Chapter Fifty-Two: Beyond Expectation

Perhaps the old man understood the meaning behind those words, but for anyone else, they would have seemed as confusing as a tangled skein. Yet at this moment, nothing more needed to be said; all that was required was a silent wait. The old man lifted the long sword in his hand sharply forward, as if to make sure everyone present could see it clearly. For reasons unknown, though his expression was resolute, in Han Tanyi’s eyes, there seemed to be an emotion of pain and hatred entwined in the elder’s gaze.

“This sword is called Veiling Moon. It was bestowed upon me by my master when I first entered the martial world. Sixteen years ago, in the Battle of Three Wolves, the four great sects joined forces for the last time to attack the Blue Lotus Demon Sect. The demon leader, Water Lotus, fell in battle, and your master’s wife, the Immortal Lady Yaoji, also perished. Since then, I sealed away this blade, thinking I would never wield it again in my lifetime. Yet here I am, unsheathing it today!” The Daoist of Heavenly Secrets’ voice grew lower as he spoke, and by the end, there was even a hint of choking sorrow. Han Tanyi finally understood what was hidden behind the old man’s expression. Suddenly, he recalled the words of Flower Butterfly. It seemed there was no falsehood in her story, and the so-called Melody of the Veiled Moon by the Cold Pool must truly exist. Even so, now was not the time to mention it in front of the old master. The timing was wrong; perhaps the only course was to wait.

“What has happened today, Master? If there is anything your disciples can do, please instruct us!” In such situations, Qiu Wan’er was usually the first to lose patience, but today she remained silent. The elder’s words were too deep for her to understand, so she didn’t know what to ask. Instead, it was Xia Wuya, the so-called Third Brother—far from a simple man—who spoke up naturally. The Daoist of Heavenly Secrets nodded slightly in acknowledgment. “All these years, I thought the Blue Lotus Sect had been reduced to ashes. Who would have thought...?”

Just a few simple words, not spoken clearly, but Han Tanyi’s heart skipped a beat when he heard “Blue Lotus Sect.” He trembled slightly. He cared little for Water Lotus, but the name Water Linglong flashed through his mind. How did Master know of the Blue Lotus Sect’s existence? After all these years of secrecy, not even those at the foot of Mount Qilian had discovered it. How was it possible to have made such a decision in just a few days?

Of course, these questions could not be voiced. Some promises, once made, had to be kept. Moreover, even if he explained, who would believe him? Still, Han Tanyi’s thoughts were in turmoil. He tried to compose himself, masking his inner turmoil, and when he had calmed, he asked, “Master, didn’t the Blue Lotus Sect fall sixteen years ago? How could it...?”

“Old Monster Shen saw it with his own eyes—how could it be false? What skill it must take to snatch the Luminous Pearl from him! Aside from that Water Demon, I can’t think of anyone else capable!” The hatred in the Daoist’s voice was palpable, especially when he spoke the words “Water Demon.” His expression grew almost ferocious, as if his anger had been struck at its core. This left Han Tanyi all the more conflicted. He dared not meet the Daoist’s gaze, so his eyes turned to Qiu Wan’er, confusion rising in him.

It was not the Luminous Pearl at all; Han Tanyi himself was responsible for that incident. So why was it now blamed on the Blue Lotus Sect? If this was mere conjecture, it could be dismissed, but from Master’s words, it was a certainty beyond doubt. Otherwise, why mention having witnessed it personally? Shen Wansan was no ordinary man; the Moonlit Manor had always been a voice of authority in the martial world. Why would he slander another without cause? If he had, then something far more complex was at play—a great lie always hides a deeper plot, an unbreakable principle!

“Master, there seems to be something amiss here,” Han Tanyi could not help but say. The distance between them was not great, so his words were easily heard by all. The anger that the Daoist of Heavenly Secrets had stirred in everyone shifted to Han Tanyi, all eyes on him, waiting for him to continue. This was not unexpected; seizing the moment, he went on, “The Battle of Three Wolves is known to all in the martial world. As for Water Lotus, let’s not ask how she could have escaped under your very noses. Even if she did survive, Master, if you faced her alone, what chance would you have of victory?”

“Less than twenty percent.” Han Tanyi’s words caused a pause at the mention of Water Lotus. He knew the demon leader lived, but some things could not be spoken, even if they were true. So, quickly shifting the angle of his words, he avoided saying more. The old master fell silent, memories of the past flickering through his mind. If it came to single combat, his stated twenty percent chance was perhaps an overstatement—otherwise, the gathering of the four great sects would not have resulted in the loss of the East Flower Sect leader. Yet why did Han Tanyi ask this? What was he implying?

“And how does Master Shen Wansan of Moonlit Manor compare to you in martial skill?” Without waiting for the elder’s reaction, Han Tanyi pressed on. To those with keen minds, the hidden meaning became apparent. The Daoist of Heavenly Secrets was no exception; he grew even more pensive, turning over Han Tanyi’s words. Old Monster Shen’s skills surpassed his own by a margin, but if it came to a life-or-death struggle, they would be evenly matched, neither side assured of victory. Against the Water Demon, his own odds were two in ten, and Shen’s would be little better. If the two truly met, it was unlikely either could escape unscathed.

“So, Master, I believe—” Han Tanyi stopped there, knowing that a wise man needs no heavy hint, and words need not be overly explicit. The Daoist’s thoughts twisted and turned. His knowledge was deeper than Han Tanyi’s, and he knew matters were not so simple. “The theft of the Luminous Pearl from the Shen family by the Golden Leaf has spread throughout the martial world—there can be no deception there. Aside from the Water Demon, who else could have such skill? And this is not the only incident proving the Blue Lotus Sect’s existence!”

Han Tanyi relaxed somewhat at this. Some things must never be revealed, and the “Golden Leaf” was his greatest secret. It seemed the Daoist did not know the truth, and Han Tanyi’s heart, which had been suspended, was finally at ease. But the old man’s words hinted at more—were there other incidents? Though he was curious, he could not ask directly, so he fell silent.

“When Old Monster Shen sent his letter, I knew it would not be simple. Why would the Water Demon appear now? Her hatred for the four great sects is deep. As for the Seven-Colored Luminous Pearl, she never cared for such things before. Why now? And not just one theft—after the Shen family, she went on to the Prince of Qi’s mansion, and even left a lotus mark on the main gate of East Flower Pavilion. In Jinjiang City, someone saw a lotus at the Qilian Inn. All these signs are not the work of a petty thief borrowing the name of the Demon Sect. These are mysteries I cannot unravel.” The Daoist of Heavenly Secrets pondered, but found no answer. After a long pause, he finally said gravely, “Tanyi, Wuya, come with me. The rest of you, wait outside for a while.”

No disciple dared disobey such a command, not even the usually outspoken Qiu Wan’er. These matters were far from trivial, and she saw no reason to involve herself and invite trouble. The others were even more cautious. Han Tanyi and Xia Wuya, as the two most respected disciples on Mount Qilian—one the eldest brother, the other known for his wisdom—were the obvious choices. The Daoist did not pause but pushed open the door and walked straight in, leaving the two men to exchange a glance, each trying to guess the old man’s intentions. But the human heart is the hardest thing to fathom, so their efforts yielded nothing. They could only share an awkward smile and follow closely behind the master into the main hall.