The renowned Years Sword Pavilion, contrary to expectations, was merely an unassuming thatched hut.

Woven from straw, it held no discernible peculiarity. Yet, standing solitary atop a secluded peak, it had weathered the endless storms of history.

The Master of the Sword Pavilion, Si Yu An, was likewise just an ordinary middle-aged man, calmly seated on a verdant stone at the cliff’s edge, his breath utterly commonplace. His wide robe and flowing sleeves concealed his frame, and his relaxed posture betrayed no earth-shattering aura.

Of course, his appearance was remarkably refined. His eyes held a keen, sharp gaze, and two strands of hair, hanging by his temples, lent him an elegant, almost ethereal air. In his youth, he must surely have been a rare handsome man.

Ning Shuang Rong led Jiang Wang to the mountaintop, then respectfully withdrew. The plank road, along which the figure in green receded, wound leisurely, soon swallowed by the cloud mist.

Jiang Wang approached and bowed deeply, his voice solemn: “Qi Wu An Marquis Jiang Wang, pays respects to True Monarch Si.”

The large green stone at the cliff’s edge shone with a mirror-like sheen. Behind the cross-legged Master of the Sword Pavilion lay a vast, ten-thousand-mile sea of clouds.

Si Yu An gazed at the utterly simple thatched hut, lost in thought. “Matters of a True Monarch’s heart,” he mused, “how can a mere junior fathom them?”

“But,” Jiang Wang replied, “I believe that no matter how the sun and moon shift, or how mountains and waters transform, while people dwell in this world, some things will always remain unchanged.”

Si Yu An turned his head, observing him with composure. “Just now, at the Common Beings Sword Tower, when you questioned this seat, your tone was perhaps not quite like this.”

“There were many people just now,” Jiang Wang explained, “and I am young, concerned with maintaining face.”

Si Yu An let out a hearty laugh. “Is this how you usually coax Jiang Shu?”

Jiang Wang did not pursue this topic. He cupped his hands and responded earnestly, “Jiang Wang is not an impolite person. It is simply that Xiang Qian and I are friends, bound by life and death. Seeing him suffer such unwarranted insult, for a moment, I found it hard to control myself.” He then added, “Furthermore, this time coming to the Sword Pavilion, I had someone backing me… thus, I was a little bolder.”

“Indeed straightforward!” Si Yu An chuckled, then sobered his expression. “Since you say Ruan Qu is backing you, you wouldn’t mind telling this seat, precisely what matter did Ruan Qu order you to undertake on this trip?”

Jiang Wang had initially thought the purpose of this journey was self-evident, clear for all to see. However, since Si Yu An inquired so directly, he still needed to provide a proper answer. After a brief contemplation, he began, “Previously, during the Southern Border official examination, the leader of the Equality Country, King Zhao, leading his Dao protectors Zhao Zi, Qian Chou, and Chu Xu, greatly disrupted the Tiger Platform, intending to seize the Si Xuan underground palace. Does True Monarch Si know of this matter?”

Si Yu An’s face remained placid. “I have heard a little.”

Jiang Wang chose his words carefully. “Supervisor Ruan believes that Jin An Prefecture standing out alone, isolated from the central governance, with the surrounding Feng Li, Hui Ming, Shao Kang, and Wan Xing prefectures all exposing vital points, is truly unfavorable for protecting the border and guarding the people. Since the Si Xuan underground palace has already become a tempting morsel in the eyes of others, in order to prevent the Equality Country from making a comeback and bringing chaos to the Southern Border, our Qi Country must make further preparations.”

This was, of course, a convenient pretense. But at least it was a reason that could be presented openly. Otherwise, were he to directly state that Ruan Qu believed Liang Country, with the Sword Pavilion’s support, was not qualified to possess Jin An Prefecture, it would be strange indeed if Si Yu An didn’t immediately send Jiang Wang flying with a kick.

Si Yu An listened to Jiang Wang’s explanation and calmly said, “Supervisor Ruan’s worries are very reasonable. However, the Sword Pavilion has never had territorial demands. The matter of Jin An is not a matter for the Sword Pavilion. This seat can only say that Sword Pavilion disciples will not appear in Jin An Prefecture.”

Jiang Wang hastily bowed, confirming these words. “That is already sufficient. I cautiously represent the Southern Summer Governorate, and I thank the Pavilion Master for his understanding!”

Si Yu An continued, “You may know Ruan Qu’s name. Do you know the meaning of the character ‘Qu’?”

Jiang Wang hesitated. “I am not actually very familiar with Supervisor Ruan. Our interactions have only been six or seven times, purely for public affairs.”

“Do not be nervous. Even if this seat were dissatisfied with Ruan Qu, it would not implicate you. Furthermore,” Si Yu An smiled faintly, “regarding Ruan Qu, this seat has no cause for dissatisfaction.” He then asked, “Ruan Qu has a daughter. Are you familiar with her?”

Jiang Wang did not know where this was leading and shook his head. “I have only heard of her, never seen her.”

Si Yu An said, “Ruan Qu’s daughter has the single name ‘Zhou’. Ruan Qu has achieved great mastery in the path of star divination, using his body to swim across the Bitter Sea, which is precisely the meaning of the character ‘Qu’. He himself is thus, yet he hopes his daughter can afterwards cross it by boat. From this, one can see that the compassion of parents for their children is the same throughout the world.”

This was the first time Jiang Wang had learned the meaning behind the names of Ruan Qu and Ruan Zhou, father and daughter. Supervisor Ruan indeed possessed deep paternal love. However, he did not understand why Si Yu An would suddenly speak of these matters. His mind swirled with various possibilities. Could Si Yu An still wish to threaten Ruan Qu with Ruan Zhou? That didn’t seem right. Ruan Zhou was within the Lin Zi Star Observation Tower; how could her safety be jeopardized?

While he pondered these things, Si Yu An spoke again: “I watched Jing Xiao, this child, grow up. He is not a person of impeccable morals, but neither is he a very wicked person. Why he targeted that child named Xiang Qian is because Xiang Qian’s master, Xiang Feng Qi, once came to my Sword Pavilion to challenge and cut off the left arm of his master, Tu An Li. As a disciple, he wishes to vent his master’s anger, just as you wish to vent anger for your friend. Sometimes it is hard to say what is right and wrong. Right and wrong depend only on where you stand. Don’t you think so?”

Furthermore, it’s not to say that Xiang Feng Qi and Tu An Li engaged in a fair sword discussion, each accepting the consequences, which truly should not be referred to as “venting anger.” To step back and say, even if Si Kong Jing Xiao wished to exact a slight measure of revenge for his master, he should have uprightly waited for Xiang Qian to achieve the Divine Arrival realm, then drawn his sword to challenge. Rather than using the Divine Arrival realm to suppress an Inner Mansion cultivator, hanging Xiang Qian up to humiliate him.

Jiang Wang had originally intended to speak thus. But in the end, he simply said, “That is indeed the principle.”

Si Kong Jing Xiao was strong enough, so he could disregard principles. Jiang Wang was strong enough, so he could help Xiang Qian uphold principles. Talking about principles in this manner truly lacked any principle whatsoever.

On the contrary, what Si Yu An said was the essence. The matters of this world, concerning right and wrong, are often decided simply by where you stand.

Then, was there a kind of right and wrong that was universally true across the four seas? This was the first time such a thought occurred to Jiang Wang.

Of course, he could not immediately find an answer. Si Yu An spoke again: “Jing Xiao could not use Divine Arrival to bully Inner Mansion, so he played a small trick, intentionally provoking Xiang Qian, then making a move to hang him up. This time, he used his old trick again to provoke you, but was instead schooled by you. One could say it is a cycle of karma, retribution being unpleasant. However, Tu An Li does not know of this matter. He, a dignified contemporary True Person, the first of the Sword Pavilion’s five great sword masters, would not concern himself with trivial matters at the Common Beings Sword Tower. It is only this time, with your visit to the mountain, that it has become intertwined with your duel with Jing Xiao, and he will then pay attention.”

“The outcome of your fight with Jing Xiao is a matter between the two of you. Broken hands or feet, Jing Xiao must bear it all. But you didn’t have to beat Jing Xiao until he knelt on the ground, breaking his proud spirit. Tu An Li, as his master, naturally feels pain for his disciple and gives you no good face, but his original intention was not to rely on strength. This pavilion admits that Wuxin Sword Master was in the wrong, and it was unfair. But Tu An Li’s love for his disciple, like Ruan Qu’s love for his daughter, is the heart of parents throughout the world. This kind of feeling is also hard to eliminate.”

He looked at Jiang Wang. “Don’t you think so?”

Circling around Ruan Zhou for so long was originally to say this! Jiang Wang’s heart suddenly understood, and at the same time, he felt some surprise. He had expected the Master of the Sword Pavilion to be the type of figure who could split heaven and cleave earth, but he had not expected him to be so easy to talk to.

Si Yu An, such a contemporary True Monarch, a figure standing at the peak of the current world, not only granted his request and fully cooperated with the purpose of his trip, but also earnestly explained matters for Tu An Li and Si Kong Jing Xiao. This truly made it difficult for people not to feel somewhat inflated.

But this time, Jiang Wang instead completely restrained his proud demeanor, his tone sincere. “With True Monarch Si speaking this way, Jiang Wang can then understand. It is also that Jiang Wang is young and vigorous, easily moved to anger. A spar is a spar. Though it was out of concern for a close friend, I should not have insisted on Senior Brother Si Kong kneeling down. I will apologize to him upon my return.”

“That is not necessary. Letting him taste some hardship is also a good thing. Without polishing, even good jade is hard to make into a tool.” Si Yu An waved his hand. “As long as you do not mind, this is a small matter, and it can be let go with the wind.”

“Please rest assured, Pavilion Master, this junior is not one to hold grudges…” Jiang Wang said.

Si Yu An looked at him deeply, just about to say something, when he suddenly turned his head, his gaze fixed on the distant sky, his expression also becoming serious.

“What happened?” Jiang Wang asked.

“The Disaster Water has changed,” Si Yu An said solemnly, then stood up from the green stone. “I should personally go to the Disaster Water to thoroughly investigate. Wu An Marquis, return quickly to your county and inform the Southern Summer Governorate of this matter, so that the Qi Court may know. Matters involving the Disaster Water cannot be neglected.”

As a dangerous place in the world, although Jiang Wang only had a rough understanding of the Disaster Water, he could still comprehend its importance. Hearing the voice, he immediately said, “When the world rises and falls, I will not shirk responsibility! For the Southern Summer Governorate’s side, trouble the Sword Pavilion to help notify. Please, True Monarch Si, take me with you.”

Si Yu An looked at him and said, “This is not an ordinary disaster. The Disaster Water is an extremely evil place. Once something happens, it is no small matter. Even a Divine Arrival finds it hard to protect themselves. That side of Summer land needs you even more to contact and dispatch, explaining the pros and cons clearly.”

Jiang Wang said seriously, “Having come this far, there is no reason for me to shrink back at the Disaster Water.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Ning Shuang Rong arrive, riding a sword light, her expression anxious. She reported to Si Yu An, “The Blood River Sect has sent word, saying the Disaster Water has changed. They request us to quickly dispatch sword masters to provide support.”

The long-distance communication channel between the Blood River Sect and the Sword Pavilion had always been open. From this, one could also see that the relationship between the two families was not shallow. However, with Si Yu An’s cultivation, he had detected the change in the Disaster Water before the Blood River Sect’s message arrived.

At this moment, he merely nodded. “I know. I will personally go on this trip.”

Ning Shuang Rong glanced at Jiang Wang, somewhat hesitant, and said, “The people of the Blood River Sect also said that Qi destroyed Summer, gaining ten thousand miles of fertile land, and thus should also bear the responsibility for those ten thousand miles. Since Wu An Marquis is also in the Sword Pavilion, he should not avoid this.”

Jiang Wang’s journey south this time had been with great fanfare. It was normal for the Blood River Sect to know he was in the Sword Pavilion. It was only the way the people of the Blood River Sect spoke, saying such words, that was inevitably somewhat strange.

Qi Country was not a hegemonic nation unwilling to take responsibility. From the Misty Realm to the Ten Thousand Demons Gate, which human battlefield did not have the hot blood of Qi people spilled upon it? After destroying Summer, they directly stationed one hundred thousand elite troops in Chang Luo Prefecture. One could say that they viewed the safety of the Disaster Water beneath the Chang Luo underground palace as more important than any border affairs.

Furthermore, during the Qi-Summer war, True Monarch Blood River had even made a move to block Long Sheng Jun of the South Dipper Hall, regardless of what transactions lay behind it. Logically, the high-level relationship between Qi Country and the Blood River Sect should have been very good. Why would the message transmitted by the Blood River Sect have such an inappropriate tone?

But thinking these thoughts in his heart, Jiang Wang did not show it. He only said, “The Daoist friends of the Blood River Sect also need not think too much. With Qi’s conquest of Summer, it was a righteous army exterminating bandits. Whether it is settling the people, resisting enemies, or bearing responsibility, our Qi Country will only do better than the Summer Country. There is no need for urging. Upon hearing of the sudden change in the Disaster Water, I simply wish to follow True Monarch Si together.”

Ning Shuang Rong looked towards Si Yu An. Si Yu An then nodded. “This seat will go with Wu An Marquis. Shuang Rong, you look after Wu An Marquis’s friend well, and quickly transmit the message to the Southern Summer Governorate. This time, the change in the Disaster Water may not be a small matter.”

Ning Shuang Rong cupped her hands and said, “Disciple receives the order!”

Si Yu An raised his hand to stop her. “You have just reached the Divine Arrival realm. There are still many areas that need to be consolidated. Rashly venturing out from the mountain is disaster, not blessing.”

Having said this, he waved his large sleeve. “Go!” Jiang Wang, without realizing it, rose up, flying to Si Yu An’s side.

And this Master of the Sword Pavilion simply casually drew towards the thatched hut, and from it, drew out a single blade of thatch grass, as if drawing out a peerless treasure sword! This single blade of grass sword suddenly appeared, suspended beneath his and Jiang Wang’s feet.

The sword light was but a flash. The sea of clouds and mountains before Jiang Wang’s eyes turned over in an instant, like a galloping horse lantern!

Wu An Marquis, at the age of twenty-one, arrived at the Years Sword Pavilion.

True Monarch folded grass as a sword, instantly traversing ten thousand miles.

Then, he went to the Disaster Water to kill enemies.

When the various scenes before Jiang Wang’s eyes finished turning over, his gaze fixed, and he discovered that he had already arrived outside the mountain gate of the Blood River Sect. Or perhaps one should say, their “cave gate.”

The first thing he saw was a steep cliff, upon which were mottled traces of years. This cliff was named “Bitter Sea.” It often advised the people of the world to turn back. People from the Southern Domain who journeyed east typically stopped here.

Although this cliff was difficult to cross, even flying birds were cut off here. The cliff was high and the stone thick, in no way inferior to famous mountain ranges. But with Jiang Wang’s keen hearing, he could still faintly hear the sound of the sea tide from beyond the high cliff. It was said that the sea area beyond Bitter Sea Cliff had seawater that could not even sink a goose feather, utterly different from the Bitter Sea itself, so bitter it could make people cry out in pain. Few people in the world had ever come into contact with it.

The entrance to the Blood River Sect was a huge cave, precisely opened on the face of Bitter Sea Cliff. Before the cave stood a fresh red strip-shaped giant stone, on which were inscribed the three large black characters, “Blood River Sect.” Before this stone was a plaza overlooking the Bitter Sea. At this time, quite a few people had already gathered there, all wearing the blood-colored martial attire representing the Blood River Sect. Some were forming ranks, some were inspecting ship-shaped weapons, some were gathered together discussing… they were not still for a moment.

Jiang Wang could hear the shouts of the Blood River Sect disciples: “Have the people from the Sword Pavilion been notified?”

That was a man wearing blood-colored tight clothes, his physique sturdy. His aura was vigorous, already at the Golden Body Jade Marrow realm.

“Already notified!” someone beside him answered loudly.

He patrolled back and forth. “Have the people from the Three Punishments Palace been notified?”

“Also already notified!” “The Evening Drum Academy?” “Already notified!” The man thought for a moment, then said again, “The responsibility of the Disaster Water is also borne by the Summer Country. Today, the Summer land is the Qi land. Do the people of Qi bear it or not?”

It was at this moment that Jiang Wang stepped forward, pressing his sword, and said loudly, “The people of Qi have already come!”

And behind him, True Monarch Si merely leisurely wore that single blade of thatch grass at his waist, as if wearing a peerless treasure sword, possessing an unspeakable demeanor all his own.