Chapter 128

In the curl of smoke, the rising warm air seemed to push back the winter cold, carrying consciousness upstream through the river of time.

Scattered, fragmented memories surfaced now, clearing layer by layer within rippling thoughts, as if transporting one back to Zhanglin Village. Back to when Chen Shu had first descended the mountain, rescued by Yun Shen, her voice filled with confusion and fervor: “I’ll treat you to tea!”

Then, the scene shifted to the overwhelming flood—swirling winds and rain. Yun Shen emerged from a wave, clinging precariously to the slick, cold ledge of the Sword Discussion Platform window, barely holding on. Chen Shu’s crisp voice rang from above: “Oh, Yun Shen—ah! How tragically you died!” Before the echo faded, the scene changed again. There he was, looking up just as it dissolved, replaced by Chen Shu nestled in his arms. Though she had just unleashed some divine power to save an entire city of swordsmen, she was curled against him, stammering complaints that he hadn’t called for her help.

Pressed so close, Yun Shen seemed to absorb an unusual, almost burning heat emanating from her, flooding his body instantly. It twisted his internal organs, a mix of agony and ecstasy. When her faint form blurred and vanished, all that remained was an emptiness so cold it seeped deep into the marrow.

He clung to the residual heat, sensing it intensify, dragging him back to the foot of the nameless cliff. One moment he saw her angrily striking the pathetic dead tree, falling from above to land in his arms, wrinkling her nose to demand why he hadn’t dodged, the rich bloom causing his heart to flutter. Another moment found them in that rare rainy night, Chen Shu lying beside him, burning with fever. He had leaned closer, closer still, lips almost brushing her earlobe, an impulse to bite down and drink the vivid, scalding blood flowing there…

Then he jolted awake.

A dim yet bright underground chamber. The flames flickered, casting the chaotic talismans scrawled across the walls into sharp relief. Yun Shen steadied his mind, slowly emerging from his daze. At last, he realized this searing heat did not come from his memory of Chen Shu’s skin, but from the molten iron scalding against every part of him. And that blinding, almost fiery radiance was clearly not from the fire beneath the cast iron furnace either. It emanated from the bright, golden molten iron slowly churning around him, seeming poised to devour and dissolve him utterly.

The light illuminated not only the Talismanic Papers plastered on the walls beyond the furnace but deepened the shadows in every corner. Such heavy intermingling of stark darkness and piercing brightness created a dizzying glare, almost blinding, stinging the mind into a daze, as if he were trapped in the most horrific of nightmares.

Yun Shen lowered his head and saw himself bound by chains that even the molten iron could not melt. Steam curled upwards, yet the chains themselves seemed to carry a lingering chill. Attempting to move his hand, he felt his lower half submerged in the molten iron was similarly fettered. Though he had some limited freedom of movement, all his innate internal sensations, once so fluid, were now irrevocably locked tight within the chains, confined deep inside his own body.

He was originally a spiritual entity, devoid of martial power, yet capable of communing with heaven and earth and perceiving all creation as naturally as breathing. He could even traverse a thousand miles in spirit. Though millennia of slumber had somewhat dulled these senses. But locked by these chains, he truly became a “useless wretch,” as weak as a newborn babe, trapped within this searing, white-hot molten iron. Every breath he exhaled felt hot enough to ignite the Talismanic Paper.

Yet he surveyed his situation, his expression unchanged, and merely spoke: “To think it’s the Celestial Shackles… Wherever did you scavenge those? Such an item isn’t easily stumbled upon.”

“Where indeed? Money makes the mare go.”

A voice emerged from the near-solid darkness. Then, with footsteps light yet distinctly crisp, echoing off the stone walls as if right beside his ear, a face slowly materialized from the gloom.

Like an apparition surfacing from murky obscurity, the shadows on the face gradually dissolved. First the features, then the outline, until the entire visage was exposed to the flickering light, becoming real and recognizable.

It was a face terribly familiar.

Whether it was the stifling heat of the secret room or the urgent fervor displayed, sweat beaded heavily on the man’s forehead. His eyes reflected the flames and the molten gold.

This wolfish aspect was utterly different from his usual benevolent appearance, making it indeed difficult to recognize him.

But Yun Shen’s face showed no surprise. Instead, he sighed, even managing a faint, mocking smile. “Right. I should have guessed.”

“Oh? Seeing how unperturbed you are, how you show not a flicker of shock even seeing me, I thought you had foreseen everything—” The man stepped closer, holding more talisman water in his hand, and gave a smile. “After all, you are a thousand-year divine sword, possessing powers that shake heaven and earth. It’s hardly surprising you can see through lies and truth.”

“Alliance Leader Xu exaggerates my worth.” Yun Shen replied impassively. “A thousand years is but one long, desolate dream to me. Those divine powers faded long ago. If not, how could Alliance Leader Xu have bound me so easily… You speak of me as divine, yet acted without fear or hesitation.”

“If you weren’t the divine sword, why would I exert such immense effort?” Xu Yuan chuckled again. Continuing to converse with Yun Shen, he carefully painted the talisman water onto the cast iron furnace. “Divine power matters little. So long as you are a divine weapon, surpassing mere mundane iron, that’s good enough for my use… Be patient. It will only take a moment. That old man said I must bind you securely, or you might—”

Perhaps noticing the almost imperceptible twitch at the corner of Yun Shen’s eye amidst the smoke and golden light, Xu Yuan paused his painting, raised a brow, his tone becoming increasingly animated: “See? Like this pain. This is merely painted outside the furnace, comparable to skinning, just the very first touch. Later, when all the talisman water is poured in, you will likely hurt much more. And this pain isn’t of the body. It erodes your mind, striking directly at your soul. Best be prepared.”

Even as he spoke, the pain did not lessen but grew sharper. Yun Shen, known for his stoicism, instinctively gritted his teeth, but a few low, muffled groans still escaped his lips.

Xu Yuan painted faster and faster. Yun Shen could scarcely find the breath to reply. As soon as one wave of bone-deep agony receded slightly, another pierced him afresh.

It wasn’t until Xu Yuan had finally completed tracing the talismans around the great cauldron that the excruciating pain, which had threatened to topple him into the molten iron, finally lessened. Yun Shen raised one hand, splashing molten droplets out of the cauldron. Two or three landed on the wall, instantly hissing as they burned dark, ugly scars into the stone.

Xu Yuan paused his movement. He gave a short, scornful laugh. “Oh my? Can’t handle it already?”

“Handle it I can… but I fail to grasp the point of Alliance Leader Xu’s peculiar display…” Yun Shen offered a strained, somewhat ragged smile. “This is hardly how one forges a sword.”

Xu Yuan pursed his lips, placed the talisman water jug on the ground, and slowly shook his head, smiling. “You feign ignorance. I’m not forging a sword. I’m forging you. I am well aware of the usual methods of sword forging. But I also know that swords are forged from iron or gold, what you might call your ‘mortal shell’. Now that you have condensed a spiritual entity, no matter how this mortal shell is reforged, it affects you not in the least. So, I must completely seal your spiritual entity first to reforge the divine weapon.”

“Is that so.” Comprehension dawned on Yun Shen’s face. Apart from the lingering traces of pain and disarray, his expression remained unnervingly calm. He braced himself against the wall, steadying his stance, then inquired again, “Could it be that Alliance Leader Xu’s hard work, these past months traveling from Diancang Pass to the Valley of Villains and then to Ping Chao Kou, was all for my sake? That would indeed be mortifying.”

“Hahaha!” Xu Yuan clapped his hands, laughing heartily. “You really are amusing. Were it not for the certainty of your refusal to submit to any master, I might almost regret this.”

He paused, seeing Yun Shen remain silent and sullen. Xu Yuan chuckled again. “Having navigated the pugilistic world for decades, such barbs mean nothing to me. Save your breath. But since you face your doom with questions yet unanswered, I have no qualms enlightening you—A divine weapon is worth the risk, but pardon me, your self-importance is misplaced. The first time I learned your true identity… was actually in Fangcheng.”

“…In Fangcheng, you killed Wei Mian, and took the sword she carried with her by convenience, is that it?”

“Oh? You’ve indeed deduced quite a bit.” Xu Yuan acknowledged.

Perhaps because Xu Yuan, having committed countless evils throughout his life, rarely found anyone who understood his ‘talents’, his usual meek facade concealing his true self had been stifling. So hearing Yun Shen’s deductions didn’t anger him. Instead, he stopped, folded his arms, and tilted his chin up slightly.

He was inviting Yun Shen to continue.

“Wei Mian saw you. She undoubtedly recognized you, probably thinking she could finally see the light of day again. And you certainly recognized her—I suspect it was you who first sent that letter to Xiao Zhong, instructing him to detain Wei Mian and control her with poison, which led to the repairs in Fangcheng and those numerous secret rooms in the Valley of Villains, correct?”

“Exactly.” Xu Yuan nodded, an expression of appreciation crossing his face. “What else?”

“You truly are covetous…” Yun Shen stated. “During the Valley of Villains conflict, seeing the tide turn against you, you hid your hand and deliberately cast suspicion onto me to sow confusion. And that Bride’s Blade Challenge wasn’t merely bait for Chen Shu to participate, was it? It was also to pocket all those precious treasures pledged as wagers. Xiao Zhong’s death frightened you, didn’t it? So one last grand haul was necessary, as insurance against those captured valley rogues revealing things they shouldn’t know… killing three birds with one stone…”

“No, no, not just three intentions.” Xu Yuan leaned closer, giving Yun Shen a fierce, ugly grin. “I’m also quite pleased with that son-in-law, Chen Shu.”

“You shameless—!”

Blinded by shock and rage, Yun Shen even instinctively lunged forward. But the moment he moved, the chains tightened, biting deep into his spiritual entity, and violently yanked him back to his original spot.

Watching Yun Shen cough and glare at him furiously, genuine emotion finally surfacing on his face, Xu Yuan erupted into two loud laughs. “What else?” he boomed. “I’ll let you speak your fill before you die!”

“What else?” Yun Shen sneered coldly. “It’s simply you coveting profit! You colluded with Xiao Zhong to steal and sell horses. And because the Vale of Villains’ spy didn’t recognize you, and you refused to be exposed, you first sent a letter to Linbo Prefecture, then ordered Yingqiu Weir destroyed to unleash the waters! An entire city’s populace – I’m amazed you had the stomach for it—”

“How could I possibly harm all those citizens just for Xiao Zhong’s spy?” Xu Yuan sighed and smiled gently. “It was… unavoidable.”

Yun Shen stared at Xu Yuan. Only as that smile grew increasingly blatant did he murmur, “Of course… a profit-hound like you wouldn’t risk everything just for Xiao Zhong… Your original plan must have been to seize Diancang Pass amid the chaos, right? Heaven brings disaster down; the Emperor rages; Liu Mao is bound to be reprimanded. And with his temperament, just him not fleeing his post would be a miracle, forget handling the aftermath properly. Then, once you pretend to rescue a few people, dole out some gruel, the people of Diancang Pass would inevitably hail you as their savior. And how much easier since you were prepared! On my way here, I saw the Martial World Alliance’s manor was already repaired – surely that would require more than just a few extra hands?”

“Good. Very good indeed,” Xu Yuan chuckled. “What a shame! Not only did Shen Jie show up, but then Chen Shu popped out too, turning this splendid situation into a complete mess!”

“…Did you not feel even a sliver of pity?!” Yun Shen bellowed with the last of his strength. “To choose the Sword Discussion Tournament, of all times! To choose the very moment when everyone gathers at Diancang Pass—!”

“—What choice did I have?!” Xu Yuan’s smile faded completely as he glared at Yun Shen, his face turning cold. “That letter didn’t work, and it only made Shen Jie suspicious! The arrow was already nocked; it had to be fired! And only on that day… only then… could A-Qiung be on stage!—What choice was I given?!”

With that, seeming genuinely angered, he abandoned the meticulous preparations. Reaching out directly, he scooped up the vial of talisman water and poured it into the molten iron!

Yun Shen truly could no longer spare the breath for argument. The instant the liquid touched the iron, he let out an agonizing shriek!

Xu Yuan paid no heed to the heartrending cry. With a flick of his wrist, he tipped the entire vial, pouring all its contents inside!

Finally, as Yun Shen’s screams gradually grew hoarse and then ceased entirely, Xu Yuan wearily wiped the sweat from his brow. He spoke softly, as if convincing himself:

“…You will ‘die’. First, you lose your memories. Then, you lose your perception. Finally… you dissolve within this talisman water, returning to your original state. I’ve expended enough care on you already. When you’re forged anew into a divine weapon, when I stand peerless under heaven… then, you’ll understand my intent…”

There was no response.

In the chamber where light and darkness intertwined, only the crackle of flames and Xu Yuan’s increasingly heavy breathing were audible, thick with an almost unbearable impatience.

The fumes grew denser, veiling sight, obscuring the chaotic symbols drawn on the walls, until even Xu Yuan’s silhouette blurred beyond recognition. Yun Shen blinked. It seemed… there was something he still meant to say. But he could recall nothing.

He finally realized it wasn’t the smoke… It was himself… He… was fading away.

All those memories and emotions churning in the river of time, along with this slumbering spiritual vessel… would soon be buried once more in the cold depths of the abyss, hidden from daylight.

Soon, his eyes were too heavy to hold open. Everything withdrew—Xu Yuan’s form, the searing fumes, even the deepening, yet strangely distancing pain. He would close his eyes at last. His mind was a blank slate, pristine and empty. Only his lips moved of their own accord, mouthing the final words lingering in the heart’s deepest chamber.

He had forgotten their origin. He was paralyzed now, utterly powerless—too powerless even to utter a single sound aloud. He could only voice them silently within.

“… Please… Little Shu… Without you to protect me… I… truly would…”

As his eyelids fell in that final moment, it seemed… a figure burst into the room, its fist flying straight towards Xu Yuan.

That figure… felt so familiar. Yet, he had forgotten all that came before. He felt only an inexplicable contentment. Slowly, with the hint of a smile, he closed his eyes.