Grudges Unsettled, a Sword Broken Between Light and Shadow

How Jiang Yuanming and Zhao Wuji had met was no secret in the martial world. It was even considered a fine tale.

But to Chen Yuan, Zhao Wuji had clearly used honor to keep Jiang Yuanming under his thumb.

Jiang Yuanming had fallen out with the Radiant Extreme Sect back then. If he had been willing to bow his head, why would the sect have hunted him down?

Yet after saving him, Zhao Wuji had taken him to apologize and make amends to the Radiant Extreme Sect. In truth, he had forced Jiang Yuanming's head down before them.

Jiang Yuanming was too straightforward. As he saw it, if Zhao Wuji, a friend he had only just met, was willing to humble himself before the Radiant Extreme Sect for his sake, how could he remain defiant? He had no choice but to bow his head too.

Little did he know that Zhao Wuji's move had gained him connections in the Radiant Extreme Sect while leaving Jiang Yuanming owing him a tremendous favor. For the rest of his life, Jiang Yuanming could only be put to use by him.

They called each other sworn brothers, but Zhao Wuji had only ever used Jiang Yuanming.

"Nonsense!"

Jiang Yuanming shouted, his expression almost contorted.

"You know in your heart whether I'm talking nonsense."

Chen Yuan said evenly, "Gu Linchuan, the young swordsmanship talent on the Hidden Dragon Ranking, is a friend of mine. You should all know that.

"He likes standing up for others and has offended even more factions across the martial world because of it. As his friend, I would only choose to face those enemies alongside him. Why would I force his head down and drag him off to apologize to those factions?

"A swordsman would sooner break than bend. You