Chapter 8, A Simple Transition Back to the Mountain

Yue Po leaned in and said, "Does the Sect Leader mean to kill anyone we encounter from Qingcheng?" Yue Buqun shot him a glare and replied, "You have caused the most trouble on this trip. Although it cannot be considered a major offense, your master should discipline you. However, your master says you are quite experienced. If it weren't for you, the Liu residence would not have seen any survivors this time."

Despite the earnest pleas of the disciples, the matter was ultimately settled in this manner

Lin Pingzhi greeted Ning Zhongze, saying, "I have paid my respects to the Master’s wife." He then turned to Yue Po and spoke, "Master, I have returned. This is a gift I specially bought for you after traveling all over Hengyang." Ning Zhongze took it and found it to be a golden bracelet, exquisitely crafted and a work of a renowned master. She joyfully exclaimed, "My disciple truly understands me. It is rare for you, the sect leader, to present such a decent gift. However, you should not have been able to afford this bracelet. Did the sect leader provide the funds?"

Linghu Chong was deeply affected by the blow from Yue Po, feeling gloomy throughout the journey. He suspiciously observed the two of them several times, resembling the way Yue Po had described. Yue Po was also puzzled: wasn't this junior sister always fond of Linghu Chong? She even got jealous over that Miao ethnic girl. How could she suddenly change her heart for a pretty boy? Could it be that Xu Ke is playing tricks on me? Or is it the butterfly effect from my presence here? It makes no sense, it makes no sense. The two of them hung their heads, each lost in thought.

Yue Buqun nodded after listening and said, "Chong'er, I will punish you for your negligence, which led to the death of your senior. Do you accept this?" Linghu Chong realized his mistake and immediately replied, "Disciple accepts it." Yue Buqun glanced at Ning Zhongze, who understood and said, "Po'er, you are full of nonsense, cunning and slippery. Not understanding the rules of the martial world, you act on your own. How do you want me to punish you?"

Three https : / / mhetushu .com .com As the person returned, Linghu Chong remarked, "Junior brother is indeed a dragon among men." However, Yue Ling Shan was displeased and said, "Senior brother, do you remember a few years ago when my father wanted to increase our training hours from three to five? It was because of him. Junior brother, I must tell you, do not let it slip that your martial arts have improved. If he finds out, he will definitely increase our training by four more hours." Linghu Chong, feeling a chill, agreed, "That makes sense, that makes sense." They did not realize that on one hand, Yue was indeed diligent, but on the other hand, he was unwilling to play with children while having an adult mindset, which was why he practiced martial arts to relieve boredom. It was because of him. Junior brother, I must tell you, do not let it slip that your martial arts have improved. If he finds out, he will definitely increase our training by four more hours." Linghu Chong, feeling a chill, agreed, "That makes sense, that makes sense." They did not realize that on one hand, Yue was indeed diligent, but on the other hand, he was unwilling to play with children while having an adult mindset, which was why he practiced martial arts to relieve boredom.

As the crowd arrived at the training ground, the two individuals each raised a towering pine to welcome their guests. Ning Zhong, however, was not courteous and advanced with his sword, launching an attack. Yue Po, resolute, stepped forward to receive the challenge. Ning changed his moves, dancing like a butterfly, while Yue moved with the agility of a snake. In the first several dozen exchanges, neither side managed to touch the other.

Linghu Chong saw a temple, and the three of them walked over. They heard Mu Gaofeng pressuring Lin Zhennan and his wife to reveal the whereabouts of the Evil-Repelling Sword Technique. Yue Po was taken aback, wondering how this martial art had surfaced. Wasn't it written by Dongfang Bubai? Unable to contain himself, Linghu Chong kicked open the door and shouted, "Stop!" Just as Mu Gaofeng was about to inquire about the situation, he was interrupted and, in a fit of rage, launched an attack. Yue Po channeled his internal energy to counter it, and both retreated a few steps, though Yue Po sustained some internal injuries. Seeing the situation was unfavorable, Mu Gaofeng said nothing and leaped onto the roof to escape. Linghu Chong, unable to contain himself, kicked open the door and shouted, "Stop!" Just as Mu Gaofeng was about to inquire about the situation, he was interrupted and, in a fit of rage, launched an attack. Yue Po channeled his internal energy to counter it, and both retreated a few steps, though Yue Po sustained some internal injuries. Seeing the situation was unfavorable, Mu Gaofeng said nothing and leaped onto the roof to escape.

Currently, arrangements are being made for Lin Pingzhi to become a disciple. Similar to the previous encounter with Yue Buqun, after the formalities, Yue Buqun said, "You all come here; I would like to ask you, how did Song die that day?" Linghu Chong felt nervous, and Yue Buqun continued, "He was killed by Tian Boguang, right?" Yue Buqun angrily retorted, "Nonsense! I examined Song's injuries; the knife could not have been fatal. His internal organs were displaced; he was crushed to death." Linghu Chong had no choice but to recount the situation at that time.

Yue Ling Shan helped Yue Po to sit down and administered a medicine. Ling Hu Chong received the last words of the two, stating that there was an item belonging to the Lin family hidden in the cellar of the old residence on Xiangyang Alley in Fuzhou, which their descendants must not look at. After saying this, they both met their end. Yue Po understood that the item referred to was the Evil-Repelling Sword Technique, but he had no interest in it. Not to mention that he did not wish to become a eunuch, even if he did, he would not be able to wield a sword.

Yue Ling Shan murmured beside him, "So fast? So fast that even Master Mo's acupoints were struck from behind." The crowd was astonished, and Ning Zhongze asked with a serious expression, "What happened, Po'er?" Yue Po replied, "Hehe! Master Mo helped me practice the Eagle-Snake Life-and-Death Duel." Ning Zhongze, who was already aware of the situation, was not overly surprised and asked, "Did you comprehend it entirely on your own?" Yue Po said, "Yes, but my skill is still not sufficient; there are still some aspects I do not fully understand." Ning Zhongze nodded and said, "You come out and spar with me."

When Linghu Chong and Yue Pojing were discussing how deep to dig the pit, Yue Buqun and Lin Pingzhi arrived. Upon seeing the bodies of the two, Yue Buqun only allowed Lin Pingzhi to enter. Linghu Chong recounted the events and also mentioned the will. Seeing Lin Pingzhi's sorrow, and knowing that this matter was instigated by Yue Lingshan, he said, "Our Huashan Sect has always upheld the principle of 'If one does not offend me, I will not offend others.' Apart from being mortal enemies with the Demon Cult, we have no grievances with any of the various sects in the martial world. However, from now on, the Qingcheng Sect... the Qingcheng Sect... Alas, if one wishes to navigate the martial world without offending anyone, how easy can that be?"

At present, there is nothing to say. Packing up to return to the mountain, although Linghu Chong harbored resentment towards Yue Po's incessant chatter, he admired him greatly. The two became even more in sync. Seeing everyone whispering from a distance, Yue Po asked, "Senior Brother, do you like Junior Sister?" Linghu Chong was taken aback and blushed, saying, "No, no, not at all." Yue Po laughed heartily, saying, "It's rare to see you shy. I can tell you have feelings for her, but now you have a problem; she seems to be interested in that Junior Brother Lin." Linghu Chong was stunned again and urgently grabbed Yue Po's hand, asking, "How do you know?" Yue Po replied, "Don't worry about how I know. I advise you to either settle this matter now or give up on this woman." He urgently pulled Yue Po's hand again, asking, "How do you know?" Yue Po reiterated, "Don't worry about how I know. I advise you to either settle this matter now or give up on this woman."

Ning Zhongze said, "Chong'er? Do you want to learn my technique?" Linghu Chong was already envious and hurriedly replied, "Of course I want to learn." Yue Buqun smiled and said, "That is a unique creation of your master’s, 'Unmatched and Peerless, Ning's Sword.' Among my few disciples, only your internal skills can barely allow for learning it."

Ning Zhongze said with a smile, looking at the smiling Yue Po, "Your methods are not entirely without merit, but as your master, I am quite displeased with your cunning. What kind of punishment do you desire?" Yue Po explained, "At that time, we only had two gold leaves and some loose silver coins. If this chain is not in your hands, Master, it would be a waste of a precious gem. Do you really think you are unworthy of it?" Ning Zhongze chuckled, "Then let it be. You flatter me quite well; this chain is indeed remarkable..."

When everyone arrived at the "No Doings Pavilion," Yue Ling Shan first recounted the incident of the extermination of the Fu Jian Fu Wei Escort Agency. Ning Zhong Ze sighed and remarked on the pity of Ping and the hatred for Yu Cang Hai. Then, Ling Hu Chong spoke about his encounter with Tian Bo Guang and continued until the end. Yue Bu Qun said to Ning Zhong Ze, "Your disciple seems not to have broken the Seven Precepts, yet has made quite a few contributions." However, Ning Zhong Ze had never witnessed the confrontation between Yue Po and Yu Cang Hai, and was astonished, saying, "Your skills have progressed too quickly now."

Yue Po whispered, "How about punishing me by not allowing me to have breakfast in the future? Or perhaps I could give you a back massage every day?" Ning Zhongze laughed and said, "That would be too unfair to you. As your teacher, I am concerned that you might stray onto the wrong path, so I need to clear your mind. Senior Brother, you make the decision." Yue Buqun replied, "I originally thought of sending both of them to the Cliff of Regret, but I worry that they are too close and it would be ineffective. How about this: Chong'er will go to the Cliff of Regret for a year, and Po'er will have you, as his master, set three study sessions for him each day. What do you think?" Ning Zhongze agreed.

Soon, a group of people arrived at the foot of the Jade Maiden Peak of Mount Hua, where more than twenty disciples rushed to greet them. Among them, Yue Ling Shan and Ling Hu Chong were the most popular, while Yue Po felt particularly lonely. Ling Hu Chong's mood improved significantly amidst the enthusiastic reception from the disciples. Ning Zhong Ze also came outside, and just as Yue Po was about to pay his respects, he was kicked aside by Yue Ling Shan. She then threw herself into her mother's embrace and said, "Mom, I have another junior brother now." Seeing her expression, Yue Po realized that history had changed; Yue Ling Shan no longer loved Ling Hu Chong. He then glanced at Lin Ping Zhi and found him somewhat displeasing.

Just a short distance away, I saw Yue Buqun and Yu Canghai engaged in a fierce sword duel. The dazzling exchange of blades was mesmerizing, and suddenly, Yu Canghai let out a muffled grunt and shouted, "We shall meet again," before making a hasty retreat. Yue Buqun, however, called out, "You must return Ping's parents first," and pursued him relentlessly. Linghu Chong praised, "If Master were to unleash that sword technique on me, I fear I wouldn't be able to block even a single strike." Yue Ling Shan also remarked, "I couldn't see it clearly at all." Yet, Yue Po had a clear view and even discerned several flaws in their techniques, but he dared not speak up and could only agree, saying, "Yes, yes."

Yue Ling Shan interjected, "That's not the case; it was our junior brother who used a bit of trickery." Yue Po quickly exchanged glances, and Ning Ze playfully asked, "What did Shan'er say?" "The three of us went to buy gifts. Our junior brother found this bracelet at the antique shop at home. He went up to haggle, and he was quite imposing while doing so, managing to bring the price of six gold leaves down to three. When our senior brother went out, he used half a gold leaf to bribe a dozen couples, getting them to come up and ask for the price, each one nitpicking and offering no more than one gold leaf. In the end, a constable inquired about the origin of the gold chain, mentioning that there had been quite a few flying thieves recently. Ultimately, when we were just passing by, the shopkeeper insisted on selling it to us, and our junior brother reluctantly spent two gold leaves to buy it.

As Ning Zhongze rose to prominence, he let out a long howl, his sword's edge flickering unpredictably. Surrounded by Yue Po's rapid thrusts, silver light danced in the air. Upon seeing this, Yue Po was alarmed and dared not be negligent, his footwork quickening into a swift spin. The onlookers could only see the flashes of the sword and the shadows of the fists, unable to discern the two figures, all feeling a sense of trepidation. Yue Po channeled his internal energy, striking the incoming sword with either fist, palm, or finger. After a dozen clangs of metal, the long sword was finally shattered into several pieces, falling to the ground. Ning Zhongze's face flushed slightly, yet he was overjoyed, exclaiming, "Not bad, not bad. I, Ning Zhongze, can have such a disciple." He exchanged a victorious glance with Yue Buqun. Knowing that his wife was strong-willed and preferred to be called 'Heroine Ning' rather than 'Madam Yue,' Yue Buqun did not mind and said, "You all should take Po'er as a model. From now on, add an extra hour to your regular studies. Shan'er, don't look at your father like that; it's settled."