The Smiling, Proud Wanderer: Yue Buqun of Mount Hua

With a rumbling sound, Yue Buqun felt hungry and strode back to his sect. "Eating is the most important thing in the world. What does it matter if I'm number one in the world, unparalleled in the martial arts world, or reign supreme? Filling my stomach is the most fundamental thing."

Near Jade Maiden Peak, on a nearby blue stone, lay a young man in a blue robe, his left hand behind his head, his legs crossed, admiring the brilliant starry sky, relaxed and carefree.

On the right is a wine gourd, next to which is a roast chicken and a piece of pork head meat, placed on a piece of brown paper, emitting an enticing aroma.

A few bats flew through the air, and a dazzling Milky Way stretched across the night sky. Looking at the bright, round moon, I casually picked up a piece of fatty pork head meat, put it in my mouth to chew, and took a sip of wine, thoroughly enjoying myself.

This man was none other than his eldest disciple, Linghu Chong.

The master's stomach was growling with hunger, he was busy like a grandson trying to revive Mount Hua, while the disciple drank fine wine and ate meat, a cool breeze blowing gently. So, who is the master and who is the disciple?

He wasn't jealous; he was just unhappy with what he had done.

"Riding the wind on my sword, I vanquish demons across the land. With wine, I revel in carefree joy; without wine, I am still mad. Not bad at all," Yue Buqun said, his words perfectly capturing the scene.

"My friend is right. What we should pursue in life is freedom and ease, and that's what we should enjoy. Please have a sip."

Linghu Chong agreed wholeheartedly, gave him a thumbs-up without even looking up, and handed him the wine gourd to drink. Suddenly, he realized something was wrong. Huashan was the Huashan Sect's Huashan. Where did this outsider come from?

He hurriedly looked up and saw his master standing beside him, looking at him with a half-smile. His heart skipped a beat, the wine gourd fell to the ground, and he slid down the bluestone and knelt on the ground.

"Master, I... I've finished practicing my sword." He was caught drinking by his master. What could he do? He didn't drink on Jade Maiden Peak so that his master wouldn't find out. Who would have thought he would meet his master here?

Yue Buqun remained silent, strode over, and noticed Linghu Chong's pungent smell of alcohol. He picked up the gourd and gently shook it; the gourd, which could hold two or three pounds of wine, was already empty. This disciple had drunk quite a bit. Yue Buqun almost laughed in exasperation.

"Linghu Chong, you truly are my good disciple."

"Master, I have finished practicing my swordsmanship."

"You think you can get drunk after practicing swordsmanship? You should know that alcohol and women are harmful to your health."

Yue Buqun shook his head, picked up his wine gourd, and left.

No, Master, we can't do this.

Linghu Chong was at his wit's end. His master always complained that he was neglecting his duties and drinking all day, so he had to sneak out to drink, only to be caught by his master. What should he do? The thought of it made him worry.

There was no other way, so I quickly gathered up the roast chicken and pig's head meat, picked them up and took them away. I carefully followed behind my master, not daring to leave or get too close. I followed him just two steps away, bending over at the waist.

"Master, Master..." Linghu Chong pleaded in a low voice, even just a few words of reprimand or punishment would be fine, but his master's silence made him feel uneasy.

Yue Buqun turned to look at him without saying a word, which made Linghu Chong uneasy and unsure of what to do. Soon, he broke out in a cold sweat but didn't dare to wipe it away. After a long while, he finally said, "Go down the mountain and invite a private tutor to come up."

"Why do you need a private tutor?" Linghu Chong asked, puzzled.

"I have my own needs."

What for? Of course, it's to educate you, you drunkard, and your disciples. Following the teaching methods of martial arts disciples, the previous owner made these disciples memorize the Three Hundred Scriptures and the Thousand Character Classic. Being able to read was enough; nothing else was needed. Mastering swordsmanship and reviving Mount Hua was the right path.

Linghu Chong's unrestrained and unconventional behavior led him to associate with lecherous thieves, befriend the Demonic Sect, and even form a relationship with the Holy Maiden of the Demonic Sect—all for this very reason.

This is immature thinking, driven only by personal likes and dislikes, without considering the true significance of Mount Hua. How is this different from the idea that science knows no borders? Science may have no borders, but people do!

He had to ensure these disciples were well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics, taking loyalty to Mount Hua as their duty; he didn't want any of them to betray their master. He had painstakingly trained them to be successful, yet they didn't think of repaying their master and were easily swayed by others, turning against Mount Hua.

"Master, these things are usually handled by my second junior brother, why bother me?" Linghu Chong was surprised and instinctively didn't want to do any work.

Yue Buqun stared at his disciple until he felt uneasy, then said, "You are the senior disciple of Mount Hua, and the future leader of Mount Hua. I wonder how much you know about the martial world, and how much you know about managing a sect?"

"Master wants me to take charge of Mount Hua?" Linghu Chong straightened up abruptly, asking in surprise.

Well, the issue we should be focusing on isn't my problem. You're thinking of taking charge of Mount Hua, but do you have the ability?

With a sigh, he said, "If you want to wear the crown, you must first bear its weight. How can I entrust Mount Hua to you with such a attitude? From now on, you will need to participate in the construction of Mount Hua and shoulder the responsibilities of being the senior disciple. If you can satisfy me, I will pass on the Zixia Divine Skill to you."

Linghu Chong nodded excitedly, "Please rest assured, Master, I will handle it properly."

This was the first time his master had said he would hand over the reins of Mount Hua to him, and he was determined to do his best. The thought of being able to practice the Purple Cloud Divine Skill, exclusive to the sect leader's lineage, filled him with excitement.

Yue Buqun nodded. "That's what I said. As for whether Linghu Chong can do it, we'll see how he performs."

If he has the ability, let him take charge of Mount Hua in the future. If he is not capable of shouldering this responsibility and dares to associate with lecherous thieves like in the story, then let him become an elder of Mount Hua and be responsible for external conquests.

In Hong Kong variety show terms, they are "double-flower red sticks," top-tier thugs who are only responsible for killing people; they leave the brain work to others.

"Go quickly."

"Don't worry, Master, I'll go right away and definitely bring the private tutor here."

Linghu Chong clasped his hands in a respectful greeting, then rose to leave. A few laughs followed, and he quickly covered his mouth and hurried away. "Let's go down the mountain," he thought, "the private tutor can wait; he can have a drink first!"

Yue Buqun frowned at the sight of this disciple. If he weren't the senior disciple of Mount Hua with considerable potential, he would have loved to chop him down with a single sword stroke.

Having such a disciple, he felt like he would lose ten years of his life.

…………

"Ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh..."

As the rooster crowed, Yue Buqun got up on time, picked up his sword, and continued practicing.

Even if one certificate is a permanent proof of hard work, it still depends on his own efforts. Even if he has potential, he still needs to practice again and again to turn that potential into real strength.

In ancient times, people would rise at the crowing of the rooster to practice martial arts. Today, he too will rise at the crowing of the rooster to practice martial arts, and as soon as possible become a peerless master and the number one in the world.

He has the potential to become a peerless master, but he needs to do it as soon as possible. Otherwise, what good is it if he spends decades becoming the best in the world and having no rivals? By the time he has mastered his divine skills, he will already be old and frail, with white beard and eyebrows.

What use is being the best in the world back then? You've lost all ambition to roam the martial world freely.

No matter how heroic the rescue, all that's ever been is a response like, "Thank you so much for your great kindness, senior. I have no way to repay you, only in the next life..."

What good would it do me to have you in my next life?

He practiced his swordplay on the platform in front of the martial arts arena, over and over again.

In front of the martial arts arena is a platform three zhang long and one zhang wide, which is more than half a person's height higher than the arena. It was originally used by the master of martial arts to stand on and lead the disciples in sword practice. Every morning when the morning bell rings, the disciples of Mount Hua gather on the martial arts arena and practice sword techniques under the guidance of the master of martial arts.

Those who can become instructors of swordsmanship are all masters of swordsmanship. It is most appropriate for them to lead disciples in sword practice. Watching masters practice swordsmanship allows disciples to imitate and practice, and master swordsmanship more quickly.

Now, there are only a handful of big and small members left in Huashan. Among the "Bu" generation, only he and Ning Zhongze remain. It would be more accurate to call it a husband-and-wife shop. There are no instructors to pass on skills, so the disciples can only practice on their own.

He is practicing swordsmanship here now, not only to teach his disciples, but also to supervise these undisciplined disciples. With him here, who would dare to slack off?