Helping each other with countless me.

Chapter 547 Clouds move in all directions
Not far away, in the shadow of the cliff.

A gray figure stood still as if blended into the rock; it was Feng Qingyang, who had been secretly following him.

He took in everything that happened in the village, his cloudy old eyes flashing with a complex light.

Looking at Linghu Chong's pale face and his forced discomfort, he was not disappointed at all. Instead, he gently stroked his long beard, his eyes full of relief.

"Chong'er is naturally unrestrained and free-spirited, but he is also the most loyal and righteous. It is normal for him to have this reaction when he first gets blood on his hands."

"It is commendable that they were able to endure the discomfort without backing down."

"This benevolence is the very foundation of the righteous path of the Huashan Qi Sect. Good, good."

His gaze then turned to Li Zhongren, who was comforting women and children and cleaning up the scene.

Looking at his composure, calmness, and even indifference to killing that were so different from his age, Feng Qingyang's eyes became even more profound, carrying a kind of insightful understanding.

“Zhongren is a man of exceptionally strong will…”

Feng Qingyang sighed inwardly.

He wasn't bloodthirsty; rather, he saw through it all too clearly and understood the dog-eat-dog nature of the martial world.

In his eyes, these bandits were less like 'people' and more like 'walking scourges,' and eliminating them was like clearing roadblocks; it had nothing to do with good or evil, only with the necessity of the outcome.

This almost cold-blooded determination is not due to innate coldness, but rather because he has his own scale in his heart, weighing only what 'should be done' and 'should not be done'.

Only with this mindset can one protect oneself and go further in this treacherous world.
"Having these two people is a blessing for Mount Hua."
-
Dividing line

Mount Hua, Mirror Moon Studio.

Laudenau stood meekly beside Yue Buqun, reporting on trivial matters of the sect.

His peripheral vision, however, was like the most precise ruler, measuring Yue Buqun's every move.

Amidst the purple mist, Yue Buqun exuded a calm and composed demeanor, handling affairs with methodical ease, showing no sign of intending to descend the mountain.

"Sect Leader, the old ginseng plants in the herb garden on the back mountain are growing very well."

Laudenau mentioned it seemingly casually.

Yue Buqun stroked his beard and smiled.

"Yes, we also have to thank those outer disciples for taking good care of us, giving them a third more on their monthly interest."

"Yes, master."

"Chong'er and the others have gone down the mountain for training, so it's much quieter in the mountains now. Denuo, you should also keep an eye out for news coming from down the mountain. If you hear any news about them, report to me immediately."

Laudenau respectfully agreed and turned to leave.

That night, a carrier pigeon silently took flight and disappeared into the darkness.
Mount Song, Jingtang.

In the candlelight, Zuo Lengchan's fingers tapped lightly on the table, making a soft, rhythmic sound, much like the pounding of his heart as he pondered his next move.

What he held in his hand was Laudenau's intelligence.

"really."

Zuo Lengchan's lips curled into a cold smile. This intelligence confirmed his guess: Feng Qingyang, or some unknown protector, must be following him in secret.

"That old fox Yue Buqun is sitting on his fishing platform, waiting for me to take the bait."

He pushed open the side window of the quiet hall and looked towards Mount Hua, his gaze sinister.

"Since you've laid a trap, I'll play along. My first strike will be against your hidden mole!"
-
Dividing line

After that night, Linghu Chong and Li Zhongren continued their journey, successively eliminating several bandit gangs that were plaguing the village.

In no time, the name of the Two Heroes of Mount Hua gradually spread throughout Mingzhou. The reason was quite simple: although martial arts masters could move high and low and easily leap over walls, most people in the martial arts world were more skilled at small-scale skirmishes.

Suppressing bandits can be summed up in just four words.

But if you sit up, you'll be facing a heavily armed military force.

Therefore, the fact that they were able to clear out several bandit strongholds without getting injured proves that their skills have already surpassed those of most people in the martial arts world.

They can already be considered among the top figures in this world.

Of course, Linghu Chong was secretly pleased with these titles, but Li Zhongren didn't care at all; they were just easy wins and had no real value.

But there were also benefits. Their wallets were filled. While they didn't exactly live a life of debauchery, they certainly didn't skimp on their food. Linghu Chong, in particular, drank his fill of good wine. At the same time, his attitude towards killing was gradually changing. He wouldn't hesitate to kill those who deserved to die, but he also felt no psychological burden.

"Junior brother, this time it's my fault."

As dusk fell, Linghu Chong looked ahead with an embarrassed expression. If it weren't for his excessive drinking, they should have been able to reach the next town by now, but it was getting late, and they would probably have to spend the night in the wilderness.

"hehe."

Li Zhongren glanced at Linghu Chong.

Although Linghu Chong, after his own transformation, is no longer the Linghu Chong from the original story who could drive his master to evil, some of his inherent traits are still quite deserving of a beating.

For example, when it comes to fine wines.

Let's put it this way: Russians would have to kneel down and call Linghu Chong "Big Brother." It's estimated that only someone of Qiao Feng's caliber could subdue Linghu Chong.

However, Zuo You was just traveling down the mountain and didn't have anything particularly important to do.

Therefore, Li Zhongren was not disappointed.

"There's a hunter's cabin at the foot of the mountain at this fork in the road. Let's spend the night there."

"Junior brother, how did you know?"

"you guess?"

Li Zhongren rolled his eyes again, naturally asking questions. Judging from Linghu Chong's drunken appearance, he had already inquired about some information about the next stop.

However, neither of them seemed to notice that in a hidden corner in the distance, a person was lying prone on the ground, silently watching them and occasionally taking notes.
Blackwood Cliff

Steward, this is the intelligence we've obtained.

A member of the Demonic Cult handed a letter to Yang Lianting.

At this moment, more than three years have passed since Ren Woxing was usurped by Dongfang Bubai. Dongfang Bubai has been cultivating the Sunflower Manual and has long since transformed herself into half a woman. She is only focused on the highest realm of the Sunflower Manual, the ability to transform into a human, and on Yang Lianting, the most handsome man in the Demonic Sect.

He no longer cares much about other things.

Therefore, Yang Lianting was essentially in charge of the entire Demonic Sect.

"Linghu Chong, Li Zhongren"

"Two genius disciples of the Huashan Sect have descended the mountain..."

Upon reading the letter, Yang Lianting couldn't help but sneer a few times.

Their Divine Sect and Mount Hua have a deep-seated blood feud; the ten elders of the Demonic Sect were once trapped and killed on Mount Hua.

Therefore, if they had the opportunity to take advantage of the Huashan Sect's misfortune, their Divine Sect would naturally not miss it.

"but."

"Where did you get this intelligence?"

"In the martial arts world, the two have recently gained great fame, as they have been clearing out mountain bandits."

“I mean, their travel route.” Yang Lianting squinted slightly.

"Although these two are enemies of our cult, their ability to so easily wipe out bandits means their skills are definitely not lacking. How could ordinary members possibly know their movement routes?"

"It was discovered by our spies in the Songshan Sect. In recent years, the Songshan Sect has expanded rapidly and especially likes to establish intelligence organizations similar to the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Taking this opportunity, our people infiltrated."

"It just so happens that there is such an organization that is responsible for monitoring these two people, which is how we obtained the intelligence."

"upright."

Yang Lianting couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"They always call us a demonic sect, but unfortunately, the so-called righteous path is just as despicable. Has the Songshan Sect taken any action?"

"Reporting to the chief, no. Perhaps out of fear of Yue Buqun's reputation, the Songshan Sect is only conducting a routine investigation and has not given any further instructions. However, there are rumors in the martial arts world that because these two killed so many bandits, they have angered the underworld and outlaws. It is said that someone is organizing people to teach these two a lesson."

"Go and summon Xiang Wentian."

"Yes!"

Not long after, Xiang Wentian, one of the elders of the Demonic Sect, was summoned to the Sun and Moon Divine Palace.

At this moment, Xiang Wentian's expression was solemn, and he was also a little curious. Why did Yang Lianting want to see him? He hadn't made any unusual moves in the past few years, just because he was afraid of being purged by Dongfang Bubai. But at the same time, because he had once been Ren Woxing's number one general, he had basically been retired since then.

"Your subordinate Xiang Wentian greets Steward Yang. May I ask what brings you here, Steward Yang?"

In the hall, Yang Lianting stood there, not sitting in the seat that should have belonged to Dongfang Bubai, but directly handing the letter to Xiang Wentian.

"The message sent back by the spies of the Divine Sect who have infiltrated the Five Mountains Sword Sect is that I hope Elder Xiang can lead men to take care of these two people."

"Steward, things seem a bit too simplistic."

Xiang Wentian was incredibly intelligent; he immediately noticed something strange about the whole affair.

That's right, Yue Buqun couldn't possibly do something so foolish.

"I know that the Huashan Sect may have protectors, but it doesn't matter."

Yang Lianting chuckled coldly a few times.

"In recent years, our leader has been living in seclusion, focusing on mastering divine skills. These so-called righteous people seem to have forgotten that in a one-on-one fight, none of the Five Mountains Sword Sects can match us. Since they're resorting to such tactics, then we'll use our power to intimidate them!"

"You, Tong Baichuan, Sang Sanniang, and Qu Yang, the four elders of the Divine Cult, along with all the cult members, no matter what tricks he has up his sleeve, we will make sure he dies out there!"

"Yes, I obey!"

He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Wentian, then turned and left.

As mentioned earlier, no one in the Demonic Sect dared to disobey Yang Lianting's orders when faced with the formidable Dongfang Bubai.

So, a day later, this super-luxurious expeditionary force, consisting of four elders of the Demonic Cult, quietly left Blackwood Cliff.

However, one person quietly left the main group on the way and sped off at top speed towards the outskirts of Mingzhou.
Dividing line

As night deepened, the wind in the wilderness carried a chilly edge.

Linghu Chong skillfully tended the campfire, and a beggar's chicken covered in thick yellow mud was buried in the embers, emitting an enticing aroma.

"Junior brother, you know what, sleeping in this dilapidated temple, roasting a beggar's chicken, and pairing it with a pot of old wine, is actually more delicious than the exquisite dishes in those big inns in the city!"

Linghu Chong tore off a golden-brown, juicy chicken leg, took a big, satisfying bite, and then gulped down some wine, his face beaming with carefree joy.

Over the past two weeks, he seems to have truly fallen in love with this rustic charm, especially the delicious food he prepared himself.

To this, Li Zhongren could only say that he was born in the wrong era. If he had been born a few hundred years earlier, perhaps he could have met Hong Qigong and become the leader of the Beggars' Clan. It is estimated that Hong Qigong and Linghu Chong would have gotten along very well.

"Junior brother, here!"

Not long after, Linghu Chong tossed the beggar's chicken covered in yellow mud to Li Zhongren, one for each of them.

Want some drinks?

As he spoke, Linghu Chong shook his wine gourd.

No, I prefer tea.

Li Zhongren didn't really like drinking, not that he disliked it, but he drank for that dizzy feeling. In his previous life, he used this to relax. But after he mastered internal energy cultivation, drinking only made him feel bloated, so he became too lazy to drink anymore.

Of course, there's also the fact that he finds Linghu Chong disgusting, and he would never share a wine gourd with a man.

It's better not to drink it.

Linghu Chong chuckled, took out a piece of oiled paper from his pocket, and flicked it with his long sword. The yellow mud covering the beggar's chicken scattered on the ground, revealing the lotus leaves inside. Opening the lotus leaves, a fragrant aroma mixed with the smell of meat filled the air.

Then, Linghu Chong didn't mind the greasiness and directly used his hands to break open the beggar's chicken. He took a bite of chicken, a sip of wine, and even a handful of fried peanuts and a few cloves of garlic.

Li Zhongren was much more refined here.

Wrap the chicken leg in a lotus leaf and eat it bite by bite.

In the dark
As Feng Qingyang chewed on the braised beef, he couldn't help but chuckle. Linghu Chong, who seemed carefree and easygoing, was actually quite fastidious, while Li Zhongren seemed to have a bit of a germaphobia.

The night was dark.

The campfire was burning, and Linghu Chong was already fast asleep.

Li Zhongren leaned against the wall, closing his eyes and concentrating.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes, his sharp gaze sweeping across the thick darkness outside the temple.

"Senior brother, get up, we have guests..."

"Is it finally here?"

Linghu Chong paused, his relaxed expression vanished, and he listened intently.

The sound of wind carried the faint yet dense footsteps that were silently closing in on the lonely, dilapidated temple from all directions.

A chilling smell filled the air, a mixture of sweat, cheap alcohol, and metallic odor.

"It seems our reputation is so great that it's making the 'heroes' of the outlaw world restless?"

Linghu Chong sneered, hung the wine gourd back on his waist, and drew his longsword half an inch from its sheath, its cold light reflecting off the leaping campfire.

Li Zhongren stood up, the iron mace silently sliding into his hand, the heavy mace tip gently touching the ground.

"Whoosh whoosh-!"

"Boom! Crash!"

A sharp whistling sound and a violent impact rang out simultaneously! Dozens of crossbow bolts pierced through the already damaged window frames and walls! Several heavy flying stones and burning oil canisters smashed through the roof and collapsed the already crumbling walls, instantly filling the temple with smoke and dust and igniting flames!

"Kill! Slaughter these two Huashan brats to avenge our fallen brothers!"

"Cut off their heads to honor the heroic souls of Black Wind Stronghold!"

"Go! There are only two of them!"

Wild and violent roars echoed from all directions!
Amidst the shadowy figures and flashing blades, dozens of men, each with a fierce and menacing appearance and a distinctly bandit-like air, brandished various weapons and surged into the temple through the various breaches like hyenas that had caught the scent of blood!

Several of the leaders, with particularly fierce and cunning eyes, were underworld bosses secretly guided and subdued by Zuo Lengchan's intelligence network!

The battle erupted to its peak in an instant!
(End of this chapter)