Little Girl Grows Up

Shi Tou was scared to death and knelt on the ground begging for mercy: "Master, master, please spare me!"

But all that greeted him was Tang Xiaoyu's sword.

Watching Shi Tou's severed head and body on the ground, the other male disciples all knelt down kowtowing and begging for mercy.

"Kill them all, leave none alive."

The people behind him responded in unison: "Understood."

Just then, two beautiful maidens came out to stop him: "Master, please spare them! They were young and foolish back then."

Tang Xiaoyu looked at the two maidens: "Who are you? Do I know you?"

"Master, I'm Little Ling'er!"

"Master, I'm Xiao Lan!"

Tang Xiaoyu smiled gently: "The little girls from back then have grown into graceful ladies now, I hardly recognized you."

But Tang Xiaoyu waved his hand to the people behind him, signaling them to continue.

Soon, screams and pleas for mercy rang out.

Little Ling'er and Xiao Lan quickly knelt before Tang Xiaoyu crying: "Master, we beg you, spare them!"

Tang Xiaoyu helped them both to their feet with the same gentle smile: "Since you've asked, how can I refuse?"

Watching as the last male disciple collapsed, Tang Xiaoyu called out: "Don't you think you were a bit too quick? I didn't even have time to stop you."

Tang Xiaoyu looked apologetic as he said: "This is my fault, I called out too late."

Little Ling'er sobbed: "Master, you weren't like this before. No matter how much we angered you, you never punished or blamed us. You've changed, you're no longer the master you once were."

Tang Xiaoyu stroked Little Ling'er's head: "I have changed, but it wasn't by my own choosing. It was all of you and this world that forced me to become like this."

Many would surely say: You lack inner resolve, so you push the blame onto others.

Tang Xiaoyu spoke calmly: "I can sacrifice myself on the battlefield for an unfeeling nation. I can give everything for you, people I barely know. I can abandon my dignity just to survive."

"I've never harmed anyone or done anything bad. Yet why do you deceive and hurt me?"

"Why is it unacceptable for me to show a hint of evil, but fine for you to say I've changed?" Tang Xiaoyu roared angrily at this point.

"They killed my countrymen and destroyed my sect, yet you never said they changed!"

"Why do you always advise good people to accumulate virtue and do good, but never tell evildoers to reform themselves? Is it because good people are easier to persuade while bad guys will silence you at knifepoint?"

At this point, Tang Xiaoyu no longer cared what others thought of him, he only cared about his own judgment.

Tang Xiaoyu's expression softened again: "My little maidens have grown up. You no longer need this master of yours."

"Let me remind you, from now on you may only worship Dao Ancestor."

Then he knocked himself on the head with a laugh: "Oh right, I forgot your sect was the first to enshrine the statue of Dao Ancestor. Back then I wanted to take the statue with me when I left but you all refused."

"Little Ling'er, Xiao Lan, and Xiao Xue too, Master didn't handle this properly. Let me apologize to you and the fallen disciples: I'm sorry."

He turned to Zhou Ruiqing: "Elder Zhou, Dao Ancestor dislikes the faithless. Fortunately I killed those faithless people so at least you don't need to thank me. Just explain it to Dao Ancestor yourself!"

"Also, let me remind you - if you can't manage your sect properly, you'll dissolve sooner or later. Don't harm yourself and others."

Zhou Ruiqing responded dejectedly: "I will beg forgiveness from Dao Ancestor. And I will dissolve Sanqing Sect."

Tang Xiaoyu looked towards Little Ling'er and the rest again: "If you've nowhere to go, come to our Kindness Sect. I am not so petty."

"Oh right, Xiao Xue and all you maidens have become even more beautiful. I hardly recognized you. Remember to come to Kindness Sect."

His tone was completely different - one conveying charity, the other an invitation or command from a senior.

The maidens came forward to bow: "Don't worry Master, we will come look for you because only you make us feel at home."

"Very well, my ladies have grown up."

As Tang Xiaoyu walked away, he added: "Remember to protect yourselves, my dears."

"Yes, Master. Farewell Master of Kindness Sect."

Tang Xiaoyu waved his hand without looking back as he led his people away.

Whether it was Zhu Six or the other sect leaders, all held Tang Xiaoyu's actions in high regard.

"Elder Tang, shall we go to Yinming Sect now?"

Tang Xiaoyu considered: "Let's go now! After we're done I want to go to Qingshan Town to pay respects to my countrymen and disciples."

The group raced towards Yinming Sect, which had already received news of the demonic invasion.

The current leader of Yinming Sect was Zhao Siqi. Her master had perished years ago while attempting a breakthrough.

"Master, our scouts report the demonic cultivators are headed for our sect."

Zhao Siqi rose to her feet: "Activate the mountain-protecting grand formation, the entire sect must prepare for battle!"

"Yes!"

When Tang Xiaoyu stood outside Yinming Sect's grand protective formation, Zhao Siqi spotted him from within.

"Why is it you?"

"Why can't it be me?" Tang Xiaoyu smiled faintly.

"Do you still remember what I said when I left back then?"

"What did you say?"

Tang Xiaoyu suddenly shifted back to his former attitude and yelled: "You ugly hag, just you wait! One day I'm going to beat you til you cry Daddy!"

Zhao Siqi laughed. Not just her, even Tang Xiaoyu's followers laughed.

Yet mid-laugh, tears flowed down Zhao Siqi's face: "Why did we have to meet again like this? Are you really going to beat me up?"

Tang Xiaoyu exclaimed: "If you keep crying, I really will beat you til you cry Daddy!"

Zhao Siqi scolded with a laugh: "You're still so venomous with words."

"What do plan to do with our Yinming Sect?"

Tang Xiaoyu glanced at Yinming Sect's disciples and saw many familiar faces.

"How could I make a move against my life's benefactor? And there are so many senior and junior martial brothers and sisters of mine inside." Tang Xiaoyu signaled Zhao Siqi to set her worries aside.

"Doesn't that make things very difficult for you?"

Tang Xiaoyu laughed: "That's why I'm here to discuss things with Miss Zhao!"

"Shameless! In the past you called me ugly freak."

Tang Xiaoyu's smile vanished as he solemnly said: "Let's get down to business. I'm offering vengeance as well as allowing everything in your sect to remain unchanged, only that you must swear allegiance to Dao Ancestor."

Zhao Siqi thought there would be harsher conditions. Since this was basically no conditions at all.

But she still wanted Tang Xiaoyu to squirm a little: "I can avenge myself now if I want. Besides, I've let go of that vengeance since my parents were in the wrong to begin with."

"So I gain absolutely nothing from this?" Tang Xiaoyu suddenly realized.

"I knew something was odd when an ugly freak like you started laughing so naturally. The issue lies here!"

"Mind your own business! Tell me the benefits!"

Without any hesitation, Tang Xiaoyu said: "Aside from myself as a person, you can ask for any other condition within my authority to decide, and I will satisfy you."

Zhao Siqi fumed: "I want you dead, you scumbag!"