The Prodigal Disciple of Mount Hua: Seizing All Opportunities

Half an hour has passed since midnight.

Chen Qianyang sat by the window on the second floor of the inn, without turning on the lights.

The room was pitch black.

Laudenau came by earlier this morning and delivered a message.

It was said that his Uncle Fei from the Songshan Sect invited him over to reminisce.

Reminiscing?

A cold smile tugged at the corner of Chen Qianyang's mouth.

What old stories are there to recount?

But he still had to wait, after all, he wanted to see what he needed to do on Mount Song.

"Thump, thump".

There was a knock on the door twice.

"Enter."

The door was pushed open, and a person wearing a loose, apricot-yellow robe from the Songshan School entered.

Fei Bin, the master of the Songyang style.

Fei Bin closed the door behind him and, without any ceremony, went straight to the table and sat down.

"Junior Nephew Chen, I've kept you waiting." Fei Bin's voice was a little hoarse. "You're lucky, kid. I didn't expect you to end up in Hengyang after all."

"I'm not that easy to die. Uncle Fei's late-night visit couldn't really be just to catch up, could it?"

Fei Bin smiled, took out a letter from his pocket, and casually tossed it on the table.

"have a look."

"What is this?"

"Ironclad evidence that Liu Zhengfeng colluded with Qu Yang of the Demonic Sect in an attempt to rebel," Fei Bin said casually. "Among these are the letters between him and Qu Yang, as well as the contract from the Demonic Sect promising him benefits from the Hengshan Sect after the deed was accomplished."

Chen Qianyang's heart sank.

He knew perfectly well that these things were forgeries.

But why should I let myself know?

"Uncle Fei, you have quite the skill," Chen Qianyang said calmly. "The ink on this letter probably isn't even completely dry yet, is it?"

Fei Bin's face stiffened, then turned into a cold snort: "Junior Nephew Chen, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. You have to take responsibility for what you say."

He leaned forward, staring intently into Chen Qianyang's eyes.

"In the Huashan Sect, Alliance Leader Zuo thinks highly of you the most." Fei Bin changed the subject. "The cold poison in your body must be quite painful. As long as you can take the lead and set an example, Alliance Leader Zuo will help you detoxify, and you will become an honored guest of the Songshan Sect. In the future, we won't need your master for Huashan's affairs."

This is not only coercion, but also enticement.

Chen Qianyang remained silent, weighing his options.

Logically, he should have agreed, given his previous failed assassination attempt on Zuo Lengchan.

He had lost the initiative in the situation in Hengyang, so he might as well continue to feign compliance and look for another opportunity.

"What do you want me to do?"

Fei Bin nodded in satisfaction: "Excellent. Tomorrow is the 'Golden Basin Retirement Ceremony.' If that old scoundrel Liu Zhengfeng still tries to argue, or if some ignorant people try to stick their necks out... I hope the Huashan Sect can set a good example."

"Someone has to send Liu Zhengfeng's family on their way. Junior Nephew Chen's swordsmanship is superb. If he can personally kill the family members of that remnant of the demonic sect, he can not only restore the reputation of Mount Hua, but also let the Five Mountains Sword Sects see our determination to unite as one."

Kill Liu Zhengfeng's entire family?

Do I have to do it myself?

Chen Qianyang clenched his fingers slightly.

This is a vicious plan.

Once he makes a move, he and the Huashan Sect will be completely tied to the Songshan Sect's chariot, with no room for maneuver.

Moreover, this also means that he will completely deviate from his own path and become a knife in Zuo Lengchan's hand.

However, if he disagreed, he would also be exposed to Zuo Lengchan's hostility.

how to choose?

A violent killing intent surged in his chest, almost bursting through the dam of reason.

Kill him now.

With just a draw of my sword, I can make this old man bleed to death within three moves.

But reason poured over me like a bucket of ice water.

Taking action now would be pointless, except for providing momentary gratification.

Since the Songshan Sect dared to set up this scheme, they must have had a backup plan.

Turning against them now would only alert them and push the Huashan Sect into the abyss prematurely.

Chen Qianyang took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the killing intent.

His expression remained unchanged as he slowly reached out and pressed down on the forged secret letter on the table.

"Okay. But my job is only to kill."

Fei Bin was stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting Chen Qianyang to agree so readily.

All the threats and inducements he had prepared stuck in his throat.

He looked at Chen Qianyang suspiciously, but there was only a deathly silence there.

"Good! Indeed, heroes emerge from among the young!" Fei Bin stood up and laughed twice. "Then I'll wait and see how Junior Nephew Chen performs tomorrow."

After saying that, he strode out.

Chen Qianyang remained seated there.

"Damn it."

He muttered a curse under his breath.

A pale white flash of lightning suddenly streaked across the window, followed by a deafening clap of thunder.

Just as Chen Qianyang was about to close the window, he suddenly stopped.

There was a breathing sound coming from the roof.

"Have you heard enough? If you have, then get down."

There was no movement.

Only the thunder continued.

Immediately afterwards, a dark figure swooped down from the beam like a large bird, its movements light and unpredictable, landing silently.

It was a woman dressed in black.

His face was covered with a black cloth, revealing only his eyes.

Those eyes were bright, with a hint of surprise and amusement.

She casually pulled off her mask, revealing a stunningly beautiful face.

A half-smile.

It was none other than Ren Yingying, the Holy Maiden of the Demonic Sect.

"Such a keen sense." Ren Yingying looked Chen Qianyang up and down. "After being poisoned by the Frost Palm, anyone else would have been crippled long ago, but you're not only lively and energetic, but your internal strength seems to have improved quite a bit. It seems the medicine I gave you the other day was unnecessary."

"I must thank the Holy Maiden for what happened that day."

"I saved you, not so that you would work for the Songshan Sect."

Chen Qianyang didn't respond to that: "Holy Maiden, what brings you to this late-night burglary? Do you all from the Demonic Sect enjoy eavesdropping?"

"The Demonic Sect?" Ren Yingying's eyes turned cold. "Compared to that self-proclaimed righteous master Fei, I, this 'Demonic Sect' witch, feel much cleaner. At least, I don't use women and children as bargaining chips."

A mocking smile curled at the corner of her lips.

"What? You promised to set an example, Young Hero Chen? Are you putting on this act for the Songshan Sect, or are you trying to deceive your own conscience?"

His words were barbed and hurtful.

"I am a disciple of Mount Hua. It is none of your business to interfere with my choices."

"Is that so?" Ren Yingying took a step closer. "The choice of Huashan disciples is to be someone's dog? Fei Bin tells you to kill, and you kill? If he tells you to kill Yue Buqun tomorrow, will you say 'yes' too?"

Chen Qianyang frowned slightly.

This woman is very angry tonight.

"Goading me won't work. You didn't come here to argue with me, did you? Liu Zhengfeng is going to die tomorrow, you should know that better than I do."

"He can die, but Uncle Qu Yang cannot die." Ren Yingying's voice turned somber.

"For the 'Swordsman Song'?" Chen Qianyang scoffed.

Ren Yingying's expression changed slightly: "That's an unparalleled musical score, I..."

"Stop pretending." Chen Qianyang interrupted her, turning his head with a piercing gaze. "If I'm not mistaken, you're looking for your father, my Miss Ren."

Boom!

Another clap of thunder sounded outside the window.

Ren Yingying's body trembled violently as a sharp killing intent locked onto Chen Qianyang.

Her eyes changed; they held a chilling murderous intent.

"What do you know?"