Miles Ning's feelings were deeply complicated.
It was a sentiment beyond words. To defend every inch of Sinovera’s land, the entire Green Mountain Sect united as one, willingly sacrificing themselves through the Blood-Sacrifice Rite.
Green Mountain Sect sacrificed itself, vowing that Sinovera would endure forever.
Miles Ning gave his life, pursuing the enemy three thousand li across the South Sea, destroying his Law Realm foundation, forsaking his Venerable status, slaughtering until the sea ran red and the Black Dragons were extinct, earning the name ‘Ning Three-Thousand.’
Yet, it was all for naught.
No one in the world knows.
For certain reasons, even after twenty-two years of sacrifice, Green Mountain Sect still cannot be vindicated, still denied the honor it deserves. Not to mention the ordinary world—even in the Martial Arts World, few know the truth of Green Mountain Sect’s past.
Is honor truly important?
To the living, it matters greatly—countless people spend their lives chasing a name.
But for those who died so brutally, it matters even more, because it is the only thing they can receive.
"To vindicate Green Mountain Sect—how difficult that is."
Unless Universal Martial Practice is launched and the Law Realm returns, the truth about the emergence of Dragon-class Demons is simply too terrifying, and the Sakura Island Nation has become a Specter kingdom... None of this information can be mentioned at all.
Miles Ning let out a sigh.
Fame means little to him, but when it comes to the Green Mountain Sect he cares for most, Miles Ning also longs for the day it will be vindicated.
"Soon."
"It should be soon."
Miles Ning silently murmured, taking a drag from his cigarette.
With the Internal Power he has left, he estimates he can hold out for another two or three years.
Meanwhile, Dr. Liam Lee, codenamed White Dragon, has already begun tackling the Calamity. If the Law Realm returns and Universal Martial Practice opens, the vindication of Green Mountain Sect will be close at hand... So Miles Ning believes he should live to see that day.
"Although I won't live to see Green Mountain Sect restored to a large Martial Arts Sect again."
Miles Ning squinted his eyes. "But if our name can be restored, that will be enough. At that time, an announcement can be issued through the Martial Arts Alliance."
Miles Ning never expected Green Mountain Sect to return as a large Martial Arts Sect.
Martial Arts Sects are either small or large. For Green Mountain Sect to become a small Martial Arts Sect now is already an unexpected blessing.
To restore it as a large Martial Arts Sect would not be a task accomplished overnight.
"So be it, so be it."
"I truly am getting old. My thoughts are unclear; why do I keep dwelling on these things?" Miles Ning rubbed his brow. Ever since taking Andrew Han as his disciple, he is constantly surprised and amazed.
By now, he has grown used to it.
Hiss.
He took another drag from his cigarette.
Miles Ning leaned against the window, gazing at the bright moon hanging high in the sky. He decided to call his disciple Andrew Han, to awkwardly express his gratitude—no, as his master, it should be appreciation and encouragement!
"Dial pad..."
"Forget it, I'll use WeChat voice." Miles Ning reconsidered, his wrinkled old face returning to its usual coldness as he dialed Andrew Han's WeChat voice call.
Beep beep.
The sound continued, but no one picked up.
Whoosh whoosh.
A gentle breeze stirred. Miles Ning wondered, "According to Andrew Han's usual routine, he shouldn't be asleep yet. Besides, young people always keep their phones close—there's no way he didn't get the call."
Could it be...
Andrew Han is pretending not to see it?
Miles Ning frowned. It had taken effort for him to feel moved, and now that feeling faded quickly. He tried calling Andrew Han's phone number, but heard the prompt that the phone was switched off.
"Oh?"
"So that's how it is," he murmured. "Even if the phone is off, WeChat voice can still ring. It seems I misunderstood Andrew Han."
Still, Miles Ning was a bit puzzled.
He glanced at the clock hanging on the living room wall. It was 11:23 p.m. "He actually turned his phone off—just what is that kid doing?"
Miles Ning was still wondering.
His phone vibrated—a new unread WeChat message had arrived, from Linglong Sect’s titled second-step Martial Lord, WeChat name: Exquisite Peerless.
"Elder Ning, are you there?"
Miles Ning replied coldly: "?"
On the other side of the phone, the robed elder who once insisted Ling Qianyun build ties with various prodigies to secure the sect master’s seat sent a cheerful voice message.
"Elder Ning, how have you been lately?"
"Sorry, sorry, I’ve been in seclusion recently and haven’t kept in touch. I feel quite guilty—not knowing how you’ve been."
Heh heh.
Miles Ning gave a silent, cold laugh.
He had no patience for false courtesy, and even less for Linglong Sect’s unsolicited flattery... Hmm, Miles Ning had forgotten this guy’s name and didn’t bother to ask, simply replied:
"?"
A single question mark.
Simple and clear.
The robed elder’s expression shifted, slightly embarrassed, as he replied with a text: "Elder Ning, our two sects have deep friendship and countless ties. Now that Andrew Han has risen to fame, I am truly pleased and congratulate you... As it happens, our Linglong Sect’s Ling Qianyun is beautiful, graceful, and in her prime. If the two joined in marriage, our sects united, it would surely be ideal."
"Oh."
Miles Ning answered coldly.
He only cared about Andrew Han’s martial training, never interfering in his life or personal beliefs.
But in his leisure time, Miles Ning was also aware of Zhang Meng’s name—she was Andrew Han’s beloved.
With his life experience and remaining spiritual insight, Miles Ning certainly understood how precious and important this feeling was to Andrew Han. That’s why he went to great lengths, once again enlisting the help of two Law Realm Venerables to cast defensive arts and ensure her safety.
Neither Andrew Han nor Zhang Meng knew about this.
The robed elder on the other end of the phone was even more clueless: "I heard Andrew Han has a girlfriend, but she’s just an ordinary person—how could she be worthy of him? I suppose he’s just playing around; who hasn’t had four or five relationships? Our Ling Qianyun wouldn’t mind... About this marriage alliance, what do you think?"
In fact, he hadn’t asked Ling Qianyun for her opinion. In the robed elder’s eyes, the master’s command could not be disobeyed, and marriage was certainly his decision.
Whether Ling Qianyun and Andrew Han were suitable was irrelevant.
What mattered was that the union of Linglong Sect and Green Mountain Sect would surely benefit both.
At that moment—
Miles Ning typed a brief message: "Scram."
The robed elder’s pupils contracted as he earnestly persuaded: "Whether it’s strength, talent, looks, or height, Ling Qianyun is the perfect match."
Miles Ning raised his brow: "Scram."
The robed elder’s face darkened, furious yet restrained: "Elder Ning, your reputation is for being reasonable, always persuading with virtue. Why insult me?"
Miles Ning frowned, pondered for a moment, then replied politely: "Please scram."
???
He’d even added ‘please’... The robed elder’s face turned extremely ugly, angrily flicking his sleeves, fuming.
So rude.
No respect at all.
He was, after all, ranked seventy-eight in the title sequence, above Andrew Han!
After a moment’s hesitation, torn between dignity and Miles Ning’s intimidating presence, the robed elder finally decided to defend his honor and replied indignantly: "Elder Ning, you’ve gone too far!"
However—
A round red exclamation mark appeared in front of the message.
Below was a prompt: "Kind Eyes and Good Looks has enabled friend verification. You are not yet friends—please send a friend request. Once verified, you can chat."
?
The robed elder's face froze.
......
Meanwhile—
Imperial Capital of China, twenty-first floor of a hotel.
"Ahem ahem."
Andrew Han sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Zhang Meng curled up under the covers. "You have to believe me, I’m really just sitting here, not doing anything."
The soft, wide bed was about three meters across.
The shy girl buried her head under the blanket, her black hair cascading over the pillow. She peeked out with big, bright eyes, clearly skeptical, stammering, "Re-really, is what you said true?"
"Of course. I never lie," Andrew Han said sincerely.
"Oh."
Zhang Meng’s cheeks flushed red. She made a soft noise, her eyes full of shyness and some emotion she couldn’t name. "Then... you can just sit there."
As soon as she said that—
Andrew Han beamed, sitting upright at the edge of the bed. He chatted with his girlfriend about some amusing things online, making the atmosphere relaxed and harmonious, no longer tense.
The hotel room was quite peaceful.
At that moment, only the couple’s soft laughter could be heard, as beautiful as moonlit silk.
"Ah~ I’m sleepy."
The lazy, adorable Zhang Meng covered her mouth with a small hand and yawned softly.
"Alright, there are two quilts..."
She had already bathed and changed into her cotton pajamas, ready for bed, but paused for a moment.
"What are you planning?" She blinked her beautiful eyes twice.
"N-nothing at all," Andrew Han rubbed his hands and sighed. "It’s so cold, really freezing—my hands and feet are ice-cold... Xiao Meng, can you bear to let me freeze out here?"
"Trust me."
"I’ll just get under the covers, I won’t do anything."
——
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