"After we parted ways, I was saved by Elder Cangsong and brought to Wangwu Mountain to recuperate.
Outside, there was chaos everywhere, and since my serious injuries hadnāt healed, I couldnāt travel far, so I temporarily stayed here.
Luckily, I had made quite a number of connections before, and obtained a deaconās badge from the Outer Court of Sword Sect, so I simply took up the job of purchasing and trading for the mountain, engaging in some business myself.
Who wouldāve thought, fate would reunite us, and you have become the Sect Leader and Mountain Master..."
Tang Tong received a handkerchief soaked in medicinal wine passed by Tie Dan, wiped the blood off his face, and covered the bump on his head, blood clots clogged his nose, speaking in a muffled voice,
"Of our batch of fellow disciples, itās just the two of us left... Oh, whereās Jian Jia?"
Tie Dan temporarily withdrew his smile, fell silent for a moment, took a swig of medicinal wine himself,
"... Not dead yet."
"Not dead yet..."
Tang Tong saw his expression and understood, remained silent for a moment, scratched his head,
"Alright then, as long as heās not dead. Immortal and mortal, each has their destiny, donāt concern yourself too much.
Tie Dan, sooner or later youāre destined to become immortal and achieve the dao. If fate permits weāll drink together, if not just help sweep the grave, itās no big deal."
Tie Dan furrowed his brows,
"Youāre not coming back to the mountain with me."
Tang Tong seemed to want to stretch lazily to show relaxation, but tugging on his muscles brought pain, forcing a bitter smile,
"Thank you for the kind offer, Sect Leader, but I am self-aware, Iāve understood long ago.
Back then, with all limbs intact, I couldnāt obtain what I sought, now being disabled, how could I possibly acquire it? I just donāt have that fate.
Even if in this life I strive tirelessly, I may not attain True Man Nascent Soul.
If I canāt preserve the Three Souls and Seven Spirits, even if reincarnated through soldier disintegration, I wouldnāt be Tang Tong anymore, what meaning would that have?
Donāt worry about me, Iām living well now! Such a vast property, with dozens of Daoist companions taking care of me.
Life is beautiful! I wouldnāt exchange it for being an immortal, haha!"
Tie Dan turned his head and surveyed the commercial building wrecked beyond recognition, glimpsing Tang Tongās so-called good life.
Tang Tong coughed,
"Cough, cough, just a temporary setback, in life thereās often not full satisfaction.
Occasionally meeting a foolish second-generation heir is normal. You donāt need to interfere, I can handle it."
"Bang!"
The plaque of Tang Clan Chamber of Commerce fell off, shattering to pieces.
Tang Tong glared at the plaque.
Tie Dan shook his head,
"Come on now, donāt fool me, you were beaten for at least a stick of incense, thereās not even a shadow from the people on the mountain. Whoās looking after you?
Besides, the badge you hold is issued by Tian Gang, who cares about his reputation now? Where can you settle down here?"
Tang Tong scratched his head,
"Then how about... you issue a badge for me too?"
Tie Dan glanced at him,
"Alright, thatās easy. Donāt just ask for a badge, I could give you hundreds and thousands.
But in this world, whoās touched the threshold of extraordinary and carefree immortality, willing to give it up?
What talk of enjoying earthly wealth, witnessing worldly splendor, is nothing but self-deceiving rhetoric of a defeated dog.
In this world, thereās no heavenly destiny, no immortal fate, ultimately itās about connections and relationships, having someone set it up early on.
Old Tang, just because you lack destiny with Sword Sect doesnāt mean you lack destiny with me.
Now that Iām rebuilding Nine Yin, itās a time of manpower need, Iād lend you a hand, ensuring you reach Nascent Soul Realm, what difficulty is there in making you an elder of my New Sword Sect?
Of course, if your self-respect is too strong to accept, you can strive on your own.
Iāve carved the Nine Luminaries True Method at the mountain gate, anyone can try. As long as you can learn the Sword Scripture and pass the Sword Array, youāll be a Sword Sect disciple, with your name in the Sword Pavilion.
Youāre the one lamenting that Honzan doesnāt transmit righteous methods, now Iām transmitting to you, do you dare to strive once more?
At worst, die by the sword, after all, you wonāt suffer any loss."
Tang Tong was speechless,
"Where have you seen anyone persuade like this, be a bit more subtle please..."
Tie Dan stood up,
"Alright, Iāll take a stroll, let you ponder over it, come back to take you away, is that subtle enough?"
Tang Tong hurriedly pulled him back,
"Wait, where are you going, is it to kill off a whole family again?"
Tie Dan shrugged,
"I told you, Iām just taking a stroll... itās my sword thatās going to kill a whole family."
Giant Watchtower was happy.
Tang Tong too held his forehead,
"Iām truly afraid of you... alright, alright, I promise, Iāll try again, if I canāt obtain Sword Transmission... then you can lend me a hand."
"Alright."
Tie Dan nodded, smoothly pulling Tang Tong up.
Tang Tong added,
"But todayās matter will count as my karma, Iāll settle it myself when my Divine Skill succeeds, no need for you to overstep and take care of it for me."
Giant Watchtower was unhappy.
Tie Dan was curious,
"Why so distressed, let your sword cast the final strike, resolve the karma, isnāt that enough."
"Sigh... You act too recklessly, always thinking everything can be resolved by the sword, but worldly matters, tangled and intricate, canāt be so easily cut off... You came to Wangwu Mountain this time, not specifically looking for me, right? Seeing you alone with a sword, not here to overthrow the mountain and destroy temples, there must be official business to pay respects to the mountain, right?"
Tang Tong sighed, pointing at a corpse near the entrance, caught off guard, killed instantly in two halves by the Sword Wind, a Golden Core cultivator dead on the spot,
"This guy is Outer Door disciple of Yantai Palace, took Gate Valveās tribute, became their Guest Elder, involved in this karma wanting me to sell the shop.
He has four Daoist companions all on the mountain, bonded wives cultivating in Hidden Immortal Valley, an ancestor is Inner Sect of Stubborn Elderās Grotto, a grandson taken by Taiyi Peak as a child.
Heard recently became wealthy, even found a Junior Sister of Qingtang for Dual Cultivation, though this can not be counted."
Tang Tong pointed to several mountain peaks shrouded in mist in the distance,