Nearly all the Bixia Sect disciples who were present had been either killed or injured during the battle in the inner area, and the remainder were all worn down and listless, unable to collect themselves. And so no one had realized Shen Qiao’s strike had come with a fully formed sword intent—in fact, it approached the echelon of sword heart. The likes of Ruan Hailou had been able to tell, but he’d never lift his enemy’s spirits by saying so.
“Who are you?!” Ruan Hailou snarled as he held the weeping gash on his hand.
“Shen Qiao.” He returned his sword to his sheath, his voice quiet and gentle, but it sounded clearly in everyone’s ears.
Most people didn’t show any particular response, but Pu Anmi’s expression filled with horror, as if he’d seen a ghost. “You’re Shen Qiao?!”
“It seems this young master recognizes me. May I ask for your esteemed name?”
Pu Anmi silently repeated to himself that it was impossible. Then he pulled himself together and offered a smile. “My master is Kunye. I trust that Daoist Master Shen is familiar with him.”
Shen Qiao had excellent self-control—he showed little reaction to the name of the opponent who’d thrown him off a cliff and left him grievously injured. With a slight nod, he said, “An old friend indeed.”
Having brought up his shifu’s name, Pu Anmi’s confidence returned. “Ever since that battle on Banbu Peak, my master has missed Daoist Master Shen dearly. He even worried that you might have died from the fall. Fortunately, Daoist Master Shen overcame disaster through the blessings of heaven. My master isn’t far from here; I trust that he’ll be on the mountain by tomorrow. Then there can be a reunion between old friends, and Daoist Master Shen can catch up with my master properly!”
At the name Banbu Peak, most people there realized who Shen Qiao was.
All Shiwu knew was that some of the gazes directed at Shen Qiao angered him greatly. He couldn’t help but frown to himself, stepping forward a little to block those eyes.
Shen Qiao seemed to sense Shiwu’s thoughts. He smiled a little and placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder, his voice still gentle and mild. “Indeed, there should be a proper reunion between old friends.”
He then changed the topic. “I trust you’re not all here because of me, so I must ask you to resolve the matter at hand first.”
“Even in Goguryeo, I heard of Daoist Master Shen,” Ruan Hailou said coldly. “It’s truly a pleasure to meet you today. However, these are Bixia Sect’s internal affairs, and Daoist Master Shen has no reason to interfere. May I ask why you’re here?”
If it were anyone else, Ruan Hailou would have made the first attack in a bid for the upper hand long ago. But Shen Qiao’s move had thoroughly shaken the audience, and it made him wary.
Shen Qiao sighed. “I have no intention of interfering with Bixia Sect’s internal matters. However I came here today to return a junior to his sect and forefathers. Surely I cannot simply stand by and watch you massacre the entire sect?”
Yue Kunchi was confused. “Daoist Master Shen, who is this junior you speak of?”
Shen Qiao briefly explained Shiwu’s background. Yue Kunchi gasped and blurted out, “He’s Zhu-shishu’s disciple?!”
From the sidelines, Ruan Hailou burst into laughter. “Good! Very good! Seems like today’s a good day. All our old friends have gathered here. Zhu Lengquan didn’t come himself, but he sent us his disciple! If he were still here, I’d ask him to say a couple of words, for the sake of justice. Tell us which is the truth: was Hui Leshan devoid of compassion and righteousness, or did I really deserve to be expelled from the sect?!”
Yue Kunchi slowly exhaled a lungful of stagnant air. “Ruan-shishu, this will be the last time I call you Shishu. Before my master passed away, he too mentioned what happened between you, and I could hear the awful regret in his voice. He must have thought that he’d made many mistakes back then too—he even told me that, if I were to ever see you again, I must respectfully greet you as Shishu, just the same as before. But those were the past generation’s grudges. Even if you care little for your fellow sect members, you should remember the great favor the sect did in raising you. But today, you even…even…”
He looked at the corpses strewn across the ground, at the sheer desolation all around him. He found it difficult to continue, and his voice dropped low with anguish. “What wrong have the disciples of Bixia Sect committed? They didn’t see that happen, and they weren’t involved. So why did they have to die?! Lu Feng, you were an elder. Yet you colluded with outsiders…”
Irritated, Lu Feng cut him off. “Enough, I’ve always hated the way you kick up a fuss! If Zhao Chiying were willing to give a little more attention to sect administration, Bixia Sect wouldn’t have fallen to the deplorable state we’re in now! Those people died because they were incompetent. So what if they’re dead?! If you’re sensible, you’ll hand over the leadership right now. No matter who takes over Bixia Sect in the future, we’d be in better hands than yours!”
“And what if I refuse?” said Yue Kunchi.
Pu Anmi laughed. “Zhou is about to invade Qi, ready to charge in like the unstoppable tide. Qi’s strength has long faded. Sect Leader Ruan and Elder Lu have already pledged their loyalty to Ishbara Khagan of the Eastern Göktürk Khaganate, and they were both granted government posts and noble titles. If Elder Yue is willing to see things clearly and lead Bixia Sect in paying allegiance to the Khaganate too, then there’s a bright future ahead for you.”
After that, he seemed to recall something. He turned to Shen Qiao. “I almost forgot to tell Daoist Master Shen, but it’s about your shidi, the current Xuandu Mountain Sect Leader Yu. Not long ago, Ishbara Khagan conferred upon him the title of ‘Yuyang’s Bishop of Great Peace and Perfected Master.’ Truly worthy of celebration! If you hadn’t lost to my master that day, you’d be the one with the title, no?”