BXBX NOVEL Chapter 33 - The Defeat of Cheng Kun
“Hahaha… Great achievements require flexibility! If I can destroy the Ming Sect and kill you, Ling Yihan, to avenge my junior sister, what does it matter if I sacrifice my disciple?” Cheng Kun laughed maniacally, his eyes bloodshot and crazed.
Daiqisi, perplexed, asked, “Even if you caused Brother Xie’s family’s demise, wouldn’t that only fuel the Ming Sect’s hatred for you? How does that help your revenge?”
Before Cheng Kun could respond, Ling Yihan explained, “You may not understand—Cheng Kun is deeply scheming, with a clear motive. Consider what would happen after Cheng Kun killed Xie Lion King’s family—how do you think he would react?”
Upon hearing this, Xie Xun glared at Cheng Kun, snarling, “I’d hunt him down and kill him, no matter where he hides!”
Ling Yihan calmly continued, “And if Cheng Kun chose to avoid you, refusing to face you directly? What would you do if you couldn’t find him?”
Without hesitation, Xie Xun growled, “Then I’d purge the martial world! Every time I kill, I’d leave his name, claiming he was the murderer, to force him out of hiding.”
Cheng Kun sneered coldly.
Ling Yihan shook his head. “Lion King, you’d only be falling into Cheng Kun’s trap. He wants you to act impulsively, to slaughter indiscriminately and sow chaos across the martial world. Even if you invoke his name, how do you know the people you kill aren’t his old allies? Who would bear the blame for these blood debts in the end? It would fall on our Ming Sect! By then, the entire martial world would see us as enemies. And if they unite to besiege Bright Summit, what will you do then?”
These words sent shock waves through Daiqisi and Hu Qingyang, while cold sweat broke out on Xie Xun’s back, sobering him instantly.
“Leader, I, Xie Xun, was blind and foolish, deceived by Cheng Kun. My impulsive actions almost endangered the Ming Sect. Please punish me!” Xie Xun knelt before Ling Yihan, ashamed.
Ling Yihan waved him off. “As long as you realize your mistake, punishing you serves no purpose. Since Cheng Kun killed your family, how you deal with him is up to you.”
With this, Xie Xun struck Cheng Kun several times. Crack! Cheng Kun’s bones shattered, and he collapsed.
“Cheng Kun, you killed my family. This blood feud is irreconcilable. Yet, you taught me martial arts, so today I’ll only cripple your skills, not kill you. Now leave!” Xie Xun said hatefully.
As Cheng Kun’s skills were stripped away, he laughed wildly. “Hahaha… You’ll regret sparing me today…”
Before he could finish, Ling Yihan’s palm struck his crown, smashing his skull. Cheng Kun collapsed, dead, blood splattering everywhere.
“Lion King, you’ve disappointed me greatly! In my eyes, there is no room for mercy toward those who oppose me! Such soft-heartedness will only lead to disaster!” Ling Yihan wiped Cheng Kun’s blood from his hands and added, “Do you understand why I didn’t kill Cheng Kun right away, even though I had the chance? Do you?”
Xie Xun sighed, “You didn’t want Cheng Kun to die by the Ming Sect’s hand, but left him alive so I could see his true nature…”
Being quick-witted, though emotionally driven, Xie Xun now understood Ling Yihan’s purpose after reflecting calmly.
Ling Yihan huffed, “I’m glad you finally understand. Loyalty and righteousness are good, but they must be directed wisely! Mercy to enemies is cruelty to oneself. Do not make such foolish mistakes again if you wish to remain the Ming Sect’s Guardian King. Now, let’s go, Ah-Qi, Qingyang.”
Without looking at the kneeling Xie Xun, Ling Yihan left, followed by Daiqisi and Hu Qingyang.
In the carriage, seeing Ling Yihan’s uncertain expression, Hu Qingyang asked with concern, “Brother Ling, please don’t blame the Lion King. He’s heartbroken, torn between his family and a master who once treated him kindly. It’s hard for him.”
Daiqisi added, “Yes, give him time. The recent shocks have been overwhelming, from learning about Madam Yang and Cheng Kun’s affair to the tragic events tonight at Xie Manor. Even I’m struggling to process it all.”
Ling Yihan gently pulled them close and sighed, “Ah-Qi, Qingyang, my master entrusted the Ming Sect to me. I tread cautiously every day, fearing a single misstep could destroy it. You two are the only ones I trust completely, the ones I care for most. Only with you can I share these thoughts.”
Hearing this, Daiqisi and Hu Qingyang nestled closer, listening intently.
“The Ming Sect is strong enough to handle any one of the six major sects, but if they unite to attack us, we’d be like a tiger besieged by wolves. Even if we defended ourselves, the cost would be devastating.” Ling Yihan paused before continuing, “Since I became leader, many elders have grudgingly accepted me due to my martial prowess. But secretly, they covet my position. If I make a single mistake, they would surely seize the opportunity to dethrone me. Punishing the Lion King recently was a vivid example.”
Daiqisi, intrigued, asked, “Brother Ling, did you use Brother Xie as an example, to send a message?”
Ling Yihan shook his head. “No, I intended for Xie Xun to owe me a debt and make sure he understood it fully. Otherwise, I would’ve killed Cheng Kun long ago. I need these elders to support me willingly, not plot against me. Otherwise, how can I spare my strength to contend with the central sects—or even the Mongol Empire?”
Hu Qingyang marveled, “Brother Ling, your ambition is vast! But I believe you’ve surpassed past leaders. The Ming Sect has never been this strong.”