Volume Two: Snows of Qinchuan - Chapter Nineteen: Killing the Impetuous Man (Part III)

When Li Jingxing's consciousness returned to the Cloud Tomb, Dou Xiaotong had just awakened from the Cloud Paintings.

There were three layers to the Cloud Paintings. They had already discussed the first layer, which involved the secrets of the Immortal Realm and the Underworld within the Dao-Abyss Continent. The second layer delved deeper, containing partial records of both the Underworld and the Immortal Realm. As for the third layer, Li Jingxing had not yet thoroughly studied it, and its contents remained completely unknown to him.

"You're back?" Dou Xiaotong rubbed the space between his eyebrows and asked casually.

He was not surprised that Li Jingxing had mastered the Soul-Departing Formula. Daoist techniques depended on the person practicing them; after all, he was not a hot-blooded youth like Feng Yang, and he was not yet prone to dividing all things in the world into absolute black and white, only to fiercely attack the opposing side from a corresponding standpoint.

This world was inherently an intricate shade of gray, with neither absolute black nor absolute white.

"I'm back?" Li Jingxing smiled and asked, "Did you make out anything from it?"

Dou Xiaotong shook his head. "Not much."

"Not much" meant at least there was something.

Li Jingxing grew interested. "Let's hear it."

Dou Xiaotong thought for a moment and said, "It is very likely that the Underworld does not belong to the living beings of this realm."

Li Jingxing mused that the Underworld naturally did not belong to the living beings of this realm; let alone the Underworld, even the Immortal Realm could not be counted among the living beings of Dao-Abyss. There should have been no need for Dou Xiaotong to bring this up again.

He suddenly hesitated and asked, "Could it be that you are referring to the Immortal Realm?"

Dou Xiaotong nodded. "According to past conjectures, the Immortal Realm was a single entity containing two major factions: the immortals and the Underworld. But now, it is far more likely that the Immortal Realm consists only of the faction of immortals, while the Underworld came from across realms."

Li Jingxing suddenly recalled Feng Yang's words and said, "I just heard a very interesting theory, told to me by Feng Yang's youngest son."

If such words had been spoken by any other child, Dou Xiaotong would have had little interest—not even if it were Feng Qi or Dugu Zhe. But if that child was Feng Yang, he was quite willing to listen.

"Dao-Abyss is not a single world; it can only be called a star. Countless stars scattered across the sky form an organic integration known as the universe. We often say that ten thousand fathoms beyond the sky is the Immortal Realm, but another world called Earth has already proven that when one leaves the earth far enough behind, one enters the universe. If this statement holds true, then the so-called Immortal Realm and the universe should be the same thing."

Dou Xiaotong asked, "Could there be a second universe?"

Li Jingxing shook his head. "Since it is the universe, it naturally encompasses all stars. How could the notion of a second universe ever exist?"

After a pause, he continued, "However, if we factor in the distinctions of time and space, it is hard to say."

Dou Xiaotong thought about it and said, "Time is irreversible; of that, there is no doubt."

Li Jingxing agreed with his view and added, "Any Daoist technique related to time is actually related to speed. The variance in speed causes other people's concept of time to deviate. Put that way, isn't it then related to space?"

Dou Xiaotong said, "With high probability, yes. Since Dao-Abyss has so many spatial rifts, let alone the universe you speak of."

After a brief pause, Dou Xiaotong ultimately decided to put this matter aside for the moment and instead asked, "The Ten-Thousand-Heaven Ten-Sealing Array can be patched up for the short term, but it can never serve as a permanent seal."

Li Jingxing asked earnestly, "Why must it be permanently sealed?"

Dou Xiaotong did not quite understand.

Li Jingxing asked "why" instead of "how," which at least indicated that he had some measure of confidence regarding the matter of a permanent seal.

But how could that be possible?

The Cloud Tomb was a place where an array had been cast by those who came from the Immortal Realm. By his current standards, it was an endeavor that defied the creation of heaven and earth. What gave Li Jingxing the right to believe he could do a better job? Furthermore, why would he be unwilling to permanently seal this breach?

What was he anticipating?

Li Jingxing said, "I spent many years in this place, and I sensed the aura of the Underworld from this passage several times. Yet, in the end, they still did not send anyone over. The Descent of Yama was the very first time I witnessed a lifeform from the Underworld with my own eyes."

This was very strange.

If the Cloud Tomb allowed free entry and exit to Dao-Abyss at any time, it made no sense for the Lord of the Yama Palace to resort to the Soul-Capture Formula in order to descend.

Dou Xiaotong instantly grasped Li Jingxing's meaning and asked, "You mean... the Underworld is also wary of something?"

Li Jingxing said solemnly, "Indeed. That is why they dare not directly attack the Dao-Abyss Continent from the Cloud Tomb."

A profound glint appeared in Dou Xiaotong's eyes as he said, "Such a conjecture of yours is no different from playing with fire. If you aren't careful, you will end up burning yourself to death."

Li Jingxing replied, "Compared to being a frog boiled in warm water, I would much rather perish in a blaze of glory."

Dou Xiaotong said, "You really haven't changed at all. You always like to impose your own will on everyone else, regardless of whether they are willing or not."

Li Jingxing gave a carefree laugh and answered softly, "Because this is Li Jingxing, after all."

...

When Feng Qi returned to Trace-Free Peak, Xue Wuji had been waiting for him for a long time.

The Inter-Peak Sword Trials had not yet concluded; it seemed Xue Wuji had no intention of waiting for today's final match.

He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze falling upon Feng Qi with the weight of a thousand jun.

Feng Qi returned his look with complete composure, acting as though he felt none of the heavy pressure in the air.

In the end, Xue Wuji spoke first.

"News has come from Yanbei. The Grand Chancellor has won ten battles out of ten, successively capturing seven cities, leaving him only a hundred miles away from Yanyun."

Feng Qi gave a hum, indicating that he was aware.

Xue Wuji asked, "Would you like this master to accompany you down the mountain?"

Feng Qi raised an eyebrow.

Disciples of Xueyun Sect rarely descended the mountain. Aside from the disciples of Wind-Thunder Peak who frequently had to venture out to slay demons and vanquish devils, the rest might not descend more than a handful of times in their entire lives.

Since Xue Wuji brought this up, the underlying meaning behind his words was worth pondering.

Was it because of today's sword trials?

Or was it because of the recovery of Yanbei?

Feng Qi thought for a moment and felt that the latter possibility was greater. After all, it was impossible to keep the small moves he made in secret hidden from Xue Wuji's eyes. Perhaps in his master's eyes, the thing he wanted to do most right now was to recover Yanbei and sweep away the disobedient.

Yet what he wanted went far beyond that.

He wanted far more than the restoration of Yanbei; that was merely taking back what had been lost, and could hardly be called revenge.

He wanted Xu Hai to be shattered, the Cloud Tomb to fall, and the barbarian race to be exterminated.

He wanted those great lords standing above the clouds within Wuyang City and inside the Morning Glory Hall to become more clear-headed, to better understand the hardships faced by the frontier army.

Only by doing so could the blood shed in Yanbei be washed clean.

Therefore, he very calmly refused Xue Wuji, "This disciple has an appointment with Zhou Zihan. After the sword trials conclude, I will accompany her down the mountain to consecrate our swords."

Xue Wuji said, "There are still two months left; more than enough time."

Feng Qi shook his head. "That was the original plan."

Xue Wuji frowned.

Feng Qi looked at him and said very seriously, "I have already witnessed Eldest Senior Brother's sword, and along the way, I also saw the sword of the former Sword Child of Thousand-Fathoms Peak. It is time for me to leave."

Xue Wuji fell silent for several breaths, then sighed, "When are you leaving?"

Feng Qi said, "Tomorrow, perhaps."

Xue Wuji said no more. He gave Feng Qi a deep look, and in the blink of an eye, he vanished without a trace.

Only a crisp "tsang" sound echoed in the air.

It sounded just like a sword being drawn from its scabbard.

He shook his head, walked into his cave dwelling, and paused in surprise once more.

An uninvited guest was sitting inside the cave dwelling.

If he remembered correctly, this person was named Sun Duochen, and he was one of the disciples by Second Senior Brother's side.

Feng Qi walked over to the stone table, sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, and asked, "Is Senior Brother Sun looking for me for something?"

Sun Duochen said, "Aside from Eldest Senior Brother, who else on Trace-Free Peak would dare claim to be the Sword Child's senior brother?"

Feng Qi did not quite understand his intent, nor did he care to guess the purpose of his visit, so he said directly, "Speak your mind."

Sun Duochen said, "Be careful. Someone wants your life."

Feng Qi was slightly startled, thinking that there were plenty of people who wanted his life, yet up to this day, not a single one had succeeded.

However, why would he come out of his way to warn him?

Feng Qi could not think of any intersection between the two of them.

Sun Duochen added, "Back in the former commandery of Yuzhang, I once received a favor from the Yun family."

Feng Qi said calmly, "What does that have to do with me?"

Sun Duochen said earnestly, "Thanks to the Princess Consort imparting her techniques to me, I was able to embark on this path."

Feng Qi frowned and glanced at Sun Duochen.

Sun Duochen lowered his gaze slightly, his expression impossible to read.

Feng Qi said, "Since it was a favor bestowed by my mother, then the object of your gratitude should not be me."

Sun Duochen was briefly stunned. He had anticipated many different responses from Feng Qi, but not this one.

Feng Qi said seriously, "Kindness calls for repayment, and enmity calls for vengeance. The targets of gratitude and grudges must be clearly defined. I have bestowed no favor upon you, so I cannot bear your human debt."

Sun Duochen said, "I am merely imparting some information to you. How can this be considered a human debt?"

Feng Qi shook his head. "I do not think so."

Sun Duochen was rendered speechless, and then prepared to take his leave.

Feng Qi raised a hand to keep him.

Sun Duochen thought to himself that the Crown Prince's action made what he had just said sound remarkably like utter nonsense.

"There is one thing I am certain of... and that is this is Xueyun."

Sun Duochen thought again that this sentence was still sheer nonsense.

"This is Xueyun, and I am the Sword Child. Even if someone wants to kill me, it must be a covert conspiracy."

Sun Duochen nodded, thinking: Well, obviously?

"Since it is a covert conspiracy, how do you come to know of it?"

Sun Duochen thought: Ah, so you were waiting for me right here.

Anyone who knew of a covert conspiracy was, with high probability, an accomplice. Even if not an accomplice, it would be difficult to prove one's innocence.

Thus, Sun Duochen remained silent.

"You are a disciple by Second Senior Brother's side. I imagine it cannot possibly be Second Senior Brother who wants to kill me, otherwise this plot is far too foolish, and the likelihood of him being implicated is far too high."

Sun Duochen smiled faintly, still offering no words.

"As far as the sect is concerned, I have forged no enmities with anyone. I suppose this must be a matter of conflicting interests, then?"

Sun Duochen said sincerely, "The position of Sword Child is one that draws a great deal of envy, you know."

Feng Qi replied seriously, "What use is envy? The position of Sword Child has stood vacant for many years. Shouldn't they first consider the question of whether they are worthy of it or not?"

Sun Duochen sighed, "The Crown Prince is truly confident. Still, I don't understand what your purpose was in making me stay."

Regardless of the reason that brought him here, it was impossible to make him spill everything.

With their first meeting, the trust between them was far too thin.

Who could enter the inner sect of Xueyun and still be a fool?

Feng Qi said, "It is very simple. Help me bring a message to the person behind this: no matter how deeply he hides, I will find him. If he has anything to say, he can wait until then and speak it to my face."

Sun Duochen nodded.

Feng Qi waved a hand, signaling for him to leave quickly.

...

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