The Enraged Disciple’s Shadow

“You alright?” Chi Qiu asked, noticing Su Hanxing’s pale and troubled expression as he stood rooted to the spot.

“I’m fine.” Su Hanxing spoke slowly, flipping his right hand to store the white crystal into his spatial ring. He then lifted his head, forcing a smile that seemed more like a grimace. “Little Chi, did you… see the words within this scroll?”

Chi Qiu paused, then nodded. “I saw them.”

She had been standing quite close to Su Hanxing, and as a cultivator, her eyesight was exceptionally keen. There was no way she could have missed it.

“While it’s difficult to ascertain the location of a Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivator, this is the Imperial City. Even such powerful cultivators wouldn’t dare to engage in a full-blown battle here. Why such distress?” Chi Qiu inquired, seeing Su Hanxing’s continued look of profound worry. “Moreover, you possess the Tianyan Art for divination, and a divine ability like Starfall Step to ensure your escape. There’s no need to fret.”

“Little Chi, you are unaware, but this Ye Yan…” Su Hanxing hesitated, then began to explain. “Ye Yan was once a disciple of my Tianyan Sect, and indeed, the previous generation’s chief disciple. He possessed extraordinary talent and also cultivated the Tianyan Art. On one occasion, while he was undertaking a sect mission, our sect unfortunately clashed with the Heart God Sect. His Dao companion perished in that conflict.”

Su Hanxing’s voice dropped to a low tone as he recounted Ye Yan’s past. “Upon his return to the Tianyan Sect, Ye Yan was consumed by a righteous fury, intent on leading the disciples in a retaliatory strike against the Heart God Sect. Yet, the two sects had already reached a reconciliation, mediated by the Daqi Imperial Family.”

“Consequently, no matter how incandescent Ye Yan’s rage, he could no longer leverage the Tianyan Sect’s power for vengeance.” At this, Su Hanxing let out a profound sigh. “Disheartened and disillusioned, Ye Yan departed from the Tianyan Sect. Several years ago, he experienced a sudden epiphany, breaking through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm. Since then, he has roamed the lands, specifically ambushing lone Heart God Sect cultivators who stray too far.”

“Should he encounter a Tianyan Sect disciple, he would cripple their cultivation, effectively forcing them to abandon the sect. As a Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivator who also cultivates the Tianyan Art, it becomes impossible to divine his location when he deliberately conceals himself. This is why we’ve been unable to locate him.”

Chi Qiu nodded slightly as she listened, finally comprehending the depth of Su Hanxing’s concern.

“He is incredibly powerful and ruthless in his methods. He also cultivates that divine ability, Starfall Step, making him exceedingly troublesome.” Su Hanxing glanced at Chi Qiu, forcing another bitter smile. “Now, Master has assigned this task to me. How am I possibly to complete it?”

“Given that, it certainly seems like a rather difficult predicament,” Chi Qiu nodded in agreement. Then, her tone shifted. “However, your Tianyan Sect elders are truly remarkably composed. To remain calm even when their own disciples are killed.”

Su Hanxing shook his head. “The elders and sect masters do not typically involve themselves in conflicts between disciples. A major sect can have anywhere from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands of disciples. If the elders and sect master were to intervene every time a disciple had a dispute with another sect, what semblance of order would remain?”

“That particular conflict, which resulted in a disciple’s death, was already considered a grave matter. The elders did step forward, demanding punishment for those responsible. After the Heart God Sect disciplined the culprits and offered substantial reparations, with the Imperial Family mediating, the matter was finally put to rest.”

“Nevertheless, this incident was truly too unjust for my senior brother Ye. I fully comprehend his decision to leave the Tianyan Sect. If I were in his shoes, I would likely do the same.” Although Su Hanxing offered an explanation on behalf of the Tianyan Sect, a lingering sense of pity for Ye Yan remained in his heart.

“While understandable, crippling the cultivation of Tianyan Sect disciples is still an excessive act. Every wrong has its perpetrator, and seeking revenge on Heart God Sect disciples is justifiable. But why inflict such cruel harm upon Tianyan Sect disciples?” Chi Qiu scoffed with a cold snort. “Even with ample compensation, I doubt it brought any solace to Ye Yan. The ‘punishment’ the Heart God Sect claimed to mete out to the culprits was likely nothing more than a few trivial, ineffective penalties.”

“We’re almost home. Let’s discuss this further once we’re back.” Chi Qiu gazed downwards, a familiar residence faintly appearing through the twilight in the distance.

“Alright.” Su Hanxing’s expression softened somewhat. He shook his head, seemingly unwilling to dwell on the sect mission any longer.

“So, what do you plan to do?” Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing sat facing each other. Chi Qiu prepared spirit tea, pouring a cup for herself and another for Su Hanxing. She then raised her own cup, took a sip, and asked.

“This matter is truly challenging. I first need to ascertain why this Ye Yan has arrived in the Imperial City.” Su Hanxing held his teacup, yet after a considerable time, he still hadn’t taken a single sip.

“Given his profound hatred for the Heart God Sect, he must undoubtedly be here for them,” Chi Qiu stated, setting down her teacup and tapping the table. “Your sect mission has no specific time limit, so you can simply draw it out.”

“Sigh… you’re right. This year’s Heavenly Martial Assembly is of a grand scale, with talented young disciples from all major sects emerging. Ye Yan’s intentions are likely not insignificant.” Su Hanxing looked conflicted.

“During this period, you and I could frequent the arenas where Heart God Sect disciples are competing. Firstly, you could search for the Heart God Sect elder your Chai Niang asked you to find. Secondly, you could also provide an account to your sect. Wouldn’t that be killing two birds with one stone?” Chi Qiu offered Su Hanxing a strategic suggestion.

“That’s not advisable. For all these years, Ye Yan has only targeted Heart God Sect and Tianyan Sect disciples. As a chief disciple of the Tianyan Sect, I could easily become his focus. Little Chi, you absolutely shouldn’t accompany me when I go out, lest you get caught in the crossfire.” Su Hanxing quickly waved his hand, rejecting Chi Qiu’s proposition.

“What’s wrong with it? Do you believe you can escape from Ye Yan’s grasp all by yourself?” Chi Qiu retorted. Su Hanxing considered this for a moment, then shook his head.

“I’ve made significant progress in my recent enlightenment, and my strength has greatly improved. I believe I’m no weaker than you now. If we join forces, we might just be able to fight our way to the city guards of the grand commandery from Ye Yan.” Chi Qiu harbored her own uncertainties, but Su Hanxing had shown her immense kindness, and she simply could not bear to watch him face such danger alone.

“Allow me a moment to ponder this…” Su Hanxing’s face was etched with worry. He propped his chin with his hand, lost in thought.

“Speaking of which, you still haven’t told me about the history of animosity between the Tianyan Sect and the Heart God Sect.” Chi Qiu, seeing Su Hanxing’s continued troubled expression, decided to divert the conversation after a brief pause.

“The conflict between the Tianyan Sect and the Heart God Sect can be traced back tens of thousands of years. At that time, my sect’s Grand Elder had just founded the Tianyan Sect and was still relatively small and vulnerable.” Su Hanxing paused, then slowly began to recount the origins of the feud.

“Back then, the Tianyan Sect’s chosen location was not far from the Heart God Sect, and the two sects frequently experienced friction. Later, as both sides strived to expand and grow stronger, they began to engage in fierce battles over territory, and their conflict intensified. Ultimately, under the mediation of the Daqi Imperial Family, my sect’s Grand Elder and the founder of the Heart God Sect engaged in a secret duel. The outcome of that battle remains unknown to this day.”

“Unknown? Then how was the territorial dispute ultimately resolved?” Chi Qiu asked, her curiosity piqued.

“In the end, both sides conceded. Our Tianyan Sect relocated to the God Concealing Domain, while the Heart God Sect moved to Wufeng Commandery.” Su Hanxing clarified. “Later, during various sect conventions, the Heart God Sect repeatedly instigated trouble. However, the conflicts between elders and sect masters transformed into disputes between disciples, and this pattern has persisted until now.”

“Since both sides took a step back, it must have been at least a draw, right?” Chi Qiu was no longer particularly interested in the subsequent friction between the Tianyan Sect and the Heart God Sect. Her greatest curiosity now lay in the duel between their founders.

“I’m not entirely sure either. I imagine the strength difference wasn’t significant,” Su Hanxing shook his head, indicating his lack of certainty.

“I recall you mentioning earlier that the Heart God Sect’s cultivation methods significantly counter the Tianyan Sect’s. It seems your Tianyan Sect’s founder must have been exceptionally powerful,” Chi Qiu mused, stroking her chin as she speculated.

“Not necessarily. Although the true qi condensed by the Tianyan Art is initially weaker, it undergoes a profound transformation upon advancing to the Dharma Manifestation Realm.” Su Hanxing finally took a sip of tea. “After this transformation, it is no longer inferior to the true qi of cultivators practicing other Heaven-tier cultivation methods. Otherwise, my Tianyan Sect would not have been able to secure a place among the Daqi’s Nine Great Sects.”

“I see…” Chi Qiu mused thoughtfully, connecting this information to the immense starry Dharma Manifestation that Elder Su He had manifested back in Sishui Marsh.