The Prodigal Disciple of Mount Hua: Seizing All Opportunities

The mountain wind howls, and the clouds drift and swirl.

The wind blew through the perpetual mist, and also stirred the tattered blue robe.

Feng Qingyang stared in the direction where Feng Buping had disappeared, seemingly lost in thought.

"The Sword Sect and the Qi Sect are a bunch of fools," the old man sighed. "Feng Buping is actually quite talented, but unfortunately he is too obsessed with the past grudges and the struggle for lineage. In the end, he imprisoned himself and could never reach the ultimate realm of swordsmanship in his lifetime."

He slowly turned around and looked at Chen Qianyang, who was barely standing: "I don't want anyone else to know what happened on the cliff today. If even a single word of it reaches the ears of a fourth person, I will take your life even if I am thousands of miles away."

Despite the excruciating pain, Chen Qianyang bowed deeply: "I, Chen Qianyang, will never forget the life-saving grace bestowed upon me by my grandmaster uncle. How could I dare to disobey!"

He paused briefly: "I still have one question. Although my grand-uncle is detached from worldly affairs, does he still have any unfulfilled wishes? I will repay the kindness you have shown me today."

These words were both sincere and heartfelt, but also a test.

For someone like Feng Qingyang, the only things that could truly move him were the recollections after a fleeting, ephemeral dream.

After all, Feng Qingyang had only taught Dugu Nine Swords two moves. How could he easily let go of such a master?

Upon hearing this, Feng Qingyang fell silent.

Time seemed to stand still, with only the tireless mountain wind ruffling his already graying beard and hair.

After a long while.

Feng Qingyang then took something out from his bosom, which was close to his body.

It was a faded red tassel, looking extremely worn, but it was kept close to the body, clearly cherished by its owner.

Feng Qingyang's withered fingers traced every thread of the tassel, his gaze drifting towards the distant sea of ​​clouds, revealing an indescribable emotion.

"Wish?" Feng Qingyang chuckled softly. "I am a heartless man, and with the world changing like clouds and grey dogs, what wish could I possibly have?"

He tilted his head slightly, looking weary, and let out a deeper sigh.

"Very well, since you have such a wish." He handed over the red tassel. "If one day you are able to go to Mingzhou Prefecture in Jiangnan, please find an old friend named 'Hongxiu' for me. Just take a look at her for me and see if she has been doing well all these years..."

Every word he uttered seemed to be squeezed out from the depths of time.

Chen Qianyang extended both hands and accepted it with great solemnity.

A hint of gossip crept into his mind, but his face remained as sincere as ever.

"My grand-disciple will definitely go," Chen Qianyang replied solemnly, carefully putting away the tassel. "But Mingzhou Prefecture has tens of thousands of people; having only one name... is probably..."

"You'll understand once you go to the Fang family in Mingzhou."

"My grand-disciple understands."

Feng Qingyang gave him a deep look, seeing through Chen Qianyang's inner thoughts. "Your talent and aptitude are indeed excellent, and your comprehension is the best I have ever seen in my life. You have been able to grasp the basics of the Dugu Nine Swords in such a short time. But unfortunately, your mind is too deep and you are too calculating. You lack sincerity and openness."

He said calmly, "You should know that the highest level of swordsmanship ultimately cannot bypass the word 'sincerity.' You'd better take care of yourself."

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Chen Qianyang's head, sending a chill down his spine.

Could this old man read minds...?

Perhaps noticing the slight change in his expression, Feng Qingyang softened his tone: "However, the world of martial arts is turbulent, and having a bit more cunning is not necessarily a bad thing. Just don't let cleverness cloud your judgment and cause you to lose your clarity of mind."

After saying this, he flicked his sleeve and prepared to leave.

"Grandmaster Uncle, please wait!" Chen Qianyang hurriedly spoke up, "This disciple has been poisoned and fears his days are numbered. I wonder if Grandmaster Uncle has any..."

Feng Qingyang didn't stop moving; only a faint voice drifted on the wind: "Go to Mingzhou, where there is someone who can cure the poison in your body. But whether you can seize the opportunity depends on your fate."

His voice still lingered among the cliffs when his azure figure had already vanished completely into the vast clouds like a ghost.

Although he had managed to suppress the poison thanks to the miraculous effects of the Yin-Yang Jade Pendant, he doubted that it would last.

I can't trust Feng Buping either, so it seems I have no choice but to find an opportunity to go to Mingzhou.

Chen Qianyang stood alone on the cliff edge, his heart filled with turbulent emotions.

This ordeal at the Cliff of Repentance was fraught with peril, from his deliberate attempt to draw Feng Buping's attention, to using himself as bait to provoke him into attacking, and finally to his desperate strike that drew Feng Qingyang's attention. Every step was incredibly risky, like walking on a tightrope over a bottomless abyss.

Fortunately, he won his gamble in the end.

Not only did he obtain the peerless sword technique he had always dreamed of, but he also formed a bond with a reclusive master like Feng Qingyang.

However, there were also many unexpected events; I had underestimated these martial arts masters.

Let alone Feng Qingyang, it's hard to say whether Feng Buping was using Feng Buping or Feng Buping was using Feng Buping.

If it weren't for his background as a source of support, Feng Qingyang would never have taught him.

Then all my plans will be in vain.

For the first time, Chen Qianyang felt a sense of lingering fear.

Just then, a ripple of emotion stirred in my mind once again.

[Current global flow change: 8%]

[Note: You have successfully triggered the core causal opportunity in Swordsman Online, "The Legacy of the Sword Demon"]

[Due to your intervention, the fates of key figures have been significantly altered, the underlying logic of the world has been disrupted, and the flow of destiny has begun to converge again.]

[Gained New Talent: Meticulous Dedication]

[Talent Effect: When you focus on studying similar or related martial arts, you can mutually verify and integrate their core essence and principles, unleashing power far exceeding that of using them alone.]

With continued in-depth study and practical experience, there is a considerable chance that, based on existing martial arts foundations, one will independently deduce new moves and energy application methods that are more suited to their own style.

Chen Qianyang read the information on the interface word by word, his eyes gleaming with barely suppressed light.

【Sword Heart Clarity】 endowed him with a pair of "wise eyes" that could see through the essence of all sword techniques.

The Nine Swords of Dugu gave him a "magical method" that could break all kinds of weapons in the world.

This newly acquired [Painstaking Effort] is precisely the "craftsmanship" that can completely integrate everything gained into one and extract the unique foundation of one's own martial arts.

The three complement each other and support one another.

From this day forward, all martial arts techniques in the world will have no secrets before him.

"Senior Brother, I'm sorry, but I will take over your opportunity on your behalf!"

However, before he could comprehend the many mysteries, a series of urgent shouts came from afar below the cliff.

"Little Chen! Little Chen! Are you up there?"

It's Yue Lingshan!

Chen Qianyang frowned instantly, suppressing his emotions.

He walked quickly to the edge of the cliff and looked down in the direction of the sound.

Below, on the winding mountain path, Yue Lingshan was lifting her skirt and climbing upwards. Her hair was slightly disheveled, and she looked somewhat embarrassed.

Without further hesitation, Chen Qianyang lightly touched the boulder at the edge of the cliff with his toes, landing a few steps away from Yue Lingshan like a falling leaf.

"Senior sister," he said calmly, "what's the matter that you're so flustered? Tell me slowly."

When Yue Lingshan saw him, she grabbed his arm.

Her chest heaved violently, and her words were somewhat incoherent:

"No...it's terrible! Little Chen! It's that Gui Xinshu! He...he's led a large group of Chaoyang Peak disciples and stormed the mountain gate!"

"The Guixin Tree?" Chen Qianyang's eyes suddenly narrowed.

He had killed his precious disciple, so naturally he would come seeking revenge.

It just seems we arrived a little late.

"Yes! It's him!" Yue Lingshan cried out in distress, tears welling up again. "Right now, block the entrance to the Righteousness Hall and hurl insults at him by name! Say... say you colluded with the demonic sect, that you're ruthless and cruel, and that you harmed your fellow disciples! Demand that Father hand you over immediately so they can deal with you as they see fit, or else... otherwise they'll massacre our Jade Maiden Peak!"

Her voice trembled: "Father is arguing with them in the hall, and the situation is tense. Mother is afraid that Father will not be able to withstand the pressure, and even more afraid that if you go back, you will be walking into a trap. That's why she secretly sent me to tell you! Little Chenzi, hurry! Come with me through the back mountain! Let's hide for a while first."

However, after hearing this news, Chen Qianyang did not answer immediately. Instead, he raised his hand and gently wiped away the tears on Yue Lingshan's cheeks.

"Escape?" His voice was low. "Senior sister, why should I escape?"

"But...but Gui Xinshu, his martial arts are extremely high, and he has Mu Renqing behind him. Even Father said that his fist techniques are fierce and his internal strength is profound, making him rarely matched! They outnumber you and have the upper hand. If you go back...if you go back, you'll be sending yourself to your death!"

"I, Chen Qianyang, am a disciple of the Huashan Sect. Now that my sect is in trouble, a powerful enemy has attacked the mountain, defiling my reputation and disgracing my sect."

At this critical juncture, if I were to cowardly cling to life, wouldn't others laugh at me, saying that Mount Hua has no one to rely on, and that I, Chen Qianyang, am a coward who fears death?

He gently pulled away from Yue Lingshan's hand and drew the long sword from his waist.

The longsword was drawn from its sheath, its sound clear and resonant.

"Gui Xingshu... 'Invincible Divine Fist'?" He repeated the title softly. "Very good, he's come at just the right time."

"I'm eager to test the sharpness of my sword myself!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already picked up his long sword and, facing the increasingly fierce mountain wind at the top of the Cliff of Contemplation, strode proudly toward the Hall of Righteousness at the foot of the mountain.