Chapter Nineteen: Arrangements

Qin Shuang paid no mind to the clamor outside. Day after day, he remained within the World Martial Arts Association, balancing the management of the organization's affairs with the contemplation of the Sword Saint’s "Sword Twenty-Three."

As for Duan Lang, Qin Shuang had dismissed him the very next day, sending him south. All those who remained fiercely loyal to Xiongba were handed over to Duan Lang to be used as fodder. This served a dual purpose: dealing with the turbulent situation in the southern martial arts world and preparing for the potential invasion by Jue Wushen from Dongying.

Regarding the other hidden forces Xiongba possessed—such as the Twelve Demons of Tianchi—Qin Shuang surmised that after the Dog King, Hand and Foot, and Dancer returned, they would have certainly consulted with the Child Emperor. The Twelve Demons of Tianchi had always been in a state of cooperation with Xiongba; as long as he held power, they would obey, but if he lost it, they would, as in the original course of events, seek to usurp his position.

On the evening of the day Duan Lang departed, Qin Shuang sought out Xiongba.

Inside the First Building Under Heaven, Xiongba gazed coldly at Qin Shuang as he entered. Xiongba did not concern himself with his own safety; if Qin Shuang had intended to kill him, the previous night would have been the perfect opportunity. Though only a day had passed and his injuries had not significantly improved, he had managed to muster enough strength for a desperate final stand.

"What brings a rebellious disciple here? Are you here to see if your master is dead yet?"

Qin Shuang ignored the bitter words, remaining as submissive and humble as he had always been in the past. "Master, you speak too harshly. I am here only to treat your wounds."

Xiongba pondered for a moment. "What is your true objective? If you wanted control of the World Martial Arts Association, you could have killed me. Why this pretense of healing, neither killing me nor letting me go?"

Xiongba’s feelings toward Qin Shuang were complex, but Qin Shuang understood his master's nature well. After this, there would be no shred of affection left between them. The day Xiongba’s wounds healed would be the day they would break ties forever.

"As long as Sect Leader Xiong is alive, you remain a deterrent. Those with ulterior motives will focus their attention on you, which will save me a great deal of trouble."

Qin Shuang was being frank, though he kept to himself that he intended to use Xiongba to attract the attention of Xu Fu, rather than the minor factions of the martial arts world.

"With your level of skill, few even among the older generation could best you. What are you so afraid of?" Xiongba was puzzled. Since even he had been betrayed, he wondered who else in the world could be worthy of such caution. Xiongba considered himself a top-tier martial artist; while there might be those who could defeat him, it would require a fight to know for sure. While he might be wary, he would not be so overly cautious.

"Have you ever heard of Tianmen?"

Qin Shuang thought for a moment and decided to drag Xiongba into the fray, letting him serve as a shield while he continued to develop his own strength in the shadows.

"Tianmen? What kind of school or sect is that? Tianmen, World Martial Arts Association... could it be that Tianmen is also located on Mount Tian? Why have I never heard of such a sect?" Whether Xiongba believed him was impossible to tell; perhaps he was merely responding offhandedly.

"Then let us make an agreement!" Qin Shuang looked up at Xiongba, his eyes filled with resolve. "Master, your recovery will take time. Let us set a limit of one year. During this time, aside from healing, you will investigate the affairs of Tianmen. After a year, if you still wish to reclaim the World Martial Arts Association, then whatever methods you have, I shall meet them."

Both understood the nature of this pact; it was merely a necessity of time. Xiongba needed time to heal, and Qin Shuang needed time to consolidate his hold over the World Martial Arts Association. Of course, Qin Shuang hoped that Xiongba would uncover the truth about Tianmen; given Xiongba’s temperament, he would inevitably clash with them, leaving him no time to stir up trouble for the Association.

Watching this disciple who had always appeared unfailingly loyal, Xiongba finally understood Qin Shuang’s true nature. His outward submissiveness and tendency to follow others were simply because those matters had not mattered to him. But when it came to something he truly cared about, the facade crumbled. In Qin Shuang’s eyes, Xiongba saw an undeniable dominance; he knew that if he did not agree to this pact, Qin Shuang would likely strike immediately. Though Xiongba did not fear death, he certainly did not wish to die in such a miserable and stifling manner.

"Hahaha... Very well!" Xiongba laughed heartily. "I would like to see just how terrifying this Tianmen is, and I would also like to see just how far my disciple can go!"

No matter how much anger and coldness resided in his heart, Xiongba ultimately had to bow to reality. When under someone else's roof, one must bow one's head. Seeing Xiongba agree, a faint smile appeared on Qin Shuang's face, as if everything had gone exactly according to his plan.

...

Qin Shuang’s act of healing Xiongba was, of course, purposeful. One reason was to sense the sword qi and intent left by the Sword Saint; the other was to perceive the nature of Xiongba’s "Three-Point Origin Energy." These were the resources for his future. Every traveler from another world possessed something extraordinary—if not for anything else, then for the knowledge and memories of a past life. Even if many things were only seen in passing or were merely the words of others, they had still broadened his horizons and insight.

...

Subsequently, the entire martial arts world entered a state of eerie calm. Everyone was waiting for the internal strife of the World Martial Arts Association to conclude. Yet, there was no news of Xiongba’s death, nor of any move by Qin Shuang. Instead, Duan Lang emerged as the fourth Hall Master.

As for the departure of Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun’s attack on Xiongba, the martial arts world was left completely baffled. The response of the World Martial Arts Association was equally strange: they neither stripped Nie Feng of his title as Hall Master of the Divine Wind Hall, nor did they issue an order to hunt down Bu Jingyun.

...

At China Pavilion, Jian Chen returned and reported what he had seen at the World Martial Arts Association to Wuming.

"Fellow traveler, may you find peace on your journey," Wuming sighed. The Sword Saint had ultimately realized that terrifying, world-destroying sword technique.

"Master, shouldn't we do something about Qin Shuang?" Jian Chen was still an upright young man, worried about the state of the world.

"It is no matter. Though Qin Shuang and Xiongba are at odds, the World Martial Arts Association will not fall, and the martial arts world will not descend into chaos for the time being. It is a good thing that the Association keeps the world in check. Furthermore, Qin Shuang is a kind-hearted man; his leadership may spare the world some bloodshed."

...

In Dongying, Jue Wushen declared, "Judging by the situation in the Central Plains, Qin Shuang must have imprisoned Xiongba out of consideration for the brotherhood of Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun. Po Jun, you shall depart first to deal with your nemesis, Wuming."

Po Jun, carrying the Greedy Wolf Sword and the Seven Kills Blade, stood with his arms crossed. "Has the time finally come? Wuming... Heh... Hahahaha..." Po Jun’s arrogant and brutal laughter echoed through the hall, but the others acted as if they heard nothing, allowing his madness to be fully revealed.

Once Po Jun calmed down, Jue Wushen spoke again: "Jue Xin, Jue Tian!"

"Present!" they replied in unison.

"The two of you shall lead one thousand Ghost Yakshas to march on the Central Plains. Any sect that submits shall prosper; any that resists shall be destroyed!"

Jue Xin and Jue Tian exchanged a glance. "Understood!"

With this expedition to the Central Plains, the two would lead separate armies, and both were secretly competing to see who would perform better.

...

Upon arriving in the south, Duan Lang, backed by the support of the World Martial Arts Association, rebuilt the Duan Family Manor and immediately began his campaign to pacify the south. The entire martial arts world had first been decimated by Wuming, then suppressed by the World Martial Arts Association and Wushuang City; now, there were few experts left to stand against the Association. For a time, Duan Lang found himself in a position of boundless glory.