Like a Ray in My Night (Part 4)

741 It Sounded Again

Zhang Guan Yu returned to the mountain peak that housed the Sect Master's palace. Standing in front of it and looking up there, he couldn't help but feel a complicated mix of emotions. He wanted what was best for the sect and he knew that he could only square one way forward with his conscience. The ending was uncertain though and the thought that maybe this sect would cease to exist while in his hands wasn't easy to stomach even if he knew that he was making the right decision.

Sometimes, even your best wasn't enough. He had ... always known that to a degree but he had never understood this lesson as thoroughly as he did today. In the past, how much had been at stake? It couldn't compare to their current situation at all.

No, this time, everything was up in the air: The sect itself but even more so the lives of all the disciples and Elders that made up what the Teng Yong Sect actually was. And even further than that, there were the lives of the common people they were supposed to keep safe but that was something he couldn't promise any longer either. No, now, nothing was certain.

He turned away from the mountain and instead walked up to the gong that hung at the side of the square. He looked at the faint lines engraved on it, picked up the mallet with trembling hands, and took a deep breath before hitting the gong.

The sound reverberated in the air, the array carrying it further and further until it could be heard everywhere on the sect grounds. The last time it had sounded was five years ago when Mei Chao Bing struck the gong to alert everyone to his Master's betrayal and Elder Wu's death. At that time, everything they had believed to be true about their sect had suddenly needed to be questioned. The previous trust in each other had taken a big hit and needed to be slowly rebuilt.

Hearing the sound once again, the Elders of the sect dropped what they were doing and turned to look in the direction of the Sect Master's peak with somber expressions. What was it this time? They hardly dared to make any guesses because each of them had the possibility of once again shaking the foundations of the sect. This gong wasn't sounded for nothing, after all.

They sighed deeply and grabbed their nearest disciple, telling them to grab their juniors and seniors and gather each of them at their own place while they went to check what was going on.

Reaching the square one after the other, each of them furrowed their brows when they saw the Sect Master himself standing next to the gong with a solemn expression. Even though Zhang Guan Yu had not said anything yet, just his bearing was enough to tell them that the news wasn't good.

Zhang Guan Yu waited until the last Elder arrived and took a deep breath before he spoke up. "News has arrived from the border region: The final battle is imminent. Gather all your disciples. We'll set off at once."

He didn't mention what would await them. Some of the disciples might not know but each of the Elders was fully aware of what kind of battle lay ahead of them and how many of them might not make it back.

Neither of them said a word either and for a moment, the whole square was enveloped by a deathly silence until the Elders nodded one after the other and rushed back to their valleys and peaks, telling their disciples who had already gathered to follow them.

Soon enough, the whole sect had gathered on the square in front of the Sect Master's peak. Zhang Guan Yu looked at the disciples who had neatly lined up behind their Masters. The older ones seemed composed enough while the younger ones were clearly worried about what was going on. It really was no wonder. All of them had heard the gong before and it wasn't a usual occurrence to be called together like this. Apart from the big competitions, when did the whole sect ever come together? Obviously, nothing was alright.

He lowered his gaze and then tightly grabbed the sword he had already readied. "Your Masters may have told you but we will leave for the border region now. There is going to be a battle with the demonic faction that won't be easy. I hope you are prepared. Now ... are there any disciples who don't know how to fly yet?"

This was one skill that everyone learned early on but there were always disciples who were unable to master it in a short time. If there were any like this ... he'd truly leave them behind. They would have no way to defend themselves in that battle and he didn't want to send anyone to a pointless death. Those who couldn't fight or flee ... they had no business being there.

At first, nobody said a word but then, some of the older disciples pulled out the younger ones from behind who had only joined the sect a year or two ago.

Zhang Guan Yu nodded. "There is no shame in that but the way to the border region is long and being able to fly is important to traverse the battlefield." He glanced at his own disciples who had gathered at the edge of the square and waved at the oldest. "Bring them to the back of the sect and then follow us. The guardian will take care of them." Of course, if the sect really was attacked, the Black Warrior wouldn't be able to bring all of them to safety in a short amount of time and fight off everyone so ... this was also risky. He didn't know what else to do though.

Xian Ming inclined his head and waved for the disciples to follow him, leading them at a hurried pace.

Meanwhile, the Elders motioned for their disciples to take out their weapons and finally, the whole sect set off to join the others in the border region.