Chapter 233: Ashes Don't Weep (6)
The spectator stands are packed even more than they were during the Conference. The people and cultivators present now are so numerous that it makes the Conference look like a small event. Not just commoners, or members of other sects, but there are so many Seven Killing Swords disciples present, that it wouldnt surprise me if the entire sect came out to watch Lan Xiaohuis execution.
Likewise, the Heavenly Mountain Pavilion, Frozen Peak Palace, and Galaxy Sword sect are also out in force, filling the stands with even more spectators.
All this for merely one execution.
However, it is also not that strange when I consider the culture of this lifeform; to witness a future sect patriarch engage in combat like this is probably something any one of them will experience only once in their lifetime, and it is likely a good opportunity to give face and respect now, to reap benefits later.
That is why even the smaller sects the not-so-major powers are present. There is no shortage of people whom I do not recognize.New novel chapters are published at novelhall.com
Grand Elder Zhuo, Elder Li, Xin Muchen, and more faces I have vague memories of, and thats only on the Seven Killing Swords sect side. Mu Jingyu, Tian Li, Sun Yongzheng, Elder Mo, Elder Qin almost everyone Lan Xiaohui had met during her stay at the Galaxy Sword sect is present; even Hu Yan the person Lan Xiaohui worked for briefly as a meat carver is here, including the rude receptionist that never seemed to like my owner.
But the people my owners eyes are searching for, and the ones she was hoping to see the most, are not there. Lady Yue, Yun Fei, and Wu Yulan were nowhere to be seen.
In her heart, a chaotic breeze ruffled the knots; maybe this was for the best, she thought. Even now, the outcome is uncertain.
The elders walking behind her thought so as well. My adjustments have had a bit of an unexpected result. Two months ago, Lan Xiaohui was about to enter the peak stage of Core Formation. Now, her cultivation was that of an early-stage Core Formation cultivator.
How, or why, her cultivation dropped like this confused the elders, and whatever hope they had for Lan Xiaohuis success in this endeavor was crushed as soon as their eyes fell on my owner.
Ancestor Yang, that strange individual that was not referred to as Elder, back when Lan Xiaohui and Wu Yulan were negotiating their entering the sect, offered to even search Lan Xiaohuis spiritual vessel, in hopes of finding and eradicating traces of poison to them, poison was the only explanation.
Naturally, my owner refused.
No need, she said, back then. Whats done is done.
To them, Lan Xiaohui looked like she had embraced her inevitable death.
It means becoming a saint or a god, Yu Shun answers his own question. If I can reach Nihility, I can bring the peace and stability our sect this entire continent needs. Your sword taught me that.
Lan Xiaohui frowns.
I dont even remember the name of the first person that found it. His surname was Meng, I am sure of that, Yu Shun says. My brother killed him. Elder Ye confiscated it from my brother, and I killed Elder Ye. Ever since, Ive shed so much blood until I realized this one simple, obvious fact. Unless I reach the realm of Saints and Gods, I will always kill to keep what is mine. Dont you agree?
As once more, no reply comes from my owner, Yu Shuns eyes narrow and a hint of anger invades his tone. Xaiohui, I asked you a question.
My owner tilts her head. Who do you think you are speaking to? she asks. The person you think is standing here is gone; you created everything she was, all the regret, agony, and sorrow. You make it sound like you made a great sacrifice for your sect, and even the continent, but the only people that sacrificed anything were those you hurt!
I also suffered! Yu Shun hisses. There was a time when I wanted to spend my life with you I was even going to let my brother become the Patriarch. I sacrificed my heart, and suffered just like you so that others no longer have to! This world is cruel and evil! I had to protect the sect! Have you ever heard of Guardian Sects or wondered what for they exist?! You might think it was unjust, but it was necessary!
Lan Xiaohui scoffs. The opposite of justice is not evil; its just another kind of justice, she says. Yu Shun, you are just cruel and evil. After I kill you, I will rip out your entire filthy cabal and tear down the last brick of that precious sect you claim you wanted to protect.
You!
You sacrificed something? Lan Xiaohui asks a heavy dose of mockery in her tone. Youll make me laugh. What justice? What good or evil? What greater good? You dont care about any of that. All you care about is yourself!
Xiaohu
Dont call me by that name! Lan Xiaohui exclaims, raising her voice. That person is gone; fed to the same embers that became of the heart I gave to you! You burned it all to ashes! And a part of me is grateful for that, and to you.
why?
Slowly, Lan Xiaohui draws me from my sheath with a thundering rasp and hiss.
Because ashes dont weep.