Chapter 73: The Peerless Overlord, Zuo Lengchan

Chapter 73: The Unparalleled Warlord, Zuo Lengchan

Old Yue and the Taoist Priest Tianmen hurried to the group of nuns from Mount Heng. With his fiery temper and impatience, Tianmen couldn’t help but raise his voice, “What’s going on? Where is Sister Dingyi?”

Within the Mount Heng Sect, Abbess Dingyi was one of the Three Dings, the junior martial sister of the sect leader, Abbess Dingxian. Outwardly tough yet gentle at heart, her temper was quick but her heart was kind; her disposition was much like Tianmen’s, and the two were close friends.

When the young nuns heard Tianmen’s inquiry, their already red eyes grew even redder, and tears streamed uncontrollably down their cheeks. The more timid among them shrank back in fear.

Abbess Dingxian’s expression was mournful. She fought to hold back her tears before slowly recounting the events.

Half a month ago, upon receiving the order from Zuo Lengchan, the Three Dings of Mount Heng led their disciples and set out, traveling swiftly so as not to delay. However, as they passed through the region of Xianxia Ridge, they were suddenly ambushed by a large group of black-clad assailants. Caught off guard, the Mount Heng Sect suffered heavy casualties. Abbess Dingjing, one of the Three Dings, sacrificed herself to protect the disciples and perished in the attack.

Abbess Dingxian and Abbess Dingyi fought desperately with the remaining disciples to break through the encirclement and eventually escaped, but Abbess Dingyi was gravely wounded. Even with the Mount Heng Sect’s secret healing medicine, the “White Cloud Bear Gallbladder Pill,” she could not hold on and passed away on the journey.

Thus, of the Three Dings of Mount Heng, only the sect leader, Abbess Dingxian, arrived at Songshan; the other two pillars of the sect had both perished.

“Sister Dingxian, did you discover the identity of those black-clad men?” Zuo Lengchan stepped forward and pressed for an answer.

Abbess Dingxian shook her head. “Their martial arts were formidable and their techniques bizarre. I have pondered their origins all along the way, but still cannot deduce who they were.”

Zuo Lengchan’s fury boiled over, his voice full of righteous indignation. “Despicable! It must be the Demon Cult scoundrels who learned of our Five Mountain Sword Alliance’s grand assembly and laid an ambush to thwart us. How infuriating! Rest assured, as long as I, Zuo Lengchan, draw breath, I will avenge those who died for Mount Heng and eradicate the Demon Cult!”

Abbess Dingxian had not expected such impassioned support from Zuo Lengchan, and a glint of gratitude flashed in her eyes. She forced a weak smile. “Thank you, Leader Zuo. But as we have yet to uncover the culprits, we cannot be certain it was the Demon Cult.”

“What is there to doubt? I agree with Leader Zuo. The Demon Cult’s influence is vast, with many strange and reclusive experts among their ranks. Their martial arts are unorthodox—clearly it was their doing!” Tianmen, ever hot-blooded and filled with hatred toward the Sun and Moon Cult, immediately called out in agreement.

Hearing Tianmen’s words, Yu Jizi of the Mount Tai Sect quickly echoed his support. The assembled crowd’s emotions grew heated, and even Abbess Dingxian’s gaze was filled with hatred.

Old Yue, however, remained silent. For some reason, he had an intuition that the ambush on Mount Heng was not necessarily the work of the Demon Cult. But with the crowd so inflamed and no evidence to the contrary, he could only keep his thoughts to himself.

“Master, whom do you suspect?” Suddenly, Zheng Jian’s voice sounded in Old Yue’s ear, transmitting his words privately.

Old Yue replied, “I can’t say for certain, but I feel this matter isn’t so simple.”

Zheng Jian nodded, his gaze subtly sweeping over the passionate Zuo Lengchan. Though events had already diverged significantly from the original plot, Zheng Jian was eighty percent sure that this incident was somehow linked to the Songshan Sect.

The reasoning was simple: the Sun and Moon Cult was too busy dealing with its own troubles. With the former leader Ren Woxing missing, Dongfang Bubai’s primary concern was pursuing Ren. Compared to that, the Five Mountain Sword Alliance was hardly a priority—after all, they had been left to their own devices for years. A few more days would make no difference.

As for Ren Woxing himself, he was not likely the culprit either. He was domineering and straightforward, disdaining such underhanded schemes. If he truly intended to strike against the Five Mountain Sword Alliance, Ren would attack openly, not from the shadows.

With the Sun and Moon Cult ruled out, only the Songshan Sect remained capable. Zuo Lengchan had both motive and intelligence, making him the most obvious suspect.

The trouble was, there was no evidence.

Without concrete proof, Zheng Jian, despite his suspicions, could not accuse the Songshan Sect directly.

This was precisely why Zuo Lengchan acted so fearlessly. Surely Old Yue and his disciple were not the only ones who suspected him, but without evidence, no one could touch Zuo Lengchan.

After all, he was still the Alliance Leader of the Five Mountain Sword Sects, the leading figure in the fight against the Sun and Moon Cult. Even Master Fangzheng and Priest Chongxu relied on Zuo Lengchan to resist the cult. They would never act against him on the basis of a mere suspicion.

Reflecting on this, Zheng Jian immediately understood why in the original novel, Zuo Lengchan could plot so boldly against the Five Mountain Sword Sects without fear of exposure. As long as there was no evidence, Shaolin and Wudang would never allow him to be toppled—unless another figure strong enough to resist the Sun and Moon Cult emerged.

“This man—when it comes to reading hearts and controlling the larger picture, he truly deserves to be called an unparalleled warlord!” Zheng Jian thought with a sigh.

Objectively speaking, whether in terms of vision, depth, or strength, Zuo Lengchan was outstanding. Even in the original novel, after his defeat at Old Yue’s hands and discovering that the sword manual brought back by Lao Denuo was a fake—and even after being blinded—Zuo Lengchan never blamed Lao Denuo, demonstrating the true demeanor of a warlord.

“Well, since there is no evidence, there’s no point discussing it further. At worst, I’ll just defeat Zuo Lengchan openly and honorably…” Zheng Jian resolved inwardly, preparing himself for a direct confrontation with Zuo Lengchan.

Now that the Mount Heng Sect had arrived, and after Zuo Lengchan’s stirring speech, he called out loudly, “Let us not stand around here any longer. Please, come into the Zen Hall and be seated.”

Though the Songshan Sect was a sword school, its leader’s residence was atop the peak at the Junji Zen Hall, which the Songshan Sect had occupied for over a hundred years.

Upon entering, the ancient cypress trees stood solemnly, and the main hall was spacious, though not as grand as the Great Hall of Shaolin. The crowd soon filled the hall to bursting; even the courtyard was packed, and many were still unable to enter.

Seeing this, the many martial arts elders present grew displeased. Zuo Lengchan, as if anticipating this, spoke loudly, “For this grand assembly of the Five Mountain Sword Sects, I am honored by your presence, but never expected such a multitude. If my hospitality falls short, I beg your pardon.”

Someone in the crowd immediately called out, “No need for formality, Leader Zuo. It’s just that there are too many people—there’s hardly room to stand, let alone sit!”

Zuo Lengchan smiled slightly. “In that case, just a little further up is the Fengshan Altar—it’s much more spacious. However, as martial artists, it would be presumptuous for us to hold council on the Fengshan Altar, as that place is reserved for imperial ceremonies.”

Voices rose in response, “We’re not usurping the throne—what does it matter! I don’t care, I want to go!”

As soon as the words were out, several people rushed out eagerly.

…

(End of chapter)