A Blind Swordsman's Sword Coffin

Li Guanqi’s expression didn’t shift. He said evenly, “The Daxia Sword Sect can grant the Spiritfish Clan three spirit-rich rivers. However, if the sect ever calls for aid, you must give everything you have.”

His gaze locked on the elder, the threat within his eyes plain for all to see. The elder slowly nodded, his voice low. “The Spiritfish Clan will never break its word.”

“Spiritfish Clan, you better remember that,” Li Guanqi murmured.

He went on, “Second, the three of you will serve as elders of the sect. You’ll enjoy the treatment and stipend that come with the title, but you’ll also shoulder the duties.”

The old man inclined his head. “Naturally.”

Li Guanqi’s eyes turned cold, and his tone hardened. “Third, disciples of the Spiritfish Clan are forbidden from forming Dao companionships with disciples of the Daxia Sword Sect. Should anyone defy this rule, they will be executed.”

The words struck like iron, leaving no room to argue.

Yu Bo frowned. “Why?”

Li Guanqi’s voice was like frost. “Your clan will join as a vassal. I won’t let the foundations of the Daxia Sword Sect fade a hundred years from now. You understand this, don’t you? I imagine you’d demand the same.”

Yu Bo’s eyes flickered. He hadn’t expected someone so young to think so far ahead. His expression grew solemn. He nodded heavily. “Rest assured, we wish to keep our bloodline pure too.”

Li Guanqi smiled. “Fourth, I hope the Spiritfish Clan can provide some bone swords.”

Yu Bo’s expression immediately fell. It was the one thing he’d feared most.

Yu Han paled. He shot to his feet, stabbing a finger toward Li Guanqi. “Hmph! Bone swords again! How are you any different from those despicable humans? My father trusted you, and when he gave you one, I warned him!”

Even the white-bearded He Ying’s face darkened.

The Spiritfish Clan’s misfortune was heavily related to the bone swords in their bodies. Each one was a natural sword embryo coveted by countless cultivators. The Intelligence Pavilion had long recorded them as rare treasures of heaven.

Before arriving, the clan had inquired everywhere about the Daxia Sword Sect’s reputation. They heard nothing but praise for its upright conduct, which was why they’d dared to make the trip. They thought it could be their last and only chance to find shelter, and they had never imagined Li Guanqi would raise this demand now.

Yu Bo rose slowly, eyes fixed on Li Guanqi. His voice was heavy. “Did greed take root in your heart after I gave you a bone sword?”

Li Guanqi stood up as well, calm. “No. I didn’t even use that sword for myself. I gave it to someone important to me. It was priceless, and I’m grateful for your clan’s generosity.

“But given your clan’s fate, why not let the bone swords of the fallen blaze again in the hands of true, upright sword cultivators? Let their brilliance blaze across heaven and earth in another way.

“And this isn’t compulsory. Anyone who seeks a bone sword must first pass the Spiritfish Clan’s trials. The blades remain under your joint keeping. The final choice is yours.”

He swept his hand, drawing Zhong Lin, Li Sheng’an, Zhou Zhi, and Wu Bing forward. All of them had grown into cultivators of solid strength and proven character.

Li Guanqi pointed to them and said, “Wu Bing, future successor of the Daxia Sword Sect, sharp of mind and firm of heart. Zhou Zhi, who was once my senior among the outer disciples. He’s upright, broad-minded, and a man of great righteousness. Each of them would be a worthy bearer.”

Yu Bo fell silent. The Spiritfish Clan had entrusted bone swords before, but every so-called inheritor had turned into a butcher who slaughtered Spiritfish clansmen for more swords.

How different Li Guanqi’s words sounded from what had come before, and yet...

Yu Bo drew a deep breath, his eyes sharp as he asked, “And you can guarantee the choice remains ours?”

Before Li Guanqi could reply, a steady voice rang out from the throne. “If he cannot guarantee it, then I will.”

Everyone turned and bowed.

“Greetings, Sect Master!”

“Greetings, Sect Master!”

Li Guanqi also bent slightly at the waist. “This disciple greets the Sect Master.”

Yu Bo blinked, then cupped his hands. “Yu Bo, leader of the Spiritfish Clan, greets Sect Master Lu.”

Lu Kangnian clasped his hands behind his back, smiling faintly. In a blink, he appeared among them. “No need for ceremony. From today on, we’re family.”

With a wave, he whisked Zhong Lin and the others away, conjured a chair, and sat with a smile. “Sit, all of you.”

Once they sat, Lu Kangnian’s expression turned stern. “Everything Elder Li just promised, the Sword Sect will honor.”

“As for the bone swords, we revere the dead. You will decide whether to entrust any of them to a sword cultivator,” Lu Kangnian said.

Yu Bo said nothing. In truth, if the sect hadn’t raised the matter openly, he would have felt uneasy. He had considered this long before arriving—better to speak plainly than to hide it. The Daxia Sword Sect’s candor reassured him most. And with the choice left in their hands, he couldn’t deny the fairness.

After a long silence, Yu Bo sighed and slowly stood. He looked to his two companions, then bowed deeply with cupped fists. “In that case, I entrust the Spiritfish Clan’s future to Sect Master Lu.”

A smile touched Lu Kangnian’s lips. He stepped forward to help the elder up. “There’s no rush with the bone swords. Take your time. Observe.”

Yu Han frowned. “Observe what?”

Lu Kangnian clasped his hands behind his back, his voice ringing out loud. “Observe the spirit of our sword cultivators. Observe the ethos of our Daxia Sword Sect.”

With that, the Spiritfish Clan joined the Daxia Sword Sect. Not as mere vassals, but as allies bound by mutual grace.

Li Guanqi smiled faintly, then vanished from the hall. The rest could be left to Lu Kangnian.

Just outside, he stumbled upon a group of Spiritfish youths, boys and girls alike, their faces alight with excitement as they chattered among themselves.

Lan Xun hesitated only a moment before flying over. Her violet-blue hair shimmered, and her sapphire eyes shone. She was dressed in a pale blue dress, her hands clasped together in a nervous attempt at composure.

She lifted her delicate face, her beautiful gaze meeting his. A sweet smile blossomed as she whispered, “Thank you.”

Li Guanqi smiled back. “No need. I only hope the Spiritfish Clan can rest and prosper under our sect’s care.”

At his words, a shadow of memory crossed her eyes. She murmured, “Yes. At last, we can stop wandering and finally rest.”

Li Guanqi gave her a faint smile, then vanished in a blink. He didn’t return to Heavenly Lightning Peak. He headed straight for the outer sect. There was someone he hadn’t seen since his return.