Wandering Swordsman |

The bookworm stood up, dusted himself off, and smiled warmly. "Brother Shen, it's been five years! Your martial arts have improved so rapidly; it's truly remarkable!"

A warm feeling welled up in Shen Mo's heart. The bookworm who had once guided him in martial arts and taught him internal energy cultivation techniques was like an older brother to him. This reunion made Shen Mo feel incredibly close to him. The figure in his memory, always exuding a scholarly air and as steady as a mountain, was still so familiar.

"Brother Shu, what are you doing here?" Shen Mo asked, his eyes filled with concern and surprise.

The bookworm chuckled softly, a deep glint in his eyes: "I've come here on behalf of the headmaster of the Elite Academy to support you." His tone was calm, yet seemed to hold unspoken words: "As you know, the 'Tomb of the Martial God' is a matter of great importance, far beyond what one person can handle. The headmaster has high hopes for you and wishes I could lend you a hand."

Shen Mo nodded without any doubt after hearing this. This trust stemmed not only from his long-standing friendship with the Bookworm, but also from his trust in the Martial Arts Alliance. In fact, the Bookworm wasn't lying; he was indeed sent by the curator, but he didn't mention that the curator had sent him in the guise of Guiguzi.

"Brother Shen, where have you been all these years since you disappeared? I've searched for your whereabouts, but I haven't found any clues at all." At this moment, the bookworm changed the subject and asked curiously, his eyes gleaming with a searching light.

Shen Mo said solemnly, "Brother Shu, actually, during the five years I disappeared, I was rescued by Sunset Swordsman and trained under his tutelage. He is my mentor and my guide."

As he spoke, he slowly circulated his energy, and a faint golden light immediately emanated from his body. That was the Sunset Swordsman's signature martial art—"Sunset True Qi".

As the light shifts, it's as if the afterglow of the setting sun is falling on the forest, giving people a warm and peaceful feeling.

Upon seeing this, the bookworm's eyes flashed with admiration: "Brother Shen, you truly live up to your reputation as a disciple of Sunset Swordsman. Your skill level is indeed admirable."

Then, Shen Mo told Bookworm in detail the intelligence he had gathered during his investigation. Bookworm was quite surprised by the information that overseas heretical cultivators frequently operated within the Black Wind Gang, using it as a temporary base. After all, Bookworm hadn't noticed anything unusual during his investigation of the Black Wind Gang.

"Not only that," Shen Mo continued, his voice lowering, "those overseas evil cultivators, in order to attract the attention of the Martial Alliance, did not hesitate to create the Dali City massacre, indiscriminately killing innocent people, just to cover up their search for the Martial God's Tomb."

Upon hearing this, the bookworm's expression suddenly turned serious, a flash of anger appearing in his eyes: "Such a heinous act is truly outrageous. It seems we must act quickly to stop them from causing further harm."

Shen Mo nodded and said in a deep voice, "I have decided to pretend to be instigated by Duan Qianya to go to the Black Wind Gang to investigate the overseas evil cultivators. At the same time, Duan Qianya is preparing to monopolize the secret of the Martial God's Tomb, so please keep a close eye on the Diancang Sect's movements in the next few days, Brother Shu. I expect Duan Qianya will take action after I leave."

The bookworm took a deep breath, a resolute glint in his eyes: "Don't worry, Brother Shen. After you leave, I will keep a close eye on the Diancang Sect's every move."

The two exchanged a smile, as if everything was understood without words.

After parting ways with the bookworm, Shen Mo embarked on his journey alone.

He did not conceal his whereabouts, but walked down Diancang Mountain openly and then deliberately entered Dali City. His clothes fluttered and his steps were firm and steady, as if he were showing his whereabouts to everyone.

He wanted to reassure Duan Qianya and make the Diancang Sect believe that he had completely left and that Duan Qianya could search for the Tomb of the Martial God with peace of mind.

Afterwards, Shen Mo deliberately walked through the busiest main street of Dali City, and even stopped for a moment at the city gate to exchange a few words with the guards, as if he were just an ordinary traveler from the martial world, without any guard.

Then, he strode confidently to the post station in Dali City, bought a horse, and headed straight for the Black Wind Gang.

Shen Mo's every move had already been noticed by the disciples of Diancang.

......

The midday sun slanted through the carved window frame of the Diancang Sect leader's study, casting dappled light and shadow on the blue brick floor, like gold foil torn by the wind.

Inside the room, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood incense. A wisp of smoke rose from the bronze incense burner, but lingered in mid-air, as if frozen by the silent atmosphere of power struggles.

Duan Qianya sat upright at the desk, his black robe making his face appear even more stern. He interlaced his fingers, rhythmically tapping the sandalwood desk that had been passed down through three generations of sect leaders, producing a deep and regular "tap, tap, tap" sound, like the dripping of a water clock, or like a countdown before the sounding of war drums.

Outside the door, footsteps were light, and a disciple in blue robes bowed as he entered. His clothes remained still, and his breathing was extremely soft, clearly indicating that he was a trusted confidant who had undergone rigorous training. He clasped his hands and bowed his head, his voice low but clear: "Sect Leader, Shen Mo has purchased a fast horse and is heading towards Benyimen County at the foot of Black Wind Mountain. His target is clear—the Black Wind Gang."

Duan Qianya's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly, and the corners of his lips slowly curved into a smile.

The smile was like a blade slicing across the surface of water, spreading only superficially but never touching the dark, cold spring deep within his eyes. He nodded slightly, like an emperor praising a loyal minister.

"Very good," he whispered, his voice like sand grinding against the strings of an ancient zither.

A moment later, he slowly rose, his movements unhurried, as if each step was in step with the rhythm of fate. He stood with his hands behind his back by the window, his gaze passing over the undulating, verdant peaks of Diancang Mountain and landing on the mirror-like Erhai Lake in the distance.

Sunlight spilled onto the lake, creating shimmering ripples, but in his eyes, it was not water, but the cold gleam of a divine weapon that had sunk a thousand years ago, gleaming in the darkness.

His smile deepened, like a crack opening in an abyss: "Pass on my order to summon the seven elders of Diancang and have them proceed to the main hall immediately for a meeting—without delay."

The disciple in green accepted the order, bowed, and withdrew, his steps as light as falling leaves, yet carrying an urgent sense of crisis.

The door closed, and the study returned to silence. Only the "tap, tap" of the knocking stopped, replaced by the violent beating of Duan Qianya's heart, driven by ambition.

He stood alone by the window, his shadow stretched long by the sunlight, cast on the wall like an ancient sword about to be drawn. He gazed in the direction of Erhai Lake, his eyes deep and unfathomable, as if piercing through the layers of blue waves to glimpse the Tomb of the God of War, slumbering beneath the silt and sand at the bottom of the lake.

......

The scene shifts to the main hall of the Diancang Sect.

Inside the main hall, portraits of past sect leaders hang on the four walls, silently recounting the sect's long history and glory. Midday sunlight streams in through the tall windows, casting golden streaks on the floor and illuminating the dust motes floating in the air.

At this moment, in the huge main hall, besides the sect leader Duan Qianya, there were seven elders of the Diancang Sect, including Elder Yao Guangyuan of the Pill Hall.

These seven elders were all renowned figures in the martial arts world. Their presence was like the seven pillars of the Diancang Sect, supporting the glory and dignity of the entire sect. At this moment, they sat around a huge sandalwood round table, their expressions solemn, as if a storm was about to break.