DEVIL'S SWORD

Ho Chen

At the peak of Mount Gu ci stood a sect that followed the righteous path. Founded by Li Hao about seventy years ago, the sect was named the Star Sword Sect.

 Over time, Li Hao managed to transform the Star Sword Sect into a respected establishment in the martial arts world.

 Although not the largest, the sect at least ranked among the top ten and was sought after by aspiring disciples eager to train in martial arts.

 On a cool morning, hundreds of Star Sword Sect members trained enthusiastically in a vast open field. They were divided into several groups based on their respective levels.

 An elderly man with long white hair emerged from a chamber, holding a sword with a black hilt. He was the founder and caretaker of the Star Sword Sect, Li Hao.

 "Ho Chen, come here quickly!" he called, his gaze fixed on a handsome young man of average build who was stacking firewood behind a chamber used as a kitchen.

 The young man’s name was Ho Chen. His skin was slightly tanned from frequent exposure to the sun. His straight, jet-black hair flowed down to his back. He was around twenty years old.

 Ho Chen turned toward the source of the voice. His sharp facial features, strong jawline, and straight nose made him stand out. He jogged toward Li Hao.

 But suddenly, he stumbled and rolled to the ground after passing a group of eight disciples.

 "Hahaha...!" The laughter of the eight disciples rang out in mockery.

 "Pathetic! No wonder you've never been allowed to train in martial arts," sneered a muscular, handsome young man.

 "Hahaha, you're right, Fang Yun. He really is weak. Ho Chen... Ho Chen... How long will you keep being such a loser?" another young man jeered.

 Their laughter echoed as they watched Ho Chen, whose body was now covered in dust.

 Ho Chen clenched his jaw. His fingers dug into the dirt. He could no longer suppress the patience he had held onto for so long.

 Yes. This was not the first time he had been bullied by these eight young men. Since he arrived at the sect a year ago, he had endured countless insults, punches, and kicks that battered both his body and mind.

 But every time he wanted to retaliate, he remembered his mother’s final words before she passed away from a severe illness. She had advised him to be patient and to endure, no matter the circumstances.

 Ho Chen stood up, ignoring the dust clinging to his clothes. He glared at the eight young men, then, without warning, threw the dirt he had grabbed straight at one of their faces.

 "Uuugh!"

 "Damn you, Ho Chen!" cursed Fang Yun, clutching his dust-covered face. His eyes stung, forcing him to keep them shut. "Get him!"

 The seven disciples took a step forward, but a loud shout suddenly halted them.

 "Stop!"

 They immediately froze. When they turned around and saw that the one who had stopped them was Li Hao, they quickly lowered their heads.

 "What were you planning to do to Ho Chen?"

 "Master, that weakling threw dirt in my face! He must be punished!" Fang Yun protested, wiping the dust off his face with his sleeve.

 "Enough, Fang Yun. You don’t need to make excuses. I saw everything. You tripped Ho Chen on purpose. Do you think I wouldn't notice?" Li Hao's sharp gaze bore into him.

 Until now, he had never been too harsh on Fang Yun, even though he was aware of the young man’s frequent bullying of Ho Chen. Fang Yun had always acted arrogantly because he believed he held a higher status than the other disciples.

 He was the son of Duke Fang An, the ruler of a region under the Tang Dynasty’s empire. That was why Li Hao had been reluctant to discipline him too harshly.

 Fang Yun clenched his fists tightly. He was furious that Li Hao had reprimanded him, and he blamed Ho Chen for it. That weakling had to be taught a lesson, he thought.

 "Why did you call me, Master? Do you have another task for me?" Ho Chen asked.

 "Not now. Come to my chamber first," Li Hao replied.

 "Yes, Master." Ho Chen nodded and walked away.

 "Fang Yun, I am considering your father. This time, I will not punish you. But if I see or hear of you mistreating Ho Chen again, I will not hesitate to expel you from this sect," Li Hao warned.

 Fang Yun and his seven friends lowered their heads, not daring to look their master in the eye.

 Especially Fang Yun. His hatred for Ho Chen deepened, and he began plotting a way to teach the weakling a lesson.

 Li Hao sighed heavily and walked away. He was fully aware of the consequences of reprimanding Fang Yun.

 The worst-case scenario was that Duke Fang An would withdraw the support he had been providing to the sect.

 Once inside his chamber, Li Hao sat down on a chair, facing Ho Chen directly.

 "I have a special task for you, Ho Chen."

 Ho Chen scratched the back of his head, confused. Why would he, someone who had never been trained in martial arts, be given a special task? Why not choose another disciple, someone with far greater skills?

 "You need not be confused, Ho Chen." Li Hao gave a faint smile. "You must be wondering why I am giving you this special task, aren’t you?"

 Ho Chen nodded. He was surprised that the old man had read his thoughts so accurately.

 "You might also be wondering why I have not allowed you to train since you arrived at this sect."

 "How do you know that, Master?" Ho Chen asked, even more astonished.

 "Don’t trouble yourself over how I know what you’re thinking, Ho Chen." Li Hao took out a rolled piece of dry cloth from a drawer and handed it to him.

 "Now, listen carefully. Tomorrow morning, go to the peak of Mount Watu Undak. Look for a cave with an entrance marked by carvings of two tigers. Enter it and deliver this scroll to a hermit inside."

 Ho Chen took the scroll and examined it briefly. "Mount Watu Undak, to the west of this mountain, Master?"

 "Correct. But before you leave, see me first. Now, you may go," Li Hao instructed.

 "Understood, Master." Ho Chen bowed respectfully, then walked toward the door and opened it.

 "Ho Chen, guard that scroll with your life!" Li Hao reminded him.

 Ho Chen turned back. "I will protect it with my life, Master," he vowed before closing the door behind him.

 Unbeknownst to Ho Chen, Fang Yun and his seven friends had been spying on him from afar. They were curious as to why the so-called weakling had been summoned privately to Li Hao’s chamber.