Eternal Saber

Chapter 575 - 181: Sword Sect

"Actually, she didn’t die."

Ye Xuan said, "Having cultivated to such a realm, there are numerous ways to preserve one’s life. It’s very difficult for those of the same rank to kill each other. Moreover, she practices the arts of the Profound Sect. My uncle couldn’t keep her."

"How is Third Grandpa?"

Ye Anshi, ranked third in the previous generation, hence Ye Yushi addressed the Sword Sect this way since Ye Xuan’s father was the eldest.

"Uncle and Empress Yin are both injured."

Ye Xuan said, "According to my uncle, Empress Yin should not appear within a year or two."

Although Ye Xuan didn’t mention the battle between the Grandmasters in the Capital City, the fact that it ended in mutual injury suggests how fierce it must have been.

"Empress Yin?"

Chen Tang was somewhat puzzled.

Ye Xuan said, "The true identity of Empress Dowager Yu is actually one of the four Grand Sacrificial Officers of the Profound Celestial Sect, known within the sect as ’Empress Yin.’"

Chen Tang asked, "There are four Grand Sacrificial Officers. Drunken Elder is Cold Food, Empress Yin is Empress Dowager Yu. Did the other two die in the Capital City battle?"

"Probably not."

Ye Xuan shook his head and said, "The identities of the Grand Sacrificial Officers are the highest level secrets in the Profound Celestial Sect. Very few people know their origins."

"In the battle in the Capital City, besides Empress Yin, Duke Lei, and Wind Master, two Nascent Soul True Monarchs from Donglai Continent came, but unfortunately, seeing that the situation was unfavorable, they fled early."

"These two should not be Grand Sacrificial Officers."

Chen Tang asked, "Hasn’t there been any other clue about Ye Yun, who joined the Profound Celestial Sect?"

Ye Xuan shook his head and said, "No identity information was found, only the titles of the remaining two, one named ’Thousand Changes,’ and the other named ’Spirit Treasure.’

Chen Tang pondered for a moment, suddenly thought of a possibility, and said, "The Profound Celestial Sect has always had connections with the Dongyi Race. During this upheaval in the Capital City, the Dongyi Race also sent many people over. Could this Thousand Changes Grand Sacrificial Officer be the Hidden Sect of the Dongyi Race?"

After a slight pause, Chen Tang continued, "Also, Xia Yuanxian’s Profound Sect teachings were inherited from Empress Yin, but his martial arts inheritance contains much from the Dongyi Race, even including body techniques like ’Floating Light and Shadow.’

"If the Hidden Sect and Empress Yin are both Grand Sacrificial Officers, Xia Yuanxian could indeed connect with the Hidden Sect through Empress Yin and cultivate the martial arts of the Dongyi Race."

"It’s possible."

Ye Xuan nodded and said, "Moreover, the name Thousand Changes might also imply that the Hidden Sect has a thousand ever-changing identities, appearances, and methods."

"What about the Spirit Treasure Grand Sacrificial Officer? Do you have any thoughts?"

Ye Xuan asked proactively.

Chen Tang smiled helplessly and said, "There’s not a single clue about this person, really can’t guess."

"It’s not a big deal either."

Ye Xuan said, "After the battle in the Capital City, the Profound Celestial Sect is severely weakened, in name only. The tens of thousands of Profound Celestial Sect members in Wu and Jiang Provinces, mostly composed of Martial Artists, cannot withstand the well-trained Northern Expedition Army."

"The remaining two Grand Sacrificial Officers can’t stir too much trouble."

The three of them chatted while walking and arrived at a remote mountain area by early morning.

The surrounding area was desolate and uninhabited, with only a winding and twisting small path faintly visible.

Ye Xuan dismounted, holding the body of the Drunken Elder, unfolded his body technique, and proceeded along the path.

Chen Tang and the others followed closely behind.

After walking for a while, as the dawn broke, the four passed through a forest, and a clearing appeared in front of them, where a courtyard stood, surrounded by fences.

The courtyard was simply and plainly set up, with an old plaque hanging on the beam above the entrance.

Written on it were three large characters, "Drunken Immortal Inn!"

Chen Tang took one look at the writing and felt a chill in his heart.

He had seen Shen Zhiyuan’s handwriting, but these three characters were far superior!

Though only three characters, the strokes contained a certain Daoist rhythm!

"This is the handwriting left by Young Master Yi, don’t stare too much, it may injure you."

Ye Xuan reminded.

Chen Tang and the others quickly withdrew their gaze.

Entering the courtyard, they saw a thatched hut.

Seemingly sensing someone’s arrival, the door of the hut opened, and an old man emerged.

Chen Tang was taken aback.

He had seen this old man before.

It was the same elder who, while fishing leisurely at Xiajiang, had subdued Sun Lingxiu effortlessly.

Chen Tang already had a vague guess about this elder’s identity.

To be able to easily capture a Nascent Soul True Monarch, only the Nanxia Sword Sect could likely achieve that.

However, what surprised him at that moment was that the old man seemed to be a different person from when they last met.

The old man, with white hair, wide robes, and large sleeves, appeared indifferent, possessing an unparalleled sense of freedom and pride, like a bird in the mountains, inspiring admiration at first glance.

Yet when they met by the river that day, the old man wore a straw hat, a raincoat, held a fishing basket, and a fishing rod, looking like an ordinary fisherman.

Despite the two completely different auras, each seemed incredibly genuine.

"Uncle."

"Third Grandpa."

The calls from Ye Xuan and Ye Yushi confirmed Chen Tang’s previous suspicions.

The elder before them was the world-renowned Grandmaster, the Nanxia Sword Sect!

"Chen Tang pays respects to the senior."

Chen Tang pulled Ah Li forward, bowing in salute.

Ah Li merely followed Chen Tang’s lead, without curiosity or respect for this Grandmaster.

She didn’t care who they were meeting; she just wanted to stay by Chen Tang’s side.

"This is Ah Li, originally from Nanxia, sold to the Dongyi Race, her voice poisoned mute as a child."

Chen Tang briefly explained.

The Sword Sect didn’t mind, just nodded with a smile, then focused on the Drunken Elder’s body.

Ye Xuan briefly described the Martial Arts Assembly to the Sword Sect and handed over the Drunken Elder’s body.

The Sword Sect placed his old friend’s body on a seat in front of a stone table in the courtyard, arranging it to sit properly, then sat opposite, looking at the Drunken Elder’s body silently for a long time.

No one knew what he was thinking.

None of them spoke to disturb him.

As morning light broke through the forest, it gradually illuminated the courtyard, casting upon the Drunken Elder’s rosy face.

The Sword Sect picked up the Drunken Elder, walked to the back of the hut, and soon the sound of soil being turned echoed.

Though they hadn’t met one last time, the Sword Sect personally buried his old friend, bringing him to rest.

Moments later, the Sword Sect returned, calm as ever.

Chen Tang saw no sign of grief or sorrow on the Sword Sect’s face.

Perhaps, having lived to the Sword Sect’s age, he had long seen life and death with detachment.

"Decades of friendship, yet I couldn’t see him off on his last journey."

The Sword Sect sighed softly and said, "If your long-time friends or dearest family change, what would you do?"

Ye Xuan, Chen Tang, and the others remained silent.

The Sword Sect smiled slightly and said, "Just casual talk, no need to be formal."

Ye Xuan said, "If my dear relations change to such an extent, with ambitions inflating, harming the innocent for selfish desires, I would sever ties, straightforwardly and resolutely."

Chen Tang couldn’t help but think of Big Heigou, of Changsun Ming, of Lu Qing, also of Yuan Qingshan, and Yuan Qingmu siblings.

Chen Tang remained silent for a long time before shaking his head and saying, "I don’t know."

Ye Yushi said, "Probably, only when faced with it truly, can one decide."

Ah Li found it strange in her heart.

What’s so difficult about this that you’d think so long?

She had no friends, only family.

Whether it’s Chen Tang, or those grandpas and grandmas, uncles and aunts of Peach Blossom Valley, no matter how they change, they are her family, and she would never harm them.