Atop the observation platform, the elders of the Four Commands Sword Sect could only sigh helplessly. Lu Sizhan had merely bridged the gap between himself and the other three sect masters; how could that qualify anyone to be the Grand Swordmaster? Every generation’s Four Commands Grand Swordmaster had been practically invincible with the sword, capable of defeating the other three sect masters with a single strike. In contrast, Lu Sizhan could never defeat the other three with one strike. All he had done was catch up to where they had already stood.
The faces of Lu Feichen and the other two had grown pale. They bowed low to Lu Sizhan. “Greetings, Grand Swordmaster.”
They had turned over all of the sword intent that they had cultivated and needed to start anew. Fortunately, given their cultivations, it would not be too difficult for them to restore their sword intent.
However, none of them would be able to pose any threat to Lu Sizhan any longer.
Every member of the Four Commands Sword Sect bowed as one. “Greetings, Grand Swordmaster.”
“Greetings, Grand Swordmaster.”
“Greetings...”
Even the four elders on the observation platform stood up and bowed. “Greetings, Grand Swordmaster.”
Lu Siyu continued to bow, not standing back up. At this moment, she felt incredibly conflicted. While her father had indeed become the Grand Swordmaster as she requested, this was surely not the kind of Grand Swordmaster that he had hoped to become.
There was a lump in her chest, and she felt incredibly frustrated. She really wanted nothing more than to find Lu Yin and give him a proper tongue lashing.
Lu Yin smiled faintly. He had completed the request. There was no doubt in his mind that the next six requests would be much harder. It was clear that Lu Siyu was extremely upset with how he had gone about things, but he had had no choice. Without resorting to such measures, how could he have ever pushed someone as weak as Lu Sizhan into the position of Grand Swordmaster?
Objectively speaking, Lu Yin had only helped Lu Sizhan become the Grand Swordmaster. It was not really some great evil. Even so, due to the Four Commands Sword Sect’s sense of integrity, Lu Yin had ended up being cast as a villain.
Still, through Lu Sizhan, the flaws of three of the sect masters’ techniques had been revealed. It would not be long before those three also improved.
The only one who would suffer was Lu Sizhan himself. Having been raised up through such underhanded methods, the rest of his life would not be easy.
All that Lu Yin could do was lend the Four Commands Sword Sect a helping hand in the future, if possible. That would have to be his way of making amends.
Atop the Sword Altar, Lu Sizhan’s eyes opened. They looked completely different from before. There were new depths present, as well as a touch of coldness. His gaze swept past Lu Feichen and the others on the Sword Altar. He looked up at the observation platform and gave a deep bow. “This disciple, Lu Sizhan, has shamed himself before his ancestors. I was given no choice in this competition for Grand Swordmaster. There’s no need to speak any further of my reasons.
“This disciple kneels here to offer an apology.” With that, the man dropped to both knees.
Everyone was moved by his actions. Lu Sizhan had already become the Four Commands Grand Swordmaster, someone of great importance even in the scope of the entire Nine Odysseys Megaverse. Despite that, he was demeaning himself in such a manner.
Some of the disciples of the Four Commands Sword Sect who had been resenting the man suddenly looked at him with softer eyes.
Still, many continued to resent the man. Could simply kneeling be enough to earn forgiveness? Would the competition for the title of Grand Swordmaster follow this precedent in the future?
"This disciple, Lu Sizhan, is willing to pay his debt with his death. This is not only a debt to the Four Commands Sword Sect, but also to the one who taught me to see through sword techniques." Lu Sizhan rose and peered into the distance, right at Lu Yin. "The title of Grand Swordmaster, I have taken it. You have fulfilled your task. I now ask that you show yourself and duel with me. My Four Commands Sword Sect will not be disgraced! As the current Grand Swordmaster, I declare my resolve."
Everyone was moved a second time. The man was putting his life on the line to absolve himself.
His actions had not been done of his own volition; he had been forced to do what he had to become the Grand Swordmaster.
But why?
Who could force Lu Sizhan to become Grand Swordmaster? What was the importance of the title for the person behind the curtain?
Beneath the Sword Altar, Lu Siyu shouted, "Father, it was-"
"Silence!" Lu Sizhan roared, not even glancing at his daughter. "I’ve made up my mind, and it will not change."
Lu Siyu started to weep. She was the one behind everything. She had driven her father to this point. It was all her fault, but she had never imagined that her wish would lead to this situation.
It was true that her father had never cared about gaining the title of Grand Swordmaster. Instead, it was Lu Siyu’s own obsession that had forced her father into a corner. Without her, he would have been able to live a happy, carefree life.
Why? She wanted to slap her past self.
She did not blame Lu Yin. She had been the one to choose her request, and Lu Yin had simply done what he had been asked. While Lu Siyu regretted her decision, it was far too late.
Lu Yin looked at the determination in Lu Sizhan's eyes. Did the man want to die? That did match his personality.
Staking one’s life on their beliefs was worthy of respect, yet Lu Yin could not help but feel that he was becoming more and more the villain in the current scenario.
"Father!" Lu Siyu tried to force her way onto the Sword Altar, but she was held back by the other members of the East Command. Many were able to see that Lu Sizhan had likely been forced to become the Grand Swordmaster because of Lu Siyu. Who else could have asked for the help of such a powerful individual? However, it was also clear that the woman had never imagined that things would turn out this way.
Lu Siyu had made a request due to her respect and love for her father. While Lu Sizhan had fulfilled her request, the man also had his own loyalty and sense of righteousness. He was determined to preserve the honor of the Four Commands Sword Sect.
On the observation platform, Ming Zhuo’s gaze swept through the crowd. Will he step forward?
Seeing where Ming Zhuo’s gaze had turned, the four elders looked over as well.
Following that, more and more people followed the direction of Ming Zhuo’s gaze.
They were staring at where Lu Yin stood. Next to him stood Xian Ding.
Xian Ding was someone of immense importance, and his highly public proposal to the East Command had drawn a great deal of attention. Because of all that, everyone instinctively turned to look at him.
The man was bewildered. Why was everyone staring at him?
"So that’s it! The Azuresword Sovereign was behind it all!" someone exclaimed.
Another chimed in, “No wonder! I was wondering where such a powerful swordsman could have come from. If it was the Azuresword Sovereign, it would make sense.”
“Young Master Xian Ding was asking to marry into the East Command. Lu Siyu must have used Lu Sizhan becoming the Grand Swordmaster as a condition of her hand in marriage. That would explain why the Sword Sovereign forced Lu Sizhan to fight for the title! Everything fits.”
“So that’s what happened.”
“No wonder. No wonder...”
Xian Ding stood there, his mouth falling open. What does any of this have to do with me? That’s not what happened!
Unfortunately, even he found the story oddly convincing. Could his master have been helping from the shadows? Xian Ding had no idea how to even explain himself. People were suddenly looking at him with open contempt and disdain, believing that he had resorted to asking his master to use underhanded tricks just so that Xian Ding could marry a girl. Despicable!
Xian Ding was truly and completely speechless.
Lu Yin also glanced at Xian Ding, but then he shook his head.