The Great Heavenly Sword Emperor - Chapter 50

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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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#050. The Crossing of Truth and Falsehood (2)

Dongfang Tianbo’s expression betrayed considerable unease.
He too had heard the rumors spreading with alarming speed in recent days.
Across from him, however, Dongfang Yanhui’s face remained composed, a picture of calm assurance.
“From your expression, it seems this falls within our expectations.”
“Indeed. A cornered rat will bite, as the saying goes. This is simply their last thrashing about.”
At Dongfang Yanhui’s response, Dongfang Tianbo’s brow deepened.
“It would have been far better to have stopped it before matters reached this point.”
“I understand your frustration entirely. Yet a matter of this scale will inflict no real blemish upon our clan’s reputation.”
“If we waste time, blemishes will form.”
“Quite right. Which is why I’ve already made preparations and have come to receive your final approval before implementation.”
At Dongfang Yanhui’s words, Dongfang Tianbo gestured for him to proceed.
“We will issue an immediate public statement denying their rumors. We will declare them falsehoods and false accusations.”
“Will that suffice?”
“No. The power of rumor runs deeper than one might think. Which is why I seek your permission to strike at the Zandeng Society.”
The name Zandeng Society spilled from Dongfang Yanhui’s lips.
It meant they too had known of the organization’s existence all along.
“Until now, we had no pressing reason to move against them, and any action risked a counterblast upon ourselves, so we left them be. But now the moment has come—we have reason enough, and the timing is favorable for their use.”
“Very well. You have my approval.”
“My gratitude. I will set matters in motion at once.”
Dongfang Yanhui bowed his head.
“And regarding Tian Wujue.”
“Yes?”
“Perhaps it is time we applied proper pressure. Thus far every attempt has failed.”
“They have not been failures. Much as fatigue accumulates, so too does the weight of pressure upon Tian Wujue mount steadily. Still, I do think a point of verification is warranted.”
“Verification?”
“Yes. I am thinking of sending someone to engage him in conversation.”
At Dongfang Yanhui’s words, Dongfang Tianbo’s brow furrowed again.
“Conversation?”
“A man’s reaction to any given proposal shifts according to the weight of pressure he bears. We would gauge how heavily Tian Wujue labors under his burden, and only then determine how much further we should tighten the vise.”
Dongfang Tianbo nodded at this reasoning.
“Whom do you propose to send?”
“There is one well-suited to such work—Dongfang Jinyu, our External Affairs Director.”
“Dongfang Jinyu? Isn’t that too dangerous?”
“The current Tian Wujue poses no threat. If Dongfang Jinyu were to die, matters would spiral beyond control. Even in perilous circumstances, Beigong Danya, who stands at his side, would counsel restraint. He is sufficiently rational and prudent for that.”
Dongfang Tianbo nodded in agreement.
“Proceed without the slightest error.”
“Of course. The word ‘error’ has no place in my vocabulary.”
A faint smile played at the corners of Dongfang Yanhui’s mouth.

* * *

True to Dongfang Yanhui’s word, the Dongfang Clan swiftly released a public statement.
All the rumors now circulating were false, they declared, and no such evidence existed. The accusations were nothing more than malicious attacks upon the clan, and they swore that suitable retaliation for such slander would certainly follow.
The statement spread rapidly through the channels of gossip, and the dispute over truth and falsehood seemed to deepen.
Even with the clan’s public denial, many still harbored doubts about the veracity of the allegations.
Just as Guang An and Han Zhongming had planned, the chaos of Public Opinion Warfare appeared to be succeeding admirably.
Yet at that very moment, Guang An received shocking news.
“Word has come that a faction of the Zandeng Society has come under attack.”
“What?”
Guang An’s face paled with shock.
Had they not even spread rumors that Tian Wujue possessed evidence, precisely to divert threats away from the Zandeng Society?
“What is the current state of the Zandeng Society?”
“They seem unable to assess the full extent of their losses yet, but it appears to be considerable.”
“This is…!”
Guang An bit down hard on his lip.
He was the one who had first suggested using the second method that Han Zhongming brought to the table.
As the situation unfolded this way, guilt crashed over him for choosing that path.
“Surely they weren’t completely annihilated?”
“That doesn’t appear to be the case. The news came from the Zandeng Society itself.”
If the Zandeng Society hadn’t been wiped out, it was a blessing in a catastrophe.
Guang An exhaled in relief, but his anxiety and worry did not fade.
“Hmm… What about young master Tian?”
“There’s nothing particularly noteworthy to report at present.”
“What is the Dongfang Clan scheming?”
Contrary to his expectation that all eyes and attacks would converge on Tian Wujue, the young master remained quiet.
Whether this silence would persist or if some other maneuver lay ahead was impossible to predict.
Guang An’s mind grew tangled.

* * *

Not long after the Zandeng Society was attacked, the Dongfang Clan issued another public statement.

The source of the malicious rumors recently spread about the Dongfang Clan is an organization called the Zandeng Society.
The Zandeng Society is a collective of those who claim to have suffered harm at the hands of the Dongfang Clan, a claim entirely without foundation.
These people, putting Tian Wujue at their head, have engaged in vicious accusations and false charges against the Dongfang Clan, and the Clan has stepped forward to defend its name and dignity.
They punished the Zandeng Society with an attack, making them pay for their crimes!
Yet the Dongfang Clan did not utterly destroy them.
For to show compassion even to those who oppose the Dongfang Clan is itself a mark of the dignity the Clan must display.
However, if accusations against the Dongfang Clan continue hereafter, mercy can no longer be extended.
We hope that such sorrowful measures by the Dongfang Clan will not be necessary again.

The Dongfang Clan’s statement was deftly crafted.
By casting the Zandeng Society as villains, they lent weight to their own position, and eliminated this persistent thorn in their side.
Moreover, by framing it as an unavoidable necessity and presenting even this as an act of mercy, they further solidified their reputation.
The Dongfang Clan had easily repelled the counterattacks of Boxian Temple and the Zandeng Society, maintaining their advantage in Public Opinion Warfare.
Both Tian Wujue and Beigong Danya learned of all this.
In particular, the Dongfang Clan’s second statement struck both of them like a thunderbolt.
“The Zandeng Society…”
Beigong Danya, still unable to enter the town and resting in hiding in a remote place, trailed off in shock.
Then he turned to look at Tian Wujue.
His face was expressionless, yet this time his emotion was palpable.
Anger.
It was the second time he had felt such wrath since learning that the survivors of Duan’ai Gorge had been slaughtered.
But this time was different.
What Tian Wujue felt was not anger alone.
The Zandeng Society had been attacked.
Certainly, the rumors they had spread were the direct cause.
But delving deeper, all of it had been done to help Tian Wujue.
Though they had aided him, Tian Wujue had never once thought of this as ‘our cause.’
He had pressed forward steadfastly, thinking only that it was ‘my burden.’
Each step had been taken with the confidence and faith that he could overcome any hardship.
But now the Zandeng Society had been attacked.
He believed it was because of him, and thought he could endure and prevent anything, yet he could do nothing.
That realization only stoked his anger further.
“Young master Tian.”
Beigong Danya spoke, trembling without realizing it as Tian Wujue’s fury grew more intense.
Then Tian Wujue lifted his head and gazed toward something in the distance.
Beigong Danya turned his head in confusion, following Tian Wujue’s gaze to see where it settled.
“What is it?”
All that was visible where his gaze fell were only trees, grass, and rocks.
Yet Tian Wujue did not look away.
Beigong Danya tensed.
The reason was simple: malice gleamed in Tian Wujue’s eyes.
After Tian Wujue held his gaze for a long moment without wavering, a figure emerged from the shadows.
A man with an upright bearing.
It was Dongfang Jinyu, the External Affairs Master of the Dongfang Clan, come to deliver Dongfang Yanhui’s message.
“Are you Tian Wujue?”
Tian Wujue did not answer Dongfang Jinyu’s question; instead, Beigong Danya stepped forward.
“Who are you?”
Wariness colored Beigong Danya’s inquiry.
“I am Dongfang Jinyu, the External Affairs Master of the Dongfang Clan, come to deliver their message.”
The moment Beigong Danya heard Dongfang Jinyu’s name, he understood the hostility Tian Wujue had displayed.
Yet at the same time, he wondered how Tian Wujue had known his identity.
It was the first time Tian Wujue had encountered anyone from the Dongfang Clan.
“This location is unsuitable for discussion. I would prefer we move elsewhere.”
“Speak here.”
Tian Wujue fixed him with a steady gaze as he spoke.
At that, Dongfang Jinyu’s brow furrowed slightly as he opened his mouth.
“If that is your wish, so be it. This is the proposal the Dongfang Clan extends to you, Tian Wujue.”
At the word “proposal,” Beigong Danya’s expression darkened.
“If you acknowledge that all the malicious rumors spreading about the Dongfang Clan are lies and repent of your misdeeds, we will show mercy and spare your life.”
“What kind of—”
Beigong Danya’s indignation erupted in a shout.
But Dongfang Jinyu ignored him and continued speaking.
“Furthermore, we will help you withdraw from the world’s gaze and spend the remainder of your life in quiet. Should you refuse and persist in your current course, the Dongfang Clan will show no mercy in punishing you.”
When Dongfang Jinyu finished speaking, Tian Wujue, who had remained seated until then, rose from his seat.
Dongfang Jinyu’s eyes suddenly widened as he watched Tian Wujue stand.
The man before him had vanished.
“Young Master!”
In the next instant came Beigong Danya’s cry of alarm.
It was the last sound Dongfang Jinyu heard.
Thunk! Splash—splash—splash—splash—splash!
Dongfang Jinyu’s head fell, and blood erupted from his neck like a fountain.
“Young Master…… what have you done?”
Beigong Danya understood as well as anyone that Dongfang Jinyu’s proposal was absurd.
And his fury burned just as hot.
But to kill him like that.
He had just killed a member of the Dongfang Clan with his own hands—they had crossed a river from which there was no return.
Tian Wujue sheathed the Tian Shen Sword, which had been drawn without a sound, back into its scabbard.
Tian Wujue said nothing.
There was no need to.
In the act of killing Dongfang Jinyu, he had shown the emotion and resolve he carried.
Only Beigong Danya stood with an anxious expression, aware of the tidal wave about to crash down upon them.

* * *

Before the Main Gate of the Dongfang Clan.
A coffin of unknown origin lay there.
It was the second time a coffin had been placed at the Dongfang Clan’s Main Gate.
The first had been the coffin Guang An brought to deliver Tian Wujue’s warning.
But this time was different.
Guang An was not here, nor was anyone else.
There was only the coffin, sitting alone.
Dongfang Tianbo, Wu Dahe Fa, and Dongfang Yanhui came to the Main Gate upon hearing the news.
“Open it.”
At Dongfang Tianbo’s command, the Dongfang Clan’s martial artists approached and opened the coffin.
“Gasp!”
Those who opened it recoiled in shock.
Inside lay a corpse with the head severed from the body.
And every member of the Dongfang Clan knew who this person was.
“Dongfang Jinyu.”
Dongfang Tianbo spoke in a heavy, sunken voice.
His expression, his tone, and the killing intent radiating from him all bore witness to his emotions in this moment.
“Collect the remains. Dongfang Yanhui.”
“Yes, sir.”
From behind, Dongfang Yanhui—who had been too shaken and grieved to speak—approached him with a somber expression.
Having been certain that Dongfang Jinyu could not possibly die, Dongfang Yanhui seemed to have received a greater shock than anyone else at the sight of him returned as a corpse.
“Take responsibility and bring Tian Wujue before me. I will make him pay the price for killing one of my people.”
“Understood.”
Dongfang Yanhui bowed his head and answered.

* * *

After instructing Dongfang Yanhui to manage the situation at the Main Gate, he returned to his office.
He stood with his head bowed, gripping the edge of his desk as though reeling from a tremendous shock.
Time passed in silence.
Dongfang Yanhui’s shoulders began to tremble slightly.
Were those tears born of sorrow?
But then, words that had no place alongside grief spilled from his lips.
“Jinyu. You played your part beautifully—exactly as I foresaw.”
It was an incredible thing to say.
To speak of foreseeing meant that, contrary to what he had told Dongfang Tianbo, he had known Dongfang Jinyu would die when he sent him out.
“Your noble sacrifice will become a magnificent foundation for the Dongfang Clan’s greater resurrection.”
It was a chilling statement.

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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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