Trouble Within and Without

After Tang Chen left, he did not return to the Clear Sky Sect.

He had done everything he could.

He had handed over the Clear Sky Token, passed on the Great Sumeru Hammer, and made a show of force.

Going back to the mountain now would only make the disciples watch their old sect master waste away day by day, until the spark he had just kindled went out again.

He stood among the clouds and looked northeast one last time.

Then he swept his sleeve and headed southeast.

To the east lay the sea.

Out at sea was an island.

And on that island was someone who had waited fifty years for him.

Bo Saixi.

Years ago, he and Qian Daoliu had arrived at Sea God Island one after the other.

The two most formidable men on the continent had both fallen for that woman.

Bo Saixi held fast to the Sea God's rules. Neither of them could take her away.

When he left Sea God Island, he had made a declaration:

He would not return to see her until he became a god.

Whether it was wounded pride or a solemn vow, he had plunged into Slaughter City and never looked back for fifty years.

Now he had failed to become a god, and his life was nearly over.

He looked down at his hand. His fingertips had trembled again when he held the sword earlier.

The thing deep in his soul was battering at him more and more often.

He was almost dead. What was the point of keeping that vow?

He owed her an explanation fifty years overdue. Before he died, he had to give it.

After half a day of flying, he reached the end of the land.

The briny sea wind struck his face.