172: Chapter 172 Spare the Man's Life

The next morning, the five-man team landed before the mountain gate of Qingfeng Gate.

It was a simple stone gate. Carved upon it were the three large characters 'Qingfeng Gate,' their strokes weathered and mottled, clearly having seen many years.

Behind the gate lay a mountain path paved with bluestone, winding upwards towards the cluster of buildings at the mountain's peak.

Flanking both sides of the mountain path stood over a dozen Disciples of Qingfeng Gate.

They wore matching azure Daoist robes, held longswords, and stared nervously at the newcomers.

Most of these Disciples were at the Qi Refining Stage; only the two at the forefront were at the Foundation Establishment Initial Stage.

Chu Feng stepped forward, stood with his hands clasped behind his back, and swept his gaze over the Disciples.

"Where is the Sect Head of Qingfeng Gate?"

A white-haired old man stepped out from the crowd. His face was lean, his aura calm, his cultivation at the Foundation Establishment Initial Stage. This was precisely the Sect Head of Qingfeng Gate, Immortal Master Qingfeng.

"This humble Daoist is Qingfeng. Greetings, Fellow Daoists of the Qinglan Sword Sect."

Daoist Qingfeng cupped his hands in salute, neither subservient nor arrogant.

Chu Feng nodded, getting straight to the point.

"Sect Head Qingfeng, my Sect Master has decreed that Qingfeng Gate is to immediately submit to the Qinglan Sword Sect and accept unified governance."

"From this day forth, all Disciples of Qingfeng Gate shall become Outer Sect Disciples of the Qinglan Sword Sect. Sect Head Qingfeng may serve as an Outer Sect Elder."

Daoist Qingfeng's expression shifted slightly.

He remained silent for a moment before speaking slowly.

"Fellow Daoist Chu, Qingfeng Gate has stood as a Sect for three hundred years, with each generation of Ancestral Masters passing down an orderly Legacy."

"To submit to your esteemed Sect... I'm afraid this humble Daoist cannot comply."

Chu Feng's brow furrowed.

"Sect Head Qingfeng, this is the Sect Master's will."

Daoist Qingfeng shook his head, his voice still calm, yet carrying a trace of firmness.

"This humble Daoist understands."

"But though Qingfeng Gate is small, it has its own Dao lineage."

"If we submit to your esteemed Sect, would not this three-hundred-year Legacy be severed?"

Chu Feng's expression darkened.

"Sect Head Qingfeng, have you thought this through clearly?"

Daoist Qingfeng looked at him, his gaze as placid as still water.

"This humble Daoist has thought very clearly."

Chu Feng fell silent for a moment, then suddenly sighed.

"Then don't blame me."

He waved a hand, saying coldly.

"Do it."

As the words fell, Wang Hai, Zhang Yuan, and Zhao Qian struck simultaneously!

Sword light flashed, instantly piercing towards those Qingfeng Gate Disciples!

Screams, cries of alarm, and the clashing of weapons instantly filled the mountain gate!

Li Changsheng stood in place, unmoving.

He watched those Qingfeng Gate Disciples, their terrified eyes, their figures resisting desperately. An indescribable emotion welled up in his heart.

"They... only don't want to lose their Sect."

"They... only want to protect their Legacy."

"What wrong have they done?"

Li Changsheng asked himself inwardly.

A young Disciple of Qingfeng Gate was stabbed through the shoulder by Wang Hai's sword, screaming as he fell.

Another was sent flying by a palm strike from Zhang Yuan, crashing into the stone gate, blood spewing from his mouth.

Yet another was forced back step by step by Zhao Qian, on the verge of death beneath the sword.

Li Changsheng moved.

He took a step forward, blocking that Disciple and parrying Zhao Qian's attack with his own sword!

Zhao Qian was stunned.

"Senior Brother Li?"

Li Changsheng didn't look at him, only turned his head to speak to the still-terrified Qingfeng Gate Disciple.

"Go."

The Disciple stared blankly for a moment, then scrambled away on all fours.

Zhao Qian frowned.

"Senior Brother Li, you..."

"Enough."

Li Changsheng cut him off.

"They are merely resisting, not guilty of heinous crimes."

"What difference is there between killing them and killing innocent people?"

Zhao Qian opened his mouth, but no words came out.

At that moment, Chu Feng's voice came from behind.

"Li Changsheng, what are you doing?"

Li Changsheng turned his head and saw Chu Feng staring coldly at him.

Li Changsheng took a deep breath and said,

"Senior Brother Chu, they are willing to submit now. There's no need to keep killing."

Chu Feng's gaze swept over the battlefield.

Immortal Master Qingfeng had already been subdued by Wang Hai and Zhang Yuan, forced to kneel on the ground.

Over half of Qingfeng Gate's Disciples were dead or injured. The rest had also laid down their weapons, crouching on the ground, trembling.

Indeed, there was no need to keep killing.

Chu Feng was silent for a moment, then said coldly,

"A woman's kindness."

He walked up to Li Changsheng and stared into his eyes.

"Li Changsheng, do you know what you're doing?"

Li Changsheng said,

"I know."

Chu Feng said,

"Defying orders, acting on your own, saving enemies."

"According to Sect rules, how should this be dealt with?"

Li Changsheng said nothing.

The others nearby also exchanged glances, their lips moving slightly, yet none spoke.

Chu Feng stared at him for a long time before finally withdrawing his gaze.

"Considering this is your first offense, a demerit is recorded. If there's a next time, go to the Hall of Law Enforcement and receive punishment yourself."

He turned and walked towards Immortal Master Qingfeng.

Li Changsheng stood where he was, watching his retreating figure, a complex emotion surging in his heart.

A demerit recorded.

He did not regret it.

Daoist Qingfeng knelt on the ground, his hair disheveled, his face deathly pale.

Chu Feng stood before him, speaking coldly.

"Sect Head Qingfeng, now... are you willing to submit?"

Daoist Qingfeng raised his head, looked at him, and a bitter smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"This humble Daoist... is willing."

Chu Feng nodded and waved his hand.

Wang Hai released his grip. Immortal Master Qingfeng slumped to the ground, gasping for breath.

Chu Feng said,

"From this day forth, Qingfeng Gate is merged into the Qinglan Sword Sect."

"All Disciples are to be registered and accept unified governance."

"Daoist Qingfeng, you may serve as an Outer Sect Elder and lead your Disciples to relocate to the Qinglan Mountains."

Daoist Qingfeng lowered his head and said nothing.

Chu Feng paid it no mind, turning to address everyone.

"Stand down."

Everyone turned, preparing to leave.

Li Changsheng walked at the very back. Suddenly, he heard faint sobbing from behind.

He turned and saw a boy of seven or eight, crouching beside a fallen female cultivator, desperately shaking her body.

"Mother... Mother... Wake up..."

The female cultivator lay motionless. A deep sword wound marked her chest; she had long since ceased breathing.

Li Changsheng's heart gave a violent lurch.

He walked over, crouched down, and gently patted the little boy's shoulder.

The little boy looked up at him, his eyes filled with fear and tears.

"Find a place to hide."

He said softly.

"Come out after we've left."

The little boy stared at him blankly, saying nothing.

Li Changsheng stood up and turned to leave.

After walking a few steps, he suddenly stopped and glanced back.

The little boy still crouched in the same spot, one hand clutching the woman's clothes, the other holding a broken jade pendant.

On that pendant were faintly discernible patterns.

Li Changsheng's pupils contracted slightly.

"Those patterns..."

He had seen them before, on those eerie runes at the altar of the Blood Fiend Sect.

He took a deep breath, withdrew his gaze, and strode away.

Behind him, the little boy's figure grew farther and farther away, finally disappearing into the morning mist.

Broken Stone Camp.

Broken Stone Camp surrendered of its own accord.

Upon learning of Qingfeng Gate's fate, they chose to submit without hesitation.

The Camp Leader personally led his Disciples, knelt before Wu Xingli, and kowtowed, begging for mercy.

Wu Xingli nodded and accepted their letter of surrender.

Elsewhere, Qingyun Temple...

The various missions were gradually completed.

On the journey back, Li Changsheng remained silent.

Those scenes replayed repeatedly in his mind.

The terrified eyes of the Qingfeng Gate Disciples, the despairing expression of Immortal Master Qingfeng, the weeping face of that little boy.

And that broken jade pendant.

Why were the patterns on that pendant similar to the runes of the Blood Fiend Sect?

Was Qingfeng Gate connected to the Blood Fiend Sect?

He did not know.

But he knew this matter was not so simple.

He tightened his grip on the sword in his hand and gazed into the distance.

Clouds churned like a sea, hiding who knew how many secrets.

And he... had to become stronger.

Strong enough to protect those he wished to protect. Strong enough to have the right to pursue those secrets.

Strong enough... to no longer only be able to watch helplessly.