Film and Television World Life Record

Chapter 571 Taking Control of the Five Sacred Mountains

After descending Mount Song, Li Mu arrived at the place where his horses were being kept at the foot of the mountain, but did not linger there, and continued on his way back to Mount Hua.

This trip to Mount Song was neither surprising nor beyond his expectations; the outcome was exactly as he had anticipated.

It remains to be seen what move Songshan will make next.

As the leader of the Five Mountains Alliance, to fight to a draw with a second-generation disciple of Mount Hua would be a huge blow to Zuo Lengchan's prestige if word got out.

Although no one would believe it if it got out, the only people who could testify were from the Songshan Sect.

But when the Five Mountains Alliance meets, a martial arts contest will inevitably determine the winner. What will happen then? Li Mu was very curious about what he would do.

In April, Zuo Lengchan suddenly summoned the leaders of the Five Mountains Sword Sects to Mount Song for a meeting.

After his initial surprise, Yue Buqun showed no emotion, telling Li Mu and Linghu Chong to focus on their sword practice, and then casually took two disciples with him and left.

He didn't return to the mountain until the end of April. His expression was hard to tell whether he was happy or regretful. Apart from instructing his disciples to practice their swordsmanship diligently, he didn't seem to have changed much.

Then, news about the specific details of the meeting between the May Sect Leader and Songshan spread throughout the martial arts world.

This time, the Songshan Sect changed its previous hardline stance, softening its attitude considerably. They no longer constantly mentioned the merger of the Five Mountains Alliance or invoking the Five Mountains Alliance Leader's command flag...

However, this only softened their stance; they remained unyielding on the issue of merging the Five Mountains Alliance, with the major sect leaders arguing endlessly and unable to reach a consensus.

Finally, Zuo Lengchan made a seemingly fair suggestion: to re-elect the leader of the Five Mountains Alliance and let the new leader of the Five Mountains Alliance discuss with the leaders of each sect to resolve the matter completely.

Everyone was naturally unwilling. Among the five sect leaders, Zuo Lengchan was recognized as the best in martial arts. The so-called re-selection of the Five Mountains Alliance leader was just a formality, a show of bravado.

In the ensuing silence, Yue Buqun unexpectedly agreed, much to the surprise of the other factions.

Zuo Lengchan thought that Yue Buqun wanted to use his disciples' strength, but he had already made preparations. He declared that in order to avoid damaging the harmony between the various sects, others should not participate. The competition would be limited to the leaders of the major sects, and the winner would become the new leader of the Five Mountains Alliance.

Yue Buqun readily agreed.

Although Zuo Lengchan was puzzled, he didn't think he couldn't defeat Yue Buqun. After dealing with him for decades, if Yue Buqun truly possessed such strength, he wouldn't have been so cautious and subservient all these years.

Otherwise, the Huashan Sect would have developed much larger by now, instead of remaining at this small scale.

With the Huashan Sect having opened a breach, the remaining sects became easier to control. Under the various methods employed by the Songshan Sect and Zuo Zhengchan, the Taishan, Hengshan, and Hengshan Sects had no choice but to agree to re-elect the leader of the Five Sacred Mountains Alliance on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month in front of heroes from all over the world. The matter of merging the Five Sacred Mountains into one sect should also be thoroughly addressed during this opportunity.

The news spread quickly, and the martial arts world was abuzz with discussion. Everyone was enthusiastically discussing this momentous event that could change the landscape of the martial arts world. Even the disciples of the Huashan Sect were talking about it during their training breaks.

Upon hearing the news, Li Mu was impressed by Zuo Lengchan's determination to unify the five factions. Even under these circumstances, he did not back down at all, and even resorted to changing the rules to restrict his own actions.

That's good too. He doesn't even need to take action. The Songshan Sect is also somewhat restrained. If Zuo Lengchan were to step in, Yue Buqun could handle it on his own.

……

Time quickly passed into the latter half of May, and the Huashan Sect set off for Mount Song.

Even now, Yue Buqun remained as calm as ever. Li Mu couldn't figure out what he was thinking. Did he want to be the leader of the Five Mountains Alliance, or the head of the merged Five Mountains Sword Sect?

Li Mu had no objection to either choice.

Perhaps the only one who's really suffering is Zuo Lengchan. The stage has been set, the road has been paved, and all that's left is for the show to begin.

Little did they know, they had already benefited someone else.

Mount Hua and Mount Song are not far apart. In less than ten days, the group arrived at a town at the foot of Mount Song, booked an inn, rested for a day, and then went up the mountain the next morning.

If we're talking about which mountain is the most famous in the martial arts world today, there's no other one besides Mount Song. The reason is simple: it's home not only to the Shaolin Temple, a grandmaster of martial arts, but also to the Songshan Sect, the head of the Five Sacred Mountains Sword Sects.

A mountain with two major martial arts sects is, if not unique, extremely rare in the martial arts world today.

However, Shaolin Temple is located on Shaoshi Mountain, while Songshan School is located on Taishi Mountain, so the two schools naturally do not follow the same path.

When the Huashan Sect group arrived at the entrance to Taishi Mountain, Songshan Sect disciples were there to guide them and greet them. Upon seeing Yue Buqun, they immediately came over and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Uncle-Master Yue and fellow disciples. The Alliance Leader is already on the mountain to welcome you."

Yue Buqun nodded and asked a few more questions. He learned that Master Mo Da of the Hengshan Sect and Abbess Dingxian of the Hengshan Sect had already led their disciples up the mountain yesterday.

At that moment, the group from Huashan also headed up the mountain.

Along the way up the mountain, the mountain path was kept clean. Every few miles, several disciples of Songshan would prepare tea and snacks to welcome the guests, which showed how well Songshan Sect had prepared this time. It also showed Zuo Lengchan's determination to win.

After walking for more than half an hour, passing through Chaotian Gate, we arrived at the Songshan Sect's headquarters.

Looking at the rows of densely packed buildings, they were much larger than those of the Huashan Sect, but many of them were brand new, obviously recently renovated.

Following the welcoming disciple, we passed through courtyard after courtyard until we finally arrived at a large courtyard. The welcoming disciple then introduced, "Senior Uncle Yue, fellow disciples, this courtyard was specially prepared for your sect. Please forgive any neglect if there is anything I have done. I will now take my leave."

Yue Buqun stroked his long beard and said gently, "Thank you for your trouble."

After the welcoming disciples left, everyone settled in and began to wander around. The May Alliance was still three or four days away from starting.

As soon as I arrived near Chaotianmen, I heard that Abbot Fangzheng of Shaolin Temple and Master Chongxu, the leader of Wudang Sect, had also arrived.

As expected of the two leading figures in the martial arts world and the two righteous sects, they certainly have considerable influence.

From afar, they could see Zuo Lengchan leading twenty disciples, coming to greet them.

As Zuo Lengchan passed by Li Mu, he suddenly looked over with a gloomy look in his eyes. The next moment, he acted as if nothing had happened and went to greet Master Fangzheng and Daoist Chongxu.

Zuo Lengchan's reaction made Li Mu realize that despite changing the rules and restricting his own participation, Zuo Lengchan was still not at ease and might still resort to some tricks.

Sure enough, in the afternoon, Lu Dayou received an urgent message from Liang Fa, who was staying behind at Huashan Sect, sent via carrier pigeon. A large number of bandits had suddenly appeared near Huashan, and they seemed poised to attack Huashan.

This news stunned the Huashan Sect members who had just arrived at Mount Song. Even Yue Buqun's face darkened, a rare occurrence for him.

There aren't many disciples from Mount Hua, and this time, in order to boost their prestige, they sent almost all of them to Mount Song, leaving only Liang Fa and a dozen or so ordinary disciples behind.

They could handle ordinary bandits, but when they attacked at this crucial moment, especially at the Five Mountains Alliance, no one would believe they were ordinary bandits.

Yue Buqun couldn't help but feel troubled. Taking action at this time was clearly aimed at the Huashan Sect, and it was obvious who was supporting them.

If ignored, the other side might really launch a fierce attack on the Huashan Sect. Even if he defeated Zuo Lengchan in a martial arts contest, what face or qualification does a sect that can't even defend its own gates, which was breached by bandits, have to sit in the position of leader of the Five Mountains Alliance?

We absolutely must go back and provide support.

However, Yue Buqun himself cannot make a move, otherwise he will miss the Five Mountains Conference and Zuo Lengchan will make the deed into a fait accompli, which will put the Huashan Sect in a very passive position.

Sending a group of disciples back to provide reinforcements is also not advisable, not to mention it would waste time. The Huashan Sect already has a small presence on Mount Song; if they were to leave, their influence would be even smaller.

The only feasible option is to send a skilled expert back to oversee the situation.

He was thinking about who would be suitable to go back and take charge, whether it was his wife Ning Zhongze, his eldest disciple Linghu Chong, or Li Mu, who was the most skilled in martial arts among them!

Before he could make a decision, Li Mu stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Master, I should go back!"

"With Master here, we have nothing to worry about at this Five Mountains Alliance. I will return to Mount Hua to serve as a guardian, which will put Master at ease."

He knew that the Songshan Sect's move was aimed at him. If he didn't leave, their methods would become even more drastic. So he might as well do as they wanted.

Only by ensuring that Zuo Lengchan has no worries can the rules be followed and the Five Mountains Assembly continue.

Yue Buqun thought about it and concluded that Li Mu was indeed suitable, as he was both highly skilled in martial arts and reliable in handling affairs.

"Alright, go back now. Be careful on the road. I'm afraid you won't be able to make it to the Five Sacred Mountains Gathering this time."

Li Mu smiled and said, "One master is enough."

Without delay, Li Mu immediately packed his belongings, descended Mount Song, and rode his horse all the way to Mount Hua.

Sure enough, as soon as he returned to Mount Hua, he learned that the bandits who had besieged Mount Hua half a day earlier had completely retreated.

It was too late to return to Mount Song at this point, and Li Mu had no intention of doing so. He decided to remain at Mount Hua and wait for news from Yue Buqun.

.........

The day after returning to Mount Hua was the day of the Five Sacred Mountains Conference. Li Mu did what he always did: practice his swordplay and boxing, drink tea, read books, have lunch, take a short rest, and check the time. According to the schedule, the Five Sacred Mountains Conference should be coming to an end soon.

On the other side, it was indeed almost over. Yue Buqun stood on the Fengchan Platform. Although his face was calm, his slightly trembling hands revealed the turmoil in his heart.

Taking a deep breath, he said loudly, "Fellow Daoists, I, Yue, am unworthy, but I have been fortunate enough to win a move or two from Senior Brother Zuo. I am humbled and trembling with fear to take charge of the Five Mountains Sword Sect."

"Regarding the future of our Five Mountains Sword Sect, Senior Brother Zuo has put forward many grand plans, but unfortunately I do not have such great talent and I am afraid that I cannot accomplish them. Therefore, I will follow the old rules and continue the century-old rules of our Five Mountains Sword Sect. I will continue to hold the Five Mountains Command, and each sect will still make its own decisions on its own affairs."

As soon as he finished speaking, a thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd.

The merger of the Five Sacred Mountains was opposed by all four sects except the Songshan Sect. Within the martial arts world, there were many forces unwilling to see the merger, including Shaolin and Wudang, who also opposed the unification of the Five Sacred Mountains sword sects.

Yue Buqun's statement quickly gained the support of many forces both inside and outside the Five Mountains Sword Sect. Under such public scrutiny, even if the Songshan Sect had any dissatisfaction, it dared not defy public opinion and could only swallow its pride and accept it.

This also means that, after more than 20 years, the Huashan Sect has once again taken control of the Five Sacred Mountains.

As evening approached, Li Mu finished reading a book, stretched, and was just about to have dinner when Liang Fa ran over with a look of ecstatic joy.

"Junior Brother Lin, Junior Brother Lin..."

Li Mu understood that the results of the Five Sacred Mountains Conference must have been announced.

"Senior Brother Liang, what is it?"

Liang Fa excitedly pulled out a small piece of paper: "Junior Brother Lin, Da You just sent a message back by carrier pigeon. Master won."

"My master displayed his might in front of my fellow disciples from the Five Sacred Mountains and thousands of fellow martial artists. Even the Left Alliance Leader was no match for him. He fought with my master for hundreds of moves, but in the end, he was still defeated and seriously injured."

“Master…Master will be the new leader of the Five Mountains Alliance, and Mount Hua will once again take control of the Five Mountains Sword Sect.”

Even though he already knew the result, upon hearing the news, Li Mu couldn't help but feel a surge of joy: "Master is amazing, congratulations!"

He then took out several jars of old wine and said with a smile, "My fellow disciples on Mount Song are probably already drinking their victory celebration wine. Senior Brother Liang, please arrange for the kitchen to prepare some food and invite all the disciples who stayed behind to guard the mountain gate. Let's celebrate together too."

Liang Faxi said happily, "Okay, I'll have someone prepare it right away."

……

In the following days, as the May Conference came to a close, the heroes from all walks of life, full of gossip, left one after another, and the results of the Five Sacred Mountains Conference quickly spread throughout the land.