Tong Baixiong knelt on the ground with a loud thud, shouting resentfully, “How can the foundation of the Sun Moon Holy Cult be no match for Yang Lianting, this villain!”
“If you destroy your own martial arts, the consequences–” He heavily kowtowed toward Dongfang Bubai, “Brother Dongfang, you don’t even want your own life!”
“Cult Master, you mustn’t be confused!”
The bitter words resounded throughout the assembly grounds as every member of the cult knelt down before their cult master. As though he had not heard him, Dongfang Bubai glanced at Zuo Lengchan and, after a moment of silence, stated, “Alliance Chief Zuo, I acknowledge your three conditions, but also hope that you can let Lian di leave immediately to let me feel at ease.”
Zuo Lengchan laughed when he heard this, and slowly shook his head in dissent, “Cult Master Dongfang, you must be joking. This Yang Lianting currently is the valued reliance in the hands of my Righteous Path.”
“Everyone knows that your, Cult Master Dongfang’s, martial arts are divine and matchless, are the world’s first–” Raising his brows and smiling thinly, Zuo Lengchan politely said, “Perhaps this Zuo is overly cautious, but he believes that Cult Master can understand. This Zuo must keep up his guard.”
Dongfang Bubai laughed out loud. Despite gently pulling his lips upward, the smile did not reach his eyes. Seemingly in deep thought, he stood still and then slowly nodded, “Indeed.”
“Alliance Chief Zuo’s concern is reasonable but you are truly making it difficult for me. Usually, if someone dared to blatantly threaten me like you do–”
Dongfang Bubai paused then seriously and serenely asserted, “I, the Invincible East, would absolutely kill you and crush your bones to dust.”
“But, Lian di is in your hands.”
Dongfang Bubai pursed his lips, his eyes suddenly glanced at Yang Lianting’s face, only to quickly shift aside. He lowered his eyes slightly and softly decided, as if speaking to himself, “Since Lian di is in your hands you’ve grasped my, the Invincible East’s greatest handle–”
Turning around, his black eyes fell on Tong Baixiong and the numerous other cult members. Dongfang Bubai resolutely raised his head, revealing a long and white neck. His frigid eyes staring down upon them, his voice sounding stern and majestic, in but a single moment he transformed into the lofty Invincible East who no one would dare disobey.
“Tong Baixiong, take orders!”
“Tong Baixiong is present!” Kowtowing heavily till his head bled, he loudly shouted “This Subordinate is at the Cult Master’s command!”
“Firstly, this Seat orders you to head back to Blackwood Cliff and heed today’s agreement. Take out the required title deeds for the cult’s pawnshops, brothels and banks then hand them all over to Alliance Chief Zuo.”
“Secondly, from now on the Holy Cult will keep a low profile and will not initiate any conflict with the Wulin’s Righteous Path, both sides should live in peace and quell the struggle.”
“Thirdly–”
Dongfang Bubai hesitantly yet resolutely stated, “Today, this Seat will pass on the cult master’s seat to you.”
Listening attentively Tong Baixiong was stunned still in utter shock and could not control a change in expression, he was about to speak when he noticed Dongfang Bubai waving his hand. Not giving him the chance to object, he assured him in a faint voice, “Elder Brother Tong, I know what you want to say.”
In fact, after Dongfang Bubai had ascended the cult master’s seat, Tong Baixiong had rarely heard him address him as ‘Elder Brother.’ Tearfully nostalgic Tong Baixiong couldn’t control his wrinkled eyes from reddening. Unexpectedly, he called him this familiarly in such a situation. In a voice as hoarse as sandpaper, he asked him, “Brother Dongfang– Why must you suffer?”
“Elder Brother Tong, with the Holy Cult’s grand foundation, those few pawnshops, brothels and banks are negligible. Losing them won’t harm the cult’s vitality.”
“From now on, we should keep a low profile and refrain from provoking conflict with the righteous sects.”
“This is a good idea.” Dongfang Bubai softly smiled and said, “Previously, Lian di advised me to create less trouble, to commit less evil. Now, this can be done. I know you’re loyal and faithful. So, I will pass on the cult master’s seat to you.”
“Speaking of those three conditions, the final one is the most difficult to fulfill.” Dongfang Bubai’s eyes held a cold glint, the emotions within indiscernible. He lightly lowered his black eyes and faintly continued, “However, I, the Invincible East, am used to facing storms, this isn’t much.”
“How can it be nothing!” Tong Baixiong was instantly out of control. “Breaking your own tendons and veins, abolishing your own martial arts– From now on, you, the world’s first, are going to turn into a cripple!”
“Brother Dongfang, I, Old Tong, have been truly loyal to you for many, many years. I’ve witnessed with my own old eyes just how far you’ve come.”
“The prosperity of our Holy Cult cannot end like this!”
“These people threatening you, let’s kill them all! Let’s gather all the Holy Cult’s members, from the highest to the lowest, and kill these so-called righteous sects.”
“Brother Dongfang, you mustn’t be confused!”
Dongfang Bubai lightly waved his hand, as if he hadn’t heard him, and continued to instruct, “Once you sit on the cult master’s seat, you must keep Yang Lianting alive. Alliance Chief Zuo has poisoned him, you must cure him and then let him leave the cliff. Keep him safe, wealthy, and healthy for the rest of his life.”
“Elder Brother Tong, this is the final order I will give you as the Cult Master. I expect you to accomplish it.”
No longer looking at Tong Baixiong, he turned around to face the crowd of martial artists.
Eyes calm.
Dressed in a deep red robe, with an intricate cloud-patterned moiré draped over his slender shoulders, he resolutely raised his head up. Standing amongst the sharp swords and pointed blades, scathed by the killing intents of the Wulin’s experts surrounding him, he was still the awe-inspiring and invincible Master of the Holy Cult, who looked down upon all, whose expression did not reveal the faintest hint of embarrassment for having surrendered to threat.
“Today, I, Dongfang Bubai shall agree to the three conditions of Alliance Chief Zuo in exchange for Yang Lianting’s life.”
“I hope all the righteous sects present will testify for us.”
“I, Dongfang Bubai, shall keep my word and honor the three conditions of Alliance Chief Zuo. I hope that, after I abolish my martial art, you all will oversee Alliance Chief Zuo honoring his promise to let Yang Lianting safely leave this repressive place.”
After a momentary pause, Dongfang Bubai’s eyes swept over everyone present and finally halted on Yang Lianting’s wretched figure in the back.
Smiling slightly.
During such a hostile and murderous confrontation as though his surroundings had vanished, he quietly and peacefully looked at Yang Lianting. In his dark pair of eyes, there was even a trace of regret and grief.
“Lian di, don’t be afraid.”
“Tong Baixiong might hate you, but for my sake, he will keep you safe and sound for a lifetime. Since I gave him the order, he will accomplish it no matter what.”
“Alliance Chief Zuo abducted and poisoned you. Despite his dirty and despicable means, I believe, before so many people, he won’t renege on the agreement, he’s bound to give you the cure.”
“Lian di–”
Dongfang Bubai’s voice quavered and his eyelashes drooped, his thoughts indiscernible. Time slowly passed before he looked up again. He faintly sighed yet smiled tenderly, his tone sounded so soft it was nearly inaudible, it disappeared in the humid wind as soon as it exited.
“Unfortunately, I’ve only just been with you.”
Yang Lianting stood still in place, watching him order Tong Baixiong, watching him make all these arrangements, watching him quietly talk to him, watching Dongfang Bubai smile at him.
Taking a deep breath, Yang Lianting laughed out loud.
“Great!” Yang Lianting bellowed and nodded heavily toward him. “Dongfang, I know you won’t let anything happen to me.”
Yang Lianting pulled up the corners of his mouth into a grin, yet his heart beat frantically. “Zuo Lengchan’s poison really is a torment! Even someone like me, with skin as thick and rough as leather, would bend under such torture. If you want to sever your own meridians, as he said, then hurry up!”
Yang Lianting glanced towards Tong Baixiong, “Elder Tong, you must remember the words Dongfang said today. Once he no longer reigns as the Holy Cult’s Master, each and every cultist, from the highest to the lowest, must guarantee to keep me, Yang Lianting, safe and sound.”
“You!” Tong Baixiong was instantly infuriated, the qi in his veins surging violently. Looking like he would raise his hand to beat the still alive Yang Lianting to death in the next instant.
Seeing this scene, the others present couldn’t resist ridiculing Dongfang Bubai and Yang Lianting.
“The Invincible East actually took a fancy to a piece of trash who’s greedy for life, afraid of death?”
“He really is a kept man who serves others with sex, once he’s in danger he’s desperately clinging to his worthless life.”
“Today’s Invincible East sure is infatuated. Unexpectedly, he is willing to abolish his own martial arts in exchange for this one kept man of his.”
“It’s a pity, to be so blind as to fancy this kind of trash–”
“…”
Only Dongfang Bubai, as if deaf, stood still in place atop the platform and gazed at Yang Lianting. He gently shook his head. Clear eyes like limpid water, hidden beneath his lowered eyelids.
In a low yet resolute voice, he said, “Lian di are you trying to deliberately hurt me, so I’ll give up on saving you?”
“Lian di–” Dongfang Bubai’s face paled.
Beneath the wide robe draped over his shoulders he appeared awfully thin, yet he obstinately smiled softly as he gazed at Yang Lianting. “I will always save you.”
“Even if you hurt me like this… I won’t take it seriously.”
“Alright!” Zuo Lengchan noted that the situation seemed off and threw Yang Lianting a dirty look. Fearing that his greed for life and fear of death would enrage Dongfang Bubai and ruin his own careful planning. He stepped forward, cleared his throat and urged, “Cult Master Dongfang, since you accepted this Zuo’s three conditions, then begin honoring them!”
“You may be able to wait, but the poison spreading in Brother Yang’s body may not wait–”
The words had not yet ended.
Once Yang Lianting saw his chance, a blinding light flashed. As everyone else paid close attention to the hostile confrontation between Zuo Lengchan and Dongfang Bubai, he braced himself and heavily hit the side of the guard detaining him with his body. Yang Lianting stumbled for a few steps, then caught his balance and swiftly drew a sharp blade out of the scabbard hanging from the guard’s waist.
He stepped forward, his actions quick and agile.
He too had felt the impact of the hit, his throat had a metallic taste, yet he held the blade’s hilt in a deadly grip. Taking a deep breath, before the crowd could react, he resolutely rammed the blade into his own abdomen, with a backhanded grip.
Fresh blood flowed down the blade’s edge.
Unbearable pain.
Back drenched in cold sweat.
Hands trembling, body spasming.
Yang Lianting hissed in pain and drew in a breath of cold air. His hands were stained with his own blood, sticky and warm, yet he seemed unable to sense the unbearable pain in his body. Yang Lianting held the hilt of the blade inserted into his abdomen, then staggered and stood up straight.
Staring at Zuo Lengchan he shouted scornfully “You want to threaten Dongfang with my, your father’s life?” Yang Lianting’s face looked brash and reckless. “Zuo Lengchan, I’m telling you, you’re dreaming!”
It hurts, it really hurts.
Even if he had been mentally prepared for a long time, at this moment he could not restrain an unbearable feeling.
Yang Lianting faintly breathed out, trying to balance his short breath, and his line of sight ultimately fell on Dongfang Bubai’s lone figure.
He knew Dongfang Bubai’s character.
Until death, that person’s eyes were foolish, too foolish. Once he was involved, all his principles, all his power ceased to exist. No matter what Zuo Lengchan demanded of him, that person in red would comply, because he wholeheartedly wished he'd stay safe and sound, wished he'd never be done any harm.
The world’s first, the dignified and imposing Invincible East, for him, this weak martial artist, would lower himself to the dust and turn himself into a cripple. He was willing to give way to his foes until he was forced to break apart his meridians and abolish his martial arts.
Yang Lianting’s blood oozed out of the stab wound, dripping downward. It was painful to remain standing on his feet, slowly his consciousness faded to black. Looking at the puddle of blood gathered beneath, he grinned and laughed out loud.
Dongfang.
Now he too had wielded a blade to cruelly injure himself, he too hurt himself with his own hands.
To save you.
Now Dongfang would never have any scruples, would never be constrained by anyone, would be invincible.
“Dongfang, you see.”
“It’s that simple.”
“I’d rather die, than let you be humiliated by others, than let you abolish your own martial arts.”
Dongfang, you see, I will not repeat that dreadful tragedy of our past life, will not let myself become your constraint.
Look at your Yang Lianting, he will not drag you down again. He, like you, is more than willing to sacrifice his life for you, to give up everything for you.
Dongfang, look at me, look at your beloved husband.
For you, he braves cliffs and ridges as if they were even.
Yang Lianting saw Dongfang Bubai trembling.
The frequency of his shivers was so severe and so difficult to conceal that even from a distance he could clearly notice the thin figure trembling violently.
His eyes were red.
The entire Jianghu feared the high and mighty Invincible East who had ended countless lives. Standing ten steps apart he stared at him unblinkingly, tears about to fall from his red eyes.
Yang Lianting, who had a blade stuck in his abdomen, looked at Dongfang Bubai and could hardly endure the ache in his heart, hardly endure the unwillingness to part from him.
Reaching out his hand, he caressed Dongfang Bubai’s outline slowly and tenderly.
The next instant.
He saw Dongfang Bubai quickly rush toward him.
Blood densely flowing along the blade’s edge.
Dripping downward, drop by drop.
His eyesight slowly dimmed, yet Yang Lianting unblinkingly stared at Dongfang Bubai as he came closer and closer. Until the familiar scent of pinewood enveloped his entire body.