Chapter 14

Zong Zi Heng spent half a month in Exian recovering from his injuries. It was always the people from the Chunyang Sect who took care of him. Zong Ming He sent Elder Tai Wei to investigate the attack together with the Chunyang Sect, but he only met Elder Tai Wei once to tell him the numerous details of that day. On the contrary, the Leader of the Chunyang Sect’s eldest senior brother, Xu Zhi Nan, came to visit him several times.

Immortal cultivators are usually youthful and long-lived. Because of the cultivation of abstinence in Chunyang Sect, the word “more” had to be added. It is common to see people who lived more than 100 years. Xu Zhi Nan should be 50 years old, but he still looks like a young and handsome gentleman. He was not like most of the Chunyang Sect’s members that are cold and stereotypical. Instead, he is more friendly and approachable. To nobody's surprise, he is going to be the next Leader of Chunyang Sect.

Today, Zong Zi Heng was arranging his clothes. His injuries had almost recovered, and he wanted to return to Daming early so that his mother and siblings would not worry.

It so happened that Xu Zhi Nan came to visit him.

"Zhen Ren."

"Your Highness.”

The two of them bowed to each other.

"Your Highness, what…” Xu Zhi Nan saw that Zong Zi Heng had pressed the bed sheet flat without a single wrinkle. As the Leader of Chunyang Sect’s eldest senior brother, he spent half his life connecting with people from the Zong clan. He encountered arrogant and domineering people, powerful people who direct others with an arrogant attitude, and those who flatter superiors and bully subordinates. Every immortal family was suppressed for hundreds of years. The world really suffered under the Zong clan for a long time, but he did not expect the Zong clan's eldest prince to be so gentle and cheerful. It was difficult not to have a good impression of him.

"I've been imposing on you for several days, so it's time for junior to bid farewell." Zong Zi Heng said sincerely, "It is all thanks to Zhen Ren for taking care of me that I was able to heal so quickly. Junior will remember this kindness in my heart."

"Your Highness, you are welcome, it's just that your injury hasn’t fully healed. There is no need to leave in a hurry, why not stay for a few more days to recuperate?"

"If I don't go back after so long, my mother will worry about me, and my younger brother can't be separated from me since he is still young."

"In that case, I will not persuade you to stay. I will send a few disciples to escort you back to Daming."

"There is no need to bother."

"Please don't refuse, Your Highness. It is difficult for my Chunyang Sect to evade the blame for what happened to you two Highnesses in Gutuo Town. I must ensure that Your Highness returns home safely."

"Then I shall thank Zhen Ren." Zong Zi Heng said, "I also request Zhen Ren to give my regards to the Leader.”

"My master has been in seclusion for many years, so I accept on behalf of my master."

Zong Zi Heng smiled, "My master has also been in seclusion for three years."

"Your Highness seems to be under the tutelage of ......"

"Yes, my uncle. He is in seclusion to break through to the Eighth Chongtian of the Zongxuan Sword."

Xu Zhi Nan nodded and seemed lost in thought: "The Eighth Chongtian... Your Highness is so young and has already broken through the Seventh Chongtian. You’re the best among your peers. The younger generation will have a lot to fear."

Zong Zi Heng smiled lightly and did not say anything. His uncle broke through the Seventh Chongtian when he was only in his twenties. Another twenty years have passed, yet there was still no progress. Going from the Seventh Chongtian to the Eighth Chongtian, will determine if the Zong Clan's descendants could step onto the path of immortality. No one in the Zong clan has reached the Eighth Chongtian for 3 generations. And as for the ancestors that had reached the ultimate level of the Ninth Chongtian, it had long since become a legend that was far beyond reach.

"Zhen Ren, can you send a letter to me if there is news about the investigation of the matter of the core theft?”

"I came here today to tell Your Highness that we have found some clues."

Zong Zi Heng’s heart tightened.

"That Gong Shu Ju was once obtained by the Kunlun Cangyu Sect’s elder. About eight or nine years ago, this person died in an accident while performing an exorcism, and Gong Shu Ju’s whereabouts became unknown. In recent years, there has been an organization specializing in hunting cores circulating in the Jianghu, called the Lion Alliance. They have already killed several cultivators. According to the survivors, the one holding onto the magical treasure may be this Gong Shu Ju. Cangyu Sect has been tracking the Lion Alliance, thinking that this person is related to the death of that elder. But the appearance of this person was unusual, so no one knows his identity or martial skills, and his whereabouts are still unknown."

Zong Zi Heng said in a low voice: "Core hunting… I heard that these core hunters usually like to find casual cultivators."

"Yes, if they target the cultivators from well-known sects, they are sure to be hunted down to the ends of the earth and the consequences are endless, unless…”

"Unless someone offers a reward." Zong Zi Heng’s eyes condensed into frost, "someone offered a large reward for both me and my brother's golden cores."

"Most likely so." Xu Zhi Nan said sternly, "With the statuses of Your Highness and the Ninth Highness, and with high-ranking cultivators escorting you both, ordinary people wouldn't dare to take action, let alone take the golden cores unless there was a huge benefit."

Zong Zi Heng felt really upset. He did not have any enmity with anyone and Zong Zi Xiao was just a child. Who was so heartless? Who would want to harm them?!

"Your Highness, there are some rumours stating that the person from the Lion Alliance is the traitor of the Cangyu Sect who ambushed that elder during the exorcism. However, Cangyu Sect is either concerned about saving face or there were other reasons, and they refused to admit it. If we want to find this person, I'm afraid we cannot do it without collaborating with the Cangyu Sect. Elder Tai Wei planned to personally visit the Canyu Sect. Hopefully, it will be fruitful"

Zong Zi Heng sighed: "Thank you, Zhen Ren, I... will take my leave."

---

Under the protection of the Chunyang Sect's cultivators, Zong Zi Heng flew back to Daming via sword flight.

When he reached Wuji Palace, he immediately ran into Qinghui Pavilion. His mother is very dependent on him in this palace. Although he still has siblings, his mother has no other family other than him.

"Mother." After stepping into Qinghui Pavilion, Zong Zi Heng couldn't wait any longer and called out.

Shen Shi Yao ran out hurriedly. The moment she saw Zong Zi Heng, her expression changed several times. Worry, anger, sadness, hate; her beautiful face had become twisted.

Zong Zi Heng's heart sank.

Shen Shi Yao slapped her son who was coming towards her.

Zong Zi Heng was slapped hard. His face was tilted to the side, and he didn't move for a long time.

Shen Shi Yao hugged Zong Zi Heng and cried: "Why did you miss the Jialong assembly, why did you miss the Jiaolong assembly!"

Zong Zi Heng's gaze flickered, and finally its glow diminished. He said softly: "I'm sorry." 

Shen Shi Yao trembled while caressing Zong Zi Heng's face: "Has mother ever hit you? In these 16 years, mother wished to use everything I had to foster you, hoping that you can become a useful person so that the Emperor can appreciate you and so that others will not look down on us. Did you know that the Jialong assembly was your chance to redeem yourself? How could you mess up in such a crucial time!"

Zong Zi Heng's eyes dampened: "I'm sorry, it's all my fault."

"Ahh... What... What should we do? Your father counted on you to save face at the Jiaolong assembly. Do you think he will still look at you?! Do you still want to get treated coldly, get criticized, get sneered at both publicly and in secret? You don't even have a good sword and a decent magical treasure. Aren't you sad?"

Zong Zi Heng lowered his head, and his tears dropped silently.

Shen Shi Yao was unable to stop crying: "Mother is always proud of you. You are my everything."

Other than "I'm sorry", Zong Zi Heng didn't have anything else to say. He only felt suffocated. Every breath he took used a lot of energy. It's his fault. He shouldn't have stayed in Gutuo Town. He should have gone to Mount Shu earlier so that everyone wouldn't be disappointed in him. But why did he feel like he made a mistake, although he was walking down the path of righteousness?

Shen Shi Yao calmed down after crying for a long time while hugging him. She asked worryingly: "How's your injury?"

"It's much better, mother."

Shen Shi Yao carefully caressed Zong Zi Heng's injury, and she couldn't control her tears once again: "When you were outside these few days, there was not a day where I had a good night’s sleep. After hearing you got injured, it's even... " She wiped her tears, "I know blaming you is useless, but I'm seriously too disappointed. I’m heartbroken and disappointed again."

Zong Zi Heng closed his lips and kept quiet.

"I cannot stand it, not even for a second." Shen Shi Yao looked in front with her listless eyes, "That year we were childhood sweethearts. He was the one who said he liked me and promised to be with me for life, but in the end, how did it end up with me seducing him using underhanded methods? How did my son and I become undesirable? Why did you have to endure other people's disdainful looks when you were born? "

Zong Zi Heng was in a trance and dared not to look at his mother. This was his first time hearing her talk about her relationship with his father. In the past, this was a forbidden topic between them. When he was insensible and asked why his father doesn't like him, she would always cry. After that, he didn't dare to bring this matter up again. 

"It was hard on you, but you were finally starting to look promising. No one dares to disregard you because of the superior roots that you were born with. You must compete with Zong Zi Mo ruthlessly. As long as you win the championship in the Jiaolong assembly, our position in the Zong clan would be stable. Unfortunately, this time…” Hatred invaded Shen Shi Yao’s eyes, "Unfortunately this time someone wanted to harm you and wanted to take your life. How evil can she be?”

Zong Zi Heng was startled: "Mother, who are you talking about?"

Shen Shi Yao looked at Zong Zi Heng and said viciously, "Who else could it be? Who will stand to gain the most if something happens to you and Xiao Jiu? Whose son is a good-for-nothing who is jealous of your root and aptitude? And who is most afraid that you would win at the Jiaolong assembly and threaten her son's position?"

Zong Zi Heng lowered his voice and said sharply, "How can such words be said indiscriminately?"

Shen Shi Yao was actually implying that Empress Li Xiang Tong wanted to harm them?!

Shen Shi Yao sneered, "I've already heard that the core hunters who harmed you guys usually only kill casual cultivators. Without enough temptation, they wouldn't dare to lay a hand on the Zong family's imperial son even if they ate the bear's heart and leopard's gall*. If you two were harmed, doesn't she stand to gain? You and Xiao Jiu have the best roots. If both of you die, no one will laugh at Zong Zi Mo for being the son of the first wife although he has mediocre aptitude. When both of your golden cores will be refined and eaten by him, he will change fundamentally. It is killing two birds with one stone!"

"Mother, don’t say anymore!" Zong Zi Heng pulled Shen Shi Yao into the inner room. He had to admit that what she said was reasonable, but he didn't dare to think in that direction. It was too scary.

"You don't believe it?" Shen Shi Yao grabbed Zong Zi Heng’s arm and shook it hard, "You've been like this since you were a child. Always thinking of being good to others. Do you think that if you don't harm people, others won’t harm you? Think carefully about whether what Mother said is right. The golden cores of blood relatives are more effective when eaten. Li Xiang Tong just wants to harm both of you. She just wants to dig your cores out and give…”

Zong Zi Heng covered Shen Shi Yao's mouth and said in a stern voice: "Don't say it, this will lead to death!"

Shen Shi Yao's eyes opened wide, and the two stared at each other for a long time before Shen Shi Yao was deflated. She yanked down her son's hand, but she was unable to calm down, and her chest rose and fell violently.

"Zi Heng, believe me, it must be her…”

"There is no evidence. You must not be delusional. This matter shall not be mentioned again."

Shen Shi Yao covered her face, "I hate it so much. You've been victimized so badly. For sixteen years she has made things difficult for us. Now she must be hiding in the shadows, feeling very pleased about what she did."

"Xiao Jiu and I are fine. We are no longer in danger. Elder Tai Wei is doing his best to investigate this matter, and until the truth is known, these words must not be mentioned again, not to anyone."

Both mother and son were at a standstill when Zong Zi Xiao’s yell came from outside the house, "Big brother!"

Zong Zi Heng wiped his face, calmed his emotions, and walked out: "Xiao Jiu."

"Big brother!" Zong Zi Xiao’s eyes suddenly lit up and rushed over, and he was about to jump into his big brother's arms as per usual, but then he stopped in time and hesitantly said, "Your injury…”

Zong Zi Heng smiled gently and unfolded his arms: "It's almost recovered, give me a gentle hug."

Zong Zi Xiao carefully embraced Zong Zi Heng, and his eyes became warm, "Big brother, you're finally back. I missed you so much."

"I'm fine now. We're all fine."

Zong Zi Xiao held back his tears and looked at Zong Zi Heng with burning eyes, "Big brother, don't be sad. In four years, I will definitely win the championship for the Zong clan at the Jiaolong assembly."

Behind him, a cold laugh came from Shen Shi Yao.

Zong Zi Heng’s back stiffened. Zong Zi Xiao was still young and couldn't read the expressions of adults. He only felt that the usually gentle and affectionate Consort Shen was acting very strange. He looked at Zong Zi Heng incomprehensibly.

Zong Zi Heng touched Zong Zi Xiao’s head: "Big brother believes in you." He gazed at Zong Zi Xiao’s clear eyes. The pride and confidence in them triggered a strange emotion in his heart. He believed that Zong Zi Xiao could win the championship and obtain the glory that he could never get in his life. From young till now, his younger brother always seemed to get everything that he wanted. He would not believe himself if he said that he had never been jealous. However, everyone had their own destiny, and he couldn't ask for what wasn't his.

"By the way big brother, when did you break through the Seventh Chongtian?"

"Not long ago. I couldn't control it yet, so I drained my spiritual power in one go the last time." If he didn’t have to risk everything on a single venture, he definitely wouldn't dare to risk using it. Otherwise, he would have no more power left after using one move.

"Uncle has not been able to break through the Eighth Chongtian for so many years, and Father is still at the Seventh Chongtian…" Zong Zi Xiao held Zong Zi Heng’s hand and said comfortingly, "Big brother, don't worry about father being angry. Father knew that you have broken through the Seventh Chongtian and praised you for having good aptitude. You are so powerful, why do you need to win in a small Jiaolong assembly to prove yourself? There are plenty of opportunities to make a name for yourself in the immortal cultivational world in the future."

"Really, Father praised me?"

"Mm." Zong Zi Xiao nodded vigorously. His eyes were shining with admiration, "Big brother, I will try my best to catch up with you. I also want to break through to the Seventh Chongtian, and one day in the future, break through to the Eighth and Ninth Chongtian together with you to let the Zongxuan Sword honor the world once again!"

At that time, Zong Zi Xiao would not have imagined that his grand words would eventually come true.  But when that time came, he and his big brother would no longer have "we", and the Zongxuan Sword, after ushering in its ultimate glory, disappeared in the rolling torrent of time.

----

Translator Thoughts:

PS: Let’s travel back to the present in the next chapter~~~ Is anyone missing the two black and white impermanence? :D

 

ate the bear's heart and leopard's gall* [吃了熊心豹子胆]----to pluck up some courage

Editor Thoughts:

Carrying on from what I said last chapter, you can see there are quite a few instances of 'face' in this chapter too~ Saving face is something like restoring the honor? I guess it can be roughly interpreted that way. So to save your family's face is to restore your family honor!  

Some of you might be confused on how reaching the 8th Chongtian will help the decedents step on the path of immortality. Tbh I thought the RAW's was a little weird when I read it but after some discussion with Ari we concluded that the logic should go like this: advance from 7th to 8th chongtian = body improves = genes improve = higher chance for decedents to have better roots = easier to become immortal. But I think decedents should wake up their idea and stop depending on their ancestors LOL

Leave a like and comment if you liked the chapter!

Edited on 13 Mar. 21 (Emzie)

Edited on 4 Aug 21 (Limit)

 

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