The Life of a Necromancer as a Swashbuckler

Chapter 11: The Xiaoyao Sect’s Unsolved Mystery

This sudden invitation to join the sect struck me as highly peculiar. What could be the reason? I couldn’t help but ponder. Glancing at Gu Yuntian, it was clear he didn’t know the reason either. As for Xiaoyaozi, he was brimming with anticipation; his immortal-like, aged face had even taken on a slight flush, which only made me even more suspicious. “Senior, it would be the honor of my life to join Xiaoyao Valley, but I have a question: what merits do I possess to warrant such kindness from you?” In truth, I just wanted to ask why. There must be a reason—it couldn’t possibly be just because I’m handsome, could it? Xiaoyaozi, with his vast experience and wisdom, knew I was questioning his motives for taking me on as a disciple. He couldn’t help but chuckle softly, realizing he should offer an explanation. “It’s just that this old man got a bit impatient. Since you have doubts, young man, I’ll explain—but I have one condition: whatever is said today must not be revealed to any outsiders once you leave this place. Is that acceptable?” As he spoke, Xiaoyaozi looked at both me and Gu Yuntian. “This junior will certainly not say a word.” “I’ll obey your instructions to the letter.” “Good. this story begins with the founding of our Xiaoyao Sect. In fact, our sect was founded by two people,” Xiaoyaozi began to explain. Gu Yuntian, standing beside him, looked a bit surprised—Master had never seriously discussed the origins of the Xiaoyao Sect before. “One of the founders was the Holy Maiden of Mount Tianshan. The other—whose name the founding patriarch ordered never to be mentioned again—is nonetheless a legendary figure: the Martial Arts World myth known as ‘Nameless.’ ” After saying this, Xiaoyaozi glanced at me, whether intentionally or not. This left both Gu Yuntian and me utterly stunned. “Actually, the Holy Maiden of Mount Tianshan back then came from the Lingjiu Palace on Piaomiao Peak; she was originally the Palace Mistress of the Yue Ling Palace within Lingjiu Palace,” Xiaoyaozi continued,“Back then, the Martial Arts World legend ‘Nameless’ and Palace Mistress Yue Ling were deeply in love and understood each other well, but their relationship was opposed by Piao Miao Peak. So the two of them defected from Lingjiu Palace and came to this place. Seeing that the mountains were lush, the waters clear, and the environment pleasant—and that it was easy to defend but difficult to attack—they settled here and named this place Xiaoyao Valley to commemorate their love. That is the origin of the name ‘Xiaoyao.’ ” “So that’s why the valley is filled with traps and Bagua formations, and the path at the back of the valley leads to Wangyou Valley,” Gu Yuntian said, as if a light bulb had gone off in his head. “That’s right,” Xiaoyaozi continued. “Forget-Worry Valley was also built by those two elders, symbolizing their carefree life together, free from worries.” “What happened afterward?” I sensed something was off. This sounded like a love story, but wasn’t it said that Nameless later went to the Sword Realm? That doesn’t add up. “Nameless and Yue Ling lived happily together for a long time, but for reasons unknown, Nameless suddenly left Xiaoyao Valley and went to the South Sea, where he later founded the South Sea Sword Immortal Sect. Meanwhile, Palace Mistress Yue Ling remained in Xiaoyao Valley, proclaimed herself the Holy Maiden of Tianshan, took on two disciples, and founded the Xiaoyao Sect.” “So that’s how it is. Our Xiaoyao Sect and the South Sea Sword Immortal Sect share such a deep connection,” Gu Yuntian realized with a start. “It’s not just the South Sea Sword Immortal Sect. Back then, the Lingjiu Palace on Piaomiao Peak changed its name to Yingyue Palace as a warning after its Palace Mistress eloped with someone. So, the South Sea Sword Immortal Sect, Yingyue Palace, and our Xiaoyao Valley actually share the same origins.” I was deeply struck by the complexity of the Martial Arts World. “So, in terms of martial arts, Yingyue Palace excels in fist and foot techniques and internal energy—the martial arts of Yue Ling, the Palace Master—while the South Sea Sword Immortals Sect inherited the Nameless One’s Heavenly Sword and excels in swordsmanship. As for us at Xiaoyao Valley, we master all three: internal energy, fist and foot techniques, and swordsmanship.” But I still didn’t understand—what did this have to do with me? Xiaoyaozi keenly sensed my reaction and continued to explain: ““This all happened over a hundred years ago. Strangely, after Nameless left Xiaoyao Valley back then, the renowned fortune-teller, Xian De, made a prophecy that Nameless and Yue Ling were destined to meet again. Xian De had never been wrong in his prophecies, so Senior Yue Ling waited for Nameless’s return until her passing—yet she never saw him again. This prophecy has since become an unsolved mystery in the Martial Arts World.” “Actually, I later heard that Nameless had gone to another realm, so it was simply impossible for the two of them to meet again. But today, by a strange twist of fate, this young man has entered Xiaoyao Valley—and he even goes by the name ‘Nameless.’ Don’t you find that rather strange?” “It is strange, but I only mentioned that name offhand. Perhaps it’s just a coincidence.” ““Of course, it might very well be a coincidence,” Xiaoyaozi read my thoughts, “but as the leader of the Xiaoyao Sect, how could I not give it some thought when someone named ‘Nameless’ comes to our doorstep? Moreover, you, young friend, act with a chivalrous spirit—willing to brave great dangers to save others—which aligns with the tenets of our Xiaoyao Sect. If you have no sect or master, our Xiaoyao Sect will naturally take special care of you.” “So, young man, I’ll ask you once more: Are you willing to become a disciple of the Xiaoyao Sect?” “I am willing. Master, please accept this disciple’s bow.” Under these circumstances, even if I didn’t want to, I’d have to say I did—I’m not a fool. “Good.” Xiaoyaozi seemed very pleased to hear that I agreed to become his disciple; perhaps the greatest unsolved mystery in the history of the Xiao Yao Sect would finally be solved. Now that I’d joined the sect, I hurriedly bowed to my master, Xiaoyaozi, and then to my senior brother, Gu Yuntian. After the formalities, both my master and senior brother gave me some elixirs as a welcome gift. It was getting late after the initiation ceremony. Gu Yuntian could see I was a bit tired, so he and my master offered a few more words of comfort before preparing to leave. Just as they were about to step out the door, Gu Yuntian remembered something. “Oh, right, Junior Brother, your clothes and the bundle in your arms are in the cabinet behind the door. Check to see if everything’s there.” After saying that, the two of them left. A bundle? I remembered—during the battle against the Poison Sovereign, the bandit leader had given me a bundle, which I’d tucked into my robe. I’d completely forgotten about it and assumed it was lost, but it turned out to still be there. So I slowly got to my feet and walked over to the cabinet to check the bundle. Before I even reached it, I suddenly heard a sweet, girlish voice from the doorway, accompanied by a playful laugh: “O Nameless hero!” It startled me, and I quickly turned to look. There, standing in the doorway, was a lovely young woman dressed in pink, with a pair of large, sparkling eyes, smiling radiantly at me. It turned out to be Shi Jingyu.