Cohabitation with Sword Spirit

Chapter 523 - 24: I Know Myself Well

May 14, 2018

Zhao Chenlu never managed to guess the Sect Leader’s name until the end.

From Zhang San to Zou Liuliuwusanliang, Zhao Chenlu never found the right direction, but fortunately, she didn’t really care about this matter.

"Forget it, I’m used to calling you old man anyway, this nickname better reflects the deep friendship between us."

The Sect Leader rolled his eyes at her: "Not as thick-skinned as you."

Zhao Chenlu laughed, "After all, I’m so beautiful, I ought to have some privileges, so I’ll take it as your agreement to cancel the succession."

"Wishful thinking, the more you oppose it, the more determined I am. I must pass the position to the Sword Spirit predecessor, I believe under his guidance, Xiangzhou will surely have a bright and beautiful future."

"Think it through, that guy has no humanity, he can even harm his closest kin."

"The closest kin, meaning you?"

Zhao Chenlu sneered, "Don’t be so smug, if he can lay a hand on me, he could turn the entire Xiangzhou into a river of blood! Although he was human in his past life, he has transcended humanity. If one day he believes the best future for Xiangzhou Continent is the extinction of humankind, based on what would he refrain from acting against humans?!"

The Sect Leader stroked his beard: "Are you talking about a fantasy novel plot? Is it called ’The End’?"

"You old man have so much time to even read novels?! Do your proper work!"

"Paying attention to the cultural entertainment life of Xiangzhou people is also part of the job."

"What clichés are you paying attention to, but even if it’s a cliché, it cannot be denied the realistic significance of such a premise."

The Sect Leader said, "You’re changing the concept, indeed the Sword Spirit predecessor’s way of thinking is different from humans, but that doesn’t mean he’s a madman who destroys worlds at will. On the contrary, his thinking is more detailed and rational than humans. If one day he truly believes humans are beyond saving, it must mean that humanity has fallen to an irreparable degree, and perhaps only extinction would be better."

"Do you trust him that much?"

"Without trust, there would not be the consideration of passing the Sect Leader position to him. The reason why the Saint Sect’s Sect Leader legacy is so burdensome is due to the importance and rarity of this trust. And if it were you, wouldn’t it be the same? If there’s a mechanism in front of you now, just a press would make you and the Sword Spirit predecessor a couple, and the cost is half the people of Xiangzhou Continent will die, what would you do?"

Zhao Chenlu said, "Press it twice, so he and I can be a couple in the next life too."

"You are completely hopeless!"

"What’s wrong!? It’s already quite merciful that I haven’t said to press it a hundred times so you’ll never get reincarnated, what else do you want from me?!"

The Sect Leader suddenly felt a splitting headache and had to rub his temples vigorously.

"In any case, having seen too many people like you, I feel like entrusting Xiangzhou’s future to humans is not as good as handing it over to the Sword Spirit."

Zhao Chenlu snorted and acknowledged that the Sect Leader had a point. Compared to herself, perhaps he was indeed more suited to be the ruler of humans...

But that wasn’t the issue now.

Since it’s difficult to persuade the old man to give up the thought of succession, the only choice is to take a higher-yield, but also riskier path.

After pondering for a moment, Zhao Chenlu said, "But have you considered the voices of opposition? Don’t mention that not many people know his true identity right now, even if you reveal it, how many would believe in the legend of the World-saving Divine Sword? And how many would resonate with a legend from ten thousand years ago? You are putting the most important position of all Xiangzhou in the hands of a young man who has only been awake for a year and is almost unknown. This could lead to a great upheaval."

The Sect Leader smiled, "Compared to the chaos you caused in Golden Jade City, I consider the succession of the Sect Leader to be pretty mild. And Mr. Wang Jiu’s reputation is not as insignificant as you say. In just a few months in Cyan Cloud City, he gathered a broad supporter base. This natural appeal, in my view, is almost comparable to when you debuted."

"Tch..." Zhao Chenlu certainly knew how popular Wang Jiu was. Beyond his inherent endless charm, the Celestial Divine Sword as the savior of the Xiangzhou World naturally attracts favor, and that allure surpasses even her, Xiangzhou’s fairest beauty!

And that’s why wherever he goes, he attracts women! If not for his total disinterest in human lust, he could have spread his seed across the world by now!

And that’s one reason Zhao Chenlu opposes Wang Jiu becoming Sect Leader. Although she’s not afraid of any challenge, dealing with flamboyant temptresses isn’t her pleasure, just Miss Shen alone is enough to annoy her.

"Let me offer another reason, you wish to designate him as the successor, fine, but as the former Sect Leader, you should at least pave the way for your successor, shouldn’t you?"

The Sect Leader frowned, "Are you suggesting I should personally capture you, the Chaos Demon King, to please the world and create favorable public opinion for the Sword Spirit predecessor’s succession?"

"Heh, in your advanced age, stop daydreaming, you might not even be able to beat me now."

The Sect Leader coldly glanced at Zhao Chenlu and said blandly, "Don’t underestimate the two-thousand-year legacy of the Saint Sect."

"Also, don’t underestimate my gains from the Myriad Forms Garden these past two days."

The Sect Leader’s face changed, "You wretched girl!"

"No wonder Yulin and Huajiang found so little back then, I wondered if you were really going all out to develop the Primordial Ruins, didn’t expect there’s still a lot in stock. Now I have a new understanding of your Saint Sect’s cultivation technique legacy. In a life-and-death struggle, I believe the odds are more in my favor."

The Sect Leader said, "Do you think I’d face you one-on-one?"

Zhao Chenlu was surprised, "Are you going to drag innocent people into this? I don’t think Qin Lian in the East Garden and her 3-year-old son are related to this matter, why would you sacrifice them?"

The Sect Leader’s face immediately flushed, "Zhao Chenlu! You’re shameless!"

"Hey! You were the one who dragged innocent people into this! And it’s an orphan and widow, don’t you have any humanity!"

The Sect Leader was really gnashing his teeth in anger. Fairy Qin Lian from East Garden was the widow of a former elder of the Saint Sect. That elder unfortunately sacrificed himself while exploring the Primordial Ruins, leaving behind an orphan and widow to retreat in cultivation in the Myriad Forms Garden, only to be picked out by this scoundrel as a hostage!

Truly worthy of a cultivator who survived the Great Immortal Demon War, when it comes to having no limits, truly no one can rival them.

On the other hand, the Sect Leader also had to admit that this Zhao Chenlu indeed has every right to be lawless.

"So what do you plan to do? How should I pave the way for him?"

Zhao Chenlu said, "I think the best strategy is for the Saint Sect to come forward and arrange a marriage between me and him, to announce to the world that the demoness Zhao Chenlu, who has committed all kinds of evil and wreaked havoc for decades, has been subdued... Hey old man, why are you laughing?"

"Nothing, just didn’t expect you to have such self-awareness."

"As the most beautiful woman in the world, I’ve always been self-aware, thank you." Zhao Chenlu unabashedly demonstrated her self-awareness, then said, "In short, a person who can make even a peerless demoness fall for him, ascending the position of Sect Leader of the Saint Sect wouldn’t seem so abrupt. So if you want to pass the position to him, quickly arrange our marriage."

"... Will he agree to such a thing?"

Zhao Chenlu sighed, "If he agreed so easily, I would have succeeded long ago, why would I have been a peerless demoness for so many years?"

"Don’t make it sound like your wanton behavior has some kind of deep reason."

"So this is where a Sect Leader who has the world in his heart needs to put in some effort. If you can convince him to marry me, it would not only properly complete the succession of the Sect Leader but also eliminate a scourge for the world, a win-win situation."

The Sect Leader frowned, "This matter seems reasonable."

"It is reasonable by nature."

"But why would such a reasonable plan come from your mouth?"

"What do you take me for!?" Zhao Chenlu frowned, "Can’t I propose some constructive suggestions?"

The Sect Leader asked, "In all the years we’ve known each other, have you ever proposed anything constructive?"

"I’ve proposed many things, all of which you rejected."

"For example, moving the capital to Golden Jade City?"

"What’s wrong with that, Heaven-Reaching City has been the capital of Xiangzhou for two thousand years, the old powers are deeply rooted, the entrenched problems are severe, and the high cost of living in a mega city makes many people overwhelmed. So what’s wrong with moving the capital to the vibrant Golden Jade City at this time?"

"Your Golden Jade City has the nerve to say Heaven-Reaching City’s living costs are high!? And your proposal to move the capital is clearly to seize power and replace the Saint Sect!"

"Your Saint Sect has been the leader of Xiangzhou for two thousand years, the old ideology is deeply rooted, the entrenched problems are severe..."

"Enough, talking to you is a waste of time!"

"You’re the one who started this pointless argument, okay! Why are you so suspicious of my sincere intentions!?"

The Sect Leader sneered, "Haven’t you heard the story of ’The Boy Who Cried Wolf’? Anyway, thank you for your advice, I’ve already got a plan in mind."

"Eh, quickly tell me so I can criticize it."

"In your dreams!"

——

On the morning of May 14, 2018

After finally sending Zhao Chenlu off, it was already morning. The Myriad Forms Garden welcomed a new day with clear morning light, and the old man finally let out a long breath.

Arguing and bickering with Zhao Chenlu was truly exhausting, almost more tormenting than exploring the Primordial Ruins. After all, failing in the Primordial exploration would at most result in dying without a complete corpse. But if Zhao Chenlu is not handled properly, it would certainly become a scourge threatening all of humanity.

Fortunately, the time of this scourge’s rampantness would not last long. As long as her only nemesis Wang Jiu could be pushed to the position of Sect Leader... then the show could be enjoyed in peace.

And the method to support Wang Jiu’s rise is also very simple—Zhao Chenlu wasn’t completely wrong, as a predecessor, he should indeed pave the way for Wang Jiu.

And this path is called the Lotus Road. By letting Wang Jiu restore the Cyan Lotus Sword Manual, rendering grace to Cyan Lotus Academy, and leveraging the Academy’s prestige to help Wang Jiu ascend. Though not as effective as Zhao Chenlu’s strategy to subdue the demoness, it achieves multiple goals and seems more prudent to the Sect Leader.

Next, if he could personally see Zhao Chenlu’s dejected and helpless face when justice is executed by her lover, he would have no regrets upon his journey to the Primordial Ruins. And the people of future generations would surely remember him as the Sect Leader who strategized and achieved unparalleled feats by eradicating the treacherous villain.

With such expectations, the Sect Leader, on the morning of the same day, took Wang Jiu to the Cyan Lotus Sword Academy in Heaven-Reaching City, to meet with the Elder Council currently managing the Academy in place of the head and deputy head.

However, after convening the elders, the Sect Leader was immediately struck with a blunt blow.

"Restore the Cyan Lotus Sword Manual? Isn’t that too much trouble? It’s not something indispensable, if it’s lost it’s lost, we can just revert back to the Academy name, saving the hassle of competing with Wuxiang Sword Academy over the Sword Academy title."

The top-ranking Elder of Cyan Lotus Sword Academy, Shang Miaoyu, with one sentence made the Sect Leader’s face turn ashen.