Chapter 89: Even a Scholar Possesses a Fraction of Chivalry

Yutu’s gaze was unfocused, yet a flicker of fierce hostility sharpened as he looked at Zhong Ming. The situation on the field shifted in an instant; anyone could see that Yutu had developed a murderous intent toward Zhong Ming.

Bonian, who had been cheerful just moments before, saw his expression falter, his smile freezing on his face. Everyone in Baiyujing knew that Master Yutu of the Second Pavilion had a volatile temper and an eccentric personality. Outsiders could never fathom his thoughts, and his erratic moods were a common occurrence.

Meanwhile, Yang Yanlang also sensed that Yutu’s aura had turned ominous. He slowly raised his Silver Dragon Spear, its silver tip gleaming in the twilight, pointed directly at Yutu’s throat. What had briefly seemed like a possibility for reconciliation had once again descended into a clash of arms.

Bonian hurriedly intervened, "Yutu, didn't we agree just now to let this matter pass?"

Yutu did not reply. With a wave of his hand, a burst of purple light erupted behind him, and a sharp, violent gale surged directly toward Yang Yanlang.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Yang Yanlang blocked with his spear, the Silver Dragon Spear ringing three times in quick succession. Everything happened in the blink of an eye; Yang Yanlang’s movements were purely instinctive self-defense.

As the purple light faded, Yutu turned his back on Yang Yanlang and Zhong Ming. He said in a gloomy voice, "If you dare point that spear at me again, it won't just be the weapon that breaks."

No sooner had the words left his lips than the Silver Dragon Spear in Yang Yanlang’s hand snapped in four pieces. Two sections remained in Yang Yanlang’s grip, while the spearhead and another segment fell to the ground with a crisp sound that struck a chord in Yang Yanlang’s heart.

"You insolent brat!"

With his spear shattered, Yang Yanlang flew into a rage, his eyes bloodshot. The Silver Dragon Spear was a family heirloom, a weapon with a renowned name on the list of Divine Arms. Though not forged from extraterrestrial meteor iron like the Extinct Blade, it was the work of a master craftsman. Legend had it that General Yang used this very spear to help conquer the world for the former Chen dynasty; it was the sacred object of the Yang family’s heritage. It was not merely a treasure, but the spiritual anchor of the Yang family's martial legacy. Seven-tenths of the power of the Yang family spear technique relied on the wielder, and three-tenths on the sharpness of the Silver Dragon Spear. Now that this spear—the object of his deepest devotion—was broken, it was as if an arm had been severed from his body. How could he not be consumed by rage?

The Suanni scale armor on the General’s body crackled. Zhong Ming, standing nearby, saw the nail-sized scales stand on end due to Yang Yanlang’s surging internal energy, and the white robes beneath them fluttered despite the lack of wind.

A dragon’s roar echoed from the broken spear. Yang Yanlang dropped the remnants, waved his hand, and grabbed at the air. The severed spearhead flew toward him, and with a surge of energy, he condensed it into a full-length lance.

Forming weapons from qi!

Zhong Ming was stunned. He had been practicing martial arts for many days and had heard many legends about the extraordinary feats of martial artists. Forming weapons from qi was a realm that martial heroes dreamed of reaching; it was said that only the thirty-six martial arts legends could achieve it.

Yang Yanlang, ranked at the top of the Earth Kui list, had made no progress in his cultivation for four or five years. Today, not only had he entered the Tiangang realm after hearing the song "Unrivaled Under Heaven," but under Yutu’s provocation, he had reached the profound state of forming weapons from qi. This was a hallmark of a martial legend. A master might be in the Tiangang realm, but not necessarily capable of forming weapons from qi; however, anyone who could achieve this was undoubtedly of the Tiangang realm or even beyond.

In a flash, Yang Yanlang’s qi-formed lance, now glowing with a cyan dragon-shaped aura, pulsed in his hands as he thrust it directly at Yutu’s back. The gust of wind forced Zhong Ming to retreat four or five steps. Yang Yanlang was shrouded in such immense power that he clearly intended to take Yutu’s life.

At the same moment, Yutu spun around, the fierce malice fully exposed on his porcelain-doll face. He raised his small hand and roared, "Yang Yanlang, you are truly seeking death!"

Behind Yutu, the purple Dharma image of Wu Gang suddenly manifested. The ferocious image held a giant axe in both hands and swung it down at Yang Yanlang.

Just as the astonishing spear thrust and the Wu Gang Dharma image were about to collide, Bonian sighed and shouted in a low voice, "Enough!"

The shout seemed casual, but it carried an immeasurable and terrifying power, far stronger than the gale surrounding Yang Yanlang. Bonian’s green scholar’s robes billowed, and a cyan Dharma image appeared behind him. The image was a mix of green and purple, as if in the midst of a transformation between the two colors. It took the form of an elderly man with a long beard, holding a book in one hand and a long sword in the other, wearing a mask from the nose up with distorted patterns resembling a rabbit.

With a single flick of the sword held by the elderly rabbit-masked Dharma image, Bonian forced both Yang Yanlang and Yutu to retreat. The collision of the three forces exploded into a wave of energy that left onlookers unable to keep their eyes open.

Yang Yanlang stumbled back four or five steps, unable to stop himself. Zhong Ming rushed forward to support him, but the moment he touched Yang Yanlang’s body, he felt a massive shockwave transfer through him. This was merely the residual force after Yang Yanlang had absorbed the brunt of the blow. Zhong Ming had to channel his own internal energy just to barely steady him.

"Uncle, are you alright?" Zhong Ming asked with concern.

Supporting him, Yang Yanlang felt not just anger but shock. He shook his head slightly and whispered, "If the situation turns bad, run. Once you leave the city, go to Bianliang and find your eldest brother; he can protect you."

While moved, Zhong Ming also sighed. In the current situation, if Yutu truly wanted to kill them, he wouldn't be able to escape Wangxian City even if he had eight legs!

***

Looking back at Yutu, he had also retreated three steps before coming to a stop. Beside him, Zeng Li looked at the cyan Dharma image, stunned and seemingly terrified out of his wits.

Bonian’s smile vanished. His expression cold, he said softly, "You are all incredibly bold. Before the Dharma image of the Moon Ancestor, why do you not kneel?"

Although Yutu was clearly reluctant, he still knelt on both knees and bowed to the cyan image, saying, "Disciple Yutu pays respects to the Moon Ancestor Dharma image."

The rest of the Baiyujing disciples realized what was happening and quickly fell to their knees, calling out their respects to the Moon Ancestor. Zhong Ming watched this scene in confusion. He wanted to help Yang Yanlang retreat, but he dared not act rashly, caught in a dilemma.

"Yutu, if you still acknowledge me as your junior uncle and respect the Moon Ancestor, stop this nonsense today. You cannot harm General Yang!"

Yutu remained on the ground, his face obscured. They only heard him answer softly, "Yutu knows his mistake."

Bonian then turned to Yang Yanlang and said, "Yang Yanlang, I will not hold you accountable for the disturbance you caused at our Baiyujing residence today. But you must take care of yourself. If you step out that door and dare to draw your sword against Baiyujing again, I, Bonian, will personally take your life."

These words were harsh and carried a hint of a threat, but everyone present understood that Bonian was giving Yang Yanlang a way out. Far from threatening him, there was a touch of protection in his tone. If not for the fact that Yang Yanlang had performed meritorious deeds for Baiyujing in the mountains last month, combined with the world-shaking talent he displayed while listening to the music today, Bonian would never have gone this far. Unlike most of the immortals in Baiyujing, Bonian possessed a touch of scholarly refinement and worldly chivalry; at his core, he didn't care much for the path of immortality and still retained a sense of human warmth.

Yang Yanlang was unconvinced, but he was not a fool. If he continued to stir up trouble, he and his nephew would die. Silently, he picked up the broken Silver Dragon Spear and said, "Nephew, let's go home."

As they exited through the central gate, Yang Yanlang’s back suddenly slumped, and he seemed to have aged several years. Zhong Ming noticed the change and asked, "Uncle, are you hurt?"

After a long silence, Yang Yanlang looked toward the west, where only a sliver of twilight remained, and whispered, "Only after stepping out of the Earthly Fiend realm did I realize how long the road is beyond the Heavenly Tiangang realm..."

Zhong Ming did not understand the answer. He frowned, pondering the meaning of the words.

"Nephew, come. Let’s return to the manor. We will have nothing more to do with Baiyujing from now on."

Yang Yanlang took the reins, climbed onto his horse, and headed toward the mansion. The Scaled Cavalry followed behind. Zhong Ming sat on his horse, unable to fathom why Yang Yanlang had been so deeply affected.

...

Outside, Yang Yanlang and the Scaled Cavalry departed. Inside the Baiyujing residence, Bonian finally withdrew his Moon Ancestor Dharma image. He stood with his hands behind his back, looking toward the gate with a worried expression.

As the image vanished, Yutu and the other disciples scrambled to their feet. Bonian turned to Yutu and said, "I have already severed the spiritual vein of Suiyun Mountain; you may send someone to collect the spiritual stones. My mission is complete, and I must return to the palace to report to the Palace Master."

Yutu did not speak and turned to walk toward the back courtyard. Zeng Li, his disciple, looked embarrassed and quickly explained, "Master Bonian, my master is still in the early stages of reincarnation. Influenced by his current form, he inevitably retains some childish temperament. Please forgive him."

Bonian was not angry. He knew full well that Yutu had only refrained from turning against him because the Moon Ancestor Dharma image had kept him in check. He smiled indifferently, "I know."

With that, Bonian summoned an ice lotus, rose into the air, and flew directly toward the city gates.

Zeng Li quickly cupped his hands and asked, "Master Bonian, we have prepared a victory banquet for you. Won't you stay and rest for the night?"

Bonian’s figure had already become a streak of light, and only his voice echoed from the sky: "Your master does not wish to see me. It is better to skip the banquet than to force everyone to exchange polite pleasantries while hiding their true anger. How tiresome!"

Following Bonian, several other streaks of light rose from the residence and flew toward the north together.

Once Bonian had completely disappeared into the night, Zeng Li told the others to disperse; the banquet was no longer necessary. Among the disciples, Yi Chongtian waited craftily until the others had left before quietly running to Zeng Li’s side. He whispered, "Master, what was that Dharma image of Master Bonian? Why did we have to kneel before it?"

Yi Chongtian was Zeng Li’s personal disciple. Zeng Li had lived for hundreds of years and had taken two personal disciples before, but neither had been to his liking. Only this young, clever, and observant boy had truly won his favor. Zeng Li valued him highly, which was why he had chosen to bring him out of the palace on this border trip for careful cultivation.

"That is a long story. I only heard it from a senior brother who is much older than I."

Zeng Li beckoned Yi Chongtian into his room, lit an oil lamp, and began to recount a long-held secret of Baiyujing.

Bonian’s status was unique, a fact known to everyone in Baiyujing. Among the twelve pavilions and five cities, most of the twelve masters were of the same generation as Yutu; only a few were from the older generation. In terms of age, Master Bonian was only a few years older than Yutu—about the same age as Echan—though in the years of an immortal, that could span thirty or forty years.

However, in terms of seniority, Bonian’s rank was very high; he was Echan’s junior uncle. He held this rank because when he first joined Baiyujing, his talent was so extraordinary that the previous two generations of Palace Masters had entrusted him to their top disciple to be groomed as a personal apprentice.

When the first Palace Master of Baiyujing, Yue Que, ascended to become a True Immortal, he left behind a wisp of his divine soul to protect his descendants. This soul was enshrined in the ancestral hall, and the statue was known as the Moon Ancestor. When Bonian first joined, he spent time as a hall guardian, cleaning the shrine daily. One night, a brilliant light erupted from the hall, shocking everyone. Upon investigation, they discovered that Bonian had accidentally knocked over the statue of the Moon Ancestor while cleaning.

This caused the strange phenomenon, awakening the remnant soul of the Moon Ancestor, which then surged out. Having no place to rest, the soul chose Bonian’s body as its vessel, drilling directly into him. After a century of cultivation, Bonian managed to refine the soul and integrate it into his own Dharma image, leading to the birth of the Moon Ancestor Dharma image.

Cultivators believed in fate. The current Palace Master believed that Bonian was the chosen successor of the Moon Ancestor, and that his possession of this soul was a decision made by the Moon Ancestor in the higher realms. Instead of punishing him, they held him in even higher regard. It was that generation’s Old Palace Master who established the rule: to see the Moon Ancestor Dharma image was to see the Moon Ancestor himself, and all disciples of Baiyujing, regardless of seniority, must kneel. After all, the Moon Ancestor was the founder of Baiyujing; no matter how high a junior’s rank, they could not outrank the ancestor.

Beyond being a disciple, Bonian held a very special position: the Enforcer. This role was created specifically for him, allowing him to use the Moon Ancestor Dharma image to clean house and override any decisions if Baiyujing made a grave error while the leadership was being stubborn.

Speaking of Bonian and the Dharma image, Zeng Li was filled with envy. He added, "There are almost no records of the Moon Ancestor Dharma image in the palace, but there is a rumor that when Palace Master Echan first descended to this realm, she wanted to strip Master Bonian of his position as Enforcer and fought him..."

Yi Chongtian asked eagerly, "Master, what was the result?"

"What do you think?" Zeng Li chuckled, stroking his beard. "Of course the Palace Master narrowly lost. Otherwise, would Master Bonian still be alive today? It is said that the Moon Ancestor Dharma image possesses extremely special techniques that even the 'Evil-Concealing Dharma Image' passed down through generations of Palace Masters cannot match."

Hearing of Bonian’s experience, Yi Chongtian felt a sense of longing. He sighed, "Master, if only I could obtain a wisp of the Moon Ancestor’s soul, I could bring you honor and become an Enforcer myself."

Zeng Li tapped Yi Chongtian on the forehead and laughed, "Stop daydreaming. Focus on your cultivation and find a partner with good talent so you can practice dual cultivation; that is what truly matters."

Yi Chongtian nodded in agreement, but sighed inwardly. Talented prospects were either controlled by high-level experts or taken as disciples by the major houses; it wasn't easy to find a good partner. Dual cultivation was a lifelong method, and talented people didn't look at him, while he didn't look at those with poor talent. It was too difficult.

It would be better to continue his current practice: treating those mortal women as "cauldrons" and using minor techniques to drain their yin to nourish his yang, which allowed for faster cultivation. However, the act of using people as cauldrons was too sordid, and he dared not tell his master; he did it in secret, and Zeng Li was unaware.

As the moon rose to the center of the sky, Yi Chongtian slowly walked out of the room. He looked up at the moon, which was like a hook. He muttered, "If I could absorb the essence of a woman with extraordinary talent like Echan, I could become a Pavilion Master, maybe even a City Master."

Under the same night sky, under the same moon, countless young people were dreaming of their own futures.

...

In the Suiyun Mountains, the silent night was filled only with the chirping of insects and the rustling of wind through the leaves. The girl in black, dressed in sturdy gear, sat under a tree, shoveling down rice and boar meat. She didn't stop until she had finished two large bowls.

After eating, Yu Bai picked up her Hundred-Flower Sword and looked at the strange stone on the copper sword beside her. "Are we heading in the right direction?"

The stone on the massive copper sword manifested a trembling light-shadow. It looked around twice before whispering, "Immortal, the direction is correct."

"Good. I’m leaving now. If I can't find it, I will make sure your soul is scattered to the winds!"

Following Yu Bai’s threat, the massive copper sword shook violently, causing the stone to roll between the blades. The light-shadow shrieked, "Immortal, I would never dare lie to you again!"

If the light-shadow had a body, it would surely have been crying. Yu Bai was satisfied. She mounted her horse and continued her journey, traveling under the stars and the moon.