Upheaval III

Early February.

A gentle spring breeze caresses the face, and the willows are fresh and green.

New Blood Rainbow Pavilion.

The original Snow Rainbow Pavilion was located in the Great Snow Mountain, far from human habitation, high above the place closest to the sky.

However, the newly built Blood Rainbow Pavilion changed one character, replacing "snow" with "blood".

At the same time, the address was changed to a lakeside location near Upper Capital.

At this moment, the lake water rippled, and a Painted Boats glided slowly by.

On the bow deck, Meng Qian in flowing white robes, played the zither with one hand, yet produced melodies that sounded as if played by two hands.

From a distance, his palm appeared sometimes blurry and sometimes clear, like a phantom.

Suddenly, he stopped playing the zither and looked up at the willow trees by the lake.

There was a person standing there.

A middle-aged man dressed in a scholar's Confucian Robe with a kind face.

The man darted forward, his toes lightly touching the lake surface several times before landing gracefully on the deck of the Painted Boats. He stood before Meng Qian, clasped his hands in a respectful greeting.

"Li Huoyun, on Confucian School Academy, greeted the Grand Pavilion Lord."

Li Huoyun today, all Confucian Sect have jointly elected and recommended this highly respected contemporary Confucian scholar.

He wields the Faith Vein Gentleman's Sword and is the most powerful among the Confucian Sect.

After the imperial Imperial Examination was re-established, he was immediately invited to serve as Grand Academician, in charge of the compilation and examination of the imperial Imperial Examination Great Ling.

"A rare guest indeed." Meng Qian smiled. His former title, Holy Emperor, was no longer applicable.

Now that he has assumed the Grand Pavilion Lord of the Blood Rainbow Pavilion, let bygones be bygones.

Nowadays, the Blood Rainbow Pavilion has no messy system of divisions; there is only one Grand Pavilion Lord who is in charge of all military affairs.

"May I ask what brings Mr. Rong here?" Chang Rong was the courtesy name of Li Huoyun.

"I have urgent business to discuss with you, Pavilion Master," Li Huoyun said earnestly. "I wonder how much connection you have with the current Imperial Tutor, Daoist Qiankun, and how much you know him?"

"Qiankun Zi?" Meng Qian narrowed his eyes. "He created the Human Immortal Martial Path and established the Blood Immortal lineage. Now the world reveres him. His strength is unparalleled. Even I and Damir cannot conceal his power. What? Does Mr. Rong have something to do with Qiankun?"

"Three days ago, the Imperial Tutor persuaded His Majesty to issue Buddhist Extinction Decree, arguing that the Buddha was the root of all evil in the world."

"It is said that the Buddha cultivates a golden body and seeks rebirth in the next life, but not in this life. This wastes the people's wealth and squanders the nation's resources."

"Isn't that so?" Meng Qian raised an eyebrow.

"Sect Master." Li Huoyun was taken aback, not expecting Meng Qian to answer in this way. "Qiankun Zi's words may have some public-spiritedness, but more so, they are definitely for his own martial arts cultivation. In just a few days, most of the high monks who had scattered and fled from the Western Sect near the Great Capital have been captured. And all of these people, those of the Super Grade, have been sent to the Human Immortal Temple and their whereabouts are unknown."

"As far as I know, those who were sent to the Human Immortal Temple were all investigated and found to have committed various evil deeds. I wonder why Mr. Rong didn't mention it?" Meng Qian's smile faded slightly.

"Your Excellency is mistaken. The world is in turmoil, and the people are full of grievances. We cannot resort to harsh measures again. We should treat the situation gradually with gentle medicine. If we continue with the drastic measures we have taken before, it may cause further unrest," Li Huoyun sighed.

"Mr. Rong can bring this up with Qiankun in person," Meng Qian with a laugh.

He raised his finger slightly and pointed to the distant shore.

On the lakeside, under the shade of willows, a dark red figure stood quietly, gazing in this direction.

Whoosh! Suddenly a gust of evil wind swept through, and the figure blurred and disappeared.

When it reappeared, it was already at the bow of the Painted Boats boat, and it landed gently.

Snap.

The newcomer wore a distinctive blood-red robe, with dark red eyes, a red vertical pupil-like crystal embedded between his brows, and black hair that cascaded down to his waist.

These distinctive features made Li Huoyun recognize him at a glance as the increasingly powerful Imperial Tutor, Daoist Qiankun.

Such speed and such agility made Li Huoyun, who was also a top expert, feel a chill.

The distance of several hundred meters was covered in an instant. Even for him, it would take at least several seconds to cover that distance.

It is said that Qiankun Zi possesses unparalleled martial arts skills, just like the previous Imperial Tutor, and is unmatched in the world.

Now it seems that its reputation is truly well-deserved.

"Li Huoyun greets the Imperial Tutor." He immediately clasped his hands in greeting.

"The Faith Vein Gentleman's Sword?" Zhang Rongfang nodded slightly. Given his current position, he was worthy of the other party's respect.

However, the person he came to see at this time was mainly Meng Qian.

"Indeed, may I ask what brings the Imperial Tutor here?" Li Huoyun remained expressionless. Just moments ago, he had been speaking ill of Zhang Rongfang in front of Meng Qian, but now he maintained a completely natural demeanor.

"I just have something to discuss with Society Master Meng. You may leave now," Zhang Rongfang said calmly.

Li Huoyun's expression remained unchanged.

"I heard that not long ago, the Imperial Tutor Human Immortal Dao masters to capture eminent monks of the Western Sect."

"The Western Sect is considered a high-ranking monk?" Zhang Rongfang interrupted him. "Say what you just said again?"

Li Huoyun's expression froze.

"Does the Imperial Tutor know that the Western Sect was not a monolithic entity back then? There were also compassionate individuals who secretly rescued many innocent women."

"You're pleading for leniency?" Zhang Rongfang asked in surprise. "Do you have any evidence?"

"Back then, the Western Sect was completely destroyed by fire, making it difficult to find evidence. However, the operation against the Western Sect can be carried out gradually, step by step, to find concrete evidence of crimes before making arrests," Li Huoyun said earnestly.

"Furthermore, the country has its laws. The eminent monks of the Western Sect who were arrested earlier are said to have all been taken to the Human Immortal Temple and their whereabouts are unknown. Could the Imperial Tutor explain why even those who have committed heinous crimes should be judged by the Ministry of Justice according to the law, rather than being subjected to private torture?"

"Are you teaching me how to do things?" Zhang Rongfang frowned, and a trace of dark red blood aura emanated from his side.

What's wrong with him capturing some serious criminals to extract their souls while practicing his skills? Anyway, these people deserve to be torn to pieces. It would be a waste to just kill them for nothing. Giving them to practice their skills and using them as resources to improve their strength is a way of making use of waste.

As for handing it over to the current Ministry of Justice? Nowadays, there are many officials in the court with complicated relationships. Many of them hold high positions and have connections with the Western Sect.

At that time, many people who were supposedly wrongly punished might be brought out in a few short periods of time.

"Does the Imperial Tutor know what people in the world are saying about you these days?" Li Huoyun's expression remained unchanged, showing no fear whatsoever. Instead, he raised his head and continued.

"How should we discuss this?" Zhang Rongfang.

"They say you are a scourge to the country and the people, the root of chaos in the world. They say that if you hadn't done things that destroyed gods and Buddhas, there wouldn't be war and chaos, and natural disasters now," Li Huoyun said in a deep voice.

"And you?" Zhang Rongfang suddenly asked.

"What?" Li Huoyun didn't react.

"What are you doing? Allowing such rumors to spread everywhere, instead of arresting people and clearing your name, you come to me now saying I'm wrong?" Zhang Rongfang's eyes flashed red, and a coldness began to emanate from them.

"There are so many people and things in this world, and so many living beings. We are few in number, so how can we possibly silence everyone?" Li Huoyun retorted.

"Then what use are you to me?"

Zhang Rongfang suddenly raised his hand, and a red palm strike instantly hit Li Huoyun.

That palm strike was incredibly fast.

Even Li Huoyun, the wielder of the Gentleman's Sword and whose strength was comparable to that of Spirit General, only managed to catch a glimpse of the red light.

Immediately following was a sharp pain in my chest.

By the time he realized what was happening, he was already flying through the air, heading towards the shore of the lake.

Bang.

He dug his feet into the ground on the bank, took three steps back, leaving three deep footprints.

A mouthful of blood gushed from the corner of his mouth.

Just one palm strike.

He didn't even have time to parry or anticipate the Enemy Anticipation.

That's too fast!

He had heard others mention that the Human Immortal Dao was known for its speed and agility, but he hadn't taken it seriously before.

But only today did he personally experience just how astonishing the speed of Daoist Qiankun, the Imperial Tutor, was.

"Gentlemen!"

"Teacher!!"

A group of the Academy disciples quickly stepped forward and helped him up.

"Such powerful palm strike!!" Li Huoyun opened his mouth to speak, but more blood gushed from his mouth, splashing onto his beard and chest.

He originally came here to help an old friend of the Western Sect get off the bus, but he didn't expect that he would be sent flying by Zhang Rongfang's palm as soon as he started to lay the groundwork.

The other party's thoughts changed too quickly; they acted without warning, and their moves were ruthless and merciless.

With just one move, he shattered 60% of the blood vessels in his body.

Even with the help of the Gentleman's Sword, he will need to recuperate for at least several months upon returning.

This time, we've suffered a huge loss! "This kid is unreasonable, he deserves to be... Get out of here! Help me leave!"

Before Li Huoyun could finish speaking, he suddenly felt a tingling sensation on his back and realized that Qiankun Zi was looking in their direction again.

His heart pounded immediately, and he quickly shut up, asking his students to help him leave.

On the Painted Boats.

Zhang Rongfang withdrew his gaze and looked around the lake.

At this time, tender buds are just beginning to appear, and many wealthy families have already begun to send their members out for walks and boat trips.

In the distance, a woman was playing a bamboo flute, which, mixed with the cheerful sounds of children playing, made the surroundings seem even more peaceful and serene.

"The Society Master is also Sky Light Wielder, right?" Zhang Rongfang withdrew his gaze and focused it back on Meng Qian.

Meng Qian smiled, a hint of emotion in her voice.

"Time flies. It seems like only yesterday you were a rising star, a martial arts prodigy taught by the Heavenly Maiden. And now, only a few years have passed."

"The Society Master hasn't answered my question yet," Zhang Rongfang said softly.

His attitude toward the Reverse Time Society was much gentler.

"Yes." Meng Qian nodded. "I am Sky Light Wielder." His eyes shone brightly, as if he understood the level Zhang Rongfang was now involved in.

"Then, what happened outside the Sky Curtain? Could the Society Master explain?" Zhang Rongfang asked in a deep voice.

"It's laughable," Meng Qian chuckled. "Back then, I was just a prince of the former dynasty, a good-for-nothing who didn't care about anything. Until my entire family was wiped out in the Heavenly Light, exterminated. For dozens of miles around, not a bird could live."

It wasn't until I was relentlessly pursued and severely injured due to my physical abnormalities that I slowly came to understand the natural destiny between those of Sky Light Wielder and Gods and Buddhas.

"I don't believe in fate." Zhang Rongfang shook his head slightly. "The Moon God told me that the Sky Curtain is sinking and that everyone will die in less than a hundred years. I don't believe it."

"The Moon God?" Meng Qian was taken aback. "I know about the Sky Curtain, but the Sky Curtain is sinking? The Moon God is the most ancient and mysterious deity in the world besides Spirit Flight Heaven. Even the two previous Heaven and Earth Convergence did not affect her."

"It seems the Society Master doesn't know?" Zhang Rongfang frowned.

Meng Qian fell silent.

He turned and looked towards the lake in the distance.

"Perhaps I once knew."

"What does the Society Master mean?" Zhang Rongfang was somewhat confused.