Chapter 88: Drawing the Sword

October should have brought an end to the summer heat, yet this year it lingered stubbornly, compounded by unusually abundant rainfall. All of Qinghe County was stifling, like a giant steamer, leaving people irritable and uneasy.

Five miles beyond the county town, on the banks of the Qingyuan River, a temple was being constructed atop a peninsula. This peninsula, once nameless, was chosen by the Fisher Spirit Sect, who christened it Jade Creek Isle. The name came from a small stream on the island that flowed into the Qingyuan River, its waters so clear that from above, it resembled a jade belt encircling the land.

"Master, the timber we ordered has been delayed again. They claim the heavy rain has made the roads impassable, and lately more and more workers have been quitting," reported a young man clad in a blue Daoist robe. He was thin, his face marked with several freckles, and he bowed his head respectfully to the white-haired Daoist, Luo Qiao.

He was Li Fei, one of only two surviving disciples of the Fisher Spirit Sect. His cultivation was modest, still tempering his limbs, and he was chiefly responsible for the myriad affairs of reconstruction. The other disciple, Meng Shan, handled the more laborious tasks. The progress of the Fisher Spirit Temple owed much to Li Fei’s efforts.

Luo Qiao, gripping his smoking pipe, inhaled deeply and remained silent for a moment.

"Master, lately there have been strange happenings: first a group of workers were poisoned, then rumors spread that we oppress the people and use human bones to lay the temple’s foundation. Everyone is uneasy. Now, repeated delays in material deliveries—there’s definitely someone scheming against us, and it’s almost certainly the Peaceful Sect."

"Master, we must act. If things continue like this, not only will the temple’s construction stall, but even if it’s completed, our reputation will be ruined. It will be difficult to recruit new disciples."

Li Fei, troubled and anxious, could not help but speak, seeing Luo Qiao’s silence.

At first, the rebuilding of the Fisher Spirit Sect went smoothly, aided by the Gao family’s resources and some official support from Magistrate Liao Yonghuai. They settled successfully in Qinghe and claimed Jade Creek Isle. But as time passed, more and more strange incidents occurred.

One might be called coincidence, but so many together could not be mere chance. In Qinghe County, only the Peaceful Sect had both the means and the motive.

"What do Liao Yonghuai and the Gao family have to say?" Luo Qiao asked casually as he continued to smoke.

At that, Li Fei’s face showed clear displeasure.

"Master, Liao Yonghuai is nothing but a greedy, petty man. He didn’t say so outright, but he implied he’s given all the help he can. The rest is up to us. He claims it wouldn’t be proper for a county magistrate to show too much favoritism. He clearly wants to use us against the Peaceful Sect, but now refuses to help at all—truly a short-sighted wretch."

"As for the Gao family, they haven’t replied yet."

Thinking of Liao Yonghuai’s attitude, Li Fei was filled with disgust.

Luo Qiao raised his head. Compared to before, he seemed even older, the blind eye lending him an air of weariness.

"Liao Yonghuai’s reputation as a miser is well deserved. He’s willing to help when it costs him nothing, but hesitates to truly invest. We can’t count on him. As for the Gao family, they probably welcome our current troubles—they’re forcing us to make a choice."

Understanding Liao Yonghuai and the Gao family’s intentions, Luo Qiao sighed inwardly.

"I underestimated the Peaceful Sect. I thought it was newly established, its foundation shallow, and that with steady growth, our sect’s legacy would eventually suppress and even absorb it. But in such a short time, the Peaceful Sect has turned Qinghe County into an iron fortress, winning the people’s hearts."

"But then, I am but an old fisherman from the river, a relic among the tombs. How could I match the fame of the Rainbow Sword Immortal?"

Recalling the recent events in Taiping County, Luo Qiao felt a surge of determination.

He had displayed his cultivation to win respect and authority, but the results were poor. People feared him, but did not truly respect him, nor did anyone believe that an old man like him could be a match for Jiang Chen.

In the end, it was the Rainbow Sword Immortal’s reputation—deeply ingrained in the people’s minds. Ordinary folk cannot fathom the gap between cultivators, and every story they’ve heard suggests Jiang Chen is a formidable figure. Moreover, the Peaceful Sect’s arrival truly brought them benefits.

Under such circumstances, the people naturally leaned toward the Peaceful Sect, seeing the Fisher Spirit Sect, with only three members and a weak appearance, as less appealing.

Seeing Luo Qiao like this, Li Fei felt his heart tremble, knowing his master was truly angered.

"The masses are ignorant. They do not know your abilities, Master," Li Fei said, steady and forceful, his respect unwavering.

Luo Qiao waved his hand at these words.

"I reached the level of Qi cultivation at sixty—my talent cannot compare to Jiang Chen of the Peaceful Sect. But now, past a hundred years of age, I have lived far more years than him and possess some skills."

"Li Fei, remember: as cultivators, we contend with Heaven for life, with men for the Dao. We never lack courage. When it is time to draw the sword, we must draw it. Rather than let the Peaceful Sect drag us to ruin, let us decide superiority at the sword’s edge."

"I want to see whether that Rainbow Sword is sharp enough—whether it can sever my nearly decayed head. Go now, send a challenge to Jiang Chen of the Peaceful Sect, inviting him to a duel three days hence at White Sand Isle. Also, ask Liao Yonghuai and the county’s powerful families to witness."

"This duel will determine not only victory or defeat, but life and death. The winner shall be the sole sect of Qinghe County. Schemes, strange happenings, and popular opinion are but embellishments; for us cultivators, strength remains paramount."

With a resolute tone, Luo Qiao’s back straightened, the aura of old age swept away.

Understanding Luo Qiao’s intention, Li Fei’s spirit rose.

"Yes, Master!"

He bowed deeply, without hesitation, and went forth to deliver the challenge. He had absolute confidence in his master’s abilities.

"This is surely what the Gao family and Liao Yonghuai wish to see," Luo Qiao murmured after Li Fei had departed, gazing at the distant river, exhaling a thick plume of smoke that shrouded his features.

Both the Gao family and Liao Yonghuai only supported him to counter the Peaceful Sect. Luo Qiao had already invested much in Qinghe County; relocating would now be difficult, and he had nowhere better to go.

Under such circumstances, if he wished not to lose utterly, his best course was to confront Jiang Chen directly, settling both victory and death.