The Legend of the Devil
Ch. 79 - Farewell of Teachers and Students
Kang Jian flinched on the spot.
"I wouldn't mind this punishment. If I die, I will say that it was not me who killed the 45th Elder. I have been slandered, the Jade Tower of Ghosts may be avenging the death of their higher-ups, the Ghost Poets. The ghost of the bully said to himself that he would repay me. Beware of any enemies that may arise after my death."
The warning made dozens of elders feel threatened. Xue Zhan's body collapsed, invisible to have any more power to speak much. It only made the tear on his internal organs widen. Death might pick him up. Xue Zhan did not care anymore about life or death.
The final message of the 45th Elder, protect what Xue Zhan wants to protect. Xue Zhan thought if anyone should be protected then it was his Master's reputation. In the presence of the Immortal Valley swordsman, Emperor Ziran and Emperor Li as well as everyone known to the man.
Kang Jian had given a good life to Xue Zhan. So unaware of himself leaving by chalking a stain on his name, Xue Zhan would definitely regret it in the afterlife. Therefore he insisted on pleading with the man, with the rest of the energy he had.
"Teacher ... Kill me, it will be my honor to die at Master's hands."
"Is that what you really want, Zhan'er?" firmly Kang Jian called out to him in the same way. Xue Zhan who had been lying on the floor full of blood smiled. Next to his eyes were tears, his breathing grew heavier.
"really. That's all, Master. You have given me a good life and an honorable death, I'm sorry I can't repay you."
Kang Jian advanced in the presence of hundreds of disciples, elders and even the Immortal Valley College Leader. The judgment will be made by the person who has brought the demon into the Eternal Valley.
Who would have thought, the fate of the devil would end tragically. He smeared his name that would forever be dirty, the reputation Kang Jian might still be able to salvage by carrying out this punishment on his disciple.
Kang Jian took out a sword from his scabbard. Staring in Xue Zhan's eyes, "This is only your last request?"
"Ka-say-" Xue Zhan swallowed the blood in his throat in order to speak clearly, "On those friends who still trust me. Say goodbye to them." His body crawled down Kang Jian's legs, sticking both hands to the floor.
Xue Zhan kowtowed at Kang Jian's feet three times, just like the first time he asked the man to be his teacher. This might be a painful farewell. Xue Zhan could not lie that he wanted to be with his Master for longer and prove that he was capable of becoming a great disciple.
But fate always mocked him. Xue Zhan cried for forgiveness.
"Forgive me, Master. I have not been able to repay your kindness and owe you my life ... Even to repay you with a thousand problems."
Xue Zhan did not dare to raise his face.
"You are a good disciple," said Kang Jian regretfully.
"Sorry I'm not strong enough to protect you, Zhan'er."
That instant Xue Zhan raised his face, tears streaming down his cheeks. Kang Jian took out a sword from its sheath and raised it above Xue Zhan's head.
Cheers are getting louder. They are like dogs that bark when they see food. Those people supported the death of Xue Zhan in return for the death of their Elder. Kang Jian held his hand until just hanging in the air, his heart was never able to end the life of his own disciple. Xue Zhan was a kind, jovial and also disciplined child. Never has the evil of such a white heart been spared.
Although Xue Zhan sometimes killed, he knew what was right and wrong. Kang Jian knew the child like his own. No parent can end their child's life.
People were waiting for when Kang Jian ended all of that.
"The 45th Elder will never calm down before you take the life of your disciple!" yelled one of the crowd. Kang Jian hung his sword over the air, his hands were so heavy.
"If ... Even if given a second life, I would still choose you as my Master. Great teacher for a lousy student."
Xue Zhan knew Kang Jian was moving his sword again, he was ready for death.
The sound of voices all around, the sound of the sword and the scent of destruction that struck his life. Xue Zhan felt it in the last seconds of his life. A voice made him open his eyes again.
"You're destined to live longer, Zhan'er. Not like me, my life is just around the corner. Why think of this pseudo reputation and honor? What am I proud of showing it off to a bunch of scavengers?"
The moment Xue Zhan raised the face he could see was Kang Jian's warm smile. The man cut the two chains binding Xue Zhan who was still dumbfounded at the sentence, as if not his usual teacher. Kang Jian made upheavals happen all over.
"Gu-teacher Kang saved that demon? Has his brain been washed? He knew all the consequences he would bear later?" ask the disciples of the Eternal Valley.
Kang Jian turned his head towards Xue Zhan while developing a faint smile.
"You can still run, Zhan'er?"
Kang Jian then turned his back while carrying a sword and showed a ready-to-fight attitude against the entire Eternal Valley swordsman.
"Why, Teacher? Why did you save my life again?"
Kang Jian replied with a bitter laugh, "Because the rules are so."
That answer was just like the man saved his life from the death sentence Ziran Zhao gave.
Tears welled up in his eyes.
"Teacher—!"
Xue Zhan clenched his hands, "I can't accept your kindness anymore."
"You want me to forgive you, don't you?"
Amidst the hundreds of warriors who started running towards them, Kang Jian was still able to speak calmly.
"Then run and save your life, don't make my sacrifice go to waste. That way I'll forgive all your mistakes."
"But-"
"The Blessing of Master and Disciple among us will never be interrupted" he said softly. "Even in the second life I would choose you to be my disciple." The smile re-expanded, out of nowhere something so sharp pierced Xue Zhan's heart. Both of his hands were shaking violently.
"Go, Zhan'er. Practice well, you have a great purpose, pursue it your dream and become a great warrior who destroys the rottenness of this earth."
Xue Zhan is retreating. Seeing dozens of people go up to the stage and start to slash the sword towards Kang Jian. Recalling the events of a few years ago when his grandfather told him to leave and he continued to defy.
Xue Zhan saluted him, put both hands together while looking down and said with a heavy heart, "I understand, Master. I'll definitely be back. Until then, I want the teacher to remain. I'll find a cure for your old disease."
Kang Jian suddenly opened his eyes wide.
Since when did Xue Zhan find out about the illness in his body? He never said anything about it.
Kang Jian shouted seeing the situation growing craze in the surroundings.
"Go!"
Xue Zhan ran through the crowd, unconcerned by the incision after incision that tore his body apart. Even entering the forest were dozens of warriors still chasing after him. The teacher and the student both fought to the very end.
The destiny line separates the two. Forced Xue Zhan to run in a different direction, to save himself and carry out his teacher's final command.
"I will definitely find out who is behind this and prove it to all of them .." his speech turned into an emotional growl.
"I won't forgive anyone who did this!"