Chapter 4: Breaking the Demonic Barrier Within

Must one truly make a sacrifice to escape this Maze of the Bewildered Soul? Is there truly no way to have it both ways? "The person I once was? Ha! How amusing—you speak as if you know me, as if you have always been hiding from me, studying me. Now it seems, you and your disciple truly are cut from the same cloth. You both delight in trapping others within illusions. So, let me tell you something in return: your disciple Xiong Zhen, all his cultivation and meridians, I have destroyed them. By now, his bones have long since mingled with the yellow earth outside the city of Whitespring. As his master, I suppose you are here for vengeance, aren't you? But why don't you dare come yourself? Instead, you set up this broken formation—do you really think it can hold me?"

Even in dire peril, she remained unruffled—truly worthy of being the mistress of the Su-yi Tower. Yet Ba Sandao's voice was as calm as ever. "A broken formation or not, miss, you will see soon enough. It's true, the world says I, Ba Sandao, am fiercely protective of my own. But my disciple was hopeless. He studied under me for all those years, yet at the end, made no progress. Still, he was my disciple. As his master, if I did nothing, that would not do."

"Enough. The power of this formation, miss, you'll soon feel for yourself. When you emerge, I'll face you in battle. You've come here for the people of Whitespring, haven't you? How pointless. Those people have been useless for years—even if you die for them, it won't matter in the least to them."

Ba Sandao's tone grew agitated. Though Li Moqing had not yet seen him, she could imagine his expression, hidden in the shadows. A moment later, his voice cooled, tinged with sorrow. "Hmph, do you know what kind of person the manager of Pearl Residence used to be?"

"Did you know, years ago, he was a madman who regarded human lives as worthless?"

"And did you know, he was the former lord of Whitespring? What then? Did he finally feel remorse for his crimes and grow uneasy? He never considered that retribution would come, that fate turns in cycles. But he knew it. The fact that you are here means you have met the manager of Pearl Residence—do you know why he was so calm? Because he saw me. He is deeply ashamed and afraid of me!"

"I was born in Whitespring. Pearl Residence was my family's business. I should have lived a peaceful, happy life. Then, one day, my father brought home a stranger, claimed he was a sworn brother. Ha! What a fine story! 'Sworn brother'—what a tedious phrase. That old wretch coveted our property and our martial secrets. In the end, he succeeded, using the very Divine Origin Sword in your hand. What, you didn't know any of this?"

"Afterward, this man reformed himself, swore never to fight again. His goal achieved, why fight further? So, last night, when he saw me, he was calm. You say this formation is broken? Do you know, when I was trapped here, I suffered torment beyond measure. The heart-devil is choice—where there is choice, there is sacrifice. Now, you must have sensed it. The world around you is different. I hope, in the end, you will remain true to yourself."

"Moqing? Is that you, Moqing? Why are you here? Didn't I tell you to go back? You should be at Su-yi Tower. What are you doing here? Wan Ruyu is powerful—far beyond what you can handle now! But your father is different. He and Hua Lian are sworn brothers—bound by life and death. Leave, quickly, or it will be too late."

Only now did Li Moqing see clearly—the scene around her was the very duel on Hanjiang Island with Wan Ruyu. Yes, though so much time had passed, this battle still haunted her heart. Brother Zhuang, Liang Xi, Ji Anran, and others were all present.

"Hahaha! Today, do you think you can still escape? I, Wan Ruyu, have plotted in silence for so many years, and now I am on the verge of unrivaled power. How could I let you ruin my plans? Now, all of you, die!"

The mighty Wangjiang Palm, fused with Hua Lian’s Mirrorflower Mind, was terrifying beyond measure. The blow was aimed directly at Zhuang Yunzhen. Li Moqing wasted no time—her own fierce heart-fire erupted as she rushed to shield Zhuang Yunzhen, her flames colliding with Wan Ruyu's palm. The difference—Wan Ruyu sought to kill Zhuang Yunzhen, while Li Moqing meant to protect him.

With a thunderous clash, Li Moqing’s heart-fire swept across the field, dissolving Wan Ruyu’s killing blow. In her eyes, there was now only Zhuang Yunzhen. "Brother, I’m here. Don’t be afraid. No matter what happens, I’ll protect you. In the past, I was too reserved, but I see now, that was my mistake. I should have told you long ago—my heart has always been yours."

"I know. I’ve always known you love me." Zhuang Yunzhen gently stroked her hair, his voice as tender as ever. Even knowing this was all illusion, Li Moqing clung to the moment, greedy for its sweetness.

"You love Zhuang Yunzhen—but what of Su-yi Tower? Where will you lead it? Didn’t your father tell you, never forget your duty? But look at you now, what are you doing? For love, you abandon everything? Moqing, you truly disappoint me. Your surname is Li, your name Moqing, style Gui. Do you know why I named you Gui?"

The scene shifted—from Hanjiang Island to Su-yi Tower.

Before her, Zhuang Yunzhen transformed into her father, Li Feiyan. At this moment, his gaze was full of disappointment; perhaps even he had not thought his daughter would forsake her family.

"Our Li family founded Su-yi Tower on Mount Yingsnow a hundred years ago. For generations, we cultivated the Undying White Flame, earning great renown. By my generation, merely maintaining the status quo was already difficult. Talents dwindled; only your uncle and I reached the seventh realm—Heart-Fire. But that was not enough. I feared our legacy would end. Then you were born."

At this, Li Feiyan’s voice and expression grew excited, a faint radiance seemed to emanate from him.

"The moment I saw you, I knew everything. I named you Gui for two reasons. First, Undying White Flame belongs to fire; Gui is from the Gui River, signifying water—so that water and fire balance, tempering the backlash in case of mishap. I’ve tasted that pain and don’t wish you to suffer it too!"

"Second, Gui is a split character, a wish that you would achieve great things. I always had high hopes for you. You never disappointed me. You mastered the Undying White Flame in no time—reaching the fifth realm in a few years. Then, I knew, Su-yi Tower finally had hope again."

"But Moqing, why have you become like this? I do not wish to force you, but now I must know—between love and family, what will you choose? You’ve avoided this for years. Today, I won’t allow it any longer—you must give me your answer!"

Only now did Li Moqing understand what Ba Sandao meant by torment—choice is the heart-devil. So this is what it meant. "What? You don’t even have the courage to speak? Fine! Then don’t blame your father for being ruthless!"

"Heart-Fire Engulfs the Plains!"

The mighty palm attack came without hesitation. In Li Feiyan’s eyes, his opponent was no longer his daughter, but a foe. But the girl had always been soft-hearted—could she truly strike back?

Seeing that this Heart-Fire Engulfs the Plains was far stronger than her own, Li Moqing dared not take it lightly. Against anyone else, she would have retaliated without fear. But this was her father—how could she attack?

"Miss, do you now see the true power of the Maze of the Bewildered Soul? This is just the beginning. Its real terror you have yet to witness. You'd best hurry—if you don’t break free by nightfall, you may truly die here. Tsk, tsk, such a lovely girl, to end up like this—it’s heartbreaking. Why not beg me? If you just ask, I’ll let you out. No more suffering. Well?"

"In your dreams!"

Even now, as Li Moqing fled from her father’s relentless pursuit, it was a matter between father and daughter—Ba Sandao had no right to interfere. Her movements lacked grace, but her will to survive had never been stronger. Though her father’s heart-fire technique was formidable, hitting her was not so easy.

"Good! I’ve long heard that the Undying White Flame of Su-yi Tower is unrivaled. Today I’ll see for myself. If you refuse to choose, you’ll suffer a day of torment for every day you hesitate. Little brother is curious—how long can you endure?" Ba Sandao now regarded Li Moqing with greater respect. She had yet to make her choice, still ensnared by her heart-devil, but her resolve and inner strength were indeed impressive.

The thundering blows of Li Feiyan—former master of Su-yi Tower—were as mighty as ever, especially his mastery of the Heart-Fire Realm. Here, within the Maze, that power was even more terrifying. "Moqing, today you cannot escape. Your only choice is to fight me. You have reached the seventh realm—Heart-Fire. Did you think I wouldn’t know? If you keep dodging and never strike back, you’ll die here. Think carefully—what will you do next?"

"Moqing, didn’t you once say that before you met me, you’d never felt joy—not once, living each day like stagnant water? Come, I am here before you. Just take a single step, leave the rest to me. My purpose is to take you away. With me by your side, what is there to fear?"

Once more, Zhuang Yunzhen appeared. Unlike her frenzied father, Zhuang Yunzhen was always gentle with her. But was this truly the Zhuang Yunzhen she knew? No—her real Zhuang Yunzhen was never so bold. He’d always been shy in her presence. This man was only a projection of her hopes.

Yet Li Moqing knew—no matter how much she wished Zhuang Yunzhen could be frank and exuberant, it would never be so. Still, longing filled her heart, bringing tears to her eyes. "Why did you always leave me behind? Didn’t we promise never to abandon each other? Why break your word?"

Oh, how she missed his embrace. In the end, she threw herself into his arms—a boldness she never showed in life. Perhaps she’d always wanted to, but never found the moment.

A sudden pain, sharp as a blade, stabbed through her abdomen. Li Moqing stared in disbelief at the blood blooming across her dress. "Why? Why would you hurt me so, after I gave everything up for you?"

In an instant, Zhuang Yunzhen's warmth vanished—his gaze grew icy. "You claim to have forsaken your family for me? Ha! Moqing, do you take me for a child? Your heart never let go of your family. If it had, your father would have vanished. Do you still think this is illusion? No—everything you see is real. Your heart never belonged to me. If you truly loved me, you’d have felt my devotion."

"If that’s so, you too should die. Perhaps only then can we be together in peace." Zhuang Yunzhen joined forces with Li Feiyan. Together, they intoned: "Yes, only in death can you stay here forever. Haven’t you always wanted to reconcile love and duty? It’s simple—remain here, and all is resolved."

"Only thus will your torment end!" Zhuang Yunzhen struck—the Twin Radiance Palms, paired with the Flying Bird Dance, became even more fierce and domineering. His palms were gentle and beautiful, yet cold as ice—the opening stance of the Twin Radiance Palms, Proud Frost Dance.

With every strike, a blossom of frost appeared on the ground. Proud Frost Dance was not mere spectacle—it absorbed the essence of the moon. A single touch would freeze all. Though Li Moqing had heard of it, witnessing its power was awe-inspiring.

Surrounded by such cold, counterattack seemed impossible. "Tsk tsk, what a pitiful sight, Li Moqing. Were you not so mighty in Whitespring? Now look at you! Why do you refuse to choose? Worse, you don’t even dare strike back. For a hundred years, Su-yi Tower has produced only you—what a disappointment!"

Ba Sandao’s voice dripped with mockery. He’d looked forward to a good fight, but now saw it was unnecessary—he could seek another opponent. "Oh, I should tell you—because of you, those useless fools from Whitespring are headed here. As a former son of Whitespring, shouldn’t I greet my old friends? If they die, it will be your fault. Too bad—you’re trapped in the maze, helpless. Su-yi Tower always claimed to uphold chivalry, but today, no one will save them."

"City Lord, I never thought it would be so far to Grandcloud Valley. Could it be because we haven't traveled this way in years? But this isn’t the road at all. I remember, the way to Grandcloud isn’t like this."

On the straight official road, the people of Whitespring caught up with Lord Wang, but quickly found that the road led nowhere near Grandcloud Valley. Were they too in an illusion?

"Illusion? Hmph. You lot aren’t worthy of such trouble. This road is one I chose for you—a path of no return. It’s been so long since I left Whitespring—years, I suppose. Perhaps you all forgot me. But here I am, alive and well."

At last, Ba Sandao revealed himself. Among the elders, some recognized his face. "You! Ba Sandao! You left Whitespring and joined Grandcloud Valley. Have you forgotten? You were raised on Whitespring water—this is your home! Now you’ve killed the manager of Pearl Residence. How dare you show yourself!"

As if hearing the greatest joke, Ba Sandao laughed. "So you elders remember my origins. Then you must know what I endured. When Old Jiuze stole my family’s property, did any of you stand up? No—you were weak, he was strong, so you let him have his way."

"So be it. I left Whitespring, trained hard. In the end, I personally killed Old Jiuze. Now you come, to kill me? Or will you, like Li Moqing, be trapped by the Maze and never escape? She is making her choice—what about you? Do you have a choice? Never mind—your hearts are open books to me. None of you will leave here alive."

The Severance Step was unlike any other—it was as sharp as a divine sword. Years of bitter cultivation had transformed Ba Sandao. The third realm of the Grandcloud Sutra, "True Reunion," was based on fist technique—fierce and overwhelming.

Ba Sandao struck—a single punch, forceful beyond compare.

The impact sent all reeling. "That’s the Ecstatic Fist—who would have thought you mastered it? We should have known—only you could have. You loved fist arts since childhood, and were unmatched. Yes, Old Jiuze took your home, but the Pearl Residence flourished under him. Why can’t you forgive, after so many years?"

With another blow, the elder was sent flying, his meridians shattered—a ruined man.

"Insolent brat!"

Fear gripped the crowd. The boy was changed—he struck without mercy.

Again and again, the grieving fist shattered hearts. If the mountain or abyss meridians were destroyed, one might survive, but the heart meridian—once broken, all was lost. Ba Sandao looked at his old acquaintances, saw they were unchanged—blame always lay elsewhere. His anger could no longer be contained. In moments, nine-tenths of the group lay on the ground.

To kill them outright would be meaningless. When he fled Whitespring, he was desperate and humiliated. So he controlled his power—letting their heart meridians fail slowly.

"Wang, of all here, you alone I respect. You were kind to me. Today, I spare you. You taught me that debts must be repaid—I never forgot. But if you take another step, don’t blame me for being ruthless. If you try to help Li Moqing, you’ll fail—she can barely save herself. Know this—I will not harm her. Whatever else, she is to be our future mistress. I may be arrogant, but I respect the master above all."

"If the master truly values her, I will not trouble her. Now, you see—the master is indifferent to this matter. Know that nothing happens in Grandcloud Valley without his knowledge. I have been waiting. Now, I have my answer. This woman killed my disciple—I must kill her myself. Do you think you alone can stop me?"

"By now, it’s nearly night. Li Moqing will find it hard to escape the Maze. It would be a pity if she died, but since I’ve achieved my aim, I won’t say more."

"No, Ba Sandao! Even if I have no skills left, I will not retreat. I am not like those lying here—if I set my mind on something, I will see it done. As for the Maze, I know it well—it is but a trial of the heart-devil. I say, Li Moqing will not be trapped. More importantly, she will not die by your hand. Do you believe it?"

A slender figure—a single punch—sent Ba Sandao crashing to the ground.

"So, it’s you. I did not expect you to come. As you see, escaping the Maze was no easy feat. I nearly died just now!"

It was Li Moqing, having cast aside her heart-devil. Looking at Ba Sandao, she sneered, "Who knew you’d be so ugly, and not just in looks—your deeds are ugly too. The people you struck down were your old friends. A man like you doesn’t deserve to live."

"Get up! Weren’t you arrogant just now? What, now I’m free and you don’t dare fight?"

Having conquered her heart-devil, Li Moqing was transformed—utterly resolute.

"Hahaha, wonderful! You really did break free. That’s better—it would have been far too dull otherwise. I don’t know how you did it, but that punch tells me you’ve chosen. Come—tell us, did you give up love or your family? In the end, you’ll be like me. See how powerful I am, because I forsook my past!"

"Love or family, it’s all affection. The heart-devil is not about abandoning anything, but understanding what feeling truly is. But someone like you could never comprehend that!"

Earlier, within the Maze, Li Moqing dodged endlessly, while the attacks from her brother and father grew fiercer. By now, neither had any awareness, as if some great force controlled them.

But evasion was no solution. If she didn’t strike back, she would truly die. If she died, nothing would matter.

"Father, brother—forgive me. I cannot stay here any longer."

At last, Li Moqing fought back. Li Feiyan was right—his daughter was the most gifted Su-yi Tower had seen in generations. Though both wielded Heart-Fire Engulfs the Plains, Li Moqing’s was a blazing inferno, and with the Divine Origin Sword, she unleashed a flurry of sword-lights—the Infinite Vermilion Bird Sword!

Choice? No—only by living can one choose. Now, what she desired was to defeat these two before her. Though illusions, they possessed eighty percent of her father and brother’s power—she could not take them lightly. She’d been raised to be gentle, but was she truly so? No—within her dwelled a rebellious spirit.

Now, her strikes grew ever fiercer. Flames surged, forming five azure dragons—the Ascending Five Dragons, the deadliest attack of the Undying White Flame!

With a roar of fire, she felled both brother and father with her fists. This was not a battle of technique, but of absolute strength.

The two men, battered and defeated, wondered—what had happened to this girl? How could she suddenly unleash such terrible power? She had never been like this before.

"If I can’t get out, so be it. I won’t leave. The three of us will fight to the death—let’s see what happens! If I die, I won’t need to choose!"

A death wish—that was Li Moqing’s plan. It sounded mad, but was the only way left. She no longer wanted to be torn between two worlds. Her future was her own—why couldn’t anyone understand?

If ordinary methods could not shatter the heart-devil, she would break it by death. Her sword shone with light—the Infinite Vermilion Bird Sword was pushed to its limit!

Against such a blade, neither Zhuang Yunzhen nor Li Feiyan could withstand her. "This is my final strike. With this, all ends!"

A single, earth-shattering sword stroke, drawing upon all seven realms of the Undying White Flame—surely enough to end everything. Afterward, Li Moqing would have no strength left. If she regretted anything, it was not seeing her brother again. But no—she saw him now, even if only in illusion. She was content—how good, to see you again.

With a thunderous boom, all was still. The Maze of the Bewildered Soul fell silent—but Li Moqing did not collapse. It was Zhuang Yunzhen and Li Feiyan who fell.

The truth—her last stroke was never meant for them. Never, at any time, would she harm the ones most precious to her. If making a choice meant pain, why not end her own life?

With unmatched speed and swordplay, she could have slain herself easily—yet at that moment, something miraculous happened. The illusions of Zhuang Yunzhen and Li Feiyan intervened, pouring their spirit into her.

"Girl, never give up—this is what I taught you. You should not forget!"

"The heart-devil of the Maze is formidable, but you have succeeded. Zhuang Yunzhen is what you cherish most, yet in your father’s heart, you are the most precious. We have always been in your heart. After all this time, did you not see?"

"From the start, you were the only one here in the Maze. Everything was your own frantic struggle. You’ve grown up—there is no need to choose any longer. The past was my mistake—please forgive me!"

She had meant to break the Maze by death, but in the end, it was the strength of her longing for Zhuang Yunzhen and her father’s spirit that changed her fate. Choice? Heart-devil? These things did not exist. In her heart, there was never a need to choose. When love called, she stood forward; when duty called, her brother was by her side. It was always that simple. For so long, she’d been lost, unable to see clearly.

Breaking free, she sensed murderous intent on the nearby road and hurried over—just in time to see a handsome man attacking with ruthless force. Without hesitation, she floored him with a punch.

"Good! Excellent! Now that your heart-devil is gone, it’s time to settle our scores. Today, I will kill you to avenge my disciple Xiong Zhen!"

Ba Sandao saw her calm, steady aura, and could not fathom what had changed in this girl.

"No matter your strength, today you die!"

The fierce Ecstatic Fist clashed with the Infinite Vermilion Bird Sword in a contest of titans. "Today, with the Divine Origin Sword, I will slay you. This Jiuze you mention—I never knew him. All I knew was a cook who made pearl rice. Today, my sword is his sword—we two against you. Surely you have no objection?"

"Hahaha, all the better! Jiuze, did you think giving her the Divine Origin Sword would let her defeat me? Foolish girl! I am one of the Four Hall Masters of Grandcloud Valley. When I made my name, you were not yet born. I have heard the Undying White Flame is formidable—let me see for myself!"

"Let’s see whose martial art prevails—my Grandcloud Sutra or your Undying White Flame!"

"Enough! Sandao, during my seclusion, you have been most lively—stirring up such chaos, and now daring to threaten your future mistress. Your courage grows with each day! I don’t care what grudges lie between you and her—put them down!"

"Your disciple Xiong Zhen? I know his character well. If it were up to me, I’d have killed him long ago. Now that I am here, you will not cause more trouble. Of course, you may ignore my command—if you can defeat me, I will not interfere. But if you cannot, then behave yourself and return at once!"

The voice of Valley Master Qin Boyu carried immense authority. A simply dressed young man approached, bathed in the golden rays of sunset. Each step was measured, yet full of presence. His figure grew clearer with each stride.

"You are here at last, Moqing. Do you know, all these years, I have been waiting for you."