The Prodigal Disciple of Mount Hua: Seizing All Opportunities

"What a convenient expedient! Shaolin Temple is supposed to be a prestigious sect, how can they act so despicably?"

A cold laugh rang out.

Chen Qianyang leaned against a pillar, barely managing to stand upright, and coldly stared at the group of monks.

"Master, this is hardly an invitation; it's outright robbery! Is this the compassionate way of the Southern Shaolin Temple?"

Yuan Kong turned around, his gaze falling on Chen Qianyang, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes: "This benefactor is a disciple of the Huashan Sect, isn't he? Just now, this humble monk saw you fight the demon with all your might; you are indeed a young hero."

"But this matter of the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual is far more complex than you can handle. I advise you to mind your own business."

"Meddlesome business?" Chen Qianyang scoffed. "Young Master Lin is my friend, so his business is my business. Master keeps talking about the greater good of the martial arts world, but I think he's just like the Four Evils of the Qingcheng Sect, after that sword manual. Oh no, they maliciously stole it, while Master just used clever words to deceive. There is a difference."

"presumptuous!"

The monks behind Yuan Kong glared angrily, slamming their long staffs down as they prepared to surround Chen Qianyang.

Yuan Kong waved his hand to stop his subordinates, a cold smile playing on his lips: "Amitabha, well said, well said. Since you've made your point clear, then this humble monk may speak frankly as well. This Evil-Repelling Sword Manual originally belonged to my Southern Shaolin Temple; what's wrong with returning it to its rightful owner?"

"What?"

Everyone present was taken aback.

Even Yang Guo couldn't help but shout, "Hey! You big monk, have you no shame? This Evil-Repelling Sword Technique is clearly a Lin family heirloom, how did it become your Shaolin's? Does it mean all the good things in the world belong to your family?"

Lin Pingzhi was also surprised and uncertain. He had heard that his ancestors seemed to have some connection with the Southern Shaolin Temple, but the fact that his family's Evil-Repelling Sword Manual was actually a product of the Southern Shaolin Temple was something he had never heard of before.

"Young benefactor, be careful with your words." Yuan Kong didn't take it to heart, instead revealing a look of reminiscing about the past. "You all may not know this. This Evil-Repelling Sword Technique actually originated from a strange book from the previous dynasty, the Sunflower Manual."

"And this 'Sunflower Manual' was originally kept by Zen Master Hongye of the Southern Shaolin Temple!"

Yuan Kong's voice suddenly rose, sweeping over everyone present, "Back then, Yue Su and Cai Zifeng of the Huashan Sect visited Zen Master Hongye, but instead committed petty theft, stealing and reading the sacred text. They memorized it and copied it into a fragment after returning to the mountain, which led to the later spread of the 'Sunflower Manual' throughout the martial arts world!"

He paused, then pointed at Lin Pingzhi: "As for Lin Yuantu, the ancestor of the Lin family, he was just a novice monk under the tutelage of Zen Master Hongye! Relying on the Zen Master's favor, he secretly learned the martial arts in the manual, and after returning to secular life, he created the Seventy-Two Styles of Evil-Repelling Sword Technique, which became famous throughout the martial arts world!"

But this martial art, in the final analysis, belongs to my Southern Shaolin! It is a Buddhist art!

Although Zen Master Hongye has passed away, Senior Brother Fangzheng has given us orders to find this item at all costs. We must not allow this demonic skill to continue to circulate in the martial world and harm the common people!

so……"

Yuan Kong stepped forward, staring at Lin Pingzhi, and said, word by word, "Benefactor Lin, returning something to its rightful owner is only right and proper. This humble monk is retrieving the sword manual today; it is the righteous path. What is wrong with that?"

These words were spoken with righteous indignation and conviction.

Lin Pingzhi was stunned.

He never imagined that his family heirloom would have such a "dark history".

"No...it's impossible...how could my great-grandfather be someone who steals martial arts techniques..." he muttered to himself, unable to believe it was true.

Chen Qianyang sneered inwardly.

This Yuan Kong really knows how to turn black into white.

Although the Sunflower Manual did indeed originate from the Southern Shaolin Temple, Master Hongye obtained it by chance and it cannot be considered an item of the Southern Shaolin Temple.

Lin Yuantu did not learn by stealing; instead, he comprehended the sword technique from the fragments provided by Yue Su and Cai Zifeng through his own comprehension.

Back then, he roamed freely with his Evil-Repelling Sword Manual, and the Southern Shaolin Temple never said a word about it.

Now, more than a hundred years later, it's rather unseemly for them to come and claim their "lost items."

"The master truly has excellent eloquence."

Chen Qianyang forced himself to take a step forward, blocking Lin Pingzhi's path. "However, even if what you say is true, it's an old grudge from a hundred years ago. Now that the Lin family is in trouble, instead of helping them, you're kicking them while they're down. Is this the behavior of a high-ranking Buddhist monk?"

"You are stubborn and unrepentant." Yuan Kong's eyes turned cold. "Since you insist on obstructing me, then this humble monk has no choice but to offend you. This Evil-Repelling Sword Manual is a scourge to the martial world. I, Yuan Kong, have been ordered by the abbot to take it back."

"Then you'll have to get past me first!"

Chen Qianyang held his sword horizontally in front of his chest. Although his internal energy was depleted, his momentum remained undiminished.

Lin Pingzhi definitely couldn't let these monks take him away, otherwise everything he had done before would have been in vain.

I, Duan Yanqing, am not afraid of you, so why would I be afraid of you, you bald monk?

"Overestimating one's abilities."

Yuan Kong snorted coldly, waving his staff. "Take him down!"

Two monks responded and stepped forward, their long staffs whistling through the air as they slammed down on him!

Chen Qianyang gritted his teeth, ready to fight to the death.

Suddenly, a green shadow flashed by like a ghost!

"Bang! Bang!"

Two muffled thuds.

The two menacing monks were sent flying backward at an even faster speed, crashing heavily to the ground and unable to get up for a long time.

"Who?!" Yuan Kong exclaimed in shock.

A beautiful figure stood gracefully in front of Chen Qianyang, her clothes fluttering, like a fairy on the water.

It was Huang Rong!

Although her face was still somewhat pale, her eyes were bright and alert, indicating that most of the "Sad Breeze" in her body had been relieved.

"The junior you speak of, Master, just now single-handedly blocked the Four Evils with his sword. He is still seriously injured. Master, you are bullying the weak by relying on your numbers. Is this the demeanor of a high monk from Southern Shaolin?"

Huang Rong looked at Yuantong with a half-smile, "Master, isn't this behavior rather unbecoming of your status?"

"Mrs. Guo?"

Yuan Kong's expression changed slightly.

Although Guo Jing and Huang Rong are not very old, they have already made a great name for themselves in the martial arts world of Jiangnan in the past few years.

Although Yuan Kong was arrogant, he was still very wary of Guo Jing and Huang Rong's martial arts skills.

Moreover, these two are well-known figures in the martial arts world, unlike that young man from Mount Hua who is easy to deal with.

If the Four Evils hadn't injured Guo Jing and paralyzed Huang Rong earlier, they wouldn't have dared to come so openly to demand the sword manual.

Now that Huang Rong has regained her mobility, he immediately had second thoughts.

"Amitabha."

Yuan Kong's expression instantly changed, the hostility on his face vanished without a trace, and his compassionate smile returned. "So Madam Guo is out of danger. That's truly a cause for celebration. I was just excited to test my skills. Benefactor Chen was able to stand up to the wicked, so his martial arts must be excellent. I just wanted to give it a try and had no ill intentions."

"Really?" Huang Rong chuckled. "Have you finished testing it now?"

"I've finished testing, I've finished testing." Yuan Kong nodded repeatedly. "Benefactor Chen is indeed a young hero. I admire you, I admire you."

"Regarding Young Master Lin..."

"Since Master Guo and Madam Guo are here, they will surely protect Young Master Lin." Yuan Kong wisely waved his hand, signaling his men to release Lin Pingzhi. "This humble monk was only trying to protect Benefactor Lin. As for the sword manual, we can discuss that after we find his parents. Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, this humble monk will take his leave and not disturb your healing any longer."

After saying that, he actually led a group of martial monks out of the hall like a tide, disappearing completely in the blink of an eye.

They left so decisively and cleanly.