This generation of Sword Mountain truly witnessed its rise and fall. Through reflection and corrections, they gained deep insight.
For Sword Mountain to rise again, they must first establish their beliefs and nurture people. Only then could it return to its former glory.
Sword Immortal Dongqing and Xu Chenghuang were the leaders of their generation. Their fates were tied to Sword Mountain’s—flourishing together, falling together. The older elders withdrew under criticism, bearing the shame. This was the only path Sword Mountain could take.
Sword Immortal Dongqing said, “It wasn’t until Elder Jing climbed Sword Mountain alone that we were truly awakened. Admitting past mistakes was only right.”
Chen Changsheng felt a heavy heart. He couldn’t help thinking this generation would surely lead Sword Mountain uphill again.
He cupped his hands respectfully. “I admire your resolve. Sword Mountain will shine once more.”
Xu Chenghuang shook his head. “You flatter us, Mr. Chen. We merely shoulder the mistakes we deserved.”
Both past and present elders bore the consequences of earlier errors.
It was never too late to mend what was lost.
Sword Immortal Dongqing paused, surprised. “You and Elder Jing were acquaintances?”
Chen Changsheng nodded. “Yes. When Great Jing fell, I went north while he journeyed south—I know not where. We haven’t met in years. I hoped to learn more from both of you.”
Xu Chenghuang hadn’t expected such a connection between Mr. Chen and Sword Mountain either.
Sword Immortal Dongqing sighed regretfully. “I fear you’ll be disappointed. Elder Jing never returned to Sword Mountain after that day. We’ve heard nothing since.”
“Is that so…”
Chen Changsheng sighed softly. “He always preferred drifting freely. Likely no one knows his whereabouts.”
“A fitting description of the elder,” Xu Chenghuang acknowledged, having interacted with Elder Jing before. The man was uniquely independent, untroubled and content.
“Whether we meet again depends on fate.”
Chen Changsheng chuckled lightly but asked no further questions.
Some things couldn’t be forced.
Since they were friends, they’d surely reunite someday.
Having asked what he came for and retrieved the item he needed from Sword Mountain, Chen Changsheng knew it was time to leave.
Any longer would risk overstaying.
The teacups ran empty.
Conversation at the table quieted.
Chen Changsheng set down his cup and stood to leave.
“Allow me to escort you,” offered Sword Immortal Dongqing personally.
Two streaks of sword light departed Sword Mountain’s summit.
Before leaving, Chen Changsheng used some grass and a leaf from Sword Mountain to leave behind something.
“Heed my request: give this blade of grass and leaf to Jiang Chengxiu. They belong to him.”
Sword Immortal Dongqing guessed what lay within them—likely the two sword techniques: Sword Cry: Guanyin’s Sigh and Sword Cry: Carefree Joy.
As for the final sword technique…
He suspected his thoughts aligned with Mr. Chen’s. Though magnificent as dreams, that world-weary sword shouldn’t burden Jiang Chengxiu again.
Sword Immortal Dongqing bowed. “On Senior Brother Bai’s behalf, I thank you.”
Chen Changsheng acknowledged this with a nod. “Farewell.”
“Safe travels.”
Sword Immortal Dongqing watched the sword streak vanish into the distance.
He exhaled deeply. Mr. Chen’s visit answered many puzzles—the first news of their senior brother in these long years.
It brought joy, yet also loneliness.
Strange feelings these were.
But to Sword Immortal Dongqing, they leaned toward hope.
Senior Brother Bai—no, Jiang Chengxiu now—would find brighter days.
And Sword Mountain too would flourish once more.
.
.
Chen Changsheng rode the Rain-Listening Sword toward the Southern Garden.
From his sleeve, Manyue inquired, “Earlier, why not tell them it was you who guided Senior Brother Bai’s soul from the Spirit Cage?”
Manyue remembered clearly—how Chen Changsheng once gathered precious shards of Heaven and Earth’s power, expending them all to force an opening and send just a soul beyond.
Chen Changsheng pondered the question. “He’s already reborn, yes? If we meet again, why dwell on old ties?”
Manyue smiled at his words. “That’s just like you.”
Chen Changsheng also smiled faintly. “I rarely value worldly bonds—yet sometimes feel they matter profoundly.”
Fleeting yet deeply compelling.
Manyue asked, “Such as the lady Yun in Qingshan City?”
Chen Changsheng paused before replying simply, “She matters deeply.”
Manyue understood but pressed further. “And Yu Xuan? Does she matter?”
Chen Changsheng hesitated again. “She matters too.”
“Ah.”
Manyue probed no further, yet Chen Changsheng’s tone implied a distinction. His inner scales perhaps weighed one against the other.
It resonated with what he’d spoken before inside the Spirit Cage:
“The self I am now—is me. Not the man I once was.”
Though Chen Changsheng acknowledged past karma, an unbreachable wall remained.
But this wasn’t his failing.
Chen Changsheng viewed karma lightly—perhaps because truly, he never longed for immortality or fairy realms.
…
The Southern Garden within the Thirty-Three Heavens remained serene.
This quiet world seemed wholly undisturbed by Chen Changsheng’s comings or goings.
Many matters rested with Chen Changsheng himself—the place’s former master? Perhaps. Yet he seemed unwilling to claim it fully.
His heart craved life’s bustling hum, not such stillness.
Arriving here left Manyue momentarily speechless.
She questioned softly, “Yu Xuan once resided here, didn’t she?”
Chen Changsheng asked, “You knew this?”
“In the Spirit Cage,” Manyue replied, “She recreated a courtyard—just like this one. Sadly, neither stands any longer.”
“I see…”
Chen Changsheng offered only that fleeting remark before turning his thoughts toward the well. Hand-in-hand with Manyue, he entered the Demon Realm once more.
Manyue observed that swirling haze of lethal aura. “No misnomer, the Demon Realm. A gathering place for true baleful energy.”
Chen Changsheng stated, “It should serve our purpose.”
Manyue agreed. “Unquestionably.”
Within Heaven and Earth, perhaps this vortex of vicious power offered sanctuary.
But Manyue’s attention caught suddenly—traces of devil qi coiled nearby.
“Such familiar fiendish essence.”
Chen Changsheng explained. “Likely left behind by the Summoning Demon Divine Monarch. I’ve already sealed it.”
“May I see?”
“Of course.”
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