Chapter 73: Settling Old Scores

  The entire sect gathered at the top of Guangming Peak, from the Sect Master down to the Guangming Messengers, the Protectors of the Faith, the Five Wanderers, and the various Hall Masters all assembled in one place.

  All parties came together and saw this situation.

  Everyone thought that after years of internal strife in the Ming Cult, the new leader would not last long and the foundation would be unstable. Who would have thought that there would be almost no one guarding the Bright Peak at this moment!

  When hundreds of people dressed in the same style of white robes lined up neatly, they did not shout or charge forward with weapons, but instead gave off a nearly palpable and oppressive killing aura, like the sacred fire burning fiercely in the great hall, as if at any moment a spark might fly out and instantly set everything ablaze.

  Whoever sees this scene will no longer doubt whether the leader of Mingjiao is standing firmly in the church.

  There were many leaders of various factions and sects present, but if they were to ask themselves honestly, even within their own factions and sects, they probably couldn't muster such a formation.

  This Ming Cult is as different from those heretical demonic sects they've seen before as heaven and earth, making one wonder if the Ming Cult has changed its leader or if it's been completely overhauled from top to bottom.

  This time, the person who led the siege of Guangming Peak was Kunlun's leader He Taichong. At this moment, he was again named by the new leader of Mingjiao and naturally could not retreat, so he had to take a step forward with a hard scalp and proudly said: "Xue Zhu! You actually betrayed your school, joined the Demon Sect, deceived your master and destroyed your ancestors, everyone can kill you!"

  Yao Guang was still smiling, one hand placed in front of her body, the other grasping the armrest of the chair, her fingers lightly tapping, but she had no intention of speaking.

  Yang Xun, the Left Messenger of the Bright Alliance, stepped forward from the crowd, unfolded a fan with his right hand and slowly shook it twice. He smiled and said: "I am Yang Xun, the Left Messenger of the Bright Alliance. I have long admired your great name, Master Taoist of Kunlun. I heard that there is also a 'Supreme Master' in Kunlun, I wonder if he has come?"

  These two sentences are very elegant, but also very vicious. He named Huo Taohua as the "Kunlun" master, and should not interfere with Wudang affairs. Huo Taohua was afraid of being criticized internally, and this matter is not a secret in Jianghu, some people even jokingly called Huo Taohua's wife Ban Shuxian the "Supreme Master" of Kunlun. Yang Xun knew this and asked intentionally, no doubt to mock him.

  He Taichong's face turned red with anger, and Ban Shuyan was even more furious, pressing her sword and about to go out. He Taichong hastily pulled her back, but before he could persuade her, Yang Xiu continued with a smile: "The leader of our sect is just acknowledging his ancestors and returning to his roots, why should we abandon our teacher's door? In the Ming sect, everyone respects Zhang Zhenren as their master and elder. The White Eyebrowed Eagle King Qianjin and Wudang Zhang Wuji are happily married, and our two factions are like Qin and Jin. When Zhang Zhenren celebrated his 100th birthday, this matter was announced to the Jianghu world, and it should be known to everyone. He Palm Door, I heard that you also went to Wudang to congratulate him on his birthday, is it not for congratulating our new sect leader this time?"

  On that day, the various factions gathered hundreds of people to surround Wudang Mountain. What was in their minds, everyone knew, but on the surface, they said it was to slay demons and eliminate evil, using a nice-sounding name, saying it was to congratulate Zhang Zhenren. If not for that one day when Yao Guang's sword defeated several people, the consequences would be unpredictable.

  At that time, because Wudang was a famous orthodox sect, these people valued their reputation, so they specially changed their name. Now, facing the Ming Cult, which had always been called "demonic", this group of self-proclaimed orthodox Jianghu people didn't have any qualms, openly and uprightly using the name of eliminating demons and protecting the Tao.

  As a result, Yang Xun was still being told that he came to offer congratulations, without a doubt, alluding to the events of that day. Especially now, with everyone present, whether it was originally finding fault or provoking trouble, or originally beating people down from Wudang, now it was just a matter of changing identities and meeting again.

  Yang Xun's words made a group of thin-skinned people blush, while others were so angry that their faces turned red, and they began to discuss how the Ming Cult was indeed spreading rumors and confusing right and wrong. Those with fierce tempers, holding weapons, charged forward.

  This move was like water entering an oil pan, instantly exploding the whole scene.

  The originally quiet and orderly Ming Cult followers suddenly drew their weapons, the ones standing in the middle were the elite of the cult. At this moment, several people jumped out and stood in front of Yao Guang, while others went to meet the incoming person, clashing swords and knives, after a burst of metallic sounds, a clear female voice came from above.

  "Honest men don't speak in riddles. Heads of various factions, please remain calm for a moment, I post this announcement to the Jianghu world, in order to settle old scores and debts of gratitude, if anyone has a grudge against someone from our sect, just mention their name, as long as that person is still alive, I will let them come and slowly settle accounts with you. However, if all of you rush forward together, this is not the way to resolve Jianghu's grievances, it can only be seen as provocation against our sect. If so, don't blame me for ordering everyone to take action at once."

  Yao Guang raised his right hand, and from outside the hall came a burst of cheers, with countless people shouting in unison "The Master is wise", the momentum was shocking, deafening.

  Liu Liang's shout was not loud, but it made the hundreds of people in the arena feel as if he was speaking right next to their ears. His internal power was no trivial matter, and it was similar to Zhang Sanfeng's ability to converse with the Shaolin monks from afar on his 100th birthday. However, at this moment, no one was the first to appreciate this point, because everyone had been stunned by the wine.

  Someone looked back in shock and saw that the Mingjiao crowd who had been lined up to welcome guests had changed formation.

  The five-element flags had already formed a battle array according to Yao Guang's previous order, with the Thick Earth and Giant Wood flags sealing off the main gate and cutting off the retreat routes of the various sects. The Surging Water, Sharp Metal, and Fierce Fire flags were gripping their weapons, eager to move, as if waiting for just one command to charge inside.

  "How ruthless the demonic cult is!"

  "You're a sly devil!"

  "Beware, beware, deceit is in their hearts!"

  Five major sects, over a hundred people, when have they ever had such an experience? For a moment, it seemed that all around were Ming Cult followers. The crowd was surrounded in the middle, unable to advance or retreat. Those who were older were fine, but some young men and women who had just entered the Jianghu for not long were suddenly panicked, holding their weapons and gathering around the leader's side, already six senses without a master, only hearing the sounds of curses and shouts all around, completely unaware of what to do.

  This time, the five major sects were led by Kunlun. In the Shaolin Sect, Kongzheng, who was originally obsessed with Mingjiao, was suddenly enlightened after being beaten by Yao Guang and returned to Shaolin Temple, where he highly praised "Wudang Xue Zhu". The monks of Shaolin Temple felt grateful for this kindness and no longer spoke out against Wudang's alliance with the Tianying Sect. This time, only Kongwen and Kongxing came to Guangmingding. Kongzheng had already retreated to the temple to meditate as mentioned earlier. Kongwen and Kongxing were not very enthusiastic about "eliminating demons and protecting the Tao". When they saw that the new leader of Mingjiao was actually Wudang Xue Zhu, they didn't know what to do either. The Emei Sect and Qingcheng Sect had a grudge against Mingjiao, and the five old men of Qingcheng exchanged a glance. Tang Wenliang and Xie Xun had a vendetta, their eyes blazing with anger as they walked out, shouting in rage, instantly startling many people awake.

  Tang Wenliang was short and thin, and it wasn't until he walked out of the crowd that people saw who had just shouted in anger.

  Tang Wenliang pointed at the seat of Yao Guang and shouted loudly: "You little demon girl, you are indeed a demonic person from the Devil's Sect! You are now colluding with the Devil's Sect, does Zhang Sanfeng of Wudang know about this? The Wudang sect has also fallen, and is mixed with the Devil's Sect! If you have the guts, call out Xie Xun, he killed my nephew, I have a deep-seated feud with him!"

  Xie Xun, also known as the Golden Lion King, is one of the Protectors of the Ming Cult. Not many people knew about this at first, but news spread quickly and now a group of people, upon hearing Xie Xun's name, immediately start clamoring for the Ming Cult to hand him over.

  Some people thought that if they had known earlier, why did they have to force their way up Wudang back then, and now the rift with Wudang has become so deep that there is no room for reconciliation.

  Yao Guang swept her gaze over the crowd, taking in their various expressions. She signaled for the disciples protecting her to scatter a bit, then gazed down at Tang Wenliang from her high platform for a moment before speaking: "Are you one of the Five Elders of Congtou? Xie Xuan is indeed one of our sect's protective law kings, but as everyone in the jianghu knows, Xie Xuan has been drifting overseas for many years. Our sect is currently beset on all sides and hasn't had the spare energy to search for the Lion King. If there comes a day when our sect welcomes back Xie Xuan, we will certainly make it known to the jianghu. At that time, you may come again."

  Tang Wenliang said in his heart: Do you think I'm a fool? With the current momentum of Mingjiao, if we give it a few more years to develop, who will still dare to come and seek revenge alone?!

  "He immediately shouted loudly: 'The demon sect is treacherous, who knows if you have hidden Xie Xun! Today, I will destroy your demonic fire and burn the Demon Sect's main altar to ashes. Let's see where Xie Xun can hide!'"

  Tang Wenliang shouted as he stirred up the crowd, turning his head to yell: "Master Iron Lute, Abbess Mercy, why be polite to these demonic sect heretics? Let's all go together and kill these heretics!"

  Tang Wenliang shouted to extinguish the sacred fire, and naturally no one in the Ming sect had a good face.

  Yang Xiao looked at Yao Guang and immediately understood, stepping forward with a cold smile: "The five old men of Kongtong have such big mouths, I wonder if in the future someone has a feud with the Kongtong Sect, will they also be able to gather a group of people to destroy the Kongtong Sect as revenge?"

  This hat is too big, but no one dares to guarantee that there are no young people in their own faction who have grudges with others. If those seeking revenge all act like this, then anyone can't bear it.

  Tang Wenliang immediately said: "The demonic cult's evil people, how can they be compared to the orthodox sect of Kunlun?! Those who are close to vermilion become red, those who are close to ink become black. What good people can there be within the demonic cult? Exterminate the demons and defend the Tao, it is today!"

  Yang Xiao saw that Tang Wenliang was shouting loudly but didn't dare to come forward, and had already looked down on him a bit. He said: "I'm right here, you're welcome to try and see if you can 'exorcise the demon'."

  Tang Wenliang was blocked by this sentence and suddenly couldn't advance or retreat. If he spoke out to show weakness, he wouldn't do it. If he really went up, he felt inferior to the other party.

  The five old men of the Wu Dong have always risen and fallen together. At this moment, several people looked at each other and stepped forward in unison, saying loudly: "My brothers and I have always risen and fallen together. When facing one person, we all go up together; when facing thousands of troops and horses, we also go up together!"

  Yang Xiang fanned himself with his fan and was about to continue speaking when he suddenly heard another soft laugh from above.

  Yao Guang smiled and said, "Yang Zuo Shi, don't be impatient. The humble Crags Sect's Five Elders are not worthy of the Radiant Envoy's personal intervention. Since they dare to face thousands of troops with just five people, let the Five Elements Flag come and experience the Crags Sect's superior skills. Everyone, make way and leave some space for those seeking revenge, so that the Crags Sect's Five Elders can go out."

  The moment Yao Guang finished speaking, the hall erupted into a burst of laughter.

  The Five Elders didn't want to be accused of bullying the few with many, so they added a sentence that even if faced with thousands of soldiers and horses, it would still be five people going up together. This was meant to show how righteous the five were, but in reality, how could there be thousands of soldiers and horses in a Jianghu dispute? Even if it were two factions fighting, it wouldn't just be the five of them facing the enemy. As a result, Yao Guang actually cut off this sentence, causing the five to really face several hundred people from the Five Elements Flag. They even used words to force the five into a corner, leaving them no room for retreat. How could this trial still be considered a fair match? The people of Mingjiao immediately burst out laughing.

  These people smiled and made way, yielding a very spacious road to let the five old men of Kuangtu go out to face the Five Elements Flag. The several flag bearers outside the gate were even more spirited, grinning from ear to ear with big laughter.

  The five old men of the Kuang Shan Mountains had their faces flushed red with anger, and were so enraged that they felt a sharp pain in their livers.

  Hundreds of people in the field stared at them, but how could they really go out and fight hard with so many people from Wuxing Flag? And standing in the hall, every extra moment made them more embarrassed.

  Yao Guang didn't even bother to look at these few clowns, and coldly said: "I've already said it before, today the Ming Cult welcomes you with open doors. If you have a grudge, come and settle it. But if you're looking for trouble without a reason, think carefully first. On my master's birthday, I didn't want to stain my sword with blood, but things are different now."

  Yao Guang's self-proclaimed title changed from "I" to "Ben Zuo", and anyone could tell that she was truly enraged. Everyone had witnessed her extraordinary swordsmanship, and for a moment, they were unsure whether to rush forward or not.

  But the people of Mingjiao knew that day, Yao Guang's sword, at this moment, they had absolute faith in the new leader and no worries, and even felt a sense of camaraderie, all secretly guarding against each other, preparing to strike at any time.

  Mie Jiu Shī Tài endured for a long time, but at this moment she could no longer bear it. Holding the Yǐ Tiān Jiàn sword, she stepped forward and pointed directly at Yang Xiǎo, saying in a hateful tone: "Yang Xiǎo, you killed my shī xiōng (martial brother), today I will have you pay back with your life!"

  Author has something to say: Yao Guang: Satisfy your request, give you thousands of troops and horses.

  Wudang Five Elders: ……

  。

  Yao Guang's inner thoughts: Do you think I don't remember who came to Wudang Mountain that day? You were the first to find trouble with my senior brother, ruining our master's birthday. But it gave me an opportunity. And you even asked to be beaten up voluntarily, satisfying you.

  。

  The Master's senior brother, Gu Hongzi, died like this.

  Gu Hongzi and Yang Xiang engaged in a martial arts competition, but Gu felt he might not be able to win, so he went to ask Mie Jue for the loan of the Yitian Sword. Mie Jue lent it to him (which shows how deep their friendship was). However, Gu still lost, and was defeated miserably by Yang Xiang, who snatched away the Yitian Sword and flung it to the ground, saying "Who cares?" This made Gu so angry that he died from rage...

  I think Yang Xiang is at most just not being a good guy, but it's not a big mistake. Anyway, the hatred of extermination towards Mingjiao (and Yang Xiang) is very deep-seated, and if they don't take action, they will never give up.

  。

  All the major factions are really unlucky today, it's like forming a hundred-man team to attack Mingjiao (feed), only to find that the other side has an NPC who is 100 levels higher than us, with a big move that has the same effect as Lao Wang's flute, making people die miserably...

  。

  Happy New Year everyone! Mua mua da!

  Routine tyrant ticket thank you!

  Su Fei threw a dumpling Happy New Year!

  The ghost threw away a new year's gift! Happy New Year! Momo da!

  Dropped a landmine and another one! Happy New Year! Momo da!

  Little bear threw a hand grenade! So surprising, muahahaha!

  Then I threw a landmine. I thought of the classic joke, someone chatted with QQ and auto-replied "then what" for half an hour, haha, muahahaha.

  White clothes threw a landmine and it's white clothes again, so cute.

  Threw a grenade with a foreign ID, muahahaha.

  Elpis threw a landmine Thank you landmine moe moe da!

  The prime minister threw a landmine Thanks to the landmine mo mo da!

  Little scorpion threw a landmine and touched the scorpion's tail, meow.

  Smile and throw a landmine Thank you for the landmine moe moe da!

  Zheng Qi Fu Liu Xing threw a landmine Thank you landmine mo mo da!

  Su Fei threw a landmine Thank you landmine mo mo da!

  。

  Finally!

  I'll be on duty at the hospital for two days and two nights, from today to tomorrow. I won't have access to a computer, and since it's too busy during Chinese New Year, I didn't save any drafts. Therefore, there will be no update on the 5th. If I'm free (and awake) after my night shift on the 6th, I'll write something; if not, it'll be postponed to the 7th. Thank you for everyone's understanding.