Chapter 1: The Disaster of Innocence

PS: Elder Duozhuai has launched a new book, the third of the Sword Disciple Trilogy, but it probably has little to do with the original Sword Disciple or Sword Soldier;

Originally named "In the Name of the Sword," someone else claimed the title first, so I had to revert to a backup name, my apologies to everyone.

Welcome new and old readers to offer corrections and add to your collections.

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Jinxiu Continent, Anhe Country, Fufeng City.

'Majestic Guangchuan flows, urging horses through the long continents. Magpies fly at dawn on the mountain, cicadas buzz in the autumn wild wind.'

This describes the Guangchuan Continent within Anhe Country, a land of outstanding people and spiritual beauty; Fufeng City is a small city within the jurisdiction of the Three Rivers Prefecture in Guangchuan Continent.

Fufeng City, though small, boasts several affiliated towns, among which is Huangguo Town, which in recent years has seen a series of bizarre cases; several young heirs from prominent families died under mysterious circumstances within two years, causing turmoil among the people of Huangguo Town. Even within Fufeng City, rumors were rampant, and varied speculations abounded.

Demon mischief, theft of yang by swindling yin, financial disputes, land feuds, jealousy and envy, etc., all kinds of talk were endless.

Among these included a widely spread rumor that an old medicine farmer in Huangguo Town, named Meng, grieving over the death of his granddaughter, secretly poisoned and plotted against others; usually an honest man, but like a silent biting dog, once he made his move, he was resolute and cruel. Within two years, he laid out his murderous schemes meticulously, without a trace left behind.

This was mere rumor, sourcing from the incident two years prior when Old Meng's granddaughter was raped and killed in the wilderness while gathering herbs, the perpetrator unknown; it just so happened that several heirs of prominent families were there touring the countryside for scenery, hence the suspicion.

All was without evidence, simply coincidences and speculation. Therefore, despite the rumors over the past two years, the government had never reached a conclusion, leaving the case hanging indecisively, awaiting a possible breakthrough, or perhaps forever unsolved.

Cases like these were numerous amongst the common folk, and because of certain limitations, most ended unknown; time would fade them from people's conversations. This was a dangerous world where threats loomed from all sides; death could come at any time, and residents had grown accustomed to this fact.

However, there are always exceptions, especially in a world where extraordinary powers exist, when the Daoist Sect's Wind Patrol Envoy of Anhe Country came for their regular inspection of Fufeng City every few years. One of the victim's families pulled strings to present their grievances to the Wind Patrol Envoy, and the Daoist Sect's delegation, seeing an opportunity to set things right and guide public sentiment, decided to take lead in the case. Under the direction of a senior Daoist disciple, the long-unsolved case was brought to a conclusion.

Today, in the great hall of the Fufeng City Government Office, the words 'Justice is Clear' stood out prominently. A group of Fufeng officials, constables, family members of the victims, suspects, and onlookers... along with three decayed coffins. The water system of the Three Rivers Prefecture was developed, and with abundant groundwater, even though the coffins had only been buried for one or two years, the decay was quite severe.

These people packed the Government Office so tightly that not a drop could trickle through. Everyone wanted to understand the truth behind the mystery as soon as possible and, incidentally, to witness the prowess of the Daoist disciples.

'Do not say the pear blossoms are frail, the poplar flowers are even more pitiable. Blown by the wind, the rain's resentment fades, always in front of the traveler's window.'

A middle-aged Daoist with tied-up hair softly chanted these lines, shaking his head and sighing. As the Wind Patrol Envoy overseeing this path in Anhe Country, he had seen too much of human sin, so much that it had become mundane, leaving him numb.

Collecting his emotions with a cold snort, his voice penetrated the minds of all present, jolting everyone to awareness, realizing that the Daoist Official was about to make judgement. They all fell silent, daring not to utter a sound.

'Bring the suspect, Old Meng...'

Old Meng's real name had long been forgotten; a rustic man living off gathering herbs in the wilderness, he had little contact with others. His true name was known to none. He was simply referred to as Old Meng, a common practice among the rural folk.

A few constables escorted him to the stand. Since he hadn't been convicted yet, he wasn't shackled with heavy fetters but bound by rope at the wrists. Yet, in the grand hall, with numerous officials and a high Daoist present, there was no way anyone could cause an uproar.

The middle-aged Daoist bowed toward the presiding official, asking, "Lord Sun, unless there are other matters, may I begin?"

The Daoist's bow was casual, but the presiding official dared not treat it lightly; in Anhe, the Daoist Sect was revered, seldom entangled with official matters, but the potential support behind them was profound, something no ordinary mortal official could afford to offend.

He promptly got up to return the bow, "Please proceed, Daoist Chong Ling, we are all ears."

Daoist Chong Ling nodded slightly, his expression serious. His eyes emitted a commanding presence, the pressure almost tangible, targeted at the accused's inner being.

'Medicine farmer Old Meng, do you acknowledge your crimes?'

This was the moment all the onlookers had been eagerly anticipating; the suspect denying charges, the Daoist showcasing their miraculous abilities to solve mysteries, untangling the web to trace the origins—making for another riveting tale to be spread among the populace.

Although Old Meng was advanced in age, he was robust from his years outdoors, neither stooped nor bent, but his face was crisscrossed like dried orange peel, withered and deeply lined, revealing nothing of his inner thoughts—like an old vine weathered through storms, unshaken.

Raising his head, his turbid gaze was like a stagnant old well. He straightened his already upright back, his voice unnervingly calm.

'I acknowledge my crimes. I caused the deaths of those three people!'

An outburst rippled through the crowd. Over the past two years, constables had tried various means to extract a confession, but Old Meng had always kept his lips sealed, revealing nothing, leaving no way for them to proceed. Now, did he reveal the truth because he knew the Daoist possessed extraordinary powers and wanted to suffer less?

He seemed honest, but in actuality, he was cunning, unwilling to concede the slightest disadvantage.

Daoist Chong Ling was not the least bit disappointed; to display magic before ordinary people? He had no interest in that. It was good that the suspect was cooperative, saving him the waste of mana and time.