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

Page 494

Hearing Zhu Houzhao say this, Jiang Ning was unsure what the other party was planning to do, but seeing that the other party was acting mysteriously, he knew that even if he asked, the other party would not tell him, so he gave up.

"In that case, goodbye."

Today is the day Jiang Ning departs, and Jiang Ning takes his leave directly.

Zhu Houzhao performed a traditional martial arts salute, with fists clasped in greeting.

"Brother Jiang, we part today, and I don't know when we will meet again. The mountains are high and the rivers are far, and the road is long and difficult. I hope that when we meet again, we will both have realized our ideals."

Jiang Ning returned the greeting, then turned and strode away.

Zhu Houzhao watched Jiang Ning's departing figure, took a few steps forward to chase after him, but could not keep up with Jiang Ning's figure, which disappeared in just a few breaths.

But Zhu Houzhao did not leave; he continued to look in the direction Jiang Ning had gone.

After a long time.

"Your Majesty, please go back quickly, be careful not to catch a cold."

Liu Jin stepped forward and whispered.

Liu Jin's voice brought Zhu Houzhao back to his senses.

"Ah."

Zhu Houzhao gave a soft "hmm," turned and left, giving instructions before departing.

"Liu Daban, go and investigate. The Huashan Sect is preparing to gather righteous forces to wipe out the evil sect. Keep a close eye on it and report any news immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Liu Jin replied in a low voice.

At this moment, a cold glint appeared in Zhu Houzhao's eyes.

He wouldn't let this matter of the evil cult using poison on him go so easily.

……

In February, Luoyang was blanketed in heavy snow, turning the world into a vast expanse of white.

"Candied hawthorns for sale! Candied hawthorns for sale! Hawthorns coated in sugar, one bite and they're sweet and sour!"

"Pastries, freshly baked pastries, sweet but not greasy, soft and fragrant, come and have a taste!"

"Brush and ink, masterpieces by renowned artists, esteemed officials, please grace us with your presence and take a look!"

Jiang Ning led his horse along the street, the cries of vendors and shops adding a touch of human warmth to the vast white landscape.

Luoyang was covered in heavy snow, with snow piling up on the ground. However, the Luoyang government sent people to clear the snow from the streets early in the morning, so while the snow piled up outside the city, the city itself remained clean.

Jiang Ning led his horse along the main street of Luoyang, and after a while, they stopped in front of a large mansion.

Two people were sweeping the snow in front of the door when they suddenly saw Jiang Ning standing at the door. One of them put down his broom and went up to ask him a question.

"Young master, do you have goods that need to be escorted by Fuwei Escort Agency?"

Jiang Ning smiled slightly: "I'm here to find someone."

"Looking for someone?"

That person was quite strange.

"Do you know anyone in my escort agency?"

Jiang Ning replied, "I'm looking for Junior Brother Lin Pingzhi."

The man asked in surprise, "You're looking for our Chief Escort Lin?...Wait, what did you call our Chief Escort? Junior Brother?"

Before the man could react, another man quickly stepped forward and asked, "Are you a young hero from the Huashan Sect?"

Jiang Ning nodded.

Jiang Ning's confirmation flustered the two men, who hurriedly said, "Young hero, please wait a moment. Our chief镖头 (chief镖头, head镖头) went out early this morning and hasn't returned yet. I'll go and call Chief镖头 Lin back right away."

One of the two men took the horse that Jiang Ning was leading, and the other invited Jiang Ning into the escort agency, where he was treated as an honored guest in the main hall.

"Young hero, please wait a moment. I will go find Chief Escort Lin right away."

The man summoned the other镖局 (bodyguard agency) leaders to receive Jiang Ning, and then hurriedly left to find Lin Pingzhi.

Several men stood in the lobby, looking at each other, somewhat at a loss.

Jiang Ning noticed their nervousness and said, "Please don't be nervous, everyone. Please have a seat."

The group then slowly sat down.

It wasn't that they were nervous. Before they entered Fuwei Escort Agency, they knew that Chief Escort Lin was a disciple of the Huashan Sect, and that the Huashan Sect had a shadow behind Fuwei Escort Agency. However, they hadn't seen any other members of the Huashan Sect for a long time. Now, seeing other Huashan disciples besides Chief Escort Lin for the first time, they were at a loss for what to do, afraid of neglecting the disciples of a major sect and displeasing them.

Despite Jiang Ning's invitation for them to sit down, they all acted awkwardly, like young maidens.

Fortunately, the wait wasn't long; hurried footsteps sounded outside, reflecting the urgency of the person walking on them.

Lin Pingzhi strode into the house, a look of joy on his face.

After receiving news of the arrival of his senior brother, Lin Pingzhi immediately set off on his way back, wondering which senior brother had come. The moment he entered the house, he saw Jiang Ning, and Lin Pingzhi's joy was palpable.

"Brother!"

Chapter 673: A Manifesto to Slay the Demon

"Senior brother, what brings you here?"

Lin Pingzhi was overjoyed.

"Junior brother, how have you been?"

Jiang Ning also stood up and smiled.

Lin Pingzhi excitedly ran forward and asked, "Senior brother, when did you arrive? How are Master and Mistress? Are they alright? Where are our eldest brother and the others?"

Lin Pingzhi asked a series of questions, seemingly very excited about Jiang Ning's arrival.

Jiang Ning smiled and said, "I just came back from outside. I stopped by Luoyang on my way to see you."

"what?"

Lin Pingzhi was taken aback.

He descended the mountain earlier than Jiang Ning, unaware that Jiang Ning had been in the capital during this time. When Jiang Ning last passed through Luoyang, he simply changed horses and left without meeting Lin Pingzhi.

"Senior brother, are you going back to Mount Hua now?"

Lin Pingzhi asked.

"Ah."

Jiang Ning nodded.

Lin Pingzhi said, "Senior brother, why don't you stay in Luoyang a little longer? After I've finished dealing with the matters of the escort agency, I'll go back to Mount Hua with you to pay our respects to our master."

He has been in Luoyang for several months and has not returned to Mount Hua even once. He misses his fellow disciples.

"No."

Jiang Ning shook his head.

"My master wrote to me the day before yesterday, calling for war against the Demonic Sect. I need to go back as soon as possible."

"To wage war against the Demonic Cult?"

Lin Pingzhi was startled and immediately said, "Junior brother, I will go back with senior brother."

"Need not."

Jiang Ning said, "Your escort agency business here has just started, and you're busy with all the big and small matters. You should stay here."

"Brother!"

Lin Pingzhi said solemnly, "It is the duty of our righteous sect to eliminate demons and protect the righteous path. If Master wants to start a war with the demonic sect, all of you senior brothers and sisters will surely go to the battlefield. As a disciple of Mount Hua, how can I stand aside? My maternal grandfather is also involved here. I will temporarily hand over the escort agency business to him to manage."

Lin Pingzhi was resolute. Even though his strength couldn't help much, he was determined to live and die with his fellow disciples.

"Please wait a moment, senior brother. I'll go find my grandfather now, and we'll set off shortly."

Without giving Jiang Ning a chance to refuse, Lin Pingzhi turned and left, even faster than before.

Seeing this, Jiang Ning had no choice but to sit down.

The other镖头 (bodyguards) who witnessed this scene looked at each other in bewilderment, and none of them spoke.

Only an hour later, Lin Pingzhi returned, accompanied by his maternal grandfather Wang Yuanba, Wang Jiaju, and others.

"Nephew Jiang."

Before he even got close, Wang Yuanba bowed respectfully from afar.

Jiang Ning stood up and returned the greeting.

"Sect Leader Wang."

Upon approaching, Wang Yuanba cut to the chase: "I have already heard about the matter. I heard that Alliance Leader Yue is going to wipe out the Demonic Sect, and I am willing to do my part."

Wang Yuanba continued, "To be honest, my Golden Saber Sect and other sects in Luoyang City have also been oppressed by the Demonic Sect for a long time. We only regret that we are powerless to do anything about it. Now that I hear that Alliance Leader Yue intends to wipe out the Demonic Sect, I am overjoyed."

"Don't worry, Nephew Jiang. After you return to Mount Hua peacefully, I will unite with the other gang leaders in Luoyang City. We will respond to your command without hesitation!"

Jiang Ning was taken aback, then cupped his hands in thanks: "In that case, thank you very much, Sect Leader Wang."

"Brother, let's go."

Lin Pingzhi couldn't wait any longer and said from the side.

"Alright."

Jiang Ning nodded, and then left Luoyang City with Lin Pingzhi.

……

Luoyang is hundreds of miles away from Mount Hua. Jiang Ning and Lin Pingzhi rode horses for several days and arrived at Mount Hua.

Without stopping, Jiang Ning and Lin Pingzhi climbed the Thousand-Foot Cliff, where they encountered the Huashan disciples on duty.

"Junior Brother Jiang, Junior Brother Lin, you're back?"

Upon seeing the two, the Huashan disciple exclaimed with delight.

"Senior brother, is Master on the mountain?"

Jiang Ning asked.

The Huashan disciple nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes."

After bidding farewell to the Huashan disciple, Jiang Ning headed to the South Peak, where Yue Buqun was teaching Yue Lingshan swordsmanship.

"Foolish woman, please observe!"

Yue Buqun looked stern, and Yue Lingshan, who was standing in front of him, had tears streaming down her face, as if she had just been reprimanded.

After saying that, Yue Buqun snatched the sword from his daughter's hand and began to practice swordsmanship.

Ok?

Jiang Ning had just arrived when he saw Yue Buqun practicing his swordsmanship, and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

This is the "Boundless Falling Leaves" move from the Huashan Swordplay, which Yue Buqun once demonstrated to Jiang Ning.

However, that was Jiang Ning's first time traveling down the mountain and returning. He had just entered the first-class realm, and Yue Buqun's strength at that time was not as great as it is now.

Seeing Yue Buqun practice this sword move again now, although there is not much difference, it is more natural than it was back then.

After finishing his demonstration, Yue Buqun stood still, slung his sword behind his back, and frowned as he looked at Yue Lingshan.

"This sword technique of boundless falling leaves can be mastered even by the most dull-witted disciple after three years of practice. You have been practicing swordsmanship since childhood, yet you are still like a beginner. It must be because you have been neglecting your martial arts recently. You will practice swordsmanship here today until you have mastered it before you can rest!"

Yue Lingshan pouted and said aggrievedly, "Yes, Father."

With a flick of his sleeve, Yue Buqun sent the sword precisely back into its scabbard in Yue Lingshan's hand.

Yue Buqun turned to leave when he saw Jiang Ning and Lin Pingzhi.

"Hmm? Ning'er? Ping'er?"

Yue Buqun's expression shifted from sternness to surprise, and then to a smile in just a few breaths, leaving Yue Lingshan speechless.