Library of Heaven’s Path 2: Eternal Destiny

Vol 2 Ch 71: Putting the Blame on Others

Cold Abyss City, Zhang Xuan’s Residence.

Yue Longxiao watched in a daze as the spirited Su Shang busily served tea and water. Even after a while, the surreal nature of the situation hadn't worn off.

Ever since Ling Buyang left, three prodigies arrived, and after Zhang Xuan offered a few pointers, the steed strolled in. Now it was pouring tea and tending to guests like an expert servant. Yue Longxiao couldn’t help but wonder if this was a horse disguised as a human.

“Sun Qiang, is it? Your family’s horse… has it always been like this?” Yue Longxiao asked, his curiosity piqued.

“It was tamed by our master. It’s a natural variant with Source Beast abilities, so of course, it’s more obedient,” Sun Qiang explained.

Only then did Yue Longxiao relax, picking up his cup to savor the tea. He had to admit, it was quite exquisite. As his gaze drifted to Su Shang, the steed remained quietly at the tea station, methodically performing each step of the process—rinsing, steeping, and serving tea—with practiced precision. The orderly and elegant display left Yue Longxiao dazzled.

Once the tea was ready, the steed took a sip, smiling in satisfaction.

“Hehe, hehe…”

He was about to continue his questioning when hurried footsteps echoed from outside. Moments later, Hall Master Han Xiao stumbled in, covered in blood. He collapsed to the floor with a heavy thud.

“Hall Master Han, what happened to you?” Yue Longxiao’s expression darkened as he rushed to help.

Han Xiao’s eyes were glazed over, but he mustered his last bit of strength to choke out, “Han Qianchou… he killed Elder Mo Qing… forced me to confess and request rewards from Zouyi City. I feigned compliance but escaped, only to be gravely injured…”

“Han Qianchou killed Mo Qing?” Yue Longxiao felt his vision blur as the weight of the words hit him.

Elder Mo Qing, though not the most accomplished, was still the third disciple of Sect Master Mo Baiye of the Mo Dao Sect. For a mere emperor of a small dynasty to not only neglect decorum but outright murder him… This was a blatant provocation against both the Mo Dao Sect and the Destiny Hall.

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“What about Ling Buyang?” Yue Longxiao asked, his voice trembling.

“He… he’s also being hunted by Han Qianchou. I don’t know if he’s alive… Yue Sect Master, you must avenge us. Even if you can’t, you must expose his atrocities!” Han Xiao’s voice grew fainter until it ceased altogether. His hand fell limply to the ground as his breathing stopped.

Yue Longxiao placed a trembling hand on Han Xiao’s pulse. There was no heartbeat. His body had already turned cold.

“First Mo Qing, now Han Xiao… and Ling Buyang’s fate is unknown… Has Han Qianchou gone mad?” Yue Longxiao couldn’t fathom why the Cold Abyss Dynasty’s emperor would act so recklessly. Yet, Han Xiao’s dying words left no room for doubt.

“Wait… if Ling Buyang is dead, doesn’t that mean I can take the three prodigies without owing him any benefits?” Yue Longxiao suddenly realized.

But now wasn’t the time to dwell on such matters. He quickly leaped to the tallest building in the courtyard, scanning the surrounding streets. Sure enough, the alleyways were teeming with soldiers—thousands of them.

The entire city guard must have been mobilized! Besides the emperor himself, who else could command such a force?

Any doubts Yue Longxiao had about Han Xiao’s words vanished at this sight.

“This is insane… I must report this to the Zouyi Dynasty’s branch immediately!” Yue Longxiao muttered before jumping down, retrieving a communication jade slip, and hastily transmitting the news.

In a void-like space, Zhang Xuan floated silently. Not far away, Sun Lianxiang, Yu Longqing, and Lu Mingrong lay unconscious, their eyes shut.

Replaying the recent events, Zhang Xuan carefully pieced everything together. Activating the formation, assassinating Han Qianye amidst the chaos, throwing out Mo Qing’s corpse, and having Han Xiao “report” the news… This sequence of actions perfectly framed the Cold Abyss Dynasty’s royal family for the crime.

Though he could remain hidden and avoid provoking the Mo Dao Sect, he couldn’t afford to leave loose ends. Knowing that Han Qianchou might suspect him of being a Chaotic Fate Practitioner and that he had harmed Yu Longqing and the others, Zhang Xuan had to eliminate him.

While he could have done it himself, such a move would leave traces. If anyone investigated carefully, his disguise as Ling Buyang would be exposed.

By framing Han Qianchou for Mo Qing’s death, the Mo Dao Sect would inevitably clash with the Cold Abyss Dynasty. Zhang Xuan could then exploit the chaos to achieve his goals.

As for his Ling Buyang persona? He could abandon it if necessary.

While timing was a concern, the Cold Abyss Dynasty was far from Zouyi City. By the time the truth emerged, he would likely have reunited with Kong Shi.

After double-checking his plan and confirming no major flaws, Zhang Xuan finally relaxed. Shaking off his thoughts, he turned his attention to the three unconscious individuals.

This void was part of his newly-created world. Before fleeing the palace, he had brought them here.

“Though they wouldn’t intentionally betray me, it’s safer not to reveal the existence of this world… Anyone skilled in soul-searching could cause trouble,” Zhang Xuan murmured.

To ensure secrecy, he had knocked them out the moment he brought them here.

Returning to the Source World, Zhang Xuan resumed his Ling Buyang guise and swiftly made his way back to the courtyard, entering an empty room. With a wave of his hand, the three appeared, lying flat on the floor.

A flick of his finger sent Heaven’s Path True Energy into their bodies, healing Yu Longqing and Lu Mingrong’s injuries at a visible rate. Once finished, he gently brushed his hand again, and the trio slowly regained consciousness.

“Where is this? Am I… dead?” Sun Lianxiang, unharmed, was the first to wake. She looked around in confusion before her gaze landed on Zhang Xuan.

“It’s you! My savior… I owe you my life once again,” she exclaimed, recognizing him as the masked figure who had saved her before.

“It was nothing. Thank you for risking your life to deliver the news,” Zhang Xuan replied with a smile.

Sun Lianxiang looked sheepish. “Given your strength, my message probably didn’t matter much…”

“Without you, they might still be suffering—or worse, dead.” Zhang Xuan glanced at Yu Longqing and Lu Mingrong, who were now awake.

The pair bowed deeply. “Thank you, Teacher Zhang, for saving us. And thank you, Miss Sun…”

“There’s no need to stand on ceremony. I repay my debts, whether of gratitude or enmity. Since my actions dragged you into this mess, it’s only right that I compensate you,” Zhang Xuan said, his smile broadening. “Tell me, would you like to become Destiny Masters?”

Yu Longqing chuckled bitterly. “It’s the dream of every cultivator. Unfortunately, my talent is lacking. I only managed to light one Destiny Incense… I’ll never have the chance in this lifetime.”

Lu Mingrong shook his head as well. “Only Destiny Masters can break through bodily limitations to reach higher realms. It’s what every cultivator yearns for, yet I have no talent for it either.”

Zhang Xuan turned to Sun Lianxiang. “And you?”

She sighed, her expression bleak. “My cultivation was destroyed by poison, my foundation ruined. I can’t even cultivate anymore, let alone dream of becoming a Destiny Master.”

“That may not be true. Try circulating your energy,” Zhang Xuan said, smiling.

Doubtful, Sun Lianxiang attempted to channel her energy. To her shock, a powerful force surged within her Source Pool, coursing through her body.

“I… I can cultivate again? How is this possible? The physicians said my Source Pool was irreparably shattered!” Sun Lianxiang exclaimed, her eyes wide.

Zhang Xuan’s smile deepened. “I repaired your Source Pool while treating your injuries.”

“You… repaired my Source Pool?” Sun Lianxiang was still processing the revelation, but Yu Longqing and Lu Mingrong were already stunned speechless.

The Source Pool, a gift from the Destiny Hall, was the foundation of cultivation. Once damaged, it was considered irreparable. Yet Zhang Xuan had restored it effortlessly.

To Zhang Xuan, however, it was trivial. Creating or repairing a Source Pool was a minor feat for him.

“I’ve recently started cultivating the Heaven’s Fate Mo Dao. If you’re interested, I can teach you,” Zhang Xuan offered casually, steering the conversation away.

Yu Longqing’s eyes gleamed. “The Heaven’s Fate Mo Dao is unparalleled in single-target combat. No wonder Sect Master Mo Baiye holds such a lofty position in the Zouyi Dynasty…”

“If I could learn it, I’d wake up laughing from my dreams. But…” Lu Mingrong hesitated. “City

Lord Yu managed to light one Destiny Incense, but I couldn’t light any. Can I even practice it?”

“I tested my talent once and was deemed unqualified,” Sun Lianxiang added.

Zhang Xuan cut them off with a confident smile. “If I’m offering, I have a way. All I need to know is if you’re willing.”

His certainty left the trio speechless.

Author's Note