Chapter 155 — The Rite of Remembrance

Xiao Yichen lowered his voice, and his expression grew somewhat grave. "My master bade me ask you, martial uncle—is the 'Heaven's Mechanism Seal' in the rear mountains of Dazhu Peak still wholly intact?"

Tian Buhui's face changed drastically. He rose abruptly to his feet and fixed his eyes on Xiao Yichen. Xiao Yichen also slowly stood, but took a step back. Tian Buhui regarded him for a long while, the expression on his face shifting without cease—first astonishment and shock, then, as he slowly composed himself, deep thought, and at last another strange light seemed to flicker in his eyes. Looking at Xiao Yichen, he suddenly said:

"It seems Senior Brother Daoyan truly means to pass the seat of sect master to you in the future."

Xiao Yichen bowed his head slightly. "Martial uncle overstates it. This disciple would not presume."

Tian Buhui said mildly, "He does not even conceal this matter from you any longer; his meaning is plain enough. Never mind—this is a matter for your Jietian Peak, and I cannot be bothered with it. But as for the Heaven's Mechanism Seal—" He paused here, then said in a low voice, "This matter is of no small consequence. It touches upon the fate of Qingyun itself. In those years Ancestor Qingye left an express command to the heads of the seven branches of Qingyun: it must not be used save in the direst extremity…"

He drew a deep breath. "Everyone understands the implications. I only wish to ask one thing: has Senior Brother Daoyan truly thought this through?"

Xiao Yichen's manner was now exceedingly cautious. He pondered a long while, as though afraid of misspeaking a single word, before nodding. "Yes. Before this disciple set out, my master instructed me most gravely on the matter."

Tian Buhui was silent a moment. "Then what of the Heaven's Mechanism Seals of the other five branches, beyond Jietian Peak and Dazhu Peak?"

Xiao Yichen said respectfully, "My master told this disciple alone of this matter, for he feels that among the Canglan Sect at present, Martial Uncle Tian is held in the highest esteem for virtue and seniority. Therefore he came first to seek your counsel. As for the other five branches, this disciple will pay his respects to each of the heads shortly."

Tian Buhui nodded slowly and sat back down in his seat. After pondering for a long time, he sighed. "As for the present situation—it has indeed reached a critical pass. The fate of all living things under heaven hangs upon this one battle. If the sect master wishes to stake everything, I have nothing to say against it. Only, when you return, convey a few words to him on my behalf."

Xiao Yichen's face was reverent. "Yes. Pray speak, Martial Uncle Tian; this disciple will certainly deliver them."

Tian Buhui's face was slightly pale. "Once the Heaven's Mechanism Seals of the seven branches are withdrawn, the millennium-old malevolence suppressed beneath Canglan Mountain will inevitably burst forth. Though the divine power of the Ancient Sword of Immortal Slaying may hold it in check, it can be transmuted into a peerless intent to kill—and the harm done to the one who wields the sword, the erosion of his cultivation and his very foundation, is likewise no small thing. Senior Brother Daoyan's powers reach into the realm of creation, but this matter is of grave consequence. I beg him to weigh it well beforehand, and guard against every contingency."

Xiao Yichen said solemnly, "Yes. Martial Uncle Tian's words—this disciple will certainly deliver them." He paused, then continued, "If there is nothing else, Martial Uncle, this disciple will take his leave."

Tian Buhui nodded and said no more. Seeing his heavy expression, Xiao Yichen dared not speak further, and slowly withdrew. In the Shoujing Hall, only Tian Buhui remained. He turned slowly and gazed at the statues of the Three Pure Ones of the Daoist faith enshrined in the hall, his face complex. After a long while, he merely sighed; in the end, he said nothing at all.

********

By the time Xiao Yichen flew back to Jietian Peak, night had already fallen. The peak was ablaze with lights. The many senior disciples of the former Canglan Sect, together with the countless cultivators of the righteous path who had poured into Qingyun in recent days, had made this place—once a paradise on earth—somewhat crowded and worldly.

Xiao Yichen, however, had no mind for such things. He went straight toward the Yuheng Hall at the summit. After asking the young Qingyun disciples in the hall where Daoist Master Daoyan might be found, he made his way toward the rear chamber of Yuheng Hall, to the master's sleeping quarters.

Reaching a quiet spot in the rear hall, Xiao Yichen paused at the door of Daoist Master Daoyan's room and steadied himself. He was just about to raise his hand and knock when the master's voice came from within: "Is that Yicai? Come in."

Xiao Yichen caught his breath, then at once said respectfully, "Yes." He gently pushed open the door and entered.

The room was quite spacious, and all its furnishings bore a scholarly air. Beyond a simple table, chairs, and bed, the greater part of the room was taken up by bookshelves on either side, laden with books—many of them old and worn, yet arranged neatly on the shelves. One could tell the master had pored over them countless times.

Daoist Master Daoyan sat beside the writing desk, an ancient scroll in his hand, reading. Seeing Xiao Yichen enter, he smiled faintly. "Back only now?"

Xiao Yichen made a deep bow. "Yes, Master."

Daoist Master Daoyan nodded. "How did the matter go?"

Xiao Yichen said, "None of the heads of the seven branches raised any objection. All said they would defer to Master's judgment. Only Martial Uncle Tian of Dazhu Peak…"

Daoist Master Daoyan frowned. "What? Does Junior Brother Tian hold some different view?"

Xiao Yichen said quickly, "No—Martial Uncle Tian did not oppose it either. He merely entrusted this disciple with a few words to report to Master."

Daoist Master Daoyan was slightly taken aback. "What words? Speak."

Xiao Yichen then repeated Tian Buhui's words. Daoist Master Daoyan listened in silence. Stealing a glance at him from where he stood, Xiao Yichen saw that his master's face was complex, as though he too were turning something over in his mind, his expression shifting without cease.

Just as Xiao Yichen was wondering what thoughts occupied his master, Daoist Master Daoyan suddenly said, "Yicai, what do you make of Martial Uncle Tian as a man?"

Xiao Yichen was startled, not knowing what his master meant by this. He glanced at him but could discern nothing out of the ordinary, and so could only say cautiously, "Well… this disciple feels that Martial Uncle Tian is… a rather good man."

Daoist Master Daoyan smiled, plainly unconcerned by his disciple's evasive answer. He said leisurely, "Yes, he is a good man. Heh—and to think that in the state he was in back then, someone with a discerning eye could still perceive something extraordinary in him…"

Daoist Master Daoyan's words broke off abruptly, and the room fell into stillness. Xiao Yichen shifted his weight slightly, vaguely uneasy. After a moment, Daoist Master Daoyan said, "You have been running about all day and must be tired. Go back and rest."

Xiao Yichen nodded and bowed. "Yes." He slowly withdrew.

Daoist Master Daoyan watched the figure of his prized disciple vanish from sight, pondered a moment, then glanced at the pitch-black sky beyond the window. He rose slowly and walked outside. Very soon, his figure had melted into the darkness of the Canglan Sect.