Chapter 1279: Sword Furnace Tales (Part 2)

Chapter 1279: Chapter 1279: Sword Furnace Tales (Part 2)

"Our sect would never establish such boring rules. Although we require disciples to focus on the Sword Dao and exert some control in this regard, these things only apply to disciples whose Dao mind hasn’t stabilized yet. Once they reach the Reincarnation Realm, as long as they don’t go overboard, the sect doesn’t meddle in these matters." Liu Xuanji glanced at Pei Yan teasingly and said, "But do you think if your current power came solely from your wife’s family influence, you would dare to bring in multiple concubines? Do you think your wife at home would allow it?"

"Oh! I get it! This Mr. Mo is afraid of his wife!" Pei Yan immediately understood Liu Xuanji’s implication and exchanged a knowing smile.

Liu Xuanji nodded with a smile and continued, "So, after Sect Leader Mo met that woman during his travels and developed a secret relationship, he did not dare to bring her back to the sect or let outsiders know. He left her outside, and it was only years later, on her deathbed, that she sent someone with the token Sect Leader Mo had left her, along with the child, to the Hongjun Sword Furnace. Seeing the token and the child, Sect Leader Mo understood the situation but still dared not make it known publicly or take the child in as his disciple, so he approached my father to have the child join the Liu Family under my tutelage."

While recounting this, a trace of disdain appeared on Liu Xuanji’s face, indicating contempt for his uncle’s actions. Pei Yan, after taking a bite of his food, said, "Ah, Mr. Mo didn’t handle it well, but your father accepted him! How old were you at that time, Elder Liu? Were you aware of this?"

"What could he do but accept? Should we have caused a public scandal and unrest in the sect?" Liu Xuanji recalled the past with resignation, "When the child came to our sect, he wasn’t even twenty. My cousin and I had been cultivating for over three hundred years and were busy establishing our positions in the Jianghu, traveling between the major sects and making a name for ourselves. We rarely stayed in the sect, so initially, no one noticed an additional junior. But we must admit, although Liu Yunpeng was an illegitimate child, he had Mo Family blood. Once he started cultivating, his extraordinary talent in the Sword Dao was undeniable. Even my father was impressed by his aptitude and, despite reservations about his background, appreciated his talent and taught him many of the Liu Family’s unique skills."

"Alas!" Liu Xuanji sighed, "Whether out of guilt toward his mother or genuine appreciation for talent, after secretly testing Liu Yunpeng’s skills and finding him exceptionally talented, the Sect Leader Mo developed affection for him. From then on, not only did my father teach him, but Liu Yunpeng also had secret access to the sect’s collected sword manuals. Moreover, Sect Leader Mo occasionally instructed him in Mo Sect’s unique techniques in the dead of night. Liu Yunpeng, innately gifted, progressed rapidly with guidance from two grandmasters."

Tossing a piece of fruit into his mouth from the fruit platter, Pei Yan frowned slightly, "Listening to you, it seems Mr. Mo wasn’t entirely unfair to Liu Yunpeng. He did offer some compensation. So how did things escalate to this point?"

"Indeed, if things had continued developing that way, as you said, it might have been a happy ending! Our current Sect Leader Mo would have gained a not-so-close brother, and the Hongjun Sword Furnace a master to guard the sect." Liu Xuanji continued, taking over Pei Yan’s words with a wry smile, "But alas, life doesn’t work that way! As some people’s powers grow, they develop ambitions they should not have. During the selection of the next sect leader, Liu Yunpeng set his sights on the sect leader position. It’s understandable, considering that during that period, Sect Leader Mo, perhaps muddled with age, showed his illegitimate son excessive favoritism, which inspired Liu Yunpeng’s courage and capability." 𝑓𝑟ℯℴ𝓂

"Back then, though many competed for sect leadership, only I, Liu Yunpeng, and Wei Yiyun from the Wei Family posed threats to Mo Baiqi. Our Liu Family, although ancestors had led the Sword Furnace, weren’t particularly keen on the sect leadership role. Neither my father nor I desired such worldly entanglements. I participated to prove my strength and, as mother requested, clear obstacles for my cousin. Pei Yan, you surely don’t think I’m being arrogant in saying this, do you?"

Seeing Liu Xuanji’s question, Pei Yan shook his head, "Not at all! So, does that mean Liu Yunpeng lost the competition and thus left the Hongjun Sword Furnace in dissatisfaction?"

"Had it simply been a defeat, he wouldn’t harbor such resentment! Sect Leader Mo promised Liu Yunpeng that if he removed all rivals for Mo Baiqi, and the two of them advanced to the final round, he would grant his illegitimate son a fair chance to challenge for the leadership, allowing him to prove himself worthy of the sect leader position."

"Oh! I see now! Mr. Mo used Liu Yunpeng and then went back on his word?" Pei Yan exclaimed in realization.

Yet Liu Xuanji shook his head with a helpless lost look, "No! In this matter, Sect Leader Mo didn’t deceive Liu Yunpeng. He genuinely wanted to give his son a chance at a fair challenge. In the history of Hongjun Sword Furnace’s leaders, though rare, there have been cases where an exceptionally talented foreign disciple impressed the families enough to become sect leader. Thus, Liu Yunpeng’s bid for leadership as an outsider wasn’t entirely out of place."

"But though Sect Leader Mo agreed, not everyone did! Pei Yan, there are no secrets that time does not reveal. The sect masters were secretly training an outsider, purely because of his remarkable talent? Yes, everyone acknowledged Liu Yunpeng’s extraordinary talent, but isn’t Hongjun Sword Furnace filled with talented individuals? What made him so special in attracting such attention? Inquisitive minds did not leave it alone. Sect Leader Mo’s past affairs couldn’t remain hidden, and my aunt had known the truth all along. While angry, she tolerated her husband’s actions, overlooking them as a tacit approval. However, while she could bear her husband privately teaching Liu Yunpeng martial arts, she couldn’t tolerate the illegitimate son aspiring to surpass her child and seize what rightfully belonged to her son."

"Ah, given her position, her feelings aren’t wrong, and though Liu Yunpeng pursued leadership, it wasn’t wrong either. Ultimately, it’s Mr. Mo who acted poorly," Pei Yan, engrossed in Liu Xuanji’s tale, commented while munching on the fruit platter.