"Hey, Alex, with Dongfang Bubai gone, there's no need for us to clash," Leader Ren Woxing pleaded, his voice trembling. "You can remain deputy leader of the Sun Moon Sect. Serve me for a century, and the leadership is yours…"
Gravely wounded, Ren Woxing's fear spiked at Alex's skyward arrival, prompting his desperate words.
"Leadership?" Alex sneered, his eyes cold.
He'd leave the world eventually. What value did leadership hold? Even an emperor's throne meant nothing to him.
Seeing Alex's scorn, Ren Woxing's heart sank. He scrambled, "At Shaolin, we were just on opposite sides. Now, with Dongfang Bubai dead, that divide is gone. I hurt you then, but you took half my palm. We're even, right? Why push this?"
"Why?"
Alex paused, then turned to gaze at Dongfang Bubai's lifeless body. "A gentleman avenges wrongs, and a villain repays kindness. Dongfang Bubai was good to me. I couldn't save him today, and that guilt burns. All I can do now is avenge him."
As he spoke, Alex slowly raised his hands.
Linghu Chong's longsword, Xiang Wentian's blade, Alex's White Dragon sword, and the embroidery needles strewn across the ground…
All metal objects rose, hovering under Alex's Magneto's ability. It was the first time he'd commanded so many at once.
Swords and needles floated in eerie unison.
The sheer power stunned Ren Woxing, his face paling. Even Linghu Chong, the least injured, stood frozen, awestruck. Such martial prowess defied their comprehension.
The Breaking Arrows technique of Dugu Nine Swords could, in theory, deflect countless projectiles. But that was mere legend.
Faced with a storm of needles and blades poised to strike, no swordsmanship, however exquisite, could block them all.
"Bring the prisoner out!" Ren Woxing bellowed, his voice thick with panic.
At his command, a Sun Moon Sect disciple emerged from the shadows, dragging a figure bound in ropes—Lin Pingzhi.
Ren Woxing lunged, seizing Lin Pingzhi's throat with a clawed grip. Glaring at Alex, he snarled, "I kept this boy alive as a precaution, and now he's useful. Alex, he's your prized disciple, isn't he? Drop your weapons, or I'll crush his throat."
"Lin Pingzhi?" Alex's brow furrowed as he eyed the captive, Ren Woxing's fingers tight around his neck.
The hovering swords and needles paused, their deadly arc halted.
Seeing Alex hold back, Ren Woxing exhaled, relief flickering through him.
This boy's swordsmanship was exceptional, clearly taught by Alex himself. Surely, Alex cherished such a disciple, heir to his legacy. With this leverage…
"You think you can threaten me with him?" Alex's voice cut through, icy and unyielding, his gaze indifferent.
"Alex, he's your only true disciple! You don't care about him? I don't believe it!"
Leader Ren Woxing flinched at Alex's words, then shook his head frantically, convinced Alex was bluffing to unnerve him.
"You know nothing about me," Alex said, his voice low, shaking his head slightly.
Indeed, a threat? Had Ren Woxing used Dongfang Bubai, it might've worked. Dongfang Bubai's kindness meant something to Alex, and repaying it was his principle.
But Lin Pingzhi? Alex owed him nothing. He wouldn't sacrifice himself for another's gain.
As for their master-disciple bond? It wasn't blood. In the end times, Alex had seen families turn—fathers against sons, spouses plotting, siblings slaying each other.
Hardened by that darkness, Alex could act for others' benefit if it cost him nothing, like teaching Lin Pingzhi swordsmanship for his vengeance. That was harmless.
But now, to save another at his own expense? In the end times, those who tried perished within three years. Alex wouldn't be so foolish.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Ren Woxing thought Alex's words were a ruse, but Alex had no patience for games. His Magneto's ability surged, enveloping Ren Woxing.
Dozens of embroidery needles, swords, and the White Dragon sword became a meteor storm, streaking toward their target.
The onslaught engulfed Ren Woxing—and Lin Pingzhi, still in its path.
"Monster! He's heartless!" Ren Woxing cursed inwardly, stunned that Alex would strike both him and his disciple.
With a desperate heave, he hurled Lin Pingzhi at Alex, hoping to use him as a shield while retreating.
But Alex's lips curled into a faint smirk.
Ren Woxing thought his move clever, but to Alex, it was a fatal misstep.
Alex extended his palm, twisting it lightly. The flying needles and swords arced midair, deftly weaving around Lin Pingzhi, sparing him, and surging toward Ren Woxing.
"Ah!"
Ren Woxing's eyes widened, a scream tearing from his throat. His inner energy erupted, a fierce palm strike blasting outward, trying to repel the onslaught.
A master of the martial world, his internal strength was formidable. Many needles were deflected by his palm force, but some pierced deep, embedding in his flesh.
The needles burrowed like frenzied fish, ravaging his insides.
"Ah!" Over a dozen needles tore through him, unstoppable. Ren Woxing's shrieks echoed, sharp as a night owl's cry.
"Stop!"
Ren Yingying watched in horror. Linghu Chong couldn't stand idle. His Dugu Nine Swords flashed, a precise strike aimed at Alex's shoulder to halt him.
But Alex's eyes narrowed.
Instantly, Linghu Chong's sword grew heavy, as if weighing a thousand pounds. Its tip plunged into the ground, the blade sinking deep.
Linghu Chong's swordsmanship was peerless, but his inner strength paled compared to Taoist Chongxu's. If even Chongxu couldn't wield a blade against Alex's control, what chance did Linghu Chong have? With his sword in Alex's grip, no technique could prevail.
With a flick of his finger, Alex recalled the White Dragon sword to his side. Ren Woxing's body crumpled to the ground.
Over a dozen needles had shredded his organs. No one could survive that.
"Yingying, we're leaving!" Linghu Chong saw Ren Woxing and Xiang Wentian dead, knowing he was no match for Alex. He scooped up Ren Yingying and fled.
Alex's mind stirred. The White Dragon sword shot forth, a streak of light chasing Linghu Chong.
Linghu Chong had struck him moments ago. Though the blow aimed for his shoulder, not a vital spot, he'd played a role in Dongfang Bubai's death.
Alex had traded his Blocking skill for the Dugu Nine Swords, owing Linghu Chong nothing. How could he let him escape so easily?
Alex lived by a code: repay kindness with kindness, and grudges with vengeance, clear and unyielding.
Under Alex's command, the White Dragon sword danced like a living dragon, streaking through the air and closing in on Linghu Chong in a heartbeat.
Block!
Facing Alex's lightning-swift strike, Linghu Chong, cradling Ren Yingying in one arm, raised his other hand to parry the White Dragon sword.
The Blocking skill, copied from Claire was near absolute. Even with Alex's Magneto's ability tugging at Linghu Chong's blade, it couldn't disrupt his defense.
Ding!
A sharp clash rang out as Linghu Chong's fine steel sword met the White Dragon sword, deflecting it.
But Alex's finger twitched. The White Dragon sword, rebuffed, spun in midair, arcing to strike Linghu Chong's unguarded side.
Though Dugu Nine Swords surpassed Alex's technique, Linghu Chong, burdened by Ren Yingying, couldn't maneuver.
With a sickening pfft, blood sprayed.
At the last moment, unable to dodge, Ren Yingying thrust her arm in front of Linghu Chong, taking the blow.
The White Dragon sword's razor edge carved a deep gash in her arm, blood pouring forth.
"Yingying!" Linghu Chong cried, horror in his voice.
"Brother Chong, run…" Ren Yingying gasped, ignoring her wound, urging him to flee.
Alex's power was unmatched; no one in the martial world could stand against him.
The White Dragon sword returned to Alex. Watching Linghu Chong carry Ren Yingying away, Alex sighed softly, his intent to strike fading.
Linghu Chong's earlier attack had targeted his shoulder, not a vital spot, so Alex bore no killing intent. For Dongfang Bubai's vengeance, he'd meant only to teach a lesson.
Ren Yingying's sacrifice for Linghu Chong stilled his hand.
In his heart, Alex admired and envied their bond. In the end times, such genuine devotion was rare.
With a quiet sigh, the White Dragon sword flicked, slicing through Lin Pingzhi's ropes.
Freed, Lin Pingzhi scrambled up, guilt etched on his face. "Master, I've caused you trouble and shamed you."
"Everyone answers for their own choices," Alex said, shaking his head. "Ren Woxing captured you because your skills fell short. If you'd died, that's on you. Today's rescue was luck. If it happens again, I'd make the same call. Don't resent me."
"I understand," Lin Pingzhi nodded, his expression heavy with shame.
Having endured great trials, he was no longer the naive youth of old. From Alex's perspective, his choice was sound.
Alex gave a slight nod, saying no more. His words were harsh, but this world was harsher.
With the battle ended, Alex sent Lin Pingzhi to Blackwood Cliff to deal with Ren Woxing's rebellious followers, leaving their fate in his hands.
After Lin Pingzhi departed, Alex approached Dongfang Bubai's body, gazing at it with a faint sigh.
Chapter 33: Farewell to Blackwood Cliff
Alex dug a grave with his own hands, gently laying Dongfang Bubai's body within. A blood-stained red robe, carefully folded, rested beside him.
"They say the Sunflower Manual made you whole, but it was you who brought glory to its name," Alex murmured. "Rest easy. I'll preserve this martial art and avenge you. Thank you for calling me a confidant…"
He stood before the grave for a long while, his voice barely a whisper.
As he spoke, Alex glanced at his palm. A computer pattern, nearly complete, marked his skin. He reckoned half a month remained.
"Master, the rebellion at Blackwood Cliff is quelled," Lin Pingzhi reported, approaching with Tong Baixiong and the remaining elders. "Most rebels were coerced by Ren Woxing. I've allowed them to stay in the Sun Moon Sect to atone through service. A few ruthless ones, I've executed."
"Well done. Handle such matters yourself," Alex said, nodding slightly.
Lin Pingzhi took the words at face value, but Tong Baixiong and the elders exchanged glances, catching the deeper meaning in Alex's tone.
Tong Baixiong hesitated, then stepped forward. "Deputy leader, with Leader Dongfang Bubai gone, the Sun Moon Sect cannot go leaderless. We beg you, deputy leader…"
"No need for that," Alex interrupted, waving his hand. "The leadership will pass to Lin Pingzhi in time. He's young, still green, but I trust the elders will guide him."
"As expected…" Tong Baixiong sighed inwardly, a bitter smile hidden.
Alex's earlier words—letting Lin Pingzhi manage sect affairs—had hinted at this. And now, he'd named Lin Pingzhi as the future leader.
"Master, no! I can't bear such a burden!" Lin Pingzhi's face paled, panic seizing him. "Master, you're the leader everyone looks to!"
"You wield the Dugu Nine Swords," Alex countered, unmoved. "All you lack is inner strength. I'll fetch the Yi Jin Jing from Shaolin Temple for you and secure a Small Huandan. In time, few will rival you. As for sect affairs? Elder Tong and the others will support you. Learn slowly. Have faith in yourself."
Lin Pingzhi's protest faltered under Alex's resolve.
"Master, are you leaving the Sun Moon Sect?" Lin Pingzhi asked, sensing Alex's intent to pass on the leadership.
"All feasts end," Alex replied softly. "After Shaolin, it's time for me to go."
For the next eight days, Alex remained at Blackwood Cliff, recovering and organizing the Sun Moon Sect's affairs. He ensured Lin Pingzhi was formally installed as leader.
With Alex's authority behind him, no one dared object to Lin Pingzhi's ascension.
Once the sect's matters were settled, Alex departed alone.
Clad in a green robe, sword in hand, he rode toward Shaolin Temple, a solitary figure against the horizon.