Chapter 57: Old Yue Is Getting a Little Nervous

Chapter 57: Master Yue Is Getting a Little Nervous

As Linghu Chong made his way back, the exuberance and high spirits he had felt when first descending the mountain were nowhere to be found. He had thought that since Zheng Jian had fared well on his journey into the world, his own experience would not be much different. Who could have imagined how everything had changed...

A young man, just stepping into the world, had received a harsh lesson from the martial realm!

But, to be fair, while Linghu Chong was unaware, Zheng Jian understood well that even if he had not intervened, the worst Linghu Chong would have suffered was a few months in prison. In the end, he would have escaped, taking advantage of Black and White Chess’s greed. Yet, that path would most likely have entangled Linghu Chong in the affairs of the Sun and Moon Sect all the same.

Now, things had worked out for the best: on one hand, Linghu Chong had learned a valuable lesson; on the other, the butterfly effect caused by Zheng Jian’s involvement meant that many of the hardships Linghu Chong endured in the original story had been avoided. He was still somewhat naive and hot-blooded, seeing things in black and white, but after Zheng Jian’s guidance, he had matured.

...

After several days of hard riding, the two finally returned to the Huashan Sect.

Upon seeing Linghu Chong’s return, Master Yue’s face remained composed, though his eyes could not hide his joy. Madam Ning, on the other hand, instantly noticed how much weight Linghu Chong had lost and was pained to the core.

The brothers’ reunion was naturally filled with raucous joy. Only when the disciples had dispersed and the Hall of Righteousness held only Zheng Jian, Linghu Chong, Master Yue, and Madam Ning, did the elders inquire about Linghu Chong’s experience.

After Linghu Chong recounted everything honestly, Master Yue’s face changed dramatically at the mention of the West Lake Plum Manor.

Neither the former leader of the Sun and Moon Sect, Ren Woxing, escaping his prison, nor Linghu Chong’s unwitting practice of the “Absorbing Star Technique,” were trivial matters.

Especially the former!

In recent years, Dongfang Bubai of the Sun and Moon Sect had sequestered himself atop Blackwood Cliff, and though he was unmatched, the martial world had known relative peace. But with the ambitious Ren Woxing returning to the world, Master Yue could not help but recall the bloody war between the Five Mountain Sword Sects and the Sun and Moon Sect years ago.

That battle, more than ten years past, had cost the Five Mountain Sword Sects dearly, with many sword techniques lost; the Sun and Moon Sect had buried many elders on Mount Hua—a loss of blood and heritage.

Madam Ning also knew of these events, and both grew deeply troubled.

But worry was useless. Master Yue quickly composed himself. “So, Ren Woxing escaped alive, and you, Chong’er, were imprisoned beneath the West Lake, then somehow learned the ‘Absorbing Star Technique’?”

Linghu Chong wore a woeful expression. All the way home, he had clearly felt the surging movement of internal energy between his Jade Pillow and Middle Dantian acupoints, with a faint drumming sound growing ever louder—he was increasingly anxious.

Master Yue pondered for a moment. “It’s not that I have no solution. Our sect’s ‘Purple Glow Skill’ is upright and harmonious, with subtle methods to resolve conflicts between different types of internal energy. It’s not impossible to teach it to you. However...”

Hearing this, Linghu Chong’s heart filled with hope. But as Master Yue fell silent again, his anxiety returned.

Master Yue’s gaze drifted to Zheng Jian. Sensing his intention, Zheng Jian smiled and said, “Master, saving lives comes first!”

Master Yue looked deeply at Zheng Jian, understood his meaning, and nodded, “So be it. I will allow it!”

Linghu Chong was overjoyed and hastily expressed his thanks.

Madam Ning breathed a sigh of relief. She had been afraid Master Yue might refuse.

“Don’t thank me yet. I can teach you the ‘Purple Glow Skill,’ but you must remember this: without my permission, you must never pass it on! This is our sect’s highest internal art. If it is leaked, the consequences will be dire!” Master Yue said sternly.

Linghu Chong naturally understood the gravity of this and immediately promised.

“Very well. You’ve had a hard journey. Go rest now, and when you’re recovered, wait for me in the training chamber,” Master Yue instructed.

After Linghu Chong left, Master Yue turned to Zheng Jian. “Sit down. There are some things I could not say in front of Chong’er. Now that we are alone, I have questions for you.”

Zheng Jian sat as ordered.

“‘Purple Glow Skill’ is the secret art passed down by the sect leaders. Now I’m about to pass it on to Chong’er. Do you have any objections?” Master Yue asked. “Don’t hold anything back—tell me the truth.”

Zheng Jian smiled, “I have no objections! Brother Linghu’s life hangs by a thread. As his senior, how could I stand by and do nothing? Rest assured, Master, I truly have no objections.”

Hearing this and seeing Zheng Jian’s sincerity, Master Yue was finally at ease. He had long regarded Zheng Jian as the future leader of Huashan and dreaded any rift forming between him and Linghu Chong. Discord among senior brothers would be a disaster for the sect—so many sects had been ruined by such internal strife.

“In that case, I am relieved. Sigh, with Ren Woxing’s return, I fear the martial world will soon be in chaos again...” Master Yue sighed. Linghu Chong’s matter was easy to resolve, as long as it didn’t cause conflict. That was nothing.

But Ren Woxing’s return was a major event!

“Do not worry, Master! Ren Woxing may possess the ‘Absorbing Star Technique’ and formidable martial skill, but after being imprisoned for over a decade, he will have to face Dongfang Bubai’s pursuit when he returns. How will he have time to stir up trouble? Even if Ren Woxing and Dongfang Bubai settle their score, have you forgotten that Chief Zuo, as the head of the Five Mountain Sword Sects, will surely lead the charge against any threat? In the short term, Huashan will not be in any danger.” Zheng Jian spoke confidently.

He had already analyzed all of this on the way home. Even though the events of this timeline had changed much, some things remained constant.

For example, the enmity between Ren Woxing and Dongfang Bubai.

And the grudge between Zuo Lengchan and Ren Woxing.

Behind Zuo Lengchan stood the old foxes of Wudang and Shaolin, lurking in the shadows, watching the two sides clash.

Therefore, Zheng Jian still had time to develop his strength. He could bide his time and perfect his “Innate Skill,” so that even if those peerless masters appeared, he would have nothing to fear.

If he could break through to the level of unity between spirit and void, reaching the innate realm, well—at that point, he would be fully powered up, ready to crush the enemy’s stronghold in one sweep!

Thus, what Zheng Jian lacked most now was time.

There was nothing for it. Without the system bestowing mastery of the “Innate Skill” in one go, he could not take down the final boss immediately—he could only keep grinding and gathering resources.

“Jian’er, your reasoning is sound. But in my view, Chief Zuo may not wait that long. He acquired the ‘Evil-Repelling Sword Manual’ a few years ago, and with his martial understanding, he has likely mastered it by now! If at this time he attempts to annex the other Five Mountain Sword Sects, what should we do?”

It must be said, Master Yue had a keen eye for character. He was not actually worried about the Sun and Moon Sect, for as Zheng Jian said, with Zuo Lengchan, Master Fangzheng, and Daoist Chongxu around, none would allow the Sun and Moon Sect to wreak havoc unchecked.

But Zuo Lengchan’s ambitions were a real threat to Huashan. Last time, when the sinister hand Le Hou brought Sword Sect members to challenge them, it was surely Zuo Lengchan’s machination.

That plot had failed, but Zuo Lengchan would not give up. Having seen Huashan’s strength, next time, Zuo Lengchan might act in person.

Already a top master, now armed with the “Evil-Repelling Sword Technique”—the thought alone made Master Yue’s scalp tingle...

...

(End of this chapter)