Chapter 128: Still That Autumn Mountain (Part 2)
The Autumn Mountain Clan was naturally an extraordinary existence in the Tiannan region, but the current clan head had no great reputation. His cultivation realm, knowledge, and methods were all quite ordinary. There was even a saying circulating on the continent that all the talent of the Autumn Mountain Clan had fallen solely on Autumn Mountain Jun alone, leaving his father so unremarkable.
Similar comments occurred in the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Although the Eastern Divine General Xu Shiji was deeply trusted by Her Holiness the Saint Empress and held an extremely high position in the Great Zhou military, everyone knew it was because he had a good daughter. Compared to his daughter Xu Yourong, whether in talent, military strategy, or wisdom, Xu Shiji was overshadowed and left in the dark.
Many people couldn't understand how Xu Shiji and the Autumn Mountain Clan head could have given birth to Xu Yourong and Autumn Mountain Jun. But that was the fact. Just like at this moment, what the Autumn Mountain Clan head said carried more weight than what Little Pine Palace said—because he was Autumn Mountain Jun's father.
At Li Mountain, Autumn Mountain Jun was the most special person, even an anomaly. Among the younger generation of disciples, he was the only one who could be compared to Grandmaster Uncle Su Li, even though his current realm was still infinitely far from Su Li's. Even the Sect Leader, to some extent, did not have as much prestige as Autumn Mountain Jun.
From the Sect Leader to the most ordinary disciple, no one disliked Autumn Mountain Jun. From the always stern Discipline Hall Elder to the most cold and violent Guan Feibai, and even to the demon servant who had been punished to sweep fallen leaves at the back mountain for over forty years, everyone who saw Autumn Mountain Jun would show the most sincere smiles and offer the greatest goodwill.
All goodwill and affection were mutual. In the more than ten years Autumn Mountain Jun had lived at Li Mountain, he had given enough goodwill and affection to everyone who lived there. What was called prestige, like countless streams forming a river, was also forged by the contributions he had made to Li Mountain over those ten-plus years. To put it simply, he had bled for Li Mountain—bled a lot.
So when the Autumn Mountain Clan head spoke, the entire Li Mountain fell silent and listened attentively.
But at this moment, no one knew that in the cave dwelling, on that sickbed, the right index finger of the young man who had been unconscious for dozens of days moved slightly.
"This was originally an internal affair of the Li Mountain Sword Sect. Logically speaking, my Autumn Mountain Clan has no right to say anything."
The Autumn Mountain Clan head looked at the Sect Leader, then at the dozens of Li Mountain disciples before the cave dwelling, and said calmly, "But the current situation is that Mr. Su Li and Qi Jian are suspected of colluding with the demon race, stirring up blood and chaos inside the Zhou Garden. And my son, Autumn Mountain, precisely because of the opening of the Zhou Garden and the demon race's infiltration, has exhausted his essence and blood, still unconscious, his life unknown. I think, as his father, I have the right to speak on his behalf and ask the esteemed members of the Li Mountain Sword Sect to do something."
These words were spoken to the Sect Leader and those dozens of disciples, and also to the disciples on the various peaks of Li Mountain.
Countless gazes fell on the tightly closed stone door of the cave dwelling, filled with worry and anxiety. The Li Mountain disciples thought, if what Elder Little Pine Palace said was true—that all this was a demon race conspiracy, Senior Brother Liang Xiaoxiao was already dead—would the Grand Senior Brother also pay with his life? Could it be that Grandmaster Uncle really treated Li Mountain as his private property and was determined to pass the Sect Leader position to Qi Jian instead of the Grand Senior Brother? How could that be allowed? If all this was true, then the anger of the Autumn Mountain Clan was certainly understandable.
The various peaks suddenly fell silent. Bai Cai's expression changed slightly, knowing this was a very bad sign, indicating that people's hearts were shifting. But even he had no way to say anything about it, because in this entire incident, the Grand Senior Brother was the most innocent person, still unconscious, with no one knowing when he would wake up.
The dozens of disciples before the cave dwelling also looked at the Sect Leader, their expressions somewhat complicated.
Little Pine Palace looked at the Sect Leader and said expressionlessly, "Hand over the Ten Thousand Swords Formation."
The Discipline Hall Elder's voice was as hard as iron and stone: "I urge the Sect Leader Senior Brother to hand over the demon woman Qi Jian."
The Elder from the Eternal Life Sect remained silent and calm.
The Autumn Mountain Clan head said calmly, "I only want an explanation."
Earlier, every word from the Sect Leader was a sword. Now, it was his turn to endure a rain of swords.
These words of relentless pressure, the hesitation on the faces of the dozens of disciples behind him, the silence of the various peaks—all were swords. Borrowing Liang Xiaoxiao's letter, using Autumn Mountain's name, the Ten Thousand Swords returning to their positions, a change of dynasty, the Eternal Life Sect retaking Tiannan, the Autumn Mountain Clan advancing north, the north and south merging, the world unified... What a magnificent and beautiful picture this was!
The Sect Leader thought of these images and produced a faint, bitter smile.
Little Pine Palace had no intention of giving the other party much time to think. He looked at the dozens of Li Mountain disciples before the cave dwelling and shouted sternly, "Your Grand Senior Brother was harmed by the demon race's conspiracy! He didn't hesitate to deplete his essence and blood to restart the Zhou Garden so that the cultivators inside could leave, resulting in severe injuries and unconsciousness. Are you going to do something that delights the enemy and grieves your own? Why don't you put down your swords? Otherwise, when your Grand Senior Brother wakes up and sees the main peak of Li Mountain flowing with blood, with disciples killing each other, how heartbroken would he be!"
Every one of his words was infused with true essence, like countless swords. Although the dozens of sword lights protecting the cave dwelling reduced most of it, the sharpness of the words remained. The expressions on the Li Mountain disciples' faces grew more and more conflicted. Some unconsciously lowered their swords, while more looked at the Sect Leader, hesitating, waiting for his final decision.
Seeing this scene, Little Pine Palace cursed several times in the depths of his heart, gritted his teeth, and used his final tactic. He transmitted his voice to the various peaks of Li Mountain: "Today, I have violated the sect rules, stormed the main peak, and shown disrespect to the Sect Leader. As long as the Sect Leader is willing to abdicate his position and hand over the demon woman Qi Jian, I will not accept the Sect Leader position for five years to prove I have no greed for power, and I will bind myself and beg for punishment!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the various peaks erupted in uproar. Even those Li Mountain disciples most angered by Little Pine Palace's actions today had to admit that this condition showed enough sincerity.
The Eternal Life Sect Elder asked, "Then... who should receive the Sect Leader position?"
Little Pine Palace was silent for a moment before saying, "The fellow senior and junior brothers trapped in the sword formation surely have their own opinions, but if I were to speak, it should still be... Autumn Mountain."
The Eternal Life Sect Elder smiled and said, "Isn't he too young?"
Little Pine Palace said no more.
The Autumn Mountain Clan head also said nothing, only smiling calmly.
The dozens of disciples before the cave dwelling looked at each other.
Bai Cai walked to the Sect Leader's side, holding his sword, feeling extremely stifled but not knowing what to say.
This proposal seemed to be the only solution that everyone up and down Li Mountain was willing to accept.
At least, it could prevent Li Mountain's internal strife from developing to an uncontrollable point.
Why was Little Pine Palace willing to pay such a heavy price? The Sect Leader quietly watched Little Pine Palace, noticing a brief exchange of glances between him and the Autumn Mountain Clan head, and then understood—he was about to sit on the long-dreamed-of position of Li Mountain Sword Sect Leader, only to give it up and retreat to the back mountain for bitter cultivation as penance. The Autumn Mountain Clan and Eternal Life Sect would surely compensate him generously afterward.
But was this truly the solution that everyone at Li Mountain was willing to accept?
The various peaks of Li Mountain fell into silence. Everyone was waiting for the Sect Leader's final decision.
Just then, a voice came from inside the cave dwelling.
The voice was very weak, yet still bright.
Like the sky that had been covered by dark clouds for a long time—once the clouds dispersed, it would still be as clear and blue as before.
"I do not accept."
(He naturally thought of Xu Le.)