MTLNOVEL Chapter 50 "I Want Xie Zhen Dead.
The three words 'Xie Xuanyi' echoed within the grand hall.
In an instant, all of Golden Turtle Peak fell silent, and the Princely Heir Jiangning's pre-arranged reflective talisman brought the scene within the grand hall to every corner down the mountain.
Up the mountain, down the mountain, even the entire Sword Palace, fell into an atmosphere of extreme silence.
The lotus jade token, held high, shimmered with a faint glow under countless gazes.
In that moment, everyone understood.
Why Huang Su would give Xie Zhen such a jade token.
Why the visit to Golden Turtle Peak for investigation returned without success.
Why so many voices of suspicion surged towards this young boy, yet Qi Lie, against all odds, chose to disregard them.
Because Xie Zhen was a disciple of Xie Xuanyi.
Everything.
Had suddenly become reasonable.
"Xie Xuanyi's disciple?"
Xu Nianning, stopped behind by Xie Zhen, looked incredulously at the young boy before her.
Of course, she had heard the story of Xie Zhen, these few days Prince Jiangning had been predominant, but it was Xie Zhen who had overshadowed him... yet who could have guessed before today that Xie Zhen was Xie Xuanyi's disciple, and that Xie Xuanyi had left behind a disciple!
"Aooooo!"
Not far from the main seat, Duan Zhao was stunned beyond belief; if not for Qi Lie holding him back, he would have run to the center of the grand hall to take a closer look at Xie Zhen.
He stroked the Wind and Thunder Bracelet on his wrist, suddenly having an epiphany.
My dear mother.
No wonder my mother insisted I come to Da Sui Sword Palace looking for someone surnamed Xie... So this was the reason!
Xie Xuanyi had passed away.
The inheritor of Xie Xuanyi's mantle... was only Xie Zhen!
So, following Xie Zhen's cultivation these past few days was like following half a Xie Xuanyi's cultivation, wasn't it?
Jiang Qihu's reaction wasn't much better than Duan Zhao's.
Seeing Stupid Tiger's reaction, Ye Qinglian's beautiful eyes flowed with an unusual glimmer, somewhat understanding the situation.
The reveal of Xie Xuanyi's disciple's identity.
The chaos in Qing State, the battle at Beihai Ling, the illogical parts in those files also started to make perfect sense.
In Ye Qinglian's view, there was no doubt that Chen Jingxuan had sheltered this poor child early on, just waiting for Da Sui Sword Palace to initiate and unveil, allowing Xie Zhen to reappear... The chaos in Qing State, the battle at Beihai Ling, were also to lay a foundation for Xie Zhen, so that the world would know of his existence!
The expressions in the grand hall were immensely complex.
Of course, the one who found it hardest to accept this news was Prince Jiangning, Xie Sheng.
Leaning on a column, Xie Sheng barely steadied himself, taking deep breaths to calm his Heart Lake. His vision still blurred, the figure of Xie Zhen standing before him, a mere blur in black clothing, gradually merged with a figure in his Heart Lake, indistinguishable from each other.
"Xie Xuanyi... Xie Xuanyi..."
Prince Jiangning chuckled softly, the laughter laced with self-mockery, and more so with sorrow.
He looked down at the Sword Qi Talismans that had fallen all over the ground.
So, the Sword Qi bell ringing array that he had deciphered for so long... was not the correct solution at all...
The Dao of Sword Qi, never took form.
The ringing of the Sword Qi bell was a Dao that everyone could comprehend.
"Your Highness!"
Yue Chenglong, somewhat anxious, stepped forward to speak, wanting to say something.
Prince Jiangning raised his hand, stopping him.
Xie Sheng raised his head, his eyes hidden by disheveled hair, revealing dense bloodshot eyes and weariness.
The Red Dragon coiled in his Heart Lake, stirring up massive waves; his Heart Lake had never been so chaotic...
But it had never been so calm.
Prince Jiangning looked somewhat haggard, his gaze firmly on the young boy before him, his voice hoarse as he spoke, "Xie Zhen... are you truly Xie Xuanyi's disciple?"
Xie Xuanyi smiled faintly, as usual, paying no heed to his Highness, merely retracting the lotus jade token, wiping the token with his finger before hanging it back at his waist.
This action.
Was his response.
"So, defeating you is akin to defeating a part of Xie Xuanyi..."
"Is that right?"
Xie Sheng suddenly smiled; he did not care about Xie Zhen's attitude, only the significance of being Xie Xuanyi's disciple.
"Of course."
Xie Xuanyi spoke softly, "Would your Highness like to try? Or shall these two gentlemen go first?"
His gaze shifted to the two men beside Prince Jiangning.
The house of Prince Jiangning spent a good deal of money to bribe two young Perfect Cave Heavens... If they weren't deployed now, wouldn't that be a waste?
The expressions of Yue Chenglong and Wan Chuo became somewhat tense.
The Xie family had offered many benefits.
But who would want to compare swords with Xie Xuanyi's Direct Disciple?
The fate of Jing Qingming, which everyone had witnessed! This chief disciple of the Silver Moon Sect had been seriously injured in a sword duel with Xie Zhen and was still unconscious!
"They..."
Prince Jiangning turned his head and glanced at them, barely suppressing a laugh, "If you are Xie Xuanyi's disciple, they are not worthy to cross swords with you."
This statement carried a hint of humiliation.
But Yue Chenglong and Wan Chuo breathed a sigh of relief.
"Tomorrow... is the grand competition of Xuanshui Cave Heaven."
Xie Sheng took a deep breath, his smile fading.
Perhaps it was because the Red Dragon was subdued, and his Heart Lake no longer turbulent.
He gradually regained his reason, his eyes clearing, and as his fluttering robe slowly settled, his lean figure exuded a fierce Sword Intent, causing everyone around to instinctively step back.
"Xie Zhen, I will prove in front of the entire world who is the new master of Xuanshui Cave Heaven!"
Prince Jiangning turned his back, his hands behind his back, looking back at his supporters.
Not long ago, he was the center of attention.
At this moment.
He stood alone.
After speaking these words.
Xie Sheng turned his head carelessly without a trace of nostalgia and left the hall directly.
"...what a pity."
Xie Xuanyi heard Xu Nianning sigh softly behind him, "I thought that Xie Sheng would challenge me right in the palace."
Everyone was expecting this scene.
But none had anticipated that at this critical moment... Prince Jiangning would suddenly step back!
"Challenge?"
Xie Xuanyi silently shook his head.
He knew very well.
Prince Jiangning would not challenge him in this great hall.
For a Sword Cultivator, maintaining one's spirit is of utmost importance.
Today, on Golden Turtle Peak, Prince Jiangning presented the "Sword Qi Strikes Bell" array pattern to demonstrate his Sword Qi aptitude to the world!
If anyone objected, they could step forward and point out the flaws in the array pattern!
Next.
It would be time for a Dao debate!
In this Sword Qi ceremony, Xie Sheng was far ahead of others... In such circumstances, no matter who Xie Sheng defeated, it would be hard to prove he was stronger than Xie Xuanyi back in the day.
But if Xie Sheng still won in an equal "Dao debate"!
Then, the situation would be different.
The Sword Qi Striking Bell array pattern was bestowed to all Sword Cultivators by Da Sui Sword Palace!
Anyone could step forward and debate!
Initially, Xie Sheng wished that those law enforcement elders of Golden Turtle Peak, because they disapproved of him, would join the debate — especially if the respected Yin God could join this Dao debate—
His comprehension of the array pattern was indeed profound and could withstand scrutiny of any degree.
But what Xie Sheng had not foreseen was that the Sect Leader presented the array pattern from a much higher perspective.
Xie Xuanyi's explanation of the mysteries of the array pattern had resolved doubts for everyone... But this resolution had come at a terrible cost for Prince Jiangning.
A damaged Dao heart was a minor matter.
Developing a Heart Demon and stagnating in the Perfect Cave Heaven was the real horror.
...
...
The estate of Prince Jiangning at True Hidden Peak was cloaked in gloom.
The maids and servants in the mission were all pale, kneeling on the ground, trembling, not daring to raise their heads.
The Prince, returning from the solemn Golden Turtle Peak, smashed several precious items upon arriving at his estate and locked himself in the quiet room. Even through several layers of array patterns, agonizing, hoarse screams and faint, majestic dragon roars could be heard.
"Xie Xuanyi! Xie Xuanyi!"
The Prince's ceremonial robe was torn by the force of his Qi, revealing his crimson skin as he threw everything smashable in the quiet room, venting the pain and anger in his Heart Lake!
Atop the great hall.
His calm posture... was not because he had subdued the Red Dragon.
Rather the opposite.
He was acutely aware that this backlash from the Red Dragon was more intense than ever before, and if he did not leave soon, he was going to "show his true form".
Thus, it led to his final, lonely, and desolate departure.
When the Pavilion Master of Incense Fire House pushed open the quiet room's door.
Everything had returned to tranquility, with the fragments of his tattered ceremonial robe scattered everywhere. In a dark corner of the quiet room, a figure curled up resembling a candle that could extinguish at any moment, vulnerable to even the slightest breeze.
"I heard about what happened at Golden Turtle Peak."
Incense Fire Pavilion Master gently crouched down, gazing at the Red Dragon sprawling across Xie Sheng's back, his eyes tender as he patted Xie Sheng's trembling back and comforted him in a soothing voice, "In my view, your Highness is not in the wrong. It was Golden Turtle Peak's fault, and also Da Sui Sword Palace's... The enforcement of the Sword Palace is inhumane, manipulating the laws and disregarding the affection of Jiangning Incense Fire."
"... "
Xie Sheng slowly raised his head, his eyes revealing a terrifying crimson glow.
"That person from the Taoist sect, unlike the Sword Palace's law enforcement, really knows how to 'cherish talent'."
Incense Fire Pavilion Master regretfully spoke, "It's just a Yang God... Da Sui Sword Palace has it, and Taoists have it too. Honestly, my master has always admired your talents, but since Taoists never force anyone against their will, I rarely mentioned this throughout our journey."
Xie Sheng calmly and coldly watched Incense Fire Pavilion Master.
"Your Highness, the Taoist sect..."
Incense Fire Pavilion Master finally seized the moment to reveal, "is truly where the Red Dragon's heavenly decree belongs."
Prince Jiangning lowered his head again.
The quiet room remained silent for a long time.
Incense Fire Pavilion Master carefully observed the Prince's expression, smiling and saying, "If you do not wish it, I would not force it."
A moment later.
The flickering red candlelight in the quiet room gently swayed.
"Congratulations."
Incense Fire Pavilion Master said with relief, "Starting today, I have an additional precious junior brother."
"... Pavilion Master brother."
Xie Sheng huskily said, "Since I have joined the Taoist sect, there should be a ritual for entering the sect."
Incense Fire Pavilion Master was taken aback.
"Sure..."
He said cheerfully, "Brother, I will help smooth out the hostility of the Red Dragon Mark for you."
Incense Fire Pavilion Master reached out his hand but had it ruthlessly swatted away midair.
"No need. The Red Dragon's hostility... I can subdue it myself."
Prince Jiangning slowly raised his face, looking seriously at his senior brother's face, his voice hoarse, pausing between each word, "What I want is not this."
Incense Fire Pavilion Master's smile gradually stiffened.
He had already guessed the request Prince Jiangning might make.
Within the dark quiet room.
Came Xie Sheng's voice, calm to the extreme.
"I want Xie Zhen dead."
(PS: 1, My biological clock was a bit disrupted last night, and I couldn't adjust it back, so the update is quite late, TAT 2, Thanks to Jing Tian for the reward, I will try to update more tonight, but as always, those who do not stay up late, don't wait~)