Chapter 47: World Renowned

“!!!”

Upon hearing Xing Chi’s direct confirmation of the grim news, Master Xiao felt his legs grow weak, nearly collapsing to the ground. If he were alone, he would have fallen prone and wept bitterly.

The others might not have felt as heartbroken as he did, but their faces all paled in unison.

Li Miao sighed softly as well.

At the start of his journey in the martial world, he had only read about Xing Chi’s feats in the archives of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, so his impression was not as profound as that of seasoned martial artists. But after spending these past few days together, he truly came to like this cheerful old monk.

The reason he had put aside his matters with the Ming Cult and stayed here for three days, besides avoiding suspicion over the killing of Wan Tianzong, was sincerely to see this venerable monk off on his final journey.

“I’ll do it,” Li Miao said, stepping forward. He nodded to Yong Jie and took Xing Chi’s hand.

Then, right there in the public hall, he consummated the second level of the realm.

In an instant, his black hair turned white like snow, flowing down freely.

“Jiezi,” “Xumi.”

With absolute mastery over Jiezi and the vast true energy of Xumi, he directly infused it into Xing Chi’s meridians.

Master Xiao, seeing Li Miao’s unusual behavior, exclaimed in alarm, “What—what are you doing!?”

Li Miao’s actions did not resemble orthodox martial arts but seemed more like some malevolent technique.

Just as he was about to intervene, Xing Chi sighed deeply.

“Ha—”

His expression relaxed considerably as he turned to look at Li Miao.

“Hero Li, thank you. The monk no longer feels pain.”

Li Miao shook his head with a smile.

“Master, aren’t we friends? When a friend is about to depart, I come to see him off—there’s no need to talk about thanks.”

Actually, this remark was a slip-up.

According to the plan, Yong Jie had met Li Miao outside and parted ways on the way back to Shaolin. Upon returning, learning Xing Chi was nearing his passing and needed a successor, Yong Jie hurriedly recommended Li Miao, as no one of sufficient skill was available to be his disciple’s protector.

But Li Miao had only just arrived at Shaolin today and should not have known Xing Chi. Calling them friends inadvertently revealed they had met.

Today, however, Li Miao was too indifferent to bother thinking much about it.

Seeing Xing Chi off, he did not want to mix his own matters in or say anything insincere.

“Then I’ll trouble you, Hero Li. The monk wishes to leave this world as peacefully as possible.”

Xing Chi showed no pretense.

Shaolin’s method of guarding the temple, mostly passed down from Patriarch Bodhidharma, was beyond Li Miao’s understanding.

Yet, after consummating the second realm, Li Miao forcibly used his own true energy to shatter Xing Chi’s, then constructed a cycle of true energy within him composed of Li Miao’s own essence.

Thus, though Xing Chi would die the moment Li Miao let go, until then, he no longer had to endure pain.

Xing Chi turned to the crowd, speaking slowly.

“The monk has only three days left; time is tight. I thank you all for traveling here swiftly.”

With that, he placed one hand over his chest and bowed to everyone.

“Today, the monk wishes to have three matters witnessed by all.”

“First, the monk wants to introduce two people to you.”

Xing Chi gestured, drawing everyone’s attention to Yong Jie.

“This is my unworthy disciple, Dharma name Yong Jie. After I pass, he will inherit the leadership of Shaolin.”

The crowd looked over, many puzzled.

“I’ve never heard of Master Yong Jie before—why does he seem familiar?” But since today was Xing Chi’s significant day, no one spoke, quietly listening as he continued.

“The one supporting the monk here is the second person I wish to introduce.”

“Li Miao, Hero Li.”

Everyone turned to look at Li Miao.

His earlier transformation—black hair to snowy white—had shocked many. Now, upon closer inspection, they marveled at this extraordinary phenomenon.

With Xing Chi’s endorsement, no one doubted that Li Miao’s skills were genuine.

Xing Chi went on.

“Hero Li has been diligently training within the sect and only began traveling the martial world in recent months.”

“But his martial arts are extraordinary. In terms of skill, the monk ought to bow as a disciple to Hero Li.”

His words were weighty.

Though Xing Chi clarified it was in terms of martial skill, given his status, bowing as a disciple to someone in their thirties was almost unimaginable humility.

He intended to use his reputation to pave a path for Li Miao.

With this declaration, once these people returned to the martial world, Li Miao’s fame would rise to stand alongside Ji Tianrui and Xing Chi himself.

Lowering his voice, Li Miao said to Xing Chi,

“Master, you know I carry troubles with me, don’t you?”

“If the court turns against me someday, your reputation will suffer too.”

Xing Chi smiled.

“Never mind, the monk has his own thoughts.”

“I know, Hero Li, that we are not of the same path.”

This was indisputable, both Li Miao and Xing Chi understood it well.

To Li Miao, karma was a cycle, you reap what you sow. No matter your age, if you take on a cause, you must be prepared to pay the price. If he had been in Master Xiao’s shoes years ago, he wouldn’t have minded it.

Though he would save others, Li Miao estimated he would never sacrifice himself for others like Xing Chi did. He never considered himself a good man—he acted according to his desires. If he saved someone, he did not expect gratitude; if he killed, he did not care for hatred.

It was fortunate Li Miao had a past life and a well-formed worldview. If he were a young boy just beginning martial arts, already certain he would be invincible, he might have become a more extreme version of Zuo Lishan.

Because of this, Li Miao could somewhat guess Xing Chi’s intent.

He was placing a tether on Li Miao.

With Li Miao’s martial prowess, even now, no one could stop him from doing whatever he wished in the martial world.

Xing Chi’s move was not only to elevate Li Miao’s fame using his own reputation but also to bind him.

If Li Miao ever did evil, Xing Chi’s name would suffer.

If Li Miao still cared for him as a friend, it would temper his future ruthlessness.

Of course, Xing Chi gave Li Miao benefits beforehand without restriction, leaving it to Li Miao whether to remember their friendship. This was not a transaction but a silent plea.

Li Miao smiled but said nothing.

Xing Chi’s heart was kind, but he overthought.

Li Miao respected Xing Chi as a person, not his path. Li Miao had his own path and would not deviate for anyone.

Xing Chi said no more. Facing the crowd, he continued.

“Hero Li came today to assist. Shaolin should thank Hero Li.”

With that, he led the Shaolin disciples in bowing to Li Miao.

After today, Li Miao would be renowned throughout the world.

(The End of this Chapter)