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

Page 115

Yue Buqun was caught in a difficult decision.

Jiang Ning didn't think about that question; he was wondering why the other party would approach the Huashan Sect instead of other sects.

It should be noted that among the righteous sects today, besides Wudang, Shaolin, and the Five Mountains Sword Sect, there are many other major sects, such as the Kunlun Sect and the Diancang Sect.

Seeing the master and disciple opposite her deep in thought, Huiyin did not urge them, but waited patiently. However, the constant movement of her right hand moving the prayer beads showed that she was not actually that calm.

They took a huge risk by doing this.

The plan was carried out in secrecy. Although they were confident that they could deal with Jin Guang Shangren and his group, their actual strength was not much greater than Jin Guang Shangren's. Their advantage lay more in their secret arrangements. If the plan were leaked in advance, their success rate would be greatly reduced.

Before Huiyin came to Shaanxi, some people within their group disagreed with this approach. They preferred to eliminate Jin Guang Shangren before contacting the Huashan Sect, but others believed that there wouldn't be enough time. By then, Shaolin and Wudang would already know, and the Huashan Sect might not be able to withstand the pressure from Shaolin and Wudang to support them. Some things are different if said in advance versus afterward.

"..."

Yue Buqun lowered his head, lost in thought, his brows furrowed.

After a while.

Yue Buqun looked up at Huiyin opposite him, neither agreeing nor refusing, but instead asked a question.

"I'd like to know why you chose the Huashan Sect?"

Huiyin smiled and said, "Sect Leader Yue is an upright person with the reputation of a gentleman swordsman in the martial arts world. The Huashan Sect is a famous sect in the world with an extraordinary status in the martial arts world. We believe in Sect Leader Yue's character and your sect."

Choosing the Huashan School was naturally a matter of careful consideration.

Initially, the Huashan Sect was not within their consideration, mainly because the Huashan Sect was too impoverished after the sword qi dispute. Their first choice was the Songshan Sect.

In the martial arts world today, the Five Mountains Sword Sects are as famous as Shaolin and Wudang, and are renowned sects. Among them, the Songshan Sect is the leader of the Five Mountains Sword Sects, and its strength far surpasses that of the other four sects. However, since the Songshan Sect and Shaolin are both located on Mount Song, if they were to seek the support of Zuo Lengchan from the Songshan Sect, there is a high probability that the news would leak to Shaolin, so they gave up.

As for Kunlun, it is far from the Central Plains and is very close to Shaolin. Like Jin Guang Shangren and his group, they follow Shaolin's lead without any thought of getting support from Kunlun.

Other sects were either too small or already associated with Shaolin; there was no sect in the vast martial arts world that was suitable.

Until Jiang Ning brought the Huashan Sect into their view.

They were well aware of what Jiang Ning had done in Sichuan, and they were also surprised by this rising star. They immediately began to collect information about Jiang Ning, but the more they collected, the more shocked they became.

Since his debut, Jiang Ning's actions have simply blew their minds. He eliminated the Iron Palm Sect, killed Tian Boguang, eradicated bandits, wiped out Yu Canghai and his disciples, and eliminated the Green Gang. No one from these sects and people survived Jiang Ning's actions. His ruthlessness and toughness were unheard of and unseen. He even earned a title.

Ning Yanwang.

People in the martial arts world are very keen on giving nicknames to others. Generally, they choose nicknames based on the other person's appearance or physical characteristics, their special skills, or their behavior, such as Yue Buqun's "Gentleman Sword".

Jiang Ning's ruthless style initially circulated only within certain circles, but after he destroyed the Qingcheng Sect, the title "King of Hell" became widely known.

Many righteous people were quite surprised when they heard this title. They originally thought that the disciple taught by Yue Buqun, who was known as the Gentleman Sword, should also be a minor Gentleman Sword. They never expected that he would actually teach a living Yama.

There's now a saying circulating in the martial arts world about Yue Buqun and his disciple Jiang Ning.

Better to provoke a gentleman's sword than to provoke the King of Hell.

However, some righteous people are quite disgusted by this title, as it is too murderous and doesn't seem like something a righteous person would do.

However, this name immediately attracted the attention of Huiyin and other orthodox Emei disciples, and they also began to notice the Huashan Sect.

A few months ago, when Yue Buqun announced the merger of the Sword and Qi sects, news of the departure of Abbess Dingyi and others also spread. Including the specific circumstances at the time, they all knew that the Huashan Sect had gained two more top-notch masters.

The Huashan Sect has kept a very low profile over the years. Its leader usually keeps a low profile, but the strength he displays is terrifying.

They then realized that this sect was about to rise again.

The master is unfathomable, the disciples are highly skilled in martial arts, and there are many experts within the sect. The rise of the Huashan Sect has made them pay attention to this sect again.

Huiyin and other orthodox Emei disciples unexpectedly discovered that the Huashan Sect was a sect very suitable for being won over.

Emei and Huashan were once the six major sects, with equal status. Moreover, the relationship between Huashan and Wudang and Shaolin was not so close. Back then, when Wudang, Kunlun, and Kongtong were all led by Shaolin, Huashan was the only one that broke away and established the Five Mountains Sword Sect, preventing Shaolin from becoming the only dominant sect. Although it has declined now, it still has its own small circle of the Five Mountains.

Although the Huashan Sect has few disciples now, the quality of its experts is very high. The sect leader is known as the Gentleman Sword in the martial arts world and has great prestige. If Yue Buqun is willing to speak up for them, the help he can provide is unimaginable.

If they can win over the Huashan Sect, it would be equivalent to winning over the other five major sword sects as well.

After careful consideration, they decided to choose the Huashan Sect.

Of course, the most important reason they chose the Huashan Sect was that although the sword and qi dispute of that year was concealed, it was known among the top sects in the martial arts world, such as Shaolin, Wudang, and the Sun Moon Sect. The Emei Sect also knew about it, and they knew that the event that led to the decline of the Huashan Sect was not just a simple internal strife within the Huashan Sect.

After a while.

Yue Buqun stood up.

"If you don't mind, Master, you can stay at the Huashan Sect for a few days."

Huiyin's heart tightened.

This is already a veiled rejection.

However, Yue Buqun's next words eased her tension slightly.

"I am unable to make a decision on this matter at the moment. Please give me some time. I will give the nun an answer first thing tomorrow morning."

Hearing this, Huiyin felt a little relieved. It was afternoon, and the other party didn't need much time to consider it; it was only one night, which she could accept.

"In that case, this humble nun will await news from Sect Leader Yue."

Huiyin rose and bowed, and Yue Buqun returned the bow before looking at Jiang Ning: "Ning'er, please take your master to the guest room to rest."

"Yes, Master."

Jiang Ning nodded, then gestured to Huiyin, "Master, please follow me."

"Thank you for your trouble, Benefactor Jiang."

Huiyin put her hands together in prayer.

Watching Jiang Ning lead Huiyin to the guest room, Yue Buqun frowned deeply.

……

"May I ask how old you are, Benefactor Jiang?"

On the way, Huiyin took the initiative to bring up the topic.

Generally, "贵庚" is used to greet someone of high status or an elder. It is unknown what Huiyin's status is among the orthodox disciples of Emei, but her humility towards Jiang Ning suggests that, besides knowing Jiang Ning's high status in the Huashan Sect, they do indeed need the support of the Huashan Sect in some ways.

Jiang Ning smiled and replied, "I'm eighteen this year."

Jiang Ning turned eighteen during his time in Sichuan, but he didn't pay much attention to it.

Huiyin looked surprised: "To have such martial arts skills at such a young age, Benefactor Jiang is truly a prodigy."

Jiang Ning smiled and said, "Master, you flatter me."

After exchanging pleasantries, Jiang Ning changed the subject, asking, "When I was descending Mount Emei, I passed by Qingyun Temple and saw the nun at the temple gate. Could it be that Qingyun Temple belongs to you...?"

Chapter 166: Beware of Shaolin

Huiyin nodded: "That's right, that's one of our bases."

Jiang Ning nodded.

That makes sense. Qingyun Temple isn't a large temple. If Huiyin's lineage of Emei disciples wanted to reclaim the Emei Sect, they would need a significant number of people, so it's unlikely they would be in that location.

Along the way, Jiang Ning and Huiyin chatted about what they had seen and heard, from some matters of the martial arts world to their martial arts skills. The two talked happily, and it seemed that both host and guest were enjoying themselves.

During the conversation, Huiyin also observed the Huashan Sect and found that many of the sect's buildings were new and impressive, as if they had been recently built or renovated, but some buildings still looked a bit old.

“These buildings are decades old, and some are old and dilapidated. My team is currently planning to renovate the houses and build some new ones. The renovation is still in progress.”

Seeing the surprise in Huiyin's eyes, Jiang Ning took the initiative to explain, and then led Huiyin to the guest room.

During the previous renovation, Yue Buqun also renovated and expanded the guest rooms. The guest room that Jiang Ning brought Huiyin to is a small courtyard room with good ventilation from north to south and beautiful surrounding scenery.

"Please rest for now, nun. I will not disturb you any longer."

After escorting Huiyin to her guest room, Jiang Ning prepared to leave.

"Please wait patiently, benefactor."

Huiyin put his hands together and said.

Jiang Ning smiled, nodded, and left.

After leaving, Jiang Ning did not return to his room. Instead, he went to the Suoyoubuwei Pavilion, where Yue Buqun, Ning Zhongze, and Feng Buping were all waiting for him.

"Ning'er, sit down."

Upon seeing Jiang Ning arrive, Yue Buqun asked Jiang Ning to sit down, and then said, "I have already told your master's wife and Uncle Feng about Master Huiyin's purpose in coming."

Yue Buqun had no intention of hiding such a big matter from two people: his wife and his junior brother, both of whom were his own people.

Jiang Ning nodded and asked, "What are Master's wife and Uncle-Master Feng's opinions?"

Ning Zhongze smiled and replied, "I have no objection. It's up to you to decide."

Feng Buping said, "I think it's acceptable."

He had no particular thoughts. The other party didn't need the Huashan Sect's help; he could gain their friendship simply by saying a few words, which he felt was a good deal.

"Junior Brother Feng, you are unaware of this."

Yue Buqun then said, “The current leader of Emei, Master Jin Guang, has a close relationship with Shaolin. In today’s conversation, Abbess Huiyin also expressed considerable apprehension towards Shaolin and Wudang. If my Huashan Sect agrees, it may lead to animosity between us and both Shaolin and Wudang.”

"This……"

Upon hearing this, Feng Buping was also in a dilemma.

Seeing that neither he nor Ning Zhongze could come up with a solution, Yue Buqun was not surprised.

Seeing this, Yue Buqun didn't ask for their opinions anymore, but instead looked at Jiang Ning: "What do you think?"

Jiang Ning nodded and said, "Just now, during my conversation with Abbess Huiyin, we discussed the martial arts of the Emei Sect. Abbess Huiyin is very familiar with Emei martial arts and should be a true Emei disciple."

During his stay at Mount Emei, Jiang Ning had consulted with the monks and Taoists at the Golden Summit Temple about some of Emei's martial arts, so he knew a little about them. He then asked Huiyin about this, and she was able to answer his questions, even more thoroughly than the monks and Taoists.

"Is that so?"

Upon hearing this, Yue Buqun lowered his head again, remaining silent and lost in thought. After a moment, he looked up at Jiang Ning.

"What are your thoughts? Your teacher would like to hear your opinion."

Ning Zhongze and Feng Buping were not at all surprised by Yue Buqun's attitude.

Jiang Ning thought for a moment.

"If this is true, I can agree."

Yue Buqun remained silent.

Seeing his expression, Ning Zhongze knew he was still thinking, so she said to Jiang Ning and Feng Buping, "Ning'er, Senior Brother Feng, it's getting late, you should go back and rest."

Jiang Ning and Feng Buping nodded and took their leave, then got up and went back to their respective rooms.

"Senior brother, don't worry too much."

Seeing that Yue Buqun was still undecided, Ning Zhongze comforted him.

Yue Buqun looked up and smiled, then changed the subject, asking, "Is Chong'er still on the Cliff of Contemplation?"

"Ah."

Ning Zhongze nodded.

Since Linghu Chong went to the Cliff of Contemplation last time, he has not come down the mountain and has been in seclusion.

Yue Buqun simply nodded after hearing this. He had only asked casually, and then said, "It's getting late, you should get some rest."

Huiyin's arrival put him in a difficult position, as he only had one night to consider his options, making the timeframe very tight.

"it is good."

Knowing that Yue Buqun was thinking about serious matters, Ning Zhongze did not disturb him. She advised him not to overthink things and then went to rest.

……

Early the next morning.

main hall.

"Did you rest well last night, Master?"

Yue Buqun asked.

Huiyin smiled and said, "Very good, thank you for your trouble, Sect Leader Yue."