Chapter 22: Investigating Qingcheng Sect

  The next day, early in the morning, Linghu Chong and Lao Denuo set off towards Qingcheng Mountain with their luggage on horseback.

  All the way, Linghu Cong deliberately took the opportunity to talk with Laudino several times on a mission. Laudino didn't say much, and most of the time it was Linghu Cong who was speaking, while he listened.

  Just as Yue Buqun said, Lao Denuo is steady and cautious, yet bold and loyal. He handles matters firmly and practically. On this journey, Lao Denuo has been extremely respectful to his senior brother, following closely behind him, taking on all the hard work without complaint, with everything done for the sake of Linghu Chong's convenience. As for food and lodging, these are not things that Linghu Chong needs to worry about; he will take care of them perfectly well. Any black shops or people who harbor malicious intentions towards them have not escaped his notice, all being quietly and easily dealt with by him without disturbing Linghu Chong in the slightest.

  This Laodeno is indeed a talented individual, the behind-the-scenes work he has done, probably no one in the entire Huashan Sect can surpass him, let alone his fellow disciples. Entrusting him with handling the internal affairs of the Huashan Sect would be most suitable. Old Yue's vision is still as sharp as ever.

  Linghu Chong did not boast about his martial arts skills to Lao Denuo. According to Lao Denuo's cautious nature, he would probably praise him verbally but wouldn't take it seriously in his heart. Only when Linghu Chong displayed his mighty skills at the Qingcheng Sect and severely punished Yu Canghai in front of Lao Denuo could he give him the strongest shock. After all, Yu Canghai was already a famous master in Jianghu, while Linghu Chong was just a junior member of the Huashan Sect. With comparison, one can see the facts more clearly.

  The two of them spurred on their horses and finally arrived at Qingcheng's branch temple, Clear Wind Pavilion.

  Everything was left to Lauderno to handle, Linghu Chong stood with his hands clasped together in front of his chest, standing calmly on one side, humming a little tune. Meanwhile, Lauderno went forward and knocked on the door, and before long, a young Qingcheng Sect disciple came out.

  "Two disciples of Mount Hua have come to pay their respects to you, the head of our sect, on the orders of our master Yue Buqun." Laodan stepped forward and bowed.

  "Wait!"

  The Qingcheng Sect disciple was extremely rude, coldly uttering two words from his mouth, slamming the gate shut and trapping Linghu Chong and Laborde in the sect, without even inviting them to rest in a side hall.

  "Second Brother, I've always said that not a single good thing has come out of the Qingcheng Sect. Look at this, a mere servant dares to turn us away at the door! We are now representing the Huashan Sect, representing Master's face," Linghu Chong said with feigned indignation. "The Qingcheng Sect actually dares to insult us like this, damn it, these bastards, if I don't make a mess of their Clear Wind Pavilion, wouldn't others think that I, Linghu Chong, am afraid of the Qingcheng Sect?"

  "Big Brother, don't be impulsive, we're here to apologize and make amends, not to cause trouble. If things go wrong, how can we explain it to Master?" Laodan hurriedly advised, seeing Linghu Chong about to act rashly.

  "Second Brother, you're a good person, but you're too particular. Don't think that others will think highly of you just because you want them to. I'm sure that little scoundrel didn't go in to report back and is probably laughing at us with the other Qingcheng disciples right now." Linghu Cong said: "In this Jianghu, only strength can earn people's respect. If your strength is strong, you're a hero and represent justice; if your strength is weak, you're evil. It's the same for sects - take Mount Song Sect, for example. They're ruthless and slaughter innocent people, but because they have Left Cold Saber and the Thirteen Guards, their reputation in Jianghu is that of a prestigious and righteous sect."

  "So, if a senior disciple of the Songshan Sect kills someone, even if it's to wipe out your entire family, people in the martial arts world will only say that the Songshan disciple is punishing evil and eliminating evil. Similarly, if you kill someone but are not strong enough, then you're just committing evil deeds, and everyone in the martial arts world can condemn you! Only when your sect is powerful and your own martial arts skills are exceptional will you have any authority in the martial arts world. Do you understand, Second Brother?"

  Lauder, who was originally not very concerned, was deeply stimulated by Linghu Cong's intentional comparison of the destruction of the Songshan School and his family. If it weren't for the years of cultivating a calm and tolerant temperament, he would have almost lost control of his emotions and burst out in anger.

  "Second Brother, wait outside for a moment, I'll go in and take a look!" Linghu Cong didn't wait for Laborde's response, and with a flip of his body, he darted into the Qingcheng Sect's residence, Clear Wind Pavilion.

  It's indeed a renowned sect that has been passed down for thousands of years, and its grandeur is truly impressive. The building's decorations and settings are full of depth. Linghu Chong walked into the Qingcheng Sect's martial arts arena using his Lingbo Weibu (Lightness Skill), and sure enough, he saw Yu Canghai supervising a group of disciples practicing their sword techniques.

  Yu Canghai's several personally taught disciples were not practicing the Qingcheng Sect's famous Jianghu松风 sword technique, but rather some extremely strange and incoherent, soft and weak-looking moves. It should be the Lin family's evil-repelling sword technique that Yu Canghai had secretly learned.

  Linghu Chong was thinking of a way to make an appearance when Yu Canghai suddenly drew his sword and chopped off the long sword in Yu Renyan's hand, asking: "Renyan, why has your recent sword practice been so weak and lacking in spirit, with soft and limp sword strikes?"

  "Dad, this Lin family's evil sword technique is so lousy, what's the point of us practicing it? Our Pine Wind Sword Technique is a hundred times stronger than this, why do you insist on us practicing this?" Yu Renyan said discontentedly.

  "Ren Yan, you don't know that Lin Yuan Tu relied on the 72 routes of the Evil-Expelling Sword Method to defeat countless top masters in Jianghu, including your own ancestor, Long Qing Zi. So, don't underestimate this sword method, practice it well!" Yu Canghai said to his disciples.

  "Chang Qingzi's master was once known as the number one swordsman west of the Three Gorges, and even he was defeated. It seems that this Devil-Expelling Sword Technique still holds many secrets."

  The disciples of Qingcheng Sect exclaimed in surprise.

  "Your ancestors back then died in frustration because of this matter, but before their death, they left a will. This evil-warding sword technique looks disjointed and seems like a third-rate sword technique, but as long as it's combined with Lin Yuan's unique internal skill and mental method, when executed, it's swift like the wind, eerie and mysterious."

  Yu Canghai said with a smile to the crowd of disciples: "The Lin family must have an inner skill that matches the Evil-Defying Sword Technique, but Lin Yuan-tu has long since passed away. Now it seems that for some reason, no one in the Lin family has inherited this internal skill. I've investigated and found that Lin Zhen-nan, a descendant of Lin Yuan-tu, is about to retire to his hometown soon. Without the court's protection, how can the Lin family be our opponent? The Evil-Defying Sword Technique and its inner skill will not escape my grasp."

  "Wonderful, wonderful! So it was three months ago that Father arranged for someone to go to Kyoto to monitor the Lin family, and it was all for today! Father, you are indeed far-sighted." Yu Renyan and his disciples flattered.

  Yu Canghai obviously enjoyed the flattery of the crowd, stroking his beard with his right hand, looking very pleased with himself.

  "Damn it, you bunch of bastards, so you've already set your sights on the Lin family. This is an unexpected gain, but I didn't come here to listen to your flattery and storytelling." Linghu Chong had been hiding behind a large tree for more than half an hour, and finally couldn't bear it any longer, deliberately making a slight noise to attract Yu Canghai's attention.

  "Who?" Yu Canghai, a renowned martial arts master for many years, reacted swiftly and cooperated with Linghu Chong's plan. A long sword shot directly towards Linghu Chong.

  Yesterday's member click recommendation collection data was good, but this afternoon I suddenly found that the new book list data has been locked again, ranking always behind, estimated to be 4th place, this list is probably not going to work out either. Staying up all night for this result is also a bit frustrating. Never mind, writing well is the key, and being naked can also develop, please support me, book friends!