“They have come for vengeance.”

“Revenge?”

“Because we crafted them—greed, desire, sin, war, slaughter…”

For reasons unknown, as he stepped through the Gate of Red Dust, this exchange echoed in his mind.

The Gate of Red Dust led to the mortal realm. Although it was said to contain a world of its own, it was but a vast expanse, devoid of any tangible existence.

With a single sweep of Si Yu An’s sword light, he had already crossed the Gate of Red Dust.

Appearing before Jiang Wang’s eyes was a massive circular plaza, paved entirely with red bricks. Despite being situated within the Bitter Sea Cliff, it was not shrouded in gloom. The sky’s light seemed to originate from special array patterns on the dome above, descending naturally and illuminating the area with a brightness no different from the outside world.

His previous arrival at the Disaster Waters had been via Si Yu An’s sword light, a bypassing of the proper passage through the Gate of Red Dust. Thus, this was Jiang Wang’s first time witnessing this place.

The dense array patterns etched onto the ground bricks spoke volumes about the plaza’s complexity. The faint power fluctuations alone were enough to raise a sense of alarm in Jiang Wang’s heart, and this was merely the part he could perceive. In areas beyond his detection, who knew how many hidden stratagems lay concealed. The Blood River Sect’s accumulation of over fifty thousand years would undoubtedly have led to extensive preparations at the exit of this Gate of Red Dust. The danger warnings transmitted by the Heterodox Path could perhaps offer a glimpse of this.

Of course, due to the special nature of the Gate of Red Dust, major powers of the world might all dispatch personnel through this location… thus, all means employed here would be transparent to these top forces. In short, the Blood River Sect could not rely on the measures here to pose a threat to the powerhouses of other top forces. They could only be used to deal with the Evil Sea.

At this moment, teams of Blood River Sect disciples were already assembled in the plaza, appearing ready to be deployed into the Evil Sea at any given moment. The vast majority of cultivators among them would not be able to defeat even the most ordinary of Evil Views. However, their combined power could effectively cleanse the Disaster Waters.

The Dean of Tomb Drum Academy, Chen Pu, the Holder of the Rectangular Ground Palace, Wu Bing Yi, the Pavilion Master of Sword Pavilion, Si Yu An – these few present-day top figures had not departed. At this moment, they were all gathered here.

But the Blood River True Monarch, Huo Shi Ji, would never return again. The only information the gathered Blood River Sect disciples could glean about their own powerhouses was a blood boat, and the faintly conscious Peng Chong Jian upon it.

The Blood River Sect’s second-ranked core figure, the Mountain Shifting True Person, Peng Chong Jian, had actually been reduced to such a state! And where was the Sect Master?

Some quick-witted individuals within the Blood River Sect had already begun to surmise the situation, and their faces couldn’t help but turn pale.

Just then, at such a moment, a very young man, clad in a star chart Daoist robe, leisurely stepped into the plaza. His eyes were calm and vast, an ink-jade hairpin tilted in his hairbun, somehow bringing a touch of the cool breeze of a summer night’s street to the plaza. It helped Jiang Wang, whose heart was already struggling to suppress its irritation and depression, find a moment of solace.

The Supervisor of the Great Qi Empire’s Qin Tian Jian, Ruan Qu, had finally arrived! Seeing the scene before him, he vaguely guessed the situation. After exchanging a glance with Jiang Wang, his expression suddenly turned somewhat grim. However, he quickly adjusted. He said nothing else, merely giving Si Yu An a slight nod: “Many thanks to Pavilion Master Si for looking after our Marquis Wu An.”

“Do not dare,” Si Yu An said faintly. “The people dispatched by Supervisor Ruan, if even one or two were to meet with misfortune, I fear Tian Mu Peak would not be able to endure for more than two or three months.”

“What should be stated, I must state.” Ruan Qu said earnestly, “Some words are not for me to teach.”

Jiang Wang wanted to step behind Ruan Qu, yet felt that even there might not be safe. What kind of people were these! Fortunately, Si Yu An had already said enough, only giving a cold snort: “The Qin Tian Jian arrived quickly.”

Ruan Qu, seemingly unconcerned, surveyed the surroundings, slowly took two steps, and said: “This cannot be blamed on me. Receiving the message takes time, and arranging corresponding matters also takes time. As for me, it is time for the Sword Pavilion and our Southern Summer Governor’s Office to establish a long-distance rapid transmission channel, so that major matters are not missed. Pavilion Master Si, do you not agree? Of course, the Blood River Sect also needs…” He looked around. “I wonder, who within the Blood River Sect can make decisions now?”

Si Yu An gestured with his chin towards the blood boat. “It will be when he awakens.” He did not directly reject Ruan Qu’s suggestion about establishing a direct transmission channel between the two sides, as such matters could be discussed at length.

Jiang Wang, observing the exchange between these two prominent figures, found it surprisingly relaxing and even enjoyable, far from the tense situation he had anticipated. He vaguely understood the meaning of his visit to the Sword Pavilion to seek the sword. The part that was not relaxed had already been completed during his time at Tian Mu Peak.

Ruan Qu followed his gaze towards Peng Chong Jian, still faint on the blood boat.

Chen Pu, who stood beside the blood boat, was the first to speak: “With the Sect Master Huo’s unwavering protection of the source, the Mountain Shifting True Person is not dead. After one to three to five years, he will be able to recover.”

Jiang Wang thought to himself, this Dean Chen Pu was already echoing Huo Shi Ji’s final words, in an effort to care for the Blood River Sect. First, he prevented Ruan Qu from probing Peng Chong Jian’s body again, to avoid any clandestine measures or interference with his severe injuries. Although he was now a citizen of the Qi Country, he should, in principle, stand on the side of the Qi people. The Blood River Sect was a major sect that supported the Liang Country, and also a major obstacle for the Southern Summer Governor’s Office in conquering Jin An County. His position was clear.

However, Chen Pu’s actions still earned his admiration.

Ruan Qu seemed not to mind, only addressing Chen Pu and Wu Bing Yi: “The Great Qi Empire’s determination to guard the human race’s border is unwavering. This Ruan hurried here upon receiving the message, not thinking I would still be a step late. I hope Dean Chen and Palace Master Wu do not blame me.”

Chen Pu sighed and said: “Whether you arrive late or early, it would be the same. This change in the Evil Sea was not something we could have foreseen. This Blood River Sect…” His words were interrupted by a voice: “May I ask what the various esteemed individuals are saying about the Blood River Sect?”

A cold and sharp woman in blood-colored armor strode into the plaza. A sword hung at her waist, its vermilion red sheath concealing its edge. She appeared to be around thirty years of age, but the history etched in her eyes indicated she was not young. As she walked, the Blood River Sect disciples scrambled to respectfully give way.

And she, unafraid in the presence of a crowd of True Monarchs, walked directly to the front: “I have some understanding of the matters in the Evil Sea. The Sect Master’s martyrdom is a model for our Blood River Sect. Though his body has perished, his spirit lives on forever! Supervisor Ruan seeks someone within the Blood River Sect to make decisions. If the various esteemed individuals have anything to say, please do not hesitate to speak directly. I, Li Xue, can naturally represent the Blood River Sect.”

So, she was indeed the Blood River Sect’s Right Protector, Kou Xue Jiao, the owner of the Three Thousand Red Dust Sword mentioned by Xu Xi Ming. Her words were not polite, imbued with a sense of urgency to support the Blood River Sect.

Chen Pu pursed his lips, not arguing with her.

Ruan Qu was about to speak, to discuss the matter of the Southern Summer Governor’s Office establishing a direct communication channel with the Blood River Sect, when his words were drowned out by a chorus of wails. Kou Xue Jiao’s words confirming the death of the Blood River True Monarch, Huo Shi Ji, delivered at the place where she appeared, were undoubtedly a devastating blow to the Blood River Sect, a matter of the sky collapsing and the earth sinking. How could these Blood River Sect disciples not grieve? There were many who beat their chests, stamped their feet, and wept uncontrollably.

“What are you crying for!” Kou Xue Jiao’s eyes also held sadness, but she only gave a cold rebuke, her True words quelling the scene. “The Sect Master died suppressing the Disaster Waters, exhausting the duty of our Blood River Sect, fulfilling the spirit of our Blood River Sect, and becoming the merit of our Blood River Sect. He died in his rightful place, greatly glorious! What is the Blood River Sect’s Sect Precept? For these fifty thousand four thousand years, we have risked our lives to suppress the waves of the Disaster Waters! Sect Master Huo is not the first, nor is he the last. In front of so many esteemed guests, are you crying and weeping to bring shame upon whom?”

The boiling cries suddenly ceased. All the Blood River Sect disciples forcefully suppressed their grief, forcing themselves to stand tall and proud. The entire plaza was left with only sporadic, truly uncontrollable soft sobs.

A True Monarch had passed away forever; it was hard to suppress the lingering sorrow. In this scene, under these circumstances, who could remain unmoved? Perhaps… only Wu Bing Yi. This severe, almost cold, legalist sect master had remained silent in the Evil Sea, and in such an atmosphere, he remained completely expressionless. It was at this moment that he took a step forward, looking at Kou Xue Jiao: “Protector Kou, can you represent the Blood River Sect?”

“Sect Master Wu.” Kou Xue Jiao lowered her head slightly to him, as if paying respects: “Please forgive this one for wearing armor and not being able to perform the full ritual. Now that Sect Master Huo has met a heroic end, and Protector Peng is faint, this subordinate, acting as the Blood River Sect’s Right Protector, can indeed represent the Blood River Sect. May I ask if you have any instructions?”

“Very good,” Wu Bing Yi said in a light voice. “Sect Master Huo said before his death that this change in the Disaster Waters was brought about by a certain True Person within your Blood River Sect’s divination of the Dao path. Hand him over.”

The entire field fell silent! Even those faint sobs froze. Jiang Wang, who had personally experienced the events in the Evil Sea and walked out of the Gate of Red Dust, was also stunned at this moment.

Huo Shi Ji had shattered his Dao body, filling the sea with his own form, blocking back that terrifying existence from the absolute peak, returning the once-every-three-hundred-thirty-three-years evil calamity to its original order. It could be said that the evil fruit brought about by that Blood River Sect True Person, whose name was temporarily unknown, was filled by Huo Shi Ji with his life. The Blood River Sect had committed a wrong, and the Blood River Sect had already paid the greatest price imaginable: they had lost their Sect Master, lost a True Monarch who could divine the Dao! Even as Huo Shi Ji went to his death, he had specifically pleaded, hoping that the True Monarchs present would not again blame the noble Blood River Sect; with his life’s cultivation, he would wash this matter clean.

And now, under the circumstances where the Blood River Sect’s Sect Master Huo Shi Ji had already died in battle, and the Blood River Sect’s Left Protector Peng Chong Jian had suffered severe injuries, Wu Bing Yi still insisted on holding the Blood River Sect accountable! It had to be said, this Sect Master Wu was indeed a bit too inhumane…

Kou Xue Jiao, gripping her sword while still clad in armor, also wore an extremely ugly expression at this moment: “The wind and waves in the Evil Sea have just ceased, our Sect Master’s corpse is not yet cold, does the Three Criminal Palace True wish to bully others like this?”

“What is the meaning of the word ‘bully’?” Wu Bing Yi said calmly: “Sect Master Huo’s death is Sect Master Huo’s death, and the Blood River Sect’s sin is the Blood River Sect’s sin. One matter is one matter, Protector Kou, I advise you not to speak carelessly.”

At this moment, the Blood River Sect disciples gathered in the plaza. Their eyes almost overflowed with blood, all looking at Wu Bing Yi with grief and anger. They did not understand why, when their Sect Master had died in battle in the Evil Sea for the human race, this bureaucratic Legalist Sect Master of the Three Criminal Palace still insisted on holding the Blood River Sect accountable! But whose gaze could possibly shake such a True Monarch who had divined the Dao? Only a True Monarch could contend with a True Monarch. Kou Xue Jiao initially had no qualification to stand before Wu Bing Yi!

However, circumstances dictated otherwise; the Blood River Sect had no one else who could step forward. She had no choice, she had to be the one to stand here. Thus, she straightened her spine, stared intently at Wu Bing Yi, gritting her teeth and saying: “Sect Master Wu, this matter has already calmed down, the Disaster Waters are now calm and peaceful!”

Wu Bing Yi only asked: “Then it just didn’t happen?”

“This matter did not cause any loss to the present world! We, the Blood River Sect, brewed the bitter fruit, and we have already eaten it ourselves!” Kou Xue Jiao said in an angry voice; “What else do you want!”

Wu Bing Yi furrowed his brow: “The Sword Pavilion Master Si came to the Disaster Waters without reason, does that not count as a loss? Dean Chen of Twilight Drum Academy came, I came from Tian Xing Cliff myself, Supervisor Ruan came from the Southern Summer himself, are the time and energy of us, these people, things that your Blood River Sect can arbitrarily waste? Is that what you mean?” He looked coldly at Kou Xue Jiao: “Protector Kou! I, this one, would like to ask you, if the Disaster Waters had not been suppressed today, if Huo Shi Ji had died in vain. Would you still be able to so magnanimously tell me, ‘This matter did not cause any loss to the present world’?”

“But the fact is, the winds and waves of the Evil Sea have indeed been eliminated! Several esteemed adults have noble identities and do not act lightly. Our Blood River Sect is also willing to compensate for losses.” Kou Xue Jiao forcefully suppressed her anger: “But what time is it now? You have just walked out of this Gate of Red Dust, and our Sect Master just died moments ago suppressing the Disaster Waters. Sect Master Wu, opening your mouth to hold us accountable at this kind of time, isn’t that making people’s hearts grow cold?”

“The winds and waves of the Evil Sea have indeed been eliminated, so your Blood River Sect’s sin can be appropriately reduced.” Wu Bing Yi said expressionlessly; “But as for your question about what time it is now, executing punishment and holding accountable for crimes has never looked at the time. Is your time, Protector Kou, very important?”

Kou Xue Jiao said with red eyes: “From the beginning, we knew that the wrong act had been committed, and we have always not given up on making amends!”

“But from the beginning, you chose to conceal it, did you not? It seems that you, Kou Xue Jiao, also knew the situation. Knowing the situation and concealing the report is shielding the criminal.” Wu Bing Yi’s severe gaze swept around: “The Blood River Sect, from top to bottom, actually did not just have Huo Shi Ji shielding the evil act. Your Blood River Sect has a very big problem! Punishing one person, perhaps…”

Kou Xue Jiao was shocked into silence by these words. Wu Bing Yi’s last sentence, on the surface, was a question, was it enough to just punish one person? In reality, this sentence came from the Legalist classic, “General Theory of Five Punishments.” That is, written by the ancient era’s first Legalist sage, Wei Xing. Its text says: “Punishing one person, perhaps? Punishing ten thousand people, perhaps?” And the answer is: “Sin in not resigning!” This part of the classic embodies the Legalist thought of eradicating evil completely. In the context of Wu Bing Yi’s language at this moment, there was even the clear intention of a major purge! How could Kou Xue Jiao not be shocked?

“Sect Master Wu,” the Dean of Twilight Drum Academy, Chen Pu, spoke at this time: “Law and reason are not outside human emotion. The situation has evolved to what it is today, and none of us wanted to see it. But…”

Wu Bing Yi didn’t even look at him, only said in a light voice: “The Rectangular Ground Palace upholds the ground law; it is its duty to bear all the dangers of the world. If Dean Chen has an opinion, you may come to my Tian Xing Cliff to discuss it.” He didn’t show favor to anyone, not even letting Chen Pu finish his words!

Ruan Qu had just arrived and had only a rough understanding of the matter. At this moment, he stood with his hands in his sleeves, completely without the intention of speaking. Si Yu An, holding his sword at his waist, with his hands behind his back, also remained silent.

“Does Sect Master Wu truly insist on this?” Kou Xue Jiao said in a voice filled with hatred: “Our Blood River Sect, from top to bottom, has already paid enough of a price for this!”

“Whether you have paid enough of a price is not for you to say. It is not for me to say either; it is for the ground law to say. Measuring punishment and deciding guilt has its own reasons. The Blood River Sect’s duty is to guard the Disaster Waters. Si Yu An died, and he died in his place. He fulfilled his duty, and his wrong has also been erased, but he can only represent himself.” Wu Bing Yi’s expression still showed no fluctuations, very much because of the ground law. “Who stirred up the waves of the Disaster Waters, causing this great disaster… step forward yourself, or wait for me to investigate?”

Kou Xue Jiao’s face turned extremely ugly. If she let Wu Bing Yi investigate himself, the Blood River Sect would likely not just be handing over one True Person. But if she were to hand over her own True Person just like that, how could she be willing?

The entire plaza fell into a heavy and solemn atmosphere.

Then, at this moment, Ruan Qu suddenly turned his eyes and stared into the distance, as if observing something. Wu Bing Yi was even more direct, reaching out his hand, and with an empty grasp! There were no flashy light and shadows, and it was even difficult to perceive power fluctuations. But having crossed an invisible barrier, he had already grasped something and brought it before him, throwing it heavily onto the ground!

Illusory light and shadow condensed into substance; a majestic old man with white hair was directly smashed onto the plaza, bones cracking, tendons snapping, grimacing and unable to bear it!

“Elder Xu!”

This old man, seized by Wu Bing Yi and thrown onto the plaza, was suddenly one of the Blood River Sect’s three great elders, Xu Zongzhi. Seeing this person in such a state, the numerous Blood River Sect disciples in the plaza almost swarmed forward. But they were sternly halted by Kou Xue Jiao: “What are you doing! Retreat!”

Facing a True Monarch of Wu Bing Yi’s strength, the gap was far from something that could be filled by numbers. Without a hundred thousand strong army, without top-level military formations, without a True Person highly skilled in the art of war leading them, what could they possibly use to contend with a True Monarch who had divined the Dao? All the Blood River Sect individuals gathered in this entire plaza, even if the already faint Kou Xue Jiao were added, if they were to truly face Wu Bing Yi, they would only be sending themselves to their deaths.

Just moments ago, Xu Zongzhi, hidden within the Blood River Sect’s mountain gate, had harbored thoughts of escape. The result was being seized by Wu Bing Yi with a mere probing hand and brought back. This escape made it clear, without needing words, who the mastermind behind the stirring of the Disaster Waters’ waves was.

Kou Xue Jiao ordered the Blood River Sect disciples to retreat, her sharp demeanor gone. She bowed heavily to Wu Bing Yi, pleading: “In consideration of the Blood River Sect’s fifty-four thousand years of guarding the Disaster Waters, I hope Supervisor Ruan can show mercy. The Blood River Sect has already lost Sect Master Huo and can hardly bear the loss of another elder. I will certainly strictly control things from now on and ensure that such things absolutely will not happen again. I will imprison Xu Zongzhi in the underground prison for one hundred years, guarded personally! Do you think this is acceptable?”

Wu Bing Yi only said in a light voice: “How this person’s punishment is measured is for the Rectangular Ground Palace to decide. It has nothing to do with your Blood River Sect.” When Kou Xue Jiao was angry, he maintained this attitude. When Kou Xue Jiao was soft, he also maintained this attitude. But Kou Xue Jiao had no way to stop him. Today, she was supposed to strongly support the Blood River Sect, but facing a true True Monarch who had divined the Dao, even with the Three Thousand Red Dust Sword, she could only feel powerless!

She looked at Ruan Qu with sadness in her eyes, looked at Si Yu An, and even at Chen Pu. But no one responded. Because any response would be useless. Facing the Dean of Twilight Drum Academy, Chen Pu, Wu Bing Yi had directly told him to go to Tian Xing Cliff for discussion. This clearly indicated an attitude of not hesitating to wage war with a sect. Wu Bing Yi’s determination to uphold the ground law was terrifyingly rigid. Kou Xue Jiao could plead with Ruan Qu again, it would only be a futile effort, unless she had the determination to go to war with the Three Criminal Palace Sect Master. Otherwise, it would be of no help.

Ruan Qu had just arrived, had only a partial understanding of the matter, and represented the Qi Country itself. He had no power to support the Blood River Sect. Si Yu An, although he was also in the Gate of Red Dust at that time and heard Xu Zongzhi’s plea before his death, and was also moved by Xu Zongzhi’s death, the ground law of the Rectangular Ground Palace was recognized by the world, and Wu Bing Yi’s execution of the ground law was just. At most, he could only offer a word of advice; how could he possibly draw his sword against Wu Bing Yi? Wu Bing Yi’s attitude was clear, he simply didn’t offer any advice.

Ultimately, this Xu Zongzhi was indeed a person who deserved to die. Many people could understand if Wu Bing Yi showed mercy to Xu Zongzhi in consideration of Si Yu An’s sacrifice. But if Wu Bing Yi ignored everyone’s feelings, disregarded everything, and insisted on executing the ground law, then others also had little to say. Why did Si Yu An give Wu Bing Yi no quarter and retort? Because Jiang Wang’s desire to beg for mercy for the Blood River Sect itself was not based on reason. Jiang Wang had Si Yu An’s “benevolence,” and Wu Bing Yi had Wu Bing Yi’s “law.”

“Haha…” Xu Zongzhi, his white hair messy, gasped and climbed up from the ground. Everyone knew his fate was sealed. Everyone looked at him. And he looked at Wu Bing Yi, grinning, and said sadly: “You are indeed impartial, your Three Criminal Palace rules are indeed strict… you have won! You are the most just person under heaven!” He staggered forward two steps, staring intently at Wu Bing Yi: “I did things, I admit it! Deluding myself about divining the Dao, staining the Disaster Waters, I indeed deserve to die for my sins. Now Si Yu An is also dead, Protector Peng is also injured, and my path to divining the Dao is also gone forever. Matters have come to this, I only have one request!”

Wu Bing Yi remained indifferent—raising his hand, “You have no qualification to make a request.”

A pure white chain already drilled out from the void, tightly binding Xu Zongzhi, tying him like a rice dumpling. The Legalist school had ten great chains, their prestige spreading throughout the world. The First Day Law knew no two doors! Its color was pure white, firm and indestructible, its quality unchanging. It represented that once the law was formulated, it could not be arbitrarily changed. Once this chain bound someone, then all matters would remain unchanged, it would be difficult to open for a thousand years. Although mountains and rivers are easy to change, the law cannot be lightly moved!

“I, Xu Zongzhi, a dignified True Person, how can I die in a dark room!” Xu Zongzhi struggled desperately, exhausting all his strength, confronting that pure white chain. A True Person’s power could overturn rivers and seas easily, but he was fundamentally unable to break free from the chain’s pursuit! At this moment, on his deeply wrinkled face, his expression was both frantic and desolate: “I do not beg for life, I do not beg for forgiveness! The Blood River Sect has no cowards! Supervisor Ruan! Throw me into the Disaster Waters, let me die on the battlefield of suppressing the Disaster Waters! I am willing to follow Huo Shi Ji and die in battle for the Blood River Sect!”

Even though Xu Zongzhi was indeed the mastermind behind the change in the Disaster Waters, simply deserving death, at this moment, his request, his difficult roar, was hard not to move people. But Wu Bing Yi remained unmoved. “With an ill-natured heart, I fear you would become food for the Disaster Waters. Not allowed.” Raising a hand and pressing down, the frantic Xu Zongzhi immediately fainted, falling face down on the ground, unconscious!