The next morning...

  In the main library of the Lian Qingxue Clan, Zao Yun and Ying Xia were waiting for Master Xian Yong Ming. Fear and despair were etched on their faces, due to the news that had spread like wildfire: the Su Hu Hun sword had once again wrought a massacre. This was the gossip running through the entire clan. Everyone wanted to know who dared to utter Master Xian Yong Ming's name.

  Zao Yun now completely understood why Ying Xia had forbidden him from speaking that cursed name on that particular day. He had now witnessed the enormous price one had to pay for uttering the name. But the bigger storm of questions raging in his mind was: Why is there a curse on the Master's name, and who placed it?

  He looked towards Ying Xia, who sat beside him, closed his book, and spoke with a serious demeanor, yet with nervous hesitation.

  "Senior Brother, Master Xian..."

  Before Zao Yun could complete his sentence, Ying Xia stopped him, saying, "Silence!... This is not the time for such talk. The Master could arrive at any moment."

  But this time, Zao Yun was not speaking with his usual mischief; his eyes were filled with questions, and his mind was restless. He spoke to Ying Xia again, but this time his voice held maturity.

  "Senior Brother, I know that you know everything about Master Xian Yong Ming. You have been with him for the past ten years; it's impossible that you know nothing. But I respect Master Xian Yong Ming with all my heart, and I do not want to look at him with suspicion or let my faith waver due to any misunderstanding. For this, it is necessary for me to know the truth. I promise that, just like you, I will always remain devoted to his service. I am certain that the Master is not doing all this without a reason."

  Ying Xia was completely stunned by the depth of his words. He had always considered him foolish, but the wisdom he showed today changed Ying Xia's perspective towards Zao Yun. However, his point was also valid: incomplete information is like poison. Ying Xia thought for a while and said before leaving, "First, let the Master arrive, then we will talk about this."

  Just then, at the main gate of the Lian Qingxue Clan, Han Wuang Shi arrived staggering, wounded. His silver-like robes were stained with blood, dirt, and black ash. Disciples ran towards him.

  Standing in the distant library, Ying Xia and Zao Yun's eyes widened upon seeing their Master in such a state. Han Wuang Shi's eyes were hazy. He could neither see nor hear what was happening in front of him. Disciples were nervously taking him inside, supporting him. In Han Wuang Shi's heart and mind, only one image was clearly revolving: Gu Zong his laughter, his silly jokes, and his constant walking ahead of Han Wu Ang Shi everything appeared before his eyes.

  Flashback

  When Han Wuang Shi was searching for the Moon Grass on Mount Taylin, his eyes calmly scanned the surroundings. But there was no sign of the Moon Grass. He speculated that perhaps due to the early onset of winter this time, it had not yet grown. Thinking all this, Han Wuang Shi once again headed towards the Lingxiao Clan.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  But just as he took a few steps forward, his Su Hu Hun sword began to tremble. Without delay, he understood that someone had uttered his name, and today too, he would do what he always did. His eyes grew serious. His sword shot out of its sheath at high speed, tearing through the air. Its speed was so great that it looked like a shooting star. Han Wuang Shi also took a deep breath and ran behind Su Hu Hun at full speed. His eyes were focused only on the accelerating sword, and there was only one thought in his mind: "I have always hoped that the one who calls my name, Han Wuang Shi, would be Gu Zong, but every time, the sword cuts someone's throat. But I don't care. Until the sword recognizes Gu Zong, throats will continue to be cut like this."

  And then, in just a short while, the sword reached the spot where Gu Zong and that man were standing. The sword arrived screaming through the air and, in a single frenzy, inflicted not one but countless strikes upon that man, finally cutting his throat.

  But the moment the sword lunged towards Xiao Tang, a small white stone embedded in its hilt showed a faint glow and struck towards Xiao Tang. However, Gu Zong unknowingly used his spiritual energy, his inner core, to protect himself.

  Just then, Han Wuang Shi arrived from behind. He first looked at the hilt of his sword, as he did every time, and then his breath, his heartbeat, everything accelerated. That sword had recognized an energy, a power, and it could be none other than Gu Zong himself. This was the reason he had cursed his sword so that one day, when Gu Zong called his name somewhere, he could reach him at that very moment.

  Han Wuang Shi then recalled the sword and looked at it closely. He could not believe his eyes the white stone was glowing. But this was not enough. To confirm it, he struck Xiao Tang. But the way Xiao Tang was responding to every strike with accuracy, and how he was even discerning where his sword's next attack would come from. Only then did Han Wuang Shi believe that the Xiao Tang standing before him was none other than Gu Zong.

  Before Han Wuang Shi could say anything, several officials and people arrived there to save Xiao Tang. One of the three men, with whom Xiao Tang had been drinking, pointed at Xiao Tang and said, "This Xiao Tang brought our brother here. He must have given him something. He was the one asking about Master Han Huan Hao."

  This statement removed all of Han Wuang Shi's doubts. He glanced at Xiao Tang, but at the same time, Xiao Tang avoided eye contact and made excuses like a drunkard.

  "No... No, that's not true. He borrowed money from me. I was just asking for that."

  But just then, an official advanced towards him and shoved him, causing Xiao Tang to fall hard onto the ground. The man shouted, "How dare you tell such a big lie! Master Han Huan Hao would borrow money from a beggar like you? Look at your status!"

  The man was about to say more when Han Wuang Shi thrust his sword into the man's back in a single breath, killing him. Gu Zong was stunned. He wanted to stop Han Wuang Shi, but due to the shove, his chest was in intense pain. He could not move. But he still tried to stand up, and just then, the rest of the people and officials angrily drew their swords and rushed towards Han Wuang Shi.

  Meanwhile, the news also reached the market of the Yingtian Clan, and people rushed towards the spot. But the dreadful atmosphere there felt like the beginning of a tragedy. Gu Zong tried to call out, but then his body gave way, and he began to fall, but the surrounding people supported him.

  In an instant, Han Wuang Shi took the lives of forty people. People stood there, paralyzed with fear, watching him. And Gu Zong was so shocked and stunned by this changed form of Han Wuang Shi that he passed out right there, and people began to carry him away.

  Han Wu Ang Shi also started to leave, but before going, he looked back at Xiao Tang in the crowd. For the first time in forty-five years, tears flowed like rivers down his face. There was a faint smile on his face, and his heart had melted. But he, too, was wounded; he was injured. He stumbled once but somehow managed to steady himself, stood up, and started walking back towards the Lian Qingxue Clan.

  Flashback Ends