The Prodigal Disciple of Mount Hua: Seizing All Opportunities

The Liu family residence in Hengyang.

When Chen Qianyang stepped into the main hall, Yue Buqun was exchanging pleasantries with Tianmen Daoist and Dingyi Shitai.

Upon seeing Chen Qianyang return, Yue Buqun's face immediately lit up with a warm smile.

"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."

Yue Buqun stepped forward and supported Chen Qianyang, who was about to bow, with both hands, his eyes full of affection: "I have heard about the trials and tribulations you have encountered along the way, as well as the great things you did in Baoqing Prefecture. Although it was somewhat reckless, it did demonstrate the prestige of our Huashan Sect. However, your feud with the Qingcheng Sect is troublesome..."

The Taoist Tianmen beside him stroked his beard and nodded: "Brother Yue is very fortunate. To have such skills at such a young age, and to dare to single-handedly take on the Qingcheng villains, shows that Mount Hua has a worthy successor."

Although Abbess Dingyi had some reservations about Chen Qianyang's previous behavior, she only snorted at this moment: "As long as he keeps a chivalrous heart, he is a good prospect."

Chen Qianyang bowed his head in a show of humility, but his heart was filled with coldness.

The smile lines at the corners of Yue Buqun's eyes concealed a subtle, almost imperceptible, inquisitive look.

This "Gentleman Sword" clearly didn't show much enthusiasm for his suddenly appearing disciple.

After exchanging pleasantries, Ning Zhongze found an excuse to pull Chen Qianyang to the back hall corridor.

Having avoided the gaze of the crowd, the smile on the face of the female knight-errant Ning from Mount Hua faded.

"Qianyang, you've gone too far this time." Ning Zhongze sighed. "You've killed so many people from the Qingcheng Sect. Although Yu Canghai is dead, his fellow disciples will never let this go. Although Mount Hua isn't afraid of trouble, this cycle of revenge..."

"Don't worry, Master's wife, I know how to act appropriately."

"Measures?" Ning Zhongze smiled wryly. "Your master has become a bit impatient lately. The pressure of the Five Mountains Alliance is too great; he desperately wants Mount Hua to return to its peak. The more you show off, the more complicated his mind will likely become. You need to be careful."

Chen Qianyang felt a warmth in his heart.

Although it wasn't explicitly stated, the implied meaning was quite clear.

On this Mount Hua, this master's wife truly treated him with sincerity.

"Go check on Ling Shan," Ning Zhongze said, pointing to the west wing of the backyard. "That girl has been put in solitary confinement by your master and is on a hunger strike."

"What's wrong, Senior Sister?"

"What else can you do? You'll find out when you go."

Chen Qianyang arrived outside the west wing.

Before they even got close, they saw a boy leaning against the stone lion at the entrance, looking bored, tossing a pebble in his hand.

It was Yang Guo.

Upon seeing Chen Qianyang, Yang Guo's eyes lit up, and he casually tossed a pebble aside: "Brother Chen, I knew you wouldn't die."

Chen Qianyang glanced at him: "What are you doing here?"

"Looking after Senior Sister for Master," Yang Guo shrugged, then lowered his voice, a sly glint in his eyes. "Hey, Brother Chen, I met an old Taoist priest the other day. His swordsmanship was just as good as yours, but he was incredibly efficient at killing. He's a bit like you, Brother Chen."

That kid has a really sharp intuition.

Chen Qianyang laughed and scolded, "Do you, Brother Chen, look like an old man?"

Yang Guo chuckled, not delving into the matter, and pointed to the tightly closed door: "Senior Sister is crying inside. Master has really gone all out this time, forcing her to meet the young master of the Diancang Sect."

"The Diancang School?"

"A marriage alliance, I suppose." Yang Guo curled his lip, his tone carrying a hint of disdain for Yue Buqun. "Master said that the Diancang Sect has a huge influence in the southwest, and if we could form a marriage alliance, it would greatly benefit Mount Hua. My senior sister absolutely refused, saying she would only marry you, and that's why she's locked up."

Chen Qianyang's heart sank.

Has Yue Buqun become so impatient?

In order to win over allies, even his own daughter is put on the chessboard.

He pushed the door open and entered.

The room was dimly lit, and Yue Lingshan was slumped over the table, her shoulders trembling.

Hearing the noise, she suddenly looked up, revealing a pair of red and swollen eyes.

Upon seeing who it was, she paused for a moment, then let out a cheer and threw herself into Chen Qianyang's arms.

"Little Chen! You're not dead! Waaaaah..."

Chen Qianyang gently patted her back, feeling the girl's trembling body, and the hard part of his heart couldn't help but soften a little.

"Alright, how old are you? Stop crying."

After a tender moment, Yue Lingshan stopped sobbing and clutched his sleeve tightly, afraid that he would run away.

Chen Qianyang pulled her down to sit, carefully considering his words: "Actually... it's not a big deal that Master wants you to meet the young master of Diancang."

Yue Lingshan suddenly looked up, staring at him in disbelief.

Chen Qianyang said to himself, "We're just江湖儿女 (people of the martial world), it's just a meeting, not an immediate wedding. If we don't like the person, we can just refuse. After all, Master is the head of a sect, he has to consider the reputation of the Diancang Sect..."

"Chen Qianyang!"

Yue Lingshan flung his hand away, tears welling up again. "What do you take me for? You're the only one in my heart, yet you expect me to go through the motions with other men? Even if it's just for show, I find it disgusting!"

Chen Qianyang was taken aback.

Looking into the girl's resolute yet wounded eyes, he suddenly realized something.

This is the strict, ancient world of martial arts, not the modern one.

Here, a woman's reputation and feelings are not to be compromised in the slightest.

In her view, her own "reason" and "tolerance" were nothing but indifference and rejection.

"I was wrong."

Chen Qianyang immediately stood up, took her hand again, and said sincerely, "I was afraid you would suffer if things got too tense with your master. Since you're unwilling, then we won't see you. We won't see you even if the Heavenly King himself comes."

He then told a few anecdotes from later generations, cracking jokes and finally making Yue Lingshan laugh through her tears.

"By the way, how's Senior Brother doing?" Chen Qianyang changed the subject.

Mentioning Linghu Chong, Yue Lingshan's mood sombered: "Senior Brother is badly injured... That little nun Yilin from the Hengshan Sect stays by his bedside every day, and we can't get rid of her. I think that little nun has fallen in love with worldly things."

"Take me to see it."

"But Father won't let me go out..."

"I'll take you out. If Master blames me, it's on me." Chen Qianyang took her hand and pushed the door open to leave.

Yang Guo, standing outside the door, whistled, pretending not to see anything, and looked up at the clouds in the sky.

……

The guest rooms in the east wing smelled strongly of medicine.

Linghu Chong leaned against the headboard, his face as pale as paper.

Beside the bed, Yilin was carefully changing the towel on his forehead, her little face full of guilt.

"Junior Sister Yilin, there's really no need to trouble yourself." Linghu Chong awkwardly dodged her, "It's just a superficial injury, it'll heal in a couple of days."

"Senior Brother Linghu was injured while saving me," Yilin said in a soft, almost inaudible voice, but her movements were resolute. "Master taught us to be grateful and repay kindness."

The door was pushed open.

Upon seeing Chen Qianyang enter, Linghu Chong's dull eyes instantly brightened.

"Junior brother! I knew you were lucky!" He struggled to get up, but the movement aggravated his wounds, causing him to wince in pain.

Chen Qianyang held him down, sat on the edge of the bed, and reached out to feel his pulse.

Internal energy is disordered, and the meridians are congested.

This is due to old injuries not yet healed and new wounds added, coupled with long-term alcohol abuse, which has severely depleted the body's foundation.

Without a fortuitous encounter, this carefree and unrestrained senior disciple would probably have become a cripple.

"Why do you look like this?" Chen Qianyang withdrew his hand and frowned.

Linghu Chong laughed heartily, tossing the empty wine jug onto the bedside table: "Hey, when you're out in the martial world, you're bound to get hurt. It's better this way; at least my master won't always scold me for not doing my proper job. From now on, I'll find a sunny slope on Mount Hua, drink and bask in the sun every day—wouldn't that be wonderful?"

That's well said.

But Chen Qianyang clearly saw the fleeting loneliness and resentment deep in his eyes.

For a swordsman, losing the ability to wield a sword is worse than death.

Especially someone like Linghu Chong, a natural-born swordsman.

Chen Qianyang's heart stirred slightly.

He stole his Dugu Nine Swords, his junior sister, and even, to some extent, his life trajectory.

Looking at him now, it's all just...

That's it.

"Lingshan, take Junior Sister Yilin outside and keep watch. I have something to say to Senior Brother."

Yue Lingshan was a little confused, but seeing Chen Qianyang's serious expression, she obediently nodded and pulled Yilin, who kept turning back to look at her, out of the room.

Only two people remained inside.

Linghu Chong looked at Chen Qianyang, puzzled, and asked, "Junior brother, what's wrong? Why are you being so mysterious?"

Chen Qianyang didn't say anything, but got up and walked to the window. After confirming that no one was eavesdropping, he turned around and looked intently at Linghu Chong.

"Senior Brother, would you like to have your injuries healed?"

"Yes, I dream about it," Linghu Chong said with a wry smile. "But..."

"I have a way."

Chen Qianyang interrupted him, his voice deep and powerful, "I have a mantra called 'Yi Jin Duan Gu Pian' (易筋锻骨篇). It's specifically for treating internal injuries and reshaping the bones. Listen carefully, I'll only recite it once."

This is the holy book of healing in the "Nine Yin Manual".

Consider this a small interest payment on the "Nine Swords of Dugu" that originally belonged to you.