Wandering Swordsman |

Situ Meng took a deep breath, her fingertips trembling slightly, and slowly opened the envelope.

The letter paper was slightly yellowed, as if soaked by the sea breeze, and the edges were slightly curled; the ink was deep and somber, each word like blood, as if every stroke was dipped in regret and tears.

Junior Sister Meng:

By the time you read this letter, I will have already sailed out to sea and traveled far to Japan. I have no face to remain in the Central Plains any longer.

I once thought that as long as I got rid of Shen Mo, you would turn back to look at me; as long as I destroyed him, there would be no one else in your heart. But I was wrong—terribly wrong.

I was jealous of his talent, resented how easily he gained your favor, and even more resentful that he took everything that should have been mine. So, I conspired with Ling Tiancheng to frame him for using demonic arts; I betrayed my master's teachings and the creed of the Martial Alliance.

In the end, what I lost was not only your trust, but also myself.

Junior sister, I'm sorry to you, and I'm sorry to Master.

I'm leaving. I don't ask for your forgiveness, I only wish that you and Shen Mo... grow old together in harmony.

If there is an afterlife, I wish to be a blade of grass in front of your door, silently guarding you, and no longer harboring any delusions.

—The sinner Situ Changkong.

At the end of the letter, the ink was slightly blurred, as if there were tear stains.

After reading it, Situ Meng remained silent for a long time. Tears silently streamed down her face, dripping onto the letter and spreading a dark stain.

She wasn't grieving for him, but rather for the deep sorrow over the bond between fellow disciples destroyed by jealousy and obsession.

At this moment, Xie Xin slowly turned around to face Shen Mo, her expression solemn. The candlelight reflected on her slender profile, outlining a resolute silhouette, as if she were not speaking a word, but performing a rite of passage for the past.

"Young Master Shen," her voice was clear and melodious, yet carried an undeniable decisiveness, like a cold spring striking a stone, each word distinct, "I have something else I'd like to discuss with you."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the two women in the hall—Murong Qing sat upright like a lone pine tree on a snow-capped peak, her brows revealing the coldness and composure of a noblewoman; Situ Meng, on the other hand, was as gentle as a lotus pond under the moon, her eyes clear and bright, seemingly able to see into people's hearts.

At this moment, none of them interrupted, nor did they look at her with disrespect. They simply gazed at her quietly, their eyes filled with the respect of listening, and even... a hint of barely perceptible reverence.

Xie Xin took a deep breath, as if inhaling all the glory and shame of Qilin Village over the past century, and then slowly exhaled a resolute decision:

"Since Xie Changkong has left the Central Plains, the position of Qilin Village Chief has been handed over to me." Her tone was calm, yet every word carried immense weight, like a heavy hammer striking a drum. "But... I don't want it to continue existing any longer."

A resolute glint flashed in her eyes, as decisive as a knife cutting through tangled threads, without hesitation: "I want to... disband the Qilin Village."

Upon hearing this, all three people in the hall were shocked.

Murong Qing paused slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes—she knew that although Qilin Village was not a top-tier power, it was very influential in the western region. Disbanding Qilin Village would be tantamount to completely eradicating the martial arts forces that had dominated the area.

Situ Mengyi frowned slightly, a hint of regret flashing in her eyes. What puzzled her even more was—why would Xie Xin "discuss" such an important decision with Shen Mo?

The way she looked at Shen Mo was not like that of a friend, but rather like that of an absolute being who was above her.

The respect, trust, and even the implied request for instructions in that tone stirred something in Situ Meng's heart: Could it be... that there is some connection between them that I don't know about?

Shen Mo showed no surprise. He gazed at Xie Xin quietly, his eyes like a deep pool reflecting the moon, clear and distant, as if he had already seen through her thoughts—that she was not "giving up," but "liberating herself."

Just then, two light footsteps came from outside the door, like the wind passing through a bamboo forest, their rhythm already heard before they arrived.

"Miss Xie, it's been so long!"

Hua Tianyou's voice, tinged with laughter, rang out first, clear and melodious, but abruptly stopped the moment he stepped across the threshold.

Yue Linglong followed closely behind, her green robe fluttering slightly. Her eyes were cold and clear. She was about to speak, but after hearing the words "disband Qilin Village," she paused, her eyes flashing with undisguised astonishment.

The two rushed over as soon as they heard that Xie Xin had arrived at the Martial Alliance.

Unexpectedly, just as they reached the door, they bumped into Xie Xin saying that he was going to disband Qilin Village.

Hua Tianyou raised an eyebrow and said in a low voice, his tone full of disbelief, "Disband Qilin Village? That's the foundation of your Xie family! You... really want to destroy it with your own hands?"

Although Yue Linglong did not speak, her gaze was fixed on Xie Xin, as if trying to see through the deepest struggle in her heart.

The hall fell silent for a moment, with only the candlelight flickering gently, casting long shadows that intertwined between the red silk and the wooden table, like a web of fate, entwining the past and the future.

Xie Xin met Hua Tianyou's gaze with a calm expression: "Precisely because it is the foundation of the Xie family, I must personally end it."

Her voice was soft, yet sharp as a blade slicing through the night: "Fu Sheng has murdered the emperor and seized the throne for over twenty years. Qilin Village is no longer a righteous village protecting Liangshan, but a den of thieves hiding filth... If we allow it to linger on, it will only bring shame upon our ancestors."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Shen Mo, a hint of relief in her eyes: "Rather than let it rot in decadence, I'd rather I personally put an end to it."

Hua Tianyou was stunned, and remained silent for a long time.

Yue Linglong's eyes flickered slightly, and she suddenly said softly, "You've made up your mind, haven't you?"

Xie Xin did not answer, but the determination in her eyes was the best answer.

Shen Mo finally spoke, his voice as gentle as an early autumn breeze: "Miss Xie, just follow your heart."

His gaze was clear, devoid of any attempt to dissuade or manipulate, containing only profound understanding: "Qilin Village was once the prison of your childhood, and also the place where your bloodline returns. Now that you have found your brother and taken control of the village, whether you choose to rebuild, submit, or... disband, it is all your way. The martial world never lacks a village, but it lacks people who can truly face their own hearts."

Upon hearing this, Xie Xin's eyes welled up with tears, and a single tear silently slid down her cheek, staining her clothes and spreading a small dark patch.

She had expected Shen Mo to advise her to "stay in the stronghold to continue the family business," or "join the martial arts alliance to become the orthodox leader of the martial world," or even use his power as the "Sword God" to plan a safer path for her. But to her surprise, he simply said, "Follow your heart." This respect moved her more than any words of comfort or support.

It was this respect that cleansed her heart like a clear spring, making her even more certain that her choice was not wrong.

Murong Qing gently set down her teacup, the porcelain bottom striking the table with a clear, melodious sound. Her gaze narrowed slightly, her voice, though cool, carried a rare warmth: "Miss Xie, this action, though painful, is of great righteousness. In the martial world, most are bound by fame and fortune; very few can personally sever those shackles."

Situ Meng gently brushed her dress with her delicate hand and said with a gentle smile, "If Miss Xie needs manpower to assist with the dispersal, Jingtian Pavilion can send disciples to help you settle the villagers and handle trivial matters."

Hua Tianyou strode forward, lightly patting Xie Xin's shoulder, his eyes full of approval: "Good! This is the Xie Xin I know!" His voice was loud and clear, carrying a touch of heroism, "Now that you are the leader of a stronghold, your determination to personally end this legacy is something even men would be ashamed of!"

Xie Xin bowed deeply, and when she looked up again, her eyes were no longer filled with confusion, but with a clear and resolute determination. Her face, still wet with tears, radiated an unprecedented glow, as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted and she had been reborn.

Seeing the atmosphere growing heavy, Shen Mo suddenly smiled and turned to lead Murong Qing and Situ Meng: "Come, let's not formally introduce them yet. This is Murong Qing, the seventh young lady of the Murong family; this is Situ Meng, the young master of Jingtian Pavilion. These two will become my wives tomorrow."

Xie Xin had already heard of the "Four Beauties" on her way here. Now, carefully observing the two, she sighed inwardly: Murong Qing was as beautiful as frost, and her every move exuded the dignity of a noble lady; Situ Meng was as gentle as jade, and her eyes were as soft as a spring breeze. The two standing together were like two shining gems, even the candlelight in the hall seemed to dim in comparison.

She curtsied and said gently, "I had heard a little about it on the way here. Miss Murong and Miss Situ are known as the 'Four Beauties', one of the 'Four Beauties', the other of the 'Four Beauties'. But seeing them in person today, I realize that the rumors are nothing compared to the real people."

She paused, looked at Shen Mo, and said with sincere blessings in her eyes, "It is truly a match made in heaven for Young Master Shen to be favored by two beauties, and it is also a blessing for Young Master Shen."

Upon hearing this, Murong Qing's lips curled slightly, a sly glint in her eyes: "Miss Xie flatters me. However, the 'Four Beauties' is nothing but a fabrication by idle people in the martial world. In terms of true fortune—" She gave Shen Mo a meaningful look, "Shen Mo, it is truly his fortune to have Miss Xie's trust."

Everyone laughed, and the heavy atmosphere in the hall vanished instantly.