The Great Heavenly Sword Emperor - Chapter 39

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#039. Martial World Criminal (2)

As Gwang An returned and watched the Dongfang Clan’s proclamation spread with remarkable speed, his expression grew increasingly grave.
Beigong Danya’s face hardened, wondering if there might be additional news he hadn’t yet heard.
“You must have already heard the reports, surely.”
“Yes. Is there anything else you’ve learned?”
Beigong Danya posed the question, and Gwang An shook his head.
“There can’t be anything worse. It’s already catastrophic as it stands.”
Then Gwang An turned to regard the composed Tian Wujie and spoke.
“I’m uncertain how much you truly grasp the gravity of our situation.”
“Though you say Tian Wujie wears no expression, surely he understands the severity?”
Beigong Danya offered this, yet Gwang An kept his gaze fixed on Tian Wujie as he continued.
“If your thinking is that nothing matters—that you’ll simply crush whatever stands in your way—then you must abandon any hope of reaching the Dongfang Clan.”
Gwang An’s words startled Beigong Danya, and he looked back and forth between Tian Wujie and Gwang An.
Tian Wujie, too, regarded Gwang An in silence.
“I confess, I’m somewhat taken aback. I didn’t expect the Dongfang Clan to play such an aggressive hand so openly.”
“It appears far graver than I initially supposed.”
“By any reasonable measure, this is catastrophic. Tian Wujie has been declared a Martial World Criminal.”
“Even so, surely there are people who don’t know his face?”
“Do you truly believe the Dongfang Clan hasn’t already obtained a portrait of him?”
Gwang An’s question left Beigong Danya without words.
“The Dongfang Clan already knows far more about Tian Wujie than you might imagine. Even before meeting you. In fact, there’s a strong possibility they know everything about him since he left the Tian Jian Pavilion.”
“Surely that’s too great a leap, even for the Dongfang Clan? Unless they have eyes and ears throughout the entire Central Plains—”
Gwang An turned his gaze to Tian Wujie.
“What do you make of this?”
Tian Wujie opened his mouth slowly in response.
“Gwang An’s assessment is correct.”
Beigong Danya’s jaw fell open at Tian Wujie’s words.
“This affair confirms beyond doubt that Guidong is connected to the Dongfang Clan. Those who awaited me when I emerged from the Tian Jian Pavilion—they were Guidong. There’s no doubt about it.”
At Gwang An’s words, Beigong Danya’s expression became even more troubled.
“Then, what must we do?”
“There’s no chance Tian Wujie would abandon the journey to the Dongfang Clan, so we must pursue the next best course.”
“The next best course.”
“There are two things Tian Wujie must accomplish now. First: establish beyond question that he is the heir of the Heavenly Sword Emperor.”
At Gwang An’s words, Beigong Danya glanced furtively toward Tian Wujie.
Before Gwang An’s arrival, he too had spoken of something similar.
“Second: under no circumstances must he take a life before reaching the Dongfang Clan.”
“Both are formidable challenges.”
Gwang An nodded at Beigong Danya’s observation.
“Even taking the shortest route from Bohyeon Temple to the Dongfang Clan, there are over twenty sects along the way. None are great powers, but neither can they be dismissed. Moreover, all of them uphold the righteous path, and they have many supporters behind them. Should death occur during any encounter with them, the fire already lit will burn far hotter.”
At Gwang An’s explanation, Beigong Danya exhaled deeply. And Gwang An pressed on.
“The fury felt within walls and the rage experienced in the open are vastly different things. The Dongfang Clan played their hand masterfully. They branded Tian Wujie with two charges: one who defiled the name of the Heavenly Sword Emperor, and one who brings harm to the common people. Neither is easy to refute or prove false. To journey to the Dongfang Clan while committing murder under such circumstances? It would only thicken the malice gathering around him. At that point, any explanation becomes worthless.”
Hearing Gwang An’s explanation, Beigong Danya felt with crystalline clarity that the situation was far worse than he had imagined.
Yet Tian Wujie’s expression remained unchanged.
“Therefore, there must be no killing. No matter what attacks come, not on the way to the Dongfang Clan. Do you understand?”
At Gwang An’s words, Tian Wujie nodded.
Yet Gwang An knew full well that this was no easy matter, and that certainty on this point was difficult to guarantee.
“Let us work through this methodically. How can we establish that Tian Wujie is the heir of the Heavenly Sword Emperor?”
Beigong Danya posed the question, and Gwang An sighed.
“That is precisely the problem. Truth be told, there is no way forward at present.”
“If we were to publicize Tian Wujie’s position as the Dongfang Clan did theirs, would that not serve?”
“Who would believe it?”
Beigong Danya nodded at Gwang An’s words.
“It is the most plausible course to attempt, but we should anticipate no real effect.”
“Still, we ought to try. Whether it succeeds or fails is secondary.”
At Beigong Danya’s words, Tian Wujie opened his mouth.
“We don’t need that.”
At Tian Wujie’s words, both Gwang An and Beigong Danya turned to look at him.
“But——!”
“What matters isn’t that. What matters is exposing the Dongfang Clan’s crimes.”
Tian Wujie cut straight to the heart of it.
The fact that Tian Wujie had become a Martial World Criminal had consumed their thoughts, and they’d momentarily lost sight of what truly mattered.
“Hmm… yes. Yes, you’re right. The priority now is exactly as you say—uncovering the true face of the Dongfang Clan.”
Gwang An drew a deep breath, collecting his thoughts.
Then he continued.
“Fortunately, the link between the Heikwae Gang and the Dongfang Clan is well-documented. If we organize this evidence properly, we should be able to apply considerable pressure to them.”
At Gwang An’s words, Tian Wujie brought the cup to his lips.
“But that alone won’t be enough. The most decisive proof would be establishing that the Dongfang Clan was directly or indirectly complicit in the downfall of both Tian Jian Pavilion and the Beigong Clan.”
“Is that going to be easy?”
“Right now, we have circumstantial evidence piled high, but no proof. We could dig into Guidong, but we have no way to do it.”
Muk Ryeon surfaced in Gwang An’s mind.
Had they accepted Muk Ryeon early and made use of him, they might have been able to expose the connection between Guidong and the Dongfang Clan.
But now their only option was to hope that Zhang Pafeng would act of his own accord and bring them the information they needed.
“Even so, we must spread your position throughout the Jianghu. In fact, now is the only time we can.”
“What do you mean by that?”
At Beigong Danya’s question, Gwang An spoke on.
“Right now, all eyes are on you. That’s better than being ignored by everyone.”
At Gwang An’s words, Tian Wujie listened silently.
“Beyond that, do exactly as I said before—go to the Dongfang Clan without committing murder. Hold fast to that and execute it faithfully. Leave the rest to us and the Jandeung Society.”
At Gwang An’s words, Tian Wujie nodded.

* * *

The next day.
Through Bohyeon Temple and the Jandeung Society, word of Tian Wujie spread swiftly.

The Dongfang Clan slandered me, but I am Tian Wujie, survivor of Tian Jian Pavilion and heir to the Heavenly Sword Emperor.
The Dongfang Clan abandoned their duty as Guardian Family and contributed to the downfall of both Tian Jian Pavilion and the Beigong Clan. As the heir of the Heavenly Sword Emperor, I will hold them accountable.
Moreover, I possess evidence of the dark deeds the Dongfang Clan has committed in the shadows all these years.
So wait.

Tian Wujie himself would never speak in such elaborate detail, but Gwang An racked his brains to craft the message and spread it.
Thanks to the efforts of Bohyeon Temple and the Jandeung Society, the message spread rapidly through the Jianghu.
The Jianghu fell into chaos.
It was difficult to believe that the Dongfang Clan’s words were false.
Why would a family at the peak of the Jianghu, revered by all, tell such a lie?
Yet it was equally impossible to dismiss the claims of Tian Wujie, who asserted himself to be the true heir of the Heavenly Sword Emperor.
The weight of the Heavenly Sword Emperor’s name was too compelling to brush aside as merely the words of a villain.
Of course, many dismissed Tian Wujie’s position as false.
In fact, far more did.
Yet at the very least, they had succeeded in their aim of creating some degree of doubt.

* * *

What Bohyeon Temple and the Jandeung Society had spread naturally reached the Dongfang Clan as well.
Dongfang Tianbai and Dongfang Yanhui were discussing the matter.
“They’ve lit a counter-fire.”
“Yes. Though the effect will be minimal.”
“A small spark becomes a raging inferno. We cannot afford carelessness.”
“True. But their response falls well within our expectations. We’ve already prepared measures to counter it.”
At Dongfang Yanhui’s words, Dongfang Tianbai nodded.
“Handle it well, then. I trust you.”
“Of course. As always, I will not disappoint you.”
Dongfang Yanhui smiled with quiet confidence.

* * *

Tian Wujie and Beigong Danya had finished preparing to depart from Bohyeon Temple.
The day the two of them left Bohyeon Temple.
Gwang An emerged to see them off, his expression heavy with concern.
“Please take care of yourselves.”
Gwang An spoke to the two of them.
“There’s little to worry about on my account. The real concern is me, I’m afraid.”
At Beigong Danya’s words, Gwang An let out a soft laugh, then handed him a small wooden box.
“What is this?”
“Use it when the need arises.”
At Gwang An’s words, Beigong Danya’s eyes brightened, and he carefully opened the wooden box.
The moment he lifted the lid, a fragrant scent drifted out.
“This is…?”
“A Yeonhon Pill.”
“A Yeonhon Pill.”
“Yes. It’s a medicine passed down through the generations at Bohyeon Temple. It’s not a particularly miraculous elixir, nor does it dramatically increase your internal power. It was created by our ancestors to aid in Heart Method cultivation and Spirit Training.”
Breaking through to the next realm didn’t necessarily require a surge in internal power.
An increase in internal power was merely a secondary effect.
What mattered most in transcending a realm was clear insight into oneself and the mental fortitude to accept that understanding.
Just as Gwang An had said, the Yeonhon Pill was not a medicine specialized for martial arts, but for Beigong Danya it was precisely the medicine he needed.
“Thank you.”
Beigong Danya expressed his gratitude earnestly and carefully secured the wooden box.
Having given the Yeonhon Pill to Beigong Danya, Gwang An now turned his gaze toward Tian Wujie.
“For you, I have nothing but words of caution to offer. I shall remain here and pray for good fortune to attend your journey.”
“I’m grateful for everything.”
Tian Wujie offered his thanks to Gwang An.
Hearing this, Gwang An smiled.
“I believe this is the first time I’ve heard you express gratitude.”
Despite Gwang An’s words, Tian Wujie’s expression remained impassive.
“I won’t burden you with further talk. But from this moment, you are no longer simply yourself—you go forth as the heir of the Heavenly Sword Emperor, bound for the Dongfang Clan. Do not forget that.”
“I understand.”
“And do practice smiling a little. To embrace others, one must sometimes show gentleness.”
“You’re asking the impossible.”
Beigong Danya, standing nearby, threw in a remark.
“Ha! Still, I believe that one day you will smile.”
Having finished speaking, Gwang An stepped back, brought his palms together in salutation, and bowed his head.
“I await the day we meet again.”
At Gwang An’s final farewell, Tian Wujie gave a small nod, while Beigong Danya likewise pressed his palms together and bowed.
It was the moment when the first, not-brief journey together of Bohyeon Temple, Tian Wujie, and Beigong Danya came to a close.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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