MTLNOVEL Chapter 294 Mission Completed
Jian Jue reluctantly curbed his murderous intent and looked at Tian Lin:
"Though Old Man Guo lacked a Sword Dao talent, he spent a lifetime diligently training in Sword Dao, and sacrificed himself to forge a sword near his death. He counts as a Sword Cultivator for sure. But now he's dead, so what do you want to say?"
Tian Lin said, "Then, Senior Jian Jue, do you acknowledge that this sword should belong to the Guo family's ancestor?"
"He's a Sword Cultivator, so naturally he deserves to possess this sword. But he's already dead, can we revive him and return the sword to him?"
Tian Lin shook his head, "Dead men cannot be brought back to life unless a deity intervenes—naturally, Guo family's ancestor can't be revived. Now the sword has found its rightful master in Miss Wu's hands.
However, as Miss Wu has inherited the Daoist Sword of Guo family's ancestor, she should also take on the karma owed by Guo family's ancestor. As I know it, the Sword Collection Manor is now trapped by Fu Tianchou of the Beast Taming Sect. Since Miss Wu has acquired the Guo family's ancestor's Daoist Sword, she ought to have an obligation to help the descendants of the Guo family overcome this calamity."
Going up to this point, Tian Lin clasped his hands towards Jian Jue: "I, your junior, have spoken all I can; no matter how you choose to decide, it's not for a junior like me to comment. Hence, we won't take the Clear Bright Sword, so let's part ways here."
Tian Lin knew he couldn't command Jian Jue, so after saying this, he tugged Ju Yunhai along and walked out.
Fortunately, Jian Jue had no intention to stop them and let the group leave the cave.
Once out of the valley, Tian Lin pulled Ju Yunhai to quicken their pace:
"Jian Jue is not someone we can deal with. Senior Brother should realize that you can't change his mind with a few words. Given the situation, why risk everyone's lives unnecessarily?"
Tian Lin knew that Ju Yunhai had a strong sense of morality. At such times, only by emphasizing everyone's safety could he force Ju Yunhai to consider the group's wellbeing and abandon unrealistic ideas.
Ju Yunhai sighed: "So our mission is a failure, no doubt, and we have let down Guo Yuanhuai's entrustment."
Yet Tian Lin said, "Going to the secluded cultivation site to retrieve the sword and seizing it from Jian Jue are clearly two different matters. If he had told us from the start that the sword was in Jian Jue's hands, we would have never agreed to his request no matter what."
"But he himself didn't know the sword was with Jian Jue."
Tian Lin said, "Yes, this is something no one could have foreseen. For this, we've already lost a Feng'er. Senior Brother Ju, for Guo family's entrustment, you've already lost a Feng'er, which cannot be blamed on you because going to the secluded cultivation site was a decision made by everyone.
But now, knowing the difficulty of the task, why use your own life, or even Yun'er's, to contend with Jian Jue? Does Yun'er not matter compared to your promise to Guo family? Is the life of our fellow disciples and juniors less significant than the Guo family bowing to you?"
Ju Yunhai was momentarily speechless and did not say anything during the journey afterward.
On their way to the secluded cultivation site, everyone had been cautious, but now returning to the Sword Collection Manor, their steps were much lighter.
However, when they spent a day traveling from night to dawn, they discovered something unusual at the Sword Collection Manor.
Beyond the bamboo bridge, before the archway, lay bodies all over the ground.
Judging by the fresh blood stains and the state of the corpses, it was evident these people hadn't died long ago.
The group looked at the archway in astonishment, the words about the Sword Collection Manor had vanished. Instead, over the inscribed words of the manor, a bloody line stated: "The killer is, Jian Jue"
Looking at these six words, those present exchanged glances.
Tian Lin couldn't help but say, "My original intent was to ask him to negotiate with Fu Tianchou. As for the outcome of the negotiation, it was not our concern. But to think Jian Jue went so audaciously and directly killed people—
Moreover, this is within the jurisdiction of the Beast Taming Sect. By killing these people, isn't he making an enemy of Fu Tianchou?"
Sister Jia couldn't help admiringly say, "This Senior Brother Jian Jue certainly acts with wanton elegance. With him around, the Guo family might have salvation."
She completely forgot about Feng'er's death, instead feeling a growing admiration for power.
Meanwhile, Ju Yunhai strode towards the Sword Collection Manor.
In truth, even without entering the manor, everyone could see the residents at the entrance starting to come out gradually.
Seeing the Guo family dressed lightly as if preparing for departure, Ju Yunhai quickly stepped forward and saluted: "Village Master Guo, forgive my inadequacy, for I have failed your request. My attempt to retrieve the Clear Bright Sword for you has come to no avail."
Guo Yuanhuai, however, returned full rites to Ju Yunhai, saying:
"I am aware that the sword is now in Lord Jian Jue's hands. Though the Clear Bright Sword cannot be recovered, Lord Jian Jue has promised to help us leave the Demon Forest.
This is all thanks to the efforts of you young heroes; how can it be considered incompetence?"
Ju Yunhai said, "But your request was for us to help you retrieve the Clear Bright Sword, which is evidently no longer possible."
"While the Clear Bright Sword is certainly invaluable, the chance for rejuvenation remains as long as my Guo family survives. Moreover, the sword, now turned into a Daoist Sword, would only attract more coveting eyes if in our possession. Letting it remain with Lord Jian Jue might even forge a good relationship."
His words brought a smile to Ju Yunhai's face at last.
Guo Yuanhuai continued, "Young Hero Ju, rest assured. After I leave the Demon Forest, I will handwrite a letter detailing the merits of the young heroes to your sect elders."
"Then I shall not trouble Village Master Guo's departure any further. Now that you are leaving the Demon Forest, it is indeed a time to utilize Spirit Stones. This Storage Bag's valuables remain untouched by me, please take it back."
Ju Yunhai returned the reward that Guo Yuanhuai had given him without any deductions, and after the narrowly escaping catastrophe, Guo Yuanhuai thanked him and took back the Storage Bag.
The two groups did not travel together because Guo Yuanhuai had mentioned that Jian Jue would escort them out of the Demon Forest, so Ju Yunhai suspected Jian Jue was nearby.
It was evident that Tian Lin and others did not wish to encounter Ju Yunhai again; hence, they waited for Guo Yuanhuai's group to depart first and then rested for half a day before leaving the Sword Collection Manor themselves.
"If Guo Yuanhuai really writes to the sect explaining the situation, then even though we couldn't retrieve the Clear Bright Sword, we could consider the task accomplished."
Outside the Demon Forest, Ju Yunhai said to Tian Lin and Sister Jia, "Though the mission wasn't smooth, we can count it as done. There are still about twenty days left; what do our junior brothers and sisters plan to do?"
Tian Lin remained silent, while Sister Jia said, "Senior Brother Ju is considering taking more missions to enter Class A?"
Seeing Ju Yunhai nod, Sister Jia continued, "However, to enter Class A, one must complete at least three missions. Despite completing one task, is there really enough time to accomplish two more?"
She added, "Moreover, as the month progresses, the simplest tasks are chosen first, leaving increasingly difficult missions. Even if we complete three tasks, entering Class A requires approval from the Peak Master after assessment. I think I might not be able to accomplish the missions, and Elder Xue likely won't consent to me becoming a Class A disciple."