The Prodigal Disciple of Mount Hua: Seizing All Opportunities

Chen Qianyang actually felt some sympathy for Lin Pingzhi.

He did nothing wrong, yet he had to endure all this suffering.

But I don't intend to dissuade him. Some things are best left unsaid; he has to walk his own path from here on out.

"It's good that we have this spirit." Chen Qianyang mentioned it casually, "What if it weren't for that fire that day? If that 'Evil-Repelling Sword Manual' had survived..."

Upon hearing the words "Evil-Repelling Sword Manual," Lin Pingzhi's body visibly stiffened.

He lowered his head, concealing the look in his eyes: "Brother Chen, did you already have the intention to burn the books that day?"

"nature."

Chen Qianyang said frankly, "Haven't you figured it out yet? All the misfortunes your family suffered before were essentially because of that sword manual. I burned it in front of everyone, both to extinguish their hopes and to save your life."

"Yes...it was to save my life..."

Lin Pingzhi murmured repeatedly, then suddenly raised his head: "But Brother Chen, I heard someone say... that night, someone saw Master... saw Sect Leader Yue sneaking into the old house late at night. Do you think it's possible...?"

He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning couldn't be clearer.

This seed of doubt had clearly been planted in his heart for a long time.

Although Lin Pingzhi was grateful to Yue Buqun for taking him in and to Chen Qianyang for helping him out of a predicament, he was not stupid.

Linghu Chong's words from that night kept echoing in his ears.

"Buddhist robe...sword manual..."

If Yue Buqun was truly so upright and honest, why would he sneak in at night?

If he truly didn't care about the sword manual, why did he show such a greedy expression in the Buddhist hall that day?

And then there's Chen Qianyang right in front of me...

Did he really burn it? Or... was this all an act?

Chen Qianyang looked at Lin Pingzhi's suspicious eyes and chuckled inwardly.

This kid is finally starting to use his brain.

"Pingzhi, be careful with your words."

Chen Qianyang feigned displeasure, "Master is a gentleman, how could he do such a petty and despicable thing? What happened that night is mostly just a rumor in the martial arts world, it shouldn't be believed."

He paused, a meaningful pause in his voice:

"However... in this world, truth and falsehood are intertwined, and who can truly discern the truth? Pingzhi, you must remember this: in this martial world, the only one you can trust is yourself. You cannot fully trust even me, or even your master."

These words, seemingly meant to defend Yue Buqun, actually further unsettled Lin Pingzhi's sensitive nerves.

Lin Pingzhi's pupils contracted sharply, trying to discern something from his face.

"I see……"

After a long while, Lin Pingzhi slowly exhaled.

"Thank you for your guidance, Brother Chen."

He picked up his glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Chen Qianyang looked at him and knew that the time was right.

Lin Pingzhi did not give up on revenge, nor did he give up his desire for power.

His suspicions about Yue Buqun had begun to grow, and his trust in himself had also diminished.

This is good.

Lin Pingzhi, filled with hatred and suspicion, yet forced to rely on the Huashan Sect for survival, is the best pawn to stir up trouble later on.

"Alright, it's late, get some rest."

Chen Qianyang stood up. "Tomorrow, I should also leave. Ultimately, you'll have to shoulder the burdens here yourself."

"Brother Chen is leaving?" Lin Pingzhi asked, looking somewhat flustered.

"All good things must come to an end." Chen Qianyang patted his shoulder. "But don't worry, I'll take care of the last bit of trouble for you before I leave."

"trouble?"

"Hmm. Some people are afraid to act because I'm here. But if I leave, they'll probably get restless. Perfect, I'll use them to establish my authority one last time."

……

The following afternoon.

The gate of Fuwei Escort Agency was completely blocked by a group of hooligans wielding sticks.

"You brat from the Lin family! Get out here right now!"

The leader was a burly man with a face full of scars, named "Over the Mountain Tiger," a local tyrant in the western part of Fuzhou.

Normally, this kind of person wouldn't even be worthy of carrying shoes for the Fuwei Escort Agency. Now that the Lin family is in decline and Yue Buqun has left, he seems to have been instigated by someone to come and take over this house, hoping to make some money off it.

"This security escort agency has great feng shui; it'll be my headquarters from now on! Those who know what's good for them, pack your bags and get out of here, or I'll break your legs!"

Inside the escort agency, the dozens of newly recruited escorts all looked fearful, shrinking back and not daring to step forward.

Lin Pingzhi stood at the door with his sword in hand, his face ashen and his body trembling slightly.

He wanted to make a move, but he knew he couldn't defeat this tiger.

Although the other party was just a scoundrel, he was quite skilled in martial arts.

He was considered a local tyrant in Fuzhou, not to mention that he was said to have several local gangs behind him.

If I lose, the people's hearts that I have worked so hard to gather will instantly dissipate.

"What? Too scared to come out? Then I, Tiger, will go in!"

With a savage grin, Overlord Tiger kicked open the door and led his men to rush inside.

Just then—

"call out!"

A sharp whooshing sound rang out.

The tiger felt a blur before its eyes, and before it could react, it felt a chill on its knee.

"what!"

He screamed in agony, his legs buckled, and he knelt down in front of Lin Pingzhi.

Everyone was shocked and looked closely. They saw that there was a chopstick stuck in each of Shanhu's knees, three feet deep in his flesh.

"Who?! Who ambushed me?!" Overlord Tiger rolled on the ground in pain.

"What kind of day is this? Every cat and dog dares to come out and bark."

A lazy voice came from the roof.

Everyone looked up.

Chen Qianyang, dressed in a green robe and carrying a long sword, was sitting on the roof.

"It's...it's that god of death!"

"You...you didn't leave?"

Someone in the crowd recognized Chen Qianyang.

What happened in Xiangyang Lane that day left a psychological scar on many people.

If it weren't for the news that Chen Qianyang had already left, even if Guoshanhu had a lot of guts, he wouldn't have dared to cause trouble.

"Young Master Chen... Young Master Chen!" Overlord Tiger was terrified. "I was blind! I didn't know you were still here... I'll get out of here! I'll get out of here!"

"Since you're here, don't be in a hurry to leave."

Chen Qianyang landed gracefully and stood beside Lin Pingzhi.

"Pingzhi, do you see this? This is the world of martial arts."

"What they fear is not reason, but fists."

"I can shield you from this once today, but what about tomorrow?"

Lin Pingzhi gripped the sword in his hand tightly.

"Brother Chen, I understand..."

"You don't understand."

Chen Qianyang sighed, took out a letter from his pocket, and handed it to Lin Pingzhi.

"I have some connections with the Fang family in Mingzhou. If you really can't hold on any longer, take some men to Mingzhou and find the head of the Fang family. For my sake, they will spare your life. In this southeastern region, with the Fang family protecting you, no one will dare to touch you."

This was the last way out he left for Lin Pingzhi.

Besides that, he can only rely on himself.

A hint of gratitude flashed in Lin Pingzhi's eyes.

"Thank you, Brother Chen. But... I want to try on my own first."

"it is good."

Chen Qianyang said no more.

He turned around and shouted coldly, "Get out!"

The group of people, as if granted a pardon, dragged the screaming tiger away and scrambled to their deaths.

"Take care of yourself."

Chen Qianyang led over the horses that had been prepared and mounted them.

"Take care, Brother Chen!"

Chen Qianyang spurred his horse and galloped away.

Just as he was about to leave the city, the chatter of several wandering swordsmen drifted into his ears from a roadside teahouse.

"Have you heard? It seems the story about Xiangyang Lane was fabricated!"

"What's fake?"

"Some say that it was all a staged performance by Yue Buqun of the Huashan Sect! That burning of the sword manual was a complete hoax! The real sword manual had long been secretly hidden by Yue Buqun! That Chen Qianyang was just an accomplice!"

"I knew it! That's unparalleled martial arts; who would be willing to burn it?"

"Hehe, this is going to be good..."

Chen Qianyang reined in his horse, a cold smile playing on his lips.

The rumors spread so quickly?

It seems some people are already itching to take action.

"The pure will themselves be pure?"

"No." Chen Qianyang touched the long sword on his back.

"The murderer is innocent."

He suddenly cracked his whip, and the horse neighed as it charged out of the Fuzhou city gate.