Chapter 27: The Way Possesses a Heart to Save the World, As Well as the Fury of Thunder

Floating Cloud Mountain, True Profound Peak.

Placing his wooden sword back into its sheath, Xuanming first flicked his sleeve to store away his golden saber, then retrieved a projection stone. He tossed it to Xuankong and instructed:

"The Dao encompasses both the heart of salvation and the wrath of thunder."

"Though our Qiuzhen Temple belongs to the Daoist lineage—valuing kindness and avoiding conflict—we will not tolerate bullying or schemes. Since the Chen clan refuses to relent, we need not be courteous. It is time to reveal our edge."

"Old Master Chen has ascended the mountain, and his clan is likely waiting in anxious suspense. While time is short and they have yet to suspect his death or react in time, our temple must act swiftly to catch the Chen clan off guard."

"I must trouble you, Junior Brother Xuankong, to depart this very night. Ride a crane to Fengyang Prefecture, inform the Ministry of Law of these events, and request an order of execution."

Xuanming looked toward the others and continued his instructions:

"If you do not pull up the weeds by the roots, they will grow again with the spring breeze."

"I must trouble you, brothers, to descend the mountain and surround the Chen estate, cutting off their escape routes. Prevent any of the Chen clan from fleeing. Since we have already become enemies, we must root them out completely to avoid future vendettas and disturbances to the tranquility of our temple."

The other Daoists, aware of the urgency, immediately declared:

"Rest assured, Senior Brother, I shall depart at once."

"We, too, are gathering our disciples and will descend immediately."

Xuanming nodded in satisfaction. As the others moved to their tasks, he stood with his hands behind his back, gazing down at Floating Cloud County, his eyes cold.

Time waits for no one; we must seize the moment.

Of course, Xuanming’s decisive action against the Chen clan also stemmed from private motives. A family with a century of heritage surely possessed a vast collection of books. Since the enmity was set and could not be resolved, he had to secure those texts before they were burned or spirited away. Perhaps there were even Daoist scriptures not found in their own library.

Withdrawing his gaze, Xuanming moved with a stride that covered a hundred feet, leaping away. Everything that needed saying had been said, and his fellow Daoists were reliable and would not falter at critical moments. There was no need for him to worry about the rest.

That was the advantage of a collective.

***

Hidden Dao Peak, Asking Dao Courtyard.

The Life-Severing Golden Saber was tossed carelessly onto the table. Xuanming sat cross-legged, silently reviewing the recent battle. He knew his own limitations; he rarely fought and lacked experience. Whether it was the previous slaying of the demon or the elimination of Old Master Chen, he had relied on sheer, overwhelming power to crush his opponents.

While winning through raw force was satisfying, Xuanming was not arrogant. Having lived for sixty years, his mind remained clear and his thoughts thorough; he would not be easily intoxicated by victory. Thus, after every battle, he carefully reviewed the details of the fight, analyzed his strengths and weaknesses, and summarized his experiences to bridge his shortcomings.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Xuanming lay down to sleep. With every breath, spiritual energy ebbed and flowed, surrounding his body.

The deep breath returns to the root. With every inhalation, his internal cultivation and foundations grew slightly stronger, and his essence, energy, and spirit increased by a fraction. As time passed, Xuanming sank into a deep, peaceful slumber. Inhaling the pure and exhaling the turbid, surrounded by a faint mist, he looked like an immortal sleeping amidst the clouds, unknowingly acquiring a touch of ethereal, otherworldly grace.

***

The situation was urgent, and the Daoists raced against time. At this moment, time was the greatest advantage.

In the dead of night, the entire Qiuzhen Temple stirred. A plump figure rode a crane out of the mountains, followed by another crane carrying a corpse. Dozens of Daoists, both young and old, were awakened and assembled. Led by their seniors, they took up their swords and headed down the mountain. Even the lowest among them held the cultivation of the second realm; Chang’anzi and Changqingzi were among them.

Xuanyin, quick-witted, visited the Asking Dao Courtyard to see Xuanming before departing. When he emerged, his steps were light, and a peach-wood sword was strapped to his back.

In the Chen family ancestral grounds of Floating Cloud County, the high-ranking members of the clan were gathered in the Jiying Hall. They had not slept all night; since their ancestor left, they had been on pins and needles, filled with trepidation. The matter was simply too significant. If they succeeded, the Chen clan would overshadow the Qiuzhen Temple, and from then on, there would be only one voice in Floating Cloud County. If they failed, the clan would fall into immediate peril—not only targeted by the temple but potentially punished by the authorities, affecting the rise and fall of the entire lineage. They could not afford to be careless.

Seeing that it was the fourth watch and their ancestor had yet to return, the crowd grew panicked. Whispers filled the hall, and an atmosphere of restless anxiety permeated the air.

Although Chen Liang had been somewhat impulsive since returning from Floating Cloud Mountain, as the family head, he possessed genuine talent. He made a prompt decision and issued his orders:

"The ancestor has not returned; I fear the outcome is grim."

"We must consider defeat before victory, and loss before gain. Regardless of the outcome, we must prepare for the worst. We cannot pin all our hopes on the ancestor. To ensure the survival of our lineage, we must make two preparations and immediately transfer some of our younger clansmen to safety."

"As long as the green hills remain, there is no need to fear a lack of firewood. If the ancestor returns, it will be well; if he has truly met with misfortune, these youths are our only hope for the continuation of the Chen clan."

Upon hearing this, the others agreed. At this moment of crisis, they stood united, no longer bickering or dragging their feet.

The third elder, who had a somewhat fierce countenance, stood up and added: "If the ancestor has truly faced a desperate situation, then the Qiuzhen Temple is more terrifying than we imagined. They likely possess masters on par with our ancestor or other unknown, fearsome means."

"There is no lack of clever minds in the mountains. Those Daoists might already be on their way. We must take precautions. Transferring the clansmen is not enough; we must divide them into two groups."

"One group will flee outside Floating Cloud County, while the other will head to the County God’s Office. We will voluntarily abandon our quotas for the Qiankun Tower and seek the government's protection, citing our family's heirlooms and our past contributions to flood control as leverage."

"Only by following both paths can we be secure. Otherwise, even if the clansmen escape, they will be hunted down and face certain death."

Everyone nodded in frantic agreement. They then took up their respective duties and acted swiftly. With the clan’s survival at stake, they dared not be sloppy.

In the early morning, the Chen estate was ablaze with light. Some were responsible for defense, others for logistics.

A portion of the youths and teenagers were gathered; they were strong and swift, giving them a better chance of escape. As for the old, the weak, the sick, and the disabled, they could only remain behind in the ancestral home.

This world is realistic and cruel. Before the crisis of life and death, the weak are left to be trampled. Moreover, having enjoyed the protection of the family, they were expected to sacrifice themselves when necessary. Everything was for the continuation of the clan!

***

Watching the busy clansmen, Chen Liang felt a heavy heart. He entrusted his children, including Chen Qingshu, to the third elder, hoping he would lead them away. Although the two usually fought for power and influence, Chen Liang had to admit that the third elder saw things clearly; his strategic wisdom surpassed his own, and he was one of the few men of insight in the clan. Entrusting the family to him was the most appropriate choice.

Regrettably, the third elder waved him off. He held up his right hand, which had only four fingers, and said: "In my youth, I was arrogant and looked down on the world. When I traveled, I brought disaster upon myself."

"Later, when a strong enemy came to my door, it was the family that protected me, sacrificing vast wealth and countless treasures to save my life. After that, I severed a finger to mark my resolve. I vowed to live the rest of my life with caution, to think thrice before acting, and to dedicate my body to the clan."

"Now, knowing my uncle went to take such a risk, it was my fault for not dissuading him in time. It was my error to harbor such luck and violate my vows, plunging the family into this predicament."

"In reason and emotion, I have no excuse for my sins."

"I am already in the twilight of my years, not much younger than my uncle. If a great catastrophe truly befalls the Chen clan, let me use my broken body to block the way for the younger generation and perish with this ancestral land."

"Born here, raised here, aged here, having known sorrow and joy here—I should also repay this land. If I can be buried in the ancestral soil, my heart will be at peace."

Looking at the third elder’s genuine display of emotion, Chen Liang felt a complex mix of being moved and ashamed.

However, the world is unpredictable. Despite the Chen clan’s swift response, they were still a step too late. Some of their people had not yet evacuated, and the protective formation had not yet been activated.

The Daoists of Qiuzhen Temple arrived. Dozens of them swung their swords in unison, executing the same technique: the Eight Trigrams Sword Art.

Large and small sword auras swarmed, and various levels of sword intent erupted. The Eight Trigrams sword auras moved like swimming fish, forming a dense web. Using their peach-wood swords as a foundation, they laid out an Eight Trigrams Sword Array.

Peach-wood swords were thrust into the ground, arranged around the Chen estate every ten feet. Dozens of Daoists stood guard at every point, waiting in battle readiness. Anyone who tried to break through the formation to escape was struck by the sword aura.

Some had their arms severed, others had their chests pierced; some lost hands, others lost feet, and some coughed up blood.

Xuanyin, Xuyang, and the others stood at their respective posts, guarding the key thoroughfares while watching the Eight Trigrams Sword Array with beaming smiles.