The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, becoming a disciple of Yue Buqun.

After discussion, Linghu Chong was to go to Hanzhong Prefecture, Feng Buping to Xi'an Prefecture, Cheng Buyou to Fengxiang Prefecture, and Jiang Ning to Pingliang Prefecture, each taking five people with them.

The group that accompanied Jiang Ning to Pingliang Prefecture this time included Lin Pingzhi, Shu Qi, Ying Bailuo, Liang Fa, and Yan Songnian.

This means that half of the disciples are gone after each new disciple is recruited. This is the predicament of the Huashan Sect. If more disciples are recruited, the Huashan Sect might turn into a kindergarten.

After the discussion, the group went off to make their own preparations.

They said they would go down the mountain tomorrow, but in fact Lin Pingzhi and the others were going down the mountain to Pingliang Prefecture today. After all, they needed to make preparations in advance to recruit disciples. Jiang Ning, on the other hand, would set off tomorrow.

"Senior brother, we'll be going now."

Lin Pingzhi said to Jiang Ning, having already packed his luggage.

Liang Fa and his group were also behind them.

"it is good."

Jiang Ning nodded and said to them, "Junior brothers, senior brothers, please be careful on your journey."

Shu Qi was quite lively, and after hearing Jiang Ning's words, he winked at Jiang Ning.

"Don't worry, we're leaving!"

After saying goodbye to the group, Jiang Ning did not continue practicing his martial arts or swordsmanship, but instead went out for a walk.

However, not long after he stepped out of the house, a bell rang in the distance. Jiang Ning looked up and saw that it was Maodou who had returned.

When Jiangning met Maodou two years ago, it was only one year old. Now, two years later, its appearance hasn't changed much, except that its fur is shinier and it looks much fatter, with its belly bouncing when it runs.

Upon seeing Jiang Ning, Maodou was overjoyed and ran over to rub its head against Jiang Ning, leaving Jiang Ning's clean clothes covered in mud.

It often goes out into the wild and can't be found. Every time it comes back, it's filthy. Jiang Ning used to be able to clean it up, but later he just couldn't be bothered with it anymore.

Looking at the mud all over his clothes, Jiang Ning looked slightly helpless and gently patted its head.

"It's been so long, I thought you'd been captured and stewed."

"If you really get stewed, remember to let me know in advance so I can bring my own bowl and chopsticks."

Whether or not he understood Jiang Ning's words, Maodou, who had been grinning with his big front teeth, turned sour and shook his head, refusing to let Jiang Ning touch him.

Jiang Ning chuckled: "You're getting angry now? You've covered me in mud, and I'm not even angry."

Maodou grunted twice.

Jiang Ning looked at its fat body and couldn't help but shake his head. He patted its belly, and the pat caused waves to rise.

"You've lost weight, Maodou. I'll be taking you down the mountain soon. You can't stay this fat."

From a distance, the edamame looks like a pig that has come to life.

It seems that Maodou only came back this time to visit some elderly people living alone, and then he ran off again, panting.

Jiang Ning shook his head, then went inside to change his clothes before going out for a stroll.

the next day.

After bidding farewell to Yue Buqun, Jiang Ning, Linghu Chong, Feng Buping, and Cheng Buyou descended the mountain.

"Uncle-Master Feng, Uncle-Master Cheng."

On the way, Jiang Ning brought up the topic.

Feng Buping was taken aback.

"About Uncle Cong a few days ago..."

Feng Buping interrupted Jiang Ning, shaking his head and saying, "It's no wonder."

In fact, he no longer had any feelings for Jiang Ning.

Cheng Buyou remained silent.

Jiang Ning nodded and said nothing more.

"How many years have you been practicing martial arts?"

At this moment, Cheng Buyou suddenly spoke.

Jiang Ning was somewhat surprised that Cheng Buyou would ask this question, but still replied, "I started practicing with my master when I was seven years old, and it has been ten years since then."

Jiang Ning is seventeen years old now, a few months shy of turning eighteen, so it's about ten years from now.

Even though he already knew Jiang Ning's real age, Feng Buping still couldn't help but gasp in astonishment when he heard this answer.

Such talent was unheard of even by the Huashan Sect back then.

He has only been practicing martial arts for ten years and has already surpassed many top-notch masters. If he were given another ten years, wouldn't he take off?

No wonder Yue Buqun had that expression when he mentioned Jiang Ning's age.

With such disciples, as long as the Huashan Sect develops steadily and is not swallowed up by the Songshan Sect, the Huashan Sect will prosper for at least three generations.

The thought of this possibility gave Feng Buping even more motivation.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Buyou simply nodded thoughtfully without saying anything. After a moment, he looked at Linghu Chong again.

"You have a good talent for swordsmanship."

Cheng Buyou said this to Linghu Chong.

"what?"

Linghu Chong was feeling a bit bored when Cheng Buyou suddenly spoke to him.

Cheng Buyou continued, "I've seen you practice swordsmanship before. You're very smart and have a strong comprehension. Your future achievements will be remarkable."

"Forehead……"

Although he didn't know why Cheng Buyou suddenly said that, Linghu Chong still scratched his head and smiled happily, "Thank you for the compliment, Uncle-Master."

"But you're lazy."

Cheng Buyou suddenly spoke again.

"Forehead?"

Linghu Chong's expression froze.

Lazy?

He's incredibly hardworking right now, isn't he?

Linghu Chong said somewhat dejectedly, "I'm already trying my best."

He did work very hard, but Cheng Buyou had also seen Jiang Ning practice his skills. Compared to Jiang Ning, a training fanatic, Linghu Chong actually had time to spend with Yue Lingshan, which Cheng Buyou thought was indeed lazy.

Cheng Buyou was short, but his expression was very serious: "It's not enough. You must practice hard."

"Intelligence is not a privilege, but a talent. You have a high talent for swordsmanship, so don't waste it. You must work hard to improve and protect the Huashan Sect."

Cheng Buyou has a very straightforward personality, even more so than Feng Buping. He is inflexible and stubborn.

After Yue Buqun placed the memorial tablets of the Sword Sect's predecessors and his father in the back hall, he no longer had any objections to Yue Buqun. Now, all he was thinking about was how to make the Huashan Sect stronger. Linghu Chong had great talent, and it would be a real pity to waste it.

Hearing Cheng Buyou say this, Linghu Chong knew he was doing it for his own good, so he nodded and said, "Don't worry, Uncle-Master, I will do my best."

Chapter 120: Pingliang Prefecture

After descending the mountain, the four of them each headed to their respective cities.

Pingliang Prefecture is the farthest from Mount Hua among the four prefectures, and Jiangning will arrive a few days later than the others.

Unlike the bustling Xi'an Prefecture, Pingliang Prefecture seemed somewhat inferior, even compared to Hanzhong. Of course, it was still a prefecture, so it certainly wouldn't be too bad, it just had a smaller population than the other three prefectures.

Pingliang Prefecture is quite far from Mount Hua, and Yue Buqun doesn't usually come here. Except for last year when the Mount Hua Sect came to sweep away bandits in Shaanxi, he rarely comes here after that.

The local prefect was very enthusiastic when he learned that the Huashan Sect wanted to recruit disciples here. He specially approved a piece of land for the Huashan Sect to use free of charge.

Although Pingliang Prefecture has a relatively small population and is not as prosperous as Xi'an, it is plagued by rampant bandits and poor public security, which is a major headache for the local prefect.

The Huashan Sect's cleanup of the bandits had significantly improved the local security, which pleased the prefect, as these bandits served as stepping stones for his advancement.

Therefore, after learning about the Huashan Sect, the prefect of Pingliang was very cooperative and even hoped that the Huashan Sect would leave a station in Pingliang Prefecture, but the Huashan Sect temporarily refused.

The current Huashan Sect does not have the strength. There are too few disciples in the sect. If they left out posts in every place, Huashan would be empty, leaving only Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze, two elderly people living alone.

Jiang Ning already knew the location where the Huashan Sect was recruiting disciples in Pingliang Prefecture. When he arrived at the destination, he saw Lin Pingzhi and the others busily working.

The location was in the center of Pingliang Prefecture, an open space. A large flag with the outline of Mount Hua embroidered on it was planted in the open space, and some people had gathered around the edge of the open space, looking at it curiously.

Several officials were maintaining order.

"Senior brother!"

Lin Pingzhi, who was busy at work, spotted Jiang Ning in the crowd and exclaimed in surprise.

Jiang Ning walked through the crowd to the center of the open space, nodded to Lin Pingzhi, and then looked at Liang Fa and the others, saying, "Senior brothers, how are the preparations going?"

Liang smiled and said, "Everything is ready, we can start today."

Before descending the mountain, they had arranged a time with Jiang Ning. Today was the day to officially recruit disciples, and Jiang Ning happened to be there.

"it is good."

Jiang Ning nodded: "Then let's begin."

Jiang Ning then sat down in the only chair present, indicating that they could begin.

Lin Pingzhi nodded, then turned and nodded to one of the officers. The officer understood, coughed loudly, and announced in a clear voice, "The Huashan Sect is recruiting disciples today. Those who wish to join the Huashan Sect may apply."

Before this, the news that the Huashan Sect was going to recruit disciples had already spread, and some people had been waiting here for many days. When they heard that it was finally starting, they rushed over in droves.

"Don't push, don't push!"

Several officials were swallowed up by the crowd. One of them popped his head out of the crowd and shouted, but the next second he found himself flying, his feet off the ground and being carried along by the crowd.

The scene immediately descended into chaos.

After a while.

"Name."

"Dog Egg".