One Person: Revitalize the Sword Sect, Start with the Sword Challenge of the Ten Lords

He was Tian Jinzhong, an elder of Longhu Mountain. An accident many years ago had left him confined to a wheelchair. At this moment, the sounds of fighting from afar were like sharp blades, slicing through the quiet night and his heart.

"Uncle Master, there seems to be some unusual activity outside. Should we go check it out?" A young disciple hurried over to Tian Jinzhong and asked respectfully. A subtle hint of worry flashed across Tian Jinzhong's eyes, and he nodded slightly. "Go ahead, but be careful."

After the disciples left, the surroundings returned to dead silence. Just then, a figure slowly walked into the backyard, holding a cup of hot tea in his hand. A gentle voice rang out: "Uncle Master, it's late at night and the dew is heavy. Have some tea to warm yourself up."

The visitor was Gong Qing. He always showed up at the most unexpected moments, offering the most attentive care. Tian Jinzhong took the tea and took a sip. The aroma of the tea lingered, but it could not dispel the haze in his heart.

"Ahem, Xiao Yuzi, when do you think this world will be truly peaceful?" An indescribable emotion surged in Tian Jinzhong's heart, a mixture of uncertainty about the future and nostalgia for the past.

Gong Qing smiled and was about to speak to comfort him when suddenly, a hurried sound of footsteps broke the momentary peace. A figure rushed in quickly. It was Lu Liang, a disciple of Quan Xing who was regarded as a scourge by Longhu Mountain.

Tian Jinzhong's face turned stern, his eyes fixed on the uninvited guest. "Lü Liang, what are you doing here? Longhu Mountain and Quanxing Mountain have nothing to do with each other. If you have nothing to do today, please leave immediately!"

Lu Liang had a meaningful smile on his face. Before he could reply, Gong Qing suddenly spoke up. His voice was calm, but every word was weighty: "Master, I've been hiding something for years. Today, it's time to reveal the truth."

Tian Jin was shocked and looked at Gong Qing in disbelief. What could be hidden from this disciple whom he had always treated like a son or nephew?

"I am the acting leader of Quan Xing, Gong Qing, and also an accomplice of Lu Liang." Gong Qing's words were like a bolt from the blue, shocking Tian Jinzhong so much that he was speechless for a while.

"What?!" The old man was shocked beyond words. Anger and disappointment intertwined, turning his face pale. "You, you actually..."

"I'm sorry, uncle." Gong Qing's tone was filled with complicated emotions.

Quan Xing Lu Liang interrupted, his tone tinged with sarcasm: "Emotions and positions are truly troubling things. However, I'm not here today to fight. I'm here for..."

Lu Liang's hand slowly approached Tian Jinzhong's forehead. There seemed to be an invisible force between his fingers, filling the air with a repressive atmosphere.

Tian Jin was filled with unprecedented fear and unwillingness. He tried to struggle, but found that the Qi in his body seemed to be bound by an invisible shackle, making even the most basic movement extremely difficult.

"You...what do you want to do?" Tian Jinzhong barely squeezed out these words, his voice trembling.

A cold smile appeared on Lu Liang's lips, and a strange light flashed in his eyes. "Don't be afraid, I just want to borrow your memory. I think you must know something about the secrets of the Jiashen Rebellion."

"Don't even think about it!" Tian Jinzhong's eyes were wide open with anger. Even though he was at an absolute disadvantage, he was unwilling to surrender easily. This backbone made Gong Qing unconsciously clench his fists outside the door, and a complicated expression flashed across his face.

"Emotions and positions are indeed troubling, but to Quan Xing, the truth is always more important than these." Lu Liang's words revealed an unquestionable determination. His hand gently touched Tian Jinzhong's forehead, and suddenly, a strange wave spread in the air.

"Remember, knowing too much is not good for you." As Lu Liang finished speaking, Tian Jinzhong felt an overwhelming force surge into his mind. It was as if an invisible hand was gently stirring the fragments of his memory, and some long-buried images began to surface before his eyes...

Outside the door, Gong Qing was having a fierce inner struggle.

He knew he was standing at a crossroads. Looking at the closed door, he whispered to himself, "Is this really the right thing to do?"

Suddenly, Tian Jinzhong's painful groan was heard from inside the door. The sound contained not only physical pain, but more of the struggle and collapse deep in his spirit.

Gong Qing's heart suddenly tightened, and his hands involuntarily clenched into fists, his nails digging deep into his palms, as if this could ease the torment in his heart.

"It's over." With Lu Liang's flat tone, the door slowly opened and he walked out expressionlessly. Tian Jinzhong was lying unconscious on the bed, with fine beads of sweat oozing from his forehead and an expression of fatigue and relief coexisting on his face.

Gong Qing walked quickly into the room and came to Tian Jinzhong's side, checking his condition, feeling a mixture of emotions. He looked up at Lu Liang, a glint of determination in his eyes. "You got what you wanted, what's next?"

Lu Liang smiled slightly, a smile that held a profound meaning. "Next, it's time to witness history repeat itself. But before that, Gong Qing, you must make a choice—will you continue to follow Quan Xing, or will you return to the justice in your heart?"

Just as Gong Qing was about to speak, Tian Jinzhong woke up from his coma.

"You're wrong, Gong Qing." Tian Jinzhong's voice was weak, but it carried a force that could not be ignored. He struggled to sit up and glared at his former follower. "Quan Xing is unrighteous and has strayed from justice. You and I both know that. You've followed me for so many years. How could you abandon the righteous path for a momentary desire?"

Gong Qing's smile froze on his face, a complex mix of emotions swirling in his eyes. He lowered his head, remained silent for a moment, and finally sighed softly, "Brother Tian, life is like a game of chess. One wrong move leads to another. I admit I've wavered, but my heart has never betrayed justice. My actions today were forced upon me."

Lu Liang watched coldly from the sidelines, seemingly unconcerned with the dispute between master and disciple. "Time is running out, Gong Qing. We shouldn't waste time here. Your choice will affect more than just the fate of the three of us."

Gong Qing raised his head, his gaze firm again. He looked at Tian Jinzhong, his tone carrying a barely perceptible sadness: "Brother, I will never forget your kindness in this life, but the road has come to this point, and I have no choice but to continue. I hope that in the next life, you and I can return to the same path and uphold justice together."

At this moment, hurried footsteps were heard outside the door, accompanied by the anxious calls of the Longhu Mountain disciples: "Oh no! Uncle Tian is in trouble! Someone come quickly!"

Lu Liang's face darkened and he made a quick decision: "Gong Qing, now is not the time to hesitate, we must leave immediately." After that, he turned and walked towards the window, motioning Gong Qing to follow him.

Gong Qing glanced at Tian Jinzhong, a complex look flashed in his eyes, and finally turned into determination.

He turned around and followed Lu Liang. Before leaving, he looked back at Tian Jinzhong deeply, as if saying goodbye to everything in the past.

"Senior Brother Tian, take care." This whisper was drowned out by the night and no one heard it.