Fighter of the Destiny

Before Tianshu Mausoleum, they had not seen each other for several years. After that, they were strangers to each other, and could even be said to have turned against each other. But after all, they were masters and disciples. They had lived together in the old temple in Xining Town for more than ten years, and they understood each other to the best of their ability. You can know what the other person is thinking through the smallest movements or even changes in eyes. This is the so-called feeling.

Shang Xingzhou felt Chen Changsheng's mood when he pulled out the sword from the flowerpot, and that's why he asked that question.

But after receiving Chen Changsheng's confirmation, he did not feel relaxed, nor was he proud. Instead, he asked another question.

"Do you know where this place is?"

Chen Changsheng is the dean of the National Education College and has lived here for many years, but he really doesn't know what this red building is - the National Education College is too big, and the places where he has studied and lived in these years have been limited to the woods and forests near the imperial city. Near the library, it is not even one-tenth the size of the National Education College.

Shang Xingzhou said: "This is Maple Grove Pavilion, and those two rows of maple trees were moved by me from the Sect."

Chen Changsheng thought to himself, no wonder it looked familiar.

"Melisa is my friend."

Shang Xingzhou looked at his face with complicated emotions and said, "He has always admired you. I didn't quite understand it, but now I can understand it a little bit."

Hearing these words, Chen Changsheng didn't know whether he should feel proud and happy or whether he should let the sourness in his heart seep freely, so he could only remain silent.

At this moment, what's the point of saying something like this? Or was it because Shang Xingzhou confirmed that Chen Changsheng's sword was almost used up and thought that he would fail or even die, that he felt emotional? But what’s so important about the origin of this Maple Grove Pavilion?

Shang Xingzhou turned and looked outside the building and said, "The last battle of that year took place here."

That year was the night when the massacre at the National Education College occurred more than 20 years ago.

Maple Grove's red color is so eye-catching. I wonder if it's because it was stained with too much blood that night.

"A lot of people died here that night, a lot of young people, they were as good as you, maybe even better than you."

Shang Xingzhou looked away, looked at Chen Changsheng and said, "I have seen too much life and death in my life, and I really don't care anymore, so don't expect me to be soft-hearted."

The meaning of this sentence is very clear.

If Chen Changsheng still refuses to admit defeat, he will not be afraid of killing Chen Changsheng himself with the sword.

Chen Changsheng did not admit defeat, did not even say anything, and remained silent.

He raised his right hand, holding the dagger in front of his eyes. The mud gradually fell, and the cold light grew stronger.

Shang Xingzhou understood his choice and walked towards him.

A very clear footprint appeared on the floor.

Each footprint glowed and then burned.

In the blue sky after the clouds dispersed, the sun was extremely bright, shining down on the National Education College.

The Maple Grove Pavilion shone with dazzling light, as if it was really burning. The maple trees outside were swaying in the wind, like tongues of fire.

This is a fire made from countless years of burning thick blood. It exudes a faint smell of burning and has a majestic and awe-inspiring feeling.

The blood fire illuminated Shang Xingzhou's figure, making him look unusually tall, like a god or demon.

This was his life, as well as the lives of Wang Zhice, Mrs. Tang and others.

They will not give up their ideas and persistence for anything.

A clear whistle.

There was a strong wind in Fenglin Pavilion.

The maple trees swayed more violently, as if tongues of fire were spitting out, reaching to the sky.

Shang Xingzhou held the sword in both hands and slashed it down, bringing out a stream of blood and fire.

The blood and fire were bright, but his figure was cold. The contrast between the two made it look particularly vivid.

There was a loud bang, and the blood fire splashed into countless sparks, flying everywhere in Maple Grove Pavilion, igniting the floor and pillars.

The dagger broke through the window and flew away. Chen Changsheng took more than ten steps back and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Shang Xingzhou raised his sword and walked towards him again.

There was no panic look on Chen Changsheng's face.

He said to Shang Xingzhou: "Admit defeat, Master."

He started saying this from the very beginning.

In the lake, in front of the library, and in many places, he would pick up a sword and say something.

Then, those swords were chopped off by Shang Xingzhou.

Now, his last sword is gone and he is still saying this.

There was no mockery or confusion on Shang Xingzhou's face.

It seemed that he knew where Chen Changsheng's confidence came from.

Chen Changsheng raised his right hand.

There was nothing there but air and firelight.

Could he still be able to conjure a sword from the air?

The sound of the air being cut suddenly sounded not far away.

Hey, a cold light passed through the broken window and then disappeared.

The dagger returned to Chen Changsheng's hand.

Immediately afterwards, countless piercing sounds continued to sound throughout the National Education Academy.

The sound was very sharp and naturally had a sharp feeling.

The sound of breaking through the air became increasingly dense, like a rainstorm, but more like a rainstorm of falling arrows.

Countless rays of sword light lit up from the bottom of the plum blossoms, the trees, and the water.

The old plum blossoms were neatly cut off, looking like an incense burner that had been burning for three days and nights.

Ten holes appeared on the broken ancient tree, which really looked like the flutes used by the gods.

Countless ripples appeared in the lake, as if hundreds of fat carp were struggling to swim upward from the putrid mud bottom.

Those swords that Tang Thirty-Six had hidden in the National Education Academy.

Those swords were found by Chen Changsheng one after another.

Those swords shot down by Shang Xingzhou.

Rising through the air.

Fly towards Maple Grove Pavilion.

Dozens of swords came to Chen Changsheng's side.

Shang Xingzhou looked at him and said, "Not enough."

Chen Changsheng tapped his dagger lightly with his fingers.

A crisp sword cry spread out in all directions, carrying dozens of cold and extremely pure sword intentions.

There was a soft snap, and Shang Xingzhou's bun broke.

The seemingly ordinary ebony bun was broken at this time, which was definitely not ordinary.

Countless rays of cold light rushed out from inside, like a big river, and there was a feeling of excitement.

The wind was strong, and the swaying maple trees were chopped into pieces, dancing wildly into red debris and flying around.

Countless straight lines were cut into the eaves of the pavilion, and countless mottled lines were cut into the red walls and columns.

The flame that is about to be ignited by the sun also needs to be attached to objective things.

If the skin is gone and the tall buildings will collapse, how can the blood and fire be sustained?

The tongue of flames burning toward the sky gradually disappeared, and its color gradually faded, until it finally disappeared into nothingness.

The skylight fell on the dilapidated Maple Grove Pavilion.

Thousands of swords were floating quietly around Chen Changsheng.

The cold and terrifying sword intent filled the space between heaven and earth.

There is a faint formation connection between these sword intentions. They flow and rotate endlessly, giving people a feeling that they cannot be broken.

Chen Changsheng looked at Shang Xingzhou and asked, "Is it enough now?"

…

…

(Maple Forest Pavilion, from A Better Tomorrow, by Brother Ma. I prepared this scene more than two years ago, shortly after the book was published. I really like it.)