Gu Yundao dared to stand forward while both sides were in a standoff because he was absolutely confident that the Sword Pavilion would accept his proposal.
Although he had opened by calling out to his "maternal grandfather," revealing his true family connection, most of Gu Yundao's confidence did not come from that.
Before acknowledging Gu Fangchen as his kin, he had first been a disciple of the Confucian Saint, a true transmission of the Yaoshan Academy, born in humble circumstances but rising step by step on his own to become the prodigy "Zhang Yundao," ranked fourth on the Lesser Heaven List.
He had long been famous among the younger generation, but more importantly, "Zhang Yundao's" integrity, righteousness, and compassion for the common people were widely recognized.
Otherwise, why would even the players regard him as one of the most reliable teammates?
If one judged a gentleman by his actions rather than his heart, then in the original storyline, after Gu Fangchen's death, Gu Yundao was a perfect example of a true Confucian gentleman.
Although some texts hinted that he had knowledge of certain hidden matters, he was never directly involved, and no concrete evidence ever existed against him.
Moreover, Gu Yundao was the only one willing to expose the collusion between local courts and cultivation sects that oppressed the common people, attempting to restrict cultivators from slaughtering innocents without consequence.
If a player's favorability with Gu Yundao was high enough and they completed his personal quest, "The Gentleman Crosses the River," then later, during the battle against Gu Yuye and the Confucian faction, Gu Yundao would betray his sect and reveal critical intelligence to the player.
In the end, however, he would be killed by Xie Qian in retaliation, losing all his cultivation and choosing to retreat into seclusion in a mountain village.
But… if the player later visited that village, they would discover that Gu Yundao had, in fact, taken his own life.
With Gu Yundao's innate pride and self-respect, he could stand tall to speak for mortals, but he could never accept living as a powerless mortal himself.
Just as now.
Gu Yundao possessed the same unshakable confidence. He never doubted that if he stepped forward as a third party, no one would suspect partiality.
Even without any direct relationship to the Sword Pavilion, since he represented Yaoshan Academy, there was at least an eighty percent chance the Sword Pavilion would agree.
The remaining twenty percent depended on whether the "Dragon-Snake Rising" grand formation, combined with the Seven Sects' momentum, could force the Sword Pavilion to yield.
Gu Yundao's gaze drifted subtly toward Ning Songjun and froze when he noticed something strange, Ning Songjun had not drawn his sword.
Given his temperament, with the Seven Sects practically at his doorstep, how could he not draw his blade?
Moreover… it seemed that Ning Songjun had not come out of the Sword Pavilion but had returned from outside.
Where had he gone?
A faint unease stirred in Gu Yundao's chest, especially when he recalled that Gu Fangchen had apparently already discovered the "Dragon-Snake Rising" formation and used it to set him up, making Yang Qing and the others mistakenly believe he had betrayed them and was secretly working in concert with Gu Fangchen.
Two birds with one stone, delaying his entry into Donglong Commandery while also ruining Juehui's backup plan for exposing the truth.
Still, while he understood this much, Gu Yundao didn't believe Gu Fangchen could turn the situation further in his favor under such circumstances.
Framing him was simply meant to sow discord between him and the Seven Sects, sabotaging the activation of the "Dragon-Snake Rising" formation.
Yet now, the formation had already been activated.
With the help of the yin-yang magnetic stones, the grand array now covered the entire Liuhua Province.
The Seven Sects' encirclement of Dragon Hollow Lake was designed precisely to trap Ning Songjun within it.
Once he drew the Linked Stars Sword, he would discover that he could no longer control it.
The "Sword Saint's" Dao Heart would inevitably be damaged, and his strength would plummet.
Gu Fangchen was doomed.
Steadying his thoughts, Gu Yundao convinced himself that Ning Songjun's hesitation to draw his sword must be due to his disdain for the Seven Sects, and perhaps a trace of suspicion about Gu Yundao's sudden arrival.
He had indeed come late, just in time to coincide with the Seven Sects' early move. Too coincidental.
Ning Songjun was likely wary of that.
But such minor hesitation was insignificant, it could not change his overall stance.
Gu Yundao's confidence returned.
…
The Seven Sects were likewise confident.
The Sword Pavilion's greatest reliance was simply Ning Songjun, the second-grade "Sword Saint."
And now, as long as he dared to draw his sword, his own obsession would cause his Dao Heart to shatter once he realized he couldn't control it, crippling him completely.
The Hall Master of Iron Tile Hall stepped forward and shouted, "Why the hesitation, Pavilion Master Ning? Are you feeling guilty?"
The other sect masters joined in one after another.
"This scholar is young and upright, we've heard of his reputation. Since he's both an academy disciple and your relative, we have no objection to his mediation. Why, then, do you of the Sword Pavilion hesitate?"
"Indeed, indeed! By all logic, Pavilion Master Ning should be pleased!"
"With such a good grandson-in-law to clear your sect's name, why refuse him?"
"We are all acting for the good of the world's people, shouldn't we cooperate and resolve things peacefully?"
Ning Wuzhen's gaze swept across the crowd of varied expressions, finally resting on Gu Yundao.
His grandson wore a sincere expression, showing not the slightest hint of deception, but his back was facing the Seven Sects.
Hands clasped behind him, Ning Wuzhen's stern face remained unreadable.
If this had been Gu Lianqian, he would have believed it was due to youthful inexperience and lack of caution.
But this was Gu Yundao.
A man who had grown up alone, who had fought his way through life's hardships to achieve what he had today.
Before a pack of wolves and tigers seeking to devour the Sword Pavilion, he should not have had his back turned to them.
He had also seen the earlier scene where Cai Yong refused to meet him.
So that brat could actually make Cai Yong happy.
The lines of kinship and distance had already been drawn in people's hearts.
After a brief silence, Ning Wuzhen lifted his head and looked straight at Gu Yundao, his tone calm but firm.
"Scholar Gu, you are learned and discerning. As you know, the innocent need not prove themselves. The Sword Pavilion has no reason to justify accusations that never existed."
"Unless you believed them from the start."
Gu Yundao froze, his pupils contracting in disbelief.
Ning Wuzhen's tone was perfectly courteous.
For an elder such as the Pavilion Master to address a young scholar in such a manner was already a great honor.
But to Gu Yundao, it was like being struck by lightning.
This meant that Ning Wuzhen regarded him entirely as an outsider.
The moment the words "Scholar Gu" left his mouth, it erased any recognition of the "grandson" he had just called him.
Gu Yundao couldn't comprehend it.
Why?
This wasn't how things were supposed to go.
Yes, he had just arrived at the Sword Pavilion.
But hadn't the Pavilion despised Gu Fangchen for years, for staining its reputation through underhanded means? Shouldn't revealing his own identity naturally win their favor?
Gu Fangchen was a disgraceful parasite, not even truly related by blood, shouldn't they cast him off immediately?
Why did Ning Wuzhen seem unwilling to acknowledge him at all?
The Iron Tile Hall Master sneered. "Pavilion Master Ning, with both testimony and evidence so clear, do you still claim 'the innocent need no proof'? Isn't that a bit arrogant?"
Among the Seven Sects, only the Iron Tile Hall Master dared to speak with such insolence, being the sole third-grade cultivator among them.
And his goal was simple, to provoke the Sword Pavilion.
As long as Ning Songjun drew his sword, and they confirmed his Dao Heart was damaged, they could attack without fear.
Just as he expected, Ning Songjun stepped forward coldly and said, "You want to investigate the Sword Pavilion, drain Dragon Hollow Lake, and verify whether a Supreme-grade Sword is sealed beneath by the dragon vein? You may."
The Iron Tile Hall Master and the others froze in shock.
That wasn't right.
How could Ning Songjun agree?
Was this still the same man?
Could someone be impersonating him?
But the oppressive aura of a second-grade cultivator radiated unmistakably from Ning Songjun's body, the sharp, frigid Sword Intent hanging above their heads like a blade's edge, making their scalps prickle. There was no mistaking it, this was the true "Sword Saint."
"But, " Ning Songjun's tone hardened, his eyes sweeping coldly across the Seven Sects.
"There is also a case I am investigating. I hope everyone here will cooperate."
The first to react was Ning Wuzhen.
The old Pavilion Master turned toward his son, astonished.
He knew his own child better than anyone, by temperament, this fool should have drawn his sword and started cutting people already.
Yet here he was, choosing to reason with them?
For a moment, Ning Wuzhen didn't know whether to be pleased or suspicious, but after some thought, he decided to wait and see.
What trick was his son planning? Hopefully not a foolish one.
If Ning Wuzhen was surprised, the Seven Sects were even more so.
This development was completely off-script, and unease began to creep into their hearts.
The Iron Tile Hall Master spoke cautiously, "May we ask what case you refer to? We can cooperate, of course, but you must explain yourself."
Ning Songjun gave a cold snort. "Recently, my sword, Linked Stars, was stolen. I suspect one of you took it."
"If you cooperate and allow me to search your ranks to clear your names, I will, in turn, allow you to drain Dragon Hollow Lake and examine beneath the Sword Pavilion for your so-called 'evil sword.'"
"!!!"
Ning Wuzhen's eyes widened.
There was no way his son came up with that himself.
His lips twitched as he studied Ning Songjun's severe expression, unable to detect even a hint of falsehood.
But this move, this was a masterstroke.
You accuse me of hiding an evil sword? Then I accuse you of stealing mine. You want to search me? Then I'll search you.
As for what turns up, that's another matter entirely.
The Seven Sect leaders were momentarily dumbstruck.
The Iron Tile Hall Master's face darkened, and he barked, "Nonsense! How dare you slander us? Why would we steal your sword?"
He wanted to add that they didn't even have the ability to steal a Sword Saint's weapon.
This was absurd!
But when the sect masters exchanged glances, an uneasy realization struck them, it was too coincidental.
Of all possible excuses, why this one, "his sword went missing"?
If Ning Songjun truly didn't use his sword, their entire plan would fall apart.
"Why impossible?" Ning Songjun sneered. "Is the Hall Master nervous? If you're innocent, what's there to fear? Let me search you, and if nothing turns up, I'll let you search the Pavilion."
Someone protested, "You can't accuse us without proof! This is baseless!"
Ning Wuzhen chuckled. "What's this? You too must prove your innocence now? My son's reputation is known to all, upright and honest, never one to lie. His sword disappears, and you appear soon after. Shouldn't you prove yourselves?"
The old Pavilion Master now understood completely.
His son wasn't lying, his sword was indeed missing.
As for how it had gone missing…
Well, who could the "little mouse" be that dared steal from the Sword Saint lately? Truly a mystery!
Ning Wuzhen could only sigh inwardly. That rascal had somehow managed to make Ning Songjun "lie" without lying.
The Hall Master's expression soured further. Letting the Sword Pavilion search them was out of the question. No matter how this looked, it was clear Ning Songjun was just stalling for time.
If they allowed the search and anything suspicious turned up, the tables would turn instantly.
He erupted in anger. "The Sword Pavilion truly bullies too far!"
"We came for the sake of the people, yet you twist the issue and deflect! How dare you place worldly safety beneath your pride?"
Ning Songjun's sword couldn't truly be lost. As long as he drew it, everything would be exposed, and their plan would succeed.
Gu Yundao sensed danger and quickly interjected, "Hall Master, this matter may have hidden complications, perhaps we should wait, "
The Iron Tile Hall Master, thinking he was playing along, waved his sleeve sharply. "No need, Scholar Gu!"
"This matter concerns an evil sword. Today, no matter what, the Sword Pavilion must give an answer!"
A tide of shouts erupted behind him.
Ning Songjun raised an eyebrow and slowly lifted his hand, forming a sword seal with his fingers. His voice was cold and curious.
"I've been wondering for a while, how do you all still have the nerve to stand before me and prattle?"
"Have you forgotten the pain from the last time I drew my sword?"
Gu Yundao's heart sank. Things had gone too far, he could no longer play the neutral mediator.
He clasped his hands and said gravely, "Uncle, I must be honest, this matter involves the dragon vein. The imperial court is closely watching. His Majesty and the Crown Prince have already stationed observers nearby. If you cannot clear your name, the court will grow suspicious of the Sword Pavilion."
Ning Songjun's movement paused.
Then, a thunderous rumble shook the entire mountain where the Sword Pavilion stood. The waters of Dragon Hollow Lake surged violently, waves crashing against the shores.
On the Sword Pavilion rooftops, Ding Xingfeng, who had been watching the commotion, clicked his tongue and slammed his palm downward.
The seventy-two trembling peaks of the Pavilion instantly sank a few feet, stabilizing the land and calming the waves.
"I hear you're all looking for the dragon vein and the evil sword?"
A casual young man's voice drifted over the lake.
Everyone turned toward it, their pupils constricting.
Gu Fangchen stood atop Ask-Sword Cliff, gazing lazily down at the crowd below.
"I just wonder-" he grinned, "which dragon vein do you want, and which sword?"
With a wave of his hand, seventy-two long swords rose behind him in perfect formation, their radiance blinding to behold.