Martial Cultivator

A world of peace.

These four simple words carried the weight of a thousand pounds.

The emperors of the past in Great Liang, as well as those from earlier generations of human rulers, had all dreamed of these four words. Now, the Great Liang Emperor thought of them too.

However, even the Great Liang Emperor, who stood closest to these four characters, still had some distance to go before achieving such a world.

Yet this young monk standing before him could utter those four words so calmly.

The Great Liang Emperor looked at him. There was no doubt in his eyes, instead, he said with some appreciation, "My Dao has never been alone."

The young monk replied, "Your Majesty, have you not heard? Those who are enlightened on the Dao are often aided by many, while those who lose it are left with few."

The Great Liang Emperor opened his mouth, hesitating as if something were on the tip of his tongue, yet he could not speak it at this moment.

Was the young monk before him really the same black-robed monk from his past, the one with whom he had shared such a deep bond?

Perhaps this was truly just a flower that resembled the other?

After a moment, the Great Liang Emperor shook his head and let go of the thought. It no longer mattered whether the young monk was the same old friend or just a similar flower, or even the spiritual legacy of that friend.

The heart is in one place; there's no need for a thousand words.

The Great Liang Emperor said nothing more, but slowly turned and walked off into the distance. His back view was solitary, yet still towering, like a great mountain.

He had always been the mountain of the Great Liang Dynasty.

Since his ascension to the throne, he had been the highest mountain of the Great Liang Dynasty. With him there, the people of the Great Liang Dynasty felt a deep sense of security.

But after today, the mountain would hide behind the clouds, and who could say when the mist would clear for it to be seen again?

The young monk watched the Great Liang Emperor's departing back view. He clasped his hands together in prayer and, after a long silence, suddenly called out in a resonant voice, “Your Majesty, the mortal world stretches for countless miles, take your time!”

The Great Liang Emperor did not turn around. His figure merely paused for a moment before slowly dissipating into nothingness.

……

……

News of the death of the Infatuation Daoist Temple Master had already spread, shaking the world beyond the secular. After all, this was the leader of Daoism. Although Infatuation Daoist Temple did not disclose the cause of death, many could naturally guess that it was linked to the Great Liang Emperor, given the series of great battles that had recently erupted in the Divine Capital.

After the battles in the Divine Capital, many sects dispatched cultivators to investigate the events. While they had only pieced together fragmented information, it was widely known that the Great Liang Emperor had fought the Temple Master of Infatuation Daoist Temple and the Sword Sect's Sect Master in succession before heading to the desolate north.

Later, people learned that the Demon Emperor had also journeyed to the desolate north.

Beyond this, no new information had reached the world.

Numerous cultivators of considerable cultivation levels had long since rushed to the borders of the desolate north, hoping to uncover some news. Yet even after more than ten days, they were unable to set foot in that region.

People knew that the Demon Emperor and the Great Liang Emperor were locked in a deadly battle in the desolate north. But no one knew when the battle would end, perhaps it had already concluded. And as for the outcome, no one had any idea.

They could only wait.

In the first few days, people could still wait patiently, but over time, they began to become more restless. Some traveled to the Sword Sect, hoping to extract news from the Sword Sect's Sect Master, only to be met with closed gates.

The world's number one sword sect had chosen to seal its mountain after the return of the Sword Sect's Sect Master.

When it would reopen was uncertain.

Though the Sword Sect did not hold the same status as the Infatuation Daoist Temple, no one dared to force their way in. After all, aside from the Sword Sect's Sect Master, the Sword Sect was also home to countless sword immortals and sword cultivators. If this group of people went on a rampage, they might be even harder to deal with than the Infatuation Daoist Temple.

As a result, people pinned their hopes on the inauguration ceremony for the new temple master of the Infatuation Daoist Temple, planning to visit and gather news firsthand.

As the leader of Daoism, the Infatuation Daoist Temple could not remain leaderless for even a day. A grand ceremony was necessary to announce the new temple master to the world and mark the change of leadership. Despite the lingering grief within the temple, preparations for the grand ceremony had begun.

Countless disciples of the temple traveled far and wide, delivering invitations to notable figures across the land, inviting them to attend the ceremony at the Infatuation Daoist Temple.

At the temple's back mountain, the Chief Enforcer who was now dressed in a fresh daoist robe, sat beneath an ancient pine tree, gazing at the sea of clouds in the distance. A pot of tea rested before him.

The rising steam from the tea slowly dissipated into the air.

Not far away, a black ox was chewing on a pure white radish. Judging by its appearance, it was no ordinary radish, it was likely some kind of spiritual herb.

After finishing the radish, the black ox grinned obsequiously and said, “Congratulations, Sage! Now that you are no longer under anyone's control, you can roam the world freely. Who would dare act presumptuously in front of you, Sage?”

The Chief Enforcer glanced at the black ox and replied calmly, “Senior Brother fell into the depths of the sea, and his body has yet to be found. My heart remains uneasy.”

Hearing this, the black ox grumbled inwardly, What's the point of saying such nonsense? You've already taken the position of Temple Master. Isn't this just empty talk?

“Sage, even if he somehow survived by the slimmest chance, the seal has already fallen into your hands. No one knows what truly happened that day. When the time comes, everything will be open to interpretation. Could he possibly reclaim the position of temple master?”

The black ox chuckled. “Even if he speaks, Sage can speak up too. The temple's disciples won't necessarily heed him anymore. Besides, Sage, you saw it yourself, the waves on that sea were so fierce that even at your peak, you would avoid them, let alone him.”

The Chief Enforcer recalled the monstrous waves of that day, their sheer terror still vivid in his mind. He nodded slightly. “Indeed, the winds and waves on that immortal sea are not something mortals can withstand. With Senior Brother gravely injured, there is no way he could return alive.”

The black ox quickly nodded and said, “Sage is absolutely correct. The outcome is a foregone conclusion. How could it possibly change?”

The Chief Enforcer nodded but soon frowned and said, “However, Yun Jianyue will not believe it so easily. Moreover, Senior Brother still has many followers within the temple. Caution is still necessary.”

The black ox smiled and said, “What's there to worry about? Sage, can't you just get rid of those people when the time comes?”

The Chief Enforcer scolded, “What do you know, animal? Right now, at such a delicate moment, it's precisely when nothing should be done. Any reckless action will only backfire.”

Being called an animal again, the black ox felt displeased but quickly forced a grin. “Sage is absolutely right.”

The Chief Enforcer suddenly turned his head to look at the black ox before him and said calmly, “All who knew this secret are already dead. Only you remain. If you dare to speak recklessly, consider the consequences yourself.”

The black ox replied pitifully, “Sage, do you really not know what kind of obedient ox I am? Why do you still doubt me at this point, Sage?"

The Chief Enforcer remained silent.

……

……

Sword Sect.

In a cave dwelling in the rear mountain, the pale-faced Sword Sect's Sect Master stood at the edge, sensing the pervasive sword intent throughout the sect. After a long silence, he suddenly said, “Summon Yu Xiyi to see me.”

Although the Sect Master's voice was soft, every sword cultivator in the Sword Sect could hear it clearly.

Before long, a sword cultivator approached and said respectfully, “Sect Master, Yu Xiyi left the mountain several days ago, and his whereabouts are unknown.”

The Sect Master's expression turned complicated, his eyes filled with mixed emotions. “I understand.”

Waving off the sword cultivator, the Sword Sect's Sect Master slowly turned around and muttered with self-mockery, “Does he find being a Sword Sect's sword cultivator shameful?”

“Yes, following a Sect Master like me would naturally feel shameful.”c

The Sword Sect's Sect Master shook his head. After receiving guidance from the Great Liang Emperor, reflecting again on Yu Xiyi's earlier words, he now regarded them as precious truths. He even thought that the young sword prodigy, once imprisoned by his own limitations, might one day reach far greater heights. Moved by a sense of appreciation for talent, he had initially planned to pass on his lifetime's insights on Sword Dao to Yu Xiyi before retreating into seclusion. However, since Yu Xiyi was no longer in the sect, he naturally dropped the idea.

“Forget it. Your Sword Dao may not necessarily be inferior to mine. Perhaps you'll carve out a new path that we sword cultivators have never seen before. Why should I dwell on this?”

After speaking, the Sword Sect's Sect Master said calmly, “From this day forward, this sect master enter seclusion, with no set date for return. Sect affairs will be managed by the martial uncles. They have full authority, but under no circumstances are they to provoke the Great Liang or actively make enemies with them. In matters that do not harm the sect's foundation, they may extend favors to Great Liang. No sword cultivator in the sect shall defy these instructions. If anyone disobeys, they will be executed without mercy upon this sect master's return.”

After a brief silence, the Sword Sect's Sect Master added, “As for the matter of Sword Qi Mountain, you may send people up the mountain to negotiate. However, you mustn't coerce with force. If Sword Qi Mountain refuses to allow our disciples to go and claim swords, then the Sword Sect's sword cultivators shall temporarily use the flying swords within the sect.”

“This life of mine has been dedicated solely to pursuing the pinnacle of Sword Dao. My actions have often prioritized my own goals, neglecting all else. Only now does this sect master realize that I have strayed onto the wrong path. Thus, here's one piece of advice to all disciples of the sect: It's good for us sword cultivators to keep the sword in our hearts, but it must not be the only thing in our hearts. Even if one reaches Nepenthe and becomes a so-called Sword Immortal, one will never glimpse the true peak of Sword Dao if one's heart holds only the sword. These words are to be written into the sect's rules, and every new disciple must commit them to memory upon joining.”

“This sect master has erred. May none of you repeat this sect master's mistakes.”

……

……

The voice of the Sword Sect's Sect Master echoed throughout the entire Sword Sect. It seemed as though this sect master had not made any visible changes to the number one sword sect in the world, but as the highest peak in the hearts of all sword cultivators, his words would naturally influence some of them.

This was almost a destined outcome.

The Sword Sect might not see any immediate changes, but the words spoken by the Sword Sect's Sect Master today would undoubtedly act like a silent spring rain, gradually transforming the Sword Sect's ethos.

Perhaps it would take a few years, or maybe a dozen years, or even a hundred years.

Eventually, the Sword Sect would undergo a complete transformation.

This story's ending remains unknown, but its beginning undoubtedly stemmed from the Great Liang Emperor's guidance to the Sword Sect's Sect Master.

Perhaps only in this way could it be proven that the Great Liang Emperor was not merely the Emperor of Great Liang, but truly the common ruler of all under heaven.