Torsten Hewson
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v5c61: Shenhe's Oath
🕑 Added 2024-10-28 01:47:36 +0000 UTCZang Shenhe rarely spoke to other people about her plans. Only two would ever listen to her anyway; her fellow Elder, Chongyun, and the Patriarch. With Chongyun, he was one of the few who didn’t seem to despise her presence and they were even cordial.
The other she spoke to… was the Patriarch, to gain his favour and hopefully his trust… even though she now knew that that endeavor was doomed from the start.
The Patriarch had always been aloof and dismissive, bored by her appearance and words. But… she had needed to tell somebody. So she drew on the only memories she had of somebody who might tell her, the only person whose opinion on her path forward actually mattered.
Wen had said Nezan always told her the truth, no matter if she didn’t want to hear it or if it was a painful one. Shenhe could only hope he would offer her the same courtesy.
Nezan sat before her. In contrast to the Patriarch, gave her his full and undivided attention as she explained her intentions to him. The fox gave no outward reaction, simply staring at her until she said her piece. She met those eyes, for she would weather his criticism without flinching.
At the end of it, Nezan closed his eyes. He mulled over her plan.
“You’re entirely too much like your aunt, you know? Wen did not do things by halves either,” the fox said. Before, Shenhe would have beaten to near death any who dared to compare her to the ‘arch traitor.’ Killed them for certain if they were an enemy. Yet this time, she could feel the fondness,and the honest praise in the fox’s voice. She waited patiently for his verdict.
“I cannot say I am displeased by what you are planning, Zang Shnehe. My only question is: why? Why did you choose this path?”
Part of it was out of guilt. Part of it was out of a desire to atone. Part of it was to claim a birthright and history denied to her.
But all of those were selfish reasons.
‘Strength above all, to protect what we love’, Zang Yong’s words echoed in her mind.
All her life she had been told to crush her love. To harden her heart, for that was how a true Zang became strong. She always felt weak when she could not fully give in to the Patriarch’s words.
Zang Shenhe did love the Shrouded Mountain, its beauty and its splendor.
She loved the Howling Fang Mountains, their home. Some of her fondest memories were when she was an Outrider, going to villages who did not know who she was and defending them from the things that would wish them harm. It was where the black hate for the foxes had come from—the fury that they would involve the mortals of the province, prey on them, and kill them.
She loved her disciples. She loved the men and women under her command, who had chosen to follow her into the north against demons.
She could even say she loved some of their family. Fengfeng, who Shenhe had shielded from the worst of things. Li—who had never looked at her with disgusted eyes. Her heart had ached when she found out he had died, and her path of vengeance had been for him. She loved her mother and her father, the stress of the Patriarch’s ire withering them away so long ago.
“Because it is the only one I can walk,” she answered, staring directly at the fox.
It was the only path that wouldn’t make her a coward or an oathbreaker—the path that Zang Yong and Zang Wen would have walked. A path of penance, a path of redemption.
“Then… you will have what support I can give you, Zang Shenhe,” Nezan stated.
Shenhe bowed her head in thanks.
======================
Shenhe walked forward through the snow towards the fortress where the rest of her Sect was staying. Her eyes were forward, and her back was straight. There were numerous eyes upon her, the people in Master Rou’s home giving her a head start as the other members of her Sect walked forward to watch.
Lord Shen Yu, Master Rou, and Yun Ren had been informed about her intentions—which had similarly been well-received. Lord Shen Yu had nodded and proclaimed her path “not bad”, though Master Rou had been surprised at her timetable. She had assumed the man wished for her and her Sect to be gone as soon as possible.
Instead, the benevolent Elder of the Cloudy Sword Sect had given her a full week from when they had arrived, the man stating that he wished for them to be good enough to travel… and that Shenhe herself might benefit from speaking to one Cai Xiulan, Grand Marshal of the Azure Hills, who had some experience in bringing peace and reconciliation between multiple groups.
Truly, the Disciples of the Cloudy Sword Sect were above all others in their benevolence.
She reached the fortress. She did not pause, she did not hesitate. The time for such things had passed. The disciples within were broken and defeated looking. Their eyes were dull and lifeless, and despair hung about them like a pall. They sat in groups, listless, and likely the only reason there was no fighting between them was because all of them were still too injured to actually do something about the bubbling cauldron of emotions that hung around them all.
“Disciples of the Shrouded Mountain Sect, I would request your presence in the courtyard.” Shenhe said.
Her voice was soft in contrast to the belted out commands many disciples were used to, and that got their attention. Slowly, the listless disciples turned to look at her, and those who did found their backs straightening.
Shenhe, who had been broken and wandering dazed, now stood before them calm and resolute. Her eyes burned blue—and a fox sat upon her shoulder. Slowly, hesitantly, the disciples gathered. Some looked hopeful. Others, wary. Still others only rose out of an ingrained sense of duty, as they gathered in the courtyard and upon the walls of the fortress.
Shenhe looked upon them. She saw their fear and uncertainty.
“Some would say we have been quite unlucky. Captured by demons, defeated in battle, and finally, when we think that the Heavens have ceased punishing us, we are given a revelation that has thrown everything we knew and have stood for into doubt. The sins of the Patriarch. The sins of the Inquisition. That our war that we thought so just was a lie. Even now we hear that our Sect slays its own in a civil war.”
The disciples shifted, turning their eyes downward. They winced and shrank away from her words, folding in on themselves.
“I know what you all are feeling. More acutely, in many ways. Everything I have ever done was to free myself and my family from the stigma of the ‘Arch Traitor’. I gave everything I had to the Patriarch. I fought and bled without complaint… and now I know that everything I have ever done has been in service to that lie. I would have never been absolved of my aunt’s actions. No matter what I had done, it would never be enough. I served a man who would have discarded me without a thought. The trust you had in the Sect has been broken. The trust we have for each other has been broken.”
Each word caused a minute wince as the disciples nearly collapsed.
“And yet, I do not say we are unlucky. No, I say the Heavens have graced us.”
Her words made their gazes snap back up.
“In our defeat, the plot of an Imperial Realm demonic cultivator lies in shambles. We have delivered millions more from the suffering inflicted upon us. But more than that, the mists have parted and we can now see Mount Tai. We see the truth. We know the truth, and no longer will this rot that kept us blind be allowed to fester. We have been cursed since the Age of Heroes—and we are the generation who has the opportunity to put it right. To bring us back into the path that the first Patriarch, the true Patriarch, had envisioned. Are we not the Righteous Shrouded Mountain Sect? All of us have witnessed this injustice. Yet are we to just give up? Are we to just let it defeat us, without even trying to face the darkness within? No! I will not—and I ask all of you here to be with me when we do.”
She could see them wavering. She could see the sparks of hope starting to enter their eyes.
“We will end the war the kinslayer started, and we will bring about Zang Yong’s true vision. We will defeat what has been spawned by the darkness. We will be the righteous Shrouded Mountain Sect! This, I swear to you!”
“It will be hard. This will be the hardest path we must take. And yet take it we must—precisely because it is hard.”
“Many of you will ask, ‘why should we? Why should we work so hard for a Sect that used and abused our trust?’ You are right to think this. But in the end… this is not truly for the Sect. It is for the mortals who depend upon our aegis. For our families, who live upon the mountain. For ourselves, to prove that we can get up even after the worst of blows—Strength above all, to protect what we love.”
“I shall put to right all wrongs set. I shall never allow what happened before to happen again. I shall not swear upon my honor or some other nebulous thing. I shall swear only upon my deeds, and if you find those lacking, leave with my blessing.”
“I swear this upon all that is Zang Shenhe.”
The disciples' eyes were wide. She could feel their Qi, charged instead of forlorn. Hopeful. Eager. No longer were they lost and defeated… For they had a mission. They had a goal. They had a purpose.
Just like she did.
And then, one stepped forward. He was an Outrider, one of Zeng’s men. He looked nervous, but resolute.
“What about Elder Zeng, Elder Shenhe?” the disciple asked. She saw the same nervousness repeated on many others—Zeng was clearly well-liked by his men.
The words made all in the courtyard pause.
The man swallowed thickly when Shenhe turned his gaze to him… then up to one of the arrow-slit windows, where a shadow looked on at the proceedings.
A part of her wished to repay him for every insult he had done to her. To rebuke him. To judge him. Instead, she let out a breath… and extended her hand.
“Zang Zeng fought nobly and was prepared to offer his life for the good of his subordinates. The same offer is open to him. Elder Zeng may journey with us and take what is his from the mountain. After that… it is up to him. He may stand trial or he may leave, never to see the Shrouded Mountain again. It is the same chance I shall give to every member of the Zang Clan. The guilty, and only the guilty, shall feel our wrath.”
The man bowed at the waist.
“Shenhe!” somebody shouted.
“Shenhe!” another took up the call.
A chant began, shouting her name over and over again, the disciples' eyes locked upon her. The feeling of their trust was… bittersweet.
“Master Rou has given us a week to rest and heal. Rest and recover. And on the seventh day, we return to the Howling Fang Mountains!”
Her order was met with enthusiasm—and doubly so when Pi Pa arrived with the boar, bearing more loads of rice and pickled vegetables—a feast as grand as any held at the Mountain, moreso in some cases.
Finally, Shenhe allowed herself a smile.
A smile that persisted until Shen Yu stood before her again and asked for her presence in the nearby town.
==========================
The Lord Magistrate stared straight ahead, the light of the setting sun filling his office.
“I beg your pardon, who is coming?” he asked as his stomach churned.
“The Cloudy Sword Sect, the Soaring Heaven’s Isle Sect, and one of the Emperor’s men,” the old man before him said. “They will be here soon.”
Behind him Jin bowed, clearly contrite.
The Lord Magistrate sat down heavily in his chair.
Internally, he started screaming.
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Sorry for the wait on this one, it fought me forever. Some days it do be like that. This is friday's chapter.
Editors: Massgamer,
Comments
Ender419
My thoughts exactly! And hopefully Senior brother Lu Ri is present as well and she learns of him.
John D Jones
I'm hoping the timetable will allow Shenhe to be at Fa Ram when the Cloudy Sword Sect folks arrive. I want to see her reaction to Jin having left that sect to find/build something better.
Alex Ingraham
Congrats on getting another BOC book out! At this rate, we'll have to kidnap Travis Baldree to catch the audiobooks up to your writing! 😈
V01D
Don’t forget Wa Shi interacting with Bailu & Seilu…
V01D
Personally, I can’t wait to see Wa Shi interacting with Bailu & Seilu.
Caoimhín
No worries, the last time he showed his storage it was packed full, so he has abundant food to share.
Evander
I'm hoping that in the future, either Jin or Wa Shi get to compare notes with a spiritual chef. They've been mentioned several times and it'd be nice to see one show up or contract with Fa Ram for ingredients.
B
M
Truedragon5374
Senhe: We shall leave immediately. Apologies for intruding. Mieling: Oh no you don't! It will be at least a week before the worst of your casualties should even think about a long journey. You will stay, and eat, and rest. Jin: I'd do as she says...
Axavia
I’m personally a fan of “The notably visible mountain sect”
Pat Sprehe
I’m looking forward to scenes of mortals and cultivators of the Azure Hills, looking up and just gaping as Cloudy Sword and Soaring Heavens pass overhead.
Jazer Andrew Sotomayor
Thank you
Casualfarmer
There was, on the free sites.
Isak Mark
I know, but usually there is a curtousy notice.
Alex Ingraham
I thought Elder Ge was Shen Yu's "dear friend" and the general was just a mortal general. Also, Shen Yu would have done more more than acknowledge the general after seeing he'd lost his legs. Shen Yu only noted that detail because the general had to salute him from horseback.
Alex Ingraham
I'm sure whatever "reward" they give to TLM (or his son) will have the recipient sobbing internally 🤣
Alex Ingraham
TLM's internal screaming definitely sounds like TFS DBZA's Krillin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfdyHdrkHP0. Krillin's screaming starts at 0:17. Krillin's continued screaming matches TLM's internal screaming while the conversation continues! 🤣
Alex Ingraham
While Lani's Vegeta rage scream is legendary in it's own right, I think Krillin's fear is more accurate for how TLM's internal scream usually sounds when he deals with cultivators lol
Southern Mountains Loose Cultivator
Publishing deals for webnovels generally require authors to remove the completed parts being published from free sites like RR.
Isak Mark
What happened to the chapters at royal road? I was re reading some of the story and now it's gone. I know they are still on patreon but it's honestly a terrible format for continuous reading.
leopard eye
The fulmanation fangs.
Old Dog
As always, thank you for the chapter. It looks like TLM is taking the "invasion" of 2 major sects and the Imperial representative rather well.
Golden monkey
Fanged mountain sect?
Silvris
All hail TLM, who even in the face of sheerest terror remains as composed as ice. Truly, the greatest of mortals.
Idan tal
But it’s not shrouded anymore..
BigBro Bluesman
Like I said he can totally do it but the stress has to be hell
michel chamoun
It’s more than two elite spec ops team. This is a decent percentage of the world’s military power. So it’s like playing host a at least a military division. More likely several armies.
Kali Smith
Oh boy!! I’m so excited to read about EVERYTHING! Would love a chapter from both TLM & Lady Wu’s POVs. I’m also so excited to read about all the sects showing up! This is going to be epic!
Truedragon5374
At least he learned is lesson after that first winter and now puts ALOT more food in storage for the winter.
Truedragon5374
He is still going though ALL TLM's records for the last decade. I give it good odds that the auditor will burst into TLM's office to demand info on Jin's "gifts" right when The Voice is praising TLM for something.
Truedragon5374
Imperial Capitol? I thought TLM fled the province Capitol?
Truedragon5374
I'll bet TLM will try to pass on any rewards to his son. Who is only the Acting magistrate of Grass Sea city. Maybe The Voice can make that permanent. That said, I wouldn't be surprised is several of TLM's policies get added to the whatever guidelines Imperial magistrates follow. Plus possible Imperial interest into the new postal system.
Truedragon5374
HEADLINE: Small town mayor to play host to presidential plenipotentiary and 2 elite spec ops teams. More details to follow.
Truedragon5374
No joke, that fact that his panic reaction is to freeze into a stoic pose is a blessing from the gods.
Tanisha Thurman
I'm glad for the wait, because this turned out SO. GOOD. Great job, high five
ItWasIDIO!!
Combine more like to start a new Shrouded Fang Sect?
Mazerii
Should retire the shrouded mountain name and return to the original for the reformed sect, the Misty Fang Sect
TempestK
Not even a Demonic Cultivator, just being on the fringes of a fight between "normal" cultivators.
Cj
The fact that the lord magistrate kept that internal is incredible really
D J Meigs
Shroudless Mountain Sect here we come (can’t remember who first wrote it like that in a comment ages ago, but it feels appropriate). I’ve also dearly missed TLM. Hopefully we’ll get a comical scene that concludes the audit Verdant hill is going through as well.
sophie zimmerman
Thanks for the chapter!
Aesoir
Ooh fun fun! Now, since SMS is staying for a week, who’s going to be the “witness” of fa rams method of being strong, l vote “random SMS disciple.” Also on the wish list: old man ling forging a dantian in bi de’s garden, and contracting a minor earth spirit. Minyan staying at Fa Ram with Shen Yu (helping heal him), training Meiling (and the others), and eventually getting Jin to voice the same comments about her as he did in the AU stories. Oh and Rags shacking up with the Amazon/giantess girl from the SHIS.
ReadingOverSleeping
Yes Emperors, the talents of this nation has been pooling in this backwater Qi desert. No, it hasn’t stopped them from blooming in the least, they’re actually thriving.
Beggar of Freedom
Divines bless your kind heart!
ENK
That or Vegeta's rage screams. https://youtu.be/bd2nWh6wui0&t=105
BigBro Bluesman
Look...we all know the LORD MAGISTRATE!! can handle this, but...man I feel bad for the man...
Namorat
One thing that might be fixed: will it be righteous SMS or RSMS in the future? There are both uses.
Cinnamon Toast
Yes this was the 25ths chapter so we still have 3 chapters this week, next one will likely be out late on the 29th or early hours on the 30th
Rahul
Ah, he doesn’t know who the old man he’s talking to is, does he?
Eddy G
"In fact, here's all our funds, go buy BETTER china."
Valderan
"Lady love... break out the china. The GOOD china, if you please."
Azena
The Emperor is about to discover an extremely competent magistrate. I can’t wait to see what ‘rewards’ TLM receives from the super upper crust.
Gwyn
Yes confused on this as well.
Grim Heathwine
They were mentioned as being among the people in Hong Yaowu who were there to receive Washy's message after the attack. No mention of her being thanked, but I imagine it's coming, Jin pays his debts.
Patanahi
See thanks for the chapter CF
Calicofer
Wait I'm confused what do you mean this was Friday's chapter? Does this mean we still get 3 this week for Halloween?
Tsorov
Main Character, so Jin
Laura Hemly
He's been getting regular supplies of lowly spiritual herbs and Lady Wu has told them how much they help his stomach. So he's already being helped!
Havencross3093
MC - Main Character.
Laura Hemly
We've been getting chapters Tues day, Thursday, and Saturday recently. To get work that CF is pleased with, the days vary greatly. Two chapters in one day is pretty unlikely, unfortunately.
Mark Greenberg
Considering the "powerful cultvators" he wanted to avoid were in the Profound realm at most, while these visitors include several in the Earth to Imperial realms, yeah, quite the shock for him.
Laura Hemly
You can edit, you know. My posts would be typo city if I didn't go back and straighten them out with editing!
Laura Hemly
That seems very plausible . Unless CF disagrees, I'm going to hold that position, too.
Trevor Mergen
Thanks!
Mark Greenberg
Yes, but that was before the actual attack. I'm looking for something afterward, thanking her for the warning which enabled them to successfully prepare and defend themselves. I'd especially like Shen Yu to acknowledge her assistance since he's the only one who knows who she used to be and is also aware of why she moved to the AH in the first place.
Alex
I doubt TLM knows who Shen Yu is. In the arc where he first shows up at Fa Ram there's a bit where they go to Hong Yaowu and some of the gang go to the Ren house to talk about the living disaster that's just blown into town. While they're talking, someone mentions that mortals tend not to have heard stories about the Unconquered Blade. His legends are more well known the higher you ascend in the hierarchy of cultivator society: people in the Earth+ Realms are going to know who he is, at the Spiritual Realm they'll probably have heard of him but thought he was just a myth, and those at the Profound Realm and below likely won't have heard of him at all.
Laura Hemly
MC? I am drawing a complete blank.
Alex
That's a very good theory actually. I'm going with that as my headcanon unless CF says otherwise.
Alex
TBF Jin says he had to sell a bunch of Fa Ram's produce for peanuts at Verdant Hill and throw what didn't sell away because the farm was producing so much food that a lot of it was going to waste. I doubt he'll care about having more mouths to feed.
Will Iam
Thanks for the chapter, its great. Also, loved the last part with the lord magistrate
SoralTheSol
Now we shall see the true power of the Lord of Ulcers!
Jon Dough
My card info was taken and I had shut it off, so my membership lapsed and I almost missed this release!! Thanks for the chapter!
ShivaMcTimber
Pass the pepto!
mag28
Last time we saw here she and her husband were in Hong Youwu sleeping off the vision.
Angel
You may indeed be right! However, when Meiling first encountered it when she was young, she could hardly stand to be near lady Wu, then later she described it as being like tar and oil (or something similar), which is how she describes other demonic qi, and then when she removed it the water turned black after she scraped it out of Lady Wu’s spine. So I made the leap to demonic cultivator but figured others may come to a different conclusion. ☺️
Baldanders
I don't think it was explicitly demonic energy - it was simply foreign qi, if I recall correctly. I'll have to have a look later.
Alex Ingraham
He really should ask Meiling for help with that...
Alex Ingraham
Shen Yu can tell if people are lying to him. No way a mortal's (admittedly legendary) poker face is going to fool him lol.
Alex Ingraham
... Spitting blood out of both sides? Out of his mouth and ass???? Lucky for TLM he's got the Healing Sage on speed dial...
StarBat
He shall return to the Imperial Capitol in glory. Wether he likes it or not.
Alex Ingraham
OOOOOO!! Great point! We get another chapter today, CF!? 🥹🥹🥹
Alex Ingraham
TLM's internal screaming definitely sounds like TFS DBZA's Krillin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfdyHdrkHP0. Krillin's screaming starts at 0:17. Krillin's continued screaming matches TLM's internal screaming while the conversation continues! 🤣
Angel
She had demonic energy in her spine, which Meiling removed with her family’s technique, and from another description of the fight, I took it to mean it was a demonic cultivator. ☺️
Ham
Can’t wait for all the new visitors to try Jin’s food!
Alex Ingraham
You're both wrong. TLM's internal screaming definitely sounds like TFS DBZA's Krillin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfdyHdrkHP0. Screaming starts at 0:17. Krillin's continued screaming matches TLM's while stuff continues to happen! 🤣
Rakkis157
Wasn't the one who hurt his wife just a regular cultivator?
Tony
Is the auditor still around?
Golden monkey
Lord Magistrate!!!
Munsu
Being the Lord Magistrate is suffering. Even when the storm has passed and the calme seems omnipresent, there is always some chaos around, eager to pounce.
Arnon Parenti
When Shen Yu fights the demons with his dear friend, the dear friend is the voice and acts as the general leading 100k cultivators to fight the demons.
H
Party at jins house!
Alex Ingraham
I think it's safe to say he really needs both lol
Alex Ingraham
What chapter was that explained in?
Alex Ingraham
"ALL HAIL, THE [GREAT LORD MAGISTRATE] OF MANKIND!" I miss Emperor's TTS...
M e
I agree with both points! I really enjoy every time a new person thinks Jin is some wise elder or ancient hidden master. And I can't wait to see a reunion between the lord magistrate and his son.
Denielle Restauro
Just when their harvest was so good, Jin gets a bunch of unwanted guests. All that food....just gone.
John D Jones
TLM probably knows now because Jin and/or Lu Ri have likely told him. But thus far, Shen Yu has just been... Jin's grandfather. And then he left with Bi De and some others. That's a far cry from Shen Yu rolling in with Jin to announce that the most powerful members of two of the most powerful cultivator sects in the Empire will be descending on TLM's little area in preparation to unleash terrifying cultivator bullshit on some demonic cultivators. Oh, and the Herald of of Emperor is coming as well. AKA a dude who could have TLM and his entire province executed through agonizing torture and then make up a reason why later if he chooses to bother.
Duke of Coffee
Oh yes the internal screaming.
Pope Yoda I
"A'ight, but you have to feed everyone." "Bet." MC is going to have some incredible marketing potential in his future.
Mark Greenberg
Have we seen Shiyun (the diviner who warned Jin of the attack) and her husband since the demon's defeat? Shen Yu owes her some thanks but she may want to avoid the Imperial Herald.
Zeromaru2
It's never easy when Jin's around is it
BlueMage Theneras
Even the cultivators of the Azure Hills didn't recognize Shen Yu by name, title or reputation. They had heard the stories of his exploits but the stories had different names attached to each, iirc
BlueMage Theneras
Poor Lord Magistrate, this is everything he wanted to avoid lol. A literal army of powerful cultivators and the attention of the Emperor himself on the region. 😂
Guber
Of course the GREAT LORD MAGISTRATE is worthy of hosting such esteemed guests!! He shall bring much honor to the Azure Hills! ALL PRAISE THE GREAT LORD MAGISTRATE!!!
Arnon Parenti
I love how misleading is the "one emperor's man" when we know he leads a 100k army to wherever he goes and can recruit 10x that if he needs to descend on demonic cultivators.
Arnon Parenti
The Emperor's voice is going to come guns blazing, sure the whole county is a demon infested he'll hole, and the lord magistrate a demon fondler, and then he will find every record perfectly done, with tight corners and no cutting edges, with shadow plum agents delivering actual mail for mortals and the whole region is being purged and overhauled from the cellar to the roof.
Arnon Parenti
Have to pay respect to the official appointee by the Emperor's decree, people may claim the azure hills an end of the road appointment, wash out job or whatever, it is still an Empire employee representing the emperor.
Kreylix
SMS - Well done!!! Perhaps Lady Wu will swing into action, relieving her husband's incredible anxiety?
Desert Yeti
Can you imagine spiritual acid reflux? Poor guy.
SuperiorFreak
Yeah, the magistrate needs a raise. Or maybe a vacation? Hard to tell tbh.
Havefeith
Poor magistrate... but I can't help but laugh at his reaction.
Dirk Gent Lee
lol what an ending. Also, any chance Nezan becomes a subordinate spirit for Howling Mountains? Esp if she can pull the remnants of his boo, idk that sounded like more of a spirit beast only option.
Angel
Perhaps TLM’s stomach hurts so much when dealing with cultivators because his dantian wants to ignite but he subconsciously refuses to allow it because he’s so terrified of/traumatized by cultivators? His wife was nearly killed by a demonic cultivator, after all. Poor guy.
James Faulkner
Poor magistrate 😂
Angela Roberts
Oath, her oath dang it!
Angela Roberts
'Can you say that again? What!" Poor Magistrate, and his stomach. Shenshe's path was perfect. Acknowledging the hurt and offering a way forward. Cannot wait for the CSS & Co to meet TLM and the Inquisitor. This should good!
mag28
Does TLM even know who Shen Yu is? Or does he just think he is jins grandfather
Max E Malekzadeh
Poor TLM! He doesn't deserve this lol
Npad11111
Why do I feel like this is canon. Haha... This must be true, ain't no way gramps don't notice. Lol
Lanter
Here it is! The biggest moment I've been looking forward to after the whole incident, TLM'S REACTION! Shen Yu going "Yep, they're *all* coming here" while Jin is just "i'm sorry" and bowing in the background hahahaha 🤣 I wonder if anyone else from the CSS is like Lu Ri. Didn't he dig around TLM before going "Wow, he's just like the ideal magistrate as written in the founder's writings! 🤩" I wanna see him surrounded and admired by badass cultivators while screaming inside 😅
Npad11111
Nah, more like this I believe. Lol. https://youtube.com/shorts/Wq24ebd8Fng?si=rsZPX4tSzHwFcZCr
Longhaul
The ACTUAL protagonist of our story! Lol
Antony Claughton
Oh yeah, we definitely need another POV from the auditor on what has been happenning!
Daimah
I totally forgot about the auditor
Antony Claughton
I get a kick out every time the Shenhe thinks of Rou as a cloudy mountain sect elder. I also love it every time the lord magistrate is involved!
Kasinki
Nothing easy was for the Magistrate as ever. Thanks for the chapter CF!
ENK
If the big shots that are coming will meet the Lord Magistrate, I only pray that the imperial auditor gets involved in some manner. Hilarity will ensue.
Fullmetal
RIP Lord Magistrate
Aki_Iokua18
Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, my brothers, I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day! An hour of wolves and shattered shields, when the age of men comes crashing down, but it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good Earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West! Definitely got those kinds of vibes from her speech, very well done. So I guess the SMS are meeting with all the cavalry. Makes sense to get firsthand accounts. Anyway, here’s hoping Ri Zu and Mei’s combined knowledge can keep The Lord Magistrate’s stomach from imploding from all the stress and/or all the VIPs stay only a single night at most in Verdant Hill.
Dwayne Parker
Oh goodie, they’ll be around long enough to see the heavy hitters arrive.
Laura Hemly
This chapter may have fought you, CF, but you won in the end. What a moving scene with Shenhe returning to the first patriarch's vision and full oath! I wonder how well it will be received by the surviving portion of the Shrouded Mountain folks. And the poor Lord Magistrate's stomach! Meimei and Rizu need to make up their most powerful medicine for him!
Some guy
Lord magistrate: that’s ok :) Lord magistrate internally: fuuuuuuuuuuuuuu https://youtu.be/sJuUQPTkRgI?si=1B3tykfZov51AgWY
CringeWorthyStudios
By the divines, the Baka twins are going to get along so well here. Bailu will love Vajra and Wa Shi, and that’s not to mention what’ll happen when our favourite Japanese-analog water cultivator finds out about Jin’s thoughts on flow (and that he knows Japanese and Japanese food.)
TempestK
I love how Shen Yu is just "it is what it is" while Jin is basically kowtowing in apology because he knows *exactly* how his teacher is feeling right now.
CringeWorthyStudios
“The Lord Magistrate sat down heavily in his chair. Internally, he started screaming.” Relatable. 😅 Thanks for the chapter!
magobaltasar
I think that the Lord Magistrate needs to get a good antacid from Mei. It'd do him good.
Mad Max
So it's now a four-way battle royale between Jin's gig being up, Shenhe's departure, the Lord Magistrate's ulcers, and the Auditor's sanity.
ItWasIDIO!!
Lord Magistrate just know your student understands & is sorry for he cannot control the Unconquered ("cracked") Blade
The Cab #512
TY!!
Walter R.
This is Fridays chapter? So we get another one today😁😁😇
Randall Norman Pick
THERE's the TLM we love.
WarStrider72
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me seven Fa Ram meals, six nights of saunas, 5 golden oaths, four calling cards, three French hens, two different sects, and an Emperor's man! Oh the poor Lord Magistrate! Next time, blood will be spat out on both sides!
Kai
So, like. Do you think She Yu can feel TLM screaming? I like to think he can. And that he's so amused by it
Seiden Kyoukai
Poor Lord Stomachache. Every time that he thinks it can't get any worse...
Michael
Rest in peace TLM’s digestive tract.
K1NG_CHIMP
Oh boy, I'm so looking forward to everyone converging on Fa Ram! The meeting of the gluttonous dragons( bailu & Wa Shi) should be legendary!
Jazer Andrew Sotomayor
Thank you for the chapter
Ryan Kaiser
Love it
Michael W
Poor Lord Magistrate...
Sean Ulrich
Oh lord magistrate… it’s already too late to run
WarStrider72
Woot, thanks for the chapter boss!
Cranky Otter
Fight the good fight, we’ll hold out.
