noffsinger Chapter 31 If Heaven had not given birth to Xu Changqing, the way of the sword would have remained i
Chapter 31 If Heaven had not given birth to Xu Changqing, the way of the sword would have remained i
Chi Mingzi chuckled, his figure flashed, and with a burst of crimson light, he was already standing close by on the precipice. The hem of his tattered Taoist robe hung limply, and he landed without even making a sound.
He strolled up to Xu Changqing, walked slowly around him for half a circle, and looked him up and down with his cloudy eyes, as if admiring some rare object.
He stroked his messy beard, smacked his lips, and said, "Removing the mark for you isn't difficult."
He drew out his words, slowly took another swig of wine, and let out a satisfied sigh. Only then did he lift his eyelids, glance at Xu Changqing, and look at him with a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"However... why should I help you? We've only met once, strangers who met by chance. I already offered my advice because I thought you were a good match and we've formed a good relationship. If I were to expend my magic power and take on any responsibility to remove the mark for you, that would be a completely different matter."
He paused deliberately, shook the gourd, and the wine made a crisp sound. He lowered his head, examining the mottled paint on the gourd's surface, and mumbled something indistinctly, his voice just loud enough for Xu Changqing to hear clearly.
"After all, you're not my disciple. I don't have the time to worry about these trivial matters for outsiders."
Although Xu Changqing was not a bigwig within the system, as a Shandong native, he naturally understood the subtle meaning behind the words.
The old Taoist's meaning was crystal clear.
"So it turns out they only had their eyes on my unparalleled talent for swordsmanship because they hadn't given birth to me, Xu Changqing, the day I was born, leaving behind an eternal darkness."
He chuckled inwardly. This old man, why put on airs when he wants to take on disciples? But it's fine, he was just worried about not having anyone to guide him. The number one sword sect has delivered itself to his doorstep, might as well take it upon himself.
Besides, to remove this deadly mark, let alone becoming an apprentice, even taking on a godfather wouldn't be out of the question. Either way, if it's a case of "kind teacher and filial son," then whether it's the master or the godfather, they'll both be rolling in money in the future. I'm the most empathetic person, deeply influenced by the twenty-four-character mantra, and extremely benevolent.
Without hesitation, he straightened his robes, knelt down, and said loudly, "Disciple Xu Changqing is eager to learn the Dao and humbly requests that you accept me as your disciple. I will certainly follow your teachings diligently and dare not be lazy in the future."
A glint of joy flashed in Chi Mingzi's eyes, but he deliberately tugged at his beard and coughed, "This old Taoist is very strict when it comes to accepting disciples..."
Xu Changqing remained prostrate, his tone growing increasingly earnest: "This disciple sincerely seeks knowledge, and hopes that senior will grant my request."
The old Taoist priest tensed for a moment, then finally grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth: "Alright, alright, seeing that you're a promising young man, I'll reluctantly accept you. Get up."
Xu Changqing was overjoyed and kowtowed again before getting up. Chi Mingzi hung the gourd on his waist and clapped his hands, saying, "Now that you've joined my Pure Yang Dao, I'll erase that old mudfish's mark for you, so it won't be an eyesore."
As he spoke, he raised his hand and pressed it on Xu Changqing's shoulder, and a surge of powerful magic flowed over to him.
As soon as the magic entered his body, Xu Changqing felt a sudden burning and stinging sensation in several hidden places all over his body, as if a branding iron was burning under his skin.
Immediately afterwards, several twisted and hideous black marks appeared on his forehead, chest, dantian, and joints of his limbs.
Chi Mingzi glanced at it and snorted, "A mere trifle."
Before the words were even finished, the magical power that had been channeled into Xu Changqing's body suddenly changed. That magical power abruptly contracted, condensing into a pure and extremely sharp aura, as if everything in the world was nothing more than a thin sheet of paper in front of it.
A few soft hissing sounds, like a hot knife cutting into butter, or like boiling water being poured onto snow.
The black dragon marks were struck by this sharp magical power, and countless fine cracks immediately appeared on their surfaces. A faint but sharp wail came from deep within the marks, as if a spirit was being torn apart alive.
[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: 20 ...
They writhed wildly, black energy billowing out, attempting to retaliate, even trying to erode back along the magical connection.
However, Chi Mingzi's magical power, though seemingly peaceful, was far beyond what this uncontrolled divine thought could withstand. With just a gentle twist and sway, the black dragon mark crumbled inch by inch, turning into wisps of black smoke. Sharp magical power swept over it, completely refining and annihilating it, leaving not even a trace.
Xu Changqing trembled violently, feeling as if an invisible constraint had suddenly been lifted, leaving him feeling refreshed and relaxed.
"Alright." Chi Mingzi withdrew his hand and casually wiped it on his tattered Taoist robe, as if he were just dusting off a bit of dust. "I've cleaned up the mark left by that old mudfish for you."
Xu Changqing took a deep breath, and the crisp mountain air filled his lungs, making him feel refreshed.
Feeling Akamiko's affection and care, he bowed again, this time with genuine sincerity.
"Thank you, Master."
After straightening up, he pondered for a moment, then looked up at Chi Mingzi with a serious expression.
"Master, now that I have become your disciple, there are some things I should not hide. My original lineage is rather troublesome."
"Oh?" Akamiko raised an eyebrow, signaling him to continue.
"To be honest, Master, I originally came from the Seven Fiends Path and was a disciple of the Starry Constellation Daoist..."
Xu Changqing spoke calmly and succinctly, revealing the old Taoist Xingxiu's scheme of ostensibly accepting disciples and passing on his teachings, but in reality treating them as Gu worms carrying the Seven Killings Destiny, waiting to be harvested when they matured.
Finally, he added, "That old Daoist Xingxiu is at the Golden Core stage of the third realm, and he seems to be connected to the Seven Fiends Sect, a major evil sect. I have not yet settled my karma, and I fear that I may bring trouble to my master in the future."
His words were concise and clear, without exaggeration or deliberate concealment of danger; he simply stated the facts calmly.
Upon hearing this, Chi Mingzi let out a short, mocking laugh, rolled his cloudy old eyes, picked at his ear with his little finger, and spoke with a hint of nonchalant mockery.
"I thought he was some kind of extraordinary person. A mere wild Taoist who dares to attempt to break through to the fourth realm by raising Gu poison to devour his disciples dares to call himself 'Star Constellation'? He's like a toad yawning—what a boastful tone."
He glanced at Xu Changqing, patted the swaying wine gourd at his waist, and said, "Boy, now that you've become my disciple, Chi Mingzi, and entered the Pure Yang Path, put your mind at ease. Even if that old man Xingxiu is just a minor elder of the Seven Fiends Path, even if those old monsters of the Seven Fiends Path who hide in the mountains and dare not face the light come looking for you themselves..."
The old Taoist paused, tilted his head back, took a swig of wine, his Adam's apple bobbing. He casually wiped his mouth with his dirty sleeve before slowly continuing, "I still took them all down with one sword each, stringing them all together like gourds. I, the Pure Yang Sect, may not be able to boast about anything else, but when it comes to killing, I've never been afraid of anyone."
These words were spoken casually, yet they carried an air of unwavering confidence. Xu Changqing could sense that this was not empty rhetoric or deception, but rather a genuine self-assurance stemming from strength.
He felt a slight sense of relief, but instead of asking his master to eliminate any future troubles, he cupped his hands again, his tone sincere yet firm.
"Master's kindness is appreciated by your disciple. However, this is due to my own karma, and that old Daoist Xingxiu is an enemy who plotted to kill me and harm my foundation. If it were done through you, Master, it would be easy to resolve, but I fear my Dao heart would be difficult to achieve. Moreover, I am also very envious of that old Daoist's destiny."