Bitter Realm: My Feet Step Through the Flames of War

When he returned to the Central Plains, the plan to create a spectacular landscape was once again aborted.

Not only did they lose the Demon Blade, but the three chess pieces—Zonghengzi, Henwufeng, and Kuahuanzhifu—also became three discarded pieces.

"I hate it!"

A low growl of hatred echoed in the darkness.

When he desperately tried to peel away the ghost's body, but the Nine Heavens Mystic Venerable told him that he was not the "greatest of men," at that moment his world was filled with nothing but darkness.

From darkness, and to darkness.

so what?

Those who disrespect me, kill!

Those who block my path, kill them!

Those who exploit me deserve to die!

If I am black, I will plunge this world into eternal darkness; if I die, I will send this world to the underworld!

Chapter 333 Saint, Sword Master, Sinner

After a century of absence, I revisit the ancient Defeng Road today.

Although Mo Qingchi held the title of Confucian sage, he was a free man. If it weren't for proving Sui Wu's innocence, he would never have wanted to set foot here again, especially not to meet someone like Shu Daoqian.

It is lamentable that the tradition of virtue and integrity has not been passed down. Among the second generation of disciples, Shu Daoqian was the one who entered the sect the earliest and showed the most composure, and thus took over the position of head.

He was later criticized by the Confucian school for his handling of the Yi Extermination Incident, and resigned. He is now the deputy director of the Defeng Ancient Path, under Yu Lijing.

However, since he was the one who decided the case back then, and he still needs to be involved in overturning the case now, Mo Qingchi has no choice but to feign compliance.

In the Pure Heart Hall, Shu Daoqian sat high in the head seat, his cold face directed at Mo Qingchi and Sui Wuduan, who was still suffering from poison.

There were several young Confucian disciples in the hall, whom Mo Qingchi did not recognize. These disciples all had sullen faces, just like Shu Daoqian, and were obviously his confidants.

Shu Dao's words were laced with sarcasm: "Holy Master, you left so resolutely back then, I never imagined I would see you step onto the Pure Heart Hall one day."

"The crime was wrongly judged here, so we can only come here to overturn the verdict."

"You still insist that I misjudged this case? Including when you left back then, no matter how much I tried to persuade you to stay, it was no use. It seems that Seiji really has a lot of grievances against me."

Mo Qingchi did not respond to his accusation, but steered the conversation back to the case itself: "Deputy Chief, it is not the Single Edge Sinner who is being investigated. The real Holy Sword and the Sinner have reappeared in the world. We can follow this clue to investigate."

Shu Daoqian snorted: "How can we prove that this suddenly appearing lone criminal is the mastermind behind the massacre of Yi a hundred years ago? Who knows if he is just using someone else to shift the target in order to exonerate himself?"

"I believe this without any basis."

"Is what Saint Si believes in his own judgment? No matter how much you try to cover up for Su Wudu, you should understand that you were the one who misjudged him."

Mo Qingchi suppressed his anger: "If Defeng Gudao cannot capture the real culprit, I am willing to do it for him."

"If the Holy Priest is truly so inclined, then bring back the Holy Sword along with this sinner."

"As you said."

Shu Daoqian nodded: "Then I will give you five days. If you do not return by then, you will be punished for your crimes without cause. Guards, take him into prison without cause."

His Highness immediately sent two disciples over.

"Stop! Wuduan's poison wounds haven't healed yet; he needs to rest."

“Sir, you can recuperate in prison as well. Otherwise, if you escape for no reason, how will you explain this to the Taoist and Buddhist sects?”

Seeing that Mo Qingchi's anger was about to erupt, she hurriedly tugged at his sleeve for no reason: "Sheng Si, I'm fine, I will definitely wait for you to come back."

Mo Qingchi had no choice but to let go, watching helplessly as the two disciples dragged Sui away without cause.

He then hurried away; time was limited, and he had to bring back the lone criminal.

After walking more than ten miles along the Defeng Ancient Road, Mo Qingchi stopped.

"Come out."

Yu Lijing emerged from the woods behind him, smiling apologetically: "Saint, it's been hundreds of years since we last met. I never imagined we'd meet again like this. I'm truly sorry."

"You weren't the one who was convicted back then, and you're not the one being made difficult today, so why should you apologize?"

"As for the deputy head... I will take good care of Wuduan. Regarding the criminal Danfeng, the Confucian school will investigate him together with you, and we will definitely bring him back for trial."

"Li Jing, there is something I did not say in the hall, but it is necessary to tell you: the place where the disciples of Yuexiao Sect were attacked for no reason was not Yinlong Gorge, but Qingrang Peak."

"Ok?"

"This means that someone in the Confucian school told a lie, leading the case astray."

"I understand."

Yu Lijing was not in charge at that time and had not handled the case, so he knew nothing about the details. However, after hearing Mo Qingchi's explanation, he understood the general reason.

"What is puzzling is why the conspirators targeted Wuduan without cause. Although Wuduan was outstanding in swordsmanship at that time, he was simple-minded and had always lived within the Confucian school, with no enemies outside and no grudges within."

This is also what Mo Qingchi couldn't understand.

He complained, “Children without parents are unloved. I’ve heard that Jun Fengtian is Wuduan’s mother’s sworn brother. Why has he never stood up for Wuduan?”

Yu Lijing hurriedly explained, "Your Excellency Fa Ru came here to avoid suspicion."

Ultimately, it is his own reputation that matters.

"The Holy Master has misunderstood Your Excellency, the Confucian Master."

Mo Qingchi said no more and left in a flash, leaving Yu Lijing with a slight frown.

The setting sun shone on the three tall tombs, and the evening breeze blew the grass on the grave mounds. The offerings placed in front of the tombstones had been half-dried by the wind.

Sword Master Tan Xiqi clicked his tongue twice: "Good nephew, you can come to pay respects to your parents, but you can't come to see your uncle?"

A booklet remains in front of the stone tablet; it is titled "Yiya Qingzhai Lu".

Tan Xiqi picked it up, opened it, and couldn't help but chuckle: "Thirteen ways to eat bamboo shoots... Good nephew, some things should be settled."

Mo Qingcheng was hurrying through the grove when she suddenly saw someone blocking her way.

"Xuanmiao".

"Seijutsu, it's been a long time."

"Judging from your appearance, you have made even greater progress."

"Did this surprise you?"

Mo Qingchi knew why he had come. Back then, when he plotted to assassinate the Lord of Wanjie, Yi Xuanmiao was his most steadfast supporter.

Unexpectedly, things took an unexpected turn. Yi Xuanmiao invented the Demon-Sealing Rock, and his elder brother Wang Xiaoran led the disciples of the Yi Tian Xuan Mai into the Netherworld to undertake the sealing mission. However, Ying Wuqian and Chong Yuzhi sealed them all together in the Netherworld.

In order to rescue his elder brother, Yi Xuanmiao devised a plan to break the seal on Youdu.

Afterwards, Wang Xiaoran sacrificed himself for the righteous path, but his two sons died at the hands of Ying Wuqian and Life Trainee, respectively, leaving only Chen Si to retire into seclusion.

“I heard that the Holy Master is cooperating with Ying Wuqian. My doubts from back then have suddenly been resolved. It was you who revealed the whereabouts of my elder brother, Cangming, and me.”

Mo Qingchi did not refute it; it was the truth.

"Ha, I used to trust you quite a bit, but Yuan Cangming never doubted you until his death."

“I do owe Cangming and you something, and I will not avoid it if you want to ask for it back, but I have important matters to attend to right now.”

"Haha, does revenge need to be timed with you? I saw you were a little regretful just now, and I was afraid that this revenge would be too easy, but it seems that you also have a reason to fight me. Draw your sword!"

As the words fell, neon lights shone brightly, their aura shook the surrounding area, and the awe-inspiring power of the Heaven and Earth Sword reappeared.

Mo Qingchi knew this feud was difficult to resolve, and sighed, "If this is what you expect, then come on."

With his mind settled, Mingyi Zhengsheng was startled and emerged.

"Single Edge? Ying Wuqian once offered me a deal to kill you, so you must have agreed that I wouldn't do it. But this time it's truly a matter of life and death."

Swords clashed, smoke billowed, and fighting spirits soared. Both men, driven by past grievances and old scores, wanted to settle things in one battle.

Mo Qingchi's three-pronged attack was ingenious and difficult to counter. Although Feng Jianzhu held the reins of heaven and earth, he was at a temporary disadvantage.

“Seijir, I thought you would hold back because you felt guilty, but it seems I was overthinking it.”

"To hold back in battle would be disrespectful to you."

"Well said! Then I too can unleash my full power! Unrivaled Sword Across Heaven and Earth!"

"A level sword, its clear edge, sweeps away the dust of the world!"

Just as the two swords clashed, a dazzling red cloud appeared on the horizon. Then, a sword carrying a strong aura of blood descended from the sky, shattering the sword intent that the two were about to unleash.

Tan Xiqi exclaimed in surprise, "What is that?"

"The Confucian massacre, the culprit is Shan Feng, and he is the person I'm currently investigating. Follow him!"

The fight between the two was interrupted, and they lost interest in continuing their life-or-death feud.

Hearing Mo Qingchi say this, Tan Xiqi became intrigued: "I know you are not a truly wicked person. There must be a reason for your actions. Since you feel guilty towards me, shouldn't you explain it to me?"

"We'll talk about it after we catch up."

The two followed closely behind the murderous aura, chasing after it all the way, only to see the blood-red clouds in the sky gradually sweeping towards the Western Martial World.

Soon after, the red clouds stopped by a clear blue lake, staining the water as if it were blood.

"Such a strong murderous aura."

"Hmm? Why is Tiandu his target?"

Tan Xiqi said with a hint of schadenfreude, "It seems a spectacular battle is about to unfold before my eyes. Saint, is this the Single-Edged Sinner you spoke of?"

"Indeed, my friend was framed without cause back then, and the details are as follows..."

After hearing this convoluted and bizarre story, Qi Xiqi realized that the reason Mo Qingchi and Ying Wuqian cooperated was to find Sui Wuduan and practice the Single-Edge Sword Technique.

He suddenly remembered the names left in the Sword Sealing Tower: "You said that Sui Wuduan's parents were named Sui Yuan and Xi Duanhong?"

"Indeed, they are both top swordsmen of the Confucian school."

"Xi Duanhong..."

"how was it?"

"I seem to have seen records of Xi Duanhong inside the Sword Sealing Tower. I will investigate when I return, and if I find anything, I will kindly inform the Holy Master."