Inside the cave, a path led deeper into the darkness. Ling Xuan and I stood up and started walking further in. Before long, the passage opened into a larger, more spacious area. The surroundings were desolate, with no signs of life. Directly ahead of us stood a large stone protruding significantly from the ground, and firmly embedded in it was a dark, azure-colored sword. The walls around it bore blackened marks, likely remnants of the battle between Master and the Qiongqi from long ago.
Ling Xuan held my hand, her eyes betraying a hint of concern. I smiled and nodded reassuringly before walking toward the sword. Taking a deep breath, I grasped the hilt. A cold sensation immediately surged through my hand as the sword began to emit a soft, dark azure glow, its light gentle yet not blinding.
With a slight exertion of strength, an uneasy feeling suddenly stirred within me, though I didn't dwell on it. The sound of stone being cleaved echoed through the cave with a sharp "clang" as the sword was fully freed from its resting place. I held it firmly in my grasp.
As I examined the sword up close, I noticed the translucent blade shimmered with an ethereal glow, as if something was flowing within it. Turning back, I gave Ling Xuan an "OK" gesture, signaling her to exit the chamber.
"Master, I've retrieved the sword…" Ling Xuan and I had just emerged from the stone chamber, and I was still proudly boasting when a serious incident occurred.
For reasons unknown, Master had collapsed on the ground, blood gushing from his mouth, his face pale.
My heart sank. I rushed over and knelt beside him, cradling him in my arms as I cried out, "Master, what happened? Why are you hurt?"
His forehead slowly darkened—a sign of fading life. His voice grew weaker, but he managed a smile as he spoke to me, "It has come at last. My time is nearing its end. This is the calamity written in my fate, and today, it has finally come to pass…"
I held him tightly, tears streaming down my face. I knew what those words meant, and I screamed, "No, Master, you were fine just a moment ago! How could this happen so suddenly? Could it be…"
I glanced at the sword in my hand, my mind in chaos. "It must be the sword! Removing it caused this, right? It has to be…"
In my panic, my words became disjointed. I rushed back into the stone chamber, intending to reinsert the sword back into the stone. But to my shock, the surface of the stone was now as smooth as a mirror, the crack that once housed the sword having mysteriously healed itself.
I had no idea what material the stone was made of, but no matter how much strength I exerted, I couldn't return the sword. Even after unleashing two lightning strikes from my palms, the stone remained unscathed. It was clear—the sword had completely severed its connection to the stone.
Just then, Ling Xuan's voice came from behind, filled with sobs. "Hongkeng, come quickly... Master is about to…"
I hurried back outside. Upon seeing Master again, his complexion had improved slightly, but I knew this was only the final burst of energy before death. I held his hand tightly, tears streaming down my face. "It's all my fault... I'm an unfilial disciple. I didn't know this would happen. Master, why didn't you tell me sooner… why… why…"
Master smiled weakly. "Two years ago… when I fought the Qiongqi, my life force… was tied to the Sword-Sealing Stone. As its energy waned… so did my own. Today… is simply the consequence… of the cause set in motion long ago. Even if you hadn't removed the sword today… I could've only lingered a few more days… but I could never… escape this cycle of cause and effect…"
I shook my head, holding Master's head close to my chest, tears flooding my face. "Please, Master… don't say anymore… Ling Xuan, go find a doctor, quickly…" I called out to Ling Xuan, who stood to the side.
Just as she pulled out her phone to make a call, Master began coughing violently and stopped her. "No… no need. Hongkeng, listen to me…"
"I'm here, Master."
Master smiled at me, his once clear eyes now filled with warmth and kindness. "You've been under my tutelage since you were a child… everything I've learned in my life… I've already passed on to you. There's nothing left for me to teach. The only thing I can do now… is leave you with these final words. Don't blame me for nagging…"
"You have a fiery temper and too much sharpness. In the future, when you walk through society… remember to rein yourself in. When faced with challenges… remain calm and collected. Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment. I can see… that your experiences in the world these past few years have taught you much… but you've also picked up… some bad habits. Never forget… that in this world, every sip and every bite is predestined. No matter how strong you are… you cannot defy the heavens…"
I nodded repeatedly, tears streaming down my face as I committed his words to memory.
Master glanced at Ling Xuan and smiled again. "You've found yourself… a wonderful girlfriend. Sadly, I won't be able to see you… get married and start a family. Let that nameless ancient sword… be my gift to you both. Today, I'll name it… Yachen. You must treat her well, do you understand?"
I looked at Ling Xuan, then back at Master, whose face had grown even paler. My heart tightened, and I nodded in agreement.
"Hah…" Master summoned a final surge of strength and expelled a deep breath. He looked at me one last time. The darkness had fully settled across his brow.
"Foolish child… if you don't make decisive choices, you'll be plagued by chaos... I'm leaving without regret. You should be happy for me… why are you crying?"
With those words, Master's head suddenly fell heavily to the side, his eyes dimming. By the time I realized what had happened, his body had grown cold, and all signs of life had faded.
"Master…"
My cries echoed through the cave, mingling with the sound of my heavy sobs. The only other thing left was the azure glow of the Yachen sword, still pulsing with an ethereal light.
Master died that night, under a full moon. I will never forget that day.
Afterward, I buried him beside the thatched hut where I had grown up. I burned all of his belongings, including the hut itself and everything he had left behind.
The only thing I kept was his sword, the Lieque Sword. I believed that as long as I had this sword by my side, it would be like having Master with me, always guiding me forward. But deep down, I was consumed by guilt, constantly blaming myself for his death. Just days before, I had been mocking him in front of others.
It's both absurd and ironic. I had essentially cursed my own Master to death.
Years later, I confessed this to Ling Xuan, but she always brushed it off with a gentle smile. She would look at me tenderly and say, "Don't be silly. If Master knew, he would scold you for being so disrespectful."
She was right. I was indeed disrespectful. How could I have entertained such thoughts? Master had died for me, for retrieving that sword. It had nothing to do with some ridiculous curse.
Master… I was unworthy…
I sat on an open grassy field, gazing blankly at the Lieque Sword before me. It was Master's lifelong companion. According to legend, this sword had been passed down through generations, eventually ending up in Master's hands. His sect was once well-known, and so was the Lieque Sword. But as the sect declined, the sword's fame also faded. Now, looking at the sword, I saw its worn and battered state, covered in the marks of time, just like the wrinkles on Master's face.
I waved my hand and drew out the Yachen Sword, placing it side by side with the Lieque Sword on the grass. The power of the Yachen Sword was immense, far beyond my current ability to fully control. Even though I had obtained it, harnessing its true potential was still beyond me. For now, it was merely a safeguard in times of crisis, something I couldn't use lightly in everyday situations.
The Yachen Sword emitted a soft azure glow, its light dancing with flowing energy.
At that moment, someone patted my shoulder. I turned to see Bang Zhi, who seemed excited, waving an identity card in my face. "Look, Chen! This is my new ID card. From today on, I'm officially a member of Qingcheng!"
I smiled faintly and said, "Congratulations." Glancing at his ID card, I noticed a strange number.
"260…" I murmured. He quickly added, "Sister Zhong said this is my number. If I ever run into trouble outside, I just have to report it."
It seemed he had already met with Sister Zhong, so the matter had been resolved. Each of us had a unique number, though we rarely used them in the outside world. Over time, I had even forgotten my own. Only someone like Bang Zhi would treasure it so much.