Chapter Eleven: Divergent Paths, No Common Cause Section Nineteen: Transformation
Chapter Eleven: Divergent Paths, No Collaboration
Section Nineteen: Transformation
A group of soldiers, upon seeing her phoenix-shaped golden ornament, immediately recognized her as the Martial Sovereign. They quickly responded with utmost respect.
The elder female disciple accompanying July whispered into her ear, explaining, “Hero Xian is the Martial Sovereign’s senior brother. He joined the Feixian Sect fifteen years ago and is the nephew of the current General Wang. He has been responsible for our sect’s affairs in East Pass City and has always managed them well.”
“What crime have they committed?” July asked again.
The soldiers replied, “We are merely following orders and do not know the details.”
The middle-aged couple, seeing the soldiers’ respectful attitude toward this young and beautiful woman, guessed her status was unusual. They hurriedly knelt before July, tears streaming, pleading, “Villain Xian has taken a liking to our daughter. Last time he sent someone with silver to buy her, but although our family is not wealthy, we manage our small trade and would never consent to sell our daughter to such a villain as a concubine. When we refused, that evil Xian sent men to forcibly seize her. Heroine, please show mercy and help us!”
The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances and remained silent.
The senior sister whispered again to July, “I think the Martial Sovereign should not get involved. The Sect Leader is still waiting for him.”
July ignored her, addressing the soldiers, “Release them and ask Hero Xian to come here for a discussion.”
The soldiers dared not disobey and quickly freed the two young women, receiving orders to return.
The two girls embraced their parents, crying in relief, then knelt before July repeatedly to express their gratitude.
“We will have to wait until Hero Xian arrives to understand the full situation. You must not leave. If what you say is true, I will help you. But if you deceive me with one-sided stories, you will not be spared.” July had witnessed many things during her travels and knew that every sect had its scoundrels, and the Feixian Sect was no exception. There were also seemingly kind people who cunningly exploited others’ sympathy by fabricating tragic tales and twisting the truth. Though she cared, she did not hastily judge right from wrong.
The family repeatedly affirmed their sincerity but also showed fear.
The senior sister, knowing persuasion was futile but feeling responsible as both senior and traveling companion, said, “You need not fear. If what you say is true, Hero Xian will never trouble you again.”
Only then did the couple feel somewhat reassured, quickly insisting, “Everything we say is true. That villain Xian is notorious here.”
“What else has he done?” July’s eyes darkened, her voice cold and sharp. At this moment, she already suspected the couple’s words were not false; otherwise, they would not be so calm. Liars fear confrontation and often try to evade or sneak away.
The couple recounted how Hero Xian colluded with the town guards in East Merchant Town to levy exorbitant taxes under false pretenses, trample on lives, rob others of their property, and commit other atrocities against wives and daughters. They ended, “All our words are true. The victims’ families still live in East Merchant Town and can confirm everything. You, Heroine, may question them.”
The senior sister was older and already aware of these matters. However, regardless of her origin, she rarely concerned herself with commoners’ troubles. Though she thought Hero Xian’s behavior excessive, she did not deem it truly evil. She believed July’s concern stemmed from her humble background. She did not know July was recalling the Feixian Sect disciples Li Shao and General Zheng’s son Ling Shaobao, who had been slain by Bei Jun’s Left Bank years ago.
At that time, she was naive and believed the Feixian Sect had no scoundrels, only heroes like their master who served the nation and the people. Now, she wondered if such vile traitors truly existed within the sect.
About half an hour later, Hero Xian Xian Qiu arrived at the inn at a gallop with several attendants. Upon seeing July and her group, he immediately put on a broad smile and quickly entered to pay his respects. “Xian Qiu of the Feixian Sect, greeting the Martial Sovereign and all junior sisters.”
“Please sit down and speak, Senior Brother Xian,” July said politely. After he took his seat, she recounted the couple’s story and asked for the truth.
Xian Qiu dismissed it with a chuckle. “Since the Martial Sovereign sides with them, let the matter drop. To be honest, I was smitten by those sisters at first sight. Last time I sent someone to propose, but they drove him away with insults. In anger, I sent men to seize them forcibly, but it wasn’t for nothing—I left two hundred silver as a betrothal gift.”
July looked at the couple and said, “Repeat what you just said to me, now in front of Senior Brother Xian.”
The couple, sensing the matter was settled, smiled awkwardly, thanked July, and said they wished to leave.
July’s brows furrowed, her voice cold. “I told you, if you lie, you will not be spared. If your words are true, say them again.”
Seeing her resolve, the couple swallowed their fear and reluctantly repeated Xian Qiu’s misdeeds.
“Senior Brother Xian, are their claims true?”
Xian Qiu still took no offense, smiling as he nodded. “Their accusations are biased and exaggerated. I always act fairly. I never kill someone without compensation. If someone must die, I ensure the proper price is paid. Those who insist on it receive full payment.”
“Senior Brother Xian, those people were not slaves. How can you forcefully buy them?” July’s eyes grew colder by the moment. The senior sister, sensing July’s murderous intent, quickly interjected, “Senior Brother Xian, you are clearly at fault. Please promise the Martial Sovereign you will never repeat this.”
Xian Qiu now realized July’s hostility. Though he did not take the matter seriously, he dared not offend her. Though the Martial Sovereign held no official rank, he was a marquis. More importantly, as his senior fellow disciple, the Martial Sovereign’s status was akin to the sect leader’s. It was only natural for him to lower his head.
Suppressing his displeasure, he smiled and clasped his fists. “The Martial Sovereign speaks rightly. I promise not to repeat this.”
The senior sister smiled brightly. “Since Senior Brother Xian admits his fault, the Martial Sovereign should forgive him.”
“Forgive?!” July’s words left Xian Qiu enraged. “What is the purpose of our sect’s rules? Our master always taught us that Feixian Sect is not one that bullies others through force. If no one provokes us, we do not provoke them. Whenever we see acts against righteousness, we must draw our swords to help and stand up. Our disciples must never abuse their power. The Zheng King established laws specifically for our sect. If our disciples’ actions conflict with national laws, they must be dealt with separately. This shows our sect’s belief that our actions must be just, that those we kill deserve death and earn public approval. It certainly does not grant us the privilege to slaughter the innocent!”
Understanding the Martial Sovereign's resolve, Xian Qiu’s anger flared. “If the Martial Sovereign says so, I ask in return: none of those people reported anything afterward, and each accepted my money. How can that be called force or robbery?”
“Senior Brother, spare me your officialdom. I won’t listen. If I had forced you into slavery, cut out your relatives’ tongues to silence them, severed their arms’ meridians to disable them, then none could report me. Would my actions then be just?”
Unprepared for such words, Xian Qiu grew furious. “Then what does the Martial Sovereign intend to do about today’s matter?”
“Since you are still my senior brother, I suggest you take your own life.”
Xian Qiu rose in rage but dared not act. He was so enraged he could not speak.
The senior sister hurriedly pleaded, but July waved her off dismissively.
At that moment, Zheng Linran arrived hastily with several Feixian Sect disciples.
“What happened here?”
Xian Qiu immediately bowed and recounted the situation.
Zheng Linran’s heart burned with anger. He thought July was reckless and presumptuous, even more detestable than a handful of autumn leaves combined.
“July, let this matter rest. Do not mention it again.”
“Where is the justice in that?” July replied coldly.
“The sect’s judgment is final.” Zheng Linran grew more furious.
“Not final?”
“You—” Zheng Linran exploded with rage. He thought that in the past, their master must never have imagined the sect would produce such a Martial Sovereign. Otherwise, the rules would have been changed. The Martial Sovereign has no authority over major sect decisions but holds judicial power. Any disciple who breaks the rules can be punished or executed by the Martial Sovereign according to sect law. In other words, July’s refusal to show mercy gave Zheng Linran no reason to demand she spare Xian Qiu.
“Since you won’t act, I must trouble the senior sister to do so.”
The senior sister dared not refuse but deliberately hesitated. Zheng Linran roared, “Who dares act?” She seized the opportunity to pause.
Seeing this, July moved swiftly, delivering a lightning-fast palm strike to Xian Qiu’s crown, killing him instantly.
“July,” Zheng Linran nearly burst with rage but restrained himself. He ordered the others, “Everyone out. The sect has matters to discuss with the Martial Sovereign.”
Everyone immediately withdrew, emptying the inn and even driving out those on the upper floors before closing the doors.
Once alone, Zheng Linran exploded, “July, do you still respect me as sect leader?”
“I have not overstepped. Why speak of not respecting the sect leader?” July remained calm.
“In that case, I have told you to drop this matter. Why did you kill someone within the sect?”
“I killed one who deserved to die. I have no remorse.”
Zheng Linran paced the hall, trying to calm down, then said, “I know you have always been reckless since childhood, but I did not expect such arrogance once you became Martial Sovereign, disregarding others. Before, I tolerated your disrespect to the sect. But your actions today will bring trouble. Xian Qiu’s father is a general highly valued by the Zheng King. You executed him privately. When they report this to the king, they will accuse the sect of wantonly killing imperial officials, interfering in governance, and placing sect law above the national law of Zheng.”
“Your evaluation of me, Sect Leader, I do not accept. In the past, I lacked the ability for such deeds because my master forbade me from leaving the sect to travel. Naturally, I never encountered these wretched people. I have no interest in the political games you mention. My master never taught me to tolerate the corrupt officials, nor to forgive injustices done by the Zheng court. I am a martial cultivator, not interested in political affairs. Unless my master says otherwise, I will only do what is right and carry no guilt.”