Great Li Martial God

The old man appeared exceedingly ancient, his long gray-white hair slightly disheveled, his eyes dull and lifeless, his face gaunt and hollow, as though he were on the very threshold of death.

He wore the worn robes of an ordinary Falling God Peak disciple, and in every way looked unremarkable, like nothing more than an old servant tasked with tending the shrine.

Yet Sikong Xuan and the others felt an inexplicable warning stir within them, and they remained exactly where they were, still and silent, not daring to make the slightest move.

At that moment, Yuwen Chengqing's expression shifted, and he immediately stepped forward several paces to stand before the blind old man, clasping his hands in a deep and respectful bow, "Chengqing pays his respects, Elder. It has been close to a year since we last met."

At those words, the blind old man slowly turned his face toward Yuwen Chengqing, and spoke in a voice as dry and rasping as dead wood splitting apart, "You should not have come here. This old one wishes only to live out his remaining years in peace and quiet, and has no desire to be drawn into the entanglements of the mortal martial world."

Yuwen Chengqing's expression shifted slightly. He raised his eyes to look at the blind old man, and immediately let grief show on his face as he hurried to explain, "Chengqing knows that the Elder stands apart from worldly affairs and wishes only to devote himself to martial cultivation. In truth, Chengqing would like nothing more than to do the same. But fate has not been willing. The Great Li court launched a surprise assault on Falling God Peak and is slaughtering our sect's disciples."

"The sect is now on the verge of destruction. Even the grandmaster and all four honored elders have..."

But before he could finish, the blind old man raised a hand to stop him, and said slowly, "There is no need to explain. This old one is already aware of what happened to the grandmaster and the others. That you came here hoping to persuade this old one to act, this old one understands full well."

At those words, Yuwen Chengqing's expression changed sharply. He immediately cupped his hands and bowed deeply, his voice trembling slightly, "Chengqing knows this was wrong. But Chengqing had truly run out of options, and resorted to this out of desperation. I only ask that the Elder, in consideration of our bond to this sect, preserve some way out for Falling God Peak. Whatever punishment the Elder sees fit to give, Chengqing will accept without complaint."