The Prodigal Disciple of Mount Hua: Seizing All Opportunities

Meanwhile, in an exquisite courtyard on the west side of the Liu residence.

The Diancang Sect's headquarters was brightly lit.

"Young Master, it's late, you should rest early."

An elderly man in a gray robe pushed open the door and entered.

This person was none other than Yun Chuan, an elder of the Diancang Sect.

Yun Shaohua sat at his desk, tapping his fingers lightly.

He seemed to be thinking about something.

He had a handsome face, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes; he was indeed a good-looking man.

"Uncle Yun," Yun Shaohua said with a hint of smugness, "what did you think of Yue Buqun's attitude in the main hall today?"

"That Sect Leader Yue is extremely shrewd. Although he didn't say it explicitly, I can tell that he's quite interested in this marriage." Yun Chuan smiled. "Right now, the Huashan Sect is weak and outnumbered, being overwhelmed by the Songshan Sect. The young master's willingness to propose marriage to Yue Lingshan is a huge favor to him, and also an opportunity. Unless he's a fool, he won't refuse."

"That's good."

Yun Shaohua pictured Yue Lingshan's charming appearance in his mind: "I do like Yue Lingshan. And if I marry her, I'll be the son-in-law of the Huashan Sect, and in the future..."

"Young Master, please be careful with your words."

Yun Chuan interrupted him: "Women are just an extra. Everything is for the important matters of the sect, young master, please don't forget."

"I can't forget it."

Yun Shaohua's expression turned serious.

"Who would have thought that these Five Mountains Sword Sects, seemingly united, are actually rotten to the core?" Yun Shaohua sneered. "Yue Buqun wants to win over our Diancang Sect to fight against Zuo Lengchan? It's utterly ridiculous. If he knew that our Diancang Sect has formed an alliance with Zuo Lengchan of Songshan, I wonder what his expression would be?"

"This is the world of martial arts," Yun Chuan said calmly. "Compared to the other four mountains, the Left Alliance Leader is a man of great talent and ambition, and the unification of the five mountains is a foregone conclusion. If our Diancang Sect wants to take another step forward beyond Tiannan, this is the best opportunity."

"What about Yue Lingshan..."

"Of course, we have to make a show of it," Yun Chuan laughed. "Not only will we marry him, but we'll do it in a grand and ostentatious way! Only in this way can we completely lower Yue Buqun's guard and make him think he's found an ally. Then, at the crucial moment, we can turn against him..."

He made a gesture.

"At that time, won't the Huashan Sect's foundation, and that Yue Lingshan, both be yours, young master?"

"Hahaha! Uncle Yun's insight is brilliant!"

Yun Shaohua burst into laughter, the sound of which was somewhat jarring.

"But..." Yun Chuan changed the subject, "I heard today that there is a disciple of the Huashan Sect named Chen Qianyang who has caused quite a stir in Fuzhou. I heard that his swordsmanship is no less than Yue Buqun's. His whereabouts are a mystery, and he may be a variable."

"Chen Qianyang?"

Yun Shaohua scoffed, "Just a greenhorn who killed Yu Canghai by luck. Besides, I heard he's offended both the legitimate and illegitimate worlds and is being hunted down by the entire martial arts world. It's questionable whether he can even make it to Hengyang alive."

He drew his longsword, its blade reflecting a cold light in the lamplight.

"So what if he comes? My longsword fears no one!"

……

That night, undercurrents surged within the city of Hengyang.

Everyone is calculating, everyone is waiting.

We await the impending storm that will shatter this superficial calm.

The boy who was once remembered is now sitting comfortably in a tavern, his body aged and frail.

He had previously exhausted himself trying to pursue Tian Boguang.

He took the wine gourd from his waist, tilted his head back, and took a swig.

The spicy liquor went down my throat and turned into a raging fire.

But he was listening to the conversation of the other drinkers.

"The Sword of Tiannan?"

"The young master of Diancang?"

Chen Qianyang, dressed as an old Taoist priest, smacked his lips, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth.

"The name sounds impressive, but I don't know..."

"How capable are you?"

The rain still hadn't stopped the next day.

Inside the room, Yue Lingshan stared blankly out the window at the banana tree, which had been battered and broken by the rain.

Her mood worsened after her mother left yesterday.

Father's scheming, mother's helplessness, and that junior brother whose whereabouts are unknown.

And the oppressive atmosphere of impending storm in Hengyang City made it hard for her to breathe.

"Hey! Senior sister, what are you daydreaming about?"

A head suddenly popped out from under the window, its eyes blinking rapidly, its face displaying that unique cleverness.

It was Yang Guo, who had recently joined the Huashan Sect.

Yue Lingshan was startled and glared at him irritably: "Go away, little Yang Guo, don't bother me."

"Your words, Senior Sister, are quite hurtful." Yang Guo landed lightly inside the house with a somersault. "I risked being scolded by Master just to come find you."

"Have you heard anything from your senior brother Chen?"

"No, but Senior Sister, you really don't trust Brother Chen enough."

Why do you say that?

"Who do you think Brother Chen is? Even if someone were to cause him trouble, the one who should be worried is the one causing trouble," Yang Guo chuckled. "Perhaps Brother Chen has already infiltrated Hengyang City, waiting for his chance to strike?"

Yue Lingshan's eyes lit up: "Little Yang Guo, is what you're saying possible? He really won't be in any danger, will he?"

"Alright, stop looking so gloomy." Yang Guo tugged at Yue Lingshan's sleeve. "Come on, come on, I'll take you to see a big show! The front hall is bustling right now. That nun Dingyi is banging on the table and cursing, saying that our senior brother has run off with someone's little nun!"

"What?!" Yue Lingshan exclaimed in shock, "Senior Brother abducted a little nun? How is that possible?!"

"Really? Let's go see for ourselves!" Yang Guo said without further ado, grabbing Yue Lingshan and running outside. "If we're late, we'll miss out!"

……

Inside the main hall of the Liu residence.

The masters of the Five Mountains Sword Sect sat on both sides, with Liu Zhengfeng, the host of the place, in the main seat, but he looked embarrassed at the moment.

The first person seated on the left is Tianmen Daoist, the leader of the Taishan Sect, with a solemn expression.

The most eye-catching figure was an elderly nun standing in the center of the hall.

Master Dingyi of the Hengshan School.

The hot-tempered nun's face turned ashen.

She pointed to Yue Buqun, who was sitting on the right with a "gentlemanly" expression:

"Yue Buqun! What a fine disciple you've trained! Tell me, how should this debt be settled!"

Yue Buqun waved his folding fan, his brows slightly furrowed, but his face remained calm and composed: "Master Dingyi, please calm down. Although Chong'er is unruly, he has never been ambiguous on matters of principle. There must be some misunderstanding regarding his abduction of your sect's young master Yilin."

"Misunderstand?!"

Master Dingyi, enraged, slammed her hand on the tea table. "Someone saw it with their own eyes! At Huiyan Tower, your good disciple Linghu Chong was sitting at the same table drinking with that lecherous scoundrel Tian Boguang! They were clinking glasses and having a great time! And my poor disciple Yilin was sitting right next to them, trembling with fear!"

"A top disciple of a prestigious sect is befriending a lecherous rogue whom everyone in the martial world wants to kill! Sect Leader Yue, is this the 'gentlemanly conduct' of your Huashan Sect?"

These words caused an uproar in the room.

Yue Buqun's expression finally changed.

He could tolerate others saying that his followers were not strict, but he could never tolerate others questioning the reputation of the Huashan Sect, especially at this crucial moment when all five sacred mountains were gathered together.

"Master, please be careful with your words." Yue Buqun closed his folding fan, his voice slightly cold. "Chong'er may act rashly, but he would never collude with lecherous scoundrels. I, Yue, will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly and give the Hengshan Sect an explanation."

"Confess? I demand an explanation right now!" Abbess Dingyi pressed closer, "If you don't hand over Linghu Chong today, the Hengshan Sect will never let you off the hook!"

"Master!"

Ning Zhongze, who had been sitting next to Yue Buqun, couldn't hold back any longer. She suddenly stood up, her eyebrows furrowed, "I've watched Chong'er grow up since he was a child, and I know his character best! If he's really at Huiyan Tower, it must be to save my junior sister Yilin, not to collude with Tian Boguang! Master, you've gone too far by throwing mud at him without even knowing the facts!"

"Too much? My disciple is still missing, her fate unknown! I am her master, Lady Ning, how can you expect me not to be angry?"

The two women were locked in a fierce confrontation, and the tension in the hall instantly reached its peak.

.......