“Master, there is news from Dangshan. It says that the Yu… the traitor from the Demonic Sect claims he has a way to make Young Master Sha forget about that demonic witch. He mentioned using some sort of Forgetting Sorrow Gu.” The message-bearing attendant stammered a bit as he spoke.
“Ridiculous!” Lu Zhenxing immediately retorted, “How could Tingjian Manor ever use something from the Demonic Sect? Why does Lingtian Xiao still keep him alive? A traitor from the Demonic Sect should be killed without mercy.”
The attendant trembled as he retreated.
“Please calm your anger, Master. How about you drink this bowl of tonic soup first?” Xin Mo, the sword servant standing nearby, now over fifty years old, gently offered a bowl of dark medicinal concoction.
“I am not ill, why would I need a tonic soup!” Lu Zhenxing didn’t even glance at the bowl.
Though it was not visible on the surface, his movements were clearly slower than before, and he had been coughing more frequently at night. Xin Mo could only smile bitterly. Since the last time the Master brought back the severely injured Young Master Sha from an outing, it had become increasingly rare to see a good expression on his face.
“I worked hard to prepare this. Please at least drink a few sips.”
Finally, Lu Zhenxing reluctantly drank a couple of sips, then his gaze fixed on a particular spot.
Following his line of sight, Xin Mo looked over to the center of Jingxin Hall. Not long ago, a young man in black had been kneeling there, enduring a flogging, his clothes stained with blood, yet he stubbornly refused to give in, just as obstinate and headstrong as in the past.
Over twenty years ago, a young girl had knelt in the same place, biting her lip, begging her father to grant her wish.
He still remembered that girl who had grown up under the watchful eyes of the entire manor, graceful and kind, with a gentle smile that could melt the coldest of winters. Though she wore black, her demeanor was pure and unblemished. She had two shallow dimples on her cheeks, easily amused, with a stunningly beautiful face that always bore a smile, as if nothing could trouble her. Almost everyone liked her.
That was also the most serene time in the life of their Manor Lord. He rarely got angry, seldom punished anyone, because as long as she pleaded for mercy, he would relent. Every year on her birthday, he would painstakingly seek out rare treasures just to make her smile.
In truth, even if her fellow disciples gifted her a simple hairpin or a book, she would be equally happy.
She was a person easily contented. Losing her mother early, she grew up sensible and understanding, comforting her father and being considerate of her elder brother. Even the little boy her father brought back who didn’t fit in with the manor, she treated with kindness. She practiced swordsmanship, read books daily, and occasionally tended to flowers and plants. She never asked her father for anything, never threw tantrums or acted willful, except for that one time, which nearly led to a falling out with her father.
Thinking of this, even Xin Mo felt a faint ache in his heart.
When the Young Master of the Bai family came to propose marriage when she was fifteen, her father, the old Manor Lord, couldn’t bear to part with his precious daughter. He dismissed them with perfunctory excuses. It wasn’t until a year or two later that he asked her opinion. At that time, she was slightly taken aback but then smiled and said, “Father, you decide.”
Bai Hengjue was then a renowned young hero in the martial world, hailing from a prestigious family, with an outstanding and handsome appearance. Apart from being slightly precocious in his affections, he had no major flaws. Most importantly, even after being rejected, he continued to show his devotion persistently, as if he was determined to marry her. He even treated the affairs of Tingjian Manor as his own, ultimately winning over Lu Zhenxing.
Unexpectedly, just over half a year after the engagement, she wanted to break off the engagement.
She knelt in the middle of the hall, her once gentle gaze now full of determination. Her frail body bowed down as she said word by word, “This matter is entirely my fault. It’s my lack of willpower and inability to control my emotions. I don’t ask for Father’s understanding, only to call off the engagement. I will write to Baiya Peak to explain and apologize. If this damages the reputation of Tingjian Manor, I will bear the responsibility alone.”
“Bear the responsibility alone? How can you bear the responsibility alone?”
Lu Zhenxing was furious, almost ready to hit the daughter he had never laid a finger on since birth.
Xin Mo could still recall that scene vividly. Both of them were struggling to control their emotions. He wanted to advise Miss Huaixian to think twice, to tell her not to defy the world’s conventions so recklessly. But he never knew that such a gentle girl could possess such unwavering resolve, willing to face any consequence without regret.
She stood there with her snow-white neck stiffened, biting her lip, as if waiting for Lu Zhenxing to strike her.
How could there be such similar mother and son in this world?
Xin Mo almost sighed inwardly. Though their temperaments were vastly different, and Young Master Sha never smiled, through those vaguely similar features, one could almost see the old familiar face from the past.
As he was thinking this, he suddenly heard Lu Zhenxing beside him say, “Why? Why are both of them like this? Where did I go wrong in teaching them? I clearly just…” His voice trailed off, seeming to be talking to himself.
At this moment, Lu Zhenxing had lost the dignity of the Manor Lord of Tingjian Manor, looking like a worn-out, disappointed old man.
Xin Mo wanted to comfort him with a few words, but saw that Lu Zhenxing had already stood up and walked out.
“Master…”
He called out once, but said no more.
When Miss Huaixian left, the old Manor Lord burned everything she left behind, including portraits, clothes, and books, not leaving a single item. He was ruthless enough to never mention her again, nor allow anyone else to mention her, as if Lu Huaixian had never existed.
But while things could be burned, the marks left by people could never be erased.
Lu Zhenxing walked with steady but slow steps. A faint burning sensation lingered in his chest, and a wave of coughing surged up that he forcibly suppressed. The manor was brightly decorated with lanterns and streamers; his birthday was approaching. Lu Zhenxing didn’t care about that at all; he only knew he had to deal with those people again.
He shouldn’t be this angry. He raised him because he was like a sword.
He remembered when Lu Chengzhao cried to him, saying that he had been beaten by the wild child. Lu Chengzhao had been practicing swordsmanship since he was three and had already learned three or four sword forms. He was pushed hard by his father every day, yet he was easily defeated by a young boy who had only practiced one sword form without any guidance.
Seeing the boy’s demonstration shocked him. The boy held nothing more than a long bamboo pole and used only the most basic entry-level sword technique of the Lu family. There was no fancy skill, but his precision and sharpness were almost at an adult’s level. Most importantly, his killing intent was fully developed and terrifying.
A sharp blade should not be dulled; it must have its purpose.
The tip of Lu Chengsha’s sword should point at the Demonic Sect and kill them. Lu Zhenxing spent nearly twenty years, painstakingly nurturing and shaping him, honing his edge personally, making him abandon all personal desires and emotions, knowing only to kill those of the Demonic Sect.
Even naming him Chengsha implied bearing the burden of killing.
A heavy sword without an edge, because Lu Chengsha was that edge.
He indeed succeeded. In his teens, Lu Chengsha quickly became renowned in the martial world, causing the Demonic Sect to tremble in fear. His resolve was unwavering, never influenced by external factors.
Whether cursed or praised, he always had the same expression.
He had no desires, no pursuits, making it impossible for anyone to win him over.
He was supposed to be the perfect sword.
But in the end, it turned out like this.
Could even bloodlines inherit such traits?
Lu Zhenxing closed his eyes, and the beautiful, gentle, yet extraordinarily resolute face reappeared in his mind, then shifted to another face, increasingly similar in features, equally pale, steadfast, with unwavering dark eyes. With a casual slap, he shattered a passing rockery into powder, his chest heaving violently. Clutching his chest, he uncontrollably coughed up a mouthful of blood.
The blood fell onto the ground beside him, quickly seeping in and turning dark.
Xin Mo hurried over from behind, “Master, you…”
Lu Zhenxing angrily shouted, “Leave me alone!”
Xin Mo had no choice but to step back uneasily.
Lu Zhenxing asked, “Is that wretch dead yet?”
Xin Mo hesitated for a moment before replying, “He should still be in the dungeon. I haven’t heard otherwise… Does the Manor Lord wish to see him?”
Lu Zhenxing said, “Why would I want to see him? Make sure he is strictly guarded. No one is allowed to approach him, and he must not escape.”
Xin Mo smiled bitterly, “Yes, Manor Lord.”
In Young Master Sha’s current state, there was no way he could escape.
With his temperament, how could he even think of escaping?
But Xin Mo dared not say that. In Lu Zhenxing’s fury, every word could touch a raw nerve. Given Young Master Sha’s grave mistake, it was already merciful of Lu Zhenxing to spare his life. With his younger temper, Lu Zhenxing would have killed even his own brother for colluding with the Demonic Sect and protecting its members.
Or perhaps… Xin Mo hesitated to think, wondering if Lu Zhenxing couldn’t bring himself to do it when looking at that face.
—
Preparations for Lu Zhenxing’s birthday were in full swing. In terms of age, experience, and reputation, he was one of the top figures in the martial world. His life had been marked by countless battles and great renown. Famous conflicts, such as the decisive battle at the peak of Qingcheng Mountain and his solo assault on the Demonic Sect’s headquarters, earned him the admiration and respect of countless young heroes.
In recent years, he had rarely appeared in public. His birthday was almost the only opportunity for people to see him. Consequently, the usually quiet Sword City at the foot of the mountain suddenly became bustling. Various major sects and numerous small martial clans came to celebrate his birthday.
Lu Huaitian and his wife Qin Suyu were responsible for receiving guests from the major sects, while Lu Chengzhao and Lu Chengyang handled the guests from the smaller sects.
Earlier, Lu Huaitian had just received Xu Bujing, the head of Qingcheng Sect. Soon after, the people from Baiya Peak arrived aggressively. Xu Bujing, dressed in blue clothes and white pants, looked no different from his disciples. He was not very old, in his thirties or forties, just about ten years older than their sect’s senior brother Mu Xuelang. At this moment, he smiled good-naturedly and said, “Don’t worry about me, go deal with the ones behind. Huaitian, you really have a tough job today.”
Lu Huaitian clasped his fists and thanked him.
Baiya Peak’s master, Bai Henghuan, wore a pained expression, but the several elder-looking and distinguished elders behind him all had stern and cold expressions, as if they held deep grudges, even glaring at Lu Huaitian as if they wanted to tear him apart.
After some pleasantries, Lu Huaitian led them inside with neither humility nor arrogance.
One of the elders immediately said coldly, “Where is that traitor Lu Chengsha?”
Lu Huaitian replied, “He is still confined in the dungeon.”
The elder asked, “When do you plan to deal with him?”
Lu Huaitian answered, “This matter is up to my father to decide. I dare not interfere.”
The elder sneered, “Are you waiting for your manor lord to get happy on his birthday and release him? If Tingjian Manor, which claims to have a deep-seated hatred for the Demonic Sect, deals with this by releasing him, you will be the laughingstock of the entire martial world.”
Lu Huaitian calmly said, “Tingjian Manor will not be lenient on this matter. Please, go inside first.”
The elder wanted to say more, but Bai Henghuan had already pulled him aside, smiling apologetically, “Enough, enough. Let’s go in first, we can discuss this later.”
Once inside, the elder scolded Bai Henghuan angrily, “Isn’t Yijiang your own nephew? He’s been driven to such a desperate state, with rumors maligning him, almost driven to suicide. Yet you stop us from defending him? Is this how you act as an uncle?”
Bai Henghuan replied helplessly, “Taking it out on Lu Huaitian won’t help. He clearly isn’t in charge. The manor lord will surely handle this matter fairly. Calm down. We’ll make sure Yijiang gets the best treatment, like the rare Qianshan Snow Lotus and thousand-year ginseng. He’ll recover sooner or later.”
“You…” The elder pointed at him, enraged for a while. “If Hengjue hadn’t died early…”
“It wouldn’t be my turn, I know. But I am trying my best to be a good master. During the birthday celebration, I will make sure to clarify the matter of Tingjian Manor. I won’t let Yijiang suffer in vain, alright?”
“Hmph, that’s more like it.”
Lu Chengzhao was also extremely busy, almost wanting to hand over all responsibilities to Lu Chengyang.
This year, with Lu Chengsha being confined in the dungeon, it was still up to the two of them to welcome guests, as their grandfather never allowed Lu Chengsha to handle these duties. He didn’t even need to meet the guests; just showing his face was enough to make everyone feel honored. Lu Chengzhao almost wanted to complain to his grandfather about the favoritism, but when his mother heard about it, she asked him, “Do you also want to be trained like that by your grandfather?”
Recalling how his grandfather used to beat Lu Chengsha while training him in swordsmanship, Lu Chengzhao shook his head and gave up on the idea.
The guests craned their necks, obviously looking forward to some drama. Some disciples from smaller sects timidly asked, “Young Master Lu, is it true that…”
Lu Chengzhao, irritated, snapped, “Which Young Master Lu? They’re all Young Master Lu here!”
Immediately, someone beside him added, “Calling him Young Master Lu? That traitor has already abandoned his family. He probably only has eyes for that Demonic Sect beauty. Who knows if that brief fling was worth it?”
“There’s a saying, ‘Better to be a gallant ghost under the peony flower than a pitiful living man,’ so Lu Chengsha didn’t lose out.”
The others burst into laughter.
Lu Chengzhao was aware of the rumors circulating outside these days, but he didn’t expect them to be so brazen about it. Although he had no fondness for Lu Chengsha, at that moment, he kicked one of them, sending the person rolling several times. “Shut your filthy mouth! Do you think you can talk about the people of Tingjian Manor like that?”
He immediately drew the Biluo sword from his waist and said, “Who dares to speak another word in Tingjian Manor?”
Instantly, the surroundings fell silent, remembering that this notorious playboy’s temper was not to be trifled with.
The person who had been joking earlier got up, bruised and resentful, “Which part of what I said…”
Lu Chengzhao interrupted, “Which sect are you from?”
The person hesitated, “Why do you want to know…”
“Never mind.” Lu Chengzhao kicked him in the face, sending him flying again. He turned to Lu Chengyang and said, “Find out his name and then throw him out. Do they really think Tingjian Manor has no one to deal with them? If their sect master dares to keep this disciple, I’ll personally visit them. If any sect still wants him, I’ll write my name backward.”
Lu Chengyang nodded in agreement, showing no sympathy.
After that, no one dared to speak recklessly.
The banquet began in the evening, with twilight descending and lights shining brightly.
Xu Bujing, the head of Qingcheng Sect; Bai Henghuan, the master of Baiya Peak; and Master Ciren, the abbot of Fanyin Temple, were all present. Apart from Ling Tianxiao, the head of Dangshan Sect, who sent his senior disciple Chu Jun due to some reasons, almost all of the major sects were represented, along with countless other sects. The event was teeming with guests, with over a hundred outer disciples of Tingjian Manor just guiding the guests to their seats. Some small sects had to make do with sitting on giant stones brought over for the occasion.
Some were there to celebrate the birthday, while others were there just to watch the excitement.
Nearly everyone was eager to know how Tingjian Manor would handle Lu Chengsha, once a renowned figure, who was celebrated not long ago for his great victory at Migu Town.
His reputation was immense, and his recent transgression was monumental.
In the martial world, everyone had heard of Lu Chengsha’s name in recent years. He was consistently praised for his relentless attacks on the Demonic Sect, never showing mercy to its members. He was seen as a model for righteous young disciples, an idol for countless young followers.
But now, he had disgraced himself by colluding with the Demonic Sect.
Righteous individuals typically distanced themselves from even the slightest connection with the Demonic Sect, swearing that they had no intention of colluding with them.
Yet Lu Chengsha not only colluded, but he also fought his grandfather, Lu Zhenxing, the master of Tingjian Manor, to protect the demonic witch. On that stormy night, many people from various sects witnessed his profound affection as he let the demonic witch escape.
He even tried to block all the pursuers single-handedly just to save her.
It was both absurd and shocking, beyond comprehension.
After the banquet began, Lu Zhenxing finally made a belated appearance. Clad in a dark robe with a sword that never left his side, he remained as dignified and stern as ever. His face was cold and murderous, making young disciples from minor sects shiver at just one glance, not daring to look again.
Each sect presented their birthday gifts, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
In less than half an hour, however, someone from Baiya Peak took the lead in challenging the situation. An elderly man with long white hair and beard, dressed in white robes and a fox fur cloak, stood up slowly, his voice loud and clear, “Manor Lord Lu, I have sparred with you in the past and met you several times. I come today not only to wish you a happy birthday but also to seek your guidance on one matter. I know Lu Chengsha is your grandson, but his collusion with the Demonic Sect, his defiance, releasing a demonic figure, and even harming fellow disciples are unforgivable crimes. How do you intend to deal with him?”
The previously noisy banquet fell silent immediately, everyone holding their breath in anticipation.
Lu Zhenxing looked at the old man, as if he had expected this, and coldly said, “Bring him up.”
Soon, everyone saw a disciple leading in a young man in black. His hands were bound, his face slightly pale, but his handsome face remained expressionless. His steps were steady, and there was a faint aura of killing intent around him, making him intimidating. His gaze alone made the young disciples feel a prickle of fear, despite his recent severe injuries and current imprisonment.
Seeing Lu Chengsha, the crowd couldn’t help but start whispering.
He still looked like the same demon-hating slayer he once was, making it all the more unbelievable.
The elder from Baiya Peak glanced at him with contempt and was about to speak when a sudden glow appeared in the sky. It was not a natural light. Thick smoke began to rise from somewhere in Tingjian Manor!
“What’s happening?”
“What’s going on?”
At that moment, someone rushed in, shouting loudly, “It’s bad! That demonic witch from the Demonic Sect took advantage of our lax security while we were preparing for the birthday banquet and set a huge fire!”
In the distance, one could faintly see the demonic witch in her red dress fluttering in the wind. She was leading her followers, holding torches, and standing atop the rooftops, her gaze piercingly fixed in Lu Chengsha’s direction.
The previously expressionless young man in black suddenly lifted his dark eyes.