Demon Sword Immortal

Are you here for the temple?

Bai Xiang looked at Jiang Haojing again, now certain that the reason she suddenly rallied so many disciples to abandon the Dao was because this beautiful woman in the cheongsam was instigating it behind the scenes.

Footsteps sounded behind them, and a group of disciples who had been defeated by Bai Xiang came out from both sides, supporting each other. They carefully avoided Bai Xiang as they went down the steps and stood with the group below.

The woman in the suit gestured to the female bodyguard wearing sunglasses next to her, who immediately stepped forward and carried the unconscious Jiang Haojing down, and the scene was finally not so ugly anymore.

Meanwhile, because Bai Leying and others ran to inform others, Bai Shengju and Bai Lianzhou, along with several juniors, came out from the inner room and stood on the steps, looking down with Bai Xiang.

"Liu Mengqing?"

Upon seeing this person, Bai Shengju frowned, then immediately relaxed.

"All these underhanded tactics are ultimately just to seize land."

“Not bad.” The beautiful woman in the cheongsam, Liu Mengqing, nodded upon hearing this. “Let’s not even talk about the fact that Chengfeng Sword Dao and Shenming Sword Dao are enemies. Even if there were no enmity between them, the fact that you occupy such a piece of land without a sword-forging method would make anyone want to test you.”

"That's what your father thought," Bai Shengju paused, "...which is why he died by my sword."

“He died because he was not as skilled as others.” Liu Mengqing closed her eyes and sighed. “That’s why I, as his daughter, never dare to forget my father’s revenge.”

"You've come to kill me?" Bai Shengju laughed. "Even if you kill me at the martial arts tournament, so what? In ten years, you'll still be the one getting attacked."

"What a profound statement, truly insightful about the human condition," Liu Mengqing sneered.

"But that's just how the world is, Mr. Bai."

"You kill me, I'll kill you."

"The conflict will never end until one side has bled to death."

“All these years I’ve been waiting—” she raised her voice, “waiting for you to exhaust all the connections and resources you’ve built up, waiting for your body to grow old and frail.”

"Heaven rewards those who persevere, and I have finally waited for this day."

What do you mean?

Bai Zhuqing, Bai Leying, and the others all looked bewildered. From what the other party was saying, it seemed as if she had caught her grandfather red-handed.

But Bai Xiang immediately recalled that Bai Shengju had coughed occasionally when he was preparing her medicine these past few days.

An occasional cough is nothing to worry about for the elderly.

But if the cough persists for more than a week without getting better, that's not a good sign.

Was this illness something I developed before I came back?

Oh……

That must have been told to this woman by Jiang Haojing.

Looking at the unconscious Jiang Haojing for the third time, Bai Xiang suddenly realized that he had been too lenient earlier.

Having met someone of Tao Shuohua's caliber, she was no longer simply a commoner on the surface; in other words, some of the rules that constrained ordinary people could no longer restrain her.

For example, accidentally killing someone.

For her, it was no longer a serious crime.

"is it?"

"But what makes you think I would accept the challenge?"

Bai Shengju drew out his words, his gaze towards Liu Mengqing filled with contempt.

What is this so-called revenge you're talking about?

"A Kendo tournament?"

"But I can also choose not to accept it."

"Go back."

"Go ahead and complain to whomever you want!"

“At your age, you can indeed refuse the challenge before the next Dao Master is established.” Liu Mengqing smiled again. “But on the other hand, I have already won over most of your disciples. The number of disciples in the Divine Cry Sword Dao is probably less than 100 now.”

"You know the rules, right? If the number of disciples in a 'Heroic' level dojo fluctuates significantly downwards, then the number must be replenished to 200 within seven days."

"If this cannot be done, the Shinmei Dojo will be removed from the Kendo Association."

Bai Shengju had already turned to leave, but upon hearing this, he abruptly stopped.

He looked at Bai Xiang, and Bai Xiang nodded.

Although not all the disciples who came just now were present, Liu Mengqing had no need to lie at this time.

"On the other hand, I have brought a condition that you cannot refuse."

As she spoke, Liu Mengqing reached to the side and took a bound scroll from a servant.

what is that?

Bai Shengju frowned.

It was too far away for him to see clearly...

But a scroll?

Could it be that—

With a "whoosh," Liu Mengqing faced the steps and unfurled the scroll.

Almost simultaneously, everyone, whether on or off the steps, heard a sharp, piercing cry.

That was... a crane?

The scroll is unfurled, revealing a three-legged, four-winged, one-eyed, phoenix-crowned bird-beast on an earthen-yellow canvas. Its features resemble those of a crane.

This is... a demon pool?

Is the thing she's holding in her hand the 'Demon Pool Visualization Diagram'?

"Not bad!" Liu Mengqing snorted coldly.

"The Demon Pool Visualization Diagram, 'The Crying Infant'!"

"It doesn't fit my lineage, but it's very suitable for the name 'Divine Cry'."

"How about it, Bai Shengju? You know, finding a path that matches your swordsmanship isn't easy!"

"This diagram also includes half of the sword-forging method! I'll use this as a bargaining chip to challenge the Divine Cry Sword Path to a 'Sword Path Tournament' in seven days!"

"Are you going to answer or not...?"

Give me an answer!

“Grandpa!” Bai Leying immediately grabbed Bai Shengju’s sleeve, glaring at him and shaking her head repeatedly.

"Grandpa, don't answer it."

Bai Zhuqing also had a solemn expression.

If the visualization diagrams and sword-forging methods are missing, you can slowly search for them.

But if someone of Bai Shengju's age were to go on stage and compete in swordsmanship, that would be... well, you know.

She didn't want to be so pessimistic, but that's the reality.

Be rational.

I can't accept this...

Bai Lianzhou didn't speak, but just stared at the old man with an expression that said, "I'll do it" or "Let me do it."

Bai Shengju sighed, his gaze quickly sweeping across everyone's faces, before finally smiling when he saw Bai Xiang.

"no need."

Bai Xiang suggested.

"A suitable visualization diagram and sword-making method."

"One year."

Give me a year.

"I can find one for the dojo within a year."

"I believe!"

Ignoring the surprised looks from the others, Bai Shengju smiled and nodded to Bai Xiang.

"However, some things cannot be simply judged by gains and losses."

"Just like you met Momo Sakuka, but still planned to solve the problem on your own, as a swordsman, I also have my own obsessions."

"If I don't resolve this issue, I might never have another chance..."

Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Unresolved Knot

Liu Mengqing is gone.

He led the people of the Wind Riding Sword Path down the steps and left.

In return, Bai Shengju accepted her challenge, and the two agreed to hold a 'Kendo Tournament' seven days later under the notary office of the local Kendo Association in Chilongdao.

Bai Shengju won and obtained the visualization scroll of "Crying Infant" from the Demon Pool, as well as half of the sword-forging method contained within it.

However, if Chengfeng Sword Path wins, not only will the Bai family lose the land beneath their feet, but Bai Shengju's life will also be in danger.

"A kendo tournament!"

At the dining table, Bai Shengju, unusually, sat with the others. He sipped his small cup and cheerfully reminisced about the past.

“The two sides set a big bet, and then they go up and fight to the death. This kind of sword fight is generally not encouraged nowadays.”

“If there weren’t genuine, irreconcilable feuds between the two sides, even the Kendo Association wouldn’t approve such an application, always suggesting that we use the conventional competition method.”

"But some people don't understand."

"How can swordplay that's always confined to the small space of the arena, where life and death are barely determined, possibly inspire true understanding? How can it lead to spiritual elevation and transformation?"

"Grandpa..." Bai Zhuqing sighed, "Let's not talk about transformation anymore... Why don't you talk about what's wrong with your cough?"

"Cough? What cough?" Bai Shengju glared at her, his face flushed, and pointed his finger at the girl's forehead.

"Don't talk nonsense, kid. Your grandpa is in great health and can eat two bowls of rice in one meal!"

"Back then, Liu Jingfeng was no match for me, and even now that his daughter is grown up, she still can't beat me! Uh, cough cough cough...!"

Despite his boastful words, everyone could tell that the old man was actually drunk.

This is definitely not good news.

The fact that he was already drunk from such a small amount of alcohol indicates that Bai Shengju's digestive abilities have severely deteriorated. This indirectly reflects how serious his decline in strength has been.

After the meal, Bai Lianzhou helped the elderly man back to his room to rest, leaving a few younger relatives to clean up the mess.

The group divided the work: Xu Shu washed the dishes, Bai Leying mopped the floor, Bai Zhuqing wiped the table and moved the stools, and Bai Xiang poured the leftovers into a garbage bag and took it out to throw it in the designated place.

"Ugh……!"

On the way back, Bai Xiang ran into Bai Zhuqing and heard her let out a heavy sigh.

“Grandpa felt sorry for Aunt Nianchan,” she said softly. “He must have thought that if the Bai family had had enough suitable sword-forging techniques and visualization diagrams back then, Aunt Nianchan wouldn’t have needed to work so hard, and wouldn’t have needed to study so diligently after being chosen by Yuming Sword Dao.”

"If she hadn't gone to Nanshan to meditate, she wouldn't have met the Prince of Nanling and his party, and that kind of thing wouldn't have happened."

"He must feel that he is responsible for all of this."

"This is a knot in his heart, and I don't think my second uncle can persuade him..."

Yes.

Although Bai Lianzhou didn't tell anyone what he wanted to do, surprisingly everyone guessed that he helped the old man inside to force him to take over the position of the Dao Master.

That means it will be him, not Bai Shengju, who will fight seven days later.

He probably felt this was the best option.

“My parents and second aunt are all out there.” Bai Zhuqing shook her head. “We’ve already called them, trying to get them to use their social connections…wait?”

Suddenly, she looked at Bai Xiang.

How could I have overlooked this? In terms of social connections, who in the Bai family can rival Sister Xiang'er?