The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, becoming a disciple of Yue Buqun

Page 175

The technique that Abbess Qingwei just used was the Golden Summit Cotton Palm from the Emei School of martial arts. This palm technique is characterized by its speed and is somewhat similar to the Wudang Cotton Palm, but they are different in spirit.

Moreover, the internal energy that Abbess Qingwei just unleashed was very familiar to Chongxu; it was the authentic Emei Nine Yang Skill, a fact that anyone present who knew about the Emei Sect could recognize.

"Even if what you say is true, are you still going to commit such a heinous act against my junior brother?"

Ding Mian could not hide the anger on his face, and while questioning, he was also secretly alarmed.

The internal energy that Abbess Qingwei just unleashed was stronger than his; she could have injured Fei Bin with a single blow. Even with a sudden attack, it would have been difficult for Ding Mian to do so, proving that her strength was above his.

"Humph."

Master Qingwei snorted coldly: "I already showed mercy just now. If I wanted to kill him, I wouldn't have used the Golden Summit Cotton Palm, but other Emei martial arts techniques."

Master Qingwei's move was so sudden that no one present could react. However, no one said anything. On the contrary, after Master Qingwei's move, Zhenshanzi and the others no longer doubted the authenticity of Master Qingwei and the others as Emei disciples.

Whether they are the authentic lineage of Emei is hard to say, but at least they are definitely descendants of Emei.

"It seems that you all no longer doubt the identities of this humble nun and the others."

Master Qingwei took in everyone's reactions and continued, "Sect Leader Yue has already formed an alliance with our Emei Sect, and we have long decided that our two sects will share life and death. The Emei Sect will never stand idly by and watch the Huashan Sect be bullied by others."

Although the contradictions exposed by the Five Mountains Sword Sects surprised Abbess Qingwei, there was no room for change of course at this moment. Since they had chosen the Huashan Sect, they had to support it to the end and prove it with practical actions. They could not be timid, cowardly, or two-faced fence-sitters.

Seeing the Emei Sect's unequivocal support for the Huashan Sect, Zuo Lengchan's reaction was self-evident, while Fang Zheng's brows furrowed even more deeply.

Although he did not support the merger of factions and was happy to see the current situation becoming increasingly unfavorable to Zuo Lengchan, the situation of the Huashan and Emei factions was not what he wanted to see.

Things are gradually slipping out of Fang Zheng's control.

Fang Zheng decided that after returning this time, he would find out exactly what happened in Emei and its connection with the Huashan Sect.

It seems unlikely that a combined deployment will be possible this time.

Zuo Lengchan, who was sitting to the side watching this scene, frowned slightly.

Now, the leaders of the four Huashan sects have clearly refused, and the Emei sect is giving its full support to the Huashan sect. Although the Kunlun sect has not expressed its opinion, Zhenshanzi's words just now have already subtly indicated its attitude. Although Shaolin and Wudang are silent, Zuo Lengchan can tell with his toes that Fangzheng and Chongxu definitely do not want the Five Mountains Alliance to be merged.

The Beggars' Sect leader, Jie Feng, was subconsciously ignored by Zuo Lengchan; this man was practically invisible, with Fang Zheng as his leader.

The situation had reached a stalemate, and Zuo Lengchan also felt it was a difficult situation. He took a deep breath and was about to speak when Master Dingyi spoke up again.

Master Dingyi remained calm, but what she said shocked everyone.

"In any case, the Hengshan Sect will never agree to the merger. If Senior Brother Zuo insists on doing so, then the Hengshan Sect will withdraw from the Five Mountains Alliance."

When Abbess Dingyi said this, not only were Fangzheng, Chongxu, Zuo Lengchan and others surprised, but even Yue Buqun and Master Mo subconsciously looked at Abbess Dingyi, and Tianmen Daoist was even more astonished.

Although he had a fiery temper, he never thought of leaving the Five Mountains Alliance, which really surprised Master Dingyi.

Master Dingjing, who had remained silent, glanced at Dingyi with surprise, but said nothing, expressing her support through silence.

"Master, you mustn't!"

The previously short-tempered Taoist Tianmen, who seemed ready to withdraw from the Five Mountains Alliance at any moment, instead began to persuade Abbess Dingyi.

"Our Five Sacred Mountains Alliance has lasted for a hundred years, and our feelings for each other are extraordinary. How can we just back down because of this?"

"Senior Brother Tianmen, there's no need to say anything more."

Master Dingyi remained calm: "The Five Mountains Alliance was formed to resist the Demonic Sect. Now, before the Demonic Sect can destroy us, the Hengshan Sect is about to be annexed by our allies. What's the point of this alliance? We might as well withdraw now. We'll accept whatever fate awaits us, whether the Hengshan Sect lives or dies."

Although Abbess Dingyi was a woman, her fierceness was no less than that of a man. If Zuo Lengchan really insisted on merging the factions, she would rather fight to the death.

"Why must you say such hurtful things, nun!"

Zuo Lengchan could no longer sit still, and his expression darkened.

"I, Zuo, have never thought of severing the lineage of the various sects, nor have I thought of annexing them. Merging sects does not mean that everyone should be merged into the Songshan Sect. In that case, the Songshan Sect would also cease to exist. The five sects will be merged into one sect without distinction between you and me. This way, we can help each other better. I, Zuo, have no selfish motives whatsoever."

"Besides, I, Zuo, am not insisting on forcibly merging. I just want to discuss this with you brothers. There is a saying that even if the blood between brothers is broken, the tendons are still connected. How can we give up just because of a disagreement? Ordinary families inevitably have conflicts and quarrels. We can just sit down and talk it over. Why do we have to make it to this extent? Isn't this just making our loved ones suffer and our enemies rejoice?"

Zuo Lengchan was truly panicked. He hadn't expected Abbess Dingyi to be so resolute, and he stopped pressuring her and sending others.

"Since everyone disagrees and has their own differences, let's put this matter aside for now and discuss it again later depending on the situation. Our Five Mountains Sword Sect will remain the same as before. We've worked together for a hundred years and we've come this far together. How can we just back down like that?"

Seeing Zuo Lengchan back down, Abbess Dingyi didn't say anything more, but her expression still made Zuo Lengchan feel uneasy.

Zuo Lengchan stood up with a wry smile on his face: "This matter was not well thought out by me. Brother Yue, Abbess, Daoist Brother Mo, please don't blame me."

After speaking to everyone, he turned to Yue Buqun and said, "Brother Yue, I originally came here specifically to aid the Huashan Sect, but I was a step too late. Fortunately, the Huashan Sect is safe and sound, otherwise I would have been guilty."

As he spoke, Zuo Lengchan bowed to Yue Buqun.

"There's no need for the alliance leader to do that."

Seeing this, Yue Buqun also stood up and helped Zuo Lengchan up, saying, "Helping is helping, how can it be late? It is already a great favor that Alliance Leader Zuo was able to travel thousands of miles to help the Huashan Sect. How could I be the kind of person who doesn't know what's good for him?"

"Now that the crisis of my Huashan Sect has been resolved, I have sent my disciples to Xi'an Prefecture to purchase food and wine to entertain you all. Leader Zuo and everyone else have stayed for a few days to rest, so I can fulfill my duty as a host."

Zuo Lengchan shook his head with a wry smile, seemingly somewhat ashamed: "I arrived late this time and was unable to help at all. I even made the brothers impatient. How can I have the face to stay? Zuo and the Songshan Sect will take our leave now."

Seeing this, Yue Buqun tried to persuade Zuo Lengchan to stay, but Zuo Lengchan was determined to leave. He had his junior brothers help the injured Fei Bin leave the main hall and prepare to go down the mountain. Yue Buqun had no choice but to go out and see him off, leaving everyone else in the hall.

Fang Zheng and Chong Xu exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of a smile in their old friend's eyes.

Chapter 247: The Advancing Heavenly Gate Taoist

This situation is beyond their expectations.

Fang Zheng originally thought that the four Huashan sects would have a hard time resisting the powerful Songshan sect and that they would need to speak up. However, he did not expect the four sects to be so supportive, especially Tianmen Daoren, who even lashed out at his own uncles.

"Tianmen, you!"

Yu Panzi and Yu Jizi, who were still in the main hall, pointed at the Heavenly Gate, their fingers trembling. In the end, they said nothing, gave a cold snort, and then turned to leave with the Songshan Sect.

Tianmen Daoist watched them coldly, his eyes revealing no one's thoughts. After a while, he suddenly stood up, strode out of the main hall, and headed straight for Zuo Lengchan and the others.

What's wrong with Tianmen Daoist?

Seeing his appearance, Ning Zhongze, Master Dingyi, and the others looked surprised, but they also got up and went out to see what Tianmen Daoist was going to do. Fang Zheng, Chongxu, and the others also got up and followed.

Seeing this, Jiang Ning also stood up. Originally, he was not required to be present at this meeting. In fact, he did not have a role to play in the previous discussion, so Jiang Ning was content to be a bystander.

Zuo Lengchan's defeat was within Jiang Ning's expectations. Ren Yingying's forces besieging Huashan might have been Zuo Lengchan's opportunity, but the opportunity had already passed. Zuo Lengchan's late arrival was no longer appropriate to discuss the matter further. However, Fei Bin's words tore open that thin piece of paper, leaving Zuo Lengchan in an awkward position and causing the situation to escalate to this point.

Zuo Lengchan was probably furious at this moment.

Sometimes, the damage caused by a bad teammate can be several times that of an enemy.

"Young Master Jiang is already eighteen this year, isn't he?"

On the way, Fang Zheng, perhaps due to his slow legs, lagged behind the others by a step and walked alongside Jiang Ning.

Hearing Fang Zheng's question, Jiang Ning was surprised, but still nodded and said, "That's right."

"hehe."

Fang Zheng smiled kindly and praised, "Young hero, you are truly a prodigy."

Fang Zheng's kind and benevolent demeanor was like that of an elder praising a younger person.

Although he didn't know what Fang Zheng and his junior disciple had to talk about, Jiang Ning still smiled.

"You are unworthy of the title 'young hero,' Abbot Fangshi is too kind."

"Young Master Jiang, why be modest? You should eliminate Tian Boguang and hunt down the demoness of the Demonic Sect."

Fang Zheng: "With Young Hero Jiang's heroic bearing, he is unparalleled in the Five Sacred Mountains. I imagine that Sect Leader Yue also has high hopes for Young Hero Jiang."

Fang Zheng spoke in a relaxed tone, as if they were just having a casual chat.

Jiang Ning smiled and said, "I am of low talent and I would be content if I could just avoid disappointing my master."

Fang Zheng chuckled and said, "Young Master Jiang is too modest. If I had a disciple like you, I would have no regrets in this life. What a pity..."

Fang Zheng shook his head as he spoke: "None of my disciples are as promising as you, young hero. Even if only one of them were half as good as you, I would not be without a successor."

Jiang Ning's expression remained unchanged; he simply maintained a smile and did not respond.

Fang Zheng seemed to only express his feelings briefly, and did not mention anything else afterward.

"Tianmen, what are you doing here?"

Yu Panzi and his companions, who were walking ahead, were preparing to descend the mountain with the Songshan Sect when they saw Tianmen Daoist following them. Their eyes showed confusion, and Yu Jizi asked him directly.

"Humph!"

Tianmen Daoist merely glanced at them coldly, snorted, and then walked past them, quickening his pace to continue forward.

"you!"

Yu Panzi and the others looked at Tianmen Daoist's back with some anger. He was their junior disciple, and their disregard for them made them feel offended.

"wrong."

Yu Jizi's expression suddenly changed.

"Tianmen is moving so fast, that's the direction of Alliance Leader Zuo, what is he going to do?"

"That kid's causing trouble again!"

Yu Panzi and Yu Yinzi also sensed something was wrong and quickly gave chase.

"Leader Zuo has only arrived today and is already leaving the mountain. Why the rush? If others find out, they will think that Mount Hua has neglected its allies."

Yue Buqun and Zuo Lengchan walked side by side, their tone very sincere.

"Since the Huashan Sect has resolved this matter, and the Songshan Sect still has matters to attend to when I return, I will not linger any longer."

Zuo Lengchan smiled and said.

"If Leader Zuo has time in the future, please come to Mount Hua again. I, Yue, will welcome you with open arms."

Yue Buqun laughed.

"sure."

Zuo Lengchan gave a perfunctory reply, and by the time they reached the foot of the South Peak, the disciples of the Songshan Sect had already gathered at Lu Bai's summons.

At this moment, the hundreds of disciples from Mount Song were completely dumbfounded. They had just sat down, and after so many days of sleeping outdoors, they hadn't been able to eat or sleep well. They were just looking forward to a good rest for a day, and now they were in such a hurry to leave.

"Brother Yue, please wait."

After escorting him to the foot of South Peak, Zuo Lengchan turned around, cupped his hands in farewell, and said, "Farewell, Songshan Sect!"

Yue Buqun returned the greeting, saying, "Leader Zuo and all brothers, please take care."

Zuo Lengchan looked alright, Ding Mian and Lu Bai could only manage a forced smile, while Han Tianpeng, Fei Bin and the others had rather unpleasant and cold expressions.

Zuo Lengchan was too lazy to care about these things anymore, and then he was about to lead the Songshan Sect members down the mountain, but was stopped by a voice behind him.

"Left Alliance Leader, please wait."

Tianmen Daoist strode after Zuo Lengchan, shouting as he did so.

Zuo Lengchan, who was about to descend the mountain, frowned when he saw Tianmen Daoist.

"Is there anything else, fellow Daoist?"

Tianmen Daoist stopped in front of Zuo Lengchan and looked directly at him: "Alliance Leader Zuo, you have been the Alliance Leader for many years. In my opinion, it is time for the Five Mountains Sword Sect to start the next Alliance Leader Competition."

Tianmen Daoist's voice was extremely loud, and everyone present could hear it clearly. As soon as he spoke, it was like a huge rock crashing into everyone's hearts, and the entire place fell silent.

Zuo Lengchan's expression froze for a moment, then visibly turned cold.

"Tianmen, what are you doing!"

Yu Panzi and the others who were chasing Tianmen Daoist also heard these words and immediately shouted in shock and anger.

"Are you crazy?"

"Do you know what you're talking about?"

Yu Panzi and the others arrived and immediately began to berate Tianmen Daoist.

"Leader Zuo has served as the leader of the Five Mountains Alliance for many years. His abilities are evident to all. It is because of Leader Zuo's years of management that our Five Mountains Sword Sect has flourished and left a great reputation in the martial arts world. Now that you are bringing this up, are you questioning Leader Zuo's abilities? Are you dissatisfied with Leader Zuo?"

Faced with his uncle's constant accusations, Tianmen Daoist merely glanced at them with disdain before looking at Zuo Lengchan.

"Leader Zuo, I have no other intention than to question your abilities. It's just that the leader of our Five Mountains Alliance is elected every five years, but for many years the position has been held by the Songshan Sect, and the other four sects have remained silent."

"Everyone has witnessed the abilities of the Left Alliance Leader, but the Five Mountains Alliance Leader is jointly elected by our Five Mountains Sword Sects, not exclusive to any one sect or faction."

"Moreover, I am worried that some people, if they sit in one position for too long, will lose their original aspirations."