Chapter 14

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Zong

Zi Heng spent half a month in Exian recovering from his injuries. It was always

the people from the Chunyang Sect who took care of him. Zong Ming He sent Elder

Tai Wei to investigate the attack together with the Chunyang Sect, but he only

met Elder Tai Wei once to tell him the numerous details of that day. On the

contrary, the Leader of the Chunyang Sect’s eldest senior brother, Xu Zhi Nan,

came to visit him several times.

Immortal

cultivators are usually youthful and long-lived. Because of the cultivation

of abstinence in Chunyang Sect, the word “more” had to be added.

It is common to see people who lived more than 100 years. Xu Zhi Nan should be

50 years old, but he still looks like a young and handsome gentleman. He was

not like most of the Chunyang Sect’s members that are cold and stereotypical.

Instead, he is more friendly and approachable. To nobody's surprise, he is

going to be the next Leader of Chunyang Sect.

Today,

Zong Zi Heng was arranging his clothes. His injuries had almost recovered, and

he wanted to return to Daming early so that his mother and siblings would not

worry.

It so

happened that Xu Zhi Nan came to visit him.

"Zhen

Ren."

"Your

Highness.”

The two

of them bowed to each other.

"Your

Highness, what…” Xu Zhi Nan saw that Zong Zi Heng had pressed the bed sheet

flat without a single wrinkle. As the Leader of Chunyang Sect’s eldest senior

brother, he spent half his life connecting with people from the Zong clan. He

encountered arrogant and domineering people, powerful people who direct others

with an arrogant attitude, and those who flatter superiors and bully

subordinates. Every immortal family was suppressed for hundreds of years. The

world really suffered under the Zong clan for a long time, but he did not

expect the Zong clan's eldest prince to be so gentle and cheerful. It was

difficult not to have a good impression of him.

"I've

been imposing on you for several days, so it's time for junior to bid

farewell." Zong Zi Heng said sincerely, "It is all thanks to Zhen Ren

for taking care of me that I was able to heal so quickly. Junior will remember this

kindness in my heart."

"Your

Highness, you are welcome, it's just that your injury hasn’t fully healed.

There is no need to leave in a hurry, why not stay for a few more days to

recuperate?"

"If

I don't go back after so long, my mother will worry about me, and my

younger brother can't be separated from me since he is still young."

"In

that case, I will not persuade you to stay. I will send a few disciples to

escort you back to Daming."

"There

is no need to bother."

"Please

don't refuse, Your Highness. It is difficult for my Chunyang Sect to evade

the blame for what happened to you two Highnesses in Gutuo Town. I must ensure

that Your Highness returns home safely."

"Then

I shall thank Zhen Ren." Zong Zi Heng said, "I also request Zhen Ren

to give my regards to the Leader.”

"My

master has been in seclusion for many years, so I accept on behalf of my

master."

Zong Zi

Heng smiled, "My master has also been in seclusion for three

years."

"Your

Highness seems to be under the tutelage of ......"

"Yes,

my uncle. He is in seclusion to break through to the Eighth Chongtian of the

Zongxuan Sword."

Xu Zhi

Nan nodded and seemed lost in thought: "The Eighth Chongtian... Your

Highness is so young and has already broken through the Seventh Chongtian.

You’re the best among your peers. The younger generation will have a lot to

fear."

Zong Zi

Heng smiled lightly and did not say anything. His uncle broke through the

Seventh Chongtian when he was only in his twenties. Another twenty years have

passed, yet there was still no progress. Going from the Seventh

Chongtian to the Eighth Chongtian, will determine if the Zong Clan's

descendants could step onto the path of immortality. No one in

the Zong clan has reached the Eighth Chongtian for 3 generations. And as for

the ancestors that had reached the ultimate level of the Ninth Chongtian, it

had long since become a legend that was far beyond reach.

"Zhen

Ren, can you send a letter to

me if

there is news about the investigation of the matter of the core theft?”

"I

came here today to tell Your Highness that we have found some clues."

Zong Zi

Heng’s heart tightened.

"That

Gong Shu Ju was once obtained by the Kunlun Cangyu Sect’s elder. About eight or

nine years ago, this person died in an accident while performing an exorcism,

and Gong Shu Ju’s whereabouts became unknown. In recent years, there has been

an organization specializing in hunting cores circulating in the Jianghu,

called the Lion Alliance. They have already killed several cultivators.

According to the survivors, the one holding onto the magical treasure may be

this Gong Shu Ju. Cangyu Sect has been tracking the Lion Alliance, thinking

that this person is related to the death of that elder. But the appearance of

this person was unusual, so no one knows his identity or martial skills, and

his whereabouts are still unknown."

Zong Zi

Heng said in a low voice: "Core hunting… I heard that these core hunters

usually like to find casual cultivators."

"Yes,

if they target the cultivators from well-known sects, they are sure to be

hunted down to the ends of the earth and the consequences are endless, unless…”

"Unless

someone offers a reward." Zong Zi Heng’s eyes condensed into frost,

"someone offered a large reward for both me and my brother's golden

cores."

"Most

likely so." Xu Zhi Nan said sternly, "With the statuses of Your

Highness and the Ninth Highness, and with high-ranking cultivators escorting

you both, ordinary people wouldn't dare to take action, let alone take the

golden cores unless there was a huge benefit."

Zong Zi

Heng felt really upset. He did not have any enmity with anyone and Zong Zi Xiao

was just a child. Who was so heartless? Who would want to harm them?!

"Your

Highness, there are some rumours stating that the person from the Lion Alliance

is the traitor of the Cangyu Sect who ambushed that elder during the exorcism. However,

Cangyu Sect is either concerned about saving face or there were other reasons, and

they refused to admit it. If we want to find this person, I'm afraid we cannot

do it without collaborating with the

Cangyu Sect. Elder Tai Wei planned to personally visit the Canyu Sect. Hopefully, it will be fruitful"

Zong Zi

Heng sighed: "Thank you, Zhen Ren, I... will take my leave."

---

Under the

protection of the Chunyang Sect's cultivators, Zong Zi Heng flew back to Daming

via sword flight.

When he

reached Wuji Palace, he immediately ran into Qinghui Pavilion. His mother

is very dependent on him in this palace. Although he still has siblings, his

mother has no other family other than him.

"Mother."

After stepping into Qinghui Pavilion, Zong Zi Heng couldn't wait any longer and

called out.

Shen Shi

Yao ran out hurriedly. The moment she saw Zong Zi Heng, her expression changed

several times. Worry, anger, sadness, hate; her beautiful face had become

twisted.

Zong Zi

Heng's heart sank.

Shen Shi

Yao slapped her son who was coming towards her.

Zong Zi

Heng was slapped hard. His face was tilted to the side, and he didn't move

for a long time.

Shen Shi

Yao hugged Zong Zi Heng and cried: "Why did you miss the Jialong assembly,

why did you miss the Jiaolong assembly!"

Zong Zi

Heng's gaze flickered, and finally its glow diminished. He said

softly: "I'm sorry."

Shen Shi

Yao trembled while caressing Zong Zi Heng's face: "Has mother ever hit you?

In these 16 years, mother wished to use everything I had to foster you, hoping

that you can become a useful person so that the Emperor can appreciate you and

so that others will not look down on us. Did you know that the Jialong assembly

was your chance to redeem yourself? How could you mess up in such a

crucial time!"

Zong Zi

Heng's eyes dampened: "I'm sorry, it's all my fault."

"Ahh...

What... What should we do? Your father counted on you to save face at the

Jiaolong assembly. Do you think he will still look at you?! Do you still want

to get treated coldly, get criticized, get sneered at both publicly and in

secret? You don't even have a good sword and a decent magical treasure. Aren't

you sad?"

Zong Zi

Heng lowered his head, and his tears dropped silently.

Shen Shi

Yao was unable to stop crying: "Mother is always proud of you. You are my

everything."

Other than "I'm sorry", Zong Zi Heng didn't have

anything else to say. He only felt suffocated. Every breath he took used a

lot of energy. It's his fault. He shouldn't have stayed in Gutuo Town. He

should have gone to Mount Shu earlier so that everyone wouldn't be disappointed

in him. But why did he feel like

he made a mistake, although he was walking down the path of righteousness?

Shen Shi

Yao calmed down after crying for a long time while hugging him. She asked

worryingly: "How's your injury?"

"It's

much better, mother."

Shen Shi

Yao carefully caressed Zong Zi Heng's injury, and she couldn't control her

tears once again: "When you were outside these few days, there was not a

day where I had a good night’s sleep. After hearing you got injured, it's

even... " She wiped her tears, "I know blaming you is useless, but

I'm seriously too disappointed. I’m heartbroken and disappointed again."

Zong Zi

Heng closed his lips and kept quiet.

"I

cannot stand it, not even for a second." Shen Shi

Yao looked in front with her listless eyes, "That year we were

childhood sweethearts. He was the one who said he liked me and promised to be

with me for life, but in the end, how did it end up with me seducing

him using underhanded methods? How did my son and I become undesirable? Why did

you have to endure other people's disdainful looks when you were born? "

Zong Zi

Heng was in a trance and dared not to look at his mother. This was his first

time hearing her talk about her relationship with his father. In the past, this

was a forbidden topic between them. When he was insensible and asked why his

father doesn't like him, she would always cry. After that, he didn't dare

to bring this matter up again.

"It was hard on you, but you were finally starting to look promising. No one

dares to disregard you because of the superior roots that you were born with. You

must compete with Zong Zi Mo ruthlessly. As long as you win the championship in

the Jiaolong assembly, our position in the Zong clan would be stable. Unfortunately,

this time…” Hatred invaded Shen Shi Yao’s eyes, "Unfortunately this time

someone wanted to harm you and wanted to take your life. How evil can she be?”

Zong Zi

Heng was startled: "Mother, who are you talking about?"

Shen Shi

Yao looked at Zong Zi Heng and said viciously, "Who else could it be? Who will stand

to gain the most if something happens to you and Xiao Jiu? Whose son is a

good-for-nothing who is jealous of your root and aptitude? And who is most

afraid that you would win at the Jiaolong assembly and threaten her son's

position?"

Zong Zi

Heng lowered his voice and said sharply, "How can such words be said

indiscriminately?"

Shen Shi

Yao was actually implying that Empress Li Xiang Tong wanted to harm them?!

Shen Shi

Yao sneered, "I've already heard that the core hunters who harmed you guys

usually only kill casual cultivators. Without enough temptation, they wouldn't

dare to lay a hand on the Zong family's imperial son even if they ate the bear's heart and leopard's gall*. If you two were harmed, doesn't she stand

to gain? You and Xiao Jiu have the best roots. If both of you die, no one

will laugh at Zong Zi Mo for being the son of the first wife although he has

mediocre aptitude. When both of your golden cores will be

refined and eaten by him, he will change fundamentally. It is killing two birds with one stone!"

"Mother,

don’t say anymore!" Zong Zi Heng pulled Shen Shi Yao into the inner room.

He had to admit that what she said was reasonable, but he didn't dare to think

in that direction. It was too scary.

"You

don't believe it?" Shen Shi Yao grabbed Zong Zi Heng’s arm and shook it

hard, "You've been like this since you were a child. Always thinking of

being good to others. Do you think that if you don't harm people, others won’t

harm you? Think carefully about whether what Mother said is right. The golden

cores of blood relatives are more effective when eaten. Li Xiang Tong just

wants to harm both of you. She just wants to dig your cores out and give…”

Zong Zi

Heng covered Shen Shi Yao's mouth and said in a stern voice: "Don't say

it, this will lead to death!"

Shen Shi

Yao's eyes opened wide, and the two stared at each other for a long time before

Shen Shi Yao was deflated. She yanked down her son's hand, but she was unable to calm down, and her chest

rose and fell violently.

"Zi

Heng, believe me, it must be her…”

"There

is no evidence. You must not be delusional. This matter shall not be mentioned

again."

Shen Shi

Yao covered her face, "I hate it so much. You've been victimized so badly.

For sixteen years she has made things difficult for us. Now she must be hiding in the shadows, feeling

very pleased about what she did."

"Xiao

Jiu and I are fine. We are no longer in danger. Elder Tai Wei is doing his best

to investigate this matter, and until the truth is known, these words must not

be mentioned again, not to anyone."

Both

mother and son were at a standstill when Zong Zi Xiao’s yell came from outside

the house, "Big brother!"

Zong Zi

Heng wiped his face, calmed his emotions, and walked out: "Xiao Jiu."

"Big

brother!" Zong Zi Xiao’s eyes suddenly lit up and rushed over, and he was

about to jump into his big brother's arms as per usual, but then he stopped in

time and hesitantly said, "Your injury…”

Zong Zi

Heng smiled gently and unfolded his arms: "It's almost recovered, give me

a gentle hug."

Zong Zi

Xiao carefully embraced Zong Zi Heng, and his eyes became warm, "Big

brother, you're finally back. I missed you so much."

"I'm

fine now. We're all fine."

Zong Zi

Xiao held back his tears and looked at Zong Zi Heng with burning eyes,

"Big brother, don't be sad. In four years, I will definitely win the

championship for the Zong clan at the Jiaolong assembly."

Behind

him, a cold laugh came from Shen Shi Yao.

Zong Zi

Heng’s back stiffened. Zong Zi Xiao was still young and couldn't read the

expressions of adults. He only felt that the usually gentle and affectionate

Consort Shen was acting very strange. He looked at Zong Zi Heng

incomprehensibly.

Zong Zi

Heng touched Zong Zi Xiao’s head: "Big brother believes in you." He

gazed at Zong Zi Xiao’s clear eyes. The pride and confidence in

them triggered a strange emotion in his heart. He believed that Zong Zi Xiao

could win the championship and obtain the glory that he could never get in his

life. From young till now, his younger brother always seemed to get everything that he wanted. He

would not believe himself if he said that he had never been

jealous. However, everyone had their own destiny, and he couldn't ask

for what wasn't his.

"By

the way big brother, when did you break through the Seventh Chongtian?"

"Not

long ago. I couldn't control it yet, so I drained my spiritual power in one go

the last time." If he didn’t have to risk everything on a single venture,

he definitely wouldn't dare to risk using it. Otherwise, he would have no more

power left after using one move.

"Uncle

has not been able to break through the Eighth Chongtian for so many years, and

Father is still at the Seventh Chongtian…" Zong Zi Xiao held Zong Zi

Heng’s hand and said comfortingly, "Big brother, don't worry about father

being angry. Father knew that you have broken through the Seventh Chongtian and

praised you for having good aptitude. You are so powerful, why do you need

to win in a small Jiaolong assembly to prove yourself? There are plenty of

opportunities to make a name for yourself in the immortal cultivational world

in the future."

"Really,

Father praised me?"

"Mm."

Zong Zi Xiao nodded vigorously. His eyes were shining with admiration,

"Big brother, I will try my best to catch up with you. I also want to

break through to the Seventh Chongtian, and one day in the future, break

through to the Eighth and Ninth Chongtian together with you to let the Zongxuan

Sword honor the world once

again!"

At that

time, Zong Zi Xiao would not have imagined that his grand words would

eventually come true. But when that time came, he and his big brother

would no longer have "we", and the Zongxuan Sword, after ushering in

its ultimate glory, disappeared in the rolling torrent of time.