The Smiling, Proud Wanderer: Yue Buqun of Mount Hua

The following morning, Yue Buqun introduced Master Sun to his disciples and found a side room to serve as a classroom for him to lead his disciples in reading and writing.

"Ah, Master, there's no need. We can read, why do we need to study?"

A group of disciples immediately began to discuss among themselves, not expecting this to happen. In front of them were Linghu Chong, Liang Fa, Shi Daizi, Gao Genming, Lu Dayou, and Ying Bailuo, who were his disciples and usually close to him. They gathered together and whispered among themselves.

Behind them were other disciples, totaling thirty or forty people.

If Linghu Chong and the others are considered inner disciples, then the others are outer disciples.

"Master, is that alright?"

Lu Dayou called out in a low voice. He was his sixth disciple. Because he was the sixth among the disciples of the Huashan Sect and liked monkeys, he was nicknamed Six Monkeys. He was the most unruly and had no interest in studying.

People in the martial arts world value roaming the land with swords, seeking swift justice and revenge. They have no interest in studying; that's for scholars. A bunch of bookworms swaying their heads while reading—just thinking about it gives me a headache.

"Reading makes people wise and enlightened. You are too undisciplined and do not resemble disciples of a great sect. You must read books and change your thinking." Yue Buqun directly refused.

"Could I read less? I really don't want to."

"Yes, Master, we people in the martial arts world don't have time to read books."

The group chattered incessantly, not a single person wanting to study. If it weren't for the master's personal order, they would have already attacked them.

Only a middle-aged man with graying temples and a long beard stood quietly to the side without saying a word, looking like he was obeying his master's orders. I respect my master and I will obey whatever orders he gives.

This is his second disciple, Lao Denuo, who admired the prestige of Mount Hua, and became his disciple with his own skills. He worked diligently and managed the Mount Hua sect very well.

Although Linghu Chong was the senior disciple of the Huashan Sect, he was lazy and indifferent to worldly affairs. He arranged and took care of all the disciples, so it was no exaggeration to say that he was the head steward of the Huashan Sect. Even though he was unwilling in his heart, he did not object to his master's opinion.

Who wouldn't like such an obedient disciple?

The problem is that this person is an undercover agent sent by Zuo Lengchan. Everything is a disguise, just waiting for the most crucial moment to turn against him, stab him in the chest, and destroy the Huashan Sect.

With a cold face, she scolded, "Go study. I'm doing this for your own good."

Everyone wanted to disagree, but the problem was that they dared not disobey their master, so they could only run to the classroom and sit down with bitter faces.

Below, dozens of tables and chairs are arranged for the disciples to listen to the lectures, while above is a lectern, not much different from an ordinary classroom.

Master Sun stood on the platform, stroking his goatee, and began to teach: "You have already studied the Three Hundred Thousand Character Classic. Today we will learn the Analects. I will first lead you through a reading. The Master said: 'Is it not pleasant to learn with a constant perseverance and application? Is it not delightful to have friends coming from afar? Is it not the mark of a gentleman to remain unperturbed when others do not recognize one's merits?'"

Confucius said: "Is it not pleasant to learn with a constant perseverance and application? Is it not delightful to have friends coming from afar? Is it not the mark of a gentleman to remain unperturbed when others do not recognize his merits?"

He would read a sentence and then the listener would repeat it. Master Sun would sway his head as he read, drawing out each word, making the listeners dizzy, yet they had no choice but to follow along.

Before long, the group's faces changed, their expressions turning bitter, even more bitter than if they had eaten bitter melon. They wanted to practice swordsmanship, not study.

People in the martial arts world fight each other, it's all about who has the fastest sword and the best martial arts skills. Who has time to read books? What's the difference between them and bookworms?

Unfortunately, his master was watching from behind, so even though he was very unhappy, there was nothing he could do but follow along and read, feeling extremely frustrated.

Yue Buqun observed this and nodded secretly. Regardless of the later decline of Confucianism and its neglect by the public, its idea of ​​unification was what he valued most, as it could at least make people consciously protect the country.

His goal was to make these disciples understand the principles of things, to be proud of being disciples of Mount Hua, and to be willing to die for Mount Hua.

After watching for a moment, he turned and left. Compared to teaching disciples, the most important thing for people in the martial arts world is their own strength.

"Senior brother, why did you think of having Master Sun teach them?" Ning Zhongze stopped him at the door and asked in surprise.

Yue Buqun then informed them of the situation, using this opportunity to cultivate his disciples' loyalty to Mount Hua and prepare for its revival.

"Then we should recruit more disciples instead of focusing on studying."

"Let's talk about this when we have time."

Yue Buqun interrupted her persuasion, turned around and left to concentrate on practicing his sword.

Ning Zhongze is right. The revival of Mount Hua depends on people and a large number of disciples. Mount Hua only has a few dozen disciples now, how can it be revived?

Look at Shaolin and Wudang; they have two or three thousand formal disciples alone. Furthermore, lay disciples, after completing their training, establish sects, families, or escort agencies outside the sect to advocate for it. When needed, they can summon lay disciples, which is another great help.

As a lay disciple, one is close to the sect and can provide fresh blood for the sect.

Just like the Longmen Escort Agency in The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber, the head of the agency, Du Dajin, was a lay disciple of Shaolin Temple. After the mission to escort Yu Daiyan failed, Du Dajin was afraid of retaliation from the Wudang Sect, so he sent a message to his master Yuanxin by carrier pigeon, requesting Shaolin Temple's protection.

It is evident that the relationship between Longmen Escort Agency and Shaolin Temple is extremely close. Longmen Escort Agency is a branch of Shaolin Temple, and Shaolin uses Longmen Escort Agency to extend its reach into the martial arts world. Wherever the escort agency is located, Shaolin has influence.

Where do outstanding disciples of the Longmen Escort Agency go to learn martial arts? Naturally, they go to the Shaolin Temple, which allows them to further connect with Shaolin and provides Shaolin with a source of high-quality disciples.

This is the key factor that enabled Shaolin to become the leader of the righteous path.

But he wasn't in a hurry; everything revolved around strength.

The reason why the Songshan Sect was able to become the leader of the Five Mountains Alliance and wield the Five Mountains Command Flag was because he was one of the three great masters of the righteous path. Without him, even if the Thirteen Protectors of Songshan became the Twenty-Three Protectors or the Thirty-Three Protectors, they would still be powerless to fight against Shaolin and Wudang.

One top-tier master cannot fight against thirty-three masters at the same time, but if I kill two today and two more tomorrow, are thirty-three too many? Faced with an unrestrained top-tier master, no matter how many masters there are, they are nothing but chickens and dogs.

Only when one has sufficient strength can one follow the right path.

Again and again, Yue Buqun's sword never stopped, its cold light chilling and terrifying.

This time, however, he practiced the Yangwu Sword Technique, which was also Yue Buqun's signature sword technique.

"Nourish myself, nourish myself, I am good at nurturing my noble spirit." This combines the noble spirit with ideals and beliefs, and is also the core concept of the Confucian ideal personality.

Combining swordsmanship with conviction creates a style that is both deadly and righteous, a magnificent and awe-inspiring swordsmanship that would earn praise from all who see it, who would admire its gentlemanly character and be willing to befriend it.

The reason why the righteous path is the righteous path is not only because of its slogans, but more importantly because its martial arts are righteous.

Every sect and faction has its bad guys. Xianyu Tong, in his early years, seduced and abandoned a Miao woman who was poisoned by Gu. After being cured by Hu Qingniu, he seduced Hu Qingniu's sister, Hu Qingyang, and got her pregnant. In order to seize the position of sect leader, he abandoned her, causing her to commit suicide. Later, he framed the Ming Cult for the murder of his senior brother Bai Yuan. He can be said to have committed all kinds of evil deeds.

But before his actions were exposed, he was still a righteous master and the head of the Huashan Sect... well, there was no such person as Huashan.

If you practice the Heavenly Demon Body Tempering Technique, the Fallen Buddha Mountain Demon Fist, the Child-Severing Kick, the Heavenly Demon Profound Skill, the Heavenly Demon Soul Searching Technique, and all sorts of despicable tricks, and you claim to be a righteous person who wants to uphold justice, no one will believe you!

Sweat dripped down his cheeks, and his arms gradually ached and weakened, but Yue Buqun didn't care and just kept practicing.

Only through repeated practice, accumulating small steps to reach great distances, and small streams to form rivers and seas, can one have the possibility of success.