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

Page 118

Jiang Ning kept his eyes closed and moved extremely slowly, with maple leaves swirling around him and refusing to dissipate.

After a while.

Jiang Ning stopped moving, opened her eyes, and the wind stopped, causing the maple leaves floating in the air to fall one after another.

Jiang Ning stretched out his hand, and one of the maple leaves landed in his palm. Jiang Ning stared at the maple leaf in a daze, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he had something on his mind.

"bottleneck."

Jiang Ning's gaze was unfocused, and he muttered to himself.

Two months have passed since Huiyin, a disciple of the Emei lineage, descended the mountain. During these two months, his progress in the Innate Skill has been slow and has now stagnated. He knows that he has reached a bottleneck.

Breaking through to the fourth stage seemed more difficult than he had imagined; he couldn't feel any sense of progress at all.

"I wonder how Master broke through to the next level."

Jiang Ning frowned slightly.

"Senior brother, senior brother."

In the distance, a junior disciple ran towards them, waving his arm and holding something in his hand.

Someone delivered a letter to you.

"letter?"

Jiang Ning was surprised, then took the letter. The envelope was addressed to Brother Jiang Ning, and the handwriting was Zhang Quandao.

Zhang Quandao was a Taoist priest from the Qingcheng School.

Ok?

Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow. Why would Zhang Daoshi write him a letter for no reason?

Chapter 170: The Storm is Brewing

He had never written to Zhang Daoshi before, so he wondered why Zhang Daoshi had suddenly written to him this time.

Could it be that something is wrong with those children?

With a hint of curiosity, Jiang Ning opened the envelope.

Brother Jiangning:

Seeing words is like meeting each other, showing trust and comfort.

It has been a long time since we last met, and the weather has been unpredictable lately, with fluctuating temperatures. Please take good care of yourself.

The text began with greetings, which Jiang Ning quickly skipped before moving on to the main content. The Taoist priest mentioned the children who had been rescued. They had all basically joined the Qingcheng Sect and become Taoist novices. They were doing quite well recently, and the Taoist priest had even started teaching them to read.

However, in the next part of Zhang Daoshi's letter, he mentioned that not long ago, rumors were circulating in the martial arts world that Jiang Ning, a disciple of Mount Hua, had chased down the Holy Maiden of the Demonic Sect. The rumors were spreading like wildfire, and Zhang Daoshi asked if the matter was true.

News of the previous battle between Jiang Ning and Ren Yingying still got out.

Jiang Ning was not surprised to see this.

There are no secrets that stay hidden forever. He and Ren Yingying fought in Hanzhong Prefecture. If someone wanted to investigate, they could. Moreover, with such a large flow of people at the time, it's possible that some people spread the word. It's just that he's a little surprised that it's only now spread throughout the martial arts world.

After mentioning this matter, Zhang the Taoist brought up another one.

The Five Poisons Sect, which has long been based in Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan and Hunan, has recently started to make big moves. Some people have seen many members of the Five Poisons Sect heading towards the Central Plains, and their direction of travel seems to be towards Shaanxi.

Zhang the Taoist priest didn't know what the Five Poisons Sect wanted to do, but the Huashan Sect was located in Shaanxi. He was worried that the Five Poisons Sect might be detrimental to the Huashan Sect, so he sent this letter to warn Jiangning and the Huashan Sect to be careful.

Jiang Ning frowned after reading the letter.

Has Ren Yingying finally made a move?

Since he chased Ren Yingying last time, Ren Yingying has remained silent, as if she has disappeared, and has not made any further moves against the Huashan Sect.

He thought Ren Yingying was seriously injured and dead.

It seems the other person is lucky to be alive.

Jiang Ning put away the letter and prepared to go find Yue Buqun.

The Five Poisons Sect is a subordinate unit of the Sun Moon Sect. Their unusual movements, especially their direction towards Mount Hua, clearly indicate that they are targeting the Mount Hua Sect. He needs to warn Yue Buqun.

However, before Jiang Ning had gone far, another Huashan disciple was walking in this direction.

"Junior Brother Jiang Ning, where are you going?"

The Huashan disciple was surprised.

"Senior brother, is there something you need?"

Jiang Ning inquired.

"Yes, Master asked me to come and get you. He has something to discuss with you and is waiting for you in the main hall now."

Hmm? Yue Buqun also needs to see him?

Jiang Ning was surprised, then nodded to the Huashan disciple and quickened his pace toward the main hall, arriving shortly afterward.

"Master."

As soon as Jiang Ning stepped inside, he saw Yue Buqun sitting in the main seat with a furrowed brow and a piece of paper on the table.

Upon hearing Jiang Ning's voice, Yue Buqun raised his head and looked at him: "A letter has arrived from the Hengshan Sect. Take a look."

Jiang Ning was about to tell Yue Buqun the contents of the letter sent by the Qingcheng Sect when, unexpectedly, the Hengshan Sect also sent a letter. Both letters arrived at the same time.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Ning first picked up the letter on the table to read its contents, and then handed his letter to Yue Buqun.

"Master, this is a letter from Master Zhang of the Qingcheng Sect. It arrived today. Please take a look."

"Did it arrive today too?"

Yue Buqun, who had been looking somewhat solemn, was surprised upon hearing the news. He then took the letter and began to examine it.

After a while.

Jiang Ning's brows furrowed as well.

The letter was written by Abbess Dingyi. The letter stated that a gang that had long been based on the banks of the Yellow River had begun a large-scale migration towards Shaanxi for unknown reasons.

In addition, some gangs are coming from other places toward Shaanxi, as well as some idle江湖人士 (jianghu figures).

These are all people from all walks of life and gangs.

The Hengshan Sect has connections with all the nunneries in the world, and its intelligence network in the martial arts world is very dense and powerful. They know that some of these people and gangs have already joined the Sun Moon Sect, while others have not, but without exception, they are all swaggering towards Shaanxi.

Adding to the previous rumors circulating in the martial arts world that Jiang Ning was chasing Ren Yingying, the Hengshan Sect speculated that these people might have all defected to the Demonic Sect.

They thought this might be Ren Yingying's counterattack, intending to harm the Huashan Sect. After learning this information, the Hengshan Sect immediately sent a letter to Yue Buqun, stating that the Hengshan Sect had dispatched a large number of disciples who were rushing to the Huashan Sect. They assured Yue Buqun that if these people wanted to attack the Huashan Sect, the Hengshan Sect would definitely help them.

"It seems that this witch has recovered from her injuries and has begun to send all sorts of gangs to seek revenge."

Yue Buqun sneered.

He also knew about Jiang Ning's serious injury to Ren Yingying. He assumed that Ren Yingying had been recuperating since she hadn't made any moves, and that she would launch a counterattack now that she was healed.

Yue Buqun was not afraid at all.

"If they dare to come, then let them stain Mount Hua with their blood."

Yue Buqun sneered.

The Huashan Sect is different now than before. Its strength has increased by more than one level. Even the second-generation disciples under its tutelage are quite skilled in martial arts. They also have the advantage of home ground. Anyone who dares to come here, even those petty scoundrels, will be killed without a burial place.

Mount Hua is no joke; it's easy to defend but difficult to attack. If the enemy wants to take Mount Hua, it will be impossible without paying a bloody price. In addition, the Hengshan Sect is on its way to help. As long as it's not a full-scale attack by the Demonic Sect, he is not worried.

"I'll go down the mountain to take a look."

Jiang Ning's expression was cold.

Yue Buqun shook his head: "No rush."

According to the intelligence sent by the Hengshan Sect, these people set off at different times, some earlier and some later. In addition, due to their different geographical locations, they certainly did not arrive at Huashan at the same time. The first to set off and the closest to the destination was a gang called the Flying Tiger Gang on the banks of the Yellow River. The gang had more than seventy people, led by their leader Ma Zitian, who was a second-rate force.

Based on the departure time of the Flying Tiger Gang, they would probably arrive at Mount Hua in about seven or eight days, giving Yue Buqun time to prepare.

Besides the Flying Tigers, information about other gangs, including the members who set off, their numbers, who led them, and their departure times, was clearly stated in the Hengshan Sect's letter.

The Hengshan Sect is not the strongest among the Five Mountains Sword Sects, but its intelligence capabilities are unmatched by any other sect in the Five Mountains Sword Sects.

"Let's make some preparations in the next few days. Send some food up the mountain in advance, and then have Dayou and the others go down the mountain to the nearby villages. Let the people temporarily go to the big city to take refuge. These people from all walks of life are not good people, and there will inevitably be casualties. Let them pack up their belongings in the next few days and leave here. Let them come back after this is over. The Huashan Sect will compensate them."

Chapter 171: Deployment

Although this is a feud between the Huashan Sect and the Demonic Sect, the common people at the foot of Huashan Mountain should not suffer because of it. If the Huashan Sect does not take care of them, they may suffer an undeserved disaster.

"it is good."

Jiang Ning nodded, then asked, "Any news from Emei?"

Yue Buqun shook his head: "Not yet, it shouldn't be that soon."

After all, Venerable Jin Guang had been in charge of Emei for decades. Even if Huiyin and the others had made preparations in advance and were stronger than Venerable Jin Guang, it would not be possible to get results in just two months.

Without delay, Yue Buqun issued the order, and before long, all the disciples of Mount Hua knew about it, except for Linghu Chong, who was still in seclusion on the Cliff of Contemplation.

Martial arts training ground.

More than a hundred Huashan disciples stood in rows on the training ground. Ning Zhongze and Feng Buping also arrived, and Yue Buqun stood in the main seat.

"You all know what happened."

Yue Buqun spoke.

Lu Dayou, Gao Genming, and other disciples looked at Yue Buqun with serious expressions.

“A few months ago, Ning’er chased down the demoness of the Demonic Sect. Now that demoness has recovered from her injuries, she sent some people from all walks of life to Shaanxi to seek revenge. These people from all walks of life are not good people either. They have all joined the Demonic Sect and do nothing but robbery and plunder. They think they can come to my Mount Hua just because they have more people.”

Yue Buqun, who used to have the demeanor of a refined gentleman and even the title of "Gentleman Sword," now had a cold expression and a chilling killing intent.

"This time we will make them understand that the Huashan Sect has stood tall in the martial arts world for hundreds of years, fighting against evil and protecting the righteous, and has never relied on being accommodating to all sides, but on fighting our way out."

A wise man keeps his talents hidden until the right time to act. Yue Buqun is like a sword drawn from its sheath, and the chilling killing intent in his voice sends shivers down one's spine.

Lu Dayou and the other Huashan disciples had never seen Yue Buqun like this before, but Yue Buqun's words stirred their hearts.

"Yes!!!"

All the Huashan disciples responded loudly, as if they were not afraid of these people from all walks of life who came from all directions.

The general is the soul of the army, and this principle applies here as well. Yue Buqun, as the leader, is the anchor of the army, not only able to stabilize their emotions but also to inspire their passion.

"Liang Fa".

Yue Buqun called out names.

Liang Fa stepped forward from the crowd: "Master!"

Yue Buqun instructed him, "Those people will be coming to Mount Hua soon. To avoid harming innocent people, take a few junior brothers down the mountain later to find them and ask them to leave for a while. Let them come back after the turmoil here is over. The Mount Hua Sect will bear all the expenses and compensation. If any people have grain or poultry that they cannot take with them, sell them to us at the normal market price. I will give you the money later."

Liang Fa replied solemnly, "Yes, Master!"

Yue Buqun nodded, then looked at the others: "Shi Daizi."

Shi Daizi, whose name was called, immediately stepped forward and said, "Master."

Yue Buqun pondered for a moment and said, "You are a steady and reliable person. I plan to have you take some of your fellow disciples down the mountain to scout out where those people are. If they reach my Huashan territory, report back immediately."

Besides dispersing the people at the foot of the mountain and purchasing food, intelligence is also essential; knowing yourself and your enemy will ensure victory in every battle.

Although the Huashan Sect now has more than a hundred members, most of them are children, and only about forty of them have combat capabilities. There can't be many people who can be sent out to gather intelligence. This task is quite heavy and will be a great test for Shi Daizi.

"Yes, Master."

Shi Daizi cupped his hands in greeting, his expression composed.

Yue Buqun looked at him and said, "Be careful after you go down the mountain. If you encounter these people, don't fight them head-on. Come back as soon as possible."

Shi Daizi solemnly replied, "Please rest assured, Master, I will remember this."

Among his many disciples, he and Liang Fa were both steady and reliable, making them the most suitable to be entrusted with these two important matters.

"Ah."