If Old Sen had harbored any doubts about the Chi-Shang Seal Token before, at this moment, not a shred of doubt remained—not even a trace!
Although deep down he still found it hard to believe, he knew it was real—the genuine, one and only Chi-Shang Seal Token.
'Great Chi, peerless, commanding the winds and clouds of the Nine Heavens; the Immortal-Demon Twin Seal honors the Monarch of Heaven and Earth'—this was the mystery contained within the Chi-Shang Seal Token, a unique secret between heaven and earth, belonging solely to Monarch Chixiao. Under the vast sky and upon the great earth, there could be no second. If someone condensed this seal token, and that person was not Monarch Chixiao himself, then there was only one reason: he must have received the Chi-Shang Seal Token bestowed personally by Monarch Chixiao.
With a thud, Old Sen knelt on the ground, his expression one of immense excitement, his eyes seemingly growing moist. He kowtowed and bowed, not to Young Lord Chiyan Gu Qingfeng, but to Monarch Chixiao Gu Tianlang.
"The Chi-Shang Seal Token... it truly is the Monarch's Chi-Shang Seal Token!"
Perhaps too overwhelmed, Old Sen's body trembled uncontrollably, tears streaming down his aged face. He raised his head and pleaded in a quavering voice, "Dare I ask, Young Lord... the Monarch... he... he..." Old Sen wanted to ask if the Monarch was still alive, and if so, where he was. But he couldn't bring himself to utter the words, afraid he couldn't bear the answer.
Inside the pavilion, Gu Qingfeng leaned casually against a stone pillar, sitting with one leg crossed over the other, holding a cup of wine. He squinted slightly as he looked at Old Sen, pondered for a moment, and said, "You need not inquire about news of Monarch Chixiao. As for who I am, you also need not know. I revealed the Chi-Shang Seal Token for no other reason than to avoid unnecessary conflict. So, there's no need for such a fuss."
'Chi-Shang rules the heavens, the Seal commands respect, the Token orders the world, and none dare disobey...' This was the first line recorded in the Chixiao Canon, etched into the heart of every member of the Chixiao Sect. Old Sen was no exception. Though he yearned to know about the Monarch, facing this Young Lord Chiyan who represented the Monarch, he dared not press further.
"You were once a member of the Chixiao Sect? When did you join?"
Although Gu Qingfeng had founded the Chixiao Sect over three hundred years ago, he should still remember any old brothers who joined early. However, after suffering the judgment of the Immortal Dao later on, he hadn't had the energy to maintain contact with many sect brothers. He didn't recognize Old Sen at all—not even a hint of familiarity. He must have joined in the later period.
Indeed.
"This subordinate joined the sect sixty years after the Monarch founded it. I belonged under Lord Heishui's command, in the Heishui Hall, Qingyuan Branch."
Old Sen spoke these words with his head bowed and body bent, yet his tone still carried a palpable sense of pride. Yes, pride. Even though he was merely a member of a small branch under one of the Chixiao Sect's many halls, he felt immense pride. Not just him—every member of the Chixiao Sect felt the same.
The Chixiao Sect's membership was not large. Even at its peak, it numbered only a few tens of thousands. Compared to ancient, inherited sects, or any sect with a bit of heritage whose disciples numbered over a hundred thousand, it was small. Yet, to this day, the Chixiao Sect is still hailed as the most powerful sect in this world at the end of the ancient era, bar none.
Why? For no particular reason. Because every member of the Chixiao Sect was a hero, a true champion. To become a Chixiao man, it wasn't about cultivation level, strength, or background—it was about righteousness. Righteousness came first, sealed with a blood oath: share hardships, live and die together. Back then, a saying was popular:
'Free of attachments, enter Chixiao; Righteousness first, swear the blood oath; Live and die together, conquer the world; Slay Immortals, slaughter Demons, laugh at the heavens.'
Everyone knew the Chixiao Sect had three do not accept: First, do not accept those with family ties. Second, do not accept those with attachments. Third, do not accept those seeking wealth and status.
When Old Sen joined, he was alone, free of attachments. At his most helpless, lost, and desperate moment, he joined the Chixiao Sect. Though he was only a member for a few decades, those decades of turbulent years were unforgettable for a lifetime. It was an era of hot-blooded and madness. Drinking from large bowls, eating meat in big chunks. He had laughed—great, roaring laughs. He had cried—great, wailing sobs. He had raged—with sky-filling fury. He had died—and not just once. The injuries he had suffered were too many to count. He had killed many people, and many demons, ghosts, and monsters. Following Monarch Chixiao, he had slain Immortals above and slaughtered Demons below, traversed the world, and waged war across the land... In those short thirty years with the Chixiao Sect, he experienced everything one could in a lifetime. No! Everything one could in eight lifetimes, ten lifetimes. For Old Sen, this life held no regrets.
Even now, thinking back to those Chixiao years, Old Sen's heart still surged with seething passion, tumultuous. That was why he had been so excited upon seeing the Chi-Shang Seal Token. That was why he had spoken with such pride when naming his former hall in the Chixiao Sect.
Compared to Old Sen, Gu Qingfeng's face showed no trace of emotion. To be fair, that period with the Chixiao Sect was also the most memorable era in his five hundred years of cultivation. However, he had experienced far, far too much in this lifetime, especially after ascending to the Celestial Realm. As his temperament gradually matured, he increasingly felt that founding the Chixiao Sect back then had been a mistake. He had given many wandering Human in this world a home, only to have to personally destroy that home later due to various circumstances. This matter still filled him with deep guilt to this day.
Especially looking at this elderly man before him, now in his twilight years, made Gu Qingfeng feel quite mixed feelings. He wanted to say something, hesitated for a moment, then thought better of it. He hadn't come here to reminisce. He wanted to know what exactly this so-called Red Gang was.
"Since you were a member of the Chixiao Sect, you should remember that after Monarch Chixiao buried the sect, he told everyone that from then on, the words 'Chixiao' would no longer exist in this world, and no one was allowed to exist in the name of Chixiao."
Perhaps not expecting Gu Qingfeng to suddenly bring this up, Old Sen felt somewhat bewildered but nodded honestly in response. "This subordinate has always kept the Monarch's words in mind."
"Then what's the deal with the Red Gang?"
Hearing 'Red Gang,' Old Sen began to understand the intent behind Gu Qingfeng's previous question. His heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, he didn't know how to answer.
"No need to panic. I'm not interrogating or accusing you. I'm just curious, purely wanting to know." Gu Qingfeng offered a faint smile. "I said from the beginning this was just a chat." He paused, took a sip of wine, and asked, "Who founded the Red Gang?"
"This..." Old Sen kept his head bowed, not daring to look up, clearly hesitating.
Gu Qingfeng wasn't in a hurry and didn't press. He simply poured himself another drink and waited quietly.
A long time passed before Old Sen finally responded, "It was founded by... Great Master."
Upon hearing 'Great Master,' Gu Qingfeng, who had been drinking, suddenly stopped. His expression shifted slightly, and even the smile at the corner of his mouth vanished in an instant.