
These days, he worried that the Demonic Sect and Southern Border might join hands and, suspecting the True Martial Sect’s involvement in the destruction of the Southern Border’s Qingzhou stronghold, target True Martial Sect members. Even with heaven-piercing ability, he couldn’t clone himself enough.
The best way was to kill the chicken to warn the monkeys and establish prestige.
Display sufficiently powerful strength to make the Demonic Sect and Southern Border fear.
Best if done effortlessly.
The current level wasn’t enough; the Sword Asking Pavilion needed to come forward on its own.
Originally, if the Sword Asking Pavilion had sincerely apologized, Ning Qi might have considered other ways, but now that they refused to act properly, they couldn’t blame him for using the Sword Asking Pavilion as the ‘chicken’.
Ning Qi slowly said:
“Perhaps… we can overwhelm them with momentum.”
Luo Wentian and Dragon Mountain Daoist both looked over.
Ning Qi continued:
“Now that the True Martial Sword Stele has been up for some time, what if we suddenly stopped opening it to the public?”
Luo Wentian’s eyes lit up; his reaction was quick:
“During this time, many swordsmen have benefited from our True Martial Sect’s grace. They’ve tasted the sweetness of the True Martial Sword Stele. If we suddenly close it, I’m afraid they’ll go mad.”
Dragon Mountain Daoist also smiled.
Luo Wentian continued:
“Little Nine, your meaning is… to use the True Martial Sword Stele to force the Sword Asking Pavilion to yield?”
He had an idea, thoughts bubbling up one after another.
“Good idea!”
“The Sword Asking Pavilion said we misidentified, so during this time we can righteously seal the mountain to thoroughly interrogate the spies, lest they be rescued. Then, close the True Martial Sword Stele to the public. The swordsmen will inevitably grow anxious, but this alone isn’t enough—they won’t shift their attention to the Sword Asking Pavilion.”
“At that point, we need to maneuver carefully, quietly leaking part of the Sword Asking Pavilion’s reply. That way, they’ll know we’re sealing the mountain to interrogate their spies, and the pressure will naturally fall on the Sword Asking Pavilion.”
He spoke more fluidly, his eyes gleaming.
“These swordsmen’s cultivations aren’t low; there are even some Heavenly Human Realm swordsmen, and even one or two Heavenly Human Ranking swordsmen have appeared. Core Elixir Realm swordsmen are plentiful. Such an uncontrollable force is something even the Sword Asking Pavilion must fear.”
“But we must handle it well, not letting these swordsmen feel we’re using them as spears, or it might backfire—though the chance is slim. Just guide it carefully. Swordsmen across the world have benefited from your True Martial Sword Stele, Little Nine, so they’ll understand. As long as we don’t go overboard, most will stand with us.”
“Then, the swordsmen of the world will form a momentum, and the Sword Asking Pavilion will have to respond!”
“Either bow their head and yield, or come to True Martial Mountain.”
Luo Wentian’s expression gradually grew grave.
“Given the Sword Asking Pavilion’s current stance, the chance of yielding is slim. They’ll likely come to True Martial Mountain—perhaps even that Heart-Seeking Sword himself…”
At this, he paused, his gaze turning to Ning Qi.
Ning Qi merely smiled faintly and sipped his tea.
“That would be even better.”
These three short words instantly invigorated Luo Wentian. He suddenly understood Ning Qi’s intent—perhaps from the start, there had been no plan to make the Sword Asking Pavilion yield, but rather to force them onto True Martial Mountain.
A preposterous thought rose in his heart, and he couldn’t help blurting it out:
“Little Nine, you aren’t just too lazy to go to the Sword Asking Pavilion and came up with this method to avoid trouble, are you?”
Ning Qi chuckled lightly:
“This isn’t a method I thought up. I just made a suggestion; the specific details were all your ideas, Senior Brother.”
Luo Wentian was stunned, then smiled bitterly.
Fine, he’d have to shoulder this black pot!
But his expression gradually grew excited.
The Sword Asking Pavilion’s reply had angered him all morning. For such a shameless sect, he had to make them pay. True Martial Sect members never lacked decisive ruthlessness, especially when bullied to their face.
He left eagerly.
The plan’s details still needed refinement.
Ning Qi also left smiling.
Merely a minor interlude—not as free as reading scriptures in the Seeker’s Courtyard.
Dragon Mountain Daoist watched his two disciples’ backs, shaking his head with a chuckle, but inwardly satisfied. With such excellent disciples in this lifetime, his time in the world had not been in vain.
…
The next day.
At the True Martial Sword Stele.
Luo Wentian personally went, kindly awakening one swordsman after another immersed in comprehending peerless sword intents. The swordsmen were initially angry—some at a critical juncture, like watching a dancer mid-flight, just short of the final veil—but upon seeing it was Luo Wentian, they were startled and hastily rose to salute:
“Greetings, Sect Leader Luo!”
Luo Wentian’s face showed some guilt and grief as he cupped his hands in return:
“Fellow daoists, there is a matter I must inform you of. Starting today, our True Martial Sect will temporarily close the mountain. I can only ask you all to descend and wait until we reopen, then invite you back.”
Some immediately grew anxious.
They had been on the verge of enlightenment, and stopping at this crucial moment was unbearable—it drove them mad.
“Sect Leader Luo, what has happened? Why so sudden? Can we wait a few more days?” the swordsmen asked repeatedly.
Luo Wentian closed his eyes, then opened them again, now filled with heartache:
“You may have heard a bit. During our True Martial Sect’s entrance assessment earlier, many spies infiltrated, coveting our True Martial Inheritance. Some spies’ identities are still unclear and under interrogation. We’ve received word that some may attempt to rescue these spies!”
“With no choice, we must resort to this. We seal the mountain gate and hope for your understanding!”
“Once the spies’ identities are clarified and evidence found, we will reopen the mountain. Please wait patiently in True Martial City; it shouldn’t be long, and we’ll notify everyone immediately upon news.”
The hatred and anger in Luo Wentian’s eyes were visible.
The swordsmen exchanged glances.
With words put so plainly, what could they do? They couldn’t demand the True Martial Sect neglect its duties and keep the True Martial Sword Stele open—who knew if among these comprehending swordsmen there were spies or informants.
The True Martial Sect opening the True Martial Sword Stele for everyone to comprehend was already cause for gratitude. With this incident, naturally they could understand.
But in their hearts.
They felt added hatred toward those unknown spies.
It hadn’t affected them before, but now dragging them from continuing to comprehend the stele, their anger surged—especially for those on the verge of enlightenment abruptly halted, who wished to dice the spies a thousand times.
“Sect Leader Luo, if there’s any way we can help, just say!” the congregation stated one after another.
Luo Wentian cupped his hands in thanks:
“My thanks to you all. Best not to involve you in this. Please descend and await news.”
The swordsmen sighed and departed down the mountain.
Uncertain when the True Martial Sect would reopen.
They looked back every step, reluctant to leave.
Once all swordsmen vanished from True Martial Mountain, the hatred on Luo Wentian’s face dissipated, replaced by a faint smile.
Beside him, Ye Qinghe wore a strange expression and couldn’t help giving a thumbs up:
“Senior Brother, I see your acting has reached perfection since becoming Sect Leader!”
She tsked twice.
Luo Wentian’s face darkened involuntarily.
“Qinghe, is this how you speak of your Senior Brother?”
Ye Qinghe laughed exaggeratedly:
“This is praise! If I didn’t know the plan already, even I’d have been fooled by you, Senior Brother.”
Luo Wentian shook his head with a chuckle.
His gaze fixed on the distance, profound.
Now, they just waited for things to ferment slowly.
