Chapter 17: Taking on Disciples on Behalf of the Master

Lin Zhennan understood: "The way to save us is for Master Yue to take Pingzhi as his disciple?"

Wang Jingyuan replied: "Exactly. This is the most straightforward approach. Once he is under the banner of the Mount Hua Sect, any future conflict with the Qingcheng Sect will no longer be a matter just between the Fuwei Escort Agency and them. Even if the Mount Hua Sect is no longer the head of the Five Mountain Sword Sects, a camel that dies is still larger than a horse. It is more than capable of bullying a mere Qingcheng Sect."

"This..." Lin Zhennan hesitated.

Wang Jingyuan clapped his hands: "Fine, I think I understand your concerns. Your son, Lin Pingzhi, how many years has he been practicing the Evil-Ward Sword Manual?"

Lin Zhennan answered truthfully: "He has been practicing diligently since he was five. It has been fourteen years now."

Wang Jingyuan glanced at Yue Lingshan: "Junior Sister, tell me, did I practice martial arts before I came to Mount Hua?"

Yue Lingshan thought back to how weak Wang Jingyuan had appeared when he first joined, and answered honestly: "Certainly not."

"And how long have I been practicing martial arts since joining Mount Hua?"

It hadn't been long, and Yue Lingshan quickly reached the answer: "Since joining Mount Hua, you practiced on the mountain for over half a month. Then the two of us came down the mountain, which took two months on the road. All in all, two and a half months."

Wang Jingyuan turned to Lin Zhennan: "My background is verifiable; the daughter of the Mount Hua Sect leader would not lie to you. Call Lin Pingzhi over, and I will spar with him."

Lin Zhennan pondered for a moment and quickly made his decision. He went to the front hall to call Lin Pingzhi and then took Wang Jingyuan to the Fuwei Escort Agency's training grounds.

Once in the arena, Wang Jingyuan drew his sword: "Lin Pingzhi, I want to challenge you to a duel."

Lin Pingzhi looked at his father, who nodded slightly. He then drew his own long sword: "Young Hero Wang, swords have no eyes; let us stop at a touch."

He assumed a starting stance, seemingly waiting for Wang Jingyuan to make the first move.

This was likely a naive boy, indulged by his ancestors' reputation and completely unaware of his own true level. Wang Jingyuan shook his head slightly and, without ceremony, executed a simple "Green Pine Welcomes the Guest" strike.

Lin Pingzhi felt that Wang Jingyuan's sword technique was skillful and the angle tricky, though the speed was somewhat slow, so he parried. But before the two swords could touch, Wang Jingyuan withdrew his blade, only to strike again with the same "Green Pine Welcomes the Guest."

This time, the speed was incredibly swift. Lin Pingzhi retreated in a hurry and parried again, but his stance was already becoming chaotic and rushed.

Before their blades could meet, Wang Jingyuan withdrew his sword once more, followed by another "Green Pine Welcomes the Guest."

By now, Lin Pingzhi dared not underestimate Wang Jingyuan. He utilized his family's movement techniques and sword skills, hoping to anticipate the parry and dodge. But unexpectedly, this time Wang Jingyuan only assumed the posture of the "Green Pine Welcomes the Guest" without actually thrusting.

It was only after Lin Pingzhi had committed to his move that Wang Jingyuan seized the timing. The strike was neither hurried nor slow; just like his daily practice, it was a routine yet precise "Green Pine Welcomes the Guest" that landed on Lin Pingzhi's shoulder.

"Kid, is the 'slow and fast' sword rhythm fun?"

[Mount Hua Sword Technique proficiency +1]

"Accepted," Wang Jingyuan said, sheathing his sword and cupping his hands casually. He looked at Lin Zhennan: "Joining the Mount Hua Sect is no loss."

Lin Pingzhi stood frozen. How could this be? His family's "Evil-Ward Sword Manual" had been undefeated across the Heishuo region, and he had never lost a spar in his life. How could he have been easily defeated by a single sword move?

Wang Jingyuan patted Lin Pingzhi on the shoulder: "That move is called 'Green Pine Welcomes the Guest,' the first move of the basic Mount Hua Sword Technique. Anyone who joins the sect can learn it."

Wang Jingyuan was not lying, but he didn't mention that his current mastery of Mount Hua's sword techniques was far beyond that of a beginner. Those three strikes, while appearing simple, were only possible because of his ability to exert control as his heart dictated.

Lin Pingzhi turned abruptly to look at his father. Though he said nothing, the anxious yearning in his eyes was plain to see.

A veteran of the pugilistic world like Lin Zhennan certainly had more resolve than his son. He immediately stepped forward and grasped Wang Jingyuan's hand: "It is my son Pingzhi's greatest fortune to be able to join the Mount Hua Sect."

With his father's approval, Lin Pingzhi became even more eager, quickly cupping his hands toward Wang Jingyuan and Yue Lingshan: "Lin Pingzhi greets Senior Brother and Senior Sister!"

Wang Jingyuan nodded, accepting the title. As for Yue Lingshan, as long as someone was willing to call her Senior Sister, she didn't care who it was. Besides, this Lin Pingzhi looked honest and was much cuter than a certain disrespectful junior brother.

Wang Jingyuan asked: "Have you considered it?"

Lin Pingzhi nodded firmly: "Certainly!"

Wang Jingyuan turned to Yue Lingshan: "Which way is the northwest?"

Yue Lingshan identified the direction and pointed. Wang Jingyuan immediately shouted at Lin Pingzhi: "Kneel toward that direction!"

Lin Pingzhi was startled but knelt toward the northwest. Wang Jingyuan placed his sword against Lin Pingzhi's neck: "Do you love gold, or do you love Mount Hua?"

Lin Pingzhi said uncertainly: "Love... Mount Hua?"

Wang Jingyuan applied slight pressure and pressed further: "Do you love gold, or do you love Mount Hua?!"

Lin Pingzhi realized the situation and immediately said with iron-clad resolve: "I love Mount Hua!"

"Junior Sister, recite the sect rules." Wang Jingyuan looked at Yue Lingshan, who, though confused, dutifully recited the rules.

Wang Jingyuan looked back at the kneeling Lin Pingzhi: "Did you hear clearly? Can you accept them? If you find it difficult, you can come back next time and think it over. No, wait, that was a slip of the tongue—there is only one chance, no next time."

Lin Pingzhi had learned his lesson and immediately said: "I can abide by them!"

Wang Jingyuan nodded, used his sword to snap the jade pendant hanging from Lin Pingzhi's waist, and then crushed the fragments with his blade. He said: "With loyalty and righteousness, comes wealth and glory; without them, meet the same fate as this jade. Kowtow."

Wang Jingyuan spoke casually, but Lin Pingzhi dared not be careless. He performed three kowtows and nine bows toward the northwest, feeling somewhat unsatisfied even after he finished.

In his mind, even a common martial arts school wouldn't accept a disciple so casually, let alone the Mount Hua Sect. Was that really all there was to it? He hadn't even felt the gravity of the moment yet.

Standing nearby, Lin Zhennan and his wife were also stunned. From beginning to end, they had never doubted that Wang Jingyuan and Yue Lingshan were Mount Hua disciples, as no one in the pugilistic world would be bold enough to impersonate them.

But now, he began to doubt the authenticity of Wang Jingyuan's status. Acting on behalf of a master to accept a disciple was one thing, but this was too much like child's play. No, he had to send someone to Mount Hua to verify this immediately!

"Junior Sister, you teach him the introductory sword technique and internal energy first."

"You got it!"

Actually, there was no need to be so urgent, but let it be.

Seeing the Mount Hua disciples preparing to teach, the Lins tactfully stepped away.

A moment later, Wang Jingyuan and Yue Lingshan were invited to the guest room to rest, while Lin Pingzhi was called to the study by his father. Once inside, Lin Zhennan dismissed the servants.

"Pingzhi, recite the internal energy chant you just learned."

Lin Pingzhi looked at his father in astonishment.

"Father, how can you be like this?!"