Remould the Glory of Sword Art

"Uncle Qi, are we just going to leave like this?"

In front of Xie Zhen's mansion, several strands of golden sword light slowly rose, and a law enforcer from Golden Turtle Peak looked somewhat astonished.

No one knew who had spread the news…

On the first day of the Sword Qi Ceremony, the news that Xie Zhen had obtained the Lotus Jade Order had spread like wildfire.

Because of this, many visitors to the mountain were discussing it, many questioning whether the Sword Palace's disciple acceptance ceremony was fair!

After all, the founding of Da Sui Sword Palace was an event that shook the entire Dachu Dynasty.

Such an incident occurring on the first day of the grand event.

Could indeed be described as having a "bad influence."

Therefore, after confirming the news, the enforcers from Golden Turtle Peak had hurried over—

But no one had expected that they would hurry back just as quickly.

The entire enforcement process, from the moment they stepped into the mansion, to the time it ended, lasted less than an hour.

Most of the time,

was spent with Uncle Qi Lie talking to Xie Zhen alone.

The other law enforcers were quite perplexed deep down; coming with such a grand display, were they really going to leave "empty-handed"?

Qi Lie did not look back, taking the lead to step on his flying sword, his actions serving as the answer.

They headed back to Golden Turtle Peak.

"Uncle—"

The young disciple who had spoken earlier couldn't help but ask again, "Just like this, how should we explain to those outside?"

"Explain…"

Qi Lie looked back at the disciple and calmly said, "Does Golden Turtle Peak need to explain to them?"

The disciple was momentarily lost for words.

"Golden Turtle Peak holds the authority over the Sword Palace's penal law, always just and strict..."

Qi Lie, expressionless, said, "We only need to answer to the Sword Palace's penal law, to Lord Law Enforcement. As for those outside, our departure from Xie Zhen's mansion... is an explanation in itself."

With that, Golden Turtle Peak left.

That explained… Xie Zhen's acquisition of the Lotus Jade Order was within the rules.

"Uncle."

The disciple asked softly, "What did you and Xie Zhen discuss alone? Is this really appropriate? Could it potentially tarnish Golden Turtle Peak's reputation?"

Qi Lie suddenly spoke, calling out the disciple's name, "Luo Ji, do you know that ten years ago when the Jiangning Luo Family sent you to Da Sui, Golden Turtle Peak originally shouldn't have accepted you."

Luo Ji shuddered upon hearing this.

"The Luo Family is not a major family, and your talents are not top-notch."

Qi Lie slowly said, "It was I who spoke to Lord Law Enforcement, believing that your character was upright and should not be overlooked, that you should be accepted into the sect... Thus, you were able to join the Sword Palace."

Luo Ji's face turned somewhat pale, and he murmured softly, "Uncle, your great kindness, I will remember forever."

"For these ten years, the Luo Family in Jiangning has gradually gained some reputation. I understand your desire to repay this kindness, but you must understand, you are a law enforcer of Golden Turtle Peak, not a servant of the Jiangning Xie Family..."

Qi Lie slightly lowered his eyes and said, "Starting tomorrow, you are penalized to seclude yourself in the back mountain for a year to clear your sword heart before you can return to Golden Turtle Peak."

"Yes..."

Luo Ji said with a trembling voice, "Disciple obeys the order."

"I know that the entourage from Prince Jiangning presented many gifts to Golden Turtle Peak today."

Qi Lie calmly said, "I presume when the entourage presented the gifts, they must have told you... I accepted a complete set of 'Golden Cloud Mysterious Thunder' swords on behalf of His Highness."

The law enforcers following Qi Lie exchanged glances, looking at each other in dismay.

Indeed, the Jiangning entourage had brought some "congratulatory gifts" for the enforcers of Golden Turtle Peak today.

They naturally tried to refuse.

But once the entourage cited the fact that Qi Lie had accepted gifts, their reasons for refusal no longer seemed forceful.

If the chief examiner himself accepted the gifts, would they not be making things difficult for him by refusing?

"I indeed accepted the set of swords, but not for myself,"

Qi Lie said, lowering his eyes, "This set of swords was owed by the Xie Family to Lord Law Enforcement, and I have presented it to him… After tonight, I will clarify this matter, explaining the reasons and course of events to the Sword Palace. Since I serve as the chief examiner in this Sword Qi Ceremony, I will not accept any gifts from anyone. Whether or not you accepted the items from the Jiangning entourage today, everything will be returned after tonight."

"...Yes."

"...Yes."

One by one, the law enforcers solemnly responded.

These streams of golden light, weaving through the clouds atop the mountain, gradually disappeared into the night.

The glances directed at the law enforcers of Golden Turtle Peak from various mountains of Da Sui gradually withdrew.

In front of a small courtyard below Lotus Peak, Xie Xuanyi arranged a wooden reclining chair and relaxed under the night sky, watching Qi Lie and the disciples from Golden Turtle Peak depart.

He closed his eyes, listening to the chirping of insects in the wilderness, savoring the long-lost tranquility of being alone.

He knew that tonight's tranquility was destined to be brief.

Soon, the Ruyi Order in his arms began to tremble—Xie Xuanyi knew without looking that it was from Jiang Qihu.

The clumsy tiger was anxious, "Mr. Xie, are you alright?"

Xie Xuanyi calmly said, "I'm quite fine; those people from Golden Turtle Peak just left."

The matter of the Lotus Jade Order, having spread throughout Da Sui Sword Palace, and the news of Golden Turtle Peak coming to investigate, caused quite a stir.

Everyone was waiting to see Xie Zhen's embarrassment.

However, they were all destined to be disappointed.

Xie Xuanyi recounted to the clumsy tiger the news of Golden Turtle Peak's departure, of course omitting some details inconvenient to mention. The clumsy tiger did not probe too deeply, only expressing his concern, "I heard that tonight, there was an impromptu banquet at True Hidden Peak, hosted by Prince Jiangning, inviting many of the young talents listed in the regional registry."

"Wait a minute." Xie Xuanyi laughed and asked, "You seem not to be worried about my Lotus Jade Order being taken away?"

"This jade order was given to you by Huang Su, and your meeting with Huang Su was arranged by the teacher." The clumsy tiger's logic was clear for once, "Since it was the teacher's arrangement, there's nothing to worry about."

"..."

Xie Xuanyi had no words to say, only a smile was his response.

"I am worried about 'Xie Sheng.'"

Jiang Qihu said gravely, "The clash at the clan gates seemed to have brought about a grudge. Now, the news within the Da Sui Sword Palace has gone mad, saying you are vying with Xie Sheng for the Xuanshui Cave Heaven."

"Oh?"

Xie Xuanyi said lightly, "What they say is not wrong, I indeed intend to take down the Xuanshui Cave Heaven."

"Is this also a part of the plan?"

Jiang Qihu was startled, then frowned and asked, "The Jiangning Xie Family, after all, is a major household in the Dachu Dynasty; Xie Sheng has countless people backing him... Do you need me to summon the Qing State cavalry? If necessary, the old man can also take a trip to Da Sui."

"Why go to such extremes." Xie Xuanyi said helplessly, "It's a trivial matter; there's no need to involve others."

"Isn't it too thin with just you alone?"

"Alone is enough."

As Xie Xuanyi said this, knowing that dumb tiger was still not reassured, he added according to the old rule: "I also have my mentor behind me."

This set had always worked.

But just this time, it somewhat failed.

"I know the mentor is formidable, but no matter how formidable, he can't become your sword…" Jiang Qihu sighed with anxiety, "From what I know, the princely banquet at the Jiangning Heir's residence is gathering many heroes, and in a short while, they will likely come knocking on your door to challenge you to a duel!"

The Ruyi Order fell into silence.

"Can you hear me?" Jiang Qihu asked, "Why so silent?"

Lying on a wooden chair, resting with eyes closed, Xie Xuanyi softly murmured with a slight apology in his voice, "I'm sorry, Mr. Jiang... The wind tonight is rather boisterous, making me somewhat sleepy; I almost fell asleep just now."

"Why aren't you worried at all? Da Sui Sword Palace's rules, if someone comes knocking to challenge you to a duel, there must be a response. What will you do if this group really comes looking for you?"

Jiang Qihu said worriedly, "If I were only in the Cave Heaven Realm, I would have already gone in front of your mansion... Tonight, if I act, those reverends behind Jiangning will also take action."

"Mr. Jiang, Mr. Jiang, Jiang Family Head, I understand the rules,"

Xie Xuanyi said somberly, "When youths contend, and peers challenge with swords, others may not intervene. You are a person of considerable age, esteemed as a Yin God reverend; if you intermingle in this fray at such a time, it would not only lose the Jiang Family's face but also disgrace the library."

Jiang Qihu gritted his teeth and said, "What are you planning to do? I'll have Ye Qinglian send some people to your mansion!"

"Please don't, let's not trouble Baihua Valley over such a trivial matter."

Xie Xuanyi said helplessly, "Mr. Jiang, have you forgotten... at Beihai Ling... who was it that saved them once?"

Jiang Qihu suddenly froze.

He then realized...

The information he received seemed indeed dire on the surface—tonight many young talents were heading to Xie Sheng's residence. If all these people were to challenge one person to a duel, it would undeniably be a huge trouble.

But he had overlooked...

Xie Zhen cannot be judged by common logic.

Up to this point, no one knew exactly what had happened in Beihai Ling.

The case file on the turmoil in Qing State omitted most details about Beihai Ling—

The matter of Xie Xuanyi killing evil cultivators from the South Border was only briefly mentioned.

Baihua Valley's four Cave Heaven fell at the hands of Southern Border evil cultivators.

And those Southern Border evil cultivators... all died at the hands of Xie Zhen alone!

"Wait, wait!"

Through the Ruyi Order, Jiang Qihu had already heard the increasingly clear sounds of rending the air, clearly the sound of flying swords, he spoke again anxiously, "Xie Zhen... you should know the rules of a door-to-door sword duel, right?"

Xie Xuanyi sat on the wooden chair, quietly watching the dark night skies.

After the golden sword energy departed,

From the direction of True Hidden Peak,

More sword lights swept forth.

One, two, three, four, many... dozens...

It had been a long time since he had seen such a lively scene.

It had been a long time since anyone had dared to challenge him to a duel.

He picked up the continually trembling Ruyi Order, placed it inside his coat, and said softly, "Mr. Jiang, sorry, I must excuse myself for a moment."

Sitting atop the waterfall at the summit of Jade Screen Peak, Jiang Qihu scratched his head.

He looked at the extinguished Ruyi Order and murmured, "This is bad."

"Bad?"

Jiang Miaoyin stood beneath the massive waterfall, touching the sword energy fish that roamed between heaven and earth.

Hearing this, she turned to look at her long-unseen brother, calmly asking, "It's just a common sword challenge; it won't result in loss of life, what's so bad about it?"

"...Because of that, it's bad,"

Jiang Qihu's expression became incredibly complex.

If his memory served,

This Mr. Xie, when he acted, never left any survivors.

All the enemies he faced at Beihai Ling that day were slain! None were spared!

He clasped his hands together, mumbling quietly, praying deep in his heart.

"I hope the mentor taught Xie Zhen the rules of sword dueling..."

"I hope tonight beneath Lotus Peak, no lives will be lost..."

Jiang Miaoyin observed this scene.

The woman wearing a snow-white veil suddenly took an interest, she gently released the sword energy fish she was holding, slowly shifted her steps, and sat down opposite her brother.

"Qihu, nothing urgent tonight, you might as well tell me about it,"

Jiang Miaoyin asked earnestly, "Who exactly is this Xie Zhen?"