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

Page 355

Yue Buqun said, "Go and call Ning'er here. I need to speak with him."

"Yes, Master."

The two spoke in unison, and after Yue Buqun went inside, they both wiped non-existent sweat from their foreheads.

The two exchanged a glance, both feeling immense pressure from what had just happened. Not daring to linger, they quickly went to call Jiang Ning.

"Junior Brother Jiang Ning, Junior Brother Jiang Ning."

The two began calling out as soon as they arrived at their residence in Jiangning.

Jiang Ning was sitting outside the courtyard reading a book when he heard the two voices, so he got up and went over.

"Senior brothers, is there anything I can help you with?"

Ying Bailuo immediately said, "Master sent us to summon you to You Suo Bu Wei Xuan. Master has something to discuss with you."

Do you need something?

Jiang Ning was surprised.

Does that mean they've agreed to let him go down the mountain?

"Okay, thank you for making this special trip, senior brothers. I'll be right there."

After putting down his books, Jiang Ning went with the two of them.

Tao Jun continued to remind him along the way.

"Junior Brother Jiang Ning, our eldest brother just came out crying after being scolded by Master. Be careful."

Jiang Ning blinked and nodded. "Okay, senior brother."

The two men dropped him off at the entrance of the Suoyoubuwei Pavilion and then slipped away.

Jiang Ning went inside and found Yue Buqun sitting in the hall with his eyes closed, resting.

"Master."

Upon hearing Jiang Ning's voice, Yue Buqun opened his eyes, looked at Jiang Ning, and nodded.

"Sit down, Ning'er."

Jiang Ning, sitting in the lower seat, asked, "I just heard Senior Brother Tao Jun and Senior Brother Ying Bailuo say that Master wanted to see me about something. May I ask what it is?"

"I do have something to discuss with you."

Yue Buqun nodded, got up and walked outside.

"Come with me."

Jiang Ning was puzzled, but then followed.

The two arrived at the back hall, which is also the place where the ancestral tablets of Huashan's ancestors are enshrined.

Jiang Ning didn't know why Yue Buqun had brought him here.

Yue Buqun then turned to look at him and asked, "How long have you been at Mount Hua?"

Jiang Ning was taken aback, then replied, "I came up the mountain with my master when I was three years old, and it has been almost seventeen years since then."

"It's been almost seventeen years..."

Yue Buqun murmured something and then said, "Ning'er, I plan to have you succeed as the head of the Huashan Sect in the future."

Yue Buqun's straightforwardness surprised Jiang Ning.

How could it be so sudden?

"Master, Senior Brother, he..."

Yue Buqun said directly, "I have already spoken with Chong'er, and he has no objections. I am also prepared to betroth Shan'er to him."

Jiang Ning was taken aback again.

Seeing his reaction, Yue Buqun asked, "You're unwilling to accept it?"

Jiang Ning shook his head upon hearing this.

"No, it's just that I feel things happened so suddenly. Master is still in his prime, and it's too early to think about these things."

"It is late."

Yue Buqun shook his head and said, "I will be sixty next year, and the Huashan Sect will eventually be handed over to you from my hands."

"Master, I..."

Before Jiang Ning could finish speaking, Yue Buqun interrupted him.

"Don't refuse."

Yue Buqun said, "Currently, only you can be the leader of the Huashan Sect. No one else is suitable, including Chong'er. I am passing on the position of leader to you not so that you can enjoy yourself, but so that you can shoulder the responsibility."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning stopped speaking and nodded, saying, "Yes, Master."

Yue Buqun looked at him and sighed softly, "Ning'er, you've had a hard time."

"You have sacrificed a lot for the Huashan Sect. I owe you a lot, and the Huashan Sect owes you a lot. From now on, the Huashan Sect will be handed over to you."

"Master, please don't say that!"

Jiang Ning suddenly knelt down and said in a deep voice, "Master owes me nothing, and the Huashan Sect owes me nothing. On the contrary, I am deeply indebted to Master and have no way to repay him."

"Without my master, I would not be where I am today. Now that my master has decided to entrust the Huashan Sect to me, I will live up to his trust. From now on, I will take it upon myself to punish evil and promote good, and take it upon myself to revitalize the sect. I will do my utmost to make the Huashan Sect flourish, until my death. If I break this promise, may I be punished by heaven and earth!"

Chapter 476: Announcing the Heir (Bonus Chapter 1/2 for Lin Feng, who likes Lung-Gold Grass)

Yue Buqun looked at Jiang Ning with a gratified smile on his face.

"Good, good, good."

"Ning'er, get up."

Yue Buqun personally helped Jiang Ning up, then went to the incense table and looked at the memorial tablets on it. He then picked up the three incense sticks that had been prepared beforehand, lit them, and solemnly bowed to the memorial tablets.

"With the ancestors of Huashan above, I, Yue Buqun, received the position from my master on his deathbed. For more than 20 years, I have worked diligently and dared not slack off, yet I still find it difficult to move forward."

"Heaven has taken pity on me, Yue Buqun, and brought this son into the world. He has raised him to adulthood, helped the Huashan Sect rediscover its lost sword techniques, and found the Innate Skill, thus laying the foundation for Huashan. He is respectful, diligent, and conscientious, embodying the principles of righteousness, propriety, and integrity. He possesses a pure Yang heart, is self-disciplined and cautious, guards his mind and understands his nature. He upholds a solemn and righteous heart to save people and acts with unwavering determination. The revival of Huashan is hopeful, and the incense of our ancestors will continue. Your disciple, Yue Buqun, has not failed my master's trust, and I have no regrets in this life!"

After Yue Buqun performed the grand ceremony before the ancestors of Mount Hua, he placed the three incense sticks in the incense burner.

Three wisps of smoke rose slightly, surrounding the memorial tablet, as if the ancestors of Mount Hua were responding.

"All right."

Yue Buqun turned to look at Jiang Ning and patted him on the shoulder.

"Your birthday is in three days. I plan to tell the other disciples of the Huashan Sect about this on your birthday. Make good preparations."

Jiang Ning paused for a moment, then nodded.

"Yes, Master."

"let's go."

Yue Buqun and Jiang Ning walked out of the back hall.

"You will be taking over the Huashan Sect in the future, so you need to be more careful in your actions and go down the mountain less often."

Although Yue Buqun was already preparing to pass on the position of sect leader, he wouldn't do it now.

The Weiyi Alliance has just been established, and he is its first leader. He cannot abandon his responsibilities yet; there are still things to do. Yue Buqun cannot hand over the reins to Jiang Ning now, as that would not only put too much pressure on Jiang Ning but would also be irresponsible to the Weiyi Alliance.

Jiang Ning is still young and has a bright future in the martial arts world. We shouldn't let trivial matters affect him. Even if we were to pass on the position, we should wait at least a few years.

Although Yue Buqun did not intend to pass the leadership to Jiang Ning right now, he still wanted to remind Jiang Ning not to leave the mountain on a whim like before, as there was such a large Huashan Sect waiting for him to take over.

"Yes, Master."

Jiang Ning nodded, then added, "Speaking of going down the mountain, this disciple would like to make a trip to Fujian."

Fujian?

Yue Buqun was taken aback.

What are you going to Fujian for?

Jiang Ning said, "This disciple wishes to visit the Shaolin Temple in Putian."

Putian Shaolin Temple?

Yue Buqun fell silent, his brows furrowing.

After a while.

"You want to investigate the truth behind the Huashan Sword Qi dispute?"

Jiang Ning nodded.

“That’s right. Although we heard about what happened from Abbess Qingzhu at Emei, it’s still best to investigate this matter thoroughly.”

Jiang Ning didn't disbelieve what Emei said; rather, their account was incomplete. The senior from Emei had only seen the letter and didn't know the details. He wanted to find out the truth of what happened back then and what exactly occurred.

Yue Buqun remained silent, lost in thought.

After a while.

"Alright."

Yue Buqun nodded and said, "Actually, I also want to find out the truth about what happened back then. Since you want to investigate, I won't stop you. After all, you will be taking over the Huashan Sect in the future."

Yue Buqun agreed to let Jiang Ning go down the mountain, but before Jiang Ning could speak, Yue Buqun said, "However, now is not the time. The world outside is very chaotic and dangerous. The Demonic Sect is eyeing our righteous path covetously, especially you. Ren Woxing sent dozens of experts to besiege and kill you before. If you go out now, it is hard to guarantee that Ren Woxing will not attack you again. Let's wait a little longer."

"Let's talk about it later."

Since Yue Buqun had said so, Jiang Ning could only nod in agreement.

"correct."

Yue Buqun then remembered something and said, "I have already found someone to forge the scabbard for the Zhenwu Sword. I found a weapon expert in Xi'an Prefecture. He is skilled at forging weapons. When I asked him last time, he said it would take two months to forge it."

"Yes, Master."

Jiang Ning isn't in a hurry; two or three months is fine.

The two walked along the road and soon reached a fork in the road. Yue Buqun prepared to return to Suoyoubuweixuan, while Jiang Ning also prepared to go back to his room to continue reading.

As Jiang Ning was bowing and preparing to leave, Yue Buqun suddenly called out to him.

"Ning'er."

Upon hearing Yue Buqun's call, Jiang Ning turned around and stopped.

"Is there anything else, Master?"

Yue Buqun looked at Jiang Ning, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

After a while.

"Ning'er."

After thinking for a long time, Yue Buqun looked at Jiang Ning and said, "Although practicing the Innate Skill requires maintaining a pure yang body, losing one's virginity has no effect. Your martial arts are already high enough. Even if you cannot improve further, there are few people in the world who can kill you."

Jiang Ning was puzzled, not understanding why Yue Buqun would say such a thing.

Yue Buqun stared intently at Jiang Ning and said, "What I mean is that if you are fortunate enough to meet a woman with whom you will spend your life in the future, I will personally officiate at your wedding."

Yue Buqun couldn't bear it after all and said those words.

Jiang Ning was taken aback and remained silent for a long time.

After a long time.

"The disciple understands."

Jiang Ning bowed to Yue Buqun and then left.

Yue Buqun stared blankly at Jiang Ning's departing figure for a long time before turning and leaving.

After returning to his room, Jiang Ning did not continue reading the Tao Te Ching. Instead, he looked at another book on his desk, sat down in the courtyard, and continued reading.

"What my heart desires, though I die nine times, I will not regret..."

……