Chapter 87: Feng Qingyang in Neglect

After a brief but bloody upheaval, the martial world fell into a deceptive calm. Even the most obtuse of its denizens understood that beneath this quiet surface, a storm was gathering—ominous winds heralding the coming tempest.

Everyone was preoccupied with cultivating the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual, too absorbed in their training to wander the rivers and lakes. Each harbored the same thought: when the day came that their skills were perfected, so too would their names echo across the realm.

Though Yue Buqun, present at the Fortune Escort Agency, appeared at ease as he idled away his days with Yang Xin, his responsibilities as the head of Huashan weighed heavily on him. At length, he announced his intention to depart, politely inviting Yang Xin and Lin Zhennan to visit Mount Hua.

Yang Xin, instead of taking this as mere courtesy, deliberately seized upon the invitation and even encouraged the Lin family to accompany them. Lin Zhennan agreed at once, partly out of fear that Yu Canghai, having mastered the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual, would seek revenge, and partly in hopes that Lin Pingzhi and Yue Lingshan might marry sooner rather than later.

The martial world was now a powder keg on the verge of exploding. Lin Zhennan shut down the escort agency, and everyone readied carriages for a grand migration. With a sweep of his hands, Yang Xin opened a spatial portal to the Repentance Cliff on Mount Hua.

The assembled party instinctively clutched their heads.

“We forgot about the immortal’s divine means,” Yue Buqun remarked, and, not wishing to lose face, was the first to step through the portal, emerging atop the Repentance Cliff.

Once everyone had arrived at the cliff, Yue Buqun prepared to lead the group down the mountain. Yang Xin, however, raised a hand to halt him, his keen gaze sweeping the landscape with an otherworldly clarity. He pointed to a spot on the cliffside. “Come, Master Yue, strike here.”

Yue Buqun responded without hesitation, unleashing a mighty Cloud-Dispelling Palm at the indicated spot, instantly revealing a hidden cave entrance.

“Laudeno.”

“Here.”

“Laudeno, remain. Once the stale air inside has dissipated, make rubbings of the lost sword techniques of the Five Mountain Sword Sect,” Yang Xin instructed calmly.

“As you wish, Immortal Master!” Laudeno replied with profound respect.

Laudeno relished every task Yang Xin bestowed upon him, interpreting such commands as a sign of trust and inclusion. That fateful “I have high hopes for you” from Yang Xin had thrilled even the battle-hardened Laudeno for quite some time.

Moreover, he had witnessed with his own eyes the miracle of an immortal’s blessing. After Yue Buqun received the immortal’s touch, he too gained mystical arts—a development that filled Laudeno with envy and resolve. He silently swore to cling tightly to Yang Xin’s formidable support.

The commotion atop Repentance Cliff drew the attention of Feng Qingyang and Ning Zhongze of the Huashan Sect. Using their lightness skill, they swiftly ascended the cliff and ran headlong into Yang Xin’s party descending the path.

“Senior Brother!” Ning Zhongze exclaimed with delight, quickly introducing, “This is Uncle-Master Feng.”

Yet the reaction she imagined from Yue Buqun—one of astonishment and joy—did not materialize. Yue Buqun merely glanced coolly at Feng Qingyang and offered a curt, “Oh.”

Without so much as acknowledging Feng Qingyang, Yue Buqun turned to Yang Xin and gestured toward Ning Zhongze. “Immortal Master, this is my wife.”

Yang Xin nodded. “Unmatched in grace, the Sword of the Ning Clan; Master Yue, your fortune is enviable.”

“Pay your respects to the immortal,” Yue Buqun quietly signaled to Ning Zhongze.

At this time, Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze’s relationship was at its closest; their hearts and minds were one. Sensing Yue Buqun’s signal, she suppressed her confusion and dutifully bowed. “Greetings, Immortal Master.”

“Mother!” Yue Lingshan cried, throwing herself into Ning Zhongze’s arms and easing her embarrassment.

“This way, Immortal Master,” Yue Buqun said, still ignoring Feng Qingyang. He led Yang Xin’s group in grand procession straight to the Hall of Righteousness.

Feng Qingyang was incensed by Yue Buqun’s slight, but he understood that the Huashan Sect stood at the brink of life and death. He swallowed his anger and followed the others into the Hall of Righteousness.

Upon arrival, Yue Buqun promptly arranged seats for everyone, insisting that Yang Xin take the seat of honor. Yang Xin declined but was unable to refuse, and so sat side by side with Yue Buqun, while Feng Qingyang suffered yet another slight.

Yue Buqun dared to challenge Feng Qingyang in this silent manner for several reasons. Firstly, he had reason on his side: he was, after all, the head of Huashan. Secondly, he resented Feng Qingyang’s passivity. Throughout the dreamlike ordeal, Feng Qingyang had done nothing for the sect save for teaching Linghu Chong the Dugu Nine Swords. Even when Huashan was at its weakest, Feng Qingyang could have shown himself—it would have been a great support to the sect. Instead, the old man hid away on Repentance Cliff, playing at being a solitary master, ignorant of the greater good.

Most importantly, Yue Buqun now believed himself to possess the strength to stand toe-to-toe with Feng Qingyang.

Once everyone had settled, he ordered his disciples to pay their respects to Yang Xin. Seizing the moment, Yue Buqun dispatched Linghu Chong to Jade Maiden Peak, personally transcribing the sect’s treasured “Purple Cloud Divine Skill” for him and commanding him to enter seclusion to advance his cultivation. He was forbidden to emerge until his skills had made significant progress.

Jade Maiden Peak was once the residence of Huashan’s female disciples. In the sect’s prosperous days, there were many such disciples, but now, with Huashan in decline, Yue Lingshan was the only one left, leaving the peak vacant. Yue Buqun had no intention of sending Linghu Chong to Repentance Cliff. Instead, he installed him at Jade Maiden Peak and put Laudeno in charge of all sect affairs.

Yang Xin watched all this with a cold eye. Yue Buqun’s actions were a masterstroke, serving three purposes. First, by openly transferring Linghu Chong, he removed him from the sect’s core, though giving him the treasured martial art seemed to indicate high hopes. Previously, it was tradition in Huashan that whoever mastered the Purple Cloud Divine Skill would become the next leader. But that was in the past. Now, the sect’s true legacy was the “Threefold Qi Return.”

Second, Yue Buqun’s decision revealed his lingering attachment. He and Ning Zhongze had raised Linghu Chong as their own. Deep down, passing on the “Purple Cloud Divine Skill” was an act of hope—hoping Linghu Chong would not, as in the dream, betray the sect for his own interests.

Third, entrusting Laudeno with the daily affairs of the sect was a calculated move. Though Huashan had declined, it remained a prestigious school, rife with countless trivial matters. By burdening Laudeno with these, Yue Buqun ensured he would be too occupied to devote himself fully to cultivating the “Frost Fist.” In the martial world, strength reigned supreme.

After tending to these matters, Ning Zhongze hurriedly said, “Senior Brother, this is Uncle-Master Feng, the Sword of Huashan. Recently, the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual has appeared in great numbers across the martial world. Uncle-Master Feng, worried for Huashan’s safety, has come down the mountain to assist us.”

“Oh,” Yue Buqun replied, sipping his tea and swirling the leaves in his cup, still refusing to look at Feng Qingyang. He spoke with deliberate calm, “This is not urgent.”

“Senior Brother, if this is not urgent, then what is?” Ning Zhongze was bewildered. Her husband seemed a changed man since his return; she could not understand why he treated Feng Qingyang so coldly, nor why he appeared unconcerned about the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual.

“All will be clear in a moment,” Yue Buqun replied, composed as ever, leisurely introducing Huashan’s scenic wonders to Yang Xin. Even the dullest among those present sensed the tension in the air.

“They’re here,” Yue Buqun said, setting down his teacup.