Chapter 11: Sect Master

Yi Shui ultimately died with a great deal of resentment. He did not die in battle but was instead choked with rage—a pathetic way to go. Yet, for Yi Shui, it was perhaps the most fitting end. He was a man of truly malicious character, and many of Yi Shui Sect’s own elite disciples had met their ends at his hands. As the autumn wind blew cold and sharp, Chu Yun had originally thought she would feel a sense of triumph upon his death. But now that the man lay dead before her eyes, she found she could not smile. In her heart, she felt only a trace of bitterness and a dull ache.

"The autumn wind sighs at dusk, moonlight fades on the jade bridge. Alas, the lonely shadow, who is there to share the solitude? I only wish to spend this day with you, my love." This nameless song was one Yi Shui had composed on a whim years ago, his favorite piece to sing when he was alone. It was strange; whenever she had thought of him before, it was always of his cruelty, but now, only his better qualities came to mind. People are truly fickle creatures.

Zhuang Yunzhen had not expected that this man would choose such an end. He felt a wave of melancholy. "What are your plans for the future?"

Chu Yun had always been a woman of firm resolve. She had long since mapped out the future of the Yi Shui Sect. In the past, this place had committed too many evils, and she had lacked the opportunity to atone for those errors. But now, there was still a chance to start over. It was not too late.

"Big Brother, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. If not for you, this would not have been so easily resolved. Yi Shui was a madman; I could never have defeated him alone. I am truly grateful. Please, leave the rest to me. You have more important matters to attend to."

Important matters? If it were about Mo Qing, she really had nothing to worry about now. Even without his protection, Mo Qing was capable of achieving great things—that was what she had told him herself.

Mo Qing had finally come to understand what love truly was: being intertwined while remaining independent. She realized that Li Moqing could not rely on her beloved forever; she had her own path to walk.

"Rest assured, the work is not yet finished, and I will not leave just yet. The problems we are about to face are the most troublesome. But you can be at ease; I will stay for now to help you. In truth, these are things I have long wished to do. It is the only thing I can do for you."

"Once everything is concluded, I will naturally depart." Zhuang Yunzhen knew that reforming the long-decaying Yi Shui Sect would be no easy task. But should they ignore it simply because it was difficult? No, that was not their nature.

Chu Yun was deeply moved. What was truly in Zhuang Yunzhen's heart? If he did not leave now, he would never have another chance. The disciples would surely blame him for their leader’s death. Entering the Yi Shui Sect today was a gamble with death.

"Enough, there is no need to say more. If they wish to fight, let them come. I did not fear Yi Shui; why should I fear those underlings?"

"Get out! The Yi Shui Sect has no place for a traitor like you!"

It came as no surprise. The disciples had learned the truth. They angrily blocked Chu Yun and Dong Ju at the mountain gate. One more step, and they would die.

"I’d like to see who dares to be insolent! This is your Senior Sister Chu Yun. She is now the head of the Yi Shui Sect. Do you intend to defy your leader's will?"

Zhuang Yunzhen stood before Chu Yun, not yielding an inch. His presence alone was enough to overwhelm everyone present. They wanted a fight? Fine, he was ready.

The atmosphere grew tense, and the air crackled with energy as Zhuang Yunzhen’s hands began to glow with power.

"Big Brother, let me handle this. This is my territory, after all. Since things have come to this, I must resolve it myself." Chu Yun stepped forward, her movements graceful yet her eyes resolute and her pace steady. The Yi Shui disciples were momentarily stunned; the woman was formidable, charming them with nothing more than her presence.

"Zi Bu, step aside!"

Zi Bu, the leader at the gate, could not retreat. If he yielded now, what authority would he have left?

"Hum."

Zi Bu drew his sword and pointed it at Chu Yun. "I will not let you take another step into this sect. From today on, you are a traitor! The leader died by your hand—how dare you return? For the sake of our past, I will let you leave. Never return. You once showed me kindness, and today, I repay that debt by letting you go. My brothers here are witnesses."

"Big Brother, you cannot do this! The leader died by this madwoman's hand; we all want to kill her to avenge him! How can you let her go?"

The disciples were furious. They demanded her death to appease their rage.

"Pluck."

Chu Yun drew a flying dagger and plunged it into her own body. She showed no mercy to herself, her face devoid of pain.

One of the rules of the Yi Shui Sect was that any traitor wishing to return must undergo the "Six-Blade Penance." No one had ever seen this punishment carried out until now. The blades were not ordinary; they were specially crafted with blood grooves. One blade meant blood, six meant death.

Chu Yun had created this rule herself. She never imagined it would be used on her, but for the future of the sect, she had no regrets.

"Chu Yun!"

"Sister!"

Zhuang Yunzhen and Dong Ju cried out, but Chu Yun continued her slow, painful walk. A trail of blood followed her, contrasting sharply with her pale face. The disciples, previously screaming for blood, fell silent in shock.

"Heh, why are you afraid? The blade isn't in your body, why do you look so pale? That was only one. There are five more. We have time."

This calm demeanor was worthy of the former top assassin of the Yi Shui Sect. Even now, no one could match her presence. She did not consider herself a traitor, but she was willing to pay the price to provide an answer to her former brothers.

Zhuang Yunzhen followed closely. He realized that every woman he met possessed a fierce, uncompromising spirit. Once they made a decision, they would never waver. He held such people in high regard.

Zi Bu watched her approach, stepping back half a pace. He had promised not to retreat, but he had failed his word. Yet, how could he strike her? She had saved his life years ago.

The sword tip was an inch from her neck. She trusted him—he would not strike.

"Sigh, enter. You truly understand me. I will not strike you, but I cannot help you inside the gate. Please understand; those old fools are not as forgiving as I am."

After a few seconds of tension, Zi Bu conceded. He could not bring himself to harm her. It had nothing to do with love—or perhaps, she was the woman he wanted to love but dared not.

"Big Brother, how can you do this to the brothers?"

Some disciples still grumbled, but Zi Bu had seen the truth. Chu Yun had always been the same, and the sect needed to change. Perhaps she could do what others could not.

"Shut up! Every one of you has benefited from Chu Yun’s kindness. Have you forgotten so soon? I know what you fear, but if those old men dare to trouble you, I will take responsibility!"

A long sword seemed to fuse with his body, silencing all dissent. The disciples knew Zi Bu was iron-willed; they dared not move.

As Zhuang Yunzhen passed Zi Bu, the two men exchanged a look. They had never met, yet there was a mutual respect between them.

Chu Yun stood in the courtyard, facing the Ancestral Hall. This was where the tablets of former leaders and heroes were kept. She should have had a place here, but that was no longer an option. She did not care for empty titles.

"Bang!"

A porcelain bowl shattered against her forehead, blood streaming down. A furious roar echoed through the hall.

Chu Yun stood unmoved, as if she could no longer feel the pain. She could be ruthless to others, but not to Uncle Zhang, the man who had raised her.

"Get out! The Yi Shui Sect has no place for an unfilial disciple! I regret the day I brought you here and raised you. You have a wolf's heart! The leader valued you so highly, and this is how you repay him?"

"He loved you! If you didn't return that love, that would be one thing, but you killed him! Get out before I can no longer protect you!"

Seeing the flying dagger embedded in her, Uncle Zhang felt a pang of pity. She had suffered so much. But she had made her choice, and if she died today, it would be her own fault. Yet, he could not be heartless. An assassin who felt emotion was not long for this world.

"Uncle Zhang, if you cannot do it, let me. It is difficult for you to kill the child you raised, isn't it?"

From the depths of the hall came a calm, cold voice. It was the Grand Elder, Changfeng Qingye.

"No! Grand Elder, please, for the sake of all she has done for the sect, spare her! We all know what kind of man Yi Shui was. If he had not died, he would have destroyed this sect!"

"Ah!"

A sharp blade of energy severed Uncle Zhang’s wrist. He screamed as he collapsed.

"I dislike people who talk too much. If you won't do it, I will. As the Grand Elder, I must make the hard choices."

A man appeared—about thirty years old, with an air of nobility and cold, indifferent eyes.

"Uncle Zhang, you know our rules. Now, one last chance: either she dies, or you do."

Chu Yun could not bear to see those she cared for suffer. She stepped forward, death in her eyes. "I am responsible for everything. If you are dissatisfied, come for me. Leave Uncle Zhang out of this!"

"Very well! You have courage. Then, die!"

Changfeng Qingye waved his hand, and the ground beneath Chu Yun collapsed into an abyss. She fell, her scream echoing through the lonely mountains. The disciples watched in horror; they knew the Grand Elder’s ruthless reputation.

Zhuang Yunzhen leaped into the abyss, his movement like a phantom, determined to save her.

"Jump if you wish. No one has ever escaped my grasp, and no one ever will!"

In the abyss, Zhuang Yunzhen reached for her. "Chu Yun, take my hand! I promised no one would hurt you!"

Chu Yun was calm. "Big Brother, thank you. But why jump? It’s a waste of your life. Yi Shui died because of me; this is my fate. How will you answer to Mo Qing?"

"Chu Yun!" Uncle Zhang’s voice echoed from above, but there was no response. He collapsed, weeping. "It’s all my fault. I should be the one to die!"

As Changfeng Qingye moved to strike him, a sharp sound cut through the darkness, striking the Elder’s wrist. A piece of a tea bowl had cut him.

Two figures emerged from the shadows, battered but alive. "Surprised to see us alive, Elder?"

The disciples were stunned. The Grand Elder looked intrigued. "You are quite something. Very well, if you can take three of my palms, I will listen to what she has to say."

"Big Brother, don't risk it! He is too strong!" Chu Yun pleaded.

"I am ready to accept my punishment," she added, her voice calm.

The disciples, realizing the tide might turn, began to clamor again. But the Grand Elder silenced them with a cold glare. "Look at you all. Sycophants. Ten of you, and eight have received her kindness. Have you forgotten?"

He turned back to Chu Yun. "I name you the new leader. Who objects?"

The disciples fell silent. Chu Yun was stunned. The Grand Elder had been testing her all along.

"I know what you all think of me," Chu Yun declared. "I am here to atone. We are assassins; we cause pain. I want you to join me in seeking forgiveness. It will be a long road. You are free to refuse, but ask yourselves: can you be assassins forever?"

The night was cold, but their hearts were warm. The journey of redemption had begun.