Library of Heaven's Path Chapter 2269 - Side Story: Zhang Xuan’s Birth

2269 Side Story: Zhang Xuan’s Birth

Torrential rain poured relentlessly, while an endless darkness cloaked the entire sky in gloom.

Two silhouettes darted swiftly through the heavens. Raindrops were flung away by their power prior to touching them, ensuring not even one droplet made contact.

“Teacher Yang, this is our very first child. Should anything go wrong, I fear Mengya won’t bear it…”

The youth leading the way appeared to be in his early twenties. Worry and exhaustion marked his features.

He served as the present Clan Head of the Zhang Clan, Zhang Zhenxing. The Zhang Clan stood as the foremost among all saint clans.

“You act for the good of humanity. Whatever lies within my power, I’ll exert every effort!”

Teacher Yang, the elder, gave a nod.

They halted before a vast estate. Even before touching down, First Elder Zhang Wuheng approached with clasped hands.

Zhang Zhenxing inquired, “How fares Sword Saint Meng?”

The First Elder paused briefly, then let out a sigh. “Clan Head… hear it for yourself!”

Brimming with uncertainty, Zhang Zhenxing was poised to probe further when the earth trembled violently. A thunderous boom resounded next. From a distance, nearby structures appeared to crumble. Dust billowed upward only to be battered by rain into muddy streams.

Zhang Zhenxing’s countenance spasmed with chagrin. “Did she… tear down homes once more?”

The First Elder affirmed with a nod. “Old Ancestor Hong Tian nears total breakdown. I-I merely conversed briefly with Sword Saint Meng, yet she erupted in fury. The meeting hall, blood pool, and dwellings of numerous elders including mine all lie in ruins…”

Zhang Zhenxing questioned, “And the main residence?”

The First Elder replied, “Oh, that one remains intact. By ‘houses demolished,’ I refer to our lack of shelter now.”

“…”

Zhang Zhenxing exhaled in relief. “Good thing she retains her senses. I’ll head there to check!”

With a light foot push, he soared rapidly toward the blast’s origin.

Suspended mid-air stood a stunningly beautiful woman. Her brows furrowed in wrath, sword gripped tightly as she vented. Her visage and form stayed flawless, yet her belly swelled prominently, signaling imminent birth after prolonged pregnancy.

Elders dotted the scene everywhere. None dared block her sword qi, nor utter a sound. Spotting the Clan Head’s arrival felt like salvation; tears welled in their eyes.

Demolitions struck every few days. Horticulturists managed swift, expert reconstructions. Yet their spirits couldn’t endure the strain!

“Meng’er… Teacher Yang is here. He brings a solution!”

Zhang Zhenxing called out urgently.

The raging sword qi halted abruptly, and she turned toward the distant elder. “Wang Mengya pays respects to Teacher Yang!”

The top 9-Star master teacher of the Master Teacher Pavilion was a Great Sage 4-dan Sempiternal-Realm pinnacle powerhouse. Across the continent, none dismissed him lightly.

Teacher Yang dismissed the gesture with a wave. “Clan Head Zhang explained your plight. Let’s descend and talk it through!”

“Yes!”

Wang Mengya held her tongue obediently.

Within the main residence, everyone took seats.

Teacher Yang cut to the chase. “Sword Saint Meng, your emotions are understandable, yet… grasp our dire straits too. Should Ancient Sage Hong Tian perish, the Zhang Clan and all humanity face the worst disaster in ten millennia!”

Rage faded; tears brimmed in Wang Mengya’s eyes. “I understand, but why him… Unborn, devoid of awareness, why burden a mere infant with humanity’s salvation!”

“Alas!”

Teacher Yang sighed profoundly, eyes laced with complexity. “Our failing entirely! The Master Teacher Pavilion’s fault… To rescue Ancient Sage Hong Tian, I vow utmost effort for the child’s survival. I’ll accept him as direct disciple, aiding his every aspiration… Failing that, I’ll secure his joyful existence.”

Wang Mengya, hearing Teacher Yang, recognized the noble imperative. Though reluctant, she nodded. “No choice then. What’s Teacher Yang’s scheme? Safe birth and growth suffice, cultivation or bloodline be damned. Bullies? I’ll handle them…”

With a wrist flick, Teacher Yang produced a jade vial. “An innate spirit artifact. Inject pre-birth into him; it sustains life sans bloodline. However… it poisons too. Sans antidote by age 20, even Teacher Kong couldn’t save him…”

“By age 20?”

Wang Mengya’s delicate face blanched.

“Truthfully… Bloodline loss isn’t irreversible!”

The reticent First Elder interjected abruptly.

Wang Mengya turned eagerly. “Restorable? How so?”

The First Elder explained, “The ancient land! Lore says Teacher Kong led 72 disciples there before vanishing!”

“Spiritual energy there suppresses weakly. Sending impure-blooded descendants often sparks new bloodlines, awakening physiques.”

“Sage clans’ annals from millennia past record over ten such triumphs. Yuan Clan’s 12th Clan Head, Yuan Kai, teleported at birth, discovered at 16. Three years later, he dominated youth as top genius! Luo Clan’s 19th Clan Head, Luo Qingfeng, mirrored this. Our Zhang Clan had a grand elder similarly…”

Wang Mengya glanced puzzled at her spouse, who nodded. “Legends confirm it…”

Relieved by affirmation, Wang Mengya breathed easier. “Bloodline restoration… Would it neutralize your mentioned poison?”

Teacher Yang wavered before admitting, “Uncertain… But hope exists.”

After prolonged quiet, Wang Mengya caressed her belly, eyes reddened. “Son, whatever hardship, Mommy endures alongside you…”

“Sword Saint Meng acts with righteousness!”

Teacher Yang sighed relievedly. Uncorking the vial, he tapped gently. A vapor stream shot to her abdomen, vanishing instantly.

Instantly, Wang Mengya’s face twisted. Pupils shrank; sweat beaded her brow.

“What’s amiss?”

Zhang Zhenxing dashed close.

Clutching her belly, Wang Mengya gasped. “He despises this poison. Fetch a midwife fast. I… I’m going into labor!”

Stunned briefly, Zhang Zhenxing queried incredulously, “Fatherhood at last? Right, midwives incoming…”

Clan Leader’s birth stirred the entire Clan into frenzy. Within ten minutes, Wang Mengya entered a chamber, attended by rotating midwives.

Outside the chamber.

Zhang Zhenxing paced anxiously. Aware of the child’s ordeals ahead, excitement still surged at imminent meeting.

Noting Zhang Zhenxing’s distress, First Elder approached. “Clan Head, Young Master’s name?”

Zhang Zhenxing assented. “Indeed… Zhang Anbang! I’m Zhenxing; Anbang fits him perfectly!”

First Elder fell silent. “Nickname? Given Young Master’s state, a plain one to temper luck aids rearing…”

“Not decided yet…”

Zhang Zhenxing agreed. “Wise point. Avoid grandiose nicknames; opt mundane. Pondering options…”

Midway, an elder burst in. “Deputy Clan Head, First Elder, dire news…”

Both turned sharply.

Grounded, the elder’s eyes bulged in awe. “Ancestral tablet quakes fiercely…”

Unfinished, the stormy gloom lifted abruptly. Sun blazed overhead. A massive rainbow spanned the firmament like a celestial bridge.

Myriad phoenixes and peacocks circled it, trilling melodiously.

Clouds parted, rain ceased; brilliance reigned.

Astonishment rippled through all.

Heavenly phenomenon?

“It’s… saint’s birth!”

Teacher Yang grasped it suddenly, flushing with fervor. “History tomes describe Teacher Kong’s birth identically. Could it be…”

“Saint’s birth? Innate saint?”

Zhang Zhenxing disbelieved.

Son’s bloodline was peerless, yet this exceeded imagination!

Pre-birth, ancestral tablet danced, phenomena erupted… Unscathed, his heights unimaginable!

“Wah~~ Wah~~”

Infant’s cry pierced skies as Ancestral Hall tablets toppled.

“Behold, Teacher Kong’s sculpture…”

Another cry rang.

Zhang Zhenxing and Teacher Yang looked; Teacher Kong’s colossal statue hovered serenely, honoring a peer’s arrival.

“Teacher Kong’s sculpture floats… floats…”

Zhang Zhenxing murmured ecstatically, near madness.

Son earned Teacher Kong sculpture’s nod!

“Nickname set: Zhang Diaofei!”

Eyes flashing, Zhang Zhenxing declared.

…

Child’s birth triggered realm-shaking portent, alarming sage clans. Luo Clan Head visited, betrothing womb-daughter.

Joy abounded, save Zhang Zhenxing and Wang Mengya’s sorrow. They witnessed bloodline drain; son teetered deathward, recovery arduous. Exile loomed personal.

Ancient land array ferried infants solely. Destination unknown!

Teleport meant life-death uncertainty. No teleport? Death by 20, likely mortal lot.

“No tears…”

Light flared; newborn vanished. Zhang Zhenxing comforted, patting wife. “Birth summoned Teacher Kong sculpture skyward. Safe return assured! Henceforth, I’ll scour continents beside you…”

Wang Mengya nodded.

Futile resistance known.

For their child.

…

Distant from Zhang Clan, in obscure kingdom.

En route home, inebriated elder’s sight swam; baby dangled ahead. Swaddling ribbon snagged tree, another choked neck, hovering perilously near asphyxia.

He rescued swiftly, noting “Zhang” embroidery.

“Surname Zhang… Tree-hung, so Zhang Hanging Neck… Nah, poor ring. Zhang Xuan it is!”

Pleased, elder traded infant to orphanage for liquor funds.