Chapter Seven: Imperial Edict vs. Command Flag

At present, everyone feels that there is some truth to the matter. Those without industry are fearless, but the Five Great Mountains cannot simply flee. However, does this not make one feel intimidated by the court, thus losing the spirit of heroes? When Yue Po saw that everyone had a difficult expression, he continued, "The leader feels it is difficult to act. Why don't we take our leave now, and then submit a report to expose the situation, becoming witnesses of the stain? After all, Songshan is lost, and we can elect a new leader. My master often taught me that a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall. We can preserve Huashan and also adhere to the principles of a gentleman. What do you think, leader..."

Yue Po nodded and turned back, saying seriously, "You have bad breath." The crowd fell silent, and Yu Canghai, filled with rage, tried to throw Yue Po out. However, he did not expect that Yue Po had a firm grip and strong footing; with a twist of his hands, he turned around and threw Yu Canghai out. The crowd was astonished, as it was indeed a fact that Yu Canghai was short, and just like that, he was thrown out... too much...

Yue Buqun hurriedly gave a glance to Linghu Chong, while Yue Po was saying, "I... Senior Brother, why are you pulling me?" Linghu Chong whispered in his ear, "Junior Brother, I beg you as your Senior Brother, you must not speak again." Yue Po nodded and approached Yue Buqun, who also said, "Po'er, from now on, you are not allowed to speak." Yue Po nodded again

Liu Zhengfeng expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you all for supporting the Liu family, especially this young brother." He then raised a cup of wine to toast Yue Po, who was taken aback. He pointed to his own mouth, then pointed to Yue Buqun. Yue Buqun understood and sighed helplessly, saying, "You may speak now." Yue Po smiled as he took the wine cup, saying, "Master Liu, you are too polite. It is just that they are bullying you because you have fewer people. If it were one-on-one..." Linghu Chong noticed Yue Buqun's expression darkening and forcefully poured wine into Yue Po's mouth. Yue Buqun understood and sighed helplessly, saying, "You may speak now." Yue Po smiled as he took the wine cup, saying, "Master Liu, you are too polite. It is just that they are bullying you because you have fewer people. If it were one-on-one..." Linghu Chong noticed Yue Buqun's expression darkening and forcefully poured wine into Yue Po's mouth.

Liu Zhengfeng still refused to comply, seizing the command flag and confronting Fei Bin. Fei Bin asserted, "The demonic sect and my Five Mountains Sword Sect have a deep-seated enmity, irreconcilable. Liu Zhengfeng associates with bandits and aligns with enemies. All members of the Five Mountains should unite to eliminate him. Those who accept the order, please step to the left." Tianmen and Dingyi, along with their disciples, resolutely moved to the left. Yue Buqun said, "Liu Xianbei, you need only nod once, and I, Yue Buqun, will take care of Qu Yang for you, how about that?" Liu Zhengfeng shook his head in refusal. Yue had long observed the arrogance of Songshan and felt pity for Liu Zhengfeng, knowing that everything was in the past, with his entire family slaughtered. Seeing Yue Buqun sigh and about to step to the left, he hurriedly pulled him back. Yue Buqun repeated, "Liu Xianbei, you need only nod once, and I, Yue Buqun, will take care of Qu Yang for you, how about that?" Liu Zhengfeng shook his head in refusal. Yue had long observed the arrogance of Songshan and felt pity for Liu Zhengfeng, knowing that everything was in the past, with his entire family slaughtered. Seeing Yue Buqun sigh and about to step to the left, he hurriedly pulled him back.

Yu Canghai, however, found it insufficiently chaotic and said, "How can the Sect Leader teach his disciples in this manner? One must understand that in the martial world, people live by the blade and prioritize loyalty. How can one only consider personal interests and ruin the rules?" Yue Po then turned to Linghu Chong and said, "This is an accomplice; remember this for our future actions." Just as Yue Buqun was about to reprimand Yue Po, Yu Canghai, in a fit of rage, rushed over and grabbed Yue Po by the collar, saying, "What did you say?" Yue Buqun, furious that his disciple was being bullied, was about to speak when Yue Po turned and asked, "Sect Leader, does a gentleman not speak with clarity and distinction?" Yue Buqun, puzzled, replied, "Of course, a gentleman's heart can be as clear as the sun and moon."

Yu Canghai felt dizzy, and Yue Po effortlessly knocked away his sword, kicking him in the body, but most of the force was dissipated. Yu Canghai was furious, having lost face today. He launched a Heart Crushing Palm attack, to which Yue Po shouted that it was a good move, channeling the second level of Zixia Gong to meet it. A loud crash echoed as Yu Canghai staggered back a few steps, while Yue Po was thrown back several steps. However, Yue Po was resilient; he got back up, striking a pose like Mount Tai, exuding an air of a grand master. The crowd was astonished, all thinking that Huashan had gained another master of martial arts.

Yilin curiously asked her master, "Why did Master Yu act first without reason? Brother Yuepo merely spoke the truth as a gentleman; why should he apologize to him?" Dingyi, slightly dazed, replied, "Because Master Yu is an elder, juniors cannot act against elders." Yuepo humbly inquired, "Then how come the second-generation disciples of Songshan were disrespectful to Uncle Liu?" Dingyi, feeling a bit dizzy, explained, "That is because they have the alliance leader's command flag." Yuepo further questioned, "But Uncle Liu has an imperial decree; isn't that even more powerful?" Dingyi, exasperated, retorted, "Ask your master." Yuepo responded, "My master is not here." Dingyi, even more frustrated, shouted, "Then ask your sect leader." Yilin wondered, "Brother Yuepo is coming down the mountain for the first time and lacks experience in the martial world; he humbly seeks guidance from his master. Why did the master get angry?" Dingyi helplessly replied, "I did not get angry, I did not get angry."

In a moment, as firecrackers were about to be set off and the golden basin prepared, Liu Zhengfeng was about to wash his hands after a heap of idle chatter when a voice from outside called out, "Wait a moment." Four disciples from Mount Song entered, carrying a brocade banner. The leader said, "Disciple Shi Dengdai pays respects to Master Liu. " Liu Zhengfeng hurriedly helped him up, and Shi Dengdai then greeted everyone in turn, saying, "Master Liu, my master has repeatedly instructed me to ask you to delay washing your hands in the golden basin. My master said that the Five Mountains Sword Sect is like branches of the same tree, and we are all like brothers. My master conveys this banner order, not only to uphold the friendship among the Five Mountains Sword Sect but also to maintain the righteousness in the martial world, and it is also for your own good, Master Liu."

Yu Canghai no longer paid attention to Yue Buqun, drawing his sword and leaping forward to stab. Yue Po's mind flashed with the image of a snake darting forward to attack. Without hesitation, he jumped higher than Yu Canghai, stepping on the sword. As Yu Canghai's sword light turned, blood spurted from Yue Po's left arm. Although injured, Yue Po had gained the upper hand. Yu Canghai was unaware of this fighting style from Mount Hua. As they landed, Yue Po executed a move called "Black Tiger Steals the Head," while Yu Canghai aimed to disable Yue Po's right hand with his sword. Yue Po changed his fist into a palm strike, intending to target the knee, but due to Yu Canghai's short stature, he leaned forward under the sword. Yue Po then slammed his forehead directly against Yu Canghai's forehead, which was not a formal technique but rather a street brawler's tactic. Although injured, Yue Po had gained the upper hand. Yu Canghai was unaware of this fighting style from Mount Hua. As they landed, Yue Po executed a move called "Black Tiger Steals the Head," while Yu Canghai aimed to disable Yue Po's right hand with his sword. Yue Po changed his fist into a palm strike, intending to target the knee, but due to Yu Canghai's short stature, he leaned forward under the sword. Yue Po then slammed his forehead directly against Yu Canghai's forehead, which was not a formal technique but rather a street brawler's tactic.

Yue Buqun asked in confusion, "What is the matter?" Yue Po replied, "They disregard their own disciples and sect, yet the sect leader must consider the legacy of Huashan over the past few hundred years." Yue Buqun said, "What do you mean by that?" Yue Po continued, "When the people harm the officials and the lower ranks offend the higher authorities, it is a serious crime. Now, Songshan intends to slaughter the entire family of the court officials, which is essentially... rebellion. Even if it involves a first-rank official, there can be no leniency regarding this matter. No matter how foolish the emperor may be, he will not ignore this issue. When the time comes, with armies in motion, Songshan will be doomed." (Personally, I feel this aspect in 'The Smiling, Proud Wanderer' is a flaw; when court officials are exterminated by a civilian organization, the rulers will certainly view it as rebellion, and there is no room for sentiment in this matter.)

Yue Buqun glanced at the crowd and said, "Now that Liu Zhengfeng is already considered an official of the court, I think it would be better for everyone to take a step back. Let us conclude this matter for today. You may return to the mountain to report to the leader and make a decision later. Liu Zhengfeng, you shall refrain from washing your hands today, how does that sound?" Taishan has certain connections with the royal family, and Tianmen immediately stood up and said, "What Brother Yue said is very true." Ding Yi also remarked, "Brother Yue is indeed reasonable." The people from Songshan, understanding the gravity of the situation and seeing the two sect leaders act this way, had no choice but to leave with harsh words.

As noon approached, five to six hundred guests flowed in like a stream, and everyone took their seats, with polite conversation naturally unnecessary. Suddenly, someone outside shouted, "The imperial decree has arrived, Liu Zhengfeng, heed the command." It turned out that Liu Zhengfeng had somehow used certain means and connections to obtain the rank of deputy general. Many looked down upon him, but it was not appropriate to say much, as everyone present had some degree of acquaintance with Liu Zhengfeng.

"Stop it," Yue Buqun finally felt gratified after observing the abilities of his disciples. If this continued, it would be hard to say what would happen, so he hurriedly intervened. "We are currently discussing the matter of Liu Xian, and Yue Po has yet to apologize to Master Yu." Yue Po obediently replied, "Master Yu is not angry, oh, I am here to apologize to you." Yue Buqun angrily said, "It is your fault for disrespecting your elders." Yue Po suddenly realized, "I have offended my seniors greatly, and I hope for your forgiveness." Yu Canghai was filled with intense hatred in his heart, yet he knew that he could defeat this young man, but it would not be a simple matter to take him down in just one or two moves. With so many heroes present, how could he still strike at a junior?

Liu Zhengfeng refused to comply and insisted on washing his hands, yet among the guests, over thirty individuals revealed their Songshan attire. More than ten people emerged from the inner hall, and Liu Zhengfeng's family members were all captured by them. Fei Bin, the fourth disciple of Zuo Lengchan, the leader of the Songshan Sect, along with his second disciple Ding Mian, the Totem Hand, and Lu Bai, the Immortal Crane Hand, all arrived. After a discussion, everyone understood that Liu Zhengfeng had a close relationship with the evil sect elder Qu Yang, which led to the suspicion of collusion with the evil sect. The Songshan Sect demanded that Liu Zhengfeng kill Qu Yang within a month, and they would not pursue the matter further.

Left Cold Zen was unaware that Liu Zhengfeng could secure an official position, which is why he did not provide any instructions. The disciples of Songshan were also in a state of confusion; among the hundreds of them, if even one person took the lead, it would indeed be a crime of rebellion. At that time, once the army was mobilized, Songshan would become a thing of the past.