Emperor of the Mysterious Heavens

Chapter 72: Chapter 044 Erecting a Monument

"At last, my son, if your mother and I still exist in spirit, we will surely bless you."

After reading this final line, Yan Chuan fell into a deep, contemplative silence.

Though the letter was factual in tone, between the words, he could feel the deep bond between father and son.

Yan Chuan carefully folded the letter and gently placed it inside his robe, remaining silent for a long while.

He looked at the three remaining items in the box—a map, the Wenten Order, and a yellow wooden stake.

Slowly, he closed the jade box.

Rising to his feet, Yan Chuan glanced around.

With a flick of his hand, he drew the Imperial Sword and began to hack at a massive boulder.

Ching!

Ching!

Ching!

A series of strikes carved a large stone tablet from the rock.

Boom!

The stone stele was planted in front of the small burial mound.

Ching!

Ching!

The Imperial Sword etched words onto the surface:

Here lies Father Yan Tao and Mother Kong Susu.

Erected by their son, Yan Chuan.

In a moment, the tombstone was complete.

Gazing at the marker, Yan Chuan took a deep breath and said solemnly, "In this life, you were my parents; this was ordained by fate. I will not let you down."

He knelt and bowed deeply before the grave for a long time.

Then, clutching the jade box, he began his descent toward Tian Peak.

Not long after Yan Chuan left, a figure dressed in white landed in front of the grave—it was Mo Wuhui, the Peak Master of Earth Peak.

Upon seeing the freshly erected tombstone, two streams of tears fell unbidden from Mo Wuhui's eyes.

"Senior Brother, all these years, no one dared to erect a monument for you. Anyone who even mentioned it was met with fierce opposition—they were too afraid. But your son... he did it! Without seeking anyone's approval. He simply did it. Heh... I can tell, this son of yours will not dishonor your legacy!" Mo Wuhui said, softly stroking the tombstone with a bitter smile.

"Back then, Sister Kong had already accepted me, so why couldn't you? Before she passed, she asked me to take care of you, but why didn't you give me the chance? I know you wanted to protect me, but without you, what is the point of my life?" Mo Wuhui murmured through clenched teeth, her heart heavy with sorrow.

"Senior Brother, though you couldn't accept me, you couldn't stop me from loving you. The day you died, my heart died with you. I promised Sister Kong I would care for you, but you never gave me the opportunity. Now I've made up my mind. I will help your son become sect master. The day he takes that position will be the day I come to see you again!" Mo Wuhui's voice choked with emotion.

At Tian Peak, within the Yan King Hall.

Yan Chuan returned, and by evening, Feng Tairan arrived once more.

"Yan Chuan, I came to tell you that I'll soon be leaving the sect. I've made arrangements so that you'll have access to everything you need during my absence," Feng Tairan said.

"Is something wrong?" Yan Chuan asked, puzzled.

"Yes, something has indeed happened. Recently, many demon beasts have escaped from the Wind Demon Mountain Range, flooding our surroundings. Two of our sect's first-generation disciples ventured there to investigate, and one returned dead, the other gravely injured!" Feng Tairan's face darkened as he spoke.

"Are you going to Wind Demon Mountain?" Yan Chuan frowned.

"That's right," Feng Tairan nodded.

"Your matters are beyond my control. But before you leave, I have one request," Yan Chuan said.

"Oh?"

"Years ago, a hundred sects drove my father to his death. Please write down their names for me, one by one," Yan Chuan said solemnly.

"A hundred sects? You mean to..." Feng Tairan raised an eyebrow.

"Don't worry, I'll act with caution," Yan Chuan assured him.

Though reluctant, Feng Tairan nodded. "Alright, just be careful. Don't be reckless."

"I will."

Feng Tairan took out paper and brush, and swiftly began writing.

Dayu Heavenly Sect.

Sun Moon Alliance.

Misty Mountain.

...

In no time, he had listed all one hundred sects.

"A hundred sects? My father once told me that it was the Mahakaya Sovereign, a great figure from the West, who ordered his death. Are these sects all from the West?" Yan Chuan asked, his tone grave.

"No, they are all from the East. In truth, the main culprit is the Dayu Heavenly Sect. The other sects are merely its vassals," Feng Tairan explained.

"Oh?"

"You may not be aware, but apart from the Heaven-bestowed Merit Pools, there are also the sect rankings. Higher-ranking sects can confer titles to lower-ranking ones. A higher sect can grant a middle sect a Merit Pool, but half of the accumulated merit must be paid to the higher sect. Additionally, if the higher sect gives an order, the lower sect must obey without question!" Feng Tairan explained further.

"I know. The merit pools gained this way do not truly belong to the sects. The higher sects can withdraw them at any time, and these vassal sects are forever bound to servitude. Life as a vassal is far from easy," Yan Chuan said darkly.

"The Dayu Heavenly Sect is a middle-tier sect. With a single command, nearly a hundred sects came to aid them. Back then, it was like a net cast over the sky. One hundred thousand cultivators surrounded the Dahe Sect so tightly that not even a mosquito could fly out," Feng Tairan said with a bitter smile.

"Dayu Heavenly Sect? One hundred thousand cultivators from a hundred sects?" Yan Chuan's expression turned grim.

"The Dayu Heavenly Sect had no prior enmity with the Dahe Sect. The order for their destruction came from Heiyu True Lord, the current sect leader, who ascended to his position with the help of the Mahakaya Sovereign," Feng Tairan said solemnly.

"Heiyu True Lord?" Yan Chuan nodded gravely.

"I must be going now. Take care of yourself," Feng Tairan said in parting.

"Don't worry," Yan Chuan responded.

After seeing Feng Tairan off, Yan Chuan sat in deep thought for a moment before heading to the Main Peak's Scripture Pavilion with Liu Jin.

Thanks to Feng Tairan's instructions, the guards at the pavilion did not obstruct them.

"Lord Tianfeng, there are nearly a thousand techniques in the Scripture Pavilion. Do you have any specific methods in mind? I can retrieve them for you," the guard said respectfully.

"I want every sword technique, spear technique, whip technique, and any method ranked Earth-grade or higher," Yan Chuan ordered directly.

"Huh?" The guard was momentarily stunned.

"What's the problem?"

"We have spear, sword, and whip techniques, but the Dahe Sect only possesses Human-grade methods. The only Earth-grade technique we have is reserved exclusively for the sect master," the guard explained, hesitant.

"Forget the cultivation techniques, then. Just give me the combat methods," Yan Chuan replied.

"Yes, sir!"

Soon, nearly a hundred manuals were placed before Yan Chuan.

"Good." Yan Chuan nodded.

He had Liu Jin carry the manuals, and they returned to Tian Peak.

Within the Yan King Hall, Huo Guang's eyes lit up as he stared at the stack of booklets. These were techniques that others in the mortal world would kill for.

"Huo Guang."

"Your subject is here!"

"These twenty spear techniques are for you. Train with them diligently. Among all weapons, the spear is the hardest to master—easy to learn, but difficult to perfect. Some people spend their entire lives mastering just one spear. If you spread yourself too thin, you will end up mastering none. You've chosen the spear, so let it be your sole weapon for life. Other arms should be learned only sparingly," Yan Chuan instructed.

"Understood!" Huo Guang replied firmly.

"Moreover, the greatest techniques are those you create yourself. These twenty spear methods, though powerful, were made by others for themselves. Study them thoroughly with the First Army, absorb their essence, and then forge your own path, drawing from all sources to create something uniquely yours," Yan Chuan said gravely.

"Thank you, my king!" Huo Guang responded with deep respect.

He understood that the king was not just commanding him but personally guiding him, offering lessons more profound than those of any master.

"Liu Jin, I've noticed your fondness for the whisk. You can join me in studying these whip techniques," Yan Chuan said with a smile.

"Huh? Does the king also practice the whip?" Liu Jin asked, surprised.

"I dabble. Just as I do with sword techniques. Even the most basic methods can offer valuable insights," Yan Chuan explained.

"Yes!" Liu Jin nodded.

"By the way, earlier you mentioned Earth-grade techniques. What did you mean by that?" Liu Jin asked, curious.

"What we've retrieved are combat methods. There are also cultivation techniques, which determine how quickly and effectively one can advance. Some focus on specific elements like ice or fire. These cultivation methods are ranked as Heaven, Earth, and Human, with Heaven-grade being the most rare and powerful. They are passed down within sects or clans and are often closely guarded secrets. I won't press you to learn them all, but I encourage you to understand the logic and methodology behind them. Study, absorb, and ultimately create," Yan Chuan said earnestly.

"Understood, my lord!" Liu Jin saluted again.

Yan Chuan's words seemed simple, but to Huo Guang and Liu Jin, they were profound truths, meant to guide them on a path that would lead them to the peak of martial mastery.