Chapter 911: It is Fate That Is Powerful

The small courtyard was deathly silent, yet an inexplicable sense of tranquility lingered. The river rustled with the wind, evoking an indescribable serenity and peace.

Mu Yunle suddenly snapped back to her senses, let out a cry of alarm, and hurried forward to support Meng Qi, who was on the verge of collapse. She asked anxiously, “Master, Master, are you alright?”

Her eyes shifted to Meng Qi’s chest. The wound was hideous, the flesh blackened, the radiant long sword had vanished, and his heart had been pierced directly. Yet not a drop of blood had spilled, nor was there any sign of healing. A chill ran through her.

“I won’t die,” Meng Qi said with a slight smile. His expression remained calm, as if lines of hardship had been etched at the corners of his eyes, and something deep within his gaze was tightly concealed, like layers of buried emotions.

Hearing that Master Zhen Ding’s tone and voice were normal, Mu Yunle quietly exhaled in relief. Instinctively, she looked toward the spot where the Swordswoman Jie Sha had once stood, and casually asked, “Master, why is she crying?”

Thoughts of gratitude for saving her life, and the entanglement of enmity and affection, stirred her imagination, prompting her to boldly raise the question.

“Being freed from the cage of suffering, body and soul cleansed, how could one not weep?” Meng Qi’s breathing was slightly labored; his injuries were indeed grave, yet his tone remained as calm and unchanging as ever.

Mu Yunle glanced back and felt that Master Zhen Ding seemed somewhat lighter, his withered appearance improving slightly, but the sense of deep concealment weighed heavier.

“Because this single sword strike resolved the hatred?” She pondered repeatedly but could not grasp how a single sword strike could dissolve such deep-seated enmity, unless the two had always been entangled in emotional conflict.

Hmm, that must be it!

Meng Qi’s gray robe grew even dimmer, giving the impression of a candle flickering in the wind: “A monster was hidden within her body, fueling her murderous intent and granting her the power of slaughter. It used her killing intent and the lives she reaped to nourish itself, regardless of her own will.”

“She wanted control but could never achieve it. She called herself ‘Jie Sha,’ yet could never truly stop killing. For this monk, this sword strike was repaying a debt of gratitude; for her, it was exacting vengeance. From now on, our debts and grudges are settled. The killing intent has entered this monk’s body, and without nourishment, the monster will leave on its own.”

Mu Yunle deeply felt that Master Zhen Ding had changed after repaying his debt. Back in the ruined temple, would he have spoken so much with her? Although fatigue and sorrow remained, at least he was no longer so lifeless!

Curious, she asked, “What kind of monster was it?”

“A thing similar to the Devil Emperor’s Claw,” Meng Qi’s face turned pale, as if his blood were being drawn toward the wound, yet his tone remained as calm as still water.

Mu Yunle’s eyes widened in shock. A thing like the Devil Emperor’s Claw? Wasn’t that a peerless divine weapon?

Why didn’t Master Zhen Ding seize it?

Tsk tsk tsk, seize it? Even the Devil Emperor had to suppress the corruption of the Devil Emperor’s Claw. If Master Zhen Ding, a great monk of this generation, were to wield such a sword of slaughter, wouldn’t it ruin his lifelong cultivation and martial cultivation?

Thump, thump, thump—Meng Qi’s pierced heart still beat steadily and firmly. He seemed to finally recover slightly and spoke: “Lay Devotee Mu, please help this monk leave Li City.”

“Eh… yes!” Mu Yunle was momentarily stunned but quickly supported Meng Qi and began walking back.

Injuries inflicted by the sword intent of a peerless divine weapon were no less severe than being struck directly by such a weapon. Master Zhen Ding’s injuries must be grave. Yet he risked his life to repay this debt of gratitude and settle this karmic matter. Truly, he possessed the compassion of a Buddha, or the chivalrous spirit of a swordsman who repays every debt and favor.

When he was young, he must have been an extraordinary man—returning every grudge and repaying every favor, never fearing hardship or danger!

Yet why had such a figure become so sorrowful, hiding his emotions, his heart cold and weary, devoting himself to a life of solitude and religion?

As she supported him, Mu Yunle’s gaze drifted, and she casually asked, “Master, why did you become a monk?”

The question was very tactfully phrased.

Then she sensed Master Zhen Ding slightly raise his eyes toward the sky, his gaze filled with a sigh that seemed to pierce through worldly affairs, as if mocking himself or lamenting fate:

“In the past, I believed man could conquer fate, but eventually, I realized it is fate that is mighty.”

“Fate is mighty…” From these words, Mu Yunle sensed too much helplessness, too much despair, and too much suppression, making her heart feel heavy. Shouldn’t such a once-mighty figure be full of confidence, feeling that all things were under his control? What had Master Zhen Ding experienced to appear so despondent and withered?

Her heart felt constricted, and she couldn’t help herself: “Master Zhen Ding, you must not think that way. Although fate often leaves us helpless and powerless to resist, Heaven always leaves a thread of hope, and destiny can ultimately be overcome. Have you not seen that even on the difficult Daoist path, there are Dao Venerables and Buddha Ancestors who have truly transcended?”

At this stage of her life, Mu Yunle was full of youthful vigor and deeply believed in the power of human will to conquer fate. Thus, she used the examples of Dao Venerables and Buddha Ancestors to inspire Meng Qi.

Meng Qi did not speak again. Leaning on Mu Yunle’s support, he slowly walked toward the city gate.

After a long while, as the city gate was about to close, a sudden crimson light pierced through the void in front of the riverside courtyard where Jie Sha had lived. It condensed into a blurred human figure—clearly the Blood Sea Rakshasa again!

He scanned the surroundings, slightly frowning, and murmured to himself:

“He was indeed here, but he left long ago…”

He had arrived too late once again!

Between himself and Kuang Dao, it was as if fate were playing tricks, always placing an invisible barrier between them. No matter how many methods he used or how accurate the trail was, he was always one step behind!

…

Outside Li City, Mu Yunle supported Master Zhen Ding along the main road. She felt this experience was more exciting than anything she had ever encountered before.

Knowing that Master Zhen Ding had lived in seclusion in a remote mountain temple for many years and likely had little knowledge of the current state of the martial world, she began to chatter lightly, recounting various martial arts anecdotes.

“Although Master Zhen Ding didn’t respond, he didn’t stop me either. Hee hee, he must be enjoying listening,” Mu Yunle thought smugly as she spoke.

Once they became more familiar, she could gradually uncover the stories hidden within Master Zhen Ding.

After walking for a while, night began to fall. Considering Master Zhen Ding’s severe injuries, she worried about encountering beasts. Mu Yunle looked around, her spirit merging with the heavens and earth, quickly spreading out to survey the surroundings and find a suitable place to rest for the night.

Suddenly, she slightly leaned back, her soul stinging, as the extended spirit was attacked.

“Damn! Fate has made us cross paths again!” At the same time of the attack, she recognized the assailants—Beihu Sanxiong (the Three Fears of North Lake)!

Newly rising experts from the Southern Wilderness, all had normally broken through to the Halfway Beyond the Scene level. Rumors said they were closely linked with the Blood Robe Sect.

She had encountered them once before. At that time, two of the three hadn’t yet broken through. She had used speed to counter their slowness, slicing them apart with sword techniques and defeating each with sheer force, leaving each with only one eye. Unfortunately, fighting three at once had been beyond her strength, and she had failed to kill them.

“Haha! Isn’t this ‘Jade Sword’ Lady Mu?” Three figures darted from the woods, surrounding the two as Mu Yunle, supporting Meng Qi, was slightly slowed.

The Three Fears looked fairly normal, even decent in appearance, but each had lost one eye. Their vengeful gazes fixed on Mu Yunle, sending chills down her spine.

The leader of the trio glanced at Meng Qi, sensing his weak breath and deeming him unworthy of attention. He then laughed heartily, “Mu Yunle, Mu Yunle! Heaven has opened a path, but you refuse to walk it. Hell has no door, yet you charge right in! You’re protecting an injured monk, and you’ve only just entered the state of Unity with Heaven and Earth. Do you still dare to fight three of us again?”

“Mu Yunle, the refined and graceful beauty of this generation, your figure and looks truly stir the hearts of men. Don’t say later that I, your big brother, didn’t show you any tenderness!” The second of the trio licked his lips.

The third chuckled, “Your Senior Lady Yuan is hiding in a valley, blocked by the Ten Thousand Insect Venerable. Sooner or later, she’ll share your fate!”

“Senior Lady Yuan was found by the Blood Robe Sect?” Mu Yunle’s mind merged with the heavens and earth, remaining calm despite the taunts. She quickly assessed the situation.

If she were alone, the situation might not be hopeless—there might still be a chance to turn the tide from certain death. But Master Zhen Ding was severely injured.

The Three Fears were seasoned martial artists. After releasing some taunts to unsettle the enemy, they suddenly attacked from three different directions.

One wielded a sword, transforming into a streak of light, gathering sword qi to strike Mu Yunle from afar. Another manipulated the grass and trees, unleashing ten thousand “blades” at once. The third vanished into the ground, waiting for the right moment.

As Mu Yunle was about to draw her sword, she suddenly heard three screams. Light vanished from the scene, and the three villains collapsed. The eldest was pierced by ten thousand blades transformed from grass and trees. The second had a thin sword piercing through his crotch. The youngest was half-buried in the ground, his body split in two by sword qi. All three were unmistakably dead.

“This…” Mu Yunle’s mouth hung open, as if she were dreaming.

This was the first time she had encountered such a strange situation—how had the enemies suddenly turned on each other?

“Lay Devotee Mu, bury them in the woods and erase all traces,” a voice came into her ear from Meng Qi.

It was indeed Master Zhen Ding! Mu Yunle quickly turned her head to look at Meng Qi. His face was pale and expressionless, his eyes like a still pond, filled with weariness, as if nothing could stir his interest anymore.

What incredible skill!

Previously, whether it was the Joyful Bodhisattva or the Swordswoman Jie Sha, they had all seemed too distant to Mu Yunle, like illusions. Moreover, Meng Qi had not truly fought, so she knew Master Zhen Ding was powerful, even stronger than her master, but she had never seen it in action. Now, the Three Fears were familiar enemies, and their deaths made Mu Yunle truly realize the depth of Master Zhen Ding’s cultivation and unfathomable prowess!

“So amazing! Even when severely injured, he can still accomplish such feats…” Mu Yunle’s heart quickened slightly. She took a deep breath and quickly disposed of the bodies.

After finishing, she hesitated, wanting to ask Master Zhen Ding to rescue Senior Lady Yuan. But Master Zhen Ding was gravely injured. While he could handle Halfway Beyond the Scene opponents, he might not be able to face a Grandmaster. That would be too much to ask!

At that moment, she heard Master Zhen Ding’s low voice: “Let’s go. Head south and go see Yuan Cang.”

“Go see Yuan Cang?” Mu Yunle was half-surprised, half-puzzled, but quickly supported Master Zhen Ding and headed south.

Did he know Senior Lady Yuan?

…

Shortly afterward, a faint streak of blood-red light flickered through the void. It was indeed the Blood Sea Rakshasa!

He paused briefly, then chose to head north, pursuing Kuang Dao.

Fate is mighty.