Zhenwu Hall stood atop the summit of Zhenwu Mountain. Before it was a colossal stone statue of the Great Emperor Zhenwu, with unbound hair and bare feet, sitting enthroned in the hall, flanked by statues of the Turtle and Snake Generals.
It seemed to be just an ordinary statue of the Great Emperor Zhenwu, the kind Leo Young had seen several times in various places since arriving in this world. However, this particular one had something unusual about it... It had a panel.
[Zhenwu Stone Statue]
[It carries the prayers and hopes of the people, possessing an extraordinary power...]
[If one possesses the unique traits 'Exorcise Demons from the World' and 'Reincarnation of Zhenwu,' and worships this statue on the third day of the third lunar month, the two traits will merge and upgrade into 'Great Emperor Zhenwu.']
[If one possesses 'Great Emperor Zhenwu' and Innate lv9, Innate will be upgraded to lv10.]
(Only by exorcising demons can one be truly Zhenwu.)
Seeing this, Leo Young fell into thought.
["...Interesting. In this world's setting, could there really be gods and ghosts?"]
["Or is it just a simple game mechanic?"]
The Zhenwu disciple at his side was naturally unaware of Leo Young's thoughts. He arrived at the door, took a deep breath, and mentally prepared himself. After waiting for the panting Leo Young to catch his breath, he finally mustered the courage to knock, but due to his nervousness, his voice still trembled.
Although the Sect Master of Zhenwu Mountain wasn't a true peerless expert, in terms of status, he was one of the most prominent figures in the martial world. Even for the disciples of Zhenwu Mountain, an audience was not easily granted.
"Disciple Xu He, I have an urgent matter to report to the Sect Master."
Before long, the calm voice of a middle-aged man spoke.
"Come in."
Xu He led Leo Young inside. The spacious Zhenwu Hall was occupied by only one person, a man who appeared to be around forty or fifty years old. He had a handlebar mustache, and his high brow bones, like two steep cliffs, gave him an air of authority without anger. He wore an azure Daoist robe embroidered with the Big Dipper, a black sash around his waist, and an ebony Hunyuan crown on his head. The yin-yang fish embroidered on it created a peculiar visual illusion, as if it were slowly rotating with an endless sense of profundity.
This man was the current Sect Master of Zhenwu Mountain, Su Tianqing, known as the 'Heavenly Punishment Sword.' He despised evil as if it were a personal enemy, and his temper was not as agreeable as that of his martial brothers, who were also direct disciples of Perfected Master Zhou. However, his talent was the greatest, which was why he was made Sect Master by Perfected Master Zhou, so that he might cultivate his character and temper his disposition.
It should be known that a major sect like Zhenwu Mountain would almost never let its most talented individual become the Sect Master. Take Perfected Master Zhou, for example; he had never served as one.
————Of course, this was also related to the unique characteristics of Zhenwu Mountain's martial arts. Any other sect would never do such a thing.
Xu He bowed respectfully and then repeated what Leo Young had told him.
Su Tianqing said little, merely taking the letter and scanning it.
"...."
The matter of the Ling Clan survivor, which Leo Young had not mentioned, was recorded on it in perfect clarity.
Su Tianqing's expression remained unchanged. He only said, "You may leave first."
"Yes." Xu He let out a silent sigh of relief. He had been so nervous he was on the verge of getting a leg cramp. He quickly departed, using a bit too much force when closing the door, which shut with a 'bang.' He was so worried about having possibly displeased the Sect Master that he couldn't sleep well for three days.
Su Tianqing's profound gaze fell upon Leo Young.
It was no wonder he looked at Leo Young this way; Leo's attitude was simply too strange. He was not heartbroken or utterly despondent, nor was he terrified, let alone bursting with rage... he had a completely calm attitude.
To put it bluntly, he was nothing like a young man whose entire family had been killed—a point that had perplexed not only Su Tianqing but also the head of the Qin Clan.
If Leo Young had to pretend, he could, but he was neither accustomed to nor fond of it. His talent was so outstanding that in his past life, simply being his best self was enough to overcome any challenge. After more than twenty years of this, he had long since cultivated an unshakeable sense of self.
["...Could it be that the fires of grief have damaged his mind?"]
The thought flickered through Su Tianqing's mind before quickly fading.
"The Ling Clan affair is truly the greatest tragedy in the two-hundred-year history of the Wu Dynasty. This murderer is utterly devoid of conscience and humanity, an offense against both Heaven and man. The heroes of the world will unite to strike him down... When the Alliance Leader next convenes the Martial Arts Assembly, I will try to put this matter on the agenda."
...However, in reality, it was impossible.
One person had cut down over five hundred people, including many martial arts experts, and not a single one had been able to fight back. Only a dozen or so managed to escape.
With that kind of mobility, explosive power, stamina, and strength, how many people in the world could possibly kill him?!
Even Zhenwu Mountain could only say that it relied on Perfected Master Zhou's presence to deter him from attacking. As for taking the initiative... it wasn't a matter of willingness; it was simply impossible.
Therefore, Su Tianqing's words were meant as a comfort from an elder to Leo Young—one couldn't call it an empty promise, as what did Leo Young have that was worth scheming for? To be blunt, Zhenwu Mountain taking him in was already a life-saving grace. The Qin and Ling Clans were so close, but didn't even the head of the Qin Clan only dare to send Leo Young away in secret?
After a slight pause, Su Tianqing continued, "As for you, since you have the will, you may stay at Zhenwu Mountain and cultivate in peace... Remember, do not let the hatred in your heart control you."
"They are gone, but you still have to live."
Leo Young nodded slightly. "This junior understands."
"It is for the best that you understand." Su Tianqing did not dwell on Leo Young's unusually calm demeanor. "You have traveled far and must be weary. Go and rest. We can discuss the matter of your apprenticeship tomorrow."
With that, he summoned Xu He back in and entrusted the remaining arrangements to him.
——————
Zhenwu Mountain was home to several thousand people, including masters, disciples, laborers, and pilgrims, each with their own duties. Xu He was a disciple who guarded the gate; how would he know how to arrange for a new disciple? So he turned around and took Leo Young to find another disciple in charge of such matters. After a chaotic series of arrangements, by the time Leo Young's fragile little body could finally catch a breath, night had fallen.
After a full day of travel and running around, Leo Young was thoroughly exhausted. He collapsed onto the bed, without even the strength to move a muscle.
Managing to turn over, Leo Young lay sprawled out on the bed like the character '大' and began to contemplate his future.
["Transmigration... But, I should be able to go back."]
The game had a clear 'transmigration' setting. The protagonist of the third playthrough was a modern person who had transmigrated. This was a nod to the setting of Jin Yong's Wuxia Chronicles, requiring the transmigrated protagonist to collect nine Heavenly Tomes. If they were all collected, he could return to the modern world.
And these Heavenly Tomes were a crucial setting in the game, with many records of them in the promotional videos.
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