Chapter 41: The News

Yue Buqun walked over, flanked by his disciples. Along the way, people greeted him continuously; true to his long-standing persona of the "Gentleman Sword," the number of individuals he had helped over the years was likely beyond his own recollection.

However, there was one person glaring at him with naked hostility—Yu Canghai of the Mount Qingcheng Sect. His most cherished son had been humiliated by the disciples of Mount Hua, and now, whenever he was told to practice swordsmanship, the boy would burst into tears. In particular, whenever he practiced the *Evil-Warding Sword Manual*, he would cry while vomiting.

Furthermore, his four most valued disciples had gone to make trouble for the Mount Hua disciples, only to be beaten into the likeness of swollen pigs by unknown assailants, and they were still bedridden. But none of that mattered; what truly mattered was that the *Evil-Warding Sword Manual*, which he had yearned for with all his heart for the better part of his life, had ultimately fallen into the hands of Mount Hua.

Seeing the Mount Hua contingent enter the main hall, Yu Canghai let out a cold snort. "I was wondering who it could be. Turns out it's Master Yue of the Mount Hua Sect. Master Yue sure has a high status, arriving dead last."

Yue Buqun cupped his fists and said with a warm smile, "I truly apologize. The guesthouse where we Mount Hua folks are staying is rather far away, so we arrived a step late."

Wang Jingyuan stepped forward and declared, "None of your damn business!"

Yu Canghai's eyebrows shot up in anger as he glared at Wang Jingyuan. "Such a sharp-tongued brat! Sect Leader Yue, is this how you discipline your people?!"

Yue Buqun lowered his posture even further, apologizing to Yu Canghai, "Jingyuan is a newly accepted disciple of mine. His family rendered a kindness to our Mount Hua Sect that was as great as creating us anew. If there is any way in which he has offended Sect Leader Yu, I beg Sect Leader Yu to be magnanimous and overlook it.

If Sect Leader Yu still feels the fire of wrath burning uncontrollably within, whether you wish to beat me or curse me, just direct it at this Yue. I shall bear it all."

Yu Canghai said with bitter resentment, "Is this how your Mount Hua Sect conducts itself?!"

Yue Buqun lowered his gaze without a word, simply cupping his fists repeatedly.

Wang Jingyuan stepped forward once more and said arrogantly, "That is simply how we do things."

Seeing the atmosphere grow increasingly tense, the Mount Hua disciples unconsciously closed in. Standing among the disciples, Lin Pingzhi's eyes lit up. Could this be the exact scenario Senior Brother Wang had mentioned earlier? All my days of practice were for this very moment!

Moving with swift dexterity, Lin Pingzhi leaped out right in front of Yu Canghai. Standing sideways with a resolute expression, he stared fixedly at the man, leaving Yu Canghai somewhat startled and uncertain. He had already recognized this person as Lin Pingzhi, but having no idea what the young man intended to do, he could only maintain his guard inwardly.

Recalling the "jianghu jargon" taught to him by Wang Jingyuan, Lin Pingzhi puffed out his chest, stood ramrod straight, and began to stamp his feet forcefully. "The so-called Mount Hua Spirit is unity—"

He froze.

Not only was Yu Canghai dumbfounded, but everyone from Mount Hua and the martial artists standing around were completely stunned. All of them looked over with expressions of utter bewilderment, watching Lin Pingzhi's strenuous performance.

Lin Pingzhi was no fool; halfway through his routine, he noticed everyone staring at him and saw that his Mount Hua senior brothers were not joining in at all. Most importantly, he caught sight of Senior Brother Wang standing in the crowd with a deeply mischievous grin, and he instantly realized he had been played.

He immediately stopped and sheepishly retreated back into the ranks of the disciples. Yue Lingshan cast a sympathetic glance at his way, leaned closer, and whispered, "I told you before not to get too close to Junior Brother Wang."

This time, even though Yue Lingshan stood so near to Lin Pingzhi and whispered in his ear, the other disciples felt no surge of righteous indignation. Instead, they simply crowded around and patted Lin Pingzhi's shoulder. "Don't take it to heart. We understand you. Junior Brother Wang is... well, he's just not quite right."

Interrupted by Lin Pingzhi's antics, Yu Canghai entirely forgot what he had intended to say next. Seeing that Yue Buqun maintained his submissive posture of accepting any punishment or blame, there was truly nothing he could do. Yue Buqun could afford to speak so deferentially, but Yu Canghai certainly could not afford to strike the first blow. Setting aside Yue Buqun's reputation, what if he actually attacked and Yue Buqun decided to fight back?

Knowing full well that his own popularity in the martial world was poor and completely incomparable to Yue Buqun's, he suspected that the martial artists present would genuinely stand by and watch him get beaten into a swollen pig by Yue Buqun.

With a cold huff, Yu Canghai turned on his heel and left.

Standing among the Mount Hua group, Qu Feiyan caught sight of Liu Zhengyang and, in her joy, prepared to call out "Grandpa Liu." However, Wang Jingyuan clamped a hand tightly over her mouth, leaving her to sputter incoherently without a sound.

Wang Jingyuan glanced down at her and muttered in a low voice, "You're just a little orphan I randomly picked up off the street. How on earth do you know Third Master Liu of the Mountshan Sect?"

Upon hearing this, Qu Feiyan realized that the situation was different from ordinary times; her identity could not yet be brought to light, and she must not give herself away. Liu Zhengyang had also spotted Qu Feiyan, and an expression of paternal affection instantly bloomed on his face. However, the expression vanished in a flash, quickly replaced by a polite, formal smile as he strode forward to greet Yue Buqun.

"Brother Yue, what a rare honor! Forgive me for not coming out to welcome you."

Yue Buqun cupped his fists in return. As Liu Zhengyang drew closer, he glanced at Wang Jingyuan and asked Yue Buqun, "Is this the fine new disciple Brother Yue has recently taken under his wing?"

Knowing full well the kinds of antics Wang Jingyuan had been up to, Yue Buqun offered an awkward, strained smile and forced himself to introduce him. "This is my newly accepted disciple, Wang Jingyuan. Jingyuan, this is Senior Uncle Liu of the Mountshan Sect."

Wang Jingyuan felt not a shred of psychological burden as he respectfully cupped his fists. "Greetings, Senior Uncle Liu."

"Good, good, good! Truly a hero emerges from the youth! Courageous and resourceful indeed! Clack! Clack!" As Liu Zhengyang looked at Wang Jingyuan, he offered repeated praise. Yet, as he spoke, his teeth began to grind together uncontrollably.

Upon seeing this, Master Dingyi shook her head, retrieved a small porcelain bottle from her sleeve, and walked over. "Has Senior Brother Liu's injury flared up again? I brought some White Cloud Bear Gall Pills with me; Senior Brother Liu should take one first."

Liu Zhengyang reined in his emotions slightly, waved his hand, and said, "It is nothing, nothing at all. Just bear with it for a moment."

With that, he ceased looking at Wang Jingyuan and instead engaged Yue Buqun in conversation. As the Gold-Washing Basin Ceremony had not yet commenced, most of the martial artists were mingling and exchanging pleasantries within the Liu residence, resembling a large-scale social gathering.

Seeing this, Wang Jingyuan decided to wander around freely. Unfortunately, this was not a proper cold-buffet reception; aside from fruit platters, there was nothing substantial to eat.

As Wang Jingyuan roamed aimlessly through the Liu residence, he suddenly caught sight of a white figure. Looking up, he saw Commander Chen admiring the flowers in the back courtyard. His eyes lit up at the sight, and he walked over.

"Yo, brave investigator, you've come too?"

Hearing that familiar voice, Commander Chen rubbed the bridge of his nose and turned around. "I am a Commander of the Brocade Guard. You would do well to show a little respect."

"Sigh, you're still carrying yourself like this even off the clock? Aren't you tired?" Wang Jingyuan strolled over. Noticing that the woody plant in a nearby decorative pot had a branch that was remarkably long and straight, he casually snapped it off.

The flower Commander Chen had been admiring moments before fell to the ground due to Wang Jingyuan's rough action. Commander Chen's eyebrow twitched. "Why on earth did you break that?"

"Even though I already have a sword now, what man can possibly resist a long, straight tree branch?"

The first time Commander Chen had encountered this fellow, he had harbored suspicions about the man's mental stability, so he now simply could not be bothered to argue with him.

Wang Jingyuan crept up to Commander Chen with a furtive air. "Those two methods of water torture and solitary confinement I told you about before—have you tried them out? Were they satisfying?"

Putting aside the man's eccentricities, those methods of his truly were effective. Commander Chen maintained his steady demeanor and said, "They are indeed useful. Since you brought it up yourself, speak. What reward do you want?"

"As everyone knows, your Brocade Guard has the most well-informed intelligence network. I want to ask you about something."

"What is it?"

"Is the predecessor of the Sun Moon Divine Cult actually the Manichean Cult?"

"Huh?!" Is this the sort of thing one is even allowed to ask?!