The Prodigal Disciple of Mount Hua: Seizing All Opportunities

Mingzhou Wanghai Tower.

The private room was brightly lit with candles.

After several rounds of drinks, the air at the table seemed to freeze.

Seeing the atmosphere turn awkward, Fang Wei quickly stood up to smooth things over, gesturing with both hands towards the head of the table: "Young Master Murong, Elder Qi, please allow me to introduce you. This is none other than the renowned hero Guo Jing, famous throughout Jiangnan!"

Upon hearing this, Murong Fu gracefully put down his wine cup and then cupped his hands in greeting: "So it is Master Guo in person. My apologies for my disrespect. I am Murong Fu from Gusu, and I have long admired and respected Master Guo's character and martial arts."

His words were sincere and gentle, like a breath of fresh air.

Guo Jing simply returned the greeting with clasped hands, his face cold and hard: "Young Master Murong, I have long admired you."

He had no prior dealings with this "Southern Murong," but he had long heard of his reputation for "using their own methods against them."

However, the thought that this person was doing such shady business with the Fang family already filled him with seven parts disgust. At this moment, maintaining basic courtesy was already the limit.

Murong Fu encountered a setback, but his face showed no sign of anger.

His gaze swept around and then landed on Chen Qianyang, who was sitting quietly to the side. Seeing that the young man was only twenty years old, yet had a calm and composed demeanor, and was able to sit at the same table as someone like Guo Jing, he couldn't help but take a second look and secretly wonder about his background.

Fang Wei, observing the situation, immediately introduced, "This is Chen Qianyang, a young hero, a disciple of Yue Buqun, the leader of the Huashan Sect."

"Oh? From the Huashan Sect?" Murong Fu casually cupped his hands in greeting: "I have long admired the exquisite swordsmanship of Huashan. It is an honor to meet Master Yue's esteemed disciple today."

Chen Qianyang chuckled and said, "Young Master Murong is too kind. The reputation of the Southern Murong clan is renowned throughout the martial world. Even though I am far away in Mount Hua, I have heard of it."

The old man sitting next to Fang Wei seemed a little impatient and interrupted, "Enough with the nonsense, business is the priority."

He turned to Murong Fu: "Young Master Murong, the ship for the goods you ordered last month is ready, but the final payment is still pending."

Murong Fu calmly replied, "Elder Qi, rest assured, the money has already been prepared. My Yanziwu has been established in Jiangnan for generations, and we have that much credibility."

The two then began to speak in hushed tones, occasionally uttering words such as "refined iron," "fine iron," and "leather armor."

These words made Guo Jing's face turn ashen.

This is clearly smuggling arms and has ulterior motives!

However, Murong Fu and Qi Wuyai spoke with ease, clearly confident and fearless, and did not take Guo Jing and Chen Qianyang seriously at all.

Yang Guo, who was sitting below Guo Jing, was still young and did not understand these witty remarks. He only found the adults' conversations at the table to be cryptic and extremely boring.

He had been completely captivated by the exquisite dishes on the table and was now engrossed in eating, making smacking noises as he ate.

Bao Butong, the retainer standing behind Murong Fu, was already indignant at Guo Jing's cold attitude towards his young master. Seeing Yang Guo's rude and impolite eating habits, he couldn't hold back any longer and sarcastically remarked, "Hmph! It seems that any good-for-nothing can get into this room without fear of defiling this fine wine and food!"

Having lived a life of hardship since childhood, Yang Guo was naturally sensitive and rebellious. Upon hearing this, he slammed his chopsticks on the table and glared at Bao Butong: "Who are you calling a good-for-nothing?!"

Bao Butong chuckled and shook his head, saying, "No, no! I didn't mean to say you're a good-for-nothing, but since you've admitted it yourself, then so be it!"

His expression was contemptuous, and he did everything he could to provoke.

"You're asking for death!" Without thinking, Yang Guo grabbed the porcelain plate in front of him and made as if to smash it at Bao Butong!

"Guo'er! Stop!" Guo Jing shouted in a deep voice upon seeing this, and was about to get up to stop him.

At this critical moment, Chen Qianyang, who had been sitting quietly by the sidelines, made his move.

With an extremely subtle flick of his right wrist, he handed the bamboo chopsticks towards Bao Butong.

This was neither a stab nor a point, but a silent and stealthy action.

Dugu Nine Swords - Palm Breaking Style!

Sword principles reside in the heart, without moves or forms.

Just as Bao Butong was about to speak again, the word "No" had already risen to his throat when he suddenly felt a sharp pain on the "Neiguan" acupoint of his raised right wrist!

"Uh!" Bao Butong groaned, swallowing back the words that were about to come out.

He stood frozen in place, his face first showing a stunned expression, then filled with disbelief and horror.

The entire audience was astonished!

Guo Jing's pupils suddenly contracted; his martial arts skills had reached a first-rate level, and he could see it clearly!

Chen Qianyang's move was so subtle and precise that it struck first despite being the last to react; it was no ordinary sword technique.

He was shocked: "This Brother Chen is so young, yet his swordsmanship has reached such a level? Master Yue has actually taught such a disciple?"

The old man in black robes narrowed his eyes and stared intently at Chen Qianyang.

Murong Fu's composed smile faltered slightly, then he exclaimed in admiration, "What profound swordsmanship! Young Hero Chen, you truly are a master of disguise."

He seemed completely oblivious to the predicament of his own retainer.

Chen Qianyang slowly put away his chopsticks: "Young Master Murong is too kind. These are just trivial skills, hardly worthy of serious consideration. Mr. Bao is a renowned figure in the martial arts world, with a magnanimous spirit. Why should he get angry with an ignorant child? I only saw that Mr. Bao's words were fiery and was afraid that he might get burned by speaking too quickly, so I tried to calm him down for a moment."

"You...!" Bao Butong's face flushed with anger, wishing he could draw his sword immediately, but the attack just now made him wary and dare not act rashly.

"Step back!" Murong Fu's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.

He turned his gaze to Chen Qianyang, his smile still gentle: "Young Master Chen, there's no need for such modesty. If the opportunity arises in the future, I would truly like to learn a few moves from you and experience the true splendor of the Huashan swordsmanship."

Yang Guo, watching from the side, had his eyes shining. Although he didn't understand the subtleties involved, he felt incredibly gratified that Brother Chen had so easily humiliated that extremely annoying ugly-faced man: "Hahaha! Speechless now! Serves you right! Serves you right for being so foul-mouthed!"

Seeing that the faces of the servants and guards behind Murong Fu were becoming increasingly grim, and that their hands were already on their weapons.

Fang Wei hurriedly stood up and forcefully changed the subject: "Oh dear, it's a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding! Gentlemen, let's drink. Master Guo, what do you think of the matter I mentioned earlier? If I could get your help..."

Before Guo Jing could speak, Chen Qianyang preemptively gave him a subtle look and said with a smile, "Mr. Fang's kindness is appreciated, Brother Guo. However, Brother Guo is not a strong drinker today, and this matter is of great importance and cannot be decided in a short time. Please allow us to go back and discuss the matter you raised in detail before giving a reply."

Fang Wei's expression flashed with disappointment upon hearing this, but he immediately put on a smile again: "Of course, of course! As long as Master Guo doesn't make things difficult for my Fang family's small business, everything else is negotiable! If Master Guo has any needs, just say the word. I still have some influence in Mingzhou."

Guo Jing let out a cold snort, but ultimately did not lash out on the spot, nor did he say anything more.

This banquet, where everyone had their own ulterior motives, ended in discord.

Back in his inn room, Guo Jing could no longer contain his raging anger: "Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!"

"The Fang family dares to sell weapons privately! This is utterly lawless and deserves to die! And that Murong Fu is also in cahoots with them!"

Chen Qianyang calmly bolted the door, then walked to the table, picked up the still slightly warm teapot, poured Guo Jing a fresh cup of hot tea, and presented it with both hands. "Brother Guo, please calm down for now."

His voice was steady: "The Fang family dares to be so fearless today, discussing such secrets in front of you. They must have something to rely on, and that something is probably quite powerful."

The Fang family has been operating in Mingzhou for generations, deeply entrenched and with a complex web of influence. If the two of us act rashly, we might not only fail to eliminate them, but we could also alert them and find ourselves in a passive position.

Guo Jing frowned: "Although Murong Fu is renowned, I, Guo Jing, am not necessarily afraid of him!"

Chen Qianyang gently shook his head: "Murong Fu is a meticulous and shrewd man. Judging from his words and actions, his relationship with the Fang family is more of a cooperative and mutually beneficial one. The reliance I'm referring to is another person—that old man in black who has remained silent throughout."

"Oh?" Guo Jing raised his head: "That old man's aura was obscure, and I really couldn't see through him."

"Brother Guo, did you notice the tone of Qi Wuyai's voice when he spoke?" Chen Qianyang calmly analyzed, "He was taking the lead in discussing business details with Murong Fu."

Fang Wei was extremely respectful before him. In my opinion, this Qi Wuyai is very likely Fang Wei's true backer, the Fang family's greatest asset in dominating the southeast!

Guo Jing's expression grew increasingly solemn: "Just who exactly is that old man?"

Chen Qianyang slowly shook his head, his gaze fixed on the deep night outside the window: "I don't know either. For now, we have only guesses without any evidence, making it difficult to gain people's trust and even more impossible to mobilize the government's resources."

Only by taking the initiative and obtaining irrefutable evidence of their collusion and smuggling of weapons can we bring them down in one fell swoop.

He paused, then looked at Guo Jing: "Nothing ventured, nothing gained. How about we go and investigate the Fang family's wharf warehouse tonight?"

Guo Jing looked at Chen Qianyang with a sigh: "Brother Chen, this matter had nothing to do with you. You really didn't need to risk such a dangerous situation with me."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qianyang smiled and said, "Brother Guo, you are mistaken! You are a great hero who stands tall and upright for the country and its people. Although I am not talented, I have studied the classics since childhood and know that 'every man has a responsibility for the rise and fall of the nation'!"

Eliminating treacherous officials, purging national traitors, and protecting the peace of our land are the duties of every patriotic man! Now that I, Chen Qianyang, have encountered this matter, how can I stand idly by? Even if it means facing mountains of knives and seas of fire, I, this junior, am willing to follow Brother Guo, to be his vanguard, and I would gladly die a thousand deaths!

His words were resounding and righteous.

Looking at the spirited young man before him, Guo Jing felt a surge of heroic spirit well up in his chest, and the gloom of the past few days vanished.

He suddenly stood up, grabbed Chen Qianyang's arms, and his tiger-like eyes were full of admiration:

"Excellent! Excellent! Well said! What a wonderful 'Every man has a responsibility for the fate of the nation'! It is truly a blessing for Mount Hua and for the righteous path of the world to have a disciple like you, Master Yue!"

He turned around abruptly, his eyes showing no more hesitation:

"In that case, let's venture into that den of dragons and tigers again tonight!"