Chapter 344: Hidden Immortal! (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 344: Hidden Immortal! (Please vote for the chapter)

Master?

Xiao Jinghong tilted his head toward the depths of the night sky, where two figures flickered in and out of the full moon at a height of twenty li.

It was unmistakably Gong Zhuaibai and his disciple Shu He.

Xiao Jinghong slightly bowed his head toward them, then waved casually to Su Zhenyu, who was not far off, and leapt into the air.

Su Zhenyu looked up as she soared into the sky, then followed the two silhouettes westward, cradling the roster of soldiers from the Xuanjia Army's garrison.

Meanwhile, several high-ranking warriors stationed at Xuanjia Fort saw the scene and naturally showed a hint of envy.

"General Xiao, your talent is extraordinary, your martial prowess towering above us common soldiers who've taken up the path by chance."

"Recently, there were rumors that your master was the 'Sword Saint' Li Weidang—do you think it's true?"

"Li Weidang? Perhaps it is true."

"They say that on the day you slew over a dozen evil cultivators, you employed the Sword Saint's ultimate technique 'Clear Wind'—a fearsome display."

"Too bad we'll never get to witness it firsthand."

"Indeed. Before, we had the chance to accompany General Xiao on a mission, but we mostly saw her charging into battle with a gun."

In the army, weapons used in massacres were mostly blades, guns, hammers, and axes—heavy tools meant for charging into battle.

Though swordplay was equally sharp, it paled in comparison to the brute force of guns, halberds, axes, and other heavy weapons.

That's why Xiao Jinghong also chose to study gun techniques.

Beyond Xuanjia Fort, the landscape of Mount He was renowned for its strange and perilous terrain, especially since it lay near the Red River, granting it its name from the high vantage points.

The mountains were jagged and strange, with sheer cliffs where no vegetation grew.

Yet atop the peak stood a finely constructed pavilion called Hua Ge, its pillars made of nanmu wood, adorned with an intricate carving of "The Painting of Pine and Crane Longevity," resembling a celestial dwelling.

Gong Zhuaibai stood within the pavilion, gazing down at the rushing Red River below, a trace of nostalgia in his expression:

"Years ago, when I first came to Shu Province, I had drunk with several friends here, sharing wine and stories—eighty years have passed in the blink of an eye."

"The years change like the sands of the sea, people part like autumn wind."

Xiao Jinghong stood beside him, saying nothing, her eyes calmly fixed on the distant Xuanjia Fort.

She could faintly see the soldiers who had just departed from the southern side of Xuanjia Fort, their horses galloping westward, the Xuan-colored banners bearing the golden character "Zhi" fluttering in the wind.

On the other side, Shu He glanced at the half-armor on Xiao Jinghong's face, smiled, and spoke:

"Master, when you met with the mountain woman this time, you didn't seem so nostalgic."

"Her?"

Gong Zhuaibai's face showed a rare hint of exasperation, his composed demeanor momentarily faltering:

"Old me never cared much for Confucian texts, but that scholar from the previous court once said something fitting—'Only fools and women are hard to maintain.'"

"Liu Guihua truly is impossible to reason with these days. This time..."

Gong Zhuaibai glanced at Xiao Jinghong and reminded her, "Master niece, you and the mountain woman have a cooperative relationship. Some matters shouldn't be discussed with her."

Xiao Jinghong silently thought of Liu Guihua's name, nodded, and said, "Master, I'll be careful."

She wasn't one to speak recklessly, especially not when it involved the private affairs of her seniors.

Gong Zhuaibai noticed this and sighed, his expression softening, then shook his head with a bitter smile:

"Old me went to Wumeng Mountain, passing through the mountain clans, merely intending to pay them a visit—but I didn't expect such a reaction from her."

"Those insect spirits, poison insects, and all manner of bizarre shamanic rituals—they all came out, demanding I settle an old score with her."

"What's the point of discussing events from decades ago?"

Shu He suppressed a laugh, chiming in: "Master, the mountain woman wants you to pay back some silver."

Gong Zhuaibai coughed: "What silver?"

"That year, the government had issued a bounty to capture an evil cultivator. Old me slew him. What did she have to do with it?"

"The mountain woman said she threw two bottles of poison, damaging five insect spirits, one of which was an extremely rare illusion insect."

"What did she say? You..."

Xiao Jinghong watched the two masters argue, but didn't press for details.

After a few light-hearted remarks, Gong Zhuaibai raised his hand slightly, and Shu He's face flushed crimson, his fists clenched as if bearing immense pressure, standing rooted to the spot.

Gong Zhuaibai glanced at him sideways, "Good disciple, Master needs to speak with Xiao General—please hold your peace for a moment."

Shu He's handsome face flushed with veins bulging, struggling to turn away, squeezing out a single character from between his teeth.

Xiao Jinghong noticed this and timely interjected, "Master, what do you need me for?"

Gong Zhuaibai moved to the stone table inside the pavilion and sat down, gesturing her to follow.

Xiao Jinghong didn't refuse, sitting beside him, waiting for further instructions.

Meanwhile, Shu He remained standing at the cliff's edge, trembling slightly, staring at the Red River below in the night.

Gong Zhuaibai paid him no mind, smiling as he asked Xiao Jinghong, "Has your master ever mentioned to you the matter of 'Debating to Seize the Initiative'?"

"Debating to Seize the Initiative?"

Xiao Jinghong paused, then shook her head, "Master never mentioned such a thing."

She met his gaze and asked, "Please, Master, enlighten me."

Gong Zhuaibai looked at her as if he'd known all along, sighed, and shook his head: "My disciple truly is carefree, not meddling in any affairs."

"Otherwise, this 'Debating to Seize the Initiative' wouldn't have required my intervention."

He placed his hands behind his back, speaking as if a sage:

"There are those in the world who stand tall and independent."

"General Xiao, commanding the Dingwu Army, surely knows that in all the campaigns against the various barbarian tribes and foreign nations of our Dali Empire, no one on the battlefield has ever matched your master's or my cultivation level, has they?"

Xiao Jinghong paused, then nodded, "Master is right."

She hesitated, then continued, "Master, do you know the reason?"

She had her own suspicions.

Far away, unspoken, the great battle five years prior, when Left Wang Muha led his forces north to attack the Mengshui Pass.

At that time, the city gates were under immense pressure, with daily casualties among both sides—barbarian and Dali soldiers alike.

Yet despite this, neither side had anyone beyond generals and soldiers, with the highest cultivators only reaching the first grade.

Almost no one of the master or patriarch level existed in the martial world.

Only after Xiao Fengchun died at the hands of the barbarian patriarch Wen Kela did masters from Shu Province finally arrive at the Mengshui Pass.

Thus, the martial world of Shu Province, including the Xiao family, suffered heavy losses in that battle.

Gong Zhuaibai slightly bowed his head, saying, "These matters should have waited until you reached a new breakthrough in cultivation to be told."

However, in times of urgent need, exceptions may be made; I, an old man, have no choice but to reveal some secrets.

It is fortunate that you possess exceptional talent, nearing the pinnacle of mastery. To inform you now is not a bad rule after all.

Lord Ye Zhi Bai, rarely so detailed in speech, nodded in understanding upon Ye Xiao Hong’s gesture, and continued:

"The Nine Grades of Martial Way: the first grade is the highest, followed by Masters, Grand Masters, and the Mortal Immortal Realm."

"Each level of cultivation corresponds to a tier of heaven and earth, and the destructive force of martial arts at that stage increases exponentially."

"Like you, whose cultivation reaches the second grade’s midpoint, you can already soar through the skies and traverse the earth. Not to mention those at the Master or Grand Master levels."

Ye Zhi Bai slightly raised his gaze to the moon hanging in the night sky, his expression tinged with complexity:

"To prevent harm to the heavens and earth, a thousand years ago, the rulers of the Central Plains, the Barbarian Tribes, and the Western Barbarians established these rules."

"Those who have reached the first grade or higher are forbidden from intervening in worldly conflicts."

He paused slightly, then added, looking at Ye Xiao Hong: "Of course, there are exceptions—training sessions and duels are not included." Xiao Hong’s eyes brightened with sudden understanding.

Yet she quickly thought of a question: "If these are the rules, who punishes those who break them?"

"There is naturally a system."

"But five years ago, when the Barbarian Master Wen Ke La killed your parents, why…"

Seeing her about to speak but hesitating, Ye Zhi Bai sighed: "This involves what I mentioned earlier—'contesting the path for primacy.' Let me explain it to you slowly."

"In ancient times, the predecessors established these rules to avoid sparking a true fire in the conflicts among the tribes, which would have drawn the wrath of the heavens upon the Mortal Immortal Realm."

"They also understood that conflicts among the tribes were inevitable, so they set these rules and entrusted each faction to uphold them."

"First, as I said—the strict prohibition against those of the first grade or higher from meddling in worldly strife."

"Second, each faction’s Mortal Immortals take turns overseeing the world, punishing transgressors, and so forth."

"And thus, 'contesting the path for primacy' arose."

"Every hundred years, those who have reached the Mortal Immortal Realm from all factions will engage in a contest. The victorious faction will assume governance over the world."

"The one responsible for overseeing these matters is known by the title—Veiled Immortal."

Ye Zhi Bai looked at Xiao Hong with a sigh: "Alas, at present, it is the Barbarian faction overseeing and governing."

"Therefore, after Wen Ke La’s act five years ago, he did not face severe punishment."

"However, at that time, the Barbarian Veiled Immortal permitted Mortal Immortals from the human faction to appear on the battlefield."

Xiao Hong, upon hearing this, slightly pressed her lips together, her hand instinctively gripping her sword hilt, her voice a bit stiff: "Then, what difference does it make whether these rules are established or not?"

Ye Zhi Bai shook his head: "The Barbarians have become corrupt in their oversight; my own kingdom is no different. It is not about rules, but about human hearts."

He sighed: "In truth, the Barbarians acted thus because of a certain Veiled Immortal from my clan during the Qiangyang Dynasty."

"At that time, the Barbarians held dominion over the Shu region, oppressing my people."

"A Grand Master passing through here witnessed this injustice and struck down a thousand Barbarians."

"In response, my clan’s Veiled Immortal merely reprimanded that Grand Master, forcing him to meditate in seclusion for a year."

"…"

Xiao Hong fell silent, unaware that her parents’ deaths were shrouded in such hidden truths.

The Veiled Immortal, the overseer of all Masters.

Each faction’s Mortal Immortals compete through "contesting the path for primacy" to determine which faction will hold the Veiled Immortal’s seat.

Ye Zhi Bai understood her thoughts and consoled: "Dear nephew, the past has passed; focus your gaze on the present."

Xiao Hong nodded softly, then after a moment of contemplation, asked: "If my cultivation surpasses the Master level, must I also abide by these rules?"

Ye Zhi Bai smiled and shook his head: "No."

"The hereditary rule of the Marquess is exempt, just as the Barbarian tribes’ 'Chieftains' and the Border Kingdoms of the Western Regions are."

"Even if your cultivation reaches the Master level and you become a Mortal Immortal, you may still hold a border post or even launch campaigns across the realm."

"Yet, if your atrocities are too grave, you may invite the wrath of other factions’ Mortal Immortals, sparking chaos."

Xiao Hong stared at him, taken aback by this hidden truth behind the hereditary Marquess’s exemption.

She suddenly recalled the Liu family of Jingzhou, who had clearly set their sights on the Marquess’s position.

She wondered if they were aware of this matter.

Or perhaps, this very knowledge drew their attention to the Xiao family.

After a moment of silence.

Xiao Hong dismissed her lingering thoughts and asked earnestly: "Master, why have you revealed these things to me?"

Ye Zhi Bai’s face brightened with satisfaction, yet offered no praise, explaining: "In two years’ time, above the South Sea, 'contesting the path for primacy' will occur. I hope your father will also take part."

"Huh? His father?"

"All previous 'contests' have seen Mortal Immortals from each faction paired for combat. The victor’s faction becomes the Veiled Immortal."

"But currently, my Great Wei Dynasty has fifteen Mortal Immortals, yet most remain hidden in seclusion, unwilling to emerge."

"For instance, the Abbot Qingci of Mount Wumeng, I expended much effort to persuade her to join."

Ye Zhi Bai sighed: "Moreover, the contests are perilous; a single misstep can lead to death. Thus—"

Xiao Hong gasped: "Master, there will be casualties?"

"Yes, and not few."

"The Barbarians place the utmost importance on clan inheritance; each contest is fought to the death, naturally provoking retaliation from my clan and other factions."

"Like the last time, twelve Mortal Immortals from the Great Wei Dynasty, only five returned alive."

Ye Zhi Bai did not wait for Xiao Hong to speak, his face now showing a few smiles:

"But the Barbarians suffered more; fourteen Mortal Immortals, only three remained."

"Had they not earlier sought out the Western Buddha Kingdom, Poxiwuwu Kingdom, and the Waegu, defeating those masters in battle to claim victory, we would have taken the Veiled Immortal’s seat."

He looked toward the southern Barbarian direction: "A sip, a sip—all is by heaven’s design."

"The Barbarians secured the Veiled Immortal’s position, yet their own Mortal Immortals could not sustain their northward invasion against my kingdom."

"Otherwise, five years ago, it would not have been a single Barbarian king arriving, but dozens, if not the entire clan."

Xiao Hong suddenly understood, her heart now clear about the Veiled Immortal’s role and why Wen Ke La had escaped punishment.

The predecessors fought to the death but could not overcome the Barbarians; though defeated, they still achieved glory.

Conversely, the Barbarians’ victory brought such outcomes—they too deserved this advantage.

To reverse the situation, the next "contest" must be won."

Thinking this, Xiao Hong nodded: "Master, rest assured, when I next meet my father, I will certainly inform him of this."

Alas, two years is but a short time.

If only time were a bit longer, her cultivation and sword path might also step into the realm of land-dwelling immortals, gaining the opportunity to go to the South Sea to participate in "Discourse on the Path and Compete for the First."

Bai Zhaobai waved a hand: "There are still some days until the 'Discourse on the Path and Compete for the First,' I merely wish to make some preparations."

"After all, I and your master come from the same sect and source. If both of us were to meet with misfortune, wouldn't the sect's lineage be cut off?"

Of course, this was merely to sound persuasive.

He has disciples, a Wind and Rain Tower, and his martial arts and techniques have been inherited.

Li Wu Dang also has Xiao Jinghong as his successor.

What Bai feared was that if he and Li Wu Dang were to die, no one would be left to protect Xiao Jinghong, Shui He, and others.

Thinking thus, Bai stood up and approached Shui He, speaking in a relaxed tone:

"A hundred years per cycle, who dares to contest with me?"

"I..."

Seeking monthly votes, seeking monthly votes.

Seeking monthly votes.

Emergency in thejianghu, seeking monthly votes.

Hoping for five thousand, amen.

(End of chapter)