Chapter Three: The Path of Righteousness and the Way of the Demonic

“Then why has the ancestor awakened today? I do not believe that I alone possess the strength to awaken that sword,” Yu Qi said in confusion. He was certain it was not because of his own power that the ancestor had stirred.

Indeed, given Yu Qi’s abilities, controlling the sword was naturally impossible.

The shadow glanced at Yu Qi on the ground, then flew toward the shattered statue. “Yu Qi, this sword actually awakened of its own will.”

The sword had indeed awakened by itself, and choosing Yu Qi was a matter of necessity. Now that he was the last of the Yu family, and the ancient ancestor would never entrust the sword to an outsider, who else was there to choose but Yu Qi?

The ancestor stretched out his palm and suddenly inhaled sharply toward the broken statue. A strange object rose from the pile of stones and floated to his side.

The moment it appeared, waves of black demonic energy spread through the sword cage, stirring restlessly. The cage trembled violently under its influence, causing even the luminous pearls embedded in the stone walls to fall in great numbers.

Fortunately, the ancestor was inherently bound to the sword, effectively its spirit. Under his control, the surrounding black mist gradually dissipated, and the trembling walls quieted down.

The ancestor flew toward Yu Qi with the object, speaking solemnly: “Yu Qi, remember, it is the sword that chose you, not you who chose it. Today, you will become its master. Remember, you must use this sword to restore the glory of the Yu family.”

As the ancestor approached, Yu Qi’s eyes fell upon the strange object—a sword hilt with no blade.

The hilt was dark red, its pommel curved into a circle extending from the hilt. Behind the hilt, the guard spread out like wings, and at the center of these wings was a red orb, exquisitely beautiful and otherworldly. The only flaw was the absence of a blade, leaving only an empty hilt.

The sword hilt seemed imbued with demonic power, deeply attracting Yu Qi’s gaze. He longed to grasp it, but without the ancestor’s permission, he dared not act so freely.

At that moment, the ancestor’s voice grew grave as he looked at Yu Qi. “This sword possesses a unique sword technique known only to its wielder. But you must think carefully.”

“Why say that, ancestor?” Yu Qi asked, eyes full of questions.

The ancient ancestor gazed at Yu Qi with eyes that seemed to recall battles fought alongside the sword. “This sword is demonic by nature. The moment you grasp it, your path will inevitably lead to the demonic way. You must be certain, for the demonic path and the righteous path are fundamentally different.”

“Demonic path?” Yu Qi was stunned. The Yu family had always been righteous, so he never imagined the ancestor was tied to the demonic path.

After some thought, Yu Qi looked at the ancestor. “Ancestor, may I ask you—what is the demonic way, and what is the righteous way?”

The ancestor smiled. “Everyone has a light and dark side. People say white is righteous and black is evil. But where is the evil in black, or the righteousness in white? Those who call black evil and white righteous do so only to conceal their own darkness. Thus, those who pride themselves as virtuous call their way right, while those who walk differently are labeled demonic.”

Hearing this, Yu Qi laughed. “What you say is true. To me, what does it matter if something is right or evil? Many who appear upright are treacherous beneath. No matter which path one walks, as long as one keeps a heart of justice, they are not evil. Since some commit cruelty in the righteous path, I will uphold justice even on the demonic way. I willingly embrace the demonic path.”

With that, Yu Qi reached out and grasped the sword hilt.

The sword cage, which had been calm, began to tremble once more. Dark demonic energy surged out again, and the sword’s technique appeared vividly in his mind.

At that moment, Yu Qi’s gaze sharpened, his expression settling into calm. Influenced by the demonic energy, his hair grew darker, and his bloodstained robe fluttered as if stirred by an unseen wind. He looked strangely ethereal.

He had changed—not becoming cold and heartless, but growing colder in demeanor, bearing a trace of demonic nature, yet his heart remained steadfastly just, as he had declared.

Seeing this, the ancestor laughed heartily. “Well said, to hold justice on the demonic path. Yu Qi, the sword has found a new master. I will soon fade away. Once I vanish, this sword will lose its spirit. It will grow with its master, and you must nurture its spirit anew, bringing the sword’s presence back into this world. The future of the Yu family rests with you.”

Having said this, the ancestor’s form slowly dissolved into nothingness, leaving the world devoid of his presence.

Without the ancestor’s spirit to sustain it, the sword hilt lost its vitality and collapsed in Yu Qi’s palm. But Yu Qi was unbothered. As his strength grew, the sword’s spirit would gradually return.

The ancestor’s statue had fallen; apart from a wall of luminous pearls, the sword cage held no further mysteries.

Yu Qi watched the ancestor dissolve into the air, bowed once more to the shattered statue, then took the sword hilt and walked out.

Before leaving, he gathered the luminous pearls that had fallen during the tremor. They were valuable, after all. Now, aside from the sword hilt, he possessed no treasures. To pursue his enemies across the world, he would need money.

***

Returning to the surface, night had fallen, and the stench of corpses lingered.

The smell inflamed Yu Qi’s anger anew. His only hope now was to exact revenge and make those who destroyed his family taste annihilation.

At his father’s grave, Yu Qi clenched his fists tightly. “Father, I have received the ancestor’s legacy. I will train hard and avenge our clan soon, to honor the spirits of our kin.”

Before leaving, Yu Qi bowed once more, then approached a stream flowing through Huajiang City. Perhaps from the blood drying up, the water had cleared.

Gazing at his reflection in the water—his face streaked with dirt and grime—he placed the sword hilt close and cupped water in his hands to wash himself.

The cool water soothed his face, washing away the bloodstains and revealing his handsome features.

After cleaning himself, Yu Qi stood, but fatigue overwhelmed him. Dizziness struck, and as he rubbed his forehead and prepared to leave, his vision darkened. With a splash, he collapsed into the stream.

***

A great river stretched endlessly, its source unknown and its destination unclear.

On the riverbank stood a simple bamboo fence enclosing a humble thatched hut. Beside it lay a patch of cultivated land, where tender green vegetables grew on watered soil. The sun rose gently, its rays illuminating the vibrant garden—a scene brimming with life.

From the hut emerged a middle-aged man carrying a bundle of pristine fishing nets on his back. Inside, a woman’s voice called out softly, “Come back early, or breakfast will get cold.”

The man responded with a smile of contentment, then headed toward the river, nets in tow.