“Kou Xuejiao uttered this pronouncement, and the gathered multitude fell into a stunned silence.”

“Even Chen Pu, for all his sagacity, had not anticipated such a turn of events regarding the Blood River Sect’s leadership. As Yu Xiaochen had rightly pointed out, with Huo Shi’an’s demise, who else within the entire Blood River Sect could shoulder such a momentous burden, save for the Moving Mountain True Person, Peng Chongjian?”

“Peng Chongjian’s brows furrowed slightly. Originally a man of refined appearance, his current state, heavily wounded, made him appear even frailer. He gazed at Kou Xuejiao and said, ‘If Sect Master Huo left behind final instructions, we are naturally bound to obey. However, I am unaware that Sect Master Huo had an anticipated candidate for the next sect master during his lifetime.'”

“‘Sect Master Huo spoke of this matter many times; how could Senior Brother not know?’ Kou Xuejiao responded softly. ‘Perhaps Senior Brother has merely forgotten.'”

“Peng Chongjian offered a weak smile. ‘And who, pray tell, might that be?'”

“At this juncture, Kou Xuejiao turned her body and addressed Ruan Qu, ‘This matter, in truth, is also connected to your esteemed nation.'”

“Facing Si Yu’an’s suddenly sharp gaze, Ruan Qu shrugged his hands helplessly. ‘Protector Kou, what you wish to say, I may not be privy to.'”

“Leaving aside Si Yu’an’s suspicions, even Chen Pu’s countenance shifted subtly.”

“The state of Qi had conquered and annihilated the state of Xia, and now held sway over the southern border, casting covetous glances upon the surrounding nations. The machinations of the South Xia Governor’s Office were, in particular, directed primarily towards the state of Liang.”

“But for the state of Qi, after dispatching the Wu’an Marquis Jiang Wang to Jian Ge to quell his peers and force Jian Ge’s retreat, could they, on the very next foot, also have arrangements within the Blood River Sect, even to the extent of interfering with the Blood River Sect’s sect master position?”

“Was this ability to orchestrate worldly affairs not perhaps *too* formidable?”

“And he, Chen Pu, felt a sense of protectiveness towards the Blood River Sect stemming from Huo Shi’an’s death. Naturally, the stability and independence of the Blood River Sect were matters of considerable importance to the Evening Drum Academy.”

“From both emotion and reason, from benefit and righteousness, he could not retreat. At this moment, his expression remained gentle, yet in his heart, he had already braced himself for a direct confrontation with the state of Qi.”

“He even found himself contemplating whether the death of the Blood River True Monarch, Huo Shi’an, this time, might also be connected in some way to the state of Qi?”

“That Xu Mingsong was also a figure of Elder standing within the Blood River Sect, having slain countless beings in the Evil Sea for countless years. How could he suddenly commit such a foolish act?”

“Coveting the Derivation Path was, of course, a plausible explanation, but were there not other possibilities?”

“Controlling the current state of Qi was, after all, Jiang Shu, who was achieving hegemony in the Eastern Domain; it was the top emperor who had brought down a heroic talent like the Xia Xiang Emperor to the dust!”

“Chen Pu had to consider this.”

“He still recalled that year when the Xia Xiang Emperor personally journeyed to Heaven Punishment Cliff to discuss the law with the Gui Tian Palace Master, the foremost Legalist of his time, Han Shentu, leaving behind the seven chapters of ‘Law Teaching Debate,’ which were still savored by people today.”

“What the world did not know was that the Xia Xiang Emperor had also gone to Book Mountain that year to debate scriptures, only that… the debate was not made public, hence its lack of renown in the world.”

“The people of the Southern Domain were all too aware of the Xia Xiang Emperor’s power, and thus were even more wary of the Qi Heavenly Son who had defeated the Xia Xiang Emperor.”

“Yu Xiaochen could not help but exclaim, ‘Just who is that person? Xiaochen has absolutely no recollection. It couldn’t be that Sect Master Huo only spoke of this with you?'”

“Kou Xuejiao did not mind her nephew’s rudeness, merely looking back at Peng Chongjian and saying lightly, ‘A person from Linzi, Qi Country, today’s Champion Marquis Zhong Xuanzun!'”

“Peng Chongjian’s brows tightened. Kou Xuejiao continued, ‘Sect Master Huo, during his lifetime, expressed on numerous occasions his desire to take Zhong Xuanzun as his disciple and pass his mantle to him, believing him to be flawless and possessing the character to “bear the common people,” capable of inheriting the Blood River Sect’s glory to the greatest extent… Surely Senior Brother cannot say he has no impression?'”

“Peng Chongjian’s brows slowly relaxed. ‘I naturally have an impression. Sect Master also said that if Zhong Xuanzun were to succeed to the sect’s position, he would die without regret. His elder indeed spoke such words.’ Kou Xuejiao said, ‘Senior Brother remembers; that is better than nothing.'”

“‘But,’ Peng Chongjian said slowly, ‘Sister Kou has not forgotten that Zhong Xuanzun long ago refused Sect Master and is not currently a member of my Blood River Sect.'”

“‘Sect Master Huo also said that he was willing to give Zhong Xuanzun more time to consider. We must admit that this was the only expectation Sect Master Huo had regarding the next sect master candidate. If his elder did not say anything further on this matter in the Evil Sea, then this is his final wish,’ Kou Xuejiao said seriously. ‘I respect his elder’s final wish.'”

“‘Sect Master is no longer here; how are we to take a disciple?'”

“‘We can take a disciple on behalf of Sect Master, and we can also complete the master’s rites.'”

“‘He is doing well as the Champion Marquis; why would he agree to come to our Blood River Sect?'”

“‘Now is different from the past. Sect Master Huo’s final wish is here, hoping he will take over the sect. I believe he will consider it clearly.'”

“Peng Chongjian fell silent. Jiang Wang was also stunned!”

“He truly had not anticipated this kind of development.”

“Regardless of how the Blood River Sect had declined, it was still one of the world’s great sects. Even if the sect master died in battle and the elders were captured, there were still at least four True Persons present, a force that would be resounding anywhere. Such a sect, bearing the responsibility of suppressing the evil water, had accumulated a foundation over its long history that was as deep as the sea and not to be underestimated.”

“To say now that Zhong Xuanzun, having done nothing whatsoever, simply had the opportunity to take over this… it inevitably gave people a sense of near absurdity.”

“Beside him, Ruan Qu, while not as easily surprised as Jiang Wang, still struggled to conceal his astonishment. He speculated that perhaps this was a result of internal divisions within the Blood River Sect, with a faction represented by Kou Xuejiao seeking a powerful patron after Huo Shi’an’s death… But this also didn’t quite make sense. Hadn’t Chen Pu already stated that he would protect the Blood River Sect?”

“Or perhaps the South Xia Governor’s Office’s actions to reclaim Jin’an County had made the Blood River Sect, having lost Huo Shi’an, realize the danger and decide to lean towards the state of Qi in advance?”

“This matter was, of course, unexpected, but when Kou Xuejiao truly began to push for this, there were simply too many possibilities at play. The evil water change this time was already shrouded in too much fog, leaving people bewildered.”

“Huo Shi’an’s appreciation for Zhong Xuanzun was consistent and known to many. But now that Huo Shi’an was dead, Kou Xuejiao still wanted to welcome Zhong Xuanzun into the sect, and with the position of the Blood River Sect’s sect master to welcome him. This was somewhat difficult to comprehend.”

“In the situation where Huo Shi’an had already passed away, it was almost impossible for the Blood River Sect to maintain its autonomy after welcoming Zhong Xuanzun. Could Kou Xuejiao truly be unaware of this point?”

“Was she purely loyal to Huo Shi’an and so-called respecting the former sect master’s final wish, or did she have other plans?”

“Even he, Ruan Qu, being a Grandmaster of Star Divination, found it difficult to calculate the changes in human hearts, especially in a situation where he had obtained no intelligence. For a time, he was quite confused.”

“Seeing his own master actually not being sharp-tongued, Yu Xiaochen was again both shocked and angry. ‘That Zhong Xuanzun wasn’t even a member of my Blood River Sect before, and now he’s going to be treated with the position of sect master, the position of a ten-thousand-year-old great sect? How can this be so childish?'”

“‘What do you mean, childish?’ Kou Xuejiao asked him. ‘Is Sect Master Huo’s final wish childish, or is our respect for Sect Master Huo childish?’ Yu Xiaochen said, ‘Sect Master Huo, at that time, perhaps was only saying it casually.'”

“‘Sect Master, his elder, was not just saying it casually at that time; you don’t know, and your master doesn’t know either,’ Kou Xuejiao still turned back to ask Peng Chongjian, ‘Senior Brother, what do you say?'”

“With the Blood River Sect’s two protectors confronting each other here, and the two Elders, You and Zhang, currently not in the sect, the gathered multitude of Blood River Sect disciples were inevitably confused, unsure which side to lean towards.”

“And as observers of this scene, Si Yu’an and Chen Pu at this moment had conspiracy theories swirling in their hearts that could already fill a book.”

“Although Si Yu’an had made concessions on the Jin’an Prefecture issue, and although he spoke and laughed with Ruan Qu, this did not mean that he was happy to see the Blood River Sect taken over by the Qi people. If the Blood River Sect were to lose its independence, how could Jian Ge, located at the bedside of the South Xia Governor’s Office, rely on itself again?”

“He stood with his hands behind his back, not speaking first. Because he was clear that, given Chen Pu’s nature, he would be the one less able to hold back.”

“As expected, Chen Pu spoke again. This Grandmaster of the Confucian gate, very seriously, said to Peng Chongjian and Kou Xuejiao, ‘The Blood River Sect is a ten-thousand-year-old great sect, with its own glorious history. The matters of the Blood River Sect are your own internal affairs. This old man will not interfere, and at the same time, I also hope that you will not be subjected to outside interference, but rather handle sect affairs from your hearts, in accordance with the sect’s reality. I represent the Evening Drum Academy and can completely guarantee your autonomous rights. I believe that Jian Ge and the Three Punishment Palaces will also hold this attitude.'”

“These words were almost an open declaration to them—if you are being threatened, just blink your eyes. Do not fear the people of Qi Country; our Evening Drum Academy will back you up.”

“Ruan Qu… his face was helpless, and his mood was truly complex.”

“Regarding the Blood River Sect, as one of the top decision-makers in the Qi-Xia war, he naturally had a deeper understanding. He, of course, also knew why Qi Country was able to invite Huo Shi’an to act against the South Dou Hall’s Changsheng Jun at that time, catching Xia Country off guard. That involved a huge secret and also concerned the subsequent layout of the Qi Heavenly Son in the southern border.”

“He had come to the Blood River Sect with the determination to resolve the boundary problem in the southern border for at least thirty years. But he had not expected frequent accidents.”

“The turmoil in the Evil Sea was so severe that even the Bodhi Evil Ancestor had already appeared; this was one. The esteemed Blood River True Monarch, due to the sudden waves of evil water this time, died on the spot; this was two. Now, Kou Xuejiao, in order to respect Huo Shi’an’s final wish, wanted to invite Zhong Xuanzun to become the Blood River Sect’s sect master; this was three.”

“Now, Si Yu’an and Chen Pu were staring at him as if he were a thief, but he also did not know the exact reason for this change in the Blood River Sect.”

“He really wanted to perform a divine divination on the spot, calculating until the heavens were dark and the earth was dark.”

“But in this kind of chaos, divination was easily taken advantage of by those with intentions; it was wise not to do so.”

“He could only quietly observe the changes.”

“—Beside him, Yu Xiaochen was almost in tears. Dean Chen is truly a good person! The Three Punishment Palaces are heartless and cold-blooded, Jian Ge watches with cold eyes, and the people of Qi Country take advantage of the situation. Only Dean Chen of the Evening Drum Academy clearly and consistently protects the Blood River Sect.”

“‘Yes, Master!’ Yu Xiaochen said, ‘This is one time, that is another time. Sect Master did not go to find Zhong Xuanzun again later, which is enough to show that his elder was not how serious. We…'”

“Peng Chongjian, however, sighed, ‘Sect Master was serious at that time; he indeed thought very highly of Zhong Xuanzun. He also told me that the Evil Sea might hold immeasurable disaster, and that no one could bear the future of the Blood River Sect. Only an absolute world prodigy like Zhong Xuanzun would be able to bring hope to my Blood River Sect.'”

“Perhaps due to his weakness, the eyes of this Moving Mountain True Person at this moment were somewhat confused. ‘Is it difficult to say whether this is in today?'”

“As for Huo Shi’an, the Blood River True Monarch, Jiang Wang was not familiar.”

“He only knew that he had once participated in the joint action to rescue the Chen Du True Monarch from danger, and had ventured deep into the Cang Sea to attack Wan Tong. He knew that he had once thought highly of Zhong Xuanzun and wanted to take him as a disciple. He knew that he had once participated in the Qi-Xia war, blocking the South Dou Hall’s Changsheng Jun.”

“Knowing these things, he only knew these things.”

“—The life of a Derivation Path True Monarch is, of course, magnificent, far from just this.”

“But as the sect master of the Blood River Sect, suppressing the evil water year-round and rarely venturing into the world, and then dying so hastily in the Evil Sea… in Jiang Wang’s impression as a passerby, only these things remained.”

“Hearing Peng Chongjian’s words at this moment, he couldn’t help but speculate whether Huo Shi’an’s pessimism about the future of the Evil Sea was not the direct reason why Xu Mingsong dared to take such a great risk?”

“Now that Peng Chongjian had already stated his acknowledgment of Huo Shi’an’s final wish, then the matter of Zhong Xuanzun entering the main Blood River Sect, at least within the Blood River Sect, no longer had any resistance.”

“Because Peng Chongjian and Kou Xuejiao, the two great protectors, were the two most influential people within the Blood River Sect at present.”

“And from the outside, if the Blood River Sect had both the former sect master’s final wish and the recognition of the two present great protectors, what reason would outsiders have to stop it?”

“Even if Chen Pu and Si Yu’an were a thousand times unwilling, they believed that waiting would not be a good thing to say.”

“Kou Xuejiao looked at Ruan Qu with bright eyes. Now, only the attitude of Qi Country was missing… but Ruan Qu only responded with a smile, not speaking.”

“Of course, he could not agree so easily. Even if this… all looked so tempting!”

“Moreover, let’s not even talk about Zhong Xuanzun’s own willingness.”

“A Divination Path True Monarch like him, whose schemes ran deep, would never believe that there was such a thing as windfall fortune in this world. He believed even more strongly that everything in the world had a price.”

“He even went so far as to suspect that there were other situations in the Evil Sea change event this time. After Elder Xu Mingsong was captured and taken to Heaven Punishment Cliff, it would be very difficult for that person to hide the truth from figures like Wu Bingyi. If that was a big case involving the Blood River Sect up and down, it might be that Kou Xuejiao and the others simply wanted to use a sect master position to bind themselves to Qi Country and thus obtain Qi Country’s protection.”

“So, in that case, would Qi Country acquiring the Blood River Sect and making an enemy of the Three Punishment Palaces be worth it?”

“Of course, precisely because the Blood River Sect was such a large and deep piece of fat meat, he could not simply kick it away with one foot just because of his vigilance. Choking on food and wasting eating was also foolish.”

“The Blood River Sect suppressing the Evil Sea was a kind of responsibility. Having been here for fifty thousand years was also a kind of status.”

“This status was acknowledged by all sides, and heaven and earth also acknowledged how important this status was.”

“The so-called ‘favor of heaven’ was based on this.”

“A strong figure like the Moving Mountain True Person, Peng Chongjian, who originally had hopes of relying on himself to impact the Derivation Path. After being heavily wounded in the Evil Sea this time, his hopes of achieving the Path had greatly diminished. But if he were able to become the Blood River Sect’s sect master, the possibility of achieving True Monarch would greatly increase!”

“Of course, even with this kind of heavenly favor, it was impossible to guarantee that one would become a Derivation Path True Monarch; the hero still needed to seek it himself. Otherwise, the Great Yan Lian clan, which had also participated in suppressing the evil water at one time, would not have perished.”

“Seeing that Ruan Qu only smiled and did not speak, Kou Xuejiao said again, ‘Although Sect Master’s adult final wish is so, we still have to consider the Champion Marquis’s own willingness. True Monarch Ruan, I wonder if you could convey this on our behalf, or I can personally go to Linzi to visit and invite him.'”

“Ruan Qu temporarily did not speak, simply waiting for more conditions. Either to raise Qi Country’s benefits, or to dispel his doubts.”

“But Kou Xuejiao’s attitude was also very clear: the Blood River Sect could not satisfy these two points; their conditions were already laid out. Success would mean success, and not, then stop. They had directly placed all their chips on the table, waiting only for Ruan Qu to make this decision.”

“Si Yu’an suddenly spoke, ‘Huo Shi’an, during his lifetime, said that no one could bear the future of the Blood River Sect, only an absolute world prodigy like Zhong Xuanzun would be able to bring hope to the Blood River Sect… I cannot agree with these words. If Zhong Xuanzun can bring you hope, could not an absolute world prodigy like Jiang Wang also not?'”

“Kou Xuejiao looked at him inexplicably, not understanding why this Jian Ge Pavilion Master would suddenly say such a thing.”

“Whether it was Zhong Xuanzun or Jiang Wang coming to the Blood River Sect, did it make a difference for Jian Ge?”

“Si Yu’an ignored her mood and said again, ‘Jiang Wang is still alone suppressing the evil water in the Qi-Xia battlefield, his merit is immeasurable, and now he is still sung about by people. Compared to your Elder Xu Mingsong, he has much more bearing. By merit and by virtue, if the Blood River Sect were to invite an outsider to be the sect master, surely Jiang Wang would not be more suitable than Zhong Xuanzun?'”

“Instead, Ruan Qu glanced at Si Yu’an, his expression playful. It was as if he was subtly asking, ‘Do you feel that you can control him if he is replaced by Jiang Wang?'”

“Si Yu’an only let out a cold laugh, as if replying, ‘You guess.'”

“Kou Xuejiao said somewhat stiffly, ‘The matter of master and disciple also depends on fate.'”

“‘Huo Shi’an is not here; how can we still look at fate?’ Si Yu’an turned his head and rushed towards Jiang Wang, saying with great regret, ‘People are clearly looking down on you! With the Wu’an Marquis’s temper of not agreeing with a single word and wanting to trample Tianmu Peak, can you endure this?'”

“Jiang Wang:… his footsteps faltered, and he silently retreated behind Ruan Qu.”

“He also did not know whether Si Yu’an was trying to stir up trouble or what; these people were all old and cunning, their words within words, with implied meanings. He, this honest person, was unwilling to guess. It was difficult to guess correctly, let alone that sometimes… just thinking would make one get hooked.”

“Pretending to be deaf and dumb today, surely he wouldn’t be deceived further?”