Last time they fled from the Ancestral Court, if not for the sword tokens from the Sword Saint Demon Emperor, they would have been in real danger. Even Tang San hadn’t anticipated that the one pursuing them would be the Tenebrous Demon Emperor rather than the Crystal Phoenix Demon Emperor.
He originally had a backup plan to his backup plan—if the Crystal Phoenix Demon Emperor was the one pursuing them and they were really driven into a corner, revealing Mei Gongzi's identity would likely resolve the issue.
Thus, it was not the pursuit that truly brought them to the brink of death, but the fact that the pursuer was the Tenebrous Demon Emperor.
Tang San had a good impression of the Sword Saint Demon Emperor. However, convincing him to support them during the evaluation was clearly not something that could be achieved just because he had returned the Red-Crowned Divine Sword.
The Sword Saint Demon Emperor had already helped them once, and he had truly given it his all; such a favor could not be granted twice.
Leaving the White Tiger Grand Hotel, Tang San and Mei Gongzi took a carriage to the foot of the Sword Saint Sacred Mountain. By this time, night was falling, but people were still trying to climb up to the palace in an endless stream.
The Sword Saint Demon Emperor had no main city, and the Red-Crowned Crane clan, an imperial clan, was considered the poorest among them. They were in no way comparable to the obscene wealth of the White Tiger Demon Emperor.
But the Red-Crowned Crane clan didn't seem to care about not having a main city; this was related to their own fundamental philosophy.
The Sword Saint Demon Emperor had always advocated that a life of luxury only leads to decadence. Their sword was literally a part of their own body, and what were cultivation resources compared to acquiring and comprehending sword intent?
A life of austerity better stimulated potential and dedication to the sword. So, despite their relative poverty, no one dared to underestimate the Red-Crowned Crane clan.Although the Sword Saint Demon Emperor ranked lower among Emperors, the overall combat strength of the Red-Crowned Crane clan was in fact quite formidable. To hold their own among so many top-tier clans, who could call them weak? And with the current Sword Saint Demon Emperor not being the first Emperor of the Red-Crowned Crane clan, who could say their methods were wrong, given that they had produced multiple Emperors?
Tang San led Mei Gongzi to the foot of the mountain and they paid the fee to climb. Yes, he paid the fee. He had no token anymore, and nobody would believe him if he said he once had one.
As a god, Mei Gongzi technically wasn’t supposed to climb the mountain, as it held no real significance for those at her level. But as long as people were willing to pay, no one was going to stop them from wasting their money. After all, no matter how many gods climbed the Sacred Mountain, how could they impact the Sword Saint Palace in any way? Moreover, how many gods would be bored enough to do that?
Thus, the guards at the foot of the mountain only collected the fee and didn’t bother with the cultivation level of the climbers.
The path up to Sword Saint Palace offered no resistance to them at this point. The two of them held hands, climbing leisurely as if they were taking a casual stroll. Tang San intentionally slowed down to avoid drawing attention.
When the sword aura descended upon Mei Gongzi, it naturally dissipated. Her body was like a black hole, absorbing all the oppressive sword aura.
For Tang San, it was a different situation. The sword aura that pressed upon him was split apart, sliding past both sides of his body, unable to pose any threat to him.
Step by step, the two of them ascended the stairs. When they reached halfway up the mountain, a deep voice sounded in their ears.
"Come up."
In the next instant, sword light descended from the sky, enveloping them. In the blink of an eye, they vanished.
All of this was within Tang San's expectations. The Sword Saint Demon Emperor was different from other Emperors; he spent most of his time stationed at the Sword Saint Palace. In fact, the sword aura pressing down from Sword Saint Palace originated from him. So when Tang San and Mei Gongzi displayed their unique abilities while climbing, it was only natural that he would sense them immediately.
With a flash of light and shadow, they were on the mountaintop. The gates of Sword Saint Palace were open, and the sword aura surrounding them guided them directly into the palace.
As the palace doors closed, Tang San and Mei Gongzi slowly landed on the ground.
Inside Sword Saint Palace, there were no luxurious decorations—only statues stood everywhere.
The last time he came here, Tang San didn’t have the leisure to observe the entire thing; he had barely managed to enter and take a look at one statue before meeting that Red-Crowned Crane Demon King. This time as well, he was overwhelmed by the intense, unrivaled sword intent that filled the space, but he could take a good look at the statues inside.[1]
Each statue depicted a Red-Crowned Crane holding a long sword, in various poses. Regardless of the stance, every one of them radiated sword aura—some soaring into the sky, some piercing the clouds, and others sweeping across with unyielding force. All of them were perfect examples of masterful swordsmanship.
The voice of the Sword Saint Demon Emperor did not sound again, but both Tang San and Mei Gongzi instinctively sensed the direction they should go—it was through these statues.
Mei Gongzi was about to step forward, but Tang San stopped her. Closing his eyes, he silently observed the surroundings momentarily, then placed his hand on Mei Gongzi’s back, transmitting a message to her: "Asura." РÂꞐȰꞖĚＳ
Mei Gongzi nodded slightly, and in the next moment, her eyes suddenly brightened. The divine consciousness wave radiated from Tang San, and her own divine consciousness bloomed in response. At the center of her sea of consciousness, the blood-red sword shadow was instantly activated, and an immense, majestic sword intent erupted from her.
A red sword light shot up from her forehead, and in the instant that the vast sword intent bloomed, it suppressed all the sword auras of the surrounding statues. The statues, which had originally felt powerful and vibrant, instantly returned to a state of calm. In fact, they even seemed to be trembling slightly.
A deep voice filled with a hint of surprise echoed. "Hmm? You… What is the sword?"
Tang San moved to Mei Gongzi's side and responded in a deep voice, "The sword is justice."
"Why is it justice?" the deep voice asked.
Tang San replied, "Because only the sword of justice can move forward without hesitation; only the sword of justice can pierce heaven and earth."
"What else is the sword?"
"The sword is judgment!" Tang San continued.
"Why is it judgment?" the Sword Saint Demon Emperor asked again.
Tang San said, "Because the sword is justice. He who holds the sword of justice must judge the world's evils, uphold fairness, maintain order, enforce laws, and regulate conduct."
Before the Sword Saint Demon Emperor could ask again, Tang San continued, "Only a sword can achieve these two things, for a sword can break all laws, and all laws converge into one—into the sword. The sword is born from the heart, and only a heart full of justice can give birth to the sword of a sovereign, one that can govern all and impart judgment."
As he said this, he turned to look at Mei Gongzi beside him. "The sword is also sacrifice. The sword of justice and judgment breaks all laws without retreat, protects without yielding. To uphold justice, judgment, and the desires of the heart, sacrifice is the ultimate end."
"A fine notion—sacrifice as the ultimate end." A figure emerged among the statues.
When the Sword Saint Demon Emperor appeared, both Tang San and Mei Gongzi felt a bit dazed because what they saw seemed to be not a living being but a sharp blade. At that moment, they couldn't even discern the appearance or age of the Sword Saint Demon Emperor. What they saw was a pure sword, radiating a brilliant sword aura.
The Sword Saint Demon Emperor's gaze fell on Mei Gongzi, his eyes burning as he looked at the red sword light above her head, and he said in a deep voice, "Is this the sword of justice and judgment that you are talking about?"
Tang San nodded, "Indeed. The Sword of Justice—Asura's Judgment. It is the symbol of Asura's methods to uphold justice."
The Sword Saint Demon Emperor nodded slightly.
"Follow me," he said, then turned and walked further inside.
Tang San glanced at Mei Gongzi, and only then did she pull back her sword intent, withdrawing the Asura Sword's aura. The two of them followed the Sword Saint Demon Emperor further inside the palace.
At this point, the statues no longer emitted any sword intent.
The previous sword intent had been a test from the Sword Saint Demon Emperor. Upon their arrival, He was well aware of who they were, but to enter Sword Saint Palace, they had to undergo this test—it was a rule of the Red-Crowned Crane clan, and he saw no reason to break the rule for them.
Tang San's decision to have Mei Gongzi release the Asura Sword’s sword intent was a clever move; it tickled the Sword Saint Demon Emperor's interest perfectly.
1. This paragraph has been altered and does not reflect the original. It was originally stated that Tang San never entered the palace, but it’s clear from chapter 365 that he has in fact entered. ☜
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