Chapter 35: The Sagacious and Mighty Master Yu

After the wine and dishes were served in the restaurant, Zheng Jian poured a cup for Lin Pingzhi with a smile.

"Brother Lin, tell me, what happened?"

Lin Pingzhi gave a grateful smile, but the memory of his parents' tragic deaths surfaced and sorrow overwhelmed him once more.

The main plot had not changed, but some details had shifted. Without the influence of Yue Lingshan and Lao Denuo, Lin Pingzhi, driven by inertia, still killed Yu Renyan, the son of Yu Canghai of the Qingcheng Sect. This act led to a massive retaliation by the Qingcheng Sect.

When Yu Canghai discovered that the Evil Resisting Sword Manual had already been taken, he erupted in fury and slew Lin Zhennan and his wife. The entire Fortune Escort Agency was wiped out.

Only Lin Pingzhi survived, for he had long wished to learn martial arts after Zuo Lengchan took the sword manual, and happened to be away from home when disaster struck. Thus, he narrowly escaped with his life.

However, the Qingcheng Sect pursued him relentlessly, and Lin Pingzhi suffered greatly, just as in the original story, living in constant hiding.

"Until today, when I met you, Brother, I finally escaped their clutches..."

Zheng Jian nodded and sighed, "The dead are gone; Brother Lin, you must restrain your grief. What are your plans now?"

Lin Pingzhi shook his head. "I don't know. I am like a rootless duckweed, drifting with the current."

With that, he suddenly got up, knelt on the ground, and said, "I see that you, Brother, possess profound martial skill. I wish to become your disciple, to follow your teachings and obey your rules strictly!"

Zheng Jian smiled. "I am the chief disciple under Master Yue, head of Huashan. We are of the same generation; how could I accept you as my disciple?"

Seeing Lin Pingzhi’s look of disappointment, Zheng Jian paused, then said, "But you can come with me for now. When we return to the mountain, I’ll report to my master. If he does not object, you can become his disciple. Then, we’ll be fellow apprentices."

Lin Pingzhi was instantly overjoyed. If the chief disciple under Master Yue possessed such skill, then Master Yue himself must be an extraordinary master.

Little did he know that Zheng Jian had long since surpassed his master...

There was no need for Zheng Jian to mention this, and besides, in the original story, Lin Pingzhi also became Yue Buqun’s disciple. It was simply a different path to the same end. With things as they were, Lin Pingzhi and Old Yue would no longer plot against each other as in the original, which was, in fact, a good thing.

With his future secured, Lin Pingzhi felt much more at ease. Under Zheng Jian’s guidance, he gradually recovered some of his cheerfulness.

With his worries set aside, Lin Pingzhi’s appetite returned with a vengeance. Indeed, after all his recent hardship and hiding, he was famished.

Seeing this, Zheng Jian felt quite satisfied.

The next day was the very occasion of Liu Zhengfeng’s retirement ceremony. Zheng Jian brought Lin Pingzhi to Liu’s residence, intending to attend the grand event.

At the entrance, all manner of martial artists had gathered. The place was bustling with noise and excitement.

Zheng Jian observed the scene, deep in thought.

Upon hearing that Zheng Jian had arrived, Liu Zhengfeng came out personally to greet him. In the world of martial arts, the Five Mountains Sword Sects were closely allied. Although the famous “Gentleman Sword” Master Yue was not present, Liu Zhengfeng cared little about that and welcomed Zheng Jian with utmost enthusiasm.

As the two exchanged pleasantries, a sudden bellow rang out nearby: “Well, well, you little brat! Caught by me here at last—let’s see where you run now!”

Turning to look, Lin Pingzhi’s face paled in horror. Approaching them were the Qingcheng Sect, led by none other than their master, Yu Canghai, whose eyes blazed with murderous intent.

Zheng Jian positioned himself protectively in front of Lin Pingzhi and grinned. “Ah, isn’t this Master Yu? I am Zheng Jian, disciple of Master Yue of Huashan. Greetings, Master Yu.”

Yu Canghai was a short man dressed in a Daoist robe, appearing almost childlike in stature. But standing here, he exuded the imposing presence of a sect master.

Yu Canghai paused, then said brusquely, “So it’s Yue’s disciple. But you have no say in today’s matter. Hand over the boy behind you or don’t blame me for bullying the young.”

At this, Zheng Jian chuckled. “Master Yu, you may not be tall, but you sure talk big. Brother Lin and I became fast friends at first sight—I simply can’t abandon him.”

These words shocked the crowd.

System alert: Resentment value from Yu Canghai +666.

Indeed, Yu Canghai’s face turned purple with rage. In his life, nothing angered him more than jests about his stature, and Zheng Jian’s taunt struck right at his sore spot, leaving him fuming.

“You sharp-tongued brat! Even your master wouldn’t dare speak to me like that! Today, I’ll teach you a lesson on behalf of Master Yue!”

With that, Yu Canghai raised his palms and attacked Zheng Jian, his palm winds revealing his formidable inner strength.

Liu Zhengfeng, clad in red, quickly intervened with a wave of his own palm. “Master Yu, please calm yourself. Today marks my retirement from the martial world. For my sake, let’s spare Brother Zheng of Huashan this trouble.”

But Zheng Jian was not so easily dissuaded. With a turn, he sidestepped Liu Zhengfeng, purple energy flickering across his face. He extended his arms—one palm sent backward, neutralizing Liu’s palm wind, while the other transformed into a sword-finger to meet Yu Canghai’s incoming strike. The purple energy of the Zixia True Qi clashed with Yu Canghai’s inner strength.

After probing each other’s skills, Yu Canghai was forced back three steps, his face alternating between pale and livid, suspicion and shock flickering in his eyes.

“Wise and mighty Master Yu—yet stands no taller than three feet five!” Zheng Jian could not resist another jibe.

!!!

Resentment value from Yu Canghai +666.

Many martial artists around them suppressed laughter, both surprised at Zheng Jian’s boldness and impressed by his skill.

To so easily separate Liu Zhengfeng and still have strength left to repel Yu Canghai—such prowess astonished the onlookers. After all, Yu Canghai was a sect leader, while Zheng Jian was but Huashan’s head disciple. That he could hold his own was nearly unbelievable.

Yu Canghai’s face was now a deep purple, but he was also stunned by Zheng Jian’s martial prowess. He hadn’t expected Yue Buqun to have passed down the Zixia Skill to Zheng Jian. But experts can judge each other at a glance, and after that exchange, Yu Canghai realized Zheng Jian was no pushover. Even he could not be certain of victory.

Standing there, Yu Canghai neither advanced nor retreated, caught in a dilemma.

Liu Zhengfeng saw his predicament clearly and stepped forward once more, cupping his hands. “Both of you are esteemed guests of mine. Please, for my sake, let’s lay down arms for now.”

Yu Canghai was swayed, but his pride would not let him yield. He merely stood there, face cold and unmoving.

Zheng Jian grinned. “Very well. For Uncle Liu’s sake, I won’t stoop to the level of a shorty. Pingzhi, let’s go in.”

Lin Pingzhi’s eyes were already shining with excitement. He replied with a trace of disappointment, then followed Zheng Jian into the Liu residence.

First update delivered; more to come tonight.