Blood sedge

Chapter 1208 Mother and Son Say Goodbye (Part 1)

Night falls in the inner courtyard of Danfeng Garden, in the study.

Under the candlelight, Liu Xunyi stood alone by the window, deep in thought, his profound eyes fixed on the black and white chessboard, the very same chess game he had played with Xunzhen during the day.

In Liu Xunyi's eyes, the chess pieces resembled stars, flickering and fading. Their shapes were like canine teeth, jagged and interlocking. Their position was like a nightmare, ever-changing and unpredictable. His mind was constantly replaying his heartfelt conversation with Xunzhen…

"Xunyi, are you really sure you don't want to rely on the Xianwang Mansion or the Jueqing Valley, these established martial arts forces? Do you really want to devote your energy to the Buzheng Sect, whose future is uncertain? Do you know what kind of upheaval your decision will cause? How many people's fates will be affected? How many variables will arise? Moreover, the future of the Buzheng Sect is not guaranteed at all. You may very well spend half your life... only to end up with nothing?"

"If we fail, the outcome will be more than just nothing; we will also miss many opportunities that others would consider once-in-a-lifetime."

"It's good that you know! These opportunities don't come around all the time, and once you miss them, there's no chance of getting them back."

"Opportunity knocks but once, and I understand that principle perfectly well."

"You're gambling! And it's a high-stakes gamble that will affect your entire life! Your stakes are the opportunity to reap the rewards without sowing, the capital to look down on the world, the fame and fortune within your grasp, the security and protection you've always craved, your life, your youth, your talent, your martial arts skills... even the incomprehension and alienation of those around you, the cold stares and ridicule of the world. Don't you think such a gamble is too big? If you lose, you will have nothing left!"

"Actually, the bets I've placed may be far more than these..."

"But your chances of winning are extremely slim! Luo Tianjin is a genius, yet he still poured his heart and soul into it to achieve the Xianwang Mansion we have today. Your Buzheng Sect was born in the darkest hour when the nation was on the verge of mourning and the martial world was in turmoil. Survival was already extremely difficult, let alone becoming stronger. To want to be on par with or even surpass the Xianwang Mansion... is nothing but a pipe dream."

"Qin'er, I have never thought about surpassing anyone. I only want to follow my heart... and live this life."

"But is your heart... necessarily right? What if it's wrong?"

"Since I'm all alone, why should I care about gains and losses?"

"Liu Xunyi, you are as stubborn as ever. While everyone else goes east, you insist on going west."

"If I am lost among the masses, how can I stand out in your eyes?"

"Is your unconventional behavior intentional?"

"Of course not! It's just... the right time and the right person."

……

"Bang, bang bang!"

The sudden knocking on the door pulled Liu Xunyi back to reality.

"Xunyi, the Valley Master has arrived!"

"squeak!"

Before Tang Afu could finish speaking, Liu Xunyi had already opened the door. At this moment, there was no trace of melancholy on his face; instead, he wore a calm and composed smile.

"Valley Master Xiao, please come inside!"

"You guys chat, I'll stay at the door..."

"No need!" Before Tang Afu could close the door from the outside, Liu Xunyi had already extended an invitation, "Brother Tang is one of us, no need to be so formal, come in and have a cup of tea!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Afu and Xiao Zhirou were both taken aback. However, Tang Afu's face showed emotion, while Xiao Zhirou's eyes revealed a look of relief.

The two entered the study one after the other, and Liu Xunyi personally poured tea and water for them.

"Xunyi, I heard from Afu that you are unwilling to take over the Xianwang Mansion and want to establish your own Buzheng Gate. Is this true?" As soon as she sat down, Xiao Zhirou couldn't wait to ask about Liu Xunyi's next move.

"That's exactly what I meant!" Liu Xunyi didn't hide anything and said frankly, "I also want to hear what Valley Master Xiao thinks?" "I've said it before, I will support whatever you do." Xiao Zhirou stated her position without hesitation, "Moreover, I am very pleased that you can resist the temptation of fame and power and stick to your original intention! I believe your grandfather will be overjoyed when he finds out!"

"Joyful? If I don't become the master of the Xianwang Mansion, it's like spitting out a piece of meat that's already in my mouth. Are Valley Master Xiao and Clan Chief Teng really that happy?" Liu Xunyi asked with suspicion while gently blowing on the warm tea. "Could it be that Valley Master Xiao is so concerned for his son that he's deliberately saying this to avoid causing me any resentment?"

“You are my son, and there are some things I don’t need to hide from you. I believe you can sense some of it. In fact, from the day the anti-traitor conference ended, your grandfather and I have been trying to take you away from Luoyang City, away from the troublesome Prince Xian’s Mansion. At that time, the places we arranged for you were either the Valley of Heartbreak or the Teng Clan in Xiangxi. But after careful consideration, the Valley of Heartbreak was once a heretical sect in the martial arts world, despised by the orthodox martial arts community, and has never been very honorable. Moreover, in terms of foundation and power, it is far inferior to the Teng Clan. Therefore, your grandfather and I unanimously believe that taking you back to Xiangxi to recognize your ancestors and return to the clan, so that you can inherit the Teng Clan’s great cause in the future, is the best choice.” Xiao Zhirou said frankly, “Unfortunately, what we can think of, Xie Xuan can also foresee. He has tried every means to keep you in Luoyang City, and is always on guard against us. In addition, he saved your life, and you also have feelings of gratitude towards him, so it is impossible for us to persuade you to abandon Prince Xian’s Mansion.”

"Because of Master Xie's insistence and my reluctance, you've made a concession and agreed to let me stay and take over the Xianwang Mansion?" Liu Xunyi asked suspiciously.

Hearing this, Xiao Zhirou smiled bitterly and asked in return, "We can't afford to become irreconcilable enemies with Xie Xuan, can we? Besides, when you first woke up, you tried your best to reconcile us and make peace. Moreover, what you said at the time was so sincere, so resolute, and so... merciless. What can we do if we don't agree?"

"This..." Liu Xunyi couldn't help but feel embarrassed when Xiao Zhirou brought up the past. She explained, "Second Master Xie endured humiliation and risked his life to save me from danger, all to protect the Prince Xian's Mansion. How could I possibly be ungrateful and turn my back on him?"

"Mother knows you are a great man, upright and loyal."

Seemingly sensing the sarcasm and helplessness in Xiao Zhirou's words, Liu Xunyi stammered to save face: "Although I didn't follow your advice, I didn't blindly obey Master Xie's arrangements either. I pride myself on being... fair."

"This is something that makes your grandfather and me very happy." Xiao Zhirou's tone softened as she spoke gently, "Actually, you should have heard about the ways of the Heartless Valley. Although they are slandered as heretics, the Heartless Valley rarely interferes in the feuds of the martial world. Your mother just wants to live a quiet life with these disciples in a secluded corner. Because your mother dislikes power struggles and has no interest in any of the various sects and families in the martial world. It's not that I'm aloof, but I'm simply too lazy to play along with them and engage in pretense. If it weren't for saving you from danger, the Heartless Valley would never have gotten involved with these people. In the past, because you were caught up in it, your mother had to deal with Xie Xuan and the others to protect you. Now, you have actually taken the initiative to give up the position of the head of the Prince Xian's Mansion, so as not to get deeper into trouble. Your mother is truly happy."

Worried that Xiao Zhirou might misunderstand her meaning, Liu Xunyi quickly corrected her: "Valley Master Xiao, I have no intention of leaving the Prince Xian's Mansion, nor do I intend to deny my status as 'Young Master.' I simply..."

“No one knows a child better than their mother! I know what you’re thinking.” Xiao Zhirou waved her hand to interrupt, “But as long as you don’t fight so hard to become the head of the Prince Xian’s Mansion, your grandfather and I can get rid of a worry.”

Everything went exactly as Liu Xunyi had predicted. As long as he didn't become the master of the Xianwang Mansion, the Jueqing Valley and the Xiangxi Teng Clan would lower their guard against him by seven-tenths, and their relationship could become even closer.

As for the Buzhengmen sect, although it is nominally an independent sect, it is actually not even worth the attention of these martial arts giants.

The root cause is simply that the Uncontested Sect poses no threat to their respective sects. To put it bluntly, they look down on it, regarding it as nothing more than Liu Xunyi's petty squabbles.

Even Xiao Zhirou, Liu Xunyi's mother, was not immune to this custom.

She naturally wouldn't look down on her son, but having held the position of Valley Master of Heartbreak Valley for many years and witnessed the vicissitudes of the martial world, she had already subconsciously developed an arrogant mindset.

Perhaps even she herself was unaware of this.

In addition to that, there is another reason.

Regardless of its size, strength, or weakness, the Non-Contending Sect is Liu Xunyi's own power, existing solely because of his existence.

But the Prince Xian's Mansion is different. It was established by Luo Tianjin, and while Luo Tianjin was alive, he was naturally the head of the household. But once Luo Tianjin was gone, the core of the Prince Xian's Mansion was gone. The various factions, large and small, that had formed among the elders, managers, and disciples in private would gradually surface. These factions, which had been deeply entrenched for many years, mostly had their own values ​​and beliefs. They would engage in fierce and greedy open and covert struggles to gain higher positions and greater power.

Furthermore, this chaotic situation will not change simply because anyone succeeds as the head of the prefecture.

Just like Ling Xiaoxiao in the past, Xie Xuan today is the same. Although they are Luo Tianjin's wife and brother, and hold extremely high positions in the mansion, they still cannot truly achieve the same unity and control that Luo Tianjin has over them.

Otherwise, Xie Xuan wouldn't have outwardly complied with Ling Xiaoxiao's wishes while inwardly defying her, nor would Murong Bai and Deng Quan have questioned and hesitated about Xie Xuan. Furthermore, Su Tang and Luo Qi wouldn't have acted on their own initiative regarding the matter of the seal of office.

If Liu Xunyi were to take up the mantle of the Prince Xian's Mansion, his situation would likely be similar.

As the saying goes, a storm begins with a ripple, and a wave is formed from a gentle ripple. The current Buzheng Sect is insignificant, but if one day it grows to the size of the Prince Xian's Mansion or the Golden Sword Fortress, it will inevitably encounter similar problems.

This is human nature, an inevitable trend, and cannot be easily reversed by any one person or event.

A powerful family, a sect, a dynasty... once they grow large, they all become the same, with no essential difference.

……