Jade Dynasty: I am the master of the Burning Sword, my swordsmanship is unparalleled.

Chapter 20 The Towering Pines and Cypresses
Dao Xuan Zhenren looked at Xiao Hui and Da Huang in front of him, then at Zhang Xiaofan, who was tall and had a resolute face, and asked with a somewhat strange expression.

"Junior Brother Tian sent you to Tongtian Peak, and you brought this young lay Buddhist along, but why did you also bring your master's big yellow dog?"

"Reporting to Master Uncle, Little Gray is close to me, while Big Yellow is inseparable from Little Gray. Seeing that Little Gray wanted to leave Dazhu Peak with me, it lingered and refused to leave. I couldn't bear it, so I brought it here."

Zhang Xiaofan didn't hide anything, and Dao Xuan Zhenren nodded secretly upon hearing this, feeling less worried.

He is kind and compassionate, and his temperament has not become extreme due to the changes in his youth. He is still able to uphold righteousness and loyalty. In addition, he is protected by pure energy. If the Heavenly Secret Seal seals off the evil energy, we can rest assured.

Do you know why I summoned you here?

Dao Xuan Zhenren asked again, and as he spoke, he walked towards the back hall of Yuqing Hall.

"This disciple is unaware; please enlighten me, Sect Leader!"

Zhang Xiaofan really didn't know why Dao Xuan Zhenren was looking for him. Seeing Dao Xuan Zhenren walk towards the back hall, he followed. Xiao Hui looked up at the tall and majestic statue, patted Da Huang, and followed as well.

Dao Xuan Zhenren turned his head slightly and looked at Xiao Hui, who was riding on Da Huang's back after walking out of the Yuqing Hall. He found it interesting and said softly.

"It concerns the case of Caomiao Village. You were still young at the time, and such a sudden change left you bewildered and terrified. So I didn't ask you in detail, for fear of touching on something that would upset you."

As he spoke, Dao Xuan Zhenren paused slightly, signaling Zhang Xiaofan to follow, and then led Zhang Xiaofan toward the back mountain, talking as they walked.

Now that you're all grown up, I'd like to ask you, do you still remember what happened back then?

Seeing the path Dao Xuan Zhenren had taken, Zhang Xiaofan was slightly startled. After hearing Dao Xuan Zhenren's question, a look of reminiscence appeared on his face, and a trace of sorrow flashed in his eyes. He responded softly.

"I can't remember most of what happened that night. I only remember that there was thunder rolling and the thunder was deafening. Then I saw a sword light as clear as autumn water. After that, I fainted."

"Oh? You've seen that sword?"

Dao Xuan Zhenren's expression became more serious, and his eyes showed a hint of severity.

If what Zhang Xiaofan said is true, then Daoist Cangsong becomes more suspicious.

Thunder rumbled and roared incessantly, a sight not usually heard on a stormy night. It must be the divine power of the Divine Sword Thunder Control Technique.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaofan shook his head slightly, then nodded gently and sighed softly.

"This disciple has never seen the full appearance of that divine sword. At that time, this disciple was young and ignorant. When I first encountered immortal techniques, I was completely bewildered and could not remember much. However, the sword light was really special, accompanied by rolling thunder. This disciple remembers it very well. It was exactly the same as the Dragon Slayer Sword that Jing Yu used yesterday!"

Dao Xuan Zhenren suddenly stopped and turned to look at Zhang Xiaofan. He saw that Zhang Xiaofan's eyes were clear and bright.

The next moment, Dao Xuan Zhenren swayed, his eyes seemingly filled with sorrow. Zhang Xiaofan quickly reached out to support him, and Dao Xuan Zhenren also grabbed Zhang Xiaofan's arm.

Zhang Xiaofan felt a strong force coming from his arm, and even with his current physique, his arm bones ached from being gripped.

Dao Xuan Zhenren slowly closed his eyes, feeling a deep sorrow in his heart. He had never realized that his junior brother Cangsong harbored such resentment.

The Dragon-Slaying Sword was the magic weapon of my junior brother, Wan Jianyi. Back then, after Dao Xuan Zhenren publicly executed Wan Jianyi, he knew that Cangsong Daoist respected his junior brother the most and was afraid that Cangsong Daoist would find it hard to accept, so he personally handed the Dragon-Slaying Sword to Cangsong Daoist so that he would have something to remember him by.

For this reason, Dao Xuan Zhenren cruelly rejected Shui Yue Zhenren's desperate pleas back then, so much so that over the years, Dao Xuan Zhenren has repeatedly tolerated the various attitudes Shui Yue Zhenren has given him, the sect leader, towards him.

Because Dao Xuan Zhenren felt guilty, and among his fellow disciples, who did not know of Shuiyue Shimei's deep affection?
Master Shuiyue and Daoist Cangsong were constantly at odds, all because of the Dragon-Slaying Sword. Master Daoxuan was always caught in the middle, but he tried his best to mediate. There was also Junior Brother Tian from Dazhu Peak. Daoist Cangsong was also targeting Junior Brother Tian because of Junior Sister Su. Although Junior Brother Tian had a very strong temper, he actually made some concessions.

However, Dao Xuan Zhenren never expected that even so, Cangsong Daoren would still hold a grudge, and even go so far as to degenerate and associate with the demonic sect.

Dao Xuan Zhenren took a deep breath, steadied his mind, and then spoke in a deep voice, his words carrying a hint of sternness.

"You must not speak of what happened today to anyone else. Even if your master asks, you must not tell him. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Master Uncle, I understand!"

Zhang Xiaofan agreed in a deep voice, understanding the gravity of the matter.

Daoist Cangsong was not only the head of Longshou Peak, but also in charge of the punishments of Qingyun Sect. His status was not only extremely high, but also very special. He was also a very meticulous person.

If Daoist Cangsong were to discover that the sect leader, Daoxuan Zhenren, already suspected him of betraying Qingyun, not only would he be unable to find any fault with him or deal with him, but who knows what other changes might occur.

As long as Dao Xuan Zhenren remains wary of Cangsong Daoren, he won't be able to cause too much trouble.

"It's good that you know the truth. As for this matter, just pretend it never happened, understand?"

Dao Xuan Zhenren walked on the path behind the mountain, looking up at the dense pine and cypress trees all around. The branches were so numerous that they blocked the path, making it impossible to see what was ahead.

Do you know where I am taking you?

"Disciple doesn't know!"

In response to Zhang Xiaofan's reply, Dao Xuan Zhenren smiled gently, his face showing a hint of regret, his voice low and melancholic.

"This path leads directly to the ancestral hall of my Qingyun Sect. However, in the past hundred years, few disciples have traveled this path. Only now have I realized that it has been blocked by the increasingly lush pine and cypress trees."

His gaze fell upon the surrounding pines and cypresses, and Dao Xuan Zhenren couldn't help but think of the Cangsong Daoren of yesteryear, his heart filled with sorrow.

“Since these branches are blocking the path, I am willing to come and repair them every day so that other disciples can come to worship.”

Zhang Xiaofan responded softly, which startled Dao Xuan Zhenren. He then stepped forward again and walked deeper into the back mountain, seemingly asking unintentionally.

“The daily rest is very tedious and may affect your cultivation of Taoist arts. If Junior Brother Tian finds out, he will probably blame me, his senior brother.”

"Master is joking. Master has always held you in high esteem, so how could he possibly blame you?"

Zhang Xiaofan paused slightly, then chuckled softly.

"As my senior master just said, if you have the Way in your heart, where is not the Way?"

"Haha, it seems we all misjudged you that day in the Jade Purity Hall. We never expected you to resemble your master so much, possessing inner beauty and talent. However, you are even more outstanding than your master!"

Dao Xuan Zhenren couldn't help but burst into laughter, then exclaimed in amazement.

(End of this chapter)