Volcanic Age

An uncontrollable storm raged through the gangho and the murim.

"The Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic?"

To think a trace of the Blood Monk would be found while investigating the Tomb of the Ominous Demon.

It was a completely unexpected result, and that very result brought incredible chaos.

"The owners of that text will be coming to take it."

The Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic wasn't one of the Six Great Prohibited Arts. In other words, it wasn't considered an art despised by the entire murim regardless of who owned it, like the Sunken Spiral Castle Art was.

While anyone who took it would be considered an enemy of the Shaolin Temple and would be hunted to the ends of the earth, it wasn't a matter of concern for forces outside the temple.

"Nonsense!"

The Evil Faction also coveted the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic. However, unlike the Demon Cult, they didn't seek it for personal cultivation but rather for profit.

The Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic was a demonic art. If an Evil Faction martial artist were to learn it, they would be considered a demonic cultivator, not a member of the Evil Faction. Not even they wanted to learn demonic skills.

However, if they were to obtain the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic, there were many ways to sell or exchange it for something they wanted. For instance, if they were to offer it to the Shaolin Temple, which planned to destroy it the moment they obtained it to erase their shame, they would be able to make a profit.

The Righteous Faction had similar intentions as the Shaolin Temple. They wanted to either seal or destroy the demonic art so that no one could practice it.

This issue only happened because all three major factions were present and had the chance to get their hands on the demonic art. As a result, even the investigation of the Tomb of the Ominous Demon was stopped.

"If this continues, there will be a war."

Nangong Weiwu sent letters to the leaders of each of the forces, emphasizing the need for mediation because none of the forces wanted war to break out.

The Evil Valley Master was the first to agree. It was a welcome development for him, who had lost the Flashing Waterfall Saber Gate and wasn't yet in a position to sort things out.

"Then, what do you plan to do with the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic?" Nangong Weiwu asked Zhuge Xiang before sending the letters.

"It's definitely something we can't ignore. What do you think about a faction war to determine the owner?"

"A faction war?"

"Yes. The Martial Alliance, Evil Valley, and the Demon Cult are all gathered in Shanxi because of the Tomb of the Ominous Demon. It's not like the representatives of these Factions are useless, either. They were all chosen after careful deliberation, so none of the forces should complain if they were to hold a faction war with the people they currently have."

"So you plan on forbidding additional support?"

"Yes. The scale would only grow as the number of troops increases, and eventually, it'll end up escalating into war. If anyone does complain, we can limit the number of people they send. It might be a bit rough, but it's far better than war."

"How impressive, Knowledge Dragon!"

Through this method, not only could they choose the owner of the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic, but they could also prevent all-out war.

Although the Demon Cult wasn't entirely satisfied with the solution, they went along with it since the Marital Alliance and the Evil Valley were in agreement.

Before the faction war began, the authenticity of the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic was confirmed by both the Shaolin Temple and the Demon Cult. Since the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic itself was originally derived from the Transformations of the Muscle and Tendon Classic, the Shaolin Temple's appraisal was necessary.

"While it's not difficult to appraise it, the Shaolin Temple also wishes to participate."

The Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic contained the very essence of the Shaolin Temple's cultivation methods. Naturally, they wanted to get their hands on it and seal it away more than anyone else.

"That's impossible."

This time, even the advisors of the Martial Alliance, who typically focused on training the younger generation, came forward.

The Shaolin Temple wasn't called the North Star Shaolin for no reason.[1] If the greatest force of the Righteous Faction were to come forward, the scale of the war would inevitably grow.

However, the Righteous Faction couldn't ignore the Shaolin Temple's grudge, and in order to appease them, they proposed a condition.

"If the Martial Alliance wins, we will hand over the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic to Shaolin Temple."

The Kunlun Sect, Mount Tai Sect, Mount Song Sect, Mount Heng Sect, and the Nangong Family also accepted the condition without any complaints.

The Kunlun Sect had only been interested in the Tomb of the Ominous Demon while the rest were pursuing merits and fame. Even if they eventually got their hands on the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic, they were going to seal it or destroy it anyway, so handing it over to the Shaolin Temple didn't matter much.

"Stop all conflicts at the tomb of the Ominous Demon in Shanxi immediately."

This was the shackles of history.

"Until the Shaolin Temple is able to send someone over for appraisal, the Martial Alliance, Evil Valley, and the Demon Cult will openly guard the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic. Exactly fifteen days after the appraisal, the faction war over the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic will begin."

Although the shackles in the future may have been quite different, eventually, the shackles would come clattering again, all under the same name.

***

Zhou Xuchuan suggested to Wu Qu that he move to Shandong.

"I will do as you command."

Wu Qu had stayed in Jianxi all this time to earn money, but now that it was no longer necessary, he had no regrets about leaving the province.

Besides, there was no reason for him to refuse because Zhou Xuchuan was taking him to a safer place. As a father who cherished his daughter more than his own life, this was something he welcomed with open arms.

They were heading to Shandong, to the Gold Will Merchants.

"The Head Merchant will send someone over in a few days. Since he said he would send a skilled physician, maids, and guards, you should be able to move comfortably."

"Thank you for your concern. Once I'm certain my daughter will be safe in Shandong, I will rush to where you command at any time, my Liege."

"That's too formal of a title. You can just call me Young Master Zhou."

"Understood."

Zhou Xuchuan packed his bags and prepared to leave.

"Excuse me…"

Just as they were leaving, Wu Zhenhua came to see Zhou Xuchuan.

"Oh, what brings you here? You're still not fully healed, you shouldn't be walking about outside."

Zhou Xuchuan looked at Wu Zhenhua with concern.

"Please do not worry. The benefactor who saved my life is leaving, how could I just sit still in bed? Even though I'm weak, it's still my duty to see you off."

Wu Zhenhua was as polite as a noblewoman, and her movements were graceful, which made everyone who saw her admire her.

It seemed impossible for someone who had been ill since childhood and had difficulty moving to have such good manners, almost as if they were innate. Yet, it wasn't too unbelievable, given that she explained how she had learned everything from books since she hadn't been able to go outside.

"I've always… worried about my father."

Her heart ached everytime she heard the name, 'Money Crazed Sword Ghost'.

Her father would always be criticized for going around the battlefield and being crazy about money, but she knew it had all been for her. She could still vividly remember how he would stroke her hand and sob while she slept.

"Thank you for everything. Please let me express my gratitude to you again. Thank you for freeing my father from his suffering."

Wu Zhenhua lifted the end of her skirt and greeted him politely with a curtsey.

Even the usually blunt and fierce Wu Qu smiled gently. His eyes seemed to be tearing up.

"It's hard to refuse you when you say things like that. Thank you for coming out in the cold wind to see me off. I'll see you again soon," Zhou Xuchuan responded with equal politeness.

The group left Nanchang and headed toward Shanxi.

"You should be more polite when you talk to me."

"Ni Bu Ren, Wo Bu Yi.[2] Haven't you ever heard of the phrase, you have to speak kindly for people to speak kindly to you?"

"Hey, you bastard! How dare you talk back to the Miss?!" Yuan Dashi snapped as if he had been waiting for Zhou Xuchuan's response.

"Besides, you brushed it off earlier, but what's your relationship with the Money Crazed Sword Ghost, and where did you get an artifact as important as the Mind Qi Separator from?"

Tang Hui pressed on, clearly determined to get answers.

The moment Zhou Xuchuan muttered to himself, 'Everything's already over. Why are you asking me?' Tang Hui raised her eyebrows.

"Since ancient times, there has always been cause and effect in things. If one is the cause of something, one should be curious about what they've done. I think I have a right to know what happened."

"The situation with Wu Qu is nothing special."

"What is it?"

"I told you I have a connection with the Gold Will Merchants, right?"

"Yes."

"The Head Merchant has a remarkable ability to find and recruit talented people. I was just the one to recruit Wu Qu instead of the Head Merchant by borrowing his insight. Nothing more, nothing less."

It was common for a disciple of a major sect to go into the gangho and build connections for the future, so, there was nothing unusual about what he said.

"But an Evil Faction member?"

Usually, they only interacted with other members of the Righteous Faction. Those who were crazy about money, like Wu Qu, were typically looked down upon.

If someone became friends with such a person, they would generally be criticized, so, martial artists were very careful about choosing their friends.

"As long as they aren't demonic cultivators, there's always a way to communicate. Don't you think it's wise to have at least one Evil Faction friend in this life?"

Those of the Demonic Path were an exception since they practiced demonic arts.

While demonic arts cultivated faster and were more powerful than the cultivation arts of the Righteous Faction, they also had their own drawbacks.

The demonic nature of their arts grew along with their cultivation. They violated the laws of nature without a second thought, and there were many evil cultivation arts within the demonic arts.

"What about the Mind Qi Separator?"

Tang Hui eventually skipped over the part where they found Wu Qu.

The Sichuan Tang Family itself was originally a force that existed between the Righteous and Evil Factions. Although it belonged to the Righteous Faction, its methods were closer to those of the Evil Faction.

"There are many eyes watching. Let's postpone that conversation until later."

"Don't even think about being alone with the miss."

This time, it wasn't just Yuan Dashi who growled, but the other guards as well.

"Daishi, are you crazy? I only have one life, not two!"[3]

"How dare you insult the miss?! I'LL KILL YOU!!!!"

Zhou Xuchuan was testing his patience!

"Stop."

When Tang Hui raised her hand, the warriors immediately stopped. They withdrew their bloodlust, and their sleeves, which had been fluttering in the wind, stilled.

This wasn't the first or even the second time that Zhou Xuchuan had witnessed such obedience as they traveled together.

Tang Hui exuded the authority of a general.

None of the guards treated Tang Hui like a noble lady.

This was an attitude born from respect.

"Where are we going?"

"Shanxi. The Tomb of the Ominous Demon."

"The Seven Swords War?"

"Yes."

They had heard the news about the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic some time ago.

'As I expected, it's the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic.'

Zhou Xuchuan had expected that the Seven Swords War would still happen.

However, what triggered it was the key.

Listing off a few things from his memories, even though he couldn't be sure, the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic was one of the possible options.

Then, what's about the Demonic Path's Two Lineages?

The Dark Heavens Association is the enemy of all the murim. The Demonic Path's Two Lineages were no exception.

After the Seven Swords War, the Great War of Good and Evil continued for ten years.

So, what had happened to the Demonic Path's Two Lineages during those ten years?

The Demonic Path War!

The Demon Cult wasn't the only force that cultivated demonic arts. The Blood Cult was the same. In the end, both sides grew greedy for more power.

In Zhou Xuchuan's previous life, the Dark Heavens Association had used the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic as bait to start a war between the Demonic Path's forces.

The Demonic Path War.

If Zhou Xuchuan remembered correctly, the Shaolin Temple had also come forward at that time. However, they hadn't been able to send many of their monks due to the Great War of Good and Evil. From what he could remember, they had only sent a small number of elites.

However, the elites dispatched by the Shaolin Temple had nearly been wiped out without even being able to obtain the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic.

That was the beginning of hell, wasn't it?

Not only the murim but the entirety of the Central Plains had been in a dark age.

Ten years later, while all of those tiresome wars ended, because the Central Plains murim forces were noticeably weakened, those new foreign forces ended up eyeing us.

That was start of an era of neverending war that lasted for decades.

Since it's the Dark Heavens Association, they'll definitely bring something else instead of Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic for them, too. The war won't stop here.

The Dark Heavens Associatiom casually released cultivation methods that could turn the murim upside down with just an appearance. As long as the Association itself continued to exist, the chain of hatred and greed would never end.

It's not enough yet.

In the meantime, he had interfered with the Dark Heavens Association by attacking them. He had weakened the power of the Association Leader by taking the Ten Thousand Divergence Art and had later persuaded the Sword Demon, who was also called the Association Leader's right-hand man and the Sword of Dark Heaven, to join his side.

Additionally, he had interfered with their plans in various ways, from stealing elixirs to destroying the tomb of the Ominous Demon.

Still, it was too early for him to feel at ease.

After hiding for several decades and preparing meticulously, the Dark Heavens Association had revealed their ambition and had driven the murim to the brink of destruction.

Heroes and geniuses praised as the greatest in history and even hidden masters and mysterious sects had joined the war, and it was only because of their sacrifices and sheer luck that the murim had been able to defeat the Dark Heavens Association in his previous life.

No, I will stop you at all costs!

1. Mount Tai and the North Star (泰山北斗), or the eminent peak of one's field. Literally the two highest points on Heaven and Earth. ☜

2. If you have no manners, I will not have any morals. ☜

3. LMAO, he doesn't want to get killed by the poison seductress. ☜