Chapter 24: When the Sword Turns Against Its Master
The Nine Heavens Sword Palace had survived for more than three million years.
It had endured wars between Immortal Emperors, the destruction of entire star domains, and at least seventeen occasions when someone had confidently declared that the palace was finished.
It had survived all of them.
Unfortunately, its greatest enemy this morning was a meeting.
"Absolutely unacceptable!"
The voice echoed through the Hall of Ten Thousand Swords.
Elder Han Qingsong slammed his palm against the armrest of his chair.
"You intend to replace the ancestral sword scripture with an unverified technique?"
Across from him, Ji Wuhen sat quietly.
"No."
Han Qingsong narrowed his eyes.
"Then what exactly are you proposing?"
"That we teach both versions."
Silence.
Ji Wuhen continued.
"The original scripture should remain available. The corrected version should be examined, tested, and taught to qualified disciples."
Han Qingsong laughed coldly.
"Corrected?"
He emphasized the word as though it were poisonous.
"Do you understand what you're implying?"
"Yes."
"You're claiming that the founding ancestor's sword art was flawed!"
Ji Wuhen looked at him.
"It was."
The hall erupted.
Several elders rose from their seats.
Others began arguing among themselves.
At the rear of the chamber, Grand Archivist Gu Shixuan quietly rubbed his forehead.
He'd warned Ji Wuhen to choose his words carefully.
Ji Wuhen had apparently interpreted that advice as a personal challenge.
Han Qingsong stood.
"Ji Wuhen!"
The pressure of an ancient sword immortal spread through the hall.
Several younger elders instinctively stiffened.
Ji Wuhen didn't move.
"Yes?"
"Do you have no respect for our ancestor?"
Ji Wuhen regarded him calmly.
"Quite the opposite."
"Then how dare you—"
"If our founding ancestor discovered a better sword technique, do you believe he would reject it?"
Han Qingsong stopped.
Ji Wuhen continued.
"Would he cling to an inferior method simply because he created it?"
"You're twisting my words."
"No. I'm asking a question."
The hall grew quiet.
Ji Wuhen leaned forward.
"Our ancestor founded this palace to pursue the sword. Not to preserve his mistakes."
Han Qingsong's expression darkened.
"Those are dangerous words."
"Only if you believe the sword has nothing left to teach us."
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Han Qingsong smiled.
It wasn't a pleasant smile.
"Very well."
He turned toward the assembled elders.
"If Ji Wuhen wishes to question the ancestral scripture, let him demonstrate his understanding before the entire palace."
Gu Shixuan's expression changed.
"Han Qingsong—"
The elder raised a hand.
"I invoke the Right of Sword Judgment."
A low murmur swept through the hall.
Ji Wuhen's eyes narrowed slightly.
The Right of Sword Judgment was an ancient palace tradition.
When two high-ranking members disagreed over a matter concerning the Dao of the Sword, they could settle the dispute through a formal demonstration.
Not necessarily a duel to the death.
But certainly not a friendly sparring match.
Han Qingsong pointed toward Ji Wuhen.
"Seven days from now, you will defend your so-called corrected scripture before the Sword Judgment Platform."
He paused.
"And if you fail, you will surrender your authority over the palace's sword archives."
The hall fell silent.
Gu Shixuan slowly closed his eyes.
There it was.
The real objective.
Ji Wuhen looked at Han Qingsong.
Then nodded.
"Agreed."
Outside the hall, Gu Shixuan caught up with him.
"You're an idiot."
Ji Wuhen continued walking.
"Good morning to you too."
"Do you have any idea what you just agreed to?"
"Yes."
"Then why are you smiling?"
Ji Wuhen touched the sword at his waist.
"Because I've wanted to test this understanding properly."
Gu Shixuan stared at him.
"Han Qingsong isn't challenging you because he wants to learn."
"I know."
"He wants control of the archives."
"I know."
"And if he gets them, he'll seal every record related to the Assembly of Ten Witnesses."
Ji Wuhen stopped.
His smile faded.
"That," he said, "would be troublesome."
Gu Shixuan folded his arms.
"Finally. A sensible reaction."
Ji Wuhen considered the matter.
Then asked, "Can he actually do that?"
"Not without the other archive custodians."
"Then we'll have to speak with them."
Gu Shixuan stared.
"That's your plan?"
"Part of it."
"And the Sword Judgment?"
Ji Wuhen looked toward the distant training grounds.
"I'll prepare."
Gu Shixuan sighed.
He'd spent centuries protecting historical records from fire, war, theft, and political interference.
Somehow, dealing with Ji Wuhen was becoming the most exhausting part of the job.
Far away, in the Ancient Dragon Court, Long Tianque was discovering that family could be considerably more troublesome than sword cultivators.
"Seventeen Lower Realms?"
His elder brother, Long Xuanyao, sat on a raised jade seat.
He was tall, handsome, and wore golden robes embroidered with nine coiling dragons.
Every movement carried the confidence of someone who had spent his entire life being told he was destined for greatness.
"Brother," Long Xuanyao continued, "you've spent months investigating minor disturbances in the Lower Realms."
Long Tianque stood below the dais.
"Correct."
"And now you're accusing the court's record keepers of falsifying reports?"
"I've found discrepancies."
"Discrepancies."
Long Xuanyao repeated the word slowly.
"Do you know how many reports pass through the Dragon Court each year?"
"Several hundred million."
"Exactly."
Long Xuanyao smiled.
"Administrative mistakes are inevitable."
"Three reports were altered in the same way."
"Coincidence."
"The original observations described abnormal spiritual fluctuations. The archived copies described ordinary weather."
"An error in classification."
"The changes were made after the reports entered the central archive."
Long Xuanyao's smile weakened.
Long Tianque continued.
"And all three revisions were approved through the same office."
Silence.
Several officials standing nearby exchanged glances.
Long Xuanyao leaned back.
"Which office?"
"The Office of Celestial Records."
A middle-aged dragon official standing to the side went pale.
Long Tianque noticed.
So did his brother.
Long Xuanyao's expression cooled.
"That office is overseen by Minister Ao."
"Yes."
"An official who has served our court faithfully for more than two hundred thousand years."
"Then he should have no difficulty explaining the revisions."
Long Xuanyao stared at him.
"You intend to interrogate a senior minister?"
"If necessary."
"Over three reports?"
Long Tianque met his gaze.
"Over three deliberately altered reports."
The difference was small.
But everyone in the chamber understood it.
Long Xuanyao slowly stood.
"Be careful, younger brother."
Long Tianque remained still.
"Of what?"
"Of mistaking suspicion for evidence."
Long Tianque nodded.
"That's why I'm investigating."
For a moment, the brothers looked at each other.
Then Long Xuanyao smiled again.
"Very well. Continue."
Long Tianque bowed slightly.
"Thank you."
He turned and departed.
Only after he left did Long Xuanyao's smile disappear.
"Your Highness."
Minister Ao stepped forward.
Long Xuanyao looked at him.
"Speak."
"The Third Prince is becoming difficult."
"Yes."
"Should we restrict his access to the archives?"
Long Xuanyao considered the suggestion.
Then shook his head.
"No."
Minister Ao blinked.
"But—"
"If we restrict his access now, he'll know there's something worth finding."
The minister lowered his head.
"Then what should we do?"
Long Xuanyao looked toward the doorway.
"Find out who changed those reports."
Minister Ao hesitated.
"Your Highness?"
"And whether they had authorization."
The minister's expression changed.
Long Xuanyao's voice cooled.
"I won't have my position endangered by an incompetent subordinate."
"Understood."
"And Minister Ao?"
"Yes?"
"If the revisions were legitimate, produce the authorization."
A pause.
"If they weren't, I expect the responsible officials identified before my brother finds them."
Minister Ao bowed deeply.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Long Xuanyao watched him leave.
Then sighed.
He didn't particularly care about Lower Realm disturbances.
But he cared very much about anyone using his political network without his knowledge.
Especially if that person was careless enough to attract Long Tianque's attention.
In the Phoenix Sacred Domain, Feng Qingluan was standing before a locked door.
It was an extremely impressive door.
Thirty-six layers of ancient phoenix inscriptions covered its surface.
Golden flames moved slowly through the carvings.
The door had survived countless generations.
Unfortunately, it was also being guarded by an elderly woman who looked thoroughly unimpressed with Feng Qingluan's presence.
"No."
"Elder Yun—"
"No."
"I haven't even asked yet."
"You've been asking for three days."
"Perhaps you'll change your mind."
"I won't."
Feng Qingluan sighed.
The elderly woman was Yun Zhaoxi, one of the Phoenix Court's senior archive guardians.
Her cultivation was profound.
Her patience was not.
"Elder Yun, I have authorization to examine the ancient flame records."
"Not the First Primordial Era collection."
"Why?"
"Restricted."
"By whom?"
"The Ancestral Hall."
"Under what authority?"
Yun Zhaoxi stared at her.
"Under the authority of being the Ancestral Hall."
Feng Qingluan folded her arms.
"That's not an explanation."
"It's the only one you're getting."
For a moment, the two women regarded each other.
Then Feng Qingluan changed her approach.
"Do you know what I found?"
Yun Zhaoxi said nothing.
Feng Qingluan withdrew the ancient feather.
A faint golden glow spread across its surface.
The elder's expression changed.
Only slightly.
But Feng Qingluan noticed.
"This feather carries an inscription," she said.
Yun Zhaoxi looked away.
"I know."
Feng Qingluan froze.
"You know?"
"Yes."
"Then you know what it means?"
The elder remained silent.
Feng Qingluan stepped closer.
"It says, 'Let those who come after remember.'"
Yun Zhaoxi's fingers tightened around her staff.
"Put it away."
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
Feng Qingluan's smile vanished.
"Elder Yun."
The old woman finally looked at her.
For the first time, there was something other than irritation in her eyes.
Fear.
Not fear of Feng Qingluan.
Fear of something much older.
"Child," Yun Zhaoxi said quietly, "some records were sealed for reasons you don't understand."
"Then help me understand."
"I cannot."
"Cannot, or will not?"
The elder closed her eyes.
For a long moment, the golden flames around the door burned silently.
Then Yun Zhaoxi spoke.
"Both."
Back in the Lower Realm, Lanyue City was enjoying an unusually peaceful afternoon.
Which was impressive, considering that the city administration had recently uncovered two smuggling locations, arrested a hired swordsman, and discovered evidence of a criminal network operating through forged transport documents.
Naturally, the merchants had responded by raising their prices.
"Three hundred spirit stones?"
Lin Qingyue stared at the shopkeeper.
The man nodded.
"Three hundred."
"For six formation needles?"
"High-quality formation needles."
"They were two hundred and forty last week!"
"Supply difficulties."
Lin Qingyue narrowed her eyes.
"Because of the transport investigation?"
"Exactly."
She folded her arms.
"The investigation recovered stolen goods."
"Yes."
"Which should improve supply."
"Eventually."
"So why are your prices higher now?"
The shopkeeper smiled.
"Uncertainty."
Lin Qingyue stared.
Then turned toward Ye Wuchen.
"Do you see this?"
He nodded.
"Yes."
"He's robbing me!"
The shopkeeper looked offended.
"Young lady, that's a serious accusation."
Ye Wuchen examined the needles.
Then looked toward a different shelf.
"What about those?"
The shopkeeper followed his gaze.
"Those are older stock."
"How much?"
"One hundred and eighty."
Lin Qingyue blinked.
"Why didn't you mention those?"
The shopkeeper shrugged.
"You asked for the new ones."
She stared at him.
Then slowly inhaled.
"Fine."
She pointed toward the older needles.
"I'll take those."
Ye Wuchen nodded.
"Good choice."
Lin Qingyue looked at him.
"You could've said something earlier."
"You seemed occupied."
"Arguing?"
"Yes."
She sighed.
"You're impossible."
They left the shop carrying the formation needles.
Lin Qingyue was still complaining.
"Three hundred spirit stones. Ridiculous."
Ye Wuchen walked beside her.
"Prices fluctuate."
"Not that much!"
"Sometimes more."
She looked at him.
"Are you defending the merchant?"
"No."
"Then what?"
"Explaining."
She groaned.
"I liked you better when you didn't explain things."
Ye Wuchen considered that.
"You frequently ask me to explain things."
"That's different."
"How?"
"Because..."
She stopped.
Then sighed.
"Never mind."
Ye Wuchen nodded.
"Very well."
They continued walking.
A few moments later, Lin Qingyue asked, "Are we going to the western mountains again?"
"Perhaps tomorrow."
"Still looking for that observatory?"
Ye Wuchen glanced at her.
"I haven't mentioned an observatory."
Lin Qingyue blinked.
"Oh."
He looked at her.
She looked back.
Then smiled awkwardly.
"I saw the drawing in your book."
Ye Wuchen considered that.
"Fair enough."
She relaxed.
"Good."
Then paused.
"Wait, you really are looking for an observatory?"
"Possibly."
Lin Qingyue sighed.
"Of course."
At the City Administration Hall, Inspector Zhou was examining the latest evidence.
The recovered warehouse records had confirmed that Black Crane's network was larger than originally suspected.
But the most troubling detail wasn't the stolen goods.
It was the Surveyor.
Three years of payments.
Regular route assessments.
Detailed geographical reports.
And several references to old roads that had supposedly been abandoned centuries ago.
Inspector Zhou studied a map.
Then turned toward his assistant.
"Bring me the city's historical land records."
The assistant blinked.
"How old?"
"Everything from the last five hundred years."
The assistant stared.
"Inspector..."
"Yes?"
"That's a lot of records."
"I know."
"Some of them are stored in the old archives."
"Then retrieve them."
The assistant sighed.
"Understood."
Inspector Zhou returned to the map.
He had a growing suspicion that the smuggling network hadn't chosen its routes randomly.
Someone had spent years studying the terrain.
Not just the current roads.
The old ones.
The forgotten ones.
The ones that no longer appeared on modern maps.
Why?
That was the question.
That evening, Shen Tieshan received a message from the Iron Mountain Sect.
He read it once.
Then again.
His expression darkened.
Wei Lan noticed immediately.
"Master?"
Shen Tieshan handed him the jade slip.
Wei Lan examined it.
His face changed.
"The sect wants us to withdraw?"
Shen Tieshan nodded.
Guo Ming stepped forward.
"Withdraw from what?"
"The investigation."
Guo Ming frowned.
"Why?"
Wei Lan read aloud.
"To avoid unnecessary involvement in the internal affairs of the Great Yan Empire."
Silence.
Shen Tieshan folded his arms.
"Interesting."
Guo Ming looked confused.
"But our shipment was stolen."
"Yes."
"And we recovered part of it."
"Yes."
Shen Tieshan looked toward the window.
"That's what I'd like to know."
Wei Lan continued reading.
"Grand Elder Shen is instructed to return to the sect within ten days."
Guo Ming blinked.
"Ten days?"
Shen Tieshan smiled.
It wasn't a pleasant smile.
"Apparently."
Wei Lan hesitated.
"Master, will you obey?"
Shen Tieshan looked at him.
"Do you think I should?"
Wei Lan considered the question carefully.
"The sect has authority over its disciples."
"Correct."
"But the investigation concerns stolen sect property."
"Also correct."
"And the people responsible are still free."
Shen Tieshan nodded.
"Exactly."
Guo Ming looked uncomfortable.
"Master, disobeying an official sect order could have consequences."
Shen Tieshan turned toward him.
"Of course."
"Then..."
The grand elder picked up the jade slip.
He examined the message one last time.
Then placed it on the table.
"Send a reply."
Wei Lan straightened.
"What should I say?"
Shen Tieshan's voice was calm.
"Tell them I've received the order."
Wei Lan nodded.
"And?"
"That I'll return when I've finished my business."
Guo Ming froze.
"Master!"
Shen Tieshan looked at him.
"What?"
"That's practically refusing!"
The grand elder smiled.
"Not practically."
Silence.
"I'm refusing."
In the Upper Realm, the Nine Heavens Sword Palace was preparing for the Sword Judgment.
News spread quickly.
Disciples gathered in training halls.
Elders debated the corrected scripture.
Some supported Ji Wuhen.
Others considered his claims dangerous.
But beneath the public arguments, something else was happening.
Han Qingsong sat inside a private chamber.
Across from him stood a thin elder wearing dark blue robes.
"Elder Han," the man said, "the younger disciples are becoming restless."
Han Qingsong nodded.
"Let them."
"They believe Ji Wuhen's corrected scripture may improve their cultivation."
"Perhaps it will."
The thin elder blinked.
"You admit that?"
Han Qingsong looked at him.
"I'm not a fool."
He leaned back.
"The corrected scripture may indeed be superior."
"Then why oppose it?"
Han Qingsong's expression cooled.
"Because this isn't about the scripture."
Silence.
The thin elder waited.
Han Qingsong continued.
"For generations, the palace's authority has rested upon the ancestral teachings."
He tapped the table.
"Now Ji Wuhen has introduced a technique that contradicts those teachings."
"And?"
"If the disciples begin questioning the ancestral scripture, what will they question next?"
The thin elder understood.
"The elders."
Han Qingsong nodded.
"Exactly."
He looked toward the distant Sword Judgment Platform.
"A sect cannot survive if every disciple believes himself qualified to challenge its foundations."
The thin elder hesitated.
"But isn't that how the Dao advances?"
Han Qingsong's expression darkened.
"The Dao may advance."
He paused.
"The sect must endure."
At the Ancient Dragon Court, Long Tianque received an unexpected visitor.
A young woman entered his study without announcing herself.
She wore pale silver robes.
Two delicate dragon horns curved above her temples.
Her expression was amused.
"Third Brother."
Long Tianque looked up.
"Long Yueshuang."
She smiled.
"Miss me?"
"No."
"How cruel."
She sat opposite him without invitation.
"I hear you've been upsetting our eldest brother."
Long Tianque returned to his documents.
"Have I?"
"Apparently."
"Good."
Long Yueshuang laughed.
"You're terrible at politics."
"Probably."
She leaned forward.
"Do you know what people are saying?"
"No."
"That you're using the Lower Realm disturbances as an excuse to challenge Elder Brother's supporters."
Long Tianque looked up.
"Are they?"
"Yes."
"Interesting."
She sighed.
"You really don't care, do you?"
"Not particularly."
Long Yueshuang studied him.
Then her smile faded slightly.
"Third Brother."
"Hm?"
"Be careful."
He looked at her.
She continued.
"Some of the officials you're investigating aren't merely Elder Brother's allies."
Long Tianque frowned.
"What do you mean?"
She hesitated.
Then shook her head.
"I don't know enough yet."
"Then why mention it?"
"Because I know enough to be worried."
Silence.
Long Tianque set down his jade slip.
"Who told you?"
Long Yueshuang smiled faintly.
"Now that would be telling."
He sighed.
"You're enjoying this."
"A little."
She stood.
"Just remember, Third Brother."
She walked toward the door.
"Not everyone who supports Elder Brother is loyal to him."
Then she departed.
Long Tianque watched the doorway.
For the first time that day, he looked genuinely troubled.
Back in Lanyue City, Shen Tieshan stood beneath the night sky.
The reply to his sect had already been sent.
He knew there would be consequences.
Perhaps a reprimand.
Perhaps suspension.
Perhaps something worse.
But he couldn't bring himself to abandon the investigation.
Not while the people responsible remained free.
Not while innocent merchants had suffered.
And certainly not simply because someone higher in the sect hierarchy had decided the matter was inconvenient.
He looked toward the city.
Then laughed quietly.
"Well."
He folded his arms.
"Seems things are getting interesting."
At Moonfall Pavilion, Ye Wuchen was reading another old book.
Lin Qingyue sat nearby, working on her formation.
The room was quiet.
Comfortable.
After a while, she looked up.
"Fellow Daoist Ye."
"Hm?"
"Do you think people should always obey their sect elders?"
Ye Wuchen turned a page.
"No."
She blinked.
"That was quick."
"It's a simple question."
"Not really."
He looked at her.
"Then ask a better one."
She frowned.
"Fine."
She thought for a moment.
"What if an elder gives an order that goes against your principles?"
Ye Wuchen closed his book.
"Then you decide which matters more."
"The elder's authority or your principles?"
"Yes."
Lin Qingyue considered that.
"And if choosing your principles costs you everything?"
Ye Wuchen looked toward the window.
For a moment, his expression became distant.
Then he answered.
"Then you should know what they're worth before you choose."
Silence.
Lin Qingyue stared at him.
She had expected a simple answer.
Instead, she found herself thinking.
After a while, she nodded.
"I see."
Ye Wuchen reopened his book.
"Good."
Outside, the night deepened.
In the Lower Realm, a grand elder had refused his sect's order.
In the Upper Realm, ancient institutions were beginning to fracture under the weight of new questions.
And across the heavens, cultivators who had once accepted the world as it was were slowly beginning to ask whether it had to remain that way.
None of them knew what the future held.
But one thing was becoming clear.
Change had already begun.
End of Chapter 24
Fun Facts About the World
Sword Judgment: Ancient sword sects sometimes settle disputes over cultivation philosophy through formal demonstrations. These contests are usually nonlethal, but their political consequences can last for generations.
The Nine Heavens Sword Palace: Its founding sword scripture has been treated as the supreme standard of sword cultivation for millions of years. Even suggesting a revision can provoke fierce opposition.
Dragon Court Succession: Dragon princes and princesses don't inherit authority solely through birth order. Cultivation, political support, achievements, and recognition from the ancestral dragons all influence succession.
Phoenix Ancestral Flames: Some phoenix flames are maintained across generations rather than created anew. Their origins and properties are closely guarded by the Phoenix Court.
Sect Orders: Refusing an order from a sect's governing elders can result in loss of resources, suspension of authority, or expulsion. Grand elders enjoy greater independence than ordinary disciples, but they aren't exempt from sect law.
A Curious Detail: The oldest surviving sects often maintain two histories: one intended for disciples and another accessible only to senior archivists. The differences aren't always evidence of a conspiracy—sometimes they're simply the result of centuries of political editing.