Chapter 920: Chapter 919: Yu Jing Turmoil (Part 1)

More than ten days later, the Shan Sect Quanzhen returned to their country. With news gathered from all regions, there were no signs of rebellious practices, allowing the sword cultivators to temporarily relax their minds.

This was expected. No matter how bold a criminal, it’s impossible to act recklessly in a completely foreign place. They would find a place to hide, contact local forces, and then consider their next move.

The vast majority wouldn’t return to their old ways, not out of repentance but because of a yearning for life; striving to cultivate, either advancing further along the Daoist path, or returning to the Mother Star after reaching the Nascent Soul.

After parting ways with Master Xiao, he followed the large group of sword cultivators back to Yu Jing. This time, he was determined to sever ties with Shan Sect Quanzhen, for good.

Li Chuping and Yu Zhengxing came to his side, their expressions complex. They knew they could no longer shelter this fellow. From the moment he unleashed hundreds of sword lights, they realized the minds of Shan Sect sword cultivators had been shaken. To talk about rules and hierarchy now was a joke.

“The uncles and elders are waiting for you at Heaven Measuring Sword Pavilion, Hou Niao. Take care of yourself and don’t get too carried away!”

Hou Niao chuckled, “Capital Commandant, don’t look so stern. In the future, I’ll still need the support of you two. It’s as if I’m here to seize power.”

Li Chuping snorted, “Are you not?”

Hou Niao spoke candidly, “I am! But not to satisfy my own desires. It’s for the future of the Sword Sect! You must have realized by now that Shan Sect Quanzhen must change, not according to my wishes, but to integrate with the Qingkong Inheritance. Though I’m from Jinxiu, in a way, I also represent the Qingkong Sword Vein!”

Yu Zhengxing said harshly, “What if we don’t agree?”

Hou Niao looked directly at him, unflinchingly, “Then I’ll choose the Grassland Golden Sword Vein! And I’ll spread the word within the Quanzhen Sect that those who want to learn the sword should come to the grassland!”

Yu Zhengxing cursed, “You brat, are you planning to rebel?”

Hou Niao laughed, “You taught me that, saying a true sword cultivator has a rebellious spirit!”

Li Chuping shouted, “You spy, I’ve suspected you for a long time!”

Hou Niao shrugged, “A spy indeed! With accomplices too, who brought me into the sect and supported me in every way, otherwise how could I be where I am today?”

He stepped forward, holding their hands, “Help me! I can’t do it alone! The future of Jinxiu is shrouded in mist. Someone is planning a big game, and we are all merely pieces. If we don’t realize the need to change, another hundred years might see no more Shan Sect Quanzhen!”

“Alarmist talk,” Li Chuping stubbornly insisted.

“Blustering!” Yu Zhengxing maintained his posture.

But Hou Niao understood these two elders. Like himself, they both had restless hearts and were the staunchest defenders of Shan Sect Quanzhen.

“Those uncles and elders alone are not enough. They cannot represent everyone! I also need the Golden Core present within the sect. Matters must be decided by everyone! Not me, not you, not even the Master Ancestor, but everyone has a say!”

“We’ll be ruined by you sooner or later!”

The two turned away, visibly impatient; beside them, Fang Yazi approached, “Senior Brother?”

“Gather people, Heaven Measuring Sword Pavilion!”

Wang Mian, Zong Qian, Li Shipeng, and several dozen Golden Core sword cultivators quietly dispersed. The senior brother was about to make a big move; of course, the junior brothers had to support him. This wasn’t rebellion, but a yearning for the sword; after witnessing the Senior Brother’s Sword Light Division, anyone with a bit of aspiration knew how to choose!

Hou Niao slowly flew forward. He knew these old fellows chose the Heaven Measuring Sword Pavilion as a subtle gesture of goodwill, meaning wherever you fell, we would help you up there?

Thinking this could solve the issue, no way!

He returned this time intending to cut decisively, not to waste time within the Quanzhen Sect with half-hearted attempts at change and clinging to tradition, leaving everything unclear and muddled.

His will must be expressed without omission, without equivocating and compromising. He had to succeed, whether others liked it or not, was none of his business!

Following the gathering at Sui Mo City, the return to Shan Country began. Quanzhen sword cultivators were relatively assembled during this time and not yet fully dispersed. As soon as the news was released, people rushed to Heaven Measuring Sword Pavilion, not just Golden Core sword cultivators but many from the Tongtian Realm as well, all sensing something was about to happen that would impact everyone.

No one could remain uninvolved.

In the Heaven Measuring Sword Pavilion, all thirteen Nascent Transformation Masters of Quanzhen gathered. Initially, they intended to have a small meeting with Hou Niao to relinquish some power in exchange for the Qingkong Sword Vein inheritance, but now it seemed too wishful.

Continuously, disciples entered the square, standing afar and silent, including both Golden Core and Tongtian members. They did not agree with Li Chuping and Yu Zhengxing’s suggestion, believing it wasn’t an issue suitable for a public vote but should instead be deliberated thoroughly, weighing advantages and disadvantages, and a decision made to be broadly shared within the sect.

The younger disciples were too impulsive and easily incited, a sect’s direction shouldn’t be decided so hastily.

However, their intentions were not carried out, intentionally or not; disciples were gathering here, increasingly more, unstoppable, and it was clear who was agitating them.

No one voiced objections; they were all seasoned hands with centuries of experience, understanding the intricacies of human relations, aware that a heavy-handed approach at present wasn’t wise. A mishandling could result in a complete loss of authority within the sect, and relying purely on realm strength for suppression was the most undesirable choice.

Choosing this location was already a concession to give the young man some face, which they saw as the utmost compromise. Whether it be the Sima Mansion, the two Prince Manors, or the four leisurely Masters, on the issue of Nascent Soul dignity, they stood remarkably united—this was their last limit. But now, it seemed the young man wasn’t too considerate of virtue in martial arts?

This era was indeed a period of growing pains for all the Daoists of Jinxiu. They had to choose between maintaining face and dignity and the essence and future when confronting a young one at a lower realm but holding the inheritance of the Upper Realm system.

To let go of pride? Or remain haughty as ever?

Especially for Shan Sect Quanzhen, this growing pain came particularly swiftly. Other Daoist traditions at least had a phase of mutual adaptation, during which trust and bonds could be established, leaving room for easing tensions.

But not the Quanzhen Sect. Both sides knew each other well and had been entangled for many years, needing no probing, no communication necessary; it’s all in their hearts.

This was why they intended to have a private discussion, yet now it appeared the young man left them no such room.

Everyone reflected on how they had raised such a brat; if everything could be retraced, they should have smeared him on the wall, drowned him in the chamber-pot!

Alas, there were no what-ifs.