Chapter 331

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The two of them analyzed the situation up to this point and had all but concluded that the news of the secret realm must have leaked, which had drawn the attention of the Heaven’s Way Alliance.

“Sigh, success came from the secret realm, and now, so does our downfall.”

Hu Yunyì let out a sigh. Back when they first obtained the treasures of the secret realm, they had once naively imagined that if a moment of crisis like today ever came, they could offer up the map and the Longevity Pill. A wise man submits to the circumstances—if by bowing their heads and clinging to life they could avoid the extermination of their sect, then even becoming a turtle hiding in its shell—so what?

However, the situation had developed far beyond their expectations. The Heaven’s Way Alliance had struck ruthlessly, wiping out two of the Six Tigers of Piaomiao in a single move. Such a deep blood feud had already been formed—how could there still be any room for maneuver?

Could it be that the Heaven’s Way Alliance had always intended to destroy the Piaomiao Sect?

Did they not fear drawing the attention of the other sects?

At this moment, Hu Yunyì no longer needed to consider which power had leaked the news of the secret realm, nor did he need Ou Peng to send men to investigate. There was no need to ask about the whereabouts of the map and the Longevity Pill either. All of these doubts would only hold meaning if the Piaomiao Sect managed to survive.

What mattered now was how to face the impending attack from the Heaven’s Way Alliance, whose timing was completely unknown!

This was, after all, the great martial sect that had risen after the fall of the Immortal Dao!

In truth, even if Ou Peng and the others placed all the blame on the secret realm, it wouldn’t necessarily be entirely accurate. As a major martial sect, the Heaven’s Way Alliance had long since developed an awareness of the Immortal Dao, and had been coveting its inheritance for quite some time. The Long Clan of Xinji Town had merely been the tip of the iceberg. Piaomiao, a sect with a thousand-year-old heritage, had long since fallen into decline and had been under the watchful eye of the Heaven’s Way Alliance for a very long time. Were it not for their concerns about other sects with Immortal Dao inheritances, the Heaven’s Way Alliance would’ve made their move ages ago. This secret realm was nothing more than the fuse!

Even without the matter of the secret realm, the Heaven’s Way Alliance would inevitably have moved against Piaomiao sooner or later. Who told Piaomiao to possess an alluring Immortal Dao inheritance, yet lack the strength to protect it?

The annexation of Piaomiao was nothing more than a long-prepared maneuver by the Heaven’s Way Alliance.

Ou Peng continued: “Big Brother, Second Brother, Fifth Brother, the Heaven’s Way Alliance has come on fiercely. They’ve first worn down our forces on the periphery, then laid traps to take our brothers from us—clearly this plot has been brewing for a long time. Moreover, they returned the remains of Fourth and Sixth Brother to us—not only to crush our morale, but also to signal their impending assault. I reckon, at the latest, by tomorrow, the Heaven’s Way Alliance will launch their final attack.”

“Aha!” Old Fifth Liu bellowed, jumping to his feet. “Third Brother, I’m going to fetch my twin axes! I’ll stand guard at the archway myself—I’d like to see whether that yellow-faced old dog Zhang San dares step over my corpse to enter the Piaomiao Sect!”

With that, he dashed out of the Divine Mechanism Hall like the wind.

Ou Peng raised his hand to stop him, but Hu Yunyi said: “Let Old Fifth go.”

Then he turned to Li Jian and said: “Old Second, go keep an eye on him. Don’t let him do anything reckless.”

Without another word, Li Jian strode out in pursuit.

After the two of them had gone, Hu Yunyi asked: “Old Third, do you think we should send word to Dalin Temple and Incense Spreading Cult? Ask them to come to our aid?”

“Well… Dalin Temple hasn’t yet cleared itself of suspicion. They might not—”

“Maybe it’s just one bald monk. Even if he is a monk, that doesn’t necessarily mean Dalin Temple is involved. After all, we all share the same lineage of the Immortal Dao. Maybe they will lend a hand.”

“Lend a hand?” Ou Peng sneered slightly. “According to the records, back when the Divine Blade Sect was exterminated, Dalin Temple didn’t lift a finger.”

“That was then, this is now. If Dalin Temple or Incense Spreading Cult don’t lend us their support, even if we scrape through tomorrow’s trial, Piaomiao will still suffer a devastating blow. It’s worth a try.”

Ou Peng sighed. “At this point, there’s nothing else to be done. The Heaven’s Way Alliance has been plotting for a long time—they might not even give us the chance to send a message out.”

Then Ou Peng turned to the hall master of the Divine Mechanism Hall beside him and said: “Hall Master Shi, send a few capable disciples. Split them into several groups to go seek aid from Dalin Temple and Incense Spreading Cult.”

Shi Yukun cupped his fists in acknowledgment and left in haste with two Elders.

In that moment, silence once again fell over the Divine Mechanism Hall. Ou Peng and Hu Yunyi stood like statues before the coffins, staring fixedly at the two inside, as if they were merely asleep. For a long time, neither spoke a word.

Who knew how much time had passed? It was as if time itself held no meaning in their sorrow. No matter how much of it slipped by, not even a sliver could mend the aching weight of remembrance.

Suddenly, Ou Peng spoke, his voice soft: “Big Brother.”

“Old Third… Ai. I used to think tales of life and death were nothing more than sentimental melodrama. But now that it’s our turn, I finally understand what it means when they say even heroes grow weary in the face of grief. I watched you all grow up. The six of us brothers have roamed the martial world together since childhood, weathering countless storms of blood and blade. We’ve long since accepted that our heads could roll at any moment. But who would’ve thought that, just as Piaomiao was rising to new heights, something like this would happen? I always thought I would be the first to lie in one of these coffins. This… this really is a case of the old sending off the young.”

“It’s true, Big Brother. Partings in life are inevitable, but who could have imagined that death would come so close, catching us completely off guard?”

Hu Yunyi let out a sigh and said nothing more.

Ou Peng continued: “Big Brother, there’s one more matter of utmost importance that I must entrust to you.”

“Entrust? Old Third, what do you mean?”

“It’s like this, Big Brother. This time, the Heaven’s Way Alliance came well-prepared. With foresight and planning on their side, they’ve clearly drawn up meticulous strategies. We of the Piaomiao Sect responded hastily, and our strength is obviously not on the same level. I fear our Piaomiao Sect may not escape this calamity.”

Hu Yunyi did not respond. It seemed he knew that what Ou Peng said was not false.

“Big Brother, the Piaomiao Sect can fall—but its legacy must not be lost. As the Sect Master of the sect, I cannot abandon my fellow disciples at a time like this. The responsibility of protecting the next generation of Piaomiao Sect disciples… I leave to you.”

“This…” Hu Yunyi hesitated. He was not a reckless man, and he had a keen sense of priorities. Otherwise, he would never have given up the position of Sect Master to Ou Peng. In his heart, he was very much willing to stay and avenge the deaths of his two junior brothers with a single palm strike. But rationally, he knew that the most important thing right now was to preserve the flame of Piaomiao.

“Can’t the Old Fifth go instead?” Hu Yunyi asked tentatively.

“What do you think, Big Brother?” Ou Peng didn’t answer directly. He knew that Hu Yunyi understood these matters quite clearly.

Sure enough, Hu Yunyi sighed again and said: “I wish to slay our enemies, but alas, I am powerless to turn the tide.”

Then Ou Peng said: “Big Brother, go make preparations. Take with you all of the sect’s martial manuals. Also, pick out a few talented disciples from the lower ranks… no, take all those at Cloth-Robe Rank, both first and second tier. They won’t be of much help here anyway. If even one can escape, then we’ve preserved a spark. Even those of lesser aptitude are still seeds of our Piaomiao lineage. I’ll assign a few elite disciples to protect you all.”

“The Heaven’s Way Alliance will surely try to guard against this move of ours. However, the secret tunnel in the rear mountains of Piaomiao Peak—even if they suspect it, defending against it will be difficult. Once you’re ready, wait there. If the worst comes to pass, don’t hesitate—break out at once. No matter how many men the Heaven’s Way Alliance sends, they cannot possibly seal off the entire Piaomiao Peak.”

“When you break out, Big Brother, the sect’s future will be in your hands. Take our flame with you. Find a place to conceal your identity, bide your time, gather strength, and when the opportunity arises, consider rising again. Oh, and Big Brother, during this period, keep an eye on Dalin Temple and the Incense Spreading Cult. Unless absolutely necessary, don’t contact them. The Jianghu is full of wolves.”

“Mm. Third Brother, I understand. Though I lack your grand vision and leadership, I have confidence in protecting these little ones. It’s just, Third Brother, when I passed the Sect Master’s position to you back then, I never thought you’d be the one to bear the burden in my place today.”

“Big Brother, to be Sect Master is to bear the burden of the entire sect. I understood this from the moment I accepted the Piaomiao Sect from Master’s hands. Big Brother, go with peace of mind. Perhaps things aren’t as grim as they seem. Maybe Dalin Temple and the Incense Spreading Cult have already sensed the Heaven’s Way Alliance’s unrest and are on their way to aid us.”

These words were far from realistic—Hu Yunyi knew that as well. It was nothing more than a bit of comfort for himself. He walked over, patted Ou Peng on the shoulder, and said: “Third Brother, take care.”

At this moment, there was not a trace of the Sect Master’s majesty about Ou Peng. He looked just like that boy who had first begun learning martial arts, standing there obediently. He smiled and said: “Don’t worry, Big Brother. I understand.”

Hu Yunyi looked at him, and his eyes grew a little moist. If all went as expected, this would likely be a final farewell between these two brothers, closer than father and son.

Ou Peng could no longer hold back. He stretched out his hand. Hu Yunyi also reached out and took it—just like when Ou Peng was young and Hu Yunyi had held his hand, taking him up Piaomiao Peak to pass down martial arts.

“Big Brother, be careful.”

“Third Brother, you too—take care.”

A thousand words, a thousand thoughts—yet only such plain words could be spoken.

And then, the two brothers released hands and laughed heartily: “A true man stands between heaven and earth—what joy is there in life? What fear is there in death? Life to me is like drifting clouds, coming with the wind, leaving with the wind.”

With that said, Hu Yunyi flung his sleeve and strode out through the doors.

Ou Peng stood dazed for a moment, feeling the lonely desolation that comes after a grand feast. Just as he was about to turn and take another look at the coffins of his fellow disciples, he heard a burst of urgent footsteps outside the door.

At this point, even Ou Peng could not be bothered to frown. He walked slowly toward the entrance of the Divine Mechanism Hall. He had only taken a few steps when Zhang Chengyue rushed in, his face full of alarm.

Zhang Chengyue had been extremely flustered at first, but seeing Ou Peng so calm and composed, he froze for a moment, then slowed his steps and lowered his voice. “Sect Master, the situation has taken a dire turn.”

Ou Peng smiled first and said: “Chengyue, the matters I assigned to you earlier—are they all done?”

“Yes, Sect Master. Except for Eldest Martial Uncle still organizing people to handle the martial manuals, everything else has been completed.”

“Good. Chengyue, as the chief disciple of the Piaomiao Sect, you must have an awareness that surpasses others. I know you’ve always handled sect affairs with great finesse, but you’ve lacked the tempering that comes in times of crisis. Now is the opportunity Heaven has given you. If you can get through this trial, you’ll find yourself standing above all others. And then, I’ll be able to entrust the entire Piaomiao Sect to your hands with peace of mind!”