The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS

The midday sunlight cast down on Chunyang Palace, as Yun Zheng, having finished his daily sword training, returned from the back mountain. Amidst the greetings of the junior disciples, he headed towards the Pure Yang Palace Main Hall.

A year had passed since the end of the Debating Conference. After the death of his master and senior brother at the conference, enmity and competition arose between the second brother and the third brother. All of it was for the position of Pure Yang Palace Master.

Ultimately, second brother Yun Feng prevailed with superior skills, securing the support of Dragon Tiger Mountain, and ascended to the position of Palace Master. As the price, the Young Heavenly Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain personally transcribed from Chunyang Palace's "Pure Yang True Understanding" and the "Heavenly Escape Sword Technique", these two absolute skills.

At that time, Yun Zheng showed not a hint of discontent, nor any sadness, for these emotions had long disappeared from his heart.

Upon returning from Taizhen Palace, Yun Zheng's heart rapidly changed under the influence of some power. Over time, all extraneous emotions had vanished, yet somehow he still understood the essence of those emotions like ordinary people.

Initially, Yun Zheng thought he gained enlightenment and saw through everything. But deep down, he felt alienated from his own change, and a slight fear.

However, after last year's August fifteenth, that fear and unfamiliarity distanced themselves from him. Grand thoughts from afar assimilated Yun Zheng, turning him into a vassal of another person.

Yun Zheng walked to the outside of the main hall, taking one last look at the spring sun, "So, being too close to the sun, really, will melt you in its rays······"

He walked into the hall and heard the conversations of the people inside.

"Please convey to the Young Heavenly Master that our Chunyang Palace will certainly follow Dragon Tiger Mountain's lead. That Demon Path desires to become Sect Leader of Zhenwu Sect, it's a dream."

This was the voice of second brother Yun Feng, slightly flattering, slightly humble, merely veiled by enthusiasm.

No way around it, relying on others, always makes one inferior. Although Chunyang Palace is far from Dragon Tiger Mountain, being under its protection is a fact. This is no different from living under someone else's roof.

"How pathetic." Yun Zheng sighed softly.

"Little brother?" Yun Feng turned in surprise to the junior brother who appeared in the hall unbeknownst to him.

When did he come, and how long had he been there, Yun Feng hadn't noticed. Since returning to the sect, this junior brother had paid no attention to affairs, usually practicing swordsmanship and exercises, occasionally wandering within the palace, chatting briefly with disciples.

Over time, Yun Feng almost forgot this junior brother. Compared to third brother Yun Miao, Yun Zheng really was too obedient.

But today, it seemed Yun Feng hadn't paid enough attention to this junior brother, for his strength had reached such a level unnoticed.

After a moment of surprise, Yun Feng smiled and introduced the Taoist in the wind-cloud-patterned Daoist robe beside him: "Daoist Zhang, let me introduce you, this is my junior brother Yun Zheng, the disciple my late master valued most. He is truly a genius, having mastered the 'Heavenly Escape Sword Technique' long ago, unlike someone dull like myself."

The Taoist from Dragon Tiger Mountain's eyes lit up, "Then I must seek advice from Yun Zheng Daoist friend. Your sect's 'Heavenly Escape Sword Technique' is too profound, I've studied it for half a year but haven't grasped any hint. Why is that?"

While speaking of studying the 'Heavenly Escape Sword Technique', this exclusive skill of Chunyang Palace, Daoist Zhang's face showed not a trace of discolored emotion, as if it were only natural.

No way around it, Yun Feng, this Palace Master, went to great lengths to flatter Daoist Zhang; when the upper is crooked, the lower follows suit. Naturally, the rest of the disciples wouldn't think highly of Daoist Zhang.

Even if you're a genius who mastered the 'Heavenly Escape Sword Technique', wouldn't you still obediently disclose the sword technique secrets for Daoist Zhang, an outsider, to study?

"This······" Yun Feng thought to himself that things were going wrong, knowing this junior brother Yun Zheng's disposition as someone who'd never bend, how could he suffer such insult?

For more than a year, Yun Zheng had been practicing hard, which Yun Feng saw as preparation to reach the strength necessary to avenge True Master Tianyang.

"Junior brother, you······"

As the thought raced through his mind, Yun Feng was about to speak to stop Yun Zheng's angry words but was cut off by an unexpected sentence.

"Okay."

Saying this, Yun Zheng smiled without a trace of dissatisfaction, appearing quite amiable.

"In that case, Daoist Zhang, why not stay at our sect for a few days, let my junior brother explain the sword technique secrets to you in detail?" Yun Feng quickly recovered, masking his surprise, and responded promptly.

"No need," Yun Zheng said, "The sword technique secrets are actually simple, easily understood once heard. Elder brother may also listen, you might just master the swordsmanship too."

He said thoughtfully, "Our Pure Yang Ancestor once said: 'A sword raised can strike distant stars, following wind and thunder even amid rain.' In practicing swordsmanship, the most important attribute is one's mindset. Unwavering decisiveness is the foundation of Sword Dao, and is most crucial.

Hesitation leads to defeat. Only with swords drawn from a resolute heart can one strike adversaries a thousand miles away, moving like wind and thunder. Just like······"

A pure white Sword Light flashed in Yun Zheng's eyes, the Sword Intent materializing, surging into the Pure Yang Sword at Yun Feng's side.

"Clang——"

The sword hummed, and a head fell. The path of the Sword Light was elusive, Yun Feng only felt his hand lighten, the Pure Yang Sword already suspended beside Yun Zheng, its tip inclined toward the ground, a drop of blood falling.

"······like this."

Ignoring the head on the floor, eyes unwillingly closed, Yun Zheng softly spoke to Yun Feng, "Elder brother, have you grasped the essence of it?"

Yun Feng watched as the Pure Yang Sword's tip pivoted towards him, retreating three steps in alarm and dread, "Yun Zheng, you're crazy! Killing people from Dragon Tiger Mountain, do you wish to die and drag us along with you!"

"It seems you still don't understand······"

Shaking his head calmly, the Sword Light flickered again, a sword mark appearing on Yun Feng's forehead, eyes wide open as he fell.

Yun Zheng gently caressed the bloodless blade, murmuring, "Third brother, do you understand?"

Beyond the great hall, Yun Miao silently stepped forward, stepping into the hall, clasping his hands respectfully, "Chunyang Palace is wholeheartedly at your command, junior brother."

No choice but to submit. Yun Feng, busy with affairs, didn't see clearly, but Yun Miao, the defeated, had enough time to observe the changes within Chunyang Palace.

Unknowingly, resentment against Dragon Tiger Mountain deepened among the Pure Yang Palace disciples. Being powerless themselves, they pinned their hopes on someone else. That person was Yun Zheng.

Yun Miao didn't know what magical power Yun Zheng held, winning the support of most disciples just within a year. Even some of Yun Feng's subordinates were willing to serve Yun Zheng.

Even if Yun Miao disagreed, he would only become another wandering ghost in this great hall. Chunyang Palace would not change due to his death, only by the decisions of this junior brother before them.

"It seems you understand quite well, elder brother."

Yun Zheng turned, revealing a serene smile, "Dragon Tiger Mountain has oppressed our Chunyang Palace for a long time. We will not let it go. I have already spoken with Master Qing Yu of Zhenwu Sect, he will extend his protection over Chunyang Palace. I can assure you, Zhenwu Sect will not covet our sect's skills, nor will they elevate themselves over us. We will reclaim our dignity."

Dignity, such a precious yet affordable word. Some regard it lightly, others view it as life. Many live their entire lives just to live with dignity.

"Yes, Palace Master." Yun Miao bowed deeply.

"Chunyang Palace, it is mine now." Thousands of miles away, the white-haired Taoist whispered to himself.