Embers of Sword

Chapter 185: It is easy to conquer the monkey in your heart, but it is difficult to defeat the demon in your heart

Qin Wanyang fell to the ground, raised his head, and his expression was uncertain.

Xie Xuanyi stopped moving forward.

The "towering figure" standing on the top of the city wall was surrounded by a layer of pitch-black brilliance. Countless black irons surrounded his forearms and shoulders, turning into pieces of floating armor. Just one look at it gave people a great sense of oppression... These floating armors wrapped him from head to toe, making him look like the "Iron Pagoda" built by the Da Chu royal family at a huge expense, with only his eyes exposed.

But just the two eyes are enough for an acquaintance to recognize the identity.

The reason why Xie Xuanyi stopped.

Because he knew... today's farce was probably over.

"Brother?"

Qin Wanyang stared at the iron giant in front of him and spoke with some uncertainty.

"Shh!"

The dark splendor disappeared on its own as the divine thought passed over it.

The tall iron man was disassembled in an instant. The pieces of black iron that were floating free from the body surface overlapped and intersected, and finally flowed into the man's sleeves. In just a few breaths, the man standing on the top of the city turned from an iron giant into an ordinary person without any pretense.

The person who came was Qin Baihuang.

The head of the Equipment Refining Department has a very good reputation in the imperial city. Although he is from the Qin family, Qin Baihuang does not have the "dissolute manners" of many powerful and wealthy children.

He never went to brothels to listen to music, and only occasionally went to wine shops to drink.

The most important thing is...sharing happiness is worse than enjoying it alone.

The vernacular novels written by Qin Baihuang are very popular.

"I haven't seen you for a few days. You're tearing off the tiles on the roof."

Qin Baihuang looked down at his younger brother who was sitting on the ground, stretched out his hand, and picked him up without mercy. Although the pieces of black iron were disassembled and put back into his sleeves, there was still a dark luster left, covering the left forearm and coating the palm with black.

clap clap!

Qin Wanyang looked pale. He stretched out his hand and patted his brother's arm, but it only made a sound of metal colliding.

This pitch-black iron hand can actually be compared with the physique of the Vajra Realm?

This scene.

Even Xie Xuanyi was a little surprised... He had only been "dead" for ten years, but the Equipment Refining Department's methods had developed to this level?
"Do you know how many people are waiting to see the Qin family's excitement at the gate of the Imperial City?"

Qin Baihuang frowned and spoke, scolding coldly.

"..."

Qin Wanyang gritted his teeth and said nothing.

"Come home with me now."

Qin Baihuang spoke in a tone that brooked no refusal. After saying this, he turned towards Xie Zhen and stared at the young man in front of him seriously.

His eyes rested on the appearance of all living beings.

This is a precious weapon he forged himself. As long as you inject your soul into it, you can change your appearance.

A few days ago, he was asked to be taken away by the young national teacher.

Now...it is worn on Xie Zhen's cheek.

This "Appearance of All Living Things" is one of Qin Baihuang's most proud objects... The proud thing about it is that even if the refiner who is most familiar with this object comes in person, he will not be able to see the true appearance of the wearer.

"Is this Brother Xuanyi's disciple?"

Qin Baihuang spoke with a smile, his eyes revealing a hint of admiration.

"Meet Master Qin."

Xie Xuanyi smiled and spoke.

He knew that the admiration in this guy's eyes was not directed at him.

It is likely that he saw the "living world" that he created with his own hands, and the more he looked at it, the more he liked it, and then he couldn't help but brag about it.

"Little Master Xie is so lucky."

Sure enough, Qin Baihuang stretched out two fingers, gently tapped the position of Xie Xuanyi's eyes in the air, and said with a smile: "The more I look at this treasure, the more impressive it is. It is really brilliant and the craftsmanship is superb..."

Xie Xuanyi couldn't help but sigh in his heart, and quickly interrupted: "The little imperial teacher told me about his past, Mr. Qin is a great talent."

"Cough cough..."

Hear this.

Qin Baihuang was a little embarrassed, but he was thick-skinned after all, so he quickly recovered. He held Qin Wanyang with one hand and said seriously: "I'm really sorry for the 'disturbance' at the city gate today. I will teach Wanyang a lesson after I go back, and I hope the Sword Palace will not take it to heart."

"Just asking questions, normal sparring."

Xie Xuanyi smiled indifferently and disagreed.

"So good."

At this point, Qin Baihuang breathed a sigh of relief, no longer hesitated, turned around and led his men away.

……

……

The city gate finally returned to calm. This fight was quite noisy, but it ended very quickly.

From the time Xie Xuanyi defeated Lin Yu to the time Qin Baihuang showed up and took Qin Wanyang away, only a few dozen breaths passed.

However, Wu Zong's disciples still rushed over upon hearing the news.

When they saw Lin Yu being beaten and embedded in the wall, their blood boiled and they wanted to step forward to continue the fight, but Xie Zhen's "record" made them suppress this idea.

It is said that a few days ago, there was a sword energy ceremony.

Xie Zhen defeated dozens of people by himself, all of whom came to him for sword skills.

This freak...

He is almost certain to be in the top three of the Tianjiao List. In other words, without the Golden Body Realm, he has no qualifications to challenge Xie Zhen for a fight.

"Thank you..."

A young Wuzong disciple, dressed in a linen robe, came forward to greet Xie Xuanyi, but his expression was unfriendly.

"Who is your Excellency?"

Xie Xuanyi didn't act pretentiously.

After Qin Baihuang left, he did not leave, but waited here deliberately.

It was just to meet Wuzong’s younger generation.

Although the sect founded by Wu Zexian lacks foundation, the disciples are all very talented. Xie Xuanyi remembers that in the past, there was a young warrior who fought against him named "Zhou". If I remember correctly... this guy should be close to the peak of Yin Shen now. Can he start to "examine his conscience"?
"It doesn't matter who I am."

The young disciple took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "Although you won the fist fight today...but this does not mean that Wu Zong is defeated! Senior Brother Wu Yue's strength is far superior to Senior Brother Lin's!"

These words are powerful and resounding.

Very gutsy, but also very boring.

Xie Xuanyi had heard too many remarks like these over the years.

If it were back then, he would probably say, "Call your senior brother now."

but now.

Xie Xuanyi just looked at the young disciple in front of him in silence, too lazy to respond to these remarks.

"..."

The tide is coming. Countless young monks, amazing talents, are going to compete in the world.

He had already topped the Tianjiao Ranking and the Sword Champion. Would he have to go to great lengths to compete with the youngsters for this meaningless reputation again?
After the young disciple finished speaking in one breath, he turned around with a slightly stiff movement and prepared to leave. It was obvious that it took a lot of courage just to face Xie Zhen... He said this to save Wuzong's face.

In the Da Chu Imperial City, face is very important.

Big families and big sects often want a decent appearance that suits their status.

"Wu Yue, is this the name?"

Just as he was about to leave, Xie Xuanyi spoke.

These two words made the young disciple's body tense.

"Tell him when you get back that today's fight was just a simple fistfight."

Xie Xuanyi said calmly: "There is actually no grudge between Wu Zong and Jian Gong. Don't let others use you as a sword master."

Upon hearing this, the young disciple breathed a sigh of relief and stopped talking.

Several people carried Lin Yu away.

Xie Xuanyi was still standing on the top of the city wall, silently watching the scene below. People were coming and going in the imperial city. After the boxing contest was over, this place was no longer the center of "everyone's attention". Those tourists didn't know what was going on and continued on their way and doing their things.

Night falls and lights come on.

He looked towards the direction of the magnificent imperial palace in the distance, standing on the top of the city wall and gazing into the distance. It was like a coiled dragon with its eyes opened, staring at this world.

The golden-armored guards around looked at him with respect and awe.

This scene is very similar to the last time I stepped into the imperial city.

But the difference is...

Back then, Xie Xuanyi never thought that it would not be long before he would be charged with the crime of "emperor homicide".

Step into the imperial city in a glamorous and beautiful manner.

Covered in blood, he fled in a panic.

If it happens again now, will the ending be different from that year?

"Tsk tsk tsk."

Fires were lit above the city walls, and a door suddenly appeared in the night.

A black-scaled guard came out from the gate and came to the top of the city wall. He bowed respectfully and said, "Xiao Xie Shanzhu, the state teacher has arranged a place for you to stay. If you don't mind, please follow me."

……

……

"Master, you once said that warriors need to cultivate their spirit."

In Wuzong Dojo, two figures sat facing each other.

A young man in a green shirt, with his hands on his knees, his blood surging all over his body, like a dragon or elephant.

Wu Yue's voice was heavy, and every word was like thunder: "I don't understand. Junior Brother Lin was defeated in the city gate contest today. Why did you give up? How can you let go of this anger?"

"To practice martial arts, one must subdue the monkey in one's heart."

The man opposite Wu Yue didn't look very old. He had handsome features and a youthful appearance, but his hair was completely white.

Zhou said slowly: "If you are distracted, you will suffer the consequences."

Wu Yue was stunned, somewhat confused.

"The true 'martial arts state of mind' is when there is no ripples in the mind, only victory and defeat."

Zhou said softly: "Now ask yourself, is there only victory and defeat in your heart, and nothing else?"

Wu Yue fell silent.

"You want to fight with Xie Zhen only because you heard rumors from the outside world. You want to enhance the reputation of Wu Zong and avenge Lin Yu."

Zhou smiled and said, "With this state of mind, is it really good for you to fight with Xie Zhen?"

"This realm is too high. I don't understand it, and I can't understand it."

Wu Yue shook his head: "I only know that my master said that if you are wronged, you must fight back."

"This is the Da Chu Imperial City."

Zhou Pingping said: "In the Imperial City, when has Wu Zong ever really been wronged?"

Wu Yue originally wanted to say that his master had suffered a setback at the hands of Zhao Chunyang not long ago.

But the words were so disrespectful that he swallowed them back.

"I know what you want to say. That's not a 'grievance'."

Zhou said calmly, "If you are not as skilled as others, you lose. The Sect Master will not lose his mind and become confused because of the defeat to Zhao Chunyang. Those who can achieve Yang Shen have a clear conscience. What's more... after that battle, Qin Zu also showed up."

Wu Zexian and Zhao Chunyang are not opponents of the same level.

The ones who really need to fight are Qin Zu and Zhao Chunyang.

"But in this battle... they all said that Qin Zu was defeated." Wu Yue gritted his teeth.

"them?"

Zhou smiled: "How many Yang Gods are there in this world, and how many are qualified to watch this battle? Those storytellers who said Qin Zu was defeated, I wonder how many pounds of tea they sold that day and how much silver they earned... Wu Yue, don't live in the eyes of the world. You are about to become a 'divine fetus'. Before the Northern Hunt, stay in seclusion and don't get involved in the conspiracies and intrigues of the Imperial City."

"Conspiracy?"

Wu Yue raised an eyebrow, realizing his master's true intention.

"This time, it was Lin Yu who took the initiative to ask for the boxing challenge. Since I lost to Xie Zhen, I can only blame myself for not learning the martial arts well enough."

"It looks like a simple competition."

"Behind Lin Yu is the Qin family, and behind the Qin family is Fangyuanfang..."

"Behind Fangyuanfang, dark clouds are gathering, and the true face of the person behind it is unclear. Over the years, Fangyuanfang has been stirring up trouble in the imperial city. Logically speaking, the royal family should not tolerate it."

Zhou said slowly: "But now Fangyuanfang is alive and well, and getting better and better... In the past ten years, I have only understood one thing, the entire imperial city is under the control of the Holy Queen."

Some things don't need to be said too bluntly.

Wu Yue already understood.

"During this period of time, the master will also be in seclusion."

Zhou took a deep breath, stood up, and said calmly: "When a warrior examines his heart, the last calamity is to 'subdue the monkey in the heart.'"

"Master will surely succeed."

Wu Yue spoke quickly.

If Zhou Chenggong were to examine his conscience, then... it wouldn't be long before Wu Zong would have another Yang God!
"Disaster."

Zhou chuckled and said in a hoarse voice: "It is easy to subdue the inner monkey, but it is difficult to defeat the inner demon."

Say it.

He shook his head and left the dojo.

Wu Yue was a little bewildered…Over the years, Wu Sect’s disciples had all said that he was a rare martial arts prodigy, surpassing everyone else in the sect.

Wu Yue discovered that he could get along well with his master.

It seems that the master's martial arts aptitude is stronger than mine.

Do such people also have inner demons?
……

……

(There are two more updates today. The second update will be before 6pm.)
(End of this chapter)