Chapter 1293: Chapter 1291: The Burden of Righteousness
Returning to the city, Shi Xiaole immediately treated Che Renzhong’s wounds. The latter had already retreated, and under the timely treatment of Shi Xuanzhong, his condition stabilized, barely hanging on to a breath of life.
Three days and nights later.
Shi Xiaole retracted his power, and although his face was very pale, he smiled and said, "Senior Brother’s life is no longer in danger. He should recover in some time."
Standing to one side, Fairy Xinluo and Red Jade Saint exchanged looks, unable to hide the shock in their eyes.
Given Che Renzhong’s injuries, even a Holy Monarch would have found it extremely difficult to heal him completely, yet this Junior Brother’s powers were so vast.
One could only say that the path of life and death martial arts he understood was too defying, to the extent that it had reached the level of reversing the rules of life and death.
"Junior Brother, you have saved me once again," Che Renzhong said, his eyes closed as he circulated his energy for recovery.
"We are brothers, it’s what I should do."
Hearing this, Che Renzhong did not say anything more. He was not a talkative person, and in his heart, actions always spoke louder than words.
He was once saved by Shi Xuanzhong, who taught him all his martial skills. Now, having been repeatedly saved by his Junior Brother, he already owed an immeasurable debt of gratitude to the Shi family. The only thing he could do was to spend the rest of his life protecting the Shi family members.
Leaving Che Renzhong to heal, Shi Xiaole and the other two headed towards the city wall.
Fairy Xinluo looked at Shi Xiaole with curiosity and finally couldn’t help but ask, "Junior Brother, you really have grasped two types of Supreme Martial Arts, how did you do it?"
Not only ordinary people were curious about Shi Xiaole, but these Supreme Beings were equally intrigued.
Logically, even the strongest sea of consciousness can only withstand one type of Supreme Martial Arts. It isn’t a matter of talent, but a characteristic determined by human martial practitioners.
In the past, there were Supreme Lords who experimented by consulting various ancient texts and combining this with their own experience and ideas, to cultivate and selectively breed their descendants, but without exception, all attempts failed.
If Shi Xiaole’s successful experience could be popularized, it would be a historic breakthrough for the world of East Victory.
"I don’t know either, it just happened out of confusion," Shi Xiaole said with a smile, shaking his head.
He suspected that it was the result of the fusion of his two lifetimes’ souls, but this was his biggest secret, one he could never reveal to anyone for the rest of his life, including Shi Xuanzhong and his wife.
Red Jade Saint looked at Shi Xiaole and suddenly said, "Junior Brother, we are fortunate to have the leader and the Holy Young Master maintaining order. Otherwise, you would have already become the target of many Supreme Lords. While we share a common enemy, remember, one must always guard against others."
The implication in her words was clear.
But Shi Xiaole was not surprised.
He knew well the principle of bearing the consequences of one’s valuable assets, which is why he had only been willing to reveal his dual Supreme Martial Arts until now.
For if someone with intentions were watching him, and if that person were far stronger than himself, it would definitely bring endless trouble.
Luckily, Shi Xuanzhong and his wife were present in East Victory City, which discouraged those people from daring to do anything to him.
Knowing that the other party meant well, Shi Xiaole quickly responded earnestly, "Thank you for the reminder, Second Senior Sister."
Red Jade Saint, a woman of few words who only showed smiles in front of the Holy Empress and Fairy Xinluo, also slightly smiled and said, "As long as Junior Brother is aware."
The three soon arrived at the city wall.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
Countless gazes turned their way.
For the martial artists of East Victory, Shi Xiaole was already a legend, and this recent bold stand was just another significant notch in his many feats; they were grateful but had somewhat come to expect it.
But for the hundred or so Supreme Lords standing at the center of the city wall, it was their first time seeing Shi Xiaole go all out, so their attitudes and views of him naturally underwent a huge shift.
Before, they paid attention to him because of his status as the son of a Holy Monarch.
But now, they were focused on him because of his talent and strength.
"Hmph, I didn’t expect his mental fortitude to be so high!" muttered the Sky Evil Lord inwardly.
Previously, when Shi Xiaole visited Heavenly Desire Origin to seek methods for mental tempering, the Sky Evil Lord thought that he had just begun this process, but now he realized he was greatly mistaken.
Although Shi Xiaole hadn’t revealed much, the Sky Evil Lord still could judge that his degree of mental tempering must have reached a considerably high level.
This young man’s talent and progress were indeed frightening!
The Dream Emperor exchanged glances with another Supreme Lord, both shaking their heads with wry smiles. Truly worthy of being the son of a Holy Monarch, Shi Xiaole’s splendor was no less than his father’s.
"Child, why don’t you take a good rest?"
The Holy Empress stepped forward, grasped Shi Xiaole’s hand, looking at him with a tender, loving gaze that also radiated a mother’s unique pride. Then she turned her head toward the crowd, her lips slightly curling up.
This was her child, who had almost single-handedly shattered the grand conspiracy from Outer Heaven and indirectly saved their own Supreme Lords. Aside from him, who could achieve this feat at the Void Origin Realm level?
Shi Xuanzhong looked at his wife with amusement, but when his gaze fell upon Shi Xiaole, he couldn’t help but be moved.
Due to practicing the "Art of Cloning," Shi Xuanzhong also had the opportunity to grasp different martial arts. Sometimes, because of the connections between clones, even a single clone might exhibit different temperaments.
But when all clones merged, the various martial arts would blend into one, so even Shi Xuanzhong could not master multiple martial arts.
His child was beyond imagination!
"Young Hero Shi, thank you for stepping in."
As everyone pondered with different thoughts, a middle-aged man in red robes stood out and said with a smile, "Given the young hero’s talent, given time, he’s bound to be the next Holy Monarch. However, I’ve had a question that I’ve been holding back for a long time."
"What exactly is the deal with your dual Supreme Martial Arts? Now is a critical time for the life and death of East Victory; if there is any method, you shouldn’t hide it. After all, the more we all improve, the more hope there is for East Victory. What do you think?"
After the man in red finished speaking, the gazes of many supremes changed, staring unblinkingly at Shi Xiaole.
Shi Xiaole recognized that the man in red was the eldest son of the Fire Stiff ancestor, self-proclaimed as the Mingyi Fire General, whose mastery of the fire martial arts was second only to his father and the Fire Lord.
Shi Xiaole said, "Honestly, there is no method."
The Mingyi Fire General raised his eyebrow, neither approving nor disapproving, and didn’t pursue further, saying, "It was presumptuous of me."
As soon as he stepped back, the third son of the Fire Stiff ancestor, the master of the Color Crossing Ship, stepped forward with a cold laugh, "It seems you are not telling the truth, sir. Your father, as the Holy Monarch, is beloved for his impartiality and fairness! I think he would also hope that you would speak honestly and contribute what you know."
"Indeed, clinging to one’s treasured possession is a discredit to your title of Holy Young Master."
"Holy Young Master, you wouldn’t want to tarnish your father’s reputation, would you?"
"Holy Monarch, we can’t persuade your son, perhaps you could convince him."
When the master of the Color Crossing Ship spoke, as if on cue, the Fire Stiff Palace, Blade Slaves Sect, and several from the Devil Path pointed their barrels at Shi Xuanzhong and his son.
Naturally, they didn’t dare to coerce, but instead were subtly imposing upon them.
This is what is meant by deceiving a gentleman with propriety.
The name of Shi Xuanzhong’s righteousness was known by those of his generation—who didn’t know of it?
Even sworn enemies had to praise his impeccable character and sense of justice. Especially when it came to the well-being of all under heaven, in the heart of this Holy Monarch, there might not be a distinction of kinship or distance.
Thus, they were not at all worried that Shi Xuanzhong would refuse outright; he might even inquire about his son’s words because of their entreaty.
If they were dealing with someone unruly and willful, they would have truly hesitated.
Shi Xiaole glanced at Shi Xuanzhong as if he couldn’t bear the pressure and said, "Do you really want me to reveal the method? It’s not impossible."
Upon hearing this, the many supremes on the opposite side could not help but shudder slightly. Even the Fire Stiff ancestor and the leader of the Blade Slaves Sect flashed sharp looks in their eyes.
"But I have a condition."
"What condition?"
The master of the Color Crossing Ship demanded fiercely.
"If you get the method, you must spread it openly, without hiding it from anyone."
Upon hearing this, the faces of the many supremes darkened.
Shi Xiaole observed their expressions, and sneered inwardly.
The Outer Heaven Demons were lurking outside the city, and these people were focusing on their own selfish interests, even plotting against him and not hesitating to drag his father through the mud to coerce him indirectly.
If they were truly acting for the common good, Shi Xiaole might have taken another look at them, but their performance just now had undoubtedly revealed their true intentions.
In the end, it was still for their personal gain.
Not to mention Shi Xiaole didn’t have a method; even if he did, he would never yield to anyone’s coercion.
"Please, Holy Young Master, speak," the Mingyi Fire General said.
To the supremes, to a certain extent, could break free from the constraints of heaven and earth; oaths had no effect on them. In short, the plan was to deceive the method from him first.
Shi Xiaole shrugged his shoulders. "Sorry, I was just joking with you guys. I don’t have any method."
The Mingyi Fire General narrowed his eyes and smiled, "Holy Young Master, please reconsider your action. Perhaps by speaking out, you could save East Victory, otherwise, you could become East Victory’s sinner."
This was oppression by appealing to a greater good.
Shi Xiaole smiled faintly, then suddenly retorted, "Ridiculous! Since when does the fate of East Victory hinge on me, who am not even a supreme? Fire Stiff Palace, Blade Slaves Sect, and several Devil Path supremes, are you all admitting inferiority to me? With the great battle looming, you’d better think of how to repel the enemy rather than scheming for personal gain."
"Impudent! You whelp, who gave you the courage to scold the supremes? Holy Monarch, your son speaks out of turn, shouldn’t you discipline him?" the sons of the Fire Stiff ancestor said, their faces reddening with anger.
"Am I wrong?"
Shi Xiaole turned to look at Shi Xuanzhong. "Father, I said there is no method. Do you believe me?"
Shi Xuanzhong gazed into his son’s eyes, and after a moment, nodded, "Father believes you, because you disdain to lie."
Shi Xiaole said no more.
His pride, once again, astonished Shi Xuanzhong. How could he not see that his son’s silence was not submissive; he might have already noted today’s incident to settle the scores later.
But he didn’t seek his father’s help because he wanted to act on his own.
Shi Xuanzhong faced the others and said, "Whether you believe it or not, we can discuss this matter another day. The most pressing concern now is to combat the Outer Heaven Demons, but you pursue different agendas and almost provoke internal strife. Do you really take me for a naïve fool?"
Shi Xuanzhong extended his hand.
With a loud thud,
The Mingyi Fire General, the master of the Color Crossing Ship, and several other Fire Stiff Palace experts flew backward, spitting blood in midair and crying out in pain.
