chsdbacks Chapter 56 Bestowing a Name: Sword, Come!
Chapter 56 Bestowing a Name: Sword, Come!
The night was as dark as ink, swallowing up the outline of Qinglan Mountain.
At the summit of Tianjian Peak, ten thousand green flags fluttered in the night wind.
The once bustling martial arts arena was now deserted, with only a few solitary lamps flickering in the corridors, casting dappled shadows.
The grand ceremony that took place during the day seemed like a dream.
Only the lingering sword energy in the air and the spiderweb-like cracks on the bluestone slab of the high platform proved that it was not an illusion.
Deep within the Sword Sect, the "Heavenly Pivot Hall," the residence of successive sect leaders, is brightly lit.
This grand hall is built with thousand-year-old ironwood, with ancient and heavy eaves and brackets. The nine steps in front of the hall are paved with white jade, symbolizing the supreme concept of the Sword Sect's "Nine Extremes Sword Way".
A black plaque with gold characters hangs in the center of the temple gate, bearing the four ancient seal characters "Sword Dao Tong Xuan" (The Way of the Sword Leads to Profound Mystery). The strokes are sharp and sharp like swords, and it is said to have been written by the founding master himself.
At this moment, the atmosphere inside the hall was so heavy it was almost suffocating.
Eight rosewood chairs were arranged on both sides of the main hall, with seven elders sitting silently. Only the "Heavenly Sword Chair" in the center, which symbolized the position of the sect leader, was empty.
The chair was covered with a light blue brocade cushion, and the back of the chair was carved with a long sword that had been drawn from its sheath, the tip of which pointed straight at the dome.
That was the symbol of the supreme power of the Azure Sky Sword Sect; in the past three hundred years, only seven people have ever sat in that position.
Today, this chair is about to welcome its youngest and most special owner.
The First Elder, Mo Wentian, sat in the first seat on the left. His blue Daoist robe was still spotless, but his face was slightly pale, and his brows showed an undisguised weariness.
Although his battle with Li Wuhen during the day did not fundamentally damage him, it did deplete a significant amount of his true energy.
More importantly, the pent-up frustration in his heart has not yet dissipated.
Second Elder Liu Suifeng sat opposite him, toying with a white jade folding fan in his hand, his usual gentle smile long gone.
Instead, there was deep contemplation.
He would occasionally glance outside the hall, as if waiting for something.
The seat for the Third Elder, Li Wuhen, is empty.
He was seriously injured and fell into a coma. He was carried back to his residence for treatment. It is said that his meridians were severely damaged. Even if he recovers, his cultivation level may drop to the Finger Profound Realm, and he will find it difficult to regain the power of the Celestial Phenomenon.
For him, who was renowned throughout the martial arts world as the "Blood Sword," this was worse than death.
The Fourth Elder Yue Qingcang, the Fifth Elder Bai Ningshuang, the Sixth Elder Feng Wuying, and the Seventh Elder Su Tingyu sat in order.
The four men had different expressions: some were angry, some were unwilling, some were confused, and some were deeply worried.
The absurd competition during the day, the bizarre victory of that second-rank disciple named "Come Quickly," and His Majesty's unquestionable will...
Everything felt like a nightmare, leaving these old guys who had been navigating the underworld for decades feeling completely lost and disoriented.
"Squeak—"
The heavy palace doors were pushed open.
All eyes immediately turned to that direction.
Two Sword Sect deacons bowed and led the way, one in front and one behind, as the two figures slowly walked in.
Qin Mu was walking in front.
He had changed out of the imposing black dragon robe he wore during the day and was now dressed in a moon-white casual robe, with a matching thin gauze overcoat. A white jade belt was tied around his waist, and his long hair was tied up with a simple wooden hairpin, with a few stray strands falling across his forehead.
This attire made him look like a young nobleman from a wealthy family traveling and enjoying nature, lacking some of the majesty of an emperor and gaining more of the elegance of a scholar.
But when his deep, unfathomable eyes swept over them, the seven elders in the hall involuntarily rose and bowed in respect:
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
Qin Mu nodded slightly, but did not speak immediately. Instead, he walked to the center of the hall, stood with his hands behind his back, and slowly swept his gaze over the seven people before finally landing on the empty "Heavenly Sword Chair".
"Elders, there's no need for such formalities."
His voice was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger. "The daytime ceremony has been fraught with unexpected events. I'm sure you all have your own thoughts on this."
These words were so blunt that they caused the elders' expressions to change slightly.
Qin Mu seemed oblivious to their reaction and continued:
"The Sword Sect has a 300-year-old foundation, its swordsmanship is unparalleled in the world, and it has guarded the northern border of the Great Qin for generations to come. I have always respected the Sword Sect."
He paused, then changed his tone:
"But respect does not mean indulgence. Since the Sword Sect is within the territory of Great Qin, it should abide by the laws of Great Qin and observe the etiquette between ruler and subject. The position of sect leader is related to the future of the Sword Sect, and even more so to the stability of the martial arts world of Great Qin. I cannot sit idly by."
These words have already made their stance clear.
The Azure Sky Sword Sect must be under the control of the imperial power.
Mo Wentian took a deep breath, stepped forward, and bowed, saying:
"Your Majesty is absolutely right. The Sword Sect and the Great Qin are bound together by fate, for better or for worse. However..."
He paused, carefully choosing his words:
"But that disciple is coming soon. His cultivation is shallow and his qualifications are insufficient. I'm afraid he will not be able to win people's hearts. If we force him to take the position, I'm afraid the Sword Sect will fall into chaos first. At that time, the three thousand disciples will become disloyal and disloyal, which would not be good."
This was said in a tactful way, but it got straight to the point.
Come and become the sect leader, no one will accept that.
Qin Mu smiled.
The smile was faint, yet it sent a chill down Mo Wentian's spine.
"Elder, you are mistaken."
Qin Mu slowly walked to the "Heavenly Sword Chair," reached out, and gently stroked the carved sword on the back of the chair with his fingertips, a movement as tender as caressing a lover's cheek.
"The Sword Sect's ancestral precept is to promote only the talented. If he can defeat Elder Li in the competition, he will prove his talent. As for cultivation and seniority... he can accumulate them slowly."
He turned and looked outside the hall:
"Bring him in."
As soon as the words were spoken, a figure timidly walked in from outside the palace gate.
It's coming soon.
He had changed into a brand new cyan Daoist robe, made of cloud brocade, the kind used by inner disciples, with silver cloud patterns embroidered on the cuffs, much more luxurious than the ordinary disciple robe he wore during the day.
But his face remained pale, his eyes darted around, he dared not meet the gaze of any of the elders, and his steps were unsteady, as if he might fall at any moment.
The bizarre victory he achieved during the day did not bring him much confidence; instead, it made him even more fearful and uneasy.
He knew that he was just a puppet, a tool used by His Majesty to control the Sword Sect.
Even so, when he saw the empty "Heavenly Sword Chair," his heart still raced uncontrollably.
That's the position of sect leader...
In the three hundred years of the Sword Sect, only seven people have ever sat in that spot…
"Brother, disciple, come quickly! I pay my respects to His Majesty and all the elders..."
He walked into the hall, knelt down with a thud, his forehead touching the ground, his voice trembling.
Qin Mu looked at him, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
Fear can sometimes be more effective than loyalty.
"Rise," Qin Mu said calmly. "From this day forward, you will be the new sect leader of the Qinglan Sword Sect. Although the formal succession ceremony has not yet been held, your title is already established, and you should display the demeanor of a sect leader."
He quickly and shakily stood up, his hands hanging down, still not daring to raise his head.
Qin Mu walked up to him and patted him on the shoulder.
"This name is too casual and does not deserve the position of Sword Sect Master."
Qin Mu pondered for a moment, then slowly said:
"The Sword Sect is founded on the sword, and its swordsmanship is profound. As the sect leader, you should have a fitting name. I bestow upon you a name—"
He paused, then spoke slowly and deliberately:
"Sword, come!"
Sword, come!
Two words, as loud as a thunderclap!
Mo Wentian suddenly looked up, a look of horror flashing in his eyes!
Swords come... The master of swordsmanship, ten thousand swords pay homage!
This name is both extremely domineering and extremely arrogant!
What merit or ability does a second-rank disciple possess to dare use such a name?
Qin Mu, seemingly oblivious to the shock of the crowd, continued:
"May you live up to your name, leading the Sword Sect to a multitude of swords, and making the Way of the Sword supreme."
Come quickly, no, now we should call for the sword! He trembled violently, not from fear, but from excitement!
Sword, come!
His Majesty bestows a name upon this sword!
What a grace! What an honor!
Although he knew that behind this glory lay deep constraints, at this moment, the overwhelming power and the temptation of instant success still overwhelmed everything!
He knelt down again, kowtowing heavily, his voice choked with emotion:
"This disciple thanks Your Majesty for bestowing upon me this name! I, Jianlai, will certainly dedicate myself wholeheartedly to serving Your Majesty and live up to Your Majesty's high expectations! I will not let down the Sword Sect!"
Qin Mu nodded and turned to look at the seven elders:
"Elders, do you have anything to say?"
silence.
Dead silence.
The seven elders' expressions changed, their hearts churning with turmoil.
By bestowing the name "Sword Comes," His Majesty was clearly telling them: I am determined to support this puppet. Anyone who opposes him is opposing me.
Liu Suifeng was the first to react.
He closed his folding fan, stepped forward, a gentle smile returning to his face, and bowed, saying:
"His Majesty bestowed this name, its meaning profound. Sword Comes... What a fine name! From now on, my Azure Cloud Sword Sect will truly have the grandeur of 'ten thousand swords coming to pay homage'! Liu Suifeng pays respects to Sect Master Sword Comes!"
After saying that, he actually bowed to Jianlai.
Although this greeting did not involve kneeling, for the Second Elder to bow to a second-rank disciple was already a tremendous concession.
Jian Lai was so frightened that he waved his hands repeatedly, "Second Elder, you're too kind to this disciple..."
Liu Suifeng laughed and said, "The sect leader is the sect leader. How can you call yourself a disciple? From now on, you are the leader of the Sword Sect, and we should treat you with the respect due to a sect leader."
Upon seeing this, the other elders also stepped forward and bowed in respect.
"Yue Qingcang greets the Sect Master."
"Bai Ningshuang greets the Sect Master."
"Feng Wuying greets the Sect Master."
"Su Tingyu greets the Sect Master."
In the end, only Mo Wentian remained.
He stood there, his face ashen, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
He is the Grand Elder, Xiao Tiannan's personal disciple, and has the highest prestige and the most seniority in the Sword Sect.
Losing to Li Wuhen in broad daylight was already a great humiliation.
Now you have to bow to a second-rank disciple and acknowledge him as your master?
This is worse than killing him!
Qin Mu looked at him quietly without saying a word.
But that invisible pressure surged toward Mo Wentian like a tidal wave.
The air inside the hall seemed to freeze, making it difficult to even breathe.
For a long, long time.
Mo Wentian slowly loosened his fist, took a deep breath as if using all his strength, and bowed deeply to Jian Lai:
"Mo Wentian... greets the sect leader."
His voice was hoarse, filled with barely concealed humiliation.
Jian Lai was at a loss for words and repeatedly said, "Elder, please rise. This disciple... no, Jian Lai cannot accept this..."
Qin Mu then smiled slightly:
"Alright, now that all the elders have agreed, Jian Lai can be considered to have secured his position as sect leader."
He paused, then changed the subject:
"However, there is still one thing I do not understand."
He looked at Mo Wentian:
"During the grand ceremony, Sect Master Xiao has not shown himself. As far as I know, he has been in seclusion for thirty years, comprehending the realm of a terrestrial immortal. I wonder... what his current situation is?"
The atmosphere in the hall changed immediately upon hearing Xiao Tiannan's name.