Chapter 69: Roots and Flowers

East of Luoyang, in Yanshi.

Walong Hall.

In the main hall, three men and one woman gathered.

The hostess of Walong Hall, Bai Meizhu, along with Lian Wubai, Lian Shengbai, and the leader of the Qinglong Corps, Lian Wudao, were seated. Despite their recent victory in the battle over Gong Xianyao, their expressions were not bright.

Bai Meizhu shook her head, seemingly in disbelief at something she had heard.

"That's impossible. You mean the Ten Bandits of Wufeng are using the martial arts of our hall? How could that be? Uncle, are you sure you're not mistaken?"

A sigh escaped Lian Wudao's lips.

"Ah! Sister-in-law, I admit I did not witness it myself, but all the Qinglong Corps warriors who fought the Ten Bandits of Wufeng say the same thing. They used the Nine Heavens Sword."

"No! That doesn't make any sense. How could bandits use the martial arts of Walong Hall?"

As Bai Meizhu raised her voice, Lian Wubai interjected.

"Mother, it's not entirely impossible. One of our disciples might have leaked it."

"Leaked by a disciple?"

"Isn't that the only explanation we can think of right now?"

Bai Meizhu, trembling with anger, slammed her hand on the table.

"Anyway! It's those ronin causing problems. I always knew they would cause trouble, but leaking our martial arts? Selling their lives for a few coins? They're mad."

Lian Wudao spoke cautiously.

"Given that the Ten Bandits of Wufeng used the first to third forms, it seems the culprit is among the ronin who were once part of the Jidan or Tiandan."

Everyone nodded.

The first disciples were taught the sword techniques divided into the Tian, Di, and Ren sections. It was indeed impossible for someone who only learned up to the Ren section to do this.

While they had narrowed down the suspects, the situation was still murky.

There were thirty people from the Tiandan and Jidan in the Qinglong and Baihu Corps. It was impossible to determine who had leaked the information. The fate of those who left during training was unknown, making it even more difficult.

Suddenly, Bai Meizhu looked at Lian Wubai and Lian Shengbai.

"You two, surely you didn't teach the Ten Dragons' Supreme Kung Fu to the ronin, did you?"

Lian Wubai smiled wryly and replied.

"No. The elders prohibited it, so we taught them the Walong Heart Method."

The Walong Heart Method, created by the Lian ancestors, was superior to the Sancai Heart Method available on the market.

Bai Meizhu's face showed a hint of relief.

"At least that's a relief. The Ten Dragons' Supreme Kung Fu should not be taught to ronin."

"Besides, they are too old to benefit from it. We only teach it to a few selected children from the Zhanlong Corps, and the elders have approved this."

"That's good. Those children will grow to be true disciples of Walong Hall."

With that, the discussion about the leakage of the Nine Heavens Sword concluded.

After a moment, Bai Meizhu, who had been fiddling with her teacup, spoke to Lian Wudao.

"By the way, Uncle. Wubai's wedding is set for the first day of the tenth month. Please inform the elders. I would like to tell them myself, but you know, our relationship with them isn't good."

"Understood. They will be pleased."

The Lian elders hoped that Bai Meizhu would pass Walong Hall to the grown Lian Wubai and step back. However, Bai Meizhu refused for various reasons. The relationship between the Lian elders and Bai Meizhu had deteriorated to the point of no return.

***

Bofeng County.

Wufeng Mountain Hall.

In the courtyard of the mountain hall, Lian Jieha, Xia Bai, Han Caiyan, and Li Tieshan were seated on a bench. Lian Jieha was polishing a sword, and the three were watching him.

Han Caiyan, looking bored, asked.

"Brother, is this the sword you took from the head of the Baise Shangfang's guard?"

"Are you not going to use the saber anymore?"

"I'm switching to the sword."

"Eh? Why?"

"The sword techniques are terrifying."

Everyone stared at Lian Jieha in confusion.

The reason for changing weapons seemed too simple.

In fact, what Lian Jieha practiced in the warehouse was neither sword nor saber techniques. It was difficult to define it as either.

During his time at the mountain hall, he learned the Anti-Demon Saber Technique and received the saber as a gift. Since none of the bandits used swords, it naturally led to this.

The Nine Heavens Sword Technique was a unique martial art that could be performed with a sword, saber, or even bare-handed. Lian Jieha was captivated by the bold feel of the saber, and the technique solidified as a saber technique.

Moreover, the world of the Nine Heavens Sword Technique was mysteriously fascinating. The more he practiced, the more new things he discovered. The difference between practicing alone in the warehouse and using it in real combat was like heaven and earth.

For these reasons, he only used the Nine Heavens Sword Technique during practice. Even then, it felt a bit awkward due to the incompatibility with the saber.

At that time, Lian Jieha did not feel the need to change his weapon. Since the saber was enough to handle any opponent, he settled for the status quo.

However, after fighting Yitian Sword Venerable, his thoughts changed.

Experiencing the immense power hidden in the delicate movements was subtly enviable. The fantastic Yi Qi Sword was so shocking that it haunted his dreams.

Since he had become proficient in the Nine Heavens Sword Technique, he now wanted to explore the ultimate sword technique, the Nine Heavens Sword.

Xia Bai tilted her head.

"Brother, your saber technique is already invincible."

Lian Jieha chuckled.

In the tree of martial arts, if the Nine Heavens Sword Technique is the root, the Nine Heavens Sword is the flower.

While the root is important, how can it compare to the flower?

"Hey, if I were invincible, would I have run away?"

"That's because you're still young..."

"You didn't see that old man's sword skills. They were no joke."

"So, are you really switching to the sword?"

"Yeah. Actually, my martial arts are not a saber technique. I ended up using the saber because I inherited it from the mountain hall. Originally, our family used swords."

"Oh! That's why all the Walong Hall warriors use swords?"

"Our father was a famous swordsman."

"I see."

Only then did Xia Bai realize that Lian Jieha's decision to change weapons was not impulsive.

"Should we switch to swords too?"

"There's no need. The Nine Heavens Sword Technique doesn't restrict the weapon, so it's fine. I'm doing this because I know sword techniques, but you don't have to follow me."

"I see. Still, wouldn't it be better to use swords like Brother Lian? The Walong Hall warriors looked good with their swords."

Lian Jieha did not object.

"If the saber has a bold feel, the sword is more graceful. Do what you think is best."

Xia Bai then turned to Han Caiyan.

"Sister, don't most female heroes in the江湖 use swords?"

"That's true. Most people from the Seven Sects and Eight Schools use swords."

Li Tieshan added.

"Actually, the saber is mainly used by the Green Forest and Lower Sects, so it's not very prestigious."

After some thought, Xia Bai said firmly.

"Then I should switch to the sword. For the future..."

Xia Bai had once said she would leave the Green Forest, so no one tried to dissuade her.

"Sister, should you switch too? What do you think?"

"Hmm, it might be good, but..."

Han Caiyan, being a woman, looked intrigued.

Since she had only been practicing martial arts for a short time, switching would not be a problem.

Han Caiyan, after some hesitation, finally decided to switch to the sword.

The two decided to ask the village chief of Haji Village to help them buy swords.

After deciding to switch to swords, they showed more interest in Lian Jieha's sword. Now that they would be using swords themselves, it was no longer just someone else's business.

Suddenly, Xia Bai pointed at the blade and asked.

"Brother, what does it say on the blade?"

"Walong."

"Ah! So it's from Walong Hall? It looks high-quality."

"Lian must have been a fairly high-ranking person. It's a good thing for me."

"Ah, if I had known I would switch to the sword, I would have kept one that day."

"That's true. They say a good one doesn't come cheap."

Han Caiyan also looked regretful.

Lian Jieha chuckled.

It seems the environment one lives in is important. Since what they learned in the Green Forest was about taking, they treated others' possessions as their own.

***

Mid-July.

Luoyang, Henan Province.

Luoyang was filled with representatives from the Seven Sects and Eight Schools, the Five Great Families, and the righteous sects.

The leaders of the Seven Sects and Eight Schools could stay in the guest quarters of Yitian Sect. However, other sects, even the Five Great Families, had to rent inns or mansions in Luoyang.

The Righteous Alliance, seeing the gathering of the Seven Sects and Eight Schools and the Five Great Families in Luoyang, decided to hold a martial arts conference at Yitian Sect. Since it would take months to gather all the scattered sects, they decided to start immediately.

In the training ground of Yitian Sect.

The leaders of the Seven Sects and Eight Schools were seated in the center, the Five Great Families on the left, and the leaders of the righteous sects on the right.

Over five hundred ordinary disciples were seated or standing on the ground opposite the leaders.

Gathering five hundred people in less than two months was a success. Hence, the leaders of the Righteous Alliance looked calm.

As Feng Leidao, the leader of the Righteous Alliance, nodded, Chief Advisor Zhuge Shengyun stepped forward.

"Thank you to all the martial artists who received the martial arts notice and came here. Let's get straight to the point. In May, the Dharma Master of Shaolin Temple's Law Hall discovered traces of the Mingjiao in Yuzhou. After that, the Righteous Alliance's Yi Qi Corps and the five martial officials of Luoyang went to Yuzhou."

Despite the gathering of over seven hundred people, not a sound was heard.

Everyone was focused on Zhuge Shengyun's words.

"Only the Master of Yitian Sect and two Walong swordsmen survived. The martial prowess of the owner of the Galaxy Hall, Hongse Sword Demon, was on par with the Ten Great Martial Artists of the world, and his subordinates were at a similar level to the elders of the Seven Sects and Eight Schools. The Righteous Alliance believes they obtained supernatural abilities by sacrificing living monks."

The gathered martial artists murmured in shock.

While the martial prowess of the Mingjiao was impressive, the method of obtaining supernatural abilities was extremely evil.

"The Hongse Sword Demon of the Galaxy Hall must know that righteous heroes are gathering in Luoyang. He will be well-prepared. Regardless of their preparations, we will crush them and uphold the banner of 'Breaking Evil and Revealing Righteousness.' If you have any questions about the suppression of the Mingjiao, feel free to ask."

Moyong Huang, the head of the Moyong Family, asked.

"Twenty years ago, the Mingjiao had no one close to the Ten Great Martial Artists. How can we be sure that the Hongse Sword Demon of the Galaxy Hall has reached such a level through supernatural abilities?"

Zhuge Shengyun glanced at the Junzi Sword of Yitian Sect.

He thought it would be better for the person who had directly fought the Hongse Sword Demon to explain.

Junzi Sword Li Lianyi nodded and stood up.

"I will explain, as I fought him at the Galaxy Hall. I once fought him a long time ago, and he was slightly below my level. When we fought at the Galaxy Hall two months ago, I did not notice any change in his techniques. However, the energy transmitted through the sword was different. It was so destructive and alien that it even shook my spirit. Can you believe that? I even lost an arm in that fight."

A sigh escaped the lips of Moyong Huang and the other martial artists.

Peng Manhu, the head of the Peng Family, cautiously asked.

"Chief Advisor, if there are more people like the Hongse Sword Demon among the enemies of the Mingjiao... what will happen?"

"Six of the Ten Great Martial Artists are in the Seven Sects and Eight Schools. We hope there are no more than six people like the Hongse Sword Demon."

"What if there are more?"

"An unprecedented chaos will descend upon the martial arts world. Righteousness and morality will be trampled, and evil desires and selfishness will cover the martial arts world. It will be like hell on earth."

A heavy silence fell among the martial artists.

As the atmosphere grew tense, Zhuge Shengyun quickly changed the topic.

"Such a thing will not happen, so don't worry too much. Yitian Sword Venerable is joining us this time, so the Hongse Sword Demon will be finished. We will crush the evil spirits one by one before they gain power, just as we did twenty years ago."

The tense faces of the people gradually relaxed.

Thinking that the same thing happened twenty years ago, they seemed a bit relieved.