Remould the Glory of Sword Art

Behind Golden Turtle Peak, the primordial energy was dense, and a heavy fog blanketed the area, faintly accompanied by the sound of a flowing stream.

The rear mountain was covered with purple bamboo, each one full and extremely straight.

Walking among them, one could constantly feel the fierce Sword Intent skimming off the surface of the skin... These Sword Intents, seemingly sharp and hurtful upon touch, actually only harmed the "guilty."

To become a Sword Cultivator, one must first cultivate the heart.

At Golden Turtle Peak, the temperament of the disciples was especially valued. If one's Heart Lake was tranquil and fearless, then even though the Sword Intent was encountered while walking through the Purple Bamboo Forest, no harm would be suffered.

If a Sword Cultivator's mind was not resolute, shrinking back timidly,

he would then end up with cuts all over his body, covered in blood.

Qi Lie walked with his head held high and chest out through the Purple Bamboo Forest, and after a short while, he arrived in front of a small pavilion, enshrouded in mist, where faintly discernible were two figures sitting opposite each other, grand and solemn as if deep in conversation.

"Master."

Qi Lie, very measured, stopped in his tracks.

From within his sleeve, he took out a set of golden Flying Swords and whispered, "This is the 'Golden Cloud Mysterious Thunder' sent by Prince Jiangning, according to your command, I have brought it here."

That night, many disciples at Golden Turtle Peak were dissatisfied with his actions.

The Sword Qi Ceremony was a highly esteemed festival for the Da Sui Sword Palace—

As per tradition, Golden Turtle Peak, in charge of overseeing the grand examination, had to ensure the examination of great importance to the Sword Palace went smoothly, so each Law Enforcer was carefully selected.

Qi Lie being the chief examiner was in line with everyone's expectations.

But who would have thought, on this first day!

Qi Lie had accepted the "Golden Cloud Mysterious Thunder" from Prince Jiangning!

Following that,

The inspection of the Lotus Jade Order also returned "without merit," everyone was eagerly anticipating, yet Qi Lie gave no one an answer!

Qi Lie knew.

That night's Golden Turtle Peak, seemingly calm, had probably already blown up in secrecy.

With such actions, could he still continue as the chief examiner?

"I asked you to bring it, because I wanted to give it to you."

From inside the pavilion, a voice as deep as a bell sounded.

"... Take it."

The voice bore no intent of negotiation.

But Qi Lie lifted his head, straightened his back, and spoke earnestly, "Please forgive your disciple for refusing."

"What, you look down on it?"

The voice in the pavilion rose again, seeming serious but actually carried a faint smile.

"Even though this set of Flying Swords originates from Jiangning, since it is a gift from Master, how could I possibly look down on it?"

Qi Lie shook his head and said, "Being the chief examiner, I shouldn't accept any gifts. If it weren't for Master's instruction, I would never have taken this set of Flying Swords… If I really use the 'Golden Cloud Mysterious Thunder' in the future, how can I convince my fellow disciples, how can I explain to them?"

"Well said."

The Law Enforcement asked, "Knowing you shouldn't receive it, why did you?"

This question stunned Qi Lie.

"Because it was my command?" The Law Enforcement said, "Then why do you refuse now when I ask you to keep the Flying Swords? Isn't this a command too?"

Qi Lie stared blankly into the depth of the mist.

A deep scoff suddenly echoed in the pavilion.

It was unclear whether the amusement was due to the progress of their chess game or the master-disciple dialogue, as the senior figure outright laughed aloud.

"The reason I accepted the Flying Swords from Prince Jiangning earlier... was because there was no greed in your disciple's heart."

Qi Lie took a deep breath and said, "Some matters, even if condemned by thousands, if one's heart is clear, then it doesn't matter."

"Continue."

"I refuse Master's Flying Swords now simply because I do not wish to accept them,"

Qi Lie paused, then said through gritted teeth, "This set of 'Golden Cloud Mysterious Thunder,' I do not wish for it for two reasons: first, the set was commissioned by the Xie Family, which I disdain. Second… once I accept these swords, the bribery charge today would be confirmed, thus making me 'guilty in conscience'."

"What if I insist you keep them?"

The voice from the pavilion resonated deeply.

Qi Lie was utterly stunned.

"This set of Flying Swords was made by a blacksmith during a visit to Jiangning many years ago. In the end, the Xie Family merely 'delivered the swords'."

The Law Enforcement said indifferently, "The so-called 'bribery,' is simply unfounded. Just take the Flying Swords,

and tomorrow I will clear your name, silencing everyone at Golden Turtle Peak…"

Qi Lie's expression struggled immensely.

He stared intently at the shimmering golden Flying Swords, torn with agony, and slowly stepped back several paces.

It is difficult to defy a master's order.

The entire pavilion was enveloped in a severe aura.

Qi Lie bit his jaw, wanting to leave and resign, but another thought in his heart was controlling him, urging him not to continue confronting his master.

At that moment—

"So…"

The Law Enforcement chuckled and asked, "In your view, which is more important, the master's command or 'being guilt-free'?"

As the words fell,

A wisp of the fierce Sword Intent in the Purple Bamboo Forest suddenly surged out like a darting fish, grazing Qi Lie's cheek, causing a very small cut.

The master's words, along with this slight pain, instantly calmed him down.

Qi Lie's gaze shifted from lost to enlightened.

Moments later,

Qi Lie bowed deeply, calmed his breathing, and said solemnly, "Thank you, Master, for your teachings."

"Go."

Tongtian Law Enforcement slowly said, "Qi Lie... keep firmly in mind, as long as you are 'guilt-free,' you do not need to explain your actions to anyone throughout your life. Also, be 'yourself' first, then a 'Sword Cultivator.' No one in this world can force you to do what you don't wish to, not even your master."

Qi Lie maintained his bowed posture, silently mulling over the words his master had left him with.

A moment later, he took his leave and departed.

But the Golden Cloud Mysterious Thunder remained in the deep mist, floating in front of the pavilion.

The Law Enforcement waved his hand.

The sound of thunder suddenly arose, and those ownerless Flying Swords transformed into strands of flowing light that swept into the pavilion and hovered in front of the chessboard.

"Golden Cloud Mysterious Thunder, that's a nice name,"

the great figure said with a smile, "What a pity I am a Martial Artist who does not wield swords; otherwise, this set of Flying Swords would have been mine."

"Does Brother Duan desire it?"

The Law Enforcement said indifferently, "Feel free to take it."

"Forget it, on second thought, taking this set of Flying Swords would likely involve me in some karma with the Xie Family of Jiangning."

The great figure said with a forced smile, "I, a mere Loose Cultivator from the wilderness, getting involved in a struggle of the Da Chu would be no good."

"Loose Cultivator?"

The usually serious Law Enforcement couldn't help but laugh upon hearing those four words.

He looked helplessly at the stocky middle-aged man in front of him and joked, "If the Island Master of Wangyou Island, one of the top ten warriors under the heavens, is merely 'a Loose Cultivator,' then the Da Sui Sword Palace can probably only be considered an ordinary sect."

"That's the idea."

The Island Master scratched his chin and said tentatively, "Pure Yang is still in retreat, right? I think the Da Sui Sword Palace is indeed quite ordinary, nothing impressive."

"..."

The Law Enforcement was silent for a moment, squinted his eyes, and smiled, "If Brother Duan doesn't mind, I could indeed spare a few moves with you."

"Absolutely not."

The middle-aged man immediately admitted defeat, smiling bitterly, "I was just speaking off the cuff. With a thousand years of foundation at the Da Sui Sword Palace, and Wangyou Island's thin resources, how can I compare? Besides, if a real fight broke out, damaging your bricks and tiles would look quite bad."

The Law Enforcement ruthlessly pointed out, "Given your nature, Sir, you were probably already on your way here, rubbing your hands in anticipation… You're just worried that a big fight would disturb the one in retreat, aren't you?"

"Can't hide anything from you."

The Island Master laughed awkwardly, looking somewhat perturbed, "All things considered, there are only so many people in the world I fear. I genuinely can't defeat Pure Yang, and I don't wish to either... I would rather face the Taoist than experience Pure Yang's teaching."

At this point,

The Island Master cast his gaze toward Lotus Peak and curiously asked, "So what exactly has become of your senior brother?"

"If the Island Master is truly curious, a fight would make it clear."

The Law Enforcement said calmly, "If two Yang Gods were to fight fiercely within Da Sui Sword Palace while my senior brother is still in retreat, he is most likely dead."

"Tsk, don't talk such unlucky nonsense."

The Island Master said irritably, "Good people don't live long, disasters linger for a thousand years... I see Pure Yang as the type to live a full thousand years in peace."

The Law Enforcement's face twitched slightly, and he seriously warned, "If Sir continues along this line, I will not be able to restrain myself from drawing my sword."

Pure Yang Sect Leader and Tongtian Law Enforcement had a friendship spanning hundreds of years.

Worldly frost and secular beauty, all within a hundred years.

The Dao is merciless, the sage is as dust, beauty is but a skeleton.

Everyone under the heavens knows that these two brothers of the Sword Palace are as close as one person.

Under the brilliance of Sect Leader Pure Yang, Tongtian Law Enforcement was content to recede behind the scenes, managing the Sword Palace and assuming the responsibilities of the Sword Law.

The thing he could least endure was hearing someone speak ill of his brother Pure Yang.

"To return to our main topic,"

The Island Master clenched his fist and coughed, changing the subject, "Brother Tongtian, having known each other for many years, about that 'small favor' I mentioned earlier... can you accommodate it?"

"..."

The Law Enforcement coldly glanced at the chessboard and said, "No hurry, let's have another game."

"Another game?"

The Island Master, fiddling with a black piece and feeling a headache coming on, said, "I don't know much about chess, but there's one thing I understand… It's only interesting when the opponents are well-matched. With such a disparity between us, even if we played a hundred games, would you really find it enjoyable, Brother Tongtian?"

On the chessboard, the situation depicted a one-sided collapse with the black pieces routed and disorganized by the white pieces.

Logically speaking,

this game of chess could have been conceded midway.

But due to the circumstances of asking for a favor, the Island Master had forced himself to continue up to this point, having let out a laugh earlier... because the state of the game was just too pitiful.

If it were Qi Lie playing, the chances were high that he would have performed better than he did.

"Interesting, so very interesting,"

The Law Enforcement said expressionlessly, "Would the Island Master care to join me for a hundred more games?"

"Zhao Tongtian, stop talking nonsense,"

The Island Master was almost out of patience, restraining the urge to flip the table, and lowering his voice said, "My son ran thousands of miles to the Sword Palace, can't you lend a hand?"

"The Sword Palace is open to all comers,"

The Law Enforcement looked down, "If someone wishes to take the oath and meets the conditions, they will naturally be accepted as a disciple."

"Are you pulling my leg?"

The Island Master widened his eyes, growing anxious, "Can't you see this boy is not a Sword Cultivator? A Golden Body Realm Body Refiner, what prospects could he possibly have in the Da Sui Sword Palace? If he were willing to calmly cultivate on Wangyou Island, he might just become a Yang God within a single jiazi!"

"Sorry, I am the Law Enforcement."

Zhao Tongtian sipped his tea and said indifferently, "A sixteen-year-old in the Golden Body Realm, how could the Sword Palace turn him away… The Island Master need not worry, if your son is accepted into Golden Turtle Peak, I can assure you, his future achievements will not be inferior to those of Wangyou Island."

"You, you, you!"

The Island Master angrily flipped over the chessboard, "After playing with you for so long, are you toying with me?"

"A fight?"

Tongtian Law Enforcement asked seriously, "Or shall I have my senior brother come out and judge?"

...

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(PS: emmm, the leave of absence should be considered obsolete, the second update delivered~ once again asking for monthly votes, kisses~)