SWORD OF FLAME

Fire God's Strike

"Fire God's Strike!"

Qiang Mo’s body was hurled far back once again, scorching the surrounding trees in his path. He could only shake his head in disbelief at what was happening.

"Stand up! Let’s continue our fight!" Fang Yun shouted.

Qiang Mo stared at Fang Yun, who was gazing steadily back at him. Suddenly, he saw the figure of the Fire God Warrior reflected in Fang Yun’s eyes. As if struck by a divine vision, the fire demon bowed his head.

"I surrender. From now on, you are my master."

"Who said I wanted to be your master? Did I ever say that?"

Qiang Mo shook his head.

"What I want is for you to be my friend—no master, no servant. We travel together until death separates us."

Qiang Mo looked at Fang Yun in disbelief. Even the Fire God Warrior had treated him as a servant. "Behind his ridiculous nature, it’s true what Master Fei Hung said—this boy has a noble heart," he murmured.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Still eager to fight?"

"No, no, not at all. I just… admire you, Fang Yun."

"Just call me Fang Yun. I’m nobody, and I don’t intend to become anybody. Let me make this clear again: I am not your master."

"Very well, Fang Yun. But usually, those who defeat me must form a blood pact."

"What for?"

"So that I will always obey you," Qiang Mo replied.

Fang Yun shook his head. “I won’t chain your freedom. If you want to leave, go ahead. What I need is a companion who will walk this journey with me.”

“I understand now, Fang Yun. I will accompany you until the day you no longer need me. If you ever want to speak with me, just use your thoughts. Don’t talk out loud or people will think you’ve gone mad.”

Fang Yun laughed softly at Qiang Mo’s joke. He didn’t expect such a terrifying being could actually have a sense of humor.

Fei Hung approached the two of them. “Well, Qiang Mo, did I make the wrong choice?”

Qiang Mo shook his head. “I promise to accompany Fang Yun on his journey—forever, Master.”

With those words, Qiang Mo vanished and returned into the Sea of Fire Sword.

“Let’s go back, Fang Yun. There’s something I need to talk to you about.”

“Alright, Grandpa.”

---

Back inside the cave, Fei Hung took out the sheath of the Sea of Fire Sword, which he had kept in a hollow stone chamber. He carefully inserted the sacred blade into it.

“Take this sword with you on your journey,” he said, handing the Sea of Fire Sword to Fang Yun.

Fang Yun accepted it with steady hands and placed it in front of him.

“Fang Yun, across the archipelago, there are three other sacred weapons equal in power to your Sea of Fire Sword. Each weapon represents a change in the elements. Each also corresponds to one of the four cardinal directions. These four weapons were forged by Sage Xiao Tian with the purpose of restoring peace to the earth,” Fei Hung explained.

“Seek out those four relics and unite them within your body. After that, search for the strongest weapon of all—the Fire Sword. Once you’ve gathered the four relics, you’ll receive a sign of where the Fire Sword is hidden.”

Fang Yun shook his head in disbelief. He couldn’t imagine how long or far this journey would take. But remembering his father’s final message, he steeled himself for the challenge.

“Alright, Grandpa. I will follow your guidance.”

“There’s one more thing, Fang Yun. This will be our final meeting. I once made a vow to the Celestial Spirits… that once I found a worthy disciple to pass on all my knowledge, I would leave this world. And now… that time has come.”

Tears welled up in Fang Yun’s eyes. He couldn’t believe he was about to lose another loved one. After his parents, now even his adoptive grandfather would be leaving him behind.

“Do not grieve, Fang Yun. Life must go on. Walk the path that the Celestials have set for you. Remember—truth will always find its place, even if evil tempts you every step of the way.”

Fang Yun nodded silently, his heart filled with unwavering resolve to uphold justice across the land.

“Close your eyes so you won’t see me go.”

Fang Yun closed his eyes tightly. A few moments later, Fei Hung’s body dissolved into radiant, glowing crystal particles and slowly disappeared.

“Farewell, my grandson. Stay true to the path of righteousness,” his voice echoed one last time before the cave returned to silence.

Fang Yun remained motionless with his eyes closed. Once again, he would have to adapt to the loss of someone he loved dearly.

A heavy breath slipped from his lips as he finally opened his eyes—Fei Hung was gone.

---

The quiet night embraced the floor of the tranquil ravine. Crickets and night birds chirped in rhythm as the moon cast its gentle light from above.

Fang Yun sat silently, his heart filled with memories of his parents and Fei Hung.

He let out a long, cathartic scream, pouring out all the sorrow in his heart.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

His cry, infused with inner power, echoed through the air—audible even to the nearest village.

When his cry ended, Fang Yun lay down to rest. Tomorrow, he would begin his journey… to hunt the bandits who had murdered his parents.

---

The next morning, with the sun already rising high, Fang Yun prepared to leave the cave that had been his home for the past three years.

His eyes landed on a small pouch lying beside his bedding.

He picked it up and opened it. Inside was a generous amount of coins. It seemed Fei Hung had prepared supplies for his journey in advance.

Alongside the coins, Fang Yun found a small scroll made from dried leather. He unrolled it and read the inscription:

“Fang Yun, use these coins as provisions for your journey. Make me proud with your virtuous deeds.”

The 18-year-old youth smiled and clenched his fist with determination. He vowed to make his parents and his grandfather proud with the path he would walk.

He placed the scroll back into the pouch along with the coins, then walked out of the cave. Standing at its entrance, he turned to look at the cave one last time.

After a long gaze, he turned and walked away. Then looked up.

“How do I get out of here? I forgot to ask Grandpa yesterday,” he muttered to himself.

Although he had mastered the Quiet Wind technique and the Without Form art, there was no clear path to climb out of the ravine, and he found himself unsure.

Eventually, he decided to leap from tree to stone and onward until he finally reached the cliff’s edge.

“Phewwww…” Fang Yun exhaled deeply. He had finally left the bottom of the ravine, which had been his home for nearly three years.