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

Page 178

Yue Buqun raised an eyebrow, not understanding the meaning of "prescription".

"Master Yue must have put a lot of effort into having such an outstanding disciple as Young Hero Jiang. Now Young Hero Jiang has made a great name for himself in the martial arts world and his martial arts are superb. His eldest disciple, Linghu Chong, is also exceptionally talented. At a young age, his martial arts have already surpassed some of the famous seniors in the martial arts world."

Fang Zheng smiled and said, "Since the sword qi dispute began at Mount Hua, Headmaster Yue has worked tirelessly for the Mount Hua Sect to develop it to its current prosperity. With the merger of your sect's sword qi and the presence of two outstanding disciples like Young Hero Jiang and Young Hero Linghu, Headmaster Yue can now be said to have finally reaped the rewards of his hard work."

"hehe."

Upon hearing this, Yue Buqun chuckled: "My master entrusted the Huashan Sect to me before his death. It is all my responsibility, so there is no hardship involved. As for my two unworthy disciples..."

Yue Buqun paused for a moment, then said, "Ning'er has decent talent, and she has achieved some success because she practices diligently. However, her temperament is not up to par and she needs more training."

"As for Chong'er, he is unruly and troublesome. If I were to hand over the Huashan Sect to them now, I'm afraid the Huashan Sect that I have worked so hard to build would be ruined by the two of them in no time."

When Jiang Ning and Linghu Chong were mentioned, Yue Buqun's face still wore the same smile as before, without any change. His tone was relaxed and unpredictable, making it impossible for Fang Zheng to guess what Yue Buqun was thinking.

However, he was certain that Yue Buqun had no intention of stepping down at the moment, nor had he decided who to pass the position of Huashan Sect Leader to.

It seems Yue Buqun still has some attachment to power...

Having obtained this information, Fang Zheng did not elaborate on this matter further, simply mentioning it briefly.

"At least Sect Leader Yue has a successor, unlike me, who doesn't even have a successor to carry on his mantle."

Fang Zheng shook his head, looking somewhat helpless.

The two then arrived at the East Peak and saw a pavilion below. Fang Zheng had good eyesight and could see a chessboard inside.

"Sect Leader Yue, is this the famous Chess Pavilion on Mount Hua?"

Yue Buqun nodded: "That's right."

Fang Zheng looked down at the treacherous path and the pavilion at the end and laughed: "Legend has it that Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, once played chess with Chen Tuan here. Emperor Taizu lost to Chen Tuan by one move and then gifted Mount Hua to him. This legend has been passed down ever since."

"By the way, Sect Leader Yue."

As Fang Zheng spoke, he seemed to remember something and looked at Yue Buqun curiously, asking, "It is said that Chen Tuan was an ancestor of Taoism. This extraordinary person later went into seclusion on Mount Hua and left behind the Taoist tradition. Your sect has stood on Mount Hua for hundreds of years. Forgive my ignorance, but I do not know if your sect's founder was this extraordinary person?"

Upon hearing this, Yue Buqun smiled and said, "Although this extraordinary person left behind a lineage in Mount Hua and does have some connection with my Mount Hua Sect, he was not the founder of my sect. Instead, it was the founder of Guangningzi Hao Datong."

"Oh?"

Fang Zheng's eyes widened in surprise: "Could it be Guang Ningzi, one of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen Sect from hundreds of years ago?"

Yue Buqun nodded: "That's right, my Huashan Sect is a branch of the Quanzhen Sect from hundreds of years ago."

Although Yue Buqun had previously said that he was embarrassed to tell outsiders that the Huashan Sect was a branch of the Quanzhen Sect because he had managed it in such a way, he would not deliberately deny it when asked.

"I never imagined that the Huashan Sect and the Quanzhen Sect had such a deep connection."

Fang Zheng was genuinely surprised.

Others might not know the true value of the Quanzhen School, but Shaolin knows it best.

The Quanzhen School is the only sect that has surpassed Shaolin to become the number one sect in the world. Even Wudang, when Zhang Sanfeng was still alive a hundred years ago, was only on par with Shaolin and did not completely overwhelm Shaolin. It was only Zhang Sanfeng who overwhelmed Shaolin, while the Quanzhen School surpassed Shaolin in every aspect.

Although the Quanzhen School rose and fell quickly, Shaolin still has a deep impression of this sect. They never expected that the Huashan School was actually a branch of the Quanzhen School.

Fang Zheng did not experience that era, but he can still get a glimpse of it from the Huashan Sect.

Even the Huashan Sect, a branch of the Quanzhen School, was once known as one of the six major sects alongside Shaolin a hundred years ago. Even decades ago, the Five Mountains Sword Sect, dominated by the Huashan Sect, was renowned in the martial arts world.

Back then, the Huashan Sect was full of geniuses and masters. The Five Mountains Sword Sects, led by the Huashan Sect, put immense pressure on Shaolin and Wudang. If it weren't for that sword qi dispute that led to the decline of the Huashan Sect, Fang Zheng probably wouldn't dare to imagine how powerful the Huashan Sect would be now.

No wonder his master was so wary of the Huashan Sect.

Fang Zheng thought to himself.

Chapter 252: The Chess Game

At this moment, Yue Buqun also thought of the Huashan Sect from decades ago, and couldn't help but feel a little desolate, but he didn't show his emotions on his face.

"Sect Leader Yue, since we're already here, why don't we have a game of chess?"

At this moment, Fang Zheng seemed to suddenly become interested and made a suggestion to Yue Buqun.

"At this?"

Yue Buqun was surprised.

"What? Sect Leader Yue doesn't want to play chess with this old monk?"

Fang Zheng said with a smile.

"That's not true."

Yue Buqun chuckled and shook his head: "It's just that no one cleans this place usually, and it's been covered in dust for a while. How about I have my disciples clean it up first, and then I can play chess with the master?"

Yue Buqun knows how to play chess and enjoys playing it, but there were very few people in the original Huashan Sect who knew how to play chess.

Ning Zhongze does know a little chess. Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze had played chess a few times before, but Ning Zhongze was impatient and a terrible player. She would often stare at the chessboard with a serious expression halfway through the game, so Yue Buqun didn't dare to beat her.

As for the disciples of the Huashan Sect, needless to say, Jiang Ning later learned some chess skills after he grew up. In addition to practicing martial arts and reading books, he would occasionally play chess with Yue Buqun in the chess pavilion.

Jiang Ning's chess skills were not very good, not as good as Yue Buqun's. In addition, Yue Buqun was a bit cunning when playing chess. Jiang Ning would fall into several traps as soon as he made a move, and would be defeated and lose his armor. Over time, Jiang Ning was no longer willing to play chess with him, so the place was left vacant.

Fang Zheng smiled upon hearing this and said, "No need to trouble the children, we'll do it ourselves."

Seeing Fang Zheng say this, Yue Buqun had no choice but to go along with his guest, and the two of them followed the path down to the chess pavilion.

The chess pavilion is suspended in the air on three sides, and there is only one road leading to it.

This path is also a dangerous one on Mount Hua, called the Hawk's Turn. It is difficult for ordinary people to climb, but it is as easy as flat ground for Yue Buqun and Fang Zheng, two of the world's top masters.

Walking along the steep and winding road, Yue Buqun appeared relaxed, as if taking a leisurely stroll.

Although Fang Zheng was short, he was quite relaxed.

The two arrived at the chess pavilion, where they saw a chessboard on the chess table and two boxes of chess pieces on either side.

At this time, the chessboard and chess table were covered in dust.

Fang Zheng sat down on one of the stone benches with a chuckle, completely unconcerned about the dust on the bench. He then looked at the dusty chessboard and table, and with a wave of his hand, the dust disappeared, but the dust on the ground seemed to have thickened again.

"Sect Leader Yue, please."

Fang Zheng smiled at Yue Buqun and gestured for him to enter.

Yue Buqun chuckled, then sat down as well. He looked at the dust on the ground around him, thought for a moment, and then waved his hand. A slight internal force rippled out and swept through the pavilion. Before long, not a speck of dust remained in the pavilion.

Fang Zheng's eyes flashed upon seeing this.

Although Yue Buqun seemed to have just waved his hand casually, he saw the dust on the ground being swept up by an invisible wind and scattered outside the pavilion.

"Master Yue's martial arts have improved recently, and I am ashamed to admit that I am no match for him."

Fang Zheng laughed.

Yue Buqun chuckled and shook his head: "Why does Master tease me? My meager skills are no match for yours."

"Sect Leader Yue is still too modest."

Fang Zheng seemed to be just joking, and then opened his own chess box, his eyes showing surprise.

"Oh, it seems this old monk is in luck; I'll be able to make my move before Sect Leader Yue."

Fang Zheng received a box full of black pieces, while Yue Buqun received a box full of white pieces.

Yue Buqun smiled and gestured for Fang Zheng to make his move.

Fang Zheng picked up a black chess piece, looked at the board, and seemed to be thinking about where to make his first move.

After a while, Fang Zheng made his move and asked, "I wonder what Sect Leader Yue's thoughts are on the Five Mountains Alliance Leaders Conference next June?"

Yue Buqun, who was about to make his move, paused for a moment after hearing Fang Zheng's words, and then made his move.

"Does Yue have any thoughts on this?"

Yue Buqun asked with a smile.

Fang Zheng then picked up another chess piece, looked at the chessboard with a thoughtful expression, as if he was pondering the game.

"Since the alliance leader failed to send a delegation this time, he will probably not let it go. I'm afraid he will cause trouble again at next year's alliance leader conference. Isn't Sect Leader Yue worried?"

Although Zuo Lengchan said yesterday that he was not interested in becoming the leader of the alliance, everyone ignored his words.

Fang Zheng understands Zuo Lengchan well; he won't passively accept the attack but will definitely strike first. He just doesn't know what Zuo Lengchan's next move will be, but he can at least be sure that next year's Alliance Leader Conference will be very exciting.

Upon hearing this, Yue Buqun smiled but said nothing, and picked up a white chess piece to place it.

Seeing his appearance, Fang Zheng said, "This old monk thinks that Sect Leader Yue could try to get the position of leader of the Five Mountains Alliance."

"Oh?"

Yue Buqun raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Why would Abbot Fangye think that way?"

Fang Zheng spoke as if it were just a casual conversation between friends, saying, "Compared to Alliance Leader Zuo, Sect Leader Yue is kind-hearted and would not take any action to annex the other three sects, which is a good thing for the Taishan and Hengshan sects."

At this point, Fang Zheng sighed: "In fact, Shaolin most hopes that the various sects in the martial arts world can live in harmony and reduce conflicts and killings. However, if Alliance Leader Zuo wants to develop the Songshan Sect, he will have to take action against your sect and the other three sects. I see this but I cannot stop it."

"Now that we have the opportunity to re-elect the leader, I believe that Master Yue's martial arts skills are no weaker than those of Leader Zuo. Why not strive to win the position of leader at next year's Five Mountains Alliance Conference? This way, we can not only thwart Leader Zuo's ambition to annex our territory, but also return the position of leader of the Five Mountains Alliance to the Huashan Sect. Wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?"

Fang Zheng's words and Tianmen Daoren's words were similar in meaning, except that Tianmen Daoren genuinely hoped that Yue Buqun would defeat Zuo Lengchan and become the leader of the Five Mountains Alliance, while it was hard to say how much sincerity and how much pretense Fang Zheng's words contained.

Upon hearing this, Yue Buqun lowered his eyes slightly, looked at the chessboard and pondered the situation, and then made his move after a moment.

"The Huashan Sect is small and weak now, and cannot withstand any more setbacks. I only hope to pass on the Huashan Sect. As for the position of Alliance Leader, I am not worthy enough. Let Brother Tianmen compete with Alliance Leader Zuo for it."

Fang Zheng frowned slightly as he looked at the chessboard, as if annoyed that the game was not going well for him. Then he began to play the game seriously.

After a while.

Fang Zheng released the chess piece, looked up at Yue Buqun, and smiled.

"Sect Leader Yue, you flatter me."

At this point, the board is entirely composed of black pieces.

……

"Amitabha, Young Master Jiang, what a coincidence."

Jiang Ning was taking a walk when he saw an old monk walking towards him.

"This humble monk, Fang Sheng, greets Young Hero Jiang."

Jiang Ning was also somewhat surprised. He had just come out for a casual stroll and encountered Fang Sheng, but he still bowed and said, "Junior Jiang Ning greets Master."

"hehe."

Fang Sheng smiled kindly and said to Jiang Ning, "Since this humble monk has met Young Hero Jiang, it can be considered fate. How about Young Hero Jiang take a walk with this humble monk? This old monk has just arrived at Mount Hua and does not know which scenery is better. I would be grateful if Young Hero Jiang could show this humble monk the scenery of Mount Hua."

Jiang Ning narrowed his eyes slightly, then smiled and said, "Please, Master."

Chapter 253: The True Martial Emperor

There are no chance encounters in the world without a reason; if there are, they must be carefully arranged.

Jiang Ning didn't know what Fang Sheng wanted from him, but he planned to play it by ear and see what Fang Sheng had to say.

"The master also came here when he climbed Mount Hua, so he must know that this section of the road is called Lao Jun Li Gou."

"Legend has it that a long time ago, Laozi passed by Mount Hua and saw that there was no way to get there. So he used his mount, the Green Ox, to pull out a pear ditch here, which is why this road was created for people to go up and down the mountain."

Along the way, Jiang Ning led Fang Sheng to visit the scenic spots of Mount Hua, explaining the stories behind these sights, just like a tour guide.

Fang Sheng nodded with a smile the whole way, and apart from occasionally asking questions about the attractions, he didn't say anything else.

Jiang Ning laughed and said, "Actually, this place was originally called Lao Jun Li Gou, the place where Lao Jun left the mortal world. However, because the terrain resembles a pear ditch, and there is a legend about the place where Lao Jun hung pears on Yuntai Peak, people in later generations called this place Lao Jun Li Gou."

Fang Sheng looked around the place, nodding occasionally after hearing Jiang Ning's words, and said, "So that's how it is. When I passed by here yesterday, I only thought it was steep and winding, but I never thought there would be such a story behind it."

Jiang Ning simply smiled, and after passing through this area, he took Fang Sheng to visit other places.

"Master, please look over there."

At this moment, Jiang Ning and Fang Sheng arrived at another place, and Jiang Ning pointed in a direction.

Upon hearing this, Fang Sheng looked in the direction indicated and saw a strange-looking stone, which immediately piqued his curiosity.

"Oh? This stone does look somewhat like a frog."