Chapter 75: My Taunt Is Just As Relentless

Page 1 of 3 Chapter 75: My Provocation, Just as Unyielding

“Isn’t it simple if the strength isn’t enough? Just pick someone stronger to be the alliance leader, problem solved!” Someone in the crowd—Zheng Jian—shouted out before Left Cold Zen’s planted supporter could speak again.

The extras Left Cold Zen had arranged were instantly at a loss for words, and Left Cold Zen’s face darkened on the spot.

“Resentment value from Left Cold Zen: +500.”

“If any friend here objects to me holding this position and wishes to take my place, please step forward,” Left Cold Zen said coldly, his expression grim.

Zheng Jian had been looking for an excuse to put a stop to Left Cold Zen’s performance. The moment he heard Left Cold Zen’s fake act of humility, inspiration struck, and he immediately began to counter him.

He couldn’t let Left Cold Zen continue to dictate the pace. Master Dingxian from Mount Heng’s sect was already thrown off and flustered; if Left Cold Zen pressed on, wouldn’t this all end with the forced merger of the sects?

Zheng Jian knew well that the Mount Tai Sect was crawling with traitors. Their leader, Yu Jizi, was probably itching to make a move. If Mount Tai was taken, even if Mount Hua and Mount Heng opposed it, it would be three to two. Left Cold Zen would have the upper hand.

Since strategy seemed pointless, brute force would have to do!

In the original story, Yu Jizi used this very tactic to provoke Master Tianmen into giving up his position. Tianmen, hot-tempered as he was, handed over the Iron Sword of the sect leader without a second thought, and Yu Jizi accepted it at once, declaring that Tianmen had yielded to him...

This was exactly the same approach Zheng Jian was using now.

Just then, Old Yue heard Zheng Jian’s voice in his ear, “Master, want to experience being the alliance leader for once?”

Old Yue was taken aback, and before he could react, Zheng Jian leapt onto the Fengchan Terrace, standing right in front of Left Cold Zen.

“Alliance Leader Left, as they say, fortunes change with time—this year, it’s our turn. You’ve led the Five Mountains Sword Sects Alliance for years, but now that you lack the strength, why not let Mount Hua take over?”

Left Cold Zen stared in disbelief, but his face soon turned ashen.

“It’s you! The Swordsman Who Turns the Tide—Zheng Jian!”

“That’s right, it’s me!” Zheng Jian replied confidently.

“You shouldn’t have come up here.”

“But I already have!”

Page 2 of 3

At that moment, Zheng Jian suddenly realized—damn, something was off about this exchange... This was the world of Smiling Proud Wanderer, a Jin Yong universe, so why had the dialogue suddenly taken on a Gu Long flair? It had that unmistakable tone...

Below the Fengchan Terrace, an uproar broke out. No one had expected that, at such a critical moment, the rising star Zheng Jian would boldly challenge Left Cold Zen head-on!

Damn, this was legendary!

On one side stood the renowned alliance leader of the Five Mountains Sword Sects and master of the Songshan Sect, Left Cold Zen.

On the other, the meteoric swordsman who left even the greatest masters in awe—The Swordsman Who Turns the Tide.

Was the Five Mountains Gathering always this blood-boiling right from the start?

The crowd, gathered just for the spectacle, suddenly grew excited.

After all, Left Cold Zen hadn’t fought in years; no one really knew the limits of his martial skill, but it was certainly nothing to scoff at.

“Young Hero Zheng Jian, let me give you some advice,” Left Cold Zen said. “It’s good for the young to be spirited, but you must know when to advance or retreat! Don’t think that just because you’ve defeated that old dog Xiang Wentian, you’re now invincible. I’ll give you one last chance: don’t disrupt the Five Mountains Gathering. The grievances for Ding and Fei’s deaths, I am willing to let go. If we work together, we can surely rid the world of evil! But if you stubbornly insist on causing trouble here, don’t blame me for disregarding all sentiment.”

Zheng Jian grinned. “Alliance Leader Left, how am I disrupting anything? We’re all men of the martial world—why bother with all this posturing? The Five Mountains Sword Sects all use the sword; whoever has the best technique, the hardest fist, the greatest strength, should have the final say. Isn’t that right, Alliance Leader?”

The Shaolin abbot Fangzheng and Wudang’s Chongxu exchanged knowing smiles from the sidelines. They too did not wish Left Cold Zen to succeed in merging the sects. After all, if the Five Mountains Sword Sects became one, it would be far more threatening than their current loose alliance. For Shaolin and Wudang, the current situation was ideal: the Five Mountains Sword Sects couldn’t wipe out the demonic cult, but they could defend themselves, and they could never surpass Shaolin and Wudang. It was perfect.

Abbot Fangzheng folded his hands behind his back and made a subtle gesture in his sleeve. Master Fangsheng caught the hint and signaled with his eyes.

Immediately, someone in the crowd shouted, “A duel! The winner becomes the new alliance leader, the loser must obey!”

“Chief Left, fight him if you dare! What’s there to be afraid of?”

“Don’t chicken out—just do it!”

Atop the Songshan peak, under the Fengchan Terrace, the crowd was instantly abuzz, clamoring for the two to duel for supremacy. The excitement spread like wildfire. Even those normally calm found themselves swept up in the fervor, shouting and cheering.

To the onlookers, who led the Five Mountains Sword Sects was irrelevant—they just wanted a good show.

Page 3 of 3

The various Five Mountains Sword Sects glanced at each other, momentarily stunned as the atmosphere was hijacked, leaving the crowd in control.

Zheng Jian simply shrugged. These weren’t his people—they were Left Cold Zen’s.

Left Cold Zen’s face was as dark as the bottom of a pot. He had planned to propose merging the sects, then let Yu Jizi act to win over support from Mount Tai and Mount Heng, forcing Mount Hua and Mount Hengshan to agree. But now Zheng Jian had broken his rhythm, trapping him in a predicament.

If he refused the duel, it would seem he feared Zheng Jian, and even if he remained the alliance leader, he’d lose everyone’s respect.

If he accepted, he’d have to fight personally. And the worst part was—even if he beat Zheng Jian, he’d still just be the alliance leader...

Left Cold Zen gave a sinister smile. “Very well! Since you’re so eager for a fight, I’ll oblige you. But if we’re going to fight, why not make it interesting?”

He looked down at Old Yue. “Chief Yue, how about a wager? If I win, Mount Hua agrees to the merger. If I lose, the position of alliance leader is yours. What do you say?”

Now it was the Five Mountains Sword Sects’ turn to grow uneasy. Left Cold Zen was finally showing his true colors!

Master Dingxian of Mount Heng was silent. She hated the demonic cult with a passion and saw Left Cold Zen as an ally. To avenge her sect, she would willingly agree to the merger.

Old Yue glanced at Zheng Jian, a strange glint in his eyes, then stood up. “I trust my disciple! I accept your wager.”

Left Cold Zen laughed. “Excellent! Fellow martial artists, please bear witness!”

The crowd roared its approval. Abbot Fangzheng and Chongxu were both caught off guard by Left Cold Zen’s bold gamble and felt a bit uneasy.

Left Cold Zen strode up to the Fengchan Terrace. “Come, young hero Zheng. Don’t say I never gave you a chance!”

Zheng Jian grinned and joined him atop the terrace, facing Left Cold Zen from across the distance. He had long prepared for this battle.

...

(End of Chapter)