Chapter 140: The Eternal Conundrum, That Day Will Never Come
Dragon Mountain Daoist looked at Jiang Baishan and Lin Ruhua holding hands, sighing inwardly.
Two people with completely different identities, even opposing ones, could actually reach this point. It was a special fate. He did not want his disciple to face a dilemma in the future.
Dragon Mountain Daoist asked solemnly:
“Are you two truly in love, willing to share hardships, and unite forever?”
Jiang Baishan turned his head and looked at Lin Ruhua tenderly, then respectfully knelt before Dragon Mountain Daoist:
“Please see clearly, Master. This disciple will marry no one but Ruhua in this lifetime!”
Lin Ruhua also knelt down:
“Please see clearly, True Person. Ruhua will marry no one but Baishan in this lifetime!”
The two had a tacit understanding, their gazes meeting with firm resolve.
Luo Wentian felt immense relief as he watched. Among all the junior brothers and sisters, this was the first to find his own belonging. Just from Lin Ruhua revealing many Demonic Sect secrets earlier, he knew his Fifth Junior Brother had not chosen wrong.
Dragon Mountain Daoist stroked his beard and laughed, then asked Lin Ruhua with a chuckle:
“Since that’s the case, why are you unwilling to call this old Daoist ‘Master’?”
Lin Ruhua’s face flushed red, but her heart was filled with joy and sweetness. She said softly:
“Master.”
Dragon Mountain Daoist laughed even more heartily, greatly comforted.
After laughing, his expression gradually turned serious.
“By reason, since you two intend to marry, as your master, I should arrange things for you and hold a grand wedding. But given the current situation, everything will be simplified, to be made up for another day.”
He was extremely serious, even making Jiang Baishan tense up.
The next moment, Dragon Mountain Daoist’s words stunned him completely.
“Baishan, Ruhua, after today, you two go down the mountain and leave. For the next three years, find a remote place, live incognito, and ignore everything in the outside world.”
Jiang Baishan grew anxious.
“Master, why?”
“This disciple will not leave. True Martial Sect is in danger now. How can this disciple leave alone at this time? This disciple cannot be such an unloyal and unfilial person!”
Luo Wentian fell slightly silent, sighing inwardly. He had roughly understood his master’s intention.
Dragon Mountain Daoist countered:
“Then let me ask you, if one day Ruhua’s mother and your master clash, who will you help? Who will you make Ruhua help?”
Jiang Baishan and Lin Ruhua both paled.
Both had overlooked this issue, or rather, subconsciously avoided it. But now that Dragon Mountain Daoist pointed it out bluntly, their hearts were filled with complex emotions.
“I… I…”
The two hesitated in pain.
Jiang Baishan’s eyes turned red.
This was an eternal dilemma, with loved ones on both sides, impossible to choose.
“If it really comes to that, this disciple is willing to die to atone!” Jiang Baishan’s gaze was firm. He turned to look at Lin Ruhua, who gazed back tenderly. She said nothing, but the meaning in her eyes was clear.
Perhaps at such a juncture, dying together would be the best choice.
Dragon Mountain Daoist sighed inwardly but scolded:
“Nonsense!”
“Since you two are in love, you must live well. Death is the most cowardly act. This master taught you to grow, not to seek death casually.”
Luo Wentian spoke slowly:
“Little Five, for you and Ruhua, Master’s words are the best choice. You and Ruhua seclude yourselves for three years. Once everything settles, no matter who wins or loses, it will be Heaven’s Will. You need no other thoughts.”
Dragon Mountain Daoist continued:
“Do not think you are deserting in battle and letting down the sect. You brought Ruhua here and shared such crucial intelligence—your contribution is already immense. The rest does not require you and Ruhua caught in the middle.”
“Besides, what role can a mere White Mist Realm practitioner play? One more or one less makes no difference.”
“Go. This is a master’s order. If unwilling, from now on, pretend I am not your master!”
Dragon Mountain Daoist’s tone had grown stern.
Jiang Baishan’s eyes reddened, choking with sobs. He lowered his head, prostrating before Dragon Mountain Daoist, not daring to retort.
Lin Ruhua’s nose also soured.
She could naturally see Dragon Mountain Daoist’s deep affection.
She had only heard Jiang Baishan mention it before, but seeing it today, she understood what master and disciple like father and son meant. She had never seen such a scene in the Demonic Sect. Perhaps at the start, the Demonic Sect only wanted to overthrow Great Yan, but over the years, it had long degenerated.
Her respect for Dragon Mountain Daoist became all the more sincere.
Luo Wentian gently helped Jiang Baishan up, patted his shoulder, and said:
“Master, in a few days Little Nine will hold the True Martial Peach Gathering. Let Little Five and Ruhua attend it together before leaving.”
Jiang Baishan looked hopeful.
After a moment of silence, Dragon Mountain Daoist nodded slightly.
“Go, rest with Ruhua.”
Jiang Baishan breathed a slight sigh of relief, kowtowed respectfully several times with Lin Ruhua, then left.
Watching their backs.
Dragon Mountain Daoist sighed deeply.
Luo Wentian comforted:
“Little Five finding his happiness is a good thing. Master need not worry too much. They have their own fate.”
He could see it.
His master was, to some extent, preparing for two possibilities.
If the Demonic Sect and Southern Border truly had a Martial Saint coming, even if True Martial Sect perished, they needed to preserve some embers. Jiang Baishan was one such ember, to rebuild True Martial when the time was right.
Of course, as True Martial Sect Leader, Luo Wentian would not rely on just one ember.
After Lin Ruhua mentioned the Martial Saint matter, he had already begun planning various retreats. True Martial Sect’s foundation could not be abandoned, but neither could all eggs be in one basket.
However.
Dragon Mountain Daoist and Luo Wentian had not yet completely lost hope.
The fundamental reason was Ning Qi.
Only the two knew how heaven-defying Ning Qi was. Any miracle was possible on him.
Both looked toward the screen. Ning Qi appeared silently. Earlier, when Jiang Baishan said there was something important to tell Dragon Mountain Daoist and Luo Wentian, they had called Ning Qi over as well.
“Little Nine, what do you think of the Demonic Sect and Southern Border soon producing a Martial Saint?” Their gazes held hope.
Ning Qi’s expression remained calm, easing them slightly.
Ning Qi sat down, pondered, then spoke slowly:
“As far as I know, there is no longer a Martial Saint Method in the world.”
Whether King Zhenbei or Wu Jianghe, both had confirmed this, so it was not baseless.
Luo Wentian’s eyes lit up:
“So this matter is false?”
Ning Qi shook his head:
“No, most likely true. Fifth Senior Brother’s wife would not deceive us. It’s just that the Demonic Sect and Southern Border’s Martial Saint should be forcibly birthed through external force.”
He had heard Lin Ruhua clearly earlier: at latest within three years, a Martial Saint would emerge. This meant the Demonic Sect and Southern Border had foreseen the timeline for birthing a Martial Saint, even planned it long ago. If creating a method to walk the Martial Saint path, it would not be so; it required enlightenment.
Of course, this was not the only reason for Ning Qi’s guess.
The true reason was that when he eradicated the Southern Border’s Qingzhou stronghold earlier, he had learned of the Blood Emperor Gu’s existence.
“Southern Border most likely relies on Blood Emperor Gu to break through to Martial Saint Realm. As for the Demonic Sect, they should have their own method. They only recently formed an alliance. Even with mutual aid, success won’t come quickly.”
Ning Qi speculated.
This was one reason he remained calm.
His Spirit Tempering progress was going smoothly. In another half year or so, he could step into Heavenly Human Realm. At that time, facing the Demonic Sect and Southern Border’s Martial Saint would not leave him without any confidence.
“External force birth? Does that mean a Martial Saint broken through this way will be weaker?” Luo Wentian’s eyes brightened.
This was a reasonable guess.
On the Martial Way path, forcibly breaking through with external force often left an unstable foundation, weaker than peers. Eliminating such effects required much time to consolidate.
Back then, Luo Wentian and the others used Condensing Gang Pills to break through to White Mist Realm, just like that. Later, Ning Qi created a secret technique for them to solidify foundations. Plus, the pills Ning Qi refined had minimal side effects, successfully eliminating the influence.
Dragon Mountain Daoist said:
“But even the weakest Martial Saint is a Martial Saint. I’m afraid even Listening Wind Elder, first on the Heavenly Human Ranking, could not match it.”
Ning Qi nodded slowly:
“Give me half a year, and I can step into Heavenly Human Realm.”
Luo Wentian was stunned, eyes widening. He had always thought Ning Qi had long stepped into Heavenly Human Realm, but now learned he was still Gang Yuan Realm. This was even more shocking than Ning Qi stepping into Heavenly Human Realm.
Already possessing near Heavenly Human Realm Invincible strength now—what after stepping into Heavenly Human Realm?
Could he battle a Martial Saint!
Suddenly, the hope in his eyes grew denser.
Dragon Mountain Daoist felt assured inwardly.
“Since so, we must fully obstruct the Demonic Sect and Southern Border, buying time for Little Nine.”
Luo Wentian’s mind raced.
“Southern Border likely relies on Blood Emperor Gu. We must figure out what method the Demonic Sect relies on to achieve Martial Saint, to target and delay their steps.”
“Of course, with just True Martial Sect’s power, it’s hard. We need external help.”
“If the Demonic Sect and Southern Border birth a Martial Saint, the last thing Great Yan Imperial Court wants to see. They are equally urgent. This intelligence can be given to King Zhenbei, letting him unite with the Imperial Court to act against the Demonic Sect and Southern Border.”
“Additionally, spread the news in the Martial World to make other Martial Arts Sects wary, delaying their plans to some extent.”
“As long as we hold out half a year for Little Nine to step into Heavenly Human Realm, there will be room to breathe.”
Luo Wentian finished in one breath, having found the key.
“It seems True Martial Sect is not necessarily doomed. There is still vitality.”
But the core of all this was Ning Qi.
He needed to hold up.
Dragon Mountain Daoist took a deep breath and asked:
“Little Nine, if you step into Heavenly Human Realm, will you have strength to contend with a Martial Saint?”
Ning Qi thought and said:
“I don’t know exactly how strong a Martial Saint is, but if I step into Heavenly Human Realm, being ten times stronger than now would be effortless, even more exaggerated. I reckon a Martial Saint’s combat power won’t be outrageously beyond. Even if I can’t win, I won’t be without power to fight back.”
This was his serious estimate. After stepping into Heavenly Human Realm, with his profound foundation, the Heaven and Earth Power he could resonate with would far exceed imagination.
He had estimated the Martial Saint’s strength as powerfully as possible.
Dragon Mountain Daoist and Luo Wentian knew Ning Qi’s character. If he said this, he must have some confidence, so they relaxed.
Half a year to Heavenly Human Realm. If the Demonic Sect’s Martial Saint took longer, Ning Qi would have more time to grow.
“But we must prepare for two possibilities. Little Nine, promise Master: if one day both sides’ Martial Saints come and you are no match, you must flee with all your might. I know you have the ability. Don’t make meaningless sacrifices. With your talent, a few years of secluded cultivation, and killing them would be like slaughtering chickens and dogs!”
“Then, rebuilding True Martial Sect will be entrusted to you.”
Dragon Mountain Daoist’s gaze was extremely solemn, even carrying a hint of plea.
Ning Qi fell silent.
He could not imagine if Master and the senior brothers truly died before him, yet he could only flee in frustration—what agony that would be.
With a long exhale, he said softly:
“It won’t happen, Master. There won’t be that day.”
Dragon Mountain Daoist insisted:
“Promise your master!”
Facing Dragon Mountain Daoist’s gaze, Ning Qi sighed inwardly and finally nodded:
“I will.”
He thought.
If it really came to that, he would slaughter the Demonic Sect and Southern Border for True Martial’s vengeance.
But he absolutely did not want it to come to that.
His heart filled with unprecedented drive. All along, Ning Qi had cultivated steadily, with some minor pressure, but never as intense as now. One wrong move, and those he cared about might die.
As for fleeing?
Impossible. True Martial Sect was vast—could they all go incognito?
Dragon Mountain Daoist smiled.
He patted Ning Qi’s shoulder and said:
“With you here, True Martial Inheritance will not end. Master is at ease.”
He looked at Luo Wentian, battle intent surging in his eyes:
“Since so, we master and disciples will fight them properly!”
“Yes, Master!”
Battle intent rose in all their eyes.
Since the Demonic Sect and Southern Border insisted on forcing them, only battle awaited. Worst case, death.
Ning Qi thought.
If he could find the Demonic Sect and Southern Border headquarters where they cultivated Martial Saints, perhaps he could strike first. His current strength was not quite assured, but after stepping into Heavenly Human Realm, if they had not yet birthed a Martial Saint, he might attempt a proactive strike.
…
The next day.
Dragon Mountain Daoist wrote a personal secret letter detailing the Demonic Sect and Southern Border’s secret plot to achieve a Martial Saint, then personally delivered it to Chen Xing and Chen Yue:
“You two, deliver this secret letter to King Zhenbei as soon as possible. The matter is crucial—absolutely no mishaps!”
Chen Xing and Chen Yue’s expressions turned grave, nodding seriously.
They did not ask what it was.
Chen Yue stayed in True Martial City, while Chen Xing hurried through the night toward the Northern Barbarians lands, where King Zhenbei was now guarding.
