NCCnovel Chapter 28: Kill him by destroying his spirit!
Chapter 28: Kill him by destroying his spirit!
Qinglan Sword Sect.
This name carries immense weight in the Qin Dynasty and even throughout the entire martial arts world of China.
The sect is located in Qinglan Mountain in the northern part of Zhongzhou. It has been established for three hundred years and its swordsmanship is unparalleled in the world. It is known as one of the three major sects of the Great Qin Dynasty, along with the Taoist sect of Longhu Mountain and the Buddhist sect of Fotuo Temple.
Among the disciples of all generations, there have been nine experts at the Celestial Phenomenon Realm, twelve at the First Rank Finger Profound Realm, and countless others below the Vajra Realm.
More importantly, the Qinglan Sword Sect has a very deep connection with the Qin royal family.
Eighty years ago, the Northern Barbarians led a million-strong cavalry south, their forces reaching as far as Yanmen Pass.
The Qin emperor personally went to Qinglan Mountain to invite Xiao Hanyun, the former sect leader of the Sword Sect who had been in seclusion, known as the "Qinglan Sword Saint".
Xiao Hanyun broke through his barrier and emerged alone with his sword, slaying seven Celestial Realm generals of the Northern Barbarians in one night, deterring the Northern Barbarians from daring to look south for thirty years.
After that battle, the Sword Saint died from exhaustion, but the alliance between the Azure Cloud Sword Sect and the Qin Dynasty royal family was thus established:
Disciples of the Sword Sect can serve as officials in the imperial court or join the army to serve their country. The royal family will worship the Sword Sect for generations, be granted imperial edicts, and enjoy three hundred years of continuous incense offerings.
Of the military officers in the court today, 30% come from the Qinglan Sword Sect.
Four of the eight military leaders under Lü Bu in the Western Frontier were once outer disciples of the Sword Sect.
Even Xu Longxiang from the Northern Territory, when he was young, went to Qinglan Mountain to seek swordsmanship. Although he was not accepted as a disciple, he received guidance from an elder for three months, which laid the foundation for his swordsmanship.
Such a sect's every move affects the fate of the Qin Dynasty.
Qin Mu accepted the invitation.
The invitation was made of blue brocade, with an embroidered longsword drawn from its sheath on the cover. The sword was decorated with cloud patterns, which was the symbol of the Qinglan Sword Sect, the "Qinglan Cloud Sword".
Turning the pages, the handwriting is strong and vigorous, penetrating the paper:
"Respectfully informing Your Majesty the Emperor of Great Qin:"
Our sect leader, Xiao Tiannan, has been in seclusion for thirty years, comprehending the Dao of Heaven, and has not yet emerged. A sect cannot be without a leader for even a day. After deliberation by the seven elders, it has been decided that the enthronement ceremony for the new sect leader will be held on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month at Tianjian Peak in Qinglan Mountain.
We cordially invite Your Majesty to attend the ceremony and participate in this grand event.
Respectfully submitted by Qinglan Sword Sect
After reading it, Qin Mu remained silent for a long time.
His slightly furrowed brows and the deep thought flickering in his eyes were reflected in the bronze mirror.
"Xiao Tiannan..." he murmured the name, "After thirty years of seclusion, he still hasn't emerged."
Yunluan said in a low voice, "Thirty years ago, the old sect leader announced his seclusion to comprehend the realm of a terrestrial immortal, and he has never appeared again. The Sword Sect has always said that the sect leader is in seclusion and does not see outsiders. But there have long been rumors in the martial world that the old sect leader is probably..."
"He has probably already passed away," Qin Mu replied calmly.
"To retreat into seclusion and comprehend the essence of a terrestrial immortal is inherently a perilous endeavor. Throughout history, countless have attempted it, but only a select few have succeeded. Xiao Tiannan was already at the peak of the Celestial Phenomenon realm, with one foot already in that realm, but this step..."
He shook his head and didn't continue.
A terrestrial deity.
This realm is like the bright moon hanging above the heads of all martial artists—visible but untouchable.
For three hundred years, countless brilliant minds have followed one after another, only to fall at this final step.
Xiao Tiannan was one of the closest people to him in the past century, but thirty years have passed and there has been no news of him. The ending is already self-evident.
"Who is in charge of the Sword Sect now?" Qin Mu asked.
"It is still a joint discussion among the seven elders. However, according to a secret report from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, in the past six months, the struggle between the two factions, led by the First Elder 'Azure Cloud Sword' Mo Wentian and the Second Elder 'Flowing Cloud Sword' Liu Suifeng, has become increasingly fierce. Mo Wentian advocates maintaining the status quo and continuing to wait for the old sect leader to emerge from seclusion, while Liu Suifeng believes that a country cannot be without a ruler for a day, and a sect cannot be without a leader for a day, and a new sect leader should be elected as soon as possible."
Yunluan paused for a moment, then said, "In this ceremony, Liu Suifeng's faction should have the upper hand."
Qin Mu tapped his fingers lightly on the invitation.
The seventh day of the seventh lunar month, there are still half a month to go.
There is plenty of time.
"How is the reaction in the martial arts world?" he asked.
"Master Zhang of Longhu Mountain has confirmed his personal attendance, and Abbot Liaokong of Fotuo Temple is also preparing congratulatory gifts. Sects from Xiliang, Beimang, Liyang, and even Miao villages in the southern border have also sent congratulatory gifts. According to reports from scouts, thirty-six sects have confirmed their participation so far."
Yunluan raised her eyes, "This is no longer just a grand event for the Sword Sect, but... a martial arts tournament for the entire Divine Continent."
Qin Mu smiled.
His smile held a hint of understanding and a touch of amusement.
"What a magnificent enthronement ceremony for the new sect leader."
He slowly stood up, his wet hair now half-dry, a black bathrobe loosely draped over his body, revealing his muscular chest.
"On the surface, it's about electing a sect leader, but secretly... I'm afraid all the various factions want to take this opportunity to probe each other's strengths."
He walked to the window and pushed open the carved wooden window.
As the morning light broke through the clouds, golden sunlight flooded the courtyard, and several early-rising sparrows hopped and chirped on the branches.
"Your Majesty, what should we do?" Yunluan asked.
Qin Mu turned around, and sunlight shone in from behind him, gilding his entire body with a golden edge.
"How could the Great Qin Dynasty be absent from such a grand event? The Qinglan Sword Sect wants the Great Qin Dynasty to participate, probably because they want to use the power of the Great Qin Dynasty to intimidate those other sects."
He walked back to his dressing table and sat down. The palace maids immediately came forward to comb his hair and tie his crown.
"Prepare a generous gift. It should be substantial, dignified, and reflect the grandeur of our Great Qin."
Qin Mu straightened his clothes in front of the bronze mirror. "Ten thousand taels of gold, ten bushels of luminous pearls from the East Sea, one hundred bolts of brocade from Jiangnan, and... select three top-grade swords from the armory, they must be heavy enough."
"Yes." Yunluan bowed. "Then who should we send? Generally speaking, for such grand gatherings of the martial world, Your Majesty doesn't need to attend in person; sending a representative is sufficient..."
Before she could finish speaking, Qin Mu suddenly raised his hand to stop her.
In the mirror, those deep eyes narrowed slightly, and a meaningful smile curved at the corner of his mouth.
"You said..." Qin Mu began slowly, his voice soft, yet it made Yun Luan's heart skip a beat, "Will Xu Longxiang go?"
Yunluan was taken aback, then a look of realization flashed in her eyes.
She hesitated for a moment, then said in a deep voice:
"Very likely. The Azure Sword Sect holds a superior position in the martial arts world of the Great Qin, with disciples spread throughout the court and the army. Xu Longxiang practiced swordsmanship in the sect when he was young and has old ties with many inner disciples. If he can take this opportunity to befriend the new sect leader, or even... win over the sect to the northern border, it will be a tremendous help to his great cause."
She paused, then added, "Moreover, according to intelligence reports, there has been frequent contact between the Northern Border and Qinglan Mountain over the past six months. Fan Li of Guigu, one of Xu Longxiang's five chief advisors, secretly visited the Sword Sect three months ago and stayed in the mountains for seven days. Although we don't know what they discussed, he must have had something in mind."
Qin Mu smiled.
His smile was faint, yet it revealed a wisdom that saw through everything.
"That makes it even more interesting." He stood up, and a palace maid draped a black dragon-patterned robe over him and fastened his jade belt.
"You said, what if I went there in person, and..."
He paused, a playful glint in his eyes, "What kind of scene would it be if we brought Jiang Qingxue along?"
Yunluan suddenly looked up.
Even with her usual composure, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes at this moment, which quickly turned into realization, and a very faint smile involuntarily appeared on her lips.
"Your Majesty... this move is too ruthless; it's practically killing someone by destroying their spirit."
She imagined that scene:
On Qinglan Mountain, heroes gathered.
Xu Longxiang, dressed in a python robe and accompanied by his Northern Border advisors, was in high spirits as he tried to win over the Sword Sect.
Then Qin Mu arrived, accompanied by Jiang Qingxue, whom he had just "favored".
The woman Xu Longxiang longed for, yet personally sent into the palace.
The two met before the heroes of the world.
Xu Longxiang watched as his beloved woman nestled beside the "tyrant," forcing a smile and feigning obsequiousness...
The thought of that scene is enough to send chills down your spine.
"Is that cruel?" Qin Mu straightened his cuffs, his tone indifferent. "I was merely taking my beloved concubine out for a stroll to relax. What's wrong with that?"
Yunluan lowered her head: "It was my slip of the tongue. But... Xu Longxiang will probably be in great pain."
"It's good that you feel uncomfortable." Qin Mu walked to the palace entrance, the morning light illuminating half of his profile, making his smile appear particularly profound in the light and shadow.
"The more distressed he is, the more likely he is to make mistakes. And I, on the other hand, most enjoy seeing my opponent make mistakes."
He stepped out of the bathhouse, his black robes tracing a clean arc.
"By imperial decree, I will personally attend the grand ceremony of the Qinglan Sword Sect on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. The Ministry of Rites is ordered to immediately prepare the ceremonial guard, and three thousand elite Imperial Guards will be dispatched to accompany and protect me. Furthermore…"
Qin Mu stopped and turned to look at Yun Luan, his eyes gleaming with a cunning scheme.
"Tell Jiang Qingxue to prepare well. I want her to accompany me on this trip as Consort Xue."
"Yes!" Yunluan knelt on one knee, her voice firm and resolute.
Qin Mu turned around and continued walking forward.
The morning light bathed the palace path, and his back was as straight as a pine tree. His black dragon-patterned robe gleamed with a restrained and noble dark gold luster in the sunlight.
A great show is about to begin.
He couldn't wait to see Xu Longxiang's face and his expression when he saw Jiang Qingxue.
That must be... very interesting.