Early February.
The spring breeze brushes the face, and the willows are fresh and green.
New Blood Rainbow Pavilion.
The original Snow Rainbow Pavilion was located within the Great Snow Mountain, far from human habitation, suspended at the place closest to the sky.
But the newly built Blood Rainbow Pavilion changed one character, changing "Snow" to "Blood."
At the same time, its location was changed to a lakeside near the Upper Capital.
At this moment, the lake shimmered, and a decorated boat slowly sailed across.
On the bow deck, Meng Qian’s white clothes fluttered as he played the zither with one hand, yet he could produce tunes as if he were using both hands.
From a distance, his palm appeared sometimes blurry and sometimes clear, like a phantom.
Suddenly, his zither music paused, and he looked up toward the willow tree by the lakeside.
There, a person was standing.
A middle-aged man in Confucian attire, with a kind and gentle face.
The man leaped forward, his toes tapping several times on the lake’s surface, lightly landing on the deck of the decorated boat, standing before Meng Qian, and clasping his fists in salute.
"Li Huoyun on behalf of all Confucian academies, greets the Grand Pavilion Master."
Li Huoyun, now unanimously chosen by everyone in the Confucian teachings as a highly respected contemporary grand scholar.
He wields the Faith Vein Scholar’s Sword, and his strength is the greatest in Confucian teachings.
After the re-establishment of the imperial examination, he was immediately invited to serve as the university official, overseeing the compilation and examination of the imperial exams throughout Great Spirit.
"What a rare guest." Meng Qian smiled. His former title, the Saint Emperor, was naturally no longer applicable today.
Having assumed the role of the Grand Pavilion Master of the Blood Rainbow Pavilion, everything before was left in the past.
In today’s Blood Rainbow Pavilion, there are no messy divisions, only one Grand Pavilion Master, who oversees all martial affairs.
"I wonder what brings Mr. Changrong here?" Changrong was Li Huoyun’s courtesy name.
"I have an important matter to consult with the Pavilion Master." Li Huoyun said seriously. "I wonder how much connection and understanding the Pavilion Master has with the current Imperial Tutor, Qiankun Daoist?"
"Qiankunzi...?" Meng Qian squinted. "He created the Human Immortal Martial Dao, opened the Blood Immortal lineage, and is now revered by all under heaven, his strength unparalleled. Even Damir and I cannot outshine him. What is it? Does Mr. Changrong have matters related to Brother Qiankun?"
"Three days ago, the Imperial Tutor convinced His Majesty to issue an extermination order against Buddhism, claiming that the Buddha is the root of all calamities under heaven."
"He said, the Buddha cultivates the golden body and the next life, but not this life, wasting people’s wealth and emptying the nation’s strength...."
"Isn’t that so?" Meng Qian raised an eyebrow.
"Pavilion Master...." Li Huoyun was taken aback, not expecting Meng Qian to respond this way. "Qiankunzi’s words may have some public interest, but more, they are undoubtedly for his own martial arts cultivation. Within a few days, more than half of the high monks from the Western Sect in the vicinity of the Great Capital who dispersed and fled were captured. All those who were Super Grade were sent to the Human Immortal Temple and have since vanished."
"As far as I know, those sent to the Human Immortal Temple underwent scrutiny and were found guilty of various crimes. Why does Mr. Changrong not mention this?" Meng Qian’s smile faded slightly.
"Your words, Pavilion Master, are inaccurate. The world is tumultuous now, and the people are full of grievances. Severe measures should not be taken again. It should be governed slowly with mild policies, otherwise, like before, it may cause upheaval again." Li Huoyun sighed.
"This, Mr. Changrong, you can directly address with Brother Qiankun." Meng Qian said with a smile.
He lightly raised his finger, pointing toward the distant shore.
Just by the lake, under the shade of willows, a dark red figure stood still, watching silently.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a gust of evil wind swept up, and the figure suddenly became blurry and disappeared.
When next appeared, it was already at the decorated boat’s bow, lightly landing.
Plop.
The visitor was clad in a distinctive blood robe, with dark red eyes, a red vertical gem embedded at the center of the forehead, and black hair cascading down like a waterfall.
This strikingly distinctive appearance made Li Huoyun immediately recognize the figure as none other than the now highly esteemed Imperial Tutor Qiankun Daoist.
This kind of speed, this kind of body technique, made Li Huoyun, also a top expert, secretly wary.
A distance of several hundred meters, reached in an instant... this speed... even he would take at least a few seconds to span it.
It is rumored that this Qiankunzi is exceptionally powerful, like the previous Imperial Tutor, unrivaled in the world.
Now it seems, the reputation is indeed well deserved.
"Li Huoyun, greets the Imperial Tutor." He immediately clasped his fists.
"Faith Vein Scholar’s Sword?" Zhang Rongfang nodded slightly, given his current position, he could afford to accept this courtesy.
However, he was here primarily to find Meng Qian.
"Indeed, what brings the Imperial Tutor here?" Li Huoyun remained composed. He had just spoken ill of Zhang Rongfang in front of Meng Qian, yet now displayed a calm and natural demeanor.
"Just to discuss something in detail with Pavilion Master Meng, you may withdraw." Zhang Rongfang said calmly.
Li Huoyun’s expression remained unchanged.
"I heard that the Imperial Tutor recently dispatched Human Immortal Dao Grandmasters to arrest Western Sect high monks everywhere...."
"Does the Western Sect also count as high monks?" Zhang Rongfang interrupted him, "Would you repeat what you just said?"
Li Huoyun’s expression tensed.
"Does the Imperial Tutor know that the Western Sect was not a monolith even back then? There were also those with compassion who secretly aided many innocent women."
"Are you pleading?" Zhang Rongfang asked in astonishment, "Do you have any evidence?"
"When the Western Sect was consumed by a great fire, evidence became difficult to find. However, actions against the Western Sect can be taken step by step, finding concrete evidence and then proceeding with verification and arrest." Li Huoyun said earnestly.
"Moreover, the country has its laws. The Western Sect high monks previously captured were reportedly all sent to the Human Immortal Temple without a trace. Could the Imperial Tutor explain this? Even if they are heinous criminals, they should be judged by the Ministry of Justice according to the law, not subjected to private punishment."
"Are you trying to teach me how to do things?" Zhang Rongfang frowned slightly, a faint dark red aura emanating from his side.
What’s wrong with practicing martial arts on severe criminals and extracting their souls? After all, these people deserve a thousand cuts, simply executing them is wasteful, using them for martial practice, becoming resources to enhance his strength, is somewhat an efficient use of waste.
As for handing it over to the current Ministry of Justice?
The court is filled with officials whose relationships are intricately complex; many who hold high positions and authority have incense connections with the Western Sect of the past.
At that time, many so-called wrongfully punished individuals may be rescued in no time.
"Does the Imperial Tutor know what the people of the world are saying about you nowadays?" Li Huoyun’s expression remained unchanged, not intimidated in the slightest, and instead raised his head to continue speaking.
"What are they saying?" Zhang Rongfang replied calmly.
"They say you are the scourge of the nation, the root cause of chaos and turmoil, and that if it weren’t for you carrying out the destruction of the divine and the purge of the Buddhist path, we wouldn’t have this ongoing chaos and frequent natural disasters." Li Huoyun said in a stern tone.
"And you?" Zhang Rongfang suddenly interjected.
"What?" Li Huoyun did not immediately comprehend.
"What are you doing? Allowing such rumors to spread everywhere, not going to arrest people, and clean the slate, yet you come here to tell me I am at fault?" Zhang Rongfang’s eyes flashed red, a coldness beginning to permeate.
"This world and its people are vast; we have sparse manpower, how can we silence everyone’s mouth?" Li Huoyun retorted.
"Then what use do I have for you?"
Zhang Rongfang suddenly raised his hand, and with a swift red shadow, struck towards Li Huoyun.
The speed of this strike was too fast, too fast.
Even as the holder of the Gentleman’s Sword, Li Huoyun, whose strength was comparable to a Spirit General, could only catch a flash of red light.
Immediately followed by a sharp pain in his chest.
By the time he reacted, he was already flying through the air, landing toward the shore of the lake.
Thud.
His feet pierced into the ground onshore, retreating three steps, leaving three deep footprints.
A mouthful of reverse blood spewed from his lips.
Just one strike.
He didn’t even have time to react to defend or take the initiative against the enemy.
Too fast....!
He once heard others mention that the Human Immortal Dao was renowned for its speed, which he didn’t take seriously before.
But it wasn’t until today that he personally experienced the astonishing swiftness of Qiankun Daoist, as the Imperial Tutor.
"Sir!"
"Teacher!!"
A group of academy disciples quickly approached to support him.
"So...strong of a palm force!!" Li Huoyun opened his mouth to speak, but more blood surged from his mouth, spilling onto his beard and the front of his clothes.
Originally, he came to help an old friend from the Western Sect clear their blame, but unexpectedly, before even barely setting the stage with words, Zhang Rongfang struck him away with one palm.
The opponent’s thoughts shifted too quickly, resorting to action without warning, heartless and ruthless.
Just one move had shattered sixty percent of his veins.
Even with the assistance of the Gentleman’s Sword upon returning, at least several months of recuperation would be needed.
This time, he suffered a great loss!
"This boy cannot be reasoned with, deserves...get away, get away, hurry, help me leave!"
Li Huoyun hadn’t finished speaking before suddenly feeling a numbness in his back, noticing from afar that Qiankun’s eyes glanced over again.
Instantly his heart raced wildly, hastily shut his mouth, and commanded the students to quickly assist him in leaving.
On the painted boat.
Zhang Rongfang withdrew his gaze, surveying the lakeside.
At this time, young buds were revealing themselves, many wealthy families already beginning to stroll and take boat rides.
In the distance, there were women playing bamboo flutes amidst the joyous laughter of children, amplifying the quiet tranquility around.
"The President is also the Celestial Lighter, isn’t it?" Zhang Rongfang withdrew his gaze, returning it to Meng Qian.
Meng Qian chuckled, feeling somewhat nostalgic.
"Time flies; once upon a time, you were the new martial genius taught by the Celestial Maiden. And now, within merely a few years...."
"The President has yet to answer my question." Zhang Rongfang softly said.
Towards the Radical Society, his attitude was much gentler.
"Yes." Meng Qian nodded. "I am the Celestial Lighter." His eyes sparkled, seemingly understanding the realm Zhang Rongfang was now involved in.
"Then, what happened beyond the heavenly curtain back then? Could the President explain a little?" Zhang Rongfang spoke in a deep voice.
"Laughable indeed." Meng Qian chuckled, "Back then, I was merely a prince of a former dynasty, idly waiting for death, knowing nothing, caring for nothing. Until my family was entirely exterminated within the celestial light, leaving no one, devoid of life over a range of dozens of miles.
It was only when I became notably injured due to abnormalities in my body that I gradually realized. The inherent fate between the Celestial Lighter and the divine and Buddha."
"I don’t believe in fate." Zhang Rongfang shook his head slightly, "The Moon God told me that the heavenly curtain is sinking, and within a hundred years, everyone would perish. I don’t believe it."
"Moon God?" Meng Qian was taken aback, "I know of the heavenly curtain but sinking? The Moon God is indeed one of the most ancient and mysterious divine entities in the world today, aside from Spirit Flying Heaven. Even the previous two earthly convergences couldn’t affect her."
"Seems like the President is unaware?" Zhang Rongfang frowned.
"....." Meng Qian fell silent.
He turned and looked towards the distant lakeside.
"Perhaps I once knew."
"What does the President mean?" Zhang Rongfang was somewhat perplexed.