Wandering Swordsman |

On the other hand, Hua Tianyou, Xie Xin, and Yue Linglong traveled eastward from Tianjian Ridge, traversing clouds and mountains, and arrived at the outer perimeter of the Daliang Mountains.

The mountain slopes gradually flatten, the forests turn yellow and gray, and in the distance, among the overlapping peaks, the outline of a fortified village can be vaguely seen—Qilin Village, like a lurking giant beast, perched in the mountains.

Xie Xin reined in his horse and stood still, staring blankly at the familiar yet unfamiliar gate of the village, his heart feeling as if it had been struck by a heavy hammer.

The wind rustling through the treetops felt like a return to the days when I grew up in Qilin Village many years ago.

Although Fu Sheng did not kill her, he regarded her as a pawn. From the time she was old enough to understand, he taught her to read as her adoptive father, but never allowed her to step out of the village gate.

But ever since Shen Mo took her away from Qilin Village, she was no longer the orphan girl who could be manipulated by others.

Today, she is a disciple of the Heavenly Demon God Sect, a close friend of Yue Linglong, and a powerful survivor of five years of life-and-death trials at the Demon Refining Mountain.

But why does my heart still ache?

"Xie Xin?" Yue Linglong rode closer and saw that Xie Xin looked dazed, her gaze fixed on the mottled fortress on the mountainside in the distance, with tears welling up in her eyes. She couldn't help but call out softly, her voice as gentle as a breeze through the willows, with a hint of barely perceptible worry in her tenderness.

Xie Xin snapped back to reality, as if waking from a long-buried dream. She quickly turned her face away, forcing a smile, and secretly wiped her eyes with her fingertips: "It's nothing, it's just... the sand got in my eyes."

But how could that trembling voice hide from Yue Linglong, who had shared life and death with her for five years in the Demon Refining Mountain?

Yue Linglong gazed at her for a moment, then reined in her horse to stop beside her. Her voice was soft yet unyielding: "We've known each other for so many years, surviving together through the bloodshed of Lianmo Mountain. Our relationship is like sisters. What's wrong with you?"

Xie Xin remained silent for a long time, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes until her knuckles turned white.

Finally, she slowly raised her hand and pointed to the fortress hidden in the twilight in the distance—the outline of Qilin Village was like an old scar etched between the mountains in the setting sun.

"Before joining the Heavenly Demon God Sect..." Her voice trembled slightly, yet it was exceptionally clear, as if every word was carved from the depths of her heart, "I grew up in that Qilin Village."

She took a deep breath, as if to expel ten years of humiliation and forbearance: "My original surname was Xie, and I am the granddaughter of the former chieftain Xie Feng. Fu Sheng—the one who is now sitting in the chieftain's seat—killed my grandfather and murdered my entire family... but spared me, not out of pity, but to wait for me to grow up and marry his son Fu Jiang."

Her voice lowered, almost a whisper, yet every word was like a needle: "As long as the Xie family bloodline is united with the Fu family through marriage, his position as chieftain will be 'legitimate'... I am nothing more than a pawn in his hands, a pretext to cover up his crimes."

The wind stopped, and even the horses quieted down, as if heaven and earth were holding their breath for this bloody and tearful past.

Upon hearing this, Yue Linglong's eyes blazed with fury, like a crimson lotus burning in the sky. She slammed her hand on the saddle, her voice clear and sharp: "Outrageous! How dare they humiliate you like this?!"

She dismounted, took a few steps forward, and tightly grasped Xie Xin's icy hand, her gaze burning brightly: "Xie Xin, listen to me, you are not alone now. You have me behind you, you have the Lord, you have the entire Heavenly Demon God Sect!"

Her tone was firm as iron, each word ringing out: "Now that we are passing through the Liangshan Mountains, and now that you are no longer the weak woman you were, at the mercy of others—this grudge must be avenged! You are not only Xie Xin, but also a disciple of the Heavenly Demon Sect! Your blood debt is our business!"

Xie Xin's eyes welled up with tears, which finally streamed down her face like broken pearls, dripping onto her clothes and spreading a dark stain.

She had never imagined that her humble, insignificant past would elicit such a fervent and unquestionable response. At that moment, she felt, for the first time, a unique kind of warmth.

Hua Tianyou, who had been standing with his hands behind his back, listening silently, slowly turned around. A hint of approval flashed in his eyes, and a cold smile appeared on his lips, like the gleam of a knife before it was drawn.

"Good!" He laughed loudly, his voice echoing through the treetops. "I was just worried that the journey had been too peaceful, without even a worthy opponent to practice against. Since I have a grudge—I might as well settle it while I'm at it!"

He looked up towards Qilin Village, his gaze sharp as a knife, revealing his ruthless intent: "Go! Today we will raze Qilin Village to the ground!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already mounted his horse, his black robes fluttering, a murderous aura emanating from him.

Yue Linglong followed closely behind, her eyes showing no hesitation whatsoever, only a resolute determination to protect her friend and avenge her friend.

Xie Xin took one last look at the fortress that had imprisoned her childhood, took a deep breath, wiped away her tears, straightened her back, and spurred her horse to follow.

The night was as dark as ink, thick clouds obscured the moon, and only a few rays of light pierced through the gaps in the clouds, like silver needles piercing the darkness.

The three of them quietly crept to the back of Qilin Village, using the mountain terrain and withered forest as cover, and slipped into the village walls like three silent shadows.

The village was eerily quiet.

Xie Xin walked at the front, her steps as light as falling leaves, yet each step resonated deep within her heart. She had grown up here, able to navigate every corridor and every hidden sentry post with her eyes closed. But tonight, everything had changed.

The once densely patrolled sentry posts are now sparse and scattered; the once brightly lit council hall is now as dark as a tomb; even the familiar scent of herbs and firewood in the air has been replaced by a faint aroma of sandalwood and new paint—unfamiliar, yet solemn.

"Something's not right..." she thought to herself, her brows furrowing slightly. Qilin Village seemed to have been transformed by an invisible hand, shedding its sinister and ostentatious nature, gaining instead... a touch of solemnity? Even a hint of respect—something she dared not hope for?

She was about to whisper a reminder to Hua Tianyou and Yue Linglong when her gaze was suddenly drawn to what was in front of her.

That is—an ancestral hall.

She paused, almost unable to believe her eyes. The dilapidated old house, which Fu Sheng had converted into a stable and then abandoned for many years, was now completely transformed! The green tiles had been replaced, the vermilion doors were newly painted, and two white lanterns burned quietly in front of the door, their flickering light reflecting the four powerful characters "Xie Clan Ancestral Hall".

Her heart suddenly raced, pounding against her chest like a drum.

"How...how is this possible?" she murmured to herself, her voice so soft it was almost swallowed by the night wind.

Yue Linglong noticed her unusual behavior and whispered, "What's wrong?"

Xie Xin didn't answer, but slowly took a step, as if sleepwalking, towards the ancestral hall. Hua Tianyou's eyes sharpened, and he quickly looked around. After confirming there were no guards, he nodded slightly, signaling to follow.

Pushing open the slightly ajar vermilion door, a cool, refreshing scent of sandalwood wafted out.

Inside the ancestral hall, candlelight shone brightly. Above the central shrine, three memorial tablets were neatly arranged, their black backgrounds bearing gold lettering, exuding solemnity and reverence.

The memorial tablet of Xie Mingzhi, the late ancestor

The memorial tablet of the late father, Xie Feng

Memorial tablet of my esteemed elder brother Xie Lin

Xie Xinru was struck by lightning and froze on the spot.

Those are the names of her great-grandfather, grandfather, and... father!

Her hand trembled as she reached out, her fingertips almost touching the cold wooden plaque, but she quickly withdrew, as if afraid of disturbing the sleeping soul. Tears welled up silently, blurring her vision.

"Why..." Her voice choked with sobs, trembling with disbelief, "Fu Sheng... how could he... how could he erect memorial tablets for them? And repair the ancestral hall?"

She remembered that Fu Sheng never mentioned the Xie family in front of her, believing that Xie Xin was only two years old at the time and would not remember that he killed Xie Feng. Throughout Xie Xin's growth, he always played the role of a kind godfather!

But now, the memorial tablet is here, the incense has not been burned, and fresh fruits and three cups of sake are placed on the offering table.

Is this repentance? Atonement? Or... is there something else going on?