Chapter 1

Three days ago, Meng Jianqing only realized what kind of trap he had inadvertently stepped into five years ago

Meng Jianqing paused for a moment and then said: "I have already issued a kill order when I accompanied my father to eliminate bandits at Tiantai Temple."

Xu Qiao felt that his chances of winning had increased a bit more

Xu Qiao was stunned for a long time, and then suddenly said: "Although Mr. Wu and Mr. Qi cannot come down the mountain, if the teacher has matters to attend to, the disciples should bear the burden. Can the disciples of the two gentlemen take on the task instead?"

He thought this might be because he was somewhat too nervous and too excited

Under the moonlight, Yan Wu and Yan Qi—or perhaps the heart and the mind—sat cross-legged with closed eyes in the narrow stone cave, completely indifferent to the arrival of this uninvited guest

After a long while, Xu Qiao put away the bronze mirror, leaned down again, and slowly yet firmly reiterated his purpose: "I am Xu Qiao, envoy of the Fudong Mingwang Mansion, respectfully requesting Mr. Yan Wu and Mr. Qi to relocate to Yanzhou to assist in the cause of Maitreya."

Regardless of whether Yan Wu's words are true or false, since he has said this, there is absolutely no possibility of him breaking his oath

The sword techniques taught by the Tiantai Temple have always emphasized a grand and expansive approach, advocating for stability as solid as a mountain and movement as fluid as river tides. Where is there such a fierce sword momentum and such precise and accurate force?

The sound of drums pierced through the mist, each beat resonating as if striking against his chest, causing his spirit to tremble

Xu Qiao hesitated for a moment, then rushed towards the maple tree

Xu Qiao felt that the blood in his body was slowly coagulating and not moving. He murmured, "Even if Mr. Wu and Mr. Qi are unwilling to come out of retirement, why..."

However, Yan Wu and Yan Qi's expressions had already calmed down. They exchanged a glance and let out a long sigh.

Xu Qiao suddenly bent down.

After all, he had only been promoted to the position of the Messenger of the Right Protector under the Maitreya Sect for two years; and today, the individuals he was to meet were none other than the renowned Demon Subduing Messengers of the Ming Sect, Yan Wu and Yan Qi.

In the crisp autumn air, under the frost-like clear and pure moonlight, the Damo Cliff appears seemingly within reach to the left front.

Yan Qi replied lightly: "His surname is Meng, and he knows who we are. You can ask him the rest yourself."

Yan Wu slowly said: "We once made a vow before the Maitreya Buddha, that in this life and the next, we shall not leave the Damo Cliff"

Meng Jianqing replied to the book: "It has been taken care of, the body has been thrown into the Wild Wolf Valley, and by now it is likely reduced to remains. As for his clothes and all personal belongings, I have thrown them all into the Black Wind Cave"

In this one watch, Meng Jianqing has already traveled back and forth for fifty li in the mountains, half of which he had to carry that corpse, no wonder he is sweating profusely

He waited quietly for a moment until the sound of chanting gradually passed over the hall and into the mountains and forests, before he took another step.

All that could be seen on the ground was a cloud of dust, making it impossible to locate the black dot that had just been blown away.

He presented a bronze mirror with both hands, and as his fingers brushed across the surface of the mirror, it was like a gentle breeze caressing a cluster of flowers. The faint buzzing sound caused Yan Wu and Yan Qi to open their eyes.

Yan Wu only asked one question: "Is it done?"

Before collapsing, he faintly heard Meng Jianqing's sigh by his ear: "Why are you such an unfortunate person, dragging me into this?"

He only thought that, no matter what, he could not return from the treasure mountain empty-handed

Xu Qiao performed a deep bow, then turned and descended the cliff

Even Yan Wu, who is usually serious and silent, couldn't help but smile for a moment

Xu Qiao smiled and said: "The young brother who just came down from Damo Cliff is truly impressive. No wonder people often say, 'A great master produces outstanding disciples.' With that young brother's skills, if the two gentlemen are willing to let him enter the world, within three years, he will surely be able to elevate the Yan family's swordsmanship."

The young man listened quietly, neither surprised nor excited. Xu Qiao gradually felt that something was amiss. Why was there such a reaction to such an important matter

That seemingly ordinary bronze mirror, when reflecting the moonlight onto the stone wall, creates a halo in which a flickering flame appears to be burning and dancing.

Since the teachings of the Illuminated have transformed overnight into those of the malevolent, they have been dwelling in this Tian Tai Temple for many years. In this world, how many people still remember them, and how many know what kind of two individuals are concealed beneath the two Dharma names of Mingxin and Mingxing

He scrutinized the strikingly handsome youth before him, who appeared to be no more than seventeen or eighteen years old, yet was exceptionally composed and calm. The words he had just spoken carried a weight of meaning akin to a script—I am aware of your master-disciple relationship, my connection with your master is unusual, and your master has tacitly approved of my intentions—but the youth merely remained impassive, waiting for him to continue.

Anyone who hears such praise for their disciple should feel pleased, shouldn't they

The young man examined the tree trunk that had just been pierced, nodded to himself in satisfaction, gently blew away the black dot on the tip of his knife, and turned to dart deeper into the forest

Xu Qiao's body trembled, and he halted his steps, raising his head to gaze at the mountains and forests ahead

Xu Qiao felt a great sense of admiration. Truly worthy of being a disciple of the Yan family, he indeed possesses the demeanor of a great general, and is remarkably extraordinary

Xu Qiao stepped back a little, feeling the biting chill that came rushing at him. After steadying himself, he cupped his hands in salute and smiled, saying: "I have just come down from Damo Cliff. My master instructed me to come here to meet Brother Meng and to discuss an important matter."

Until three days ago

Yan Qi suddenly said: "Using someone like Xu Qiao to set a precedent for killing is not a bad idea. However, it seems you have done it too thoroughly, even making me feel ashamed in comparison."

It was only then that they understood why, among so many years and so many people, they had uniquely chosen Meng Jianqing

In Taizhou, Ninghaiwei, families like this, if truly loyal to the court, how could their offspring possibly join the Maitreya sect? How could they allow others to glimpse their clandestine master-disciple relationship with Yan Wu and Yan Qi? Conversely, if there were ulterior motives, how could they allow anyone to easily uncover the secrets of their family's hidden involvement in the military?

It is unknown whether this young man is a resident of the mountains or one of the group of youths from the Tiantai Temple—at this moment, are not those youths still reciting scriptures?

The young man looked at him with pity, as if he were looking at a fool: "The two masters, Mingxin and Mingxing, cannot take life. They summoned you to find me, which means they want me to kill you"

Yan Wu and Yan Qi seemed taken aback, suddenly opening their eyes.

He has taught Meng Jianqing for several years; how could he not see the anxiety hidden behind the calmness of this young man at this moment

I see...

A man in his thirties, with a humble appearance, hurried over under the autumn moon. Although he did not know him, he was able to find this place and call him "Brother Meng".

Xu Qiao stood up and, before leaving, recalled something: "What is that young man's name? Where is he from? Does he know the identities of the two gentlemen?"

Meng Jianqing sat down; on this autumn night, he was only wearing a single layer of clothing, yet he was still emanating warmth.

Xu Qiao stared blankly at the two emaciated, elderly monks before him. Yan Wu and Yan Qi were once legendary figures in the martial world, while he was merely a small attendant in the Demon Subduing Hall, able only to look up at these iconic heroes from a distance. However, as time flowed like water, it seemed that in the blink of an eye, he had already begun to look down upon these aging heroes.

The youth's right hand moved slightly, and under the moonlight, he vaguely saw a flash of white light. Xu Qiao felt a chill in his heart, and after a moment, he suddenly realized and looked down to see the sharp dagger embedded in his chest.

Xu Qiao finally ascended to the Dharma Cliff

He explained his intentions with careful consideration of every word and phrase

Yan Wu and Yan Qi closed their eyes again

The drum has sounded, and the monks in Tiantai Temple, including the youths sent from various places in eastern Zhejiang for education, should now be gathered in the Mahavira Hall for the evening service

Among a group of youthful boys taking turns delivering meals to the Damo Cliff, Yan Wu and Yan Qi uniquely chose him to impart the swordsmanship. After witnessing the technique that could slice down birds in mid-air like a shooting star and cleave massive stones on the ground with the force of thunder, he felt nothing but excitement at that time, completely unaware of the complex story behind it. If only he had known... If only he had known... Could he have resisted the allure of such swordsmanship? After witnessing the technique that could slice down birds in mid-air like a shooting star and cleave massive stones on the ground with the force of thunder, he felt nothing but excitement at that time, completely unaware of the complex story behind it. If only he had known... If only he had known... Could he have resisted the allure of such swordsmanship?

He has remembered the location very clearly, yet there is not a single trace of a blade where that young man had struck just moments ago

A young man leaped down from the Damo Cliff as if flying, seemingly very familiar with the path, turning left and right without a moment's hesitation. His destination was not the Tiantai Temple, but rather the grove of maple trees to the left of the Damo Cliff. Xu Qiaoping held his breath and quietly watched him dart into the maple grove, and without any visible movement, a dagger appeared in his right hand. He struck the trunk of an old maple tree with his left hand, using the force to suddenly leap up, like an arrow piercing the air. As the dagger pierced into a maple tree ahead, his left hand and left foot unexpectedly hooked onto a branch that crossed above his head, abruptly halting his momentum. The dagger was retracted, and it seemed to be lifting a very small black dot at its tip.

He did not notice the compassionate gaze of Yan Wu behind him, nor the strange smile of Yan Qi.

Gazing at the cluster of blazing flames is akin to looking at their spirited and vibrant youth, evoking a multitude of emotions. In the silent mountains and forests, this moment seems to transform into a retreating, fading backdrop, leaving only the passionate and fervent blood that burns like the flames.

That being said, Yan Wu and Yan Qi ultimately could not resist their loneliness and have been secretly teaching their disciples all along

Upon seeing the young man practicing with a sword under the moonlight once again, Xu Qiao felt a surge of excitement in his heart. From several paces away, he called out softly, "Brother Meng!"

The drumbeat sounded

Xu Qiao tilted the bronze mirror towards the bright moon

This point is crucial

Yan Qi smiled at him and said, "Not bad, not bad, quite clever and decisive. Our brotherhood has truly invested years of effort. What did Xu Qiao say to you? Did he scare you?"

The young man was taken aback, suddenly sheathing his sword and turning around.

However, his vigilance had come too late.

The young man looked at his gradually pale face and suddenly smiled slightly: "My name is Meng Jianqing, and my father is a hundred households in Ninghaiwei, Taizhou."

When he saw the young man practicing with the sword and mentioned him to Yan Wu and Yan Qi, it was as if his fate had already been sealed. The once grand ambitions and the two years of hopeful contemplation came to an end in such a silent mountain forest, concluding at a moment he could never have imagined in his dreams

Upon this thought, Xu Qiao's heart began to race even faster. Unconsciously, he reached out to press his hand against his chest, taking a deep breath to calm himself down

Meng Jianqing's face involuntarily tightened, and he secretly gritted his teeth, responding: "Since learning the secular names of the two masters, Jianqing feels that there is nothing more surprising than this."

Yan Wumoran remained silent, while Yan Qi subtly smiled, gazing at Xu Qiao with eyes that flickered uncertainly. After a moment, he said: "If he wishes to go, then let him. You can speak to him yourself—after reaching the Damo Cliff, turn left and follow the mountain path along the valley outside the maple forest, and you will naturally encounter him."

No one will know that a guest like him once appeared on the Damo Cliff—perhaps it will only be on the day when Yan Wu and Yan Qi once again make their mark in the world that people will wonder and be astonished, who possesses the ability and skill to find them and persuade them to come out of seclusion

Yan Wu and Yan Qi gazed at the cluster of flames, and at that moment, a myriad of unspeakable complex emotions swept across their calm faces

Yan Wu and Yan Qi were both taken aback. Yan Qi waved his hand gloomily and said, "Go on, go on"

Xu Qiao slowly knelt down and said in a low voice: "I, Xu Qiao, the envoy of the Unmoved King, respectfully request Mr. Yan Wu and Mr. Qi to move to Yan Prefecture. The coming of Maitreya still relies on the support of both gentlemen."

However, he was solely obsessed with his rapid progress, captivated by the enchanting sensation of each knife moving effortlessly in his hand, as if it were a part of his own body. Holding a knife with such control felt akin to freely grasping his own destiny, a feeling that truly intoxicated him

The young man who first ascended the mountain had already tasted the flavor of blood and had grown accustomed to the brutal struggles of life and death.

Yan Wu and Yan Qi were not surprised at all to wait for Meng Jianqing's return

Why did Yan Wu and Yan Qi suddenly reveal the truth to him? Is it because they heard the news of Yan Zhou Maitreya's uprising and felt that those old companions would eventually find their way here?

That young man is able to strike such a small target in the darkness of night, and even more impressively, he can control the momentum of his knife with such precision while charging forward, without the slightest error; this surely cannot be the result of mere short-term effort.

However, the formidable reputation of Yan Wu and Yan Qi continues to resonate far and wide, to the extent that merely mentioning their names can change the atmosphere dramatically

In the vast twilight, the Tiantai Temple, built layer upon layer along the mountain's contours, is shrouded in an increasingly thick mist, rendering it indistinct and hazy

Xu Qiao felt a heaviness in his heart

In fact, he should have noticed the oddities in this matter much earlier. Why could he not tell anyone about it? Why could he only practice his swordsmanship alone in the mountain forest at night? Why did he have to destroy the corpses of the beasts he killed with his knife, just to prevent anyone from discovering his skills?