269 A Dying Monk in the Pile of Bones (1/2)

Chapter 269: A Dying Monk in the Pile of Bones

Translator: TransnEditor: Transn

The words were carved deeply into the stone with a sharp blade in awe-inspiring strokes.

Ning Que looked at the line of words on the stele. His brows rose slowly. He did not lament but looked at it in silence for a long time. And then, he left without saying anything. He looked to the side, avoiding the bones by his feet.

He walked around the no-word stele a couple of times before returning to the front of it. He raised his head once more, looking at the stele in silence. His brows were raised so high that they looked as if they might take flight. He pointed to the words on the stele and said with a small smile, ”My Youngest Uncle wrote that.”

Mo Shanshan had once heard her teacher mention this sublime being who had vanquished the Front Gate of the Devil's Doctrine. However, the name of this sublime being had never been revealed for some reason or another. She had once wondered if that person was the same senior who had disappeared from the Academy after committing a deed that had shocked the world.

Ning Que's odd actions throughout their travels from the Wilderness to the Front Gate of the Devil's Doctrine, especially the kneeling and worshipping in the Stone Array Tactics had allowed her to confirm her suspicions. She had finally obtained a confirmation from Ning Que. However, she still found herself speechless with shock. How powerful was the person who had vanquished the Devil's Doctrine with a single sword?

Her brows furrowed and her red lips pursed into a single line. After a moment of silence, she looked at Ning Que's raised brows and drifting expression. She asked softly, ”You seem very proud.”

Ning Que nodded honestly. He looked around himself in an attempt to negate the impact those words had on him. He realized that there remained a strong aura on the bones of the Devil's Doctrine's powerhouses. He was shocked, especially so as the bones were stronger than the average steel. So many powerhouses of the Devil's Doctrine had died under his Youngest Uncle's Haoran Sword. It was evident how scary his Youngest Uncle's state was then.

Ning Que had long guessed that this Youngest Uncle was one of the most powerful beings in this world from the reactions of Second Brother and the others at the back of the mountain of the Academy. However, he had not guessed that he was that powerful. Could it be that he had already passed through the five states and became a Sage when he had broken into the Front Gate of the Devil's Doctrine back then?

As a disciple of the Second floor of the Academy, Ning Que could not help but feel proud that he had a Youngest Uncle like that.

However, pride could not be eaten. Ning Que and Mo Shanshan had experienced many difficulties before finally reaching the Front Gate of the Devil's Doctrine. They had done this for the ”Ming” Handscroll of the Tomes of Arcane as well as the aura left behind by Youngest Uncle. After they had stood before the stele for a moment and gathered their thoughts, they continued their trek towards the depths of the temple. He could sense Youngest Uncle's aura in the hall behind the stele.

The Devil's Doctrine's main hall was majestic as well. It looked like a simple building held up by a single beam. The oil paintings on them gave it a sense of sacredness. There were hundreds of stone statues by the sides of the wide passageway. These statues were of curious divine devils that were rarely seen in the Central Plains. They were ferocious and silent.

The passageway was deep but dry. There was no hint of dampness at all. It seemed that the ventilation and lighting were done well when the Desolate Man had constructed it. It was still bright as the two walked on.

As they entered the depths of the main hall, the aura that moved Ning Que became even thicker. It felt as if it was about to become a tangible being. He looked at Mo Shanshan silently. They did not know what they would see later. No matter the ”Ming” Handscroll of the Tomes of Arcane or the secrets of the Devil's Doctrine, he only hoped that he wouldn't see what he didn't want to.

The number of bodies in the passageway grew. As they made a turn, they saw piles of bones lying above each other, forming a small mountain. Ning Que helped Mo Shanshan forward and looked at the deeper and deeper sword marks. He thought about the bloody battle that had happened then and could not help but feel his heart pounding.

The main hall at the end was an ordinary room. The room would have felt wide and spacious usually, but the piles of bones and dried corpses took up the entire middle of the room, making it seemed a little crowded and small.

”How many have died then.”

Mo Shanshan exclaimed subconsciously as she looked at the mountain made up of bones in shock. Her hands were cold and her voice trembled. As a core disciple of the Master of Calligrapher from the Divine Hall, she had never felt any pity for the Devil's Doctrine. However, after all she had seen today, she could not help but feel the hopelessness felt by the Devil's Doctrine then.

Ning Que looked at the mountain of bones and said after a moment of silence, ”I do not know why Youngest Uncle wanted to vanquish the Devil's Doctrine then. But I guess he had his own reasons and there was a cause for it.”

Then, a voice sounded from the middle of the pile of bones.

”There are many times in the world when many things don't require a cause or a reason. That is because when you think about causes and reasons in another way, they are but just delusions. There are many reasons today for why he did that. But the truth is, he simply came and did it.”

...

...

There were only silent bones in the room and still sword marks on the walls. It was silent as if it was not of this world. However, the voice that had sounded was especially clear even though it was feeble.

The voice was soft and weak but exuded calm and peace. It sounded clear to Ning Que and Mo Shanshan and was like a thunderbolt to their ears. However, this had nothing to do with the quiet environment.

The verdant valleys had been buried in the depths of the Tianqi Mountains for decades. The Daming Lake had disappeared from the realm for decades. The Front Gate of the Devil's Doctrine had cut off all ties with the world for decades. According to speculations, this place had long become a ruin. It was impossible for there to be any trace of life within. And that was true from what the two had seen. However, there was someone alive buried in the past of bones and sword marks!

Ning Que was shocked speechless. He quickly pulled Mo Shanshan behind him and raised his bow and arrow. He used his most powerful weapon and shot at the pile of bones and bodies in the middle.