Supreme Emperor of Swords

Ding Hao made well sure that he would never forget this.

In one way or another, Ah Chu and Youxia both shared the same miserable fate. As living beings with emotions and feelings of their own, they were cursed with a life of indescribable and unimaginable suffering not only on their bodies but also on their minds.

One could barely comprehend what horrors would befall Youxia if he fell into the hands of someone as horrible as Nalan Xingde. His life would eventually extinguish sooner or later like a mere candle once he outlived his usefulness.

At the same time, Ding Hao was aware that the Immortal Artifact was not something that he should flippantly abuse, even if it has now come into his possession.

Or he might be the very person responsible for the Nalan Youxia and Nalan Chu’s downfall.

“Wait, what about that mysterious aurora-like display of lights at the top of the Saint-alighting Mountain Range?” asked Ding Hao when he was reminded of it suddenly. He could swear that he saw stone columns surrounded by a strange, dazzling luminescence despite the veil of thick fog at the summit of Mount Immortal Tao.

The Clay Bodhisattva explained, “The mystery of the Immortal Artifact is beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. The Heaven Path is unpredictable, but it is also endowed with sentience. The Immortal Artifact was created according to the rules of the Heaven Path, being subjected to its governance and hence, also its protection. Everything on Mount Immortal Tao is just an illusion – an illusion weaved by a strange, magical mist invoked by the Heaven Path to keep the Immortal Artifact safe.”

Ding Hao was stunned.

“So that’s how it is.”

The Immortal Artifact was created by the very power that allowed the reign of the Great Tao. In return, all of the nature functions to preserve and protect it, allowing only those the Great Tao deemed worthy to gain possession of it.

That would mean that the forces of the God’s Palace, the Sea Clan, the Feather Clan, and the Beast Clan could wage all the war they want for this prize, but unless they were being chosen, their efforts and losses would be for naught.

The Clay Bodhisattva turned to look in the direction of Mount Immortal Tao.

In the subterranean chamber 500 meters deep underground, everything was settled. Nalan Xingde was gone and Madam Nalan was utterly dead and her corpse dissolved into a pool of stinky blue liquid because of the poison. The Clay Bodhisattva looked up and saw stars shining in the lonely night sky overhead through the huge crack Ding Hao created…

……

“The mist in the Saint-alighting Mountain Range will vanish soon. Before long, the major forces will soon realize the truth…” the Clay Bodhisattva looked at the starry sky with a strange longing. Solemnly, he said suddenly, “Young man, can you do me a favor?”

Ding Hao could guess what the Clay Bodhisattva was going to say. Ding Hao said, “Do you want me to take care of your family?”

The Clay Bodhisattva nodded.

“Don’t worry. As long as I’m with them, I promise that they will be well taken care of,” said Ding Hao seriously.

The Clay Bodhisattva heaved a sigh of relief and said, “Thank you very much. They are all very ordinary people. My wife is the daughter of a poor farmer with neither talent nor strength. My son and daughter are just not champion materials as well. My original plan was to wait until they are married before I kill myself when my wife is no more. Perhaps, that’s as best as a perfect life I’ll ever deserve. Alas, I didn’t see this coming… I’m destined to die miserably, I hope that the Heavenly Punishment is not a burden that I’ll pass down to them. With you, the owner of the Immortal Artifact, taking care of them, I will be much more relieved.”

Ding Hao knew full well that if the Clay Bodhisattva had not intervened using some extraordinary means, the Immortal Artifact would not have fallen into his hands and the outcome could have been worse for Nalan Chu and Nalan Youxia. Undeniably, Ding Hao owed the Clay Bodhisattva a big one.

“It is I who should be grateful, sir. This is what I should do. If it weren’t for you, the Immortal Artifact would have not been mine. The forces of the God’s Palace could have won it,” said Ding Hao.

The Clay Bodhisattva smiled faintly and said, “You don’t have to thank me. What’s meant to be will always find a way. If you had chosen to stay on Mount Immortal Tao by ignoring the dangers these children were facing just like Nalan Xingde did, the Immortal Artifact would have eluded you no matter how I might try to steer Fate into your favor. You only reaped the fruits of what your actions sowed.”

Ding Hao smiled faintly.

“Is this the proverbial goodness will prevail?”

“We’d better not stay here any longer. Please come with me. We can talk more later,” said Ding Hao.

Ding Hao wanted to recruit him into the Swordsmanship-seeking Sect if he could. The Clay Bodhisattva might be useless as a seer, but his vision and vast experience could prove useful.

But the Clay Bodhisattva seemed to know Ding Hao’s intentions. He said with a smile, “I can’t leave. I have altered the position of the Immortal Artifact in the course of Fate. For that, the Heavenly Punishment shall inflict death upon me. No more than ten days, that’s all I have. And with the curse of the Heavenly Punishment so strong on me, I’m afraid it will even affect anyone who gets too near to me.”

Hearing this, Ding Hao was stunned. He sighed, knowing that the Clay Bodhisattva was telling the truth.

That must be why the Clay Bodhisattva chose not to see his family even though it was most definitely his final days. As ordinary people, there was no way his wife and children could withstand the curse the Heavenly Punishment inflicted on him and still survive.

The Clay Bodhisattva continued, “What’s more, by deceiving the various champions of the God’s Palace and other clans or sects, I have effectively toyed with their pride. They will be most definitely furious when they discover the truth. To uphold their dignity and pride, they will not forgive me. Between the curse of the Heavenly Punishment and them, I can look all I want into my fate again but I’m sure it’s sealed. Death is certain.”

Spoken like a man who knew his fate since a long, long time ago, the Clay Bodhisattva could have not been any calmer. He obviously had come to terms with his inevitable fate.

Ding Hao didn’t know what to say.

He knew that nothing he say would give comfort nor make any difference.

This was a man who had seen it all. A man who had seen kingdoms rise and crumble and a man who had all vicissitudes of life and death. No one else in the world could boast of a vision wider and clearer than his. Even the most powerful champions have to bow with humility to his great wisdom.

What an extraordinary man!

“Your fate is obscured to me somehow, young man. But I can see that there is a dark, evil aura looming over you. Your path will not be a peaceful one; it will be fraught with blood and death. You have to be careful,” the Clay Bodhisattva warned meaningfully, “Once the world realizes that you have the Immortal Artifact, they will come after you. Men will scheme and plot to thwart you. While you might be safe since you have the Immortal Artifact, the same could never be said for your friends, your family, and your loved ones. Disaster could befall them when you least expect it.”

Ding Hao suddenly felt a weight bearing down on him, knowing how true the Clay Bodhisattva’s words were.

The allure of the Immortal Artifact itself could, or might already have, forced many into recklessness, or worst, insanity.

The Clay Bodhisattva looked at Ding Hao and hesitated. He made a quick decision, saying, “I shall do you one more favor. I’m beyond saving, so I might as well break the rules one more time. I’ll mask all traces of the Immortal Artifact one last time. That way, your enemies will not be able to track you down.”

Ding Hao looked at him and nodded. It was a gesture that he knew he shouldn’t refuse.

The Clay Bodhisattva did this for the sake of his wife and children. Having entrusted his family to Ding Hao, he knew his family would also be in danger if anything were to befall Ding Hao.

Ding Hao was equally grateful himself.

But he knew that he should repay the kindness to the Clay Bodhisattva’s family, not him.

“Leave this place now, young man,” the Clay Bodhisattva waved his hand and said, “The fog that shrouds Mount Immortal Tao is about to vanish. Leave now or before it’s too late!”

Ding Hao hesitated. He had another favor to ask of the Clay Bodhisattva: to divine the outcome of his parents, but on second thought, he wondered if the seer did not have enough strength for any more exertion. He might not be willing to.

“Farewell, sir,” Ding Hao cupped his hands in salute and turned to leave.

The Clay Bodhisattva watched as Ding Hao strode away, his lips trembling as if he was wondering if he should speak. Finally, he couldn’t help but beckoned at Ding Hao and said, “Wait a minute…”

Ding Hao reappeared back to the dying seer with blinding speed, “You have something else to tell me, sir?”

Uncertainty and conflict swirled in the Clay Bodhisattva’s eyes. Finally, he sighed and said, “Never mind. It’s all up to Fate…” He spread the fingers of his right hand like a claw and plunged it into his chest. Blood spurted out in torrents as he ripped something out of his heart.

A sparkle of light made Ding Hao wonder if it was a piece of red jade. Gleaming with a misty luster, the object glowed like it contained a strange kind of power. Even the air around it warped and roiled, causing everything around it to blur.

The Clay Bodhisattva gave one last look at it and sighed heavily, “My whole life has been full of ups and downs, joys and sorrows, and they are all because of this. I once thought that this was a cursed relic that could lead people astray. I had made up my mind to bring this into my grave with me, but on second thought, perhaps I might have been wrong to think that such a gift should be lost from humanity forever.”

The look on Ding Hao’s face suggested that he guessed what it was. His face crumpled with dawning comprehension, “This thing… Could it be…”

The Clay Bodhisattva nodded. “I used to practice martial arts when I was little, but I was not very talented enough to be offered a place in a big sect or school nor did I manage to receive any guidance from any renowned mentor. So I became an independent Cultivator. Somehow, Chance saw fit to place this relic on my shoulders. Since then, I have been keeping this Heavenly Secret Design inside of me. That gave me the gift of foresight, allowing me to perceive events of the future and the past.

“So that’s the truth of his ability!”

Ding Hao’s eyes fell on the bright red glow.

That was why no one in the world knew who the Clay Bodhisattva’s mentor was. His magical gift of foresight had originated from this strange stone!

“This stone is called the Heavenly Secret Design. It is the manifestation of the law of the Heaven Path and the cadence of Nature’s flow. Only those who can become one with the stone, grasp the law of Heaven Path, and comprehend the flow of Nature could perceive both past and present like me. But with such power comes a great toll…” said the Clay Bodhisattva. “Such a wondrous creation of Nature, it’s a pity to just let it disappear. Take it. Take it and seek out the chosen one who has the gift of foresight. Pass it to him and let him choose. Perhaps the Heavenly Secret Design can fulfill its actual purpose in the hands of its next wielder.”

Ding Hao hesitated for a moment and said, “But without this stone, you…”

“Don’t worry. I’ve already assimilated the law of the Heaven Path and rhythm of Nature’s flow enough to still possess the gift,” said the Clay Bodhisattva, his eyes flashing with strange confidence like he was a deity whose powers and authority reigned supreme.

Ding Hao finally nodded and took the strange stone Heavenly Secret Design.

“Remember, only one with the gift of foresight can become one with this stone. If someone without the gift tries to assimilate this stone through force, then the rejection from this stone could cause serious repercussions. Only those whom Chance has deemed worthy will carry the stone. No one else,” said the Clay Bodhisattva with a last dismissive wave of his hand. That was the end of his message.

Ding Hao bowed deeply and said, “Farewell, sir”

The next moment, he vanished into a flowing jet of light, soaring into the sky before disappearing into the night.