Chapter 129: 104. I am Song Yan (4.0K words - seeking subscription)_2
Song Yan nodded.
The two elders no longer hesitated, turned into rainbows, and flew away swiftly.
...
...
As night fell, spring rain returned, and the dim lamp lights stretched a weak, blurry aura.
The bamboo house surroundings, however, were shrouded in darkness.
A man stood beneath the misty waves of the Misty Sea, his left hand slightly raised, where a strange, pitch-black crow suddenly appeared— the Nameless Phantom Crow.
He gently lifted his arm, and the Nameless Phantom Crow took flight, merged into the shadows, and hurriedly flew towards Konglan Mountain.
Song Yan watched in that direction, then slowly turned and returned to the bamboo house.
The Profound Wood Charcoal in the furnace still glowed red. He grabbed a kettle, sprinkled in dried Moonlight Grass, and placed it on the charcoal furnace, quietly waiting.
After finishing this, he leaned comfortably back in the lounge chair, creaking as he rocked.
Kuye’s Sword Master’s storage bag contained many items.
Firstly, a "Library Pavilion Passage Order," this passage order allows borrowing of the many texts within the Library Pavilion and is exceedingly rare. It requires two elder-level figures to jointly vouch for it before one can be issued.
Obviously, Kuye Sword Master and Grandma Meng vouched for him.
Secondly, ample resources needed for breaking through after the Sixth Layer of Refining Profound, even including Refining Organ Pills.
Thirdly, many notebooks with fresh ink, written with insights into refining "Crimson Palace Pills."
Crimson Palace Pills are a major undertaking, with knowledge needing generations of sects, perhaps even dozens of generations, to explore and study.
The deeper this exploration, the stronger the sect’s foundation, producing more powerful practitioners.
Kuye Sword Master seemed particularly concerned about "removing soul poison." Although he hadn’t succeeded yet, he’d used Purple Crow Grass, Manji Grass, and other herbs to develop a decoction to alleviate soul poison, with records in the notes.
These items were numerous and scattered.
If Song Yan didn’t have the habit of quickly inspecting every nook and cranny of belongings, he might never have found the two small, unobtrusive letters sandwiched in the middle of the last notebook.
Words on the letter were each shocking.
...
The first letter:
Started with the three words "To my disciple."
The main text read:
My disciple, upon seeing this letter, I shall have died in battle.
Despite having regrets in this life, being able to reunite with the love of my life and fight hand in hand, not dying sick in bed, but fighting to the death on the battlefield, I am satisfied.
Yet I hold one regret, a regret hard to voice in life, but I can share with you in death.
With Bai Xiuhu’s disposition, stepping out of that mire is a miracle in itself, but his talent in swordsmanship couldn’t be as stunningly extraordinary as yours, my lord.
No matter your status in past lives, in this life, you and I have somewhat of a mentor-disciple relationship.
However... I firmly believe that a heart is clarified by the sword.
If you wield your sword with integrity, why need I inquire about your origin?
I only hope that regardless of future paths, you do not stray off course.
When indecisive, ask the sword in your heart.
Signed "Sun Kuye."
Song Yan put down the letter, staring into the distance in a daze.
Kuye Sword Master suspected he had taken over Bai Xiuhu as an old demon from the Crimson Palace.
Possession is rare, yet not impossible.
For cultivators above the Middle Stage of the Crimson Palace, possession can only occur once per lifetime and is incredibly perilous, often resulting in backlash.
Bai Xiuhu being at the Sixth Layer of Refining Profound makes possessing him extremely difficult, but with a shattered Dao heart and self-degradation, it’s possible.
Thus, Kuye Sword Master made such guesses.
Kuye Sword Master feared startling him, hence leaving the letter hidden until Song Yan discovered it, knowing Kuye Sword Master was no longer.
This was a hope that out of sentiment, Song Yan would truly pledge loyalty to the Nanwu Sword Sect.
...
The second letter:
The beginning and signature were the same as the first letter.
The main text read:
My lord deliberately mentioned "needing a Dao partner adept in arrays," I and your Mentor Meng have some guesses.
Your intentions are likely regarding those Ancient Teleportation Arrays.
The Sect Leader’s lineage studied arrays deeply, also aiming to restart the Ancient Teleportation Arrays as a retreat someday.
However, the array locations are elusive.
If you have ideas, showing these two letters to Xuanwei will suffice.
With the "Passage Order" token, Xuanwei will certainly believe you.
...
Song Yan stowed the two letters back into the Storage Space.
He silently marveled: Indeed, never underestimate anyone, as Kuye Sword Master didn’t guess the truth, yet came incredibly close.
Originally, if he was unaware or unprepared, the worst-case scenario would unfold: all Nanwu Sword Sect experts led by the Grand Elder would be annihilated, he’d have to reveal his identity to Yu Xuanwei, even if the identity were false; facing attacks from Gu Huangzi—which wasn’t significant; but crucially, the Fox and Wolf Races might enter the fray.
At such a time, he’d have to exert utmost effort, using all his trump cards to carve a bloody path.
Everything felt passive, helpless, swinging swords ceaselessly, yet filled with suffocation and rage inside.
But ah...
Creak, creak, creak...
On the rocking chair, the man suddenly grinned, baring a mouthful of ivory teeth, chuckling "Geh geh geh."
He, Song Yan, was never one to wake up late or sit and wait for doom.
...
...
The next morning, Song Yan tended to a wounded cultivator at the bamboo house, then after noon, controlled his sword and headed to Copper Sparrow Island’s Library Pavilion. After presenting the "Passage Order," he walked right in.
This library might not hold the Nanwu Sword Sect’s Supreme Ultimate Techniques, but surely contained some magic that intrigued him.
Since the "Passage Order" allows comprehensive reading, he showed no courtesy.
...
...
Meanwhile...
Somewhere in a barren land.
The white-robed Grand Elder’s eyes showed hints of subtle exhaustion, gazing towards Konglan Mountain, awaiting news.
This moment was immensely grueling; he had to wait until multiple Crimson Palace Realm auras definitively appeared at Konglan Mountain before deciding to lead people there.
Otherwise, this place was a strategic point, capable of advancing or retreating, with time to withdraw promptly.
Last night, he had quietly visited Luoxia Bamboo Island, preparing for "in case they all perish" post-event arrangements.
Yet he hadn’t opened the Sect Leader’s sealed door where Water Sol Sword Emperor secluded.
As long as the door remained closed, there was still hope.
The door was meant for when everyone perished, to be opened by Yu Xuanwei.
At this moment, the Grand Elder gazed at the heavens, robe sleeves fluttering, stature thin yet still filled with resilience.
And just then, his old eyes narrowed sharply, violet lightning shooting to the sky.
From the sky, a pitch-black demonic crow flapped its wings, openly descending from the white clouds, claws clasping old tree branches, swaying unsteadily.
The Grand Elder immediately recognized it as a Nameless Phantom Crow.
In his mind: the Nameless Phantom Crow had special significance.
Because among the higher circles aware of secrets, "Nameless Phantom Crow" became a synonym for the Stone Seat Elder’s lineage.
This particular Nameless Phantom Crow seemed so unusual.
The Grand Elder scrutinized the demonic crow on the branch, asked, "Who are you?"
The Nameless Phantom Crow spoke in a hoarse voice, "I am Song Yan."
The Grand Elder said blandly, "We’ve searched for you long enough, you don’t appear, now there’s no need to search for you, yet you show up. Upon reflection, I’ve never seen such a cunning boy as you."
Then he asked, "Now that you’re here, what’s your stance, and what do you propose?"
The Nameless Phantom Crow said directly, "The Multi-tailed Fox Race, Corpse-Eating Wolf Race are already at Konglan Mountain, waiting for all of you to come. As for Gu Huangzi and the exact whereabouts of the Four Peaks Masters, I also don’t know.
Perhaps they’re at Konglan Mountain.
Perhaps they’re ambushing near the Misty Sea.
Or perhaps they’ve embarked on the path to find the Ancient Teleportation Array."
The Grand Elder said blandly, "Cunning boy, you think I’ll believe your one-sided story?"
The Nameless Phantom Crow said, "Old man, think carefully, if you wish none of your sect to survive, feel free to venture to Konglan Mountain!"
After speaking, it spun around, flapped its wings, and flew away, far.
This news wasn’t necessarily true, even Song Yan himself was unsure, but he knew "Konglan Mountain definitely harbors deceit."
Since either way he’d be deceived, why not be deceived by himself?