409 Still That Qiushan I

That Mount Li disciple had previously stood in front of the dwelling, staininghis clothes with blood and not retreating even half a step nor showing theslightest cowardice. His loyalty and bravery were not in doubt, but even hecould not help but question now. The peaks of Mount Li were all silent and allfor the same reason. The vast majority of the disciples of Mount Li all stoodfirmly by the Sect Master, indignant at the shameless conduct of Xiao Songgongand the other two elders, but now there was a change—Su Li was the idol ofMount Li, but if what Elder Xiao Songgong said was true, then this idol wasgradually beginning to collapse. In front, from Tempering Stone Peak, came the voice of a disciple, "If SeniorBrother Qi Jian really is…a descendant of the demons, then perhaps…theDiscipline Hall really should be allowed to ask a few questions." Bai Cai was enraged at these words, but before he had time to say anything, hesaw one of the disciples by his side plop to the ground and get on his knees.The disciple began to kowtow towards the Sect Master's back, even dipping hisforehead into the blood-soaked ground. "Master, if…Junior Brother really is the daughter born of Martial Granduncleand a Demon Princess, why is it necessary for you to put your all into coveringup for him? A few days ago when everyone was saying the Junior Brother hadkilled Third Brother, I didn't believe a word of it, but if in her body flowsthe filthy blood of the demons, and then she even collaborates with that wolfyouth hybrid, then what can't she do?" The Sect Master looked at this disciple who was normally the most deferentialto him, and he softly sighed. This disciple's entire family had been slain bythe Demon Army, so what could he rebuke him for? When Bai Cai looked at those two disciples and heard the growing discussioncoming from the distant peaks, his anger was only inflamed further. He yelled,"The grand disciples of Mount Li have been confused by the heresy of the enemy!Just where have your sword hearts gone!" The surrounding peaks grew somewhat quieter, as did the main peak. Xiao Songgong once again sneered and moved his gaze to Bai Cai. "If your swordheart really is stainless, then why do you only dare to reprove your fellowdisciples? Why do you not dare to ask your master whether this matter is realor fake?" Bai Cai's gaze was still enraged, but he clenched his teeth in silence. Silence sometimes meant that one was extremely angry, other times it meantthat there was nothing to be said, and still other times it indicated tacitagreement—quite some time had passed since Xiao Songgong had revealed that QiJian was the daughter of Su Li and a Demon Princess, but the Mount Li SectMaster continued to stand in front of the dwelling, showing barely anyexpression and saying nothing. But his meaning was exceptionally clear. The several dozen disciples standing outside the dwelling and the even morenumerous disciples in the surrounding peaks were all looking at the Sect Master. Up until this very moment, they had still been loyal to Mount Li and supportedthe Sect Master, finding Xiao Songgong and the two Discipline Hall elders to beshameless. However, now they began to believe that Qi Jian and even Su Li hadsome relationship with the demons. Or else why would Third Brother LiangXiaoxiao on the verge of death direct such a complex and pained gaze towardsher? Even Bai Cai's sword heart began to waver, his emotions growing somewhatfrustrated. Ten-odd years ago, Mount Li and thus the entirety of the human world, becauseof two women, had a falling out. Ten-odd years later, this matter finallyreappeared in Mount Li and began to change the entire situation there. Finally, the Mount Li Sect Master opened his mouth to say something. He lookedinto Xiao Songgong's eyes and said, "You should not know of this matter,because the people that knew of it were all killed. Besides three of the Saintsand me, there should be no one else that knows. Not even the Demon Lord shouldknow, so how could you know?" This was a very difficult question to answer, so Xiao Songgong's expressionsuddenly turned icy, seeming to possess no intention of responding. "Even if the Tianhai Divine Empress or the Pope wanted to kill Junior MartialUncle, the Dao hearts of the Saints float about in the sea of stars. It isimpossible for them go back on their oath. The other Saint is even less likelyto act against Junior Martial Uncle's interest." The Sect Master did not explain why that Saint would not harm Su Li. He saidit as if it was taken for granted. He continued, "Then, how were you able tolearn this secret?" Xiao Songgong sneered, "As I said, there are no secrets in this world that areabsolute." The Sect Master's expression was grave and stern."That year, Junior MartialUncle went north to Xunyang City and killed everyone in the Liang Householdthat knew of this matter. The Divine Empress and the Pope also wanted to washtheir hands of this matter and ended up protecting this secret. I very muchwould like to know just who amongst these three leaked this matter to you." Xiao Songgong's expression shivered with fear at these words. Only now did hefind out that behind that bloody incident of the past was originally the willof these three great powers. The Sect Master continued, "If you cannot say where this informationoriginated from, then I can only believe that this is the work of Black Robe." This was a very crude conclusion, but in the Eastern Continent, it was alsothe most convincing. Because amongst the humans, demons, and demi-humans, therewas an acknowledgment that was almost close to a truth—Black Robe knew all ofthe world's secrets. "If it really was Black Robe that told you…you say that Junior Martial Uncleis colluding with the demons, but what about you? The demon Military Advisor isusing your hands to destroy the foundation of my Mount Li; does this count ascolluding!?" He was truly worthy of being the Sect Master of Mount Li Sword Sect. Everyword of his was a sword. After the sneak attack, his body was severely injured,but these furious and combative criticisms were still like booms of thunder,resounding through all the peaks of Mount Li. They caused the discussions goingon in the surrounding peaks to spontaneously come to an end, and the situationshifted once more. It was clear that the two Discipline Hall elders did not know the origin ofthis information, and they subconsciously turned to Xiao Songgong. In the end,Xiao Songgong could not bear the might of those sword-like words. His face alittle pale, he answered, "It was from the testament Liang Xiaoxiao left beforehe died." The Sect Master silently listened to these words, then said, "So it was likethat." He moved his gaze to the Longevity Sect elder and said, "It was recorded thatyear that it was precisely Senior Brother Jiang that brought those two childrento Mount Li. It now seems that he presumably already knew of his history backthen." After a few moments of silence, Elder Jiang said, "I do not know when he foundout his own history. I also learned of this matter after Zhuang Huanyu secretlydelivered that testament to the Longevity Sect." The Sect Master asked, "Banhu has still clearly not learned about his history,let alone that major affair from that year. Xiaoxiao is younger than him by alittle, so why would Elder Liang entrust his vengeance to him?" Elder Jiang replied, "Perhaps ten-odd years ago, Elder Liang already saw thatLiang Banhu was too honest and sincere, far from being as vicious, sinister andsteady as his younger brother." It truly was like this. In terms of viciousness, sinisterness, and steadiness,who in this young generation was Liang Xiaoxiao's match? Even after he wasdead, none could lay such a claim. Such a young genius, his cultivation still in Ethereal Opening, would evendare to have a Saint sink into the depths of misery as a sacrifice for hislofty goals. Using his own death, just how many winds and waves had he stirredup in Mount Li against Chen Changsheng and Wofu Zhexiu? It had all been adiversion, a method he had used to muddy the waters. Of course, it had alsobeen something he had been willing to do along the way. His true target hadalways been Mount Li—it had always been Su Li. Liang Xiaoxiao keenly understood that he would never have the opportunity tokill Su Li in this life. Even harming Qi Jian would be very difficult, so hehad chosen the most desperate path and used the most extreme method. He wantedto destroy Qi Jian's reputation. Things like reputation did not need any sortof evidence to destroy, only malice and conjecture. This was not even to speakof the fact that in the eyes of the common people, he was the senior brotherthat cherished Qi Jian the most. He wanted to destroy Su Li's legend. Thingslike legends were the most divine and solemn, but they were also the easiest tomalign, because Su Li had himself done things that were too easy to malign. Together with that unfathomable demon Military Advisor in the distant snowyplains, one in the south and one in the north, they arranged the events withinand without the Garden of Zhou and set up these two significant assassinationsin Xunyang and Mount Li! For this, he only needed to pay his life, then leave behind a single emotionalgaze and one testament. Before he died, he had presumably already completed all these calculations.Although he had died, countless people would continue his plan in accordancewith his arrangements. Taking his emotional gaze and testament, they wouldcontinue the battle. The entire world would take vengeance on his behalf, and on the behalf of hiselders. It could be believed that the moment when he drew his last breath outside theGarden of Zhou, Liang Xiaoxiao had been calm and joyful. Xiao Songgong said nothing. The two elders of the Discipline Hall saidnothing. That Elder Jiang of the Longevity Sect also said nothing more. TheSect Master stood behind the several dozen sword glows, quietly gazing at thesword gripped in his right hand, pondering something. They were present-dayexperts at the upper level of Star Condensation. They could kill a junior likeLiang Xiaoxiao with a wave of their hands. Yet now that they had completelyunderstood Liang Xiaoxiao's intentions and his preparations, they felt anindescribable tinge of reverence for that now-deceased junior. If they knew that Zhou Tong had described Liang Xiaoxiao as his most suitablesuccessor, perhaps they would have felt the same. In a brief span of time, the Sect Master of Mount Li seemed to get ratherolder. He understood everything and a faint sense of regret took root in hisheart. From such a young age, Liang Xiaoxiao had lived in revenge, evenconcealing it from his own brothers. Just what sort of suffering was that? Whywas it that he had never sensed this peculiarity? The silence was finally shattered in the next moment, and the one to break itwas the Qiushan clan head. Before dawn, he had followed Xiao Songgong and therest up Mount Li's main peak. After that, this Qiushan clan head and hisunfathomably powerful Guardian had said not a word, even though where theystood clearly communicated which side they were taking. "This matter nevertheless must be resolved," the Qiushan clan head said gentlyto the Sect Master. This head of a prestigious family of the south seemed to still have a smileabout his face, but his words were tough and unyielding. "Since the blood ofdemons runs through Qi Jian's body, she should naturally be handed over to theDiscipline Hall for questioning. Sir Su Li who concealed this matter shouldalso bear some of the blame, but since he has already died in Xunyang City,that subject can naturally be dropped. As for the venerable Sect Master…Ibelieve that you really should step down." These were all demands that Xiao Songgong had brought up, and the Qiushan clanhead had repeated them once more. All the Mount Li disciples once again grew tense. This was a bout of internal unrest, a confrontation between two factions ofpower. It had even already exceeded the bounds of Mount Li and had become aclash between two great powers of the Southern Heaven. This fight was over theposition of Sect Master of Mount Li. The myriad swords had yet to break throughthe clouds and not much blood had been spilled. Could it be that today, MountLi would really become a green mountain dyed in blood?