Bitter Realm: My Feet Step Through the Flames of War

The eldest brother, a gentle and kind gentleman, lowered his head to sip his tea, pretending not to hear.

Luo Hou naturally wouldn't accept Mr. Jidao's words, and said seriously, "I have something to discuss with you two here."

"Is this the matter of the five chaotic elements you mentioned yesterday?"

"Indeed, I would like to borrow Mr. Ji's twin weapons for a look."

"My twin weapons?"

Despite his surprise, Ji Xiashang still took the two swords from behind the Wolong chariot.

The two peerless weapons worn by Ji Xia Shang are "The Gentleman's Legacy" and "The Conferment of the Emperor's Title," forged by his friend Du Xuanyuan from a piece of Tai Shi sword iron.

This sword is made of two materials: white jade and blood amber. It was divided into two by Du Xuanyuan, symbolizing the two sword principles of tranquility and extremes.

Master Jidao took the two swords and exclaimed in admiration, "These two swords are truly unique. The white sword is of the wind attribute and the red sword is of the fire attribute. One sword can draw out scorching flames, and the other sword can create whirlwind blades. Being able to use these two attributes at the same time, Senior Brother Yizong is indeed extraordinary."

"You flatter me, sir. You can discern the properties of these two swords. Could you perhaps be the one who forged them?"

"Hehe, I guess so. I make some little gadgets for fun in my spare time."

"Martial Lord, is there something wrong with my sword?"

Ji Xiashang felt that making the newlywed Wu Jun get up early was not a simple matter.

Luo Hou did not hide anything from him: "Do you know the five elements of chaos? Taiyi, Taishi, Taichu, Taiji, and Taisu. Legend has it that each of these five elements corresponds to a sword, and the Taishi Iron you are using contains the Taishi Qi."

"This? When my friend forged these two swords for me, I never asked him where the Primordial Iron came from. I never expected that it would contain Primordial Qi."

After observing for a long time, Master Jidao returned the sword to Jixiashang and said, "To extract the Primordial Qi, the two swords must be fused into one, restoring this Primordial Iron to its original state. However, not only does extracting the Primordial Qi require the sword owner's consent, but after extraction, the sword will also become ordinary iron."

Ji Xiashang asked in confusion, "Why does Lord Wu need to use the Primordial Qi? If it is of great importance, I can offer you my twin swords."

Before Luo Hou could speak, Mr. Jidao interrupted, "You're too easy to talk to. A swordsman is a swordsman; how can you be a swordsman without a sword? Besides, the Lord of Tiandu is rolling in money. Look at this hall, it's piled high with gifts, and he's still eyeing you."

Ji Xiashang smiled calmly: "I believe that Lord Wu would not covet my sword."

The Martial Lord was truly after his sword.

However, the time was not right. In order to prevent someone from seeing him through the eyes of the future, Luo Hou decided to let Yi Qixing take the lead for now.

He subtly suggested, "Swords have their destiny, and so do people. A gentleman is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime."

"Does the Martial Lord mean that I will lose my life because of this sword?"

"I am uncertain about the future. If the time truly comes, I will borrow your sword."

"Understood, Xia Shang will consider it."

Mr. Yakuza said, "I'll go back and do some more research. I'm leaving now."

"You plan to stay at the Tower of Compassionate Light permanently?"

"Of course, I have already bought a house in the capital. It is very convenient whether I go to the Poetic Heavenly City to see the Celestial Venerable or to the Tower of Compassionate Light to accompany Asura."

"...I am very happy."

After Mr. Jidao left, Luo Hou invited Ren Yunzong over: "You two can discuss the matter of striking the oar in the middle of the river. I won't disturb you any longer."

He went back to the Phoenix Palace to sleep.

Ren Yunzong watched his retreating figure, a hint of envy flashing in his eyes.

"Excuse me, but I've heard that Sect Leader Jing Wuhuan still has a soul in the world. I'd like to know what exactly happened between her and my master back then?"

Jing Wuhuan was Jiji Zhongliu's sworn sister. The two had cultivated together for many years. After one died and the other disappeared, Dengdaoan had a falling out with Yizong.

Not long ago, Hao Tianqiong released two big pieces of news: one was that Buddha had become a ghost, and the other was that he had faked his death in the middle of the river. Ren Yunzong was very concerned about the latter, and when Ji Xiashang came to ask him about it, they decided to discuss it together.

He took out the Soul-Hiding Bottle, and Jing Wuhuan's soul floated out.

"Sect Leader, I apologize, but I have no choice but to inquire about what happened back then."

"It's alright. Actually, I don't know either. The situation was complicated and hard to discern. That day, I was engaged in a fierce battle with Hao Tianqiong, activating our sect's techniques and chanting incantations to consecrate my sword. My sworn brother was protecting me. By the time I realized the danger, it was too late to dodge."

“My master is upright and honest. He has cultivated with the sect leader for many years and has risked his life several times. Xia Shang believes in my master’s character.”

With the passage of time, Jing Wuhuan no longer wished to pursue the matter: "I do not wish to speculate. Now that Dengdaoan has broken with Yizong, it is not something I would like to see."

Ren Yunzong remembered something. The reason he knew Jing Wuhuan was that the Demon Lord had sent him to hunt down a man named Chu Kuangxi Daoque and retrieve a key.

"Wu Huan, when I was defeated by you and Jiji Zhongliu together, where did that key go?"

"When Dao Que was seriously injured and died, he gave us a key before he passed away, saying that this thing was related to the safety of the world and entrusted us to give it to Yu Shenfeng."

"and after?"

"But at that time, neither my sworn brother nor I knew who Yu Shenfeng was. We followed the totem on the key and found the Ghost Hidden Cave, where we discovered that it contained countless rare treasures. Surprised, we wanted to continue exploring, but we were attacked by the blood spirit in the cave."

"Hmm? Blood Spirit..."

Ren Yunzong pressed further, "Did you go in again after that?"

"No, my sworn brother said the key was lost. Later, at the invitation of Yu Shenfeng, he sealed Hao Tianqiong. Before I could even mention this, I was already seriously injured."

"Therefore, Yu Shenfeng was unaware of this."

As Jing Wuhuan spoke, although she was unwilling to believe that her death was related to her sworn brother, she also had some doubts in her heart.

Ji Xiashang felt the same way, his heart growing even heavier: "The Ghostly Hidden Cave... it seems this trip is necessary."

Ren Yunzong said, "We'll proceed from both sides. I'll go to Demon City to gather information about Xi Daoque. If there's any progress, we'll meet up in Tiandu."

"Yes, thank you both. Please."

"please."

After Ji Xiashang left, Ren Yunzong sighed, "Wuhuan, that woman named Qiuyun only has half a month to live. This kind of cold indifference in waiting for someone to die makes me feel like a murderer."

"Yun Zong, I do not wish to be resurrected. I am already content to be with you like this."

Ren Yunzong reached out his hand, and although he couldn't touch the person in front of him, he felt as if he were embracing her: "I will definitely resurrect you, and I will marry you in a grand and glorious way, just like Wu Jun."

"The traces of clouds, everything is preordained, and nothing can be forced."

Ji Xiashang left Tiandu, intending to head straight for Guizang Yuanku, but saw Guzhu Yinlong, who was pushing his cart, rushing over.

“My benefactor, I have found a medicine that can heal your wounds, called Snow Lotus Flower.”

"Then let's go first."

Ji Xia Shang has a nemesis named Ke Zai Nie Zhu, who once went by the alias Ao Tian and hid within Gong Yang Zhan Feng.

The two fought a battle at the Nine Desolate Ridge. In the end, Ao Tian was sealed by the Nine-Five Seal, but Ji Xia Shang had a foreign object inserted into his heart, which damaged his body and made him unable to walk.

For a long time, Guzhu Yinlong has been pushing him to travel around the martial arts world, searching for an antidote.

Now that they finally had a clue, the two were overjoyed.

Soon, Guzhu Yinlong pushed the Wolong cart to the valley full of snow lotus flowers. Amidst the snow-like blossoms, a swordsman holding an ink sword stood.

Despite Ji Xiashang explaining his purpose, the swordsman coldly refused:

"The snow hibiscus is solitary and cold in nature, with only one plant growing in the valley. It takes a hundred years of nurturing to create such a magnificent view. If you pick the flower stem, the beauty will be gone."

Seeing that the swordsman had said this, Ji Xiashang did not insist: "I am a person who loves flowers and cherishes them, so I will not pick them and let them grow freely here."

"Ha, tell me about your sword. I can tell there's a story behind it."

The two then turned to discussing swordsmanship. Ji Xiashang spoke softly and gently, recounting the stories of "the gentleman's teachings" and "the conferment of the throne."

"A virtuous person is like the wind; when the wind blows, the grass bends and all people submit. He can subdue people without killing them. An emperor is like fire; when the fire rises, things are destroyed. The people are terrified and fear him. He can kill people but cannot subdue them."

"So you sincerely believe that you can be as swift as the wind without using fire, and subdue people without killing them. But you still used the power of the emperor?"

"Yes, therefore, I still have shortcomings on the path to becoming a virtuous person."

"May I have the honor of witnessing the demeanor of a gentleman?"

"of course can."

Ji Xiashang slowly closed his eyes, and in an instant, the gentleman's sword was drawn and sheathed, all vanishing into the wind.

The swordsman looked at the flower in the wind again. After slashing it with his sword, the slender flower stem broke but did not break, and it was injured but did not die.

"Indeed a fine sword. I am now even more curious about your 'Nine-Five Seal'. The foreign object on your chest must be related to it."

"This is not something to be told to outsiders."

"Though I am not a healer, I can see that this thing is like a claw, tightly gripping the bone in your left chest, not only locking away several parts of your internal energy, but also making you unable to walk. If I could use a sword to control a healer, would you dare to give it a try?"

Gu Zhu Yinlong hurriedly stopped him: "This person doesn't even allow the snow hibiscus to be picked, how could he be kind enough to treat our benefactor's injuries? Absolutely not!"

Ji Xiashang, however, was willing to give it a try: "I believe in your abilities, brother."

The swordsman asked again, "With my life in your hands, are you truly ready?"

"Good work."

Ji Xiashang wore a smile, completely at ease.

Suddenly, the ink-black sword flew, its cold edge turning sharply, aiming straight for Ji Xiashang's chest.

"Uh~"

Amidst the excruciating pain, Ji Xiashang gritted his teeth and endured it. The chilling aura of the ink sword penetrated his heart and lungs, and the ghostly claws that had plagued him for years melted away without a trace.

Then, the ink sword dripped out drops of iron saliva, and the stagnant blood surrounding the heart was pulverized.

After his blood and qi flowed smoothly, Ji Xiashang tried getting out of the car and walking. After walking a few steps, he believed that he had really regained his ability to walk.

"Thank you. May I ask your honorable name, sir?"

"Eternal years drift away, yet nothing remains."

Chapter 157 A Heaven-Defying Object, How Can It Be Allowed to Be Possessed by Others?

After attending Rahu's wedding, the Holy Infant Lord and Emperor Tathagata took their leave.

The Holy Infant Lord was invited by the Transformation of the Buddha to go to the Heavenly Yama Demon City. The Demon King and the Demon Lord of this generation did not know each other, but they traced back to the same ancestor and could be said to be of the same lineage.

In addition, the monk condescended to be of high status and was very enthusiastic, so the mischievous child went happily.

Rahu bid farewell to the Buddha.

After leaving Tiandu, the two walked slowly along the forest path.