Chapter 1025: Chapter 584: When the Sky Falls, the Tall Ones Hold It Up (Double Chapter)

"Master, you are in seclusion all day, why can’t we see you?"

"I said, the world is in chaos, I am merely alleviating suffering and saving lives."

"Indeed, it’s not peaceful, secret realms appear every now and then, but they’re not within the territory of Yin Sword Mountain, we just need to manage our small plot well."

"The rise and fall of the world is everyone’s responsibility."

"Responsible? What kind of responsibility, those other Daoist Temples and Buddhist Temples are flourishing with incense, every statue is gilded, their lands span tens of thousands of miles, rich in fame and wealth, and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures are their daily meals. Our Yin Sword Mountain is so poor, especially Cangwu Peak, just a few shabby wooden huts."

"Why envy others, a dog doesn’t despise its family for being poor."

"You might not mind, but I do."

"Are you scolding me?"

"Who else would I be scolding if not you?"

"You deserve punishment!"

Thunk!

"I was wrong, what I meant to say... Master, your swordsmanship is higher than the heavens, more than enough to quell the chaos, why not help me and Senior Sister improve."

"...I have not yet reached the Extreme Realm, if I were truly higher than the heavens, that would be preferable..."

"What’s wrong?"

"Hmm?"

"Your voice sounds... melancholic."

"You need not concern yourself, it has nothing to do with you."

...

"Why are you bringing a sword over, Master?"

"Weren’t you asking for improvement? Train!"

"Alright, alright, I’ll train, even though I’m already Third Rank, I’ll train!"

"Your spine is not straight, your posture is incorrect, your sword stance is unstable!"

"Stop hitting me, are you holding a grudge!"

"Too much idle talk, you deserve punishment."

......

"The Living Sword of Yin Sword Mountain traces back to True Martial and the Venerable Yuanshi Tianzun, who commanded to raise an army to conquer Fengdu. True Martial from the heavens, fighting bandits and expelling demons, later passing the sword down twenty generations of True Martial, and during a split, Yin Sword Mountain inherited a lineage of swordsmanship, establishing a sect here.

Now that you have reached Third Rank, remember well, the essence of the Living Sword lies in seeing oneself as a boat, carrying all beings across the sea of suffering, with immense compassion and vows, a Great Saint’s great mercy, responding to calls and relieving suffering."

"I understand, I understand... but Master, why are you suddenly teaching me something I can’t comprehend?"

"...."

"Don’t hit me, I truly understand!"

"Yin implies respect, Yin Sword Mountain is the mountain that respects the sword, the foundation of our sect is the Yinzai Swordsmanship I often speak of, the culmination of the Living Sword, and the Sword Armor is the foremost of the Living Sword. Over time, it will answer the command of Yuanshi Tianzun, do you understand?"

"Understand, understand, but I’m a man, I can’t pass on the legacy."

"But you can remember it, and teach it to Lu Ying."

"What do you mean, you won’t teach? You don’t just stay in seclusion, it’s not like you don’t come out, and Senior Sister isn’t in a hurry."

"The world is chaotic, once I exit seclusion, I will enter the world."

"Entering the world is entering the world, what does it have to do with this, if the world is in chaos, let it be chaotic, even if it collapses, there are tall ones to hold it up."

"...."

"Master, why aren’t you speaking?"

"...."

"Don’t tell me you are the tall one?!"

........

Long, long ago, he died for her.

So long ago that most memories have become a vague illusion, only remembering dim and mottled colors, with few details remaining.

Chen Yi doesn’t remember, he doesn’t even remember how he forgot.

He tried to recall, only to discover an infinite sea of memories hidden in the deepest depths, with only a single rope visible above the surface, yet his strength was insufficient to retrieve past memories.

"Originally... were you the one going to repair the heavens?"

Fragmented images surged in his mind, Chen Yi struggled for a long time before speaking.

Countless tangled threads formed a chaotic lump, endlessly knotted, with many memories once thought unforgettable reduced to a few key scenes. Chen Yi still recalls initially succeeding because she pursued the Dao with a sword, practiced until possessed, but the reasons why remain unanswered in memory.

He only remembers transferring the backlash of her possession onto himself, baring his soul to her, but was rejected, leading to an act of betrayal where he broke her sword and committed the crime of defying master and ancestor.

Previously indifferent, now careful reflection made the sword-breaking incident seem abrupt.

Did he break her sword and sever her lifelong pursuit of the Sword Dao because of unfulfilled desires? It’s an incredibly weak motive, even Chen Yi couldn’t believe it. On further thought, the fate of the Ruoque Sword was to open the Heavenly Gate, performing a sacrificial act to mend the fractured Heavenly Dao.

Chen Yi abruptly comprehended the missing link, and memories flooded in.

The reason he broke her sword was to keep her, to stop her from repairing the heavens, even at the cost of destroying the Sword Dao she chased all her life.

Defying master and ancestor was merely the eruption of long-suppressed emotions.

He took deep breaths as if he’d been submerged for too long, his vision filled with blue and gray hues. Chen Yi staggered back several steps, caught by the quick-handed Twin Yin Lords who rushed with tea.

Amidst the rushing stream flowed infinite tranquility, a rare Zen-like peace struck his heart, Chen Yi steadied himself, patting the hands of the two women, "It’s nothing, it’s nothing."

Both women looked at him with concern, but Chen Yi didn’t have the heart to comfort them further. He stepped forward to return to the bamboo pavilion, meeting Zhou Yitang’s tear-streaked face.

She flicked her fingers, tears scattering, her expression still cold, as if nothing had happened.

Chen Yi remained silent for a moment, returned to his seat, and the Twin Yin Lords brought over tea. Da Cheng glanced over and left, not daring to disturb. The Little Fox lingered, leaned over to Chen Yi.

"Did you argue with Master Zhou again?" Yin Tingxue cautiously asked.

Chen Yi wanted to nod but ended up shaking his head, softly saying, "It’s nothing, you should go back first."

Yin Tingxue, hearing his gentle tone, hesitated, trying to listen closely to his thoughts, but he quickly performed a seal to block her out.