Chapter 36: Survival, Not Submission (Requesting Votes for the Grand Chapter)

Chapter 36: Survival, Not Submission (A Long Chapter—Vote Requested)

The head of the Upper Purity Sect wore a dark expression as he drew three letters from his sleeve.

“Mount Longhu, Mount Wudang, and Shaolin Temple have all sent secret messages: Li Yong, Li Min, Li Zhen—all intercepted and killed.”

“It’s said to be the work of the All-Nature Sect.”

“All-Nature? Hmph, seems everything these days is blamed on them.”

Li Yan, upon hearing this, stood dazed for a long while. He did not react violently, but only muttered under his breath: “All killed… all dead… all dead…”

“My master died in battle… Senior brother is gone… Even my junior brothers are dead…”

“Dead… all dead… all dead…”

The youth’s thin arms hung limply at his sides, his eyes void of life, endlessly repeating the same words.

First his sect was wiped out, then his teachers and elders perished in battle, now his own kind had been slaughtered by their own. All his brothers were dead.

Even for one raised in the Celestial Strategy Army, this blow was too heavy to bear.

Even a prodigy, in the end, is still only a teenager.

Everyone could see the pain in Li Yan's heart.

As the saying goes, the more deeply grief is repressed, the more violently it erupts!

If it isn’t released, he’ll be haunted by it for life, possibly becoming an obsessive lunatic.

Physical wounds can be healed by Luo Feng.

But wounds of the heart—only time can heal, maybe a year, maybe two, perhaps fifty, a hundred years, or a lifetime…

“We cannot let him be consumed by his own grief.”

Reverend Jing Tian’s face changed. He stepped forward and shouted, “Li Yan, the Celestial Strategy Sect is gone! You are its last disciple!”

As the only one in the Upper Purity Sect to have awakened divine power, his cultivation was extraordinary. With a single word, he infused his voice with spiritual force, searing it into Li Yan’s soul.

It was the final straw upon the camel’s back, the crumbling dam on the verge of collapse.

At last, the dam broke, the camel fell, and the torrent of grief burst forth, unrestrained.

Tears streamed down the youth’s face. He could no longer hold back his emotions. He leaped up and shouted with all his might:

“The setting sun over the Eastern Capital, iron horses guard the general’s tomb. May all scoundrels die by the Celestial Strategy’s righteous hand, the long spear alone preserves the soul of Great Tang!”

“The Celestial Strategy is not dead! Still, there is—”

“Indeed!”

At that moment, the head of the Upper Purity Sect stood up, solemn and dignified. “The Celestial Strategy has never fallen. As long as there are those in the world with loyalty and righteousness in their hearts, it is immortal!”

“Three hundred years ago, when the Black Dragon invaded, the Celestial Strategy was destroyed once. Six hundred years ago, the Grey Wolf swept the land, and it was destroyed again. A thousand and twenty-nine years ago, three thousand divine soldiers of the Celestial Strategy fell on the battlefield—only two returned!”

“For a thousand years, the Celestial Strategy has risen and fallen, yet it has always risen again! Not by force of arms, nor by numbers, but by the spirit to defend China, to fight to the death and never retreat!”

“Even in ruin, its spirit remains, able to rise anew from the ashes!”

“How is today different from three hundred years ago, or six hundred? If the founders could restore the Celestial Strategy then, so can you now, Li Yan!”

“Our Upper Purity Sect, together with all sects that honor the Celestial Strategy’s virtue, and all righteous supernatural beings, will aid you!”

“So it was three hundred years ago, and so it is today!”

Li Yan, hearing this, regained some composure and stared directly at the sect leader.

At that moment, Reverend Jing Tian suddenly chanted aloud:

“Supreme Star upon the throne, ever-changing and ever-present. Drive out evil, bind demons, preserve life, and protect the body. Grant wisdom and clarity, let the soul be at peace. May the three souls endure forever, and the spirit never falter…”

This was the Purification Mantra of the Mind, the foremost of the Eight Great Daoist Mantras.

Reciting this mantra clears the mind, brings wisdom, dispels distractions, unites the heart with the Way, and brings peace to the spirit—untainted by the six worldly dusts.

When a Daoist chants this, it soothes the soul, restores the spirit, and steadies the mind on the right path.

Luo Feng sensed a ripple from the old Daoist, resonating with the energy around them.

With the mantra’s power, it gathered into a cool, dark drop of water, which flew into the center of Li Yan’s brow.

In an instant, Li Yan trembled, his eyes briefly closing. When he opened them again, though they were still weary and sorrowful, clarity and calm had returned. He was no longer lost in despair.

“Thank you, Masters, for your help. I lost my composure,” Li Yan said with a bitter smile.

“Anyone would, after such misfortune,” the sect leader offered in comfort, then asked, “What are your plans now?”

Li Yan pulled himself together and replied, “I know I am weak, but I will never forget my sect’s vengeance. I can never coexist with those foreign sorcerers! I will search for the clues to my brothers’ murders. One day, I will fight those scum to the death!”

The sect leader sighed softly. The foreign sorcerers would be handled—no sect would stand idly by. But as for the demons lurking in the shadows, who could find them?

Except for the two impostors Luo Feng had captured, the other fake All-Nature members had already vanished.

At that moment, as the mood grew heavy, Luo Feng, deep in thought, finally opened his eyes, black as the abyss, surging like a dragon.

“I’ve brought two of the foreign sorcerers back to the mountain. Does the sect leader have a method to extract their secrets?”

“You intend to act, Daoist Luo?”

“Luo Feng, you…”

In the hall, two cries of astonishment rang out.

The first, from the sect leader—full of delight. Through Reverend Jing Tian, he knew of Luo Feng’s strength. If this master was willing to act, their chances would greatly increase.

The second was from Zheng Zha, in shock. In his memory, Luo Feng had never been one to meddle in worldly affairs. He’d spent ten years hidden in a mountain village, then secluded himself in the Upper Purity Sect, focused solely on cultivation. He’d only fought to protect himself or those close to him.

To get involved in such a major affair was wholly unlike Luo Feng’s cautious, steady nature.

Yet whatever Zheng Zha thought, the sect leader was overjoyed. “If you are willing, Daoist, I am not one to cling to outdated rules. Our sect has confiscated several interrogation techniques from the Wild Maoshan Sect—enough to probe the soul!”

Luo Feng nodded. “Give me the list.”

“Master Luo, your kindness is beyond measure. I have nothing to offer in return but one request: please take me with you!” the young Li Yan suddenly cried, bowing deeply. Had Luo Feng not forbidden kneeling, he would have done so.

“I know I’m weak, but I won’t hold you back! If danger comes, let fate decide— I will have no regrets!”

Determination was written all over the youth’s face.

Luo Feng laughed heartily. “You are the one most wronged—you ought to come. As for leaving your fate to chance, that’s for me to decide.”

…

Stepping out of the Hall of Three Purities, Luo Feng gazed at the magnificent scenery. The sect leader and the others went to interrogate the prisoners, leaving only Zheng Zha beside him.

“Why are you getting involved in this? You’ve always sought peace and solitude,” Zheng Zha said quietly.

“For you, it’s nothing but a flick of the wrist, but the aftermath will be endless,” he went on. “Like mosquitoes—endlessly troublesome.”

“Solitude?” Luo Feng considered, then scoffed. “There are times even peace must be shattered. If you don’t clear things out, you’re betraying yourself.”

“Old Zheng, do you still remember the Black Dragon Gang?” Luo Feng suddenly asked.

A glimmer of understanding flashed in Zheng Zha’s eyes. “You mean…”

“I’m sick of this era. I’ve always been sick of it.” Luo Feng’s voice was soft but unyielding.

Ten years ago, the Black Dragon Gang, that powerful backer—Luo Feng endured, for he was no match for General Ma, who wielded heavy artillery. He chose survival.

Years ago, countless civilians suffered unspeakably—Luo Feng endured, for he could not fight the darkness of the age. He chose survival.

He knew full well that in this era, there were too many like Yuan Yuan, too many like her parents, countless. Luo Feng endured, knowing he could not sweep away all evil alone. Even if he cleansed it once, darkness would return within years.

Such was the age, and such the hearts of men—not something one person could change.

But not acting did not mean not existing.

Luo Feng had always been gathering strength, holding onto hope.

Until today.

Until he met the Celestial Strategy Army.

If endurance has reached its limit, there is no need to endure further.

The Immortal Who Endures is not a dog!

Loyal heroes, slain by treachery; Chinese champions, butchered by foreign foes.

If I go on enduring, then I truly become a dog—living henceforth as nothing but a dog.

I cannot defeat the warlords or extinguish the darkness in men’s hearts.

But can it be that I, Luo Feng, cannot deal with the demons lurking in the shadows? Can I not stand against a handful of foreign priests from the island nation?

Today, I will no longer endure!

I, Luo Feng, will act—boldly!

After his words, Zheng Zha smiled faintly and gazed at the sky.

The wind was strong today, the scenery beautiful—only marred by too many clouds.

Luo Feng strode into the distance. Along his path, the grass grew greener, full of vitality; the trees swayed, brimming with life.

More than ten years had passed, yet he remained at heart a kind and gentle man.

To remain true to oneself—that is the real strength.

[Author: I, too, am emboldened—send money!]
[Thanks to “No Memory” for the hundred coins!]
[Thanks to reader 160325130527764 for the hundred coins!]
[Thanks to “All Nicknames Already Exist” for the hundred coins!]
(End of chapter)