The Prodigal Disciple of Mount Hua: Seizing All Opportunities

A hundred miles outside Hengyang City, on the official road, the sun was scorching.

"Grandpa, how much further?"

The girl's voice was clear and crisp, but it was tinged with irritation.

Qu Feiyan reined in the reins and wiped the fine sweat from her forehead with her sleeve.

She was still young, and her bright green dress made her stand out.

The long journey was making the naive young girl somewhat weary.

Her grandfather, Qu Yang, pressed down his straw hat to cover his face, revealing only a section of his gray beard.

"We're almost there. We'll be in Hengyang in just a few dozen miles."

"Dozens of miles?" Qu Feiyan curled her lip. "We traveled all the way from Blackwood Cliff just to see that old man who can only play the flute? Grandpa, is it worth it?"

Qu Yang's voice was deep: "Feifei, don't be rude. Brother Liu is my confidant, and one of the few truly sincere and trustworthy people in this world. Retiring from the life of crime is a major event in his life, and I've heard that some people want to take this opportunity to cause trouble. Since he is my close friend, I must go this time."

"Utmost sincerity and trustworthiness?"

A mocking look appeared on Qu Feiyan's youthful face.

"I think he's more of a fool. He's the second-in-command of the Hengshan Sect, a pillar of the orthodox sects; and what are we? We're the so-called demonic sect members they call evil. If we run into each other, will it be a meeting of kindred spirits, or a battle between good and evil? He wants to retire from the underworld and become a hands-off leader? It's not that easy. Will Zuo Lengchan agree? Will Mo Da agree?"

Qu Yang remained silent, knowing that his granddaughter's words were not without merit.

After a long silence, he slowly said, "There are some things you don't understand."

"I don't understand? How could I not understand?" Qu Feiyan became even more enthusiastic: "Look at the mess the sect is in now! Uncle Dongfang... Hmph, Sect Leader Dongfang is in seclusion, and that scoundrel Yang Lianting, who only knows how to bully others, is in charge, making the sect a complete mess. Now that you're gone, Grandpa, who knows how chaotic it will become."

If you ask me, we shouldn't have come to Hengshan this time. We should have gone to find the Holy Maiden. Although Sister Ren is being watched, she still has some influence. If we join forces with the Holy Maiden and the others, we might be able to…”

"shut up!"

Qu Yang sternly shouted to stop him.

"Keep such words to yourself! How dare a little girl like you interfere in important matters of the sect? Although Steward Yang is... although he is somewhat arrogant, it is still the sect leader's order. As his subordinates, we should just do our duty, or at worst find a place to hide. This world is so vast, there is nowhere we cannot find refuge."

Qu Feiyan was taken aback by the shout, her eyes slightly red: "Why are you being so fierce... I was only doing this for Grandpa. Yang Lianting has disliked us for a long time, who knows, one day..."

Seeing his granddaughter's expression, Qu Yang's heart softened, and his tone became gentler: "Feifei, Grandpa didn't mean to be harsh with you. It's just that the world is dangerous, and people's hearts are unpredictable. The Divine Cult is very dangerous right now, and you're too young to understand. Grandpa brought you out here so that you could stay away from that dangerous place."

He pointed to a spot not far ahead.

"There's a teahouse up ahead. Let's rest for a bit, have some water, and then continue our journey."

Qu Feiyan snorted, clearly still angry, and spurred her horse forward.

……

This teahouse, set up under the shade of trees beside the official road, was rather simple.

The shop was about 70-80% full, mostly with martial arts heroes carrying swords and knives.

With the Hengshan Tournament approaching, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of martial arts practitioners on this road.

Some came to observe the ceremony, but many more were wandering swordsmen who had caught a whiff of the potential profit and were hoping to get a piece of the pie.

The grandfather and grandson found a corner to sit down.

Qu Yang ordered a pot of coarse tea and two plates of snacks, then fell silent, cautiously observing his surroundings.

Qu Feiyan munched on the dry, hard pastry while glancing at the person out of the corner of her eye.

Her gaze was quickly drawn to a table diagonally opposite her.

An old Taoist priest was sitting there.

The Taoist priest was wearing a dark red robe, which seemed to have dark brown stains that had not been washed off, like long-dried bloodstains.

His hair was gray and messy, casually tied into a topknot.

His face was thin and aloof, and his eyes were half-open, exuding a coldness.

He doesn't seem like a monk practicing Taoism; he's more like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath.

That person was Chen Qianyang, or rather, the current "Tian Shu Dao Ren".

On the table in front of him lay a heavy broadsword.

"Sir, your wine."

The teahouse owner nervously brought over a jar of wine, put it down, and turned to leave, as if the old Taoist priest was carrying a plague.

"Wait a minute."

Chen Qianyang tossed out a piece of silver, saying, "I want to ask you something."

The shopkeeper trembled and said with a fawning smile, "Master, please ask. I will answer whatever I know."

"Any fools out there on the streets lately?" Chen Qianyang grabbed a wine jar, tilted his head back, and gulped down a mouthful of wine, the liquid running down his stubble, adding to his wild demeanor.

"A petty...petty thief?" The shopkeeper swallowed hard, glancing furtively at the surrounding江湖客 (jianghu ke, a term referring to martial arts practitioners or江湖江湖客 ...

"But what?"

"However, I've heard that a 'Killing Taoist' has recently appeared, and his methods... his methods are quite ruthless. He's been killing his way from southern Jiangxi to southern Hunan, claiming to be acting on behalf of Heaven, but anyone he targets is left with no intact corpse. I heard that a few days ago, he even wiped out Black Wind Stronghold, a hundred miles away, leaving no one alive..."

As the boss spoke, his eyes involuntarily darted toward Chen Qianyang, and the more he looked, the more terrified he became.

That outfit, that aura, and that sword.

Could it be...?

Chen Qianyang grinned, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth: "Is that so? Then this Killing Daoist is quite a remarkable person. I would like to get to know him if I have the chance."

The murmurs from inside the teahouse could be faintly heard over.

"Have you heard? That Killing Taoist is a complete madman."

"That's right. I heard he kills people based solely on his whims, without asking why."

"Shh, keep your voice down, what if he's on this road too..."

"However, it is said that he only kills evil people."

"Hmph, does he think he's some kind of government official? How can good and evil be so easily distinguished?"

Qu Feiyan rested her chin on her hand, listening with great interest.

"Grandpa, the Killing Taoist," she said in a very low voice, "Look at that old Taoist priest, he looks really strange, but that fierce aura of his is a bit frightening. I've heard people talk about the Killing Taoist, could it be... this one?"

Qu Yang paused slightly upon hearing this.

He had already sized up the old Taoist priest out of the corner of his eye.

The Taoist's aura was restrained and unfathomable.

Especially the hand resting on the sword hilt, as steady as a rock.

He's clearly a master.

"Don't look around," Qu Yang said gravely. "This person is not simple. He exudes a strong murderous aura, clearly having just killed someone. Let's finish our tea and leave quickly."

Qu Feiyan stuck out her tongue, but didn't look away.

Because she noticed that the old Taoist priest was staring straight at them.

His gaze was undisguised, first sweeping over her face.

Qu Feiyan was startled.

Could it be...

But to their surprise, their gaze had already turned to Qu Yang.

That was clearly the look in a hunter's eyes when he saw his prey.

Cold and mocking.

The atmosphere instantly became tense.