Chapter 281 - 142: A Helping Hand in the Snow, Chivalry and Righteousness! Spiritual Saber ’Long Day’, My Dao, Like the Sun in Central Heaven

Chapter 281: Chapter 142: A Helping Hand in the Snow, Chivalry and Righteousness! Spiritual Saber ’Long Day’, My Dao, Like the Sun in Central Heaven

’These people have lived long enough.’

’When I get back, I’ll check the Black Market to see if there’s a bounty on your heads. If there is...’

’Not a single one of you will escape.’

But the Daoist School Master from the Jinghong Daoist School was utterly stunned when he saw the girl in the white dress, who looked as though she were in mourning:

"Ye Ningzhi!?"

"What are you doing getting mixed up in this mess? Aren’t you the Secret Inheritance of our Jinghong Sword Sect, the leading figure of this generation who’s supposed to compete for a Prefecture Official position in the next ten years?"

"How did you get involved with Duan Chenzhou..."

In response, Ye Ningzhi looked toward Ji Xiu, a trace of respect in her eyes:

"It was Senior Brother who introduced us."

"If it weren’t for Senior Brother Ji, I never would have known what it takes for a Martial Artist to reach the end of their path."

"So if the Northern Garrison Command and the Prefecture Yamen try to frame him..."

"I can also testify as a witness for him."

This firm, almost brainwashed stance made the Jinghong Daoist School Master, who had been indifferent moments before, suddenly grit his teeth and glare at Ji Xiu with immense hostility.

But in Li Lin’s eyes...

...it was mostly disbelief.

’This kid is hardly without backing!’

The Prefecture Commander of the Northern Garrison Command is supporting him!

The young master of the Wine Shop considers him a brother in life and death.

The two Golden Venerable and Jade Valuable young ladies of the Grand Lineages from the Jade Shop and Embroidery Lineage both have a deep connection with him, willing to testify for him...

’When these people band together, they form a force to be reckoned with. How can you call that having no foundation?’

’Compared to him, a Hundred Households like me is nothing!’

Li Lin’s face was crestfallen, his hands trembling.

And when Gu Baichuan saw the three of them—Zhao Jiu, Cai Ling’er, and their companion—return to the prefecture and still so staunchly support Ji Xiu, his expression softened slightly:

"It seems your eye for people is truly first-rate, kid."

In response, Ji Xiu let out an "uhh," his expression a little unnatural.

’To be honest, he never expected that Cai Ling’er, whom he’d bullied into being his attendant; Ye Ningzhi, whom he’d completely conned; and Zhao Jiu, his partner in crime...’

’...would actually prove to be so loyal and devoted after entering the Prefecture City.’

’At this point, he had to admit it was a true friendship, not just a fair-weather one.’

As for Chen Hex.

He looked at Ji Xiu, who was leaning on the Sword Plaque, and sensed the shock from his three disciples at his side, Li Songxi and Yinn Hong.

They seemed to have never imagined that this junior brother of theirs had old acquaintances all over Jiangyin, and that so many people with status and backing were willing to stand up for him.

For a moment, he slid the broadsword he had partially drawn back into its sheath.

"This is the correct way."

"Befriend one group, suppress another, display your prestige, yet don’t hesitate to use thunderous methods. Only then can one have the gravitas to found a sect and become an ancestral master."

"This way, even if your school falls on hard times, there will always be like-minded people in the Dao to offer their support."

"This child is only seventeen, yet he has grasped a truth that took me half a lifetime to understand. He’s more brilliant than his Master, his Ancestral Master, and even the more distant Sword Dao Ancestral Court..."

"...far more brilliant."

"This is the king’s path."

He watched as Gu Baichuan ordered the dozens of Imperial Guard Cavalry who had come to hold them accountable to bind the Hundred Households officer and take him away. He also saw the various Grandmasters from Daoist School Street leave without a single word, their expressions profound...

He couldn’t help but murmur to himself.

「Afterward.」

He watched his fine martial nephew lightly nod to the three young talents from the prefecture...

...then turn around, bow three times to the coffin, and look toward him:

"Senior Uncle."

"I heard before that my Third Senior Brother had his legs broken and was crippled because of the Celestial Blade Daoist School affair."

"The Martial Arts standing that my Master painstakingly rebuilt through two revivals cannot be lost by me."

"My senior brothers can all defend the School."

"With so many debts on my shoulders..."

"I have no choice but to go."

As soon as these words were spoken, Yuu Zhai, who was sitting in a wheelchair, felt his palm tremble:

"Junior Brother Ji..."

When Chen Hex heard this, he nodded lightly, a look of gratification in his eyes:

"You are different from your Master and your Ancestral Master."

"If you had wanted to go before, I would have certainly stopped you. But now..."

He turned and looked toward the far end of the slightly ajar Ancestral Hall, where a long saber hung concealed in its scabbard:

"You have proven to me your own path."

"Therefore,"

"I want to give you a ’special’ gift."

’A special gift?’

Ji Xiu’s heart stirred.

"Your Ancestral Master, Wang Xuanyang."

"A saber he once used in his youth..."

"A Qi Dao Spirit Saber!"

"When he first came to Jiangyin, this was the saber he used to establish our School. This time..."

"I will pass it into your hands."

"Back then, your Ancestral Master was known as the ’Vast Sea Celestial Saber,’ the ’First Martial Artist of Jiangyin.’ He was the Leader of our School, the Top Card of our Daoist School, and received the Grand Sacrifice of the Grand Lineages all at once."

"He used this very saber for the first half of his life."

"The secrets of the ’Second Decline’ are inscribed upon this saber. I hope you will not tarnish its reputation."

Looking at the slightly ajar hall.

Chen Hex slowly paced inside, lifted up the dust-covered long saber, gave it a light shake to knock off the dust, and then...

...drew it just a fraction, revealing a gap only half a finger wide.

In that instant, a dazzling brilliance flared, reflecting thousands of tiny rays of light. It seemed to capture and contain the last rays of the setting sun, shining like the light of a candle!

"This saber is named ’Long Day.’"

"It signifies that our Dao is like the sun at high noon!"

"Today, I pass it to you!"