Chapter 7: A Clear Conscience
Luo Ming Yue swiftly escorted Li Shuang to the grand hall, where they sought an audience with the Sect Master, their steps echoing like the soft beat of a drum in a quiet temple.
“The Grand Supreme Emotionless Art?” Meng Yi Fei’s eyes shone with surprise, as if he had seen a rare and priceless sword gleam in the moonlight.
A thousand years had flowed by like a meandering river.
In all that time, no disciple had ever stepped through the gates of this legendary technique.
Long ago, the Founding Ancestor had wielded this art as if it were his own soul, unmatched among the martial heroes of his era. With that supreme skill, the once-forgotten Sword Sect had carved a mighty path among the Six Great Righteous Sects.
Yet after the Ancestor ascended beyond mortal life, the elders of Sword Sect had tried in vain to replicate his triumph. They dreamed of nurturing another peerless warrior to master the mysterious technique.
But fate, like a trickster in a dark forest, was unkind.
Century after century, not one disciple could grasp even a hint of the art’s secret.
The Sword Sect’s honor withered like autumn leaves, its place among the Six Great Righteous Sects nearly lost.
Doubt began to stir in the hearts of the elders. Was the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art truly complete? Or had the Founding Ancestor left behind an unfinished path—a mystery yet unsolved?
After long debates as heated as a forge’s fire, the Sect Master of that generation reluctantly chose to abandon the ancient technique and turn to other ways.
With great effort and the unique powers of Sword Pavilion, Sword Sect barely found its balance. Yet it always remained at the lowest rank among the Six Great Sects.
Only the disciples of Emotionless Peak had never stopped their tireless search for the lost secrets of the art.
Now, after a thousand long years…
Had a new disciple finally stepped onto this ancient path?
Meng Yi Fei’s gaze darkened like storm clouds gathering before a tempest.
The Founding Ancestor had once ruled the martial world with this technique. But…
Was the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art of today still the legendary skill of old?
Did it still hold that incredible, mysterious power?
The answers lay hidden like treasures in a deep cavern.
Yet, Meng Yi Fei’s interest was kindled like the first spark of a flame.
He quickly called Li Shuang and Luo Ming Yue to his side.
In the grand hall of the Sect Master, Meng Yi Fei regarded Li Shuang with curiosity. “Li Shuang, is it true that you have chosen to cultivate the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art?”
When she first arrived at Sword Sect, her talent shone like a bright star. All had whispered of the Peerless Genius.
Even after her name faded like distant echoes, Meng Yi Fei had not forgotten her.
Li Shuang nodded calmly. “I have indeed begun cultivating the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art. Today, I ask for an audience because—”
Before she could finish, a sharp voice rang from outside.
“Sect Master, True Immortal Ling Xu requests an audience!”
Meng Yi Fei raised an eyebrow. “Let him enter.”
Li Shuang fell silent.
Moments later, True Immortal Ling Xu strode into the hall, his face as cold as forged steel.
Behind him, Sheng Yuan and Ye Zhao Zhao followed in silent shadow.
As soon as True Immortal Ling Xu stepped inside, his mighty divine sense descended upon Li Shuang like a crushing mountain weight.
Then, with a cold laugh, he mocked, “Good! Very good! What a rebellious disciple you are! You have truly cast aside my teachings and chosen your own path!”
The Mirror Heart Art had been passed down by him alone. If anyone were to abandon its study, it should have been his decision. Yet Li Shuang had boldly thrown aside his teachings without a word!
“True Immortal Ling Xu, what is the meaning of this?” Meng Yi Fei asked calmly, though his eyes sharpened like a honed blade.
True Immortal Ling Xu bowed slightly but spoke without hesitation. “Sect Master, this disciple’s heart is treacherous and deceitful! I propose we shatter her meridians and expel her from Sword Sect!”
“Master!” Sheng Yuan cried out, shocked and unable to hold back.
Shattering her meridians? Expelling her from Sword Sect?
Though he believed that his Eldest Senior Sister had made a great mistake, he never imagined punishment so severe.
True Immortal Ling Xu’s face remained as cold as winter’s ice.
He looked at Li Shuang in silence. For many years, she had deeply disappointed him.
Yet—[I must be merciful, he thought]—he was not without a shred of compassion.
He merely wished to see Li Shuang kneel in repentance, begging forgiveness.
If she showed true remorse, perhaps he would grant her another chance.
Luo Ming Yue’s muscles tensed as she instinctively stepped before Li Shuang, protecting her.
What madness was this?
Li Shuang was a genius, born only once in a thousand years. If she were expelled from the sect, their master would surely fall into despair!
“True Immortal Ling Xu, what do you mean by your actions?” Meng Yi Fei asked, deeply troubled.
True Immortal Ling Xu’s voice was as sharp as a blade, “Sect Leader, you know well that my spirit has been restless. Hearing that the Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus could calm my Qi, my disciples bravely journeyed to Snow Mountain in search of this rare flower.”
Meng Yi Fei nodded slowly. “Indeed, the Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus is famed for soothing restless spirits. Your disciples have shown true filial piety.”
True Immortal Ling Xu then turned his gaze toward Ye Zhao Zhao, his icy look softening. “My youngest disciple is indeed devoted. She faced countless dangers to retrieve the Lotus, even when surrounded by fierce Snow Monsters.”
Then his eyes darkened again, slicing toward Li Shuang like a sharpened sword. “Yet my eldest disciple, in whom I had placed my highest hopes, stood by as jealousy clouded her heart. When Zhao Zhao was in danger, she refused to help and fled instead. Such heartlessness is unworthy of Spirit Void Peak!”
His words struck like arrows to the heart.
Luo Ming Yue frowned. “True Immortal, how can you be certain Li Shuang abandoned Zhao Zhao?”
True Immortal Ling Xu’s expression grew harsher. “Zhao Zhao herself told me. Would she lie?”
“Exactly! Zhao Zhao would never lie!” Sheng Yuan quickly agreed.
Luo Ming Yue’s doubt deepened. “Were you on Snow Mountain too? Did you see Li Shuang flee?”
Sheng Yuan hesitated. “Well… we had separated to search for the Lotus, so I did not see it myself. But Little Junior Sister has no reason to deceive us!”
He spoke with fierce righteousness.
Luo Ming Yue stood stunned. “So this grave accusation rests solely on Ye Zhao Zhao’s words? You have no other proof that Li Shuang betrayed her comrades?”
Sheng Yuan fell silent.
True Immortal Ling Xu’s brow tightened further.
What was Luo Ming Yue trying to imply?
Zhao Zhao was gentle and pure. Could she truly lie?
Ye Zhao Zhao bit her lip softly, her voice as delicate as spun silk. “I… I spoke only the truth. I never blamed Eldest Senior Sister. Master, please forgive her…” [Her heart trembled with sorrow.]
True Immortal Ling Xu’s gaze softened a bit as he glared once more at Li Shuang. “Even now, your junior begs for your forgiveness! Yet you stubbornly refuse to confess?”
Luo Ming Yue turned to Li Shuang, her eyes wide with astonishment. “Have your fellow disciples lost all reason?”
Li Shuang laughed softly.
She hardly knew Luo Ming Yue well, yet it was Luo Ming Yue who first questioned Zhao Zhao’s claim, demanding proof.
As for her fellow disciples?
Not one hesitated to trust Ye Zhao Zhao’s words without thought.
Once, she had called these people her family.
But now—[How fickle fate is!]—a stranger like Luo Ming Yue showed her more fairness than those she had trusted so deeply.
Facing the Sect Leader, Li Shuang spoke clearly and steadily, her voice echoing with quiet dignity, “I have never betrayed a comrade. The Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus was gathered by my own hand, and I entrusted it to Ye Zhao Zhao to return to the others. I delayed my return because I stayed behind to face the Snow Monsters alone. My conscience is clear. I leave judgment to the Sect Leader.”
She wished not to be further entangled with the disciples of Spirit Void Peak.
Still—
The truth must be revealed.
Faith and honor must shine like the bright light of the morning sun.
Her words were as clear as the bell of a distant temple, letting the heavens witness her sincerity.
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