The Prodigal Disciple of Mount Hua: Seizing All Opportunities

Inside the Hall of Righteousness on Jade Maiden Peak of Mount Hua.

Although the hall was full of people, the atmosphere was unusually heavy.

Yue Buqun sat on the grand master's chair, his face ashen, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

The white jade folding fan tapped unconsciously against his palm, producing a monotonous tapping sound.

Ning Zhongze, standing to the side, frowned slightly, her eyes filled with lingering worry.

Linghu Chong, Liang Fa, Lu Dayou and other disciples stood on both sides, holding their breath and focusing their attention, even their breathing became lighter.

In the center of the hall, Chen Qianyang, Lao Denuo, and Yue Lingshan stood with their heads bowed.

Laudenuo, as the leader of this trip, recounted the details of their visit to Huayin City.

The entire process, from discovering the secret tent in the pharmacy, to the ambush in the canyon, to the appearance of the man in black, Mei Jian, and his unexpected death.

He told everything in detail, down to the smallest detail.

He spoke fairly, only stating what he saw, without adding any conjecture.

However, at some key coincidences, the tone was subtly emphasized.

Chen Qianyang stood to the side, his face still somewhat pale.

Yue Lingshan would occasionally add a few excited words, trying her best to defend Chen Qianyang.

Yue Buqun listened quietly without uttering a single word.

Only the tapping of the folding fan on his palm, the slightly faster rhythm, revealed the turmoil in his heart.

This made everyone in the hall feel even heavier.

After Laudenau finished speaking, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

After a long while, Yue Buqun slowly got up from his chair. He sighed and looked at Chen Qianyang, who had been standing silently with his hands hanging down.

The voice was still warm, but it carried a hint of coldness.

"Qianyang, do you...do you know your crime?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Qianyang trembled slightly and slowly raised his head.

His eyes were filled with doubt and fear.

It was soon replaced by stubbornness and unwillingness to give up.

He bowed deeply and replied loudly, "This disciple does not know."

"You really don't know?"

"Master, you are wise, but I was unaware! Mei Jianhe laid an ambush first, intending to kill me to silence me. My counterattack was only to protect myself. How could I have committed any crime?"

Yue Buqun snorted coldly, interrupting him, and his voice suddenly rose: "Are you trying to say that Mei Jianhe was killed due to a momentary lapse in attention during the masked assailant's attack, is that right?"

"That's right."

"Then let me ask you, since that villain's martial arts were so superb that he could severely injure both Mei Jianhe and you with a single blow, why didn't he attack you again after you killed Mei Jianhe? You've only been a disciple for a few months, how could you survive such a powerful enemy, and how could Mei Jianhe just happen to run into the tip of your sword? There are far too many coincidences involved!"

"That's because Yuan Chengzhi happened to arrive..." Yue Lingshan quickly added.

Yue Buqun didn't even glance at his daughter and continued, "Could it be that you know that man in black, which is why you were spared?"

Facing Yue Buqun's deep, scrutinizing gaze, Chen Qianyang remained fearless, instead straightening his back and speaking with an even clearer voice.

"Reporting to Master! This disciple does not know what coincidence is! This disciple only knows that if I had not fought desperately at that time, I would already be a dead man by now! As for Mei Jianhe's death, since he had the intention to kill, he should have been prepared to be killed! Although this disciple is not talented, I also understand the principle of 'I will not offend others unless they offend me, but if they offend me, I will kill them!' As for that murderer, this disciple does not know who he is."

These words were forceful and resounding, showing no sign of admitting guilt whatsoever; they were clearly a blatant act of defiance!

Facing this unruly disciple, Yue Buqun scrutinized him for a long time before sighing and regaining his calm tone.

"Good! What a brilliant 'I will kill him'! Well done!"

He slowly stood up and walked down the steps, his deep eyes churning with extremely complex emotions.

His apprentice was truly unfathomable; he seemed unruly, but his deep scheming was even more unsettling.

His ability to remain calm and composed in the face of danger is indeed a sign of great generalship.

Those people from Chaoyang Peak really went too far; it's a relief that Mei Jianhe died.

It's all about the cleanup...

Yue Buqun's mind raced.

Chen Qianyang is indeed an unsharpened, peerless sword! Incomparably sharp, yet extremely easy to injure the one wielding it!

Whether intentional or not, today's events were handled cleanly and efficiently, resolving a minor but significant problem for my Huashan Sect...

But as the sect leader, he had to consider the bigger picture.

His gaze swept over the disciples below, finally settling on Chen Qianyang: "Disciple Chen Qianyang! Your actions are ruthless and reckless, your words defiant and without remorse! Although there were reasons for your actions, they have caused a great disaster, leading to a deterioration in the relationship between Mount Hua and Chaoyang Peak. You cannot escape your guilt! From this day forward, you are punished by facing the wall at the Cliff of Repentance for three months, to allow me to reflect on your mistakes and temper your violent temper! No one is allowed to visit you without my permission! Violators will be punished according to the sect rules!"

"Father!" Yue Lingshan's eyes instantly reddened with anxiety. "You can't do this! Little Chenzi is..."

"Shut up!" Yue Buqun shouted sternly. "I haven't even investigated your unauthorized departure from the mountain yet! If you say another word, I'll punish you too! Guards, take him to the Cliff of Repentance!"

Two law enforcement disciples stepped forward and gestured for Chen Qianyang to enter.

A hint of disappointment appeared on Chen Qianyang's face.

He gave Yue Buqun a deep look, his gaze extremely complex.

It seemed like he had a thousand words to say, but in the end he said nothing.

He stopped making any pointless excuses and reverted to his arrogant demeanor.

He merely cast a glance at Ning Zhongze, whose face was full of worry, and Yue Lingshan, whose eyes were brimming with tears.

That clearly meant I was fine and not to worry.

He then turned around proudly and followed the disciples of the law enforcement, walking steadily towards the back mountain.

No one could have imagined that Chen Qianyang was actually complaining in his heart at that moment.

It is said that the Huashan Sect punished its disciples by sending them to the Cliff of Repentance.

Why would Feng Qingyang choose to live in seclusion then?

......

That evening, in Yue Buqun's study.

"Junior sister, are you still upset that I punished Qianyang today?"

"Senior brother, I know I shouldn't blame you, but isn't this punishment a bit too harsh?" Ning Zhongze poured Yue Buqun a cup of hot tea, her face filled with worry: "After all, there was a reason for it."

Yue Buqun took the teacup, his expression softening. He sighed deeply, "Junior Sister, I had no choice but to do this. You probably didn't see the dangers hidden behind it."

"Danger? You mean?" Ning Zhongze was taken aback.

Yue Buqun took a sip of tea, gazing at the deep night outside the window: "I'm quite pleased that Mei Jianhe is dead. But his master, the invincible Divine Fist Gui Xinshu, is not someone to be trifled with. This man is fiercely protective of his own and unreasonable, and his martial arts are exceptionally high. Now that his beloved disciple has died tragically, how could he let it go? Within a few days, he will surely storm my Jade Maiden Peak to demand justice!"

"What's more, he has Mu Renqing behind him. Although he doesn't interfere, if things really escalate into a fight between the two factions, guess which side he'll take? And then there's Yuan Chengzhi. At such a young age, his martial arts skills are already comparable to ours. Mount Hua can't hold on with just the two of us."

"As for that other man in black, if I'm not mistaken, he must be one of Zuo Lengchan's men. His actions are undoubtedly aimed at provoking a conflict between us and Chaoyang Peak to profit from it. You know Zuo Lengchan, so this is a difficult situation for me..."

Seeing her husband in such a state, Ning Zhongze gently patted Yue Buqun's back: "No matter what Gui Xinshu or Zuo Lengchan are, my husband and I are not afraid of them if we join forces."

Even so, Ning Zhongze knew that if what Yue Buqun said was true, then Mount Hua would likely face a great calamity.

"Heroine Ning is no less capable than any man, so naturally she has nothing to fear." Yue Buqun shook his head and said, "But I am afraid, I am terribly afraid, I am afraid that the foundation of the Huashan Sect will be lost in my hands..."

He looked at his wife and continued, "I punished Qianyang today by sending him to the Cliff of Repentance, just to give Chaoyang Peak an explanation. I hope that Mu Renqing won't lose his mind and let Guixin Tree run wild."

Ning Zhongze, being exceptionally intelligent, instantly understood her husband's good intentions: "Senior brother, do you mean that punishing Qianyang today is actually to protect him?"

"Hmph, this kid relies on his talent and is fearless. He's so arrogant and unruly. It's impossible not to be angry." Yue Buqun slowly put down his teacup. "However, he and Chong'er are indeed the future hope of Huashan. It's not a bad thing for them to go to the Cliff of Contemplation to enjoy the breeze, practice martial arts in peace, and temper their temperament."

"Once this matter is over, I will let him go."

"I'm just worried that he's stubborn and might not see things clearly, and might blame you, his senior brother..."

"Jade must be carved to become a useful object! Junior sister, you sometimes spoil her too much, whether it's Ling Shan and Chong'er or Qian Yang." Yue Buqun sighed, "But what you said makes sense. Find a day for junior sister to go to the Cliff of Repentance and explain the pros and cons to him. He is so intelligent that he should be able to understand our good intentions."