Chapter Fourteen: The Twin Stars

Che Hongshi’s eyes reddened at the thought, his expression growing agitated as he raised his voice and called out, “Brothers, are you afraid of death?”

The members of the Che family responded in unison, “No!” Their thunderous voices rolled like the sound of heaven itself, lingering and shaking everyone’s eardrums. Though a handful still hesitated, unwilling to throw away their lives so easily, caught among those resolute in facing death, they could do nothing but follow.

Che Hongshi’s eyes grew moist as he choked out, “Good, good brothers, then I shall accompany you on this journey. On the road to the Yellow Springs, we will not be lonely.”

Finally, Che Hongshi turned with deep affection to his beloved wife, Ye Hongyu. Smiling through her tears, Ye Hongyu said, “Brother Shi, I have no regrets coming with you to Jizhou. If there is a next life, I will follow you to Jizhou again.”

Che Hongshi hesitated no longer. Just as he was about to count to three, four riders appeared in the distance, speeding toward them like shooting stars. The Miao family, seeing Che Hongshi’s determination, had already resigned themselves to despair, believing the day would end in tragic grandeur. Yet now, hope flickered in their eyes.

The horses arrived swiftly, their hoofbeats growing louder, and soon the four riders stood before the crowd. Of the four, the two in front were both youths. The one on the left wore a black robe, his expression cold; though not handsome, he possessed a calm and composed bearing. The youth on the right wore white, his face radiant and jade-like, lips crimson, eyes bright like stars. His gentle demeanor inspired instant goodwill.

Everyone gazed at the pair in admiration, wondering who could have produced such remarkable youths.

As the crowd speculated about their purpose, someone from the Miao family shouted, “Che Yeming, you little scoundrel, you dare show your face here!” At these words, all eyes turned to the black-robed youth. It was none other than Che Yeming, returned unexpectedly. The Che couple were shocked to see him, but given the circumstances, could only take things as they came. Yet confusion lingered in their hearts: who were the people beside Che Yeming? Each carried themselves with extraordinary poise, especially the two middle-aged men behind the white-robed youth, whose presence exerted a heavy, oppressive force. Who were these formidable figures, and what was their purpose here?

Lin Feng, seeing Che Yeming suddenly appear, didn’t wait for Miao Shilin to act; he shot toward Che Yeming like an arrow. His cultivation was high and his speed swift; before others could react, he was already in front of Che Yeming. Che Hongshi watched, his heart sinking, knowing Lin Feng’s skills meant Che Yeming wouldn’t survive even a single exchange. He wanted to intervene, but was powerless.

Yet to everyone’s surprise, Lin Feng returned even faster than he had advanced. Before anyone saw what had happened, Lin Feng sat pale-faced atop his mount, while Che Yeming remained unharmed on his own horse.

Many exchanged confused glances—what had transpired? Had Lin Feng held back? But why would he? Those with keener eyes were alarmed. When Lin Feng reached for Che Yeming, one of the middle-aged men behind the white-robed youth suddenly raised his hand and struck Lin Feng from afar. Under that casual blow, Lin Feng, a master at the peak of the Returning Origin stage, had no chance to resist and was sent back.

Anyone capable of easily repelling Lin Feng must at least be a master of the Core Formation stage, and to have such a figure as attendant, the white-robed youth’s identity was truly intimidating.

—

Miao Shilin watched the three mysterious figures grimly, uncertain where they had come from and what connection they had with Che Yeming. If they were Che Yeming’s summoned allies, today would end in utter defeat.

As both sides grew uneasy, a middle-aged man behind the white-robed youth spoke, “Everyone, keep calm. This is Young Master Wu of the Huashan Sword Sect. He is sixth among his brothers, so you may call him Sixth Young Master.” He gestured to the white-robed youth.

Huashan Sword Sect—a name that weighed heavily on all present. Though based in the central lands, few in the Southern Border had not heard of it. It was a top-tier immortal cultivation force in the entire Southern Continent; even the equally renowned Qingchi Sword Sect paled in comparison.

As everyone reeled at the presence of Huashan Sword Sect’s people in Jizhou, the white-robed youth smiled and said, “I am Wu Haotian, of Huashan Sword Sect. Passing through by chance, I heard of your two families’ longstanding feud. Since we are all members of the Immortal Alliance, I feared a conflict might disrupt harmony. So I came to mediate, and along the way encountered Brother Che, so we came together.”

Che Yeming, hearing Wu Haotian mention him, merely snorted coldly, showing no regard for the Sixth Young Master.

Miao Shilin, long since unencumbered by attachments, cared little for titles. Others might respect Young Master Wu’s status, but he only cared whether he could avenge his great loss.

Upon hearing Wu Haotian’s intention to resolve the feud, Miao Shilin spoke darkly, “Huashan Sword Sect holds the reins of righteous path, making great contributions to the immortal tradition. We have always respected you. Yet Che Yeming acts more ruthlessly than the Demon Sect, slaughtering over a hundred of my family’s disciples and killing my only son, Miao Zongbao. To cover up the truth, he massacred hundreds of innocents, turning Bāli Town from a thriving place into a wasteland.”

Looking at Wu Haotian, his face filled with righteous indignation, Miao Shilin continued, “How does Huashan Sword Sect view such wicked deeds, how does Young Master Wu judge them? According to the laws of the immortal path, what should be done?” He bit down hard when mentioning the immortal laws.

Everyone understood that these immortal laws had been established ten thousand years ago during the war between immortals and demons, but had since become mere relics. Few now knew their exact contents, but every disciple of the immortal path recognized their name.

Ten thousand years ago, these laws were set to restrain disciples, regardless of sect. If evidence was clear, even if a sect tried to protect its own, all other sects had the right to demand punishment according to the immortal laws.

Now, after ten millennia, each sect governed itself with its own rules. The immortal laws were no longer needed. Yet, major forces sometimes invoked them to restrain rogue factions or for special purposes, citing the need to protect the alliance. Though rare, such cases had occurred in history.

Though the immortal laws were largely obsolete, when invoked openly, no one could refute them. No one dared claim they had been abolished, for that would be a direct challenge to the authority of the immortal path itself. Now, Miao Shilin raised them in grand fashion, his intentions clear.

Wu Haotian, sharp as he was, easily saw through Miao Shilin’s ploys. Yet the charges against Che Yeming shocked him—this youth dared defy so many taboos, as if challenging the entire immortal path’s authority, a truly reckless act.

—

Turning, Wu Haotian fixed his gaze on Che Yeming, his voice carrying an unprecedented gravity and authority. “Brother Che, is what the Miao family head said true? Do you have anything to explain to everyone?”

Che Yeming, seeing Wu Haotian’s solemn gaze, looked at him with contempt, a trace of disdain flickering across his cold face.

Wu Haotian was not offended by Che Yeming’s scorn. Members of small clans, when they gained a bit of fame, tended to be arrogant, unaware of how many prodigies emerged from the great powers. Thinking thus, Wu Haotian merely said, “Since I represent Huashan Sword Sect in this matter, I will be impartial. Life for life, debt for debt—this is the ancient principle. Since Che Yeming has nothing to say, let him be sentenced to death.”

Che Hongshi and his wife heard Wu Haotian, wielding the authority of heaven, pronounce a death sentence on Che Yeming, and their hearts sank. They knew such figures from great sects always held fast to their own authority. Yet Ye Hongyu could not bear to see her son killed; even if faced with Huashan Sword Sect, she would fight to the end. She looked at Wu Haotian and hurriedly said, “Young Master Wu…”

Wu Haotian, having spoken, kept his eyes on Che Yeming, watching the proud youth. He found Che Yeming’s icy expression unchanged throughout, unable to fathom his thoughts. Wu Haotian silently sighed—what a remarkable youth.

Hearing Ye Hongyu’s plea, Wu Haotian waved his hand and said, “Yet heaven cherishes life, and those of the immortal path must hold compassion. One cannot punish without teaching. Today, I shall emulate the sages and grant Che Yeming a thread of hope.”

After a brief pause, he continued, “Before the heroes of the immortal path, I will wager ten moves with Che Yeming. If he can withstand ten moves from me, I will spare his life, hoping he will reform and live anew. If he cannot, then fate has spoken.”

Looking to the crowd, Wu Haotian asked, “I believe this is fair. Does anyone object or have other opinions?”

Che Hongshi and his wife, seeing their son given a glimmer of hope, had nothing to add. Besides, they were confident in their son’s abilities. Ten moves—Che Yeming was a genius among geniuses, unmatched by peers. Wu Haotian, though also young, knew nothing of Che Yeming’s true strength; to wager ten moves was surely overconfident.

Miao Shilin sighed inwardly. Though he longed to kill Che Yeming, with Huashan Sword Sect intervening, there was no chance. Even without their involvement, the Che family would not be easily crushed.