Wuxia: Start with max-level Nine Yang Divine Skill

Chapter 196: Turbulent Waves (4k6)

He Yisheng finally recovered slightly from the huge shock. He looked at Chunyangzi, his voice trembling.

"Master—what my senior brother said—is it all true? Master, you—you really are my—biological father?"

Chunyangzi slowly opened his eyes, looking as if he had aged ten years in an instant, and looked at He Yisheng.

"Yisheng—it was my reckless act in my youth that violated the rules—your birth was an accident, and I, as your father, have failed you, never letting you experience my love—I have also failed the ancestors of Kongtong—"

This is tantamount to admitting everything.

He Yisheng was struck as if by a heavy blow, staggering backward as if grasping at the last straw, and looked at Huo Shuyan.

No, no!

Even if I am Master's illegitimate son, Senior Brother—how can you be sure that Master will pass the position of sect leader to me?

He never—never said a word about it!

He still couldn't accept that the whole thing was because of him.

Huo Shuyan looked at He Yisheng's attempt to find a reason to deny it, his eyes filled with hatred and mockery, and sneered.

"He Yisheng, you've been protected too well, so well that you can't even see the most basic human relationships and interests!"

He doesn't reveal it because the time isn't right, and also because of your willful nature. If he knew earlier, he wouldn't be able to accept it and who knows what kind of trouble it would cause!

"But he has already done it, especially since he realized that I might know about his scandals and ambitions, he has accelerated his actions."

On the surface, he remains strict with me and has high expectations of me. Many of the affairs that I should have handled have begun to be gradually transferred, either to you or to other elders.

In the affairs of the sect, those that require me to show my face and bring honor to the sect are still handled by me. However, some seemingly trivial tasks that can help me build connections with various people gradually fall to you.

Master often tells you, "Yisheng, learn to handle these small matters," "Spend more time with the elders," and "Go check the annual allowances at the Taoist temple down the mountain."

You only find it troublesome and try to avoid it whenever possible. Have you ever thought that this is paving the way for you, allowing you to become familiar with the affairs of the department and build your reputation?

Of course, given your tendency to not think things through, it's normal that you didn't notice.

"Take this time for example."

Why did he specifically send you, the usually lazy junior disciple of the sect leader, to come and rescue me along with Elder Songxi and Elder Shi after I was captured and taken to Zhongnan Mountain?

Does the Dong Sect only have two elders, and no other elders who are more stable and have higher martial arts skills?

Because this is a meritorious deed!

A contribution that can significantly boost your reputation within the sect.

Moreover, as long as you, He Yisheng, rescue Huo Shuyan, this matter will be set in stone forever.

I, the eldest brother, am incompetent and in trouble. I can't even explain myself properly. It was you, the junior brother, who are brave and resourceful. You bravely ventured into the dragon's pool and rescued me.

What a wonderful reputation! From now on, based on this alone, you'll always be one step ahead of me in the sect, and I'll never be able to surpass you!

While I was imprisoned and suffering humiliation, my good master was still scheming, still taking advantage of my predicament to pave the way for you and add to your glory!

As Huo Shuyan spoke, he became increasingly clenched his teeth, exposing Chunyangzi's scheme to the light of day.

Li Fu and everyone else present had fully understood the root cause of this tragedy of master and apprentice turning against each other and framing each other.

Many martial arts heroes looked at Chunyangzi with disdain and contempt.

When she looked at Huo Shuyan, her expression became more complex. Although his actions were deserving of punishment, his feelings seemed to be pitiable, even if there wasn't much to pity.

He Yisheng was completely stunned. He recalled his master Chunyangzi's usual indulgence towards him, those seemingly casual but potentially meaningful arrangements, and his master's repeated instructions before coming to Zhongnan Mountain to be attentive—

Everything connects to the fact that he cannot accept but has to face.

Not only is he the illegitimate son of his master Chunyangzi, but Chunyangzi is also secretly manipulating him, wanting to violate the rules and ancestral regulations and pass the position of Kongtong Sect leader to him. This is the root cause of his senior brother's resentment and desire to destroy the Kongtong Sect.

"No, you're all crazy! You're all crazy!"

"This is all a lie—it's all a lie to me."

Li Fu glanced at Chunyangzi, whose face was ashen and who looked utterly ashamed, and He Yisheng, who was completely lost. He then turned to Huo Shuyan, who, though at his wit's end, still had a twisted sense of pleasure in his eyes.

"What a show! I've given you the opportunity to expose your master, Chunyangzi."

Now that your wish has been partially fulfilled, you must be feeling quite happy.

So now,

He looked directly at Huo Shuyan.

"Let's get down to business. Who exactly are you collaborating with?"

Or rather, who is behind this, instructing you to turn around and falsely accuse the entire Kongtong Sect at today's public trial, inciting the various sects to fight each other?

"When you were brought up to the stage just now, you saw me and although there was some nervousness and evasion in your eyes, you didn't seem too surprised."

This means that someone informed you long ago that I, Li Fu, would appear at the public trial, and that the so-called "Dragon Palm Master Li Fu" in the martial arts world was one of the people who bumped into you in Yanzhou on the night the Taishan Sect was wiped out.

However, I have never mentioned this matter to outsiders, and no one from any faction knows about it.

Only the Mongol Yuan people knew this, and they even went so far as to ambush and kill me halfway, unfortunately losing several of their best fighters.

Li Fu asked the questions in a clear and calm manner.

"That's the problem."

You are imprisoned in Zhongnan Mountain and strictly guarded by the Quanzhen Sect. Who could have tipped you off and informed you that I would appear at the public trial?

Were they spies planted by the Mongol Yuan dynasty in advance on Zhongnan Mountain?

Or perhaps—someone, or even several, members of the Quanzhen Sect on Zhongnan Mountain—has already secretly pledged allegiance to the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, and is in cahoots with you?

Huo Shuyan's expression changed.

Li Fu already had someone he suspected in mind. As he spoke, his gaze swept over Liu Changzhen, Yu Hengzi, the Huangshan Sect Leader, and others.

"Furthermore, although you resent your master for these things and want to kill him and destroy the Kongtong Sect in revenge, judging from your actions, you are by no means the kind of desperate person who would risk his life without considering the consequences."

If you could be so accepting of life and death, you wouldn't harbor such resentment over the injustice of losing the position of sect leader.

He chuckled coldly twice.

"The basis for your agreement to cooperate with someone is that they can guarantee your survival."

Perhaps they were taking advantage of the chaos to deceive others, feigning execution to switch the body with another.

To be able to do such a thing, to have such prestige in the martial arts world, to be able to say that Huo Shuyan has been executed and have the world have no doubt about it—such people are few and far between.

As Li Fu spoke, his gaze slowly moved over the several highly respected sect leaders, finally settling on the one who seemed least likely to be among them.

Although this speculation is too alarming, how many unexpected things have happened today?

If you eliminate all the impossibilities, what remains, however improbable, is the truth.

Huo Shuyan had already poured out most of his pent-up frustrations. Although he did not succeed as originally planned, he had, to some extent, ruined Chunyangzi's reputation and tarnished the Kongtong Sect's name, which could be considered a partial fulfillment of his wishes.

"Speaking of which, I have to thank Officer Li for making my wish come true."

Although I myself am unlikely to escape today, the mere fact that I intend to mislead the various factions into killing each other is enough to make me die ten times over, but it doesn't matter.

Upon hearing this, his face revealed a bitter, mocking expression of despair, as if he were trying to drag others down with him even in his dying moments.

"There are others who joined me in surrendering to the Mongol Yuan dynasty—and their identities are something that the martial arts world today would probably never guess—"

The atmosphere in the room instantly tensed up after these words were spoken!

Everyone could see that Huo Shuyan was now completely uninhibited, and what he was about to say was very likely true.

Could it be that among these hundreds of heroes of the martial world, among the high-ranking members of various factions, there is indeed a traitor who colluded with the Mongol Yuan dynasty and participated in planning all of this?

And it sounds like he has a very high status. Could he be the leader of a sect?

That would probably be an even bigger scandal in the martial arts world than Chunyangzi having an illegitimate child and attempting to secretly pass on the position of sect leader!

"Who is it?!"

"Speak quickly!"

Who is it?!

The crowd was both shocked and furious, shouting questions and glancing around with suspicion and wariness.

Just as Huo Shuyan was about to speak, at that moment...

"well----"

A long, drawn-out sigh echoed through the room.

The man's sigh wasn't loud, but it seemed to possess a certain magic, instantly silencing the noisy square.

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice, their gazes falling on someone who should absolutely not speak at this moment—the leader of the Quanzhen Sect, Liu Changzhen!

"Officer Li, you truly deserve to be called the world's most renowned constable. Your reasoning is divine, and your eyes are like fire; no clue can escape your notice."

.

Liu Changzhen looked at Li Fu with a calm expression and only a faint, indescribable regret on his face.

"Master Liu?!"

"Master Liu?"

you----?"

Master Yunqi of Laoshan School, Master Yuheng of Hengshan School, Master Heming of Huangshan School, and other leaders of various schools, along with countless pairs of eyes, were all filled with extreme shock, incomprehension, horror, and disbelief!

"It's you, Master Liu, you're the traitor!"

"This—how is this possible!"

They stared intently at Liu Changzhen, as if they were seeing this highly respected leader of the Northern Underworld for the first time.

Liu Changzhen seemed oblivious to the various surprised, questioning, and heartbroken gazes directed at him from all around.

As the leader of a major sect, even though his identity has been exposed, he seems to have become more dignified and imposing because he no longer needs to hide or pretend to be approachable and serene.

He kept staring at Li Fu, as if among the hundreds of people present, only Li Fu was worthy of his attention and his explanation.

Liu Changzhen sighed, "Speaking of which, who would have thought that the root cause of all this disrupting my plans was a letter—an invitation sent out too early."

"Officer Li, your chivalrous name resounds throughout the north."

It would be unreasonable and unconvincing not to invite you to this public trial. Moreover, considering the future, it would be best to have someone as young and skilled in martial arts as you join us and have your hands stained with the blood of the Dong Sect.

Therefore, when the list was initially compiled, I included you among the invitees.

"Unfortunately, after you were released, we received definite news that you happened to be in Yanzhou on the night the Taishan Sect was wiped out, and you even saw Huo Shuyan in person."

You instantly became the most uncontrollable and crucial piece in this game of chess.

Unfortunately, the invitation has already been delivered to you, and you have already set off—we have no other choice but to risk intercepting you on the way, hoping to eliminate this variable.

Liu Changzhen sighed again.

"What a pity, what a pity—one wrong move and the whole game is lost."

The source of all this trouble is you, whom I didn't particularly care about and who came alone.

Those present were stunned and speechless.

Liu Changzhen's words undoubtedly admitted that he colluded with the Mongol Yuan dynasty and plotted many conspiracies, including the ambush of Li Fu on his way!

"The leader of the Quanzhen Sect, the leader of all people."

Your position is so high that it's hard for anyone to suspect you.

And also because of your high position, it's hard for people not to suspect you.

Li Fu did not show much surprise on his face.

As early as after confirming that Huo Shuyan was hiding something, he deduced from the clues and began to suspect the Quanzhen Sect leader who convened the public trial and controlled the overall situation.

"Because after the public trial, under the pretext that Huo Shuyan has revealed the truth and identified the real culprit, they can promise him not to be killed on the spot, but to be executed gracefully afterward."

In reality, they could manipulate things, then secretly slip in someone else's place to save their life.

"With such means, such prestige, and such power, who could ensure that no one in the world would have any doubts about this place, I can't think of anyone else besides you, Master Liu, the leader of the Quanzhen Sect who convened this meeting and is implicitly the head of the Northern Daoist School."

Liu Changzhen paused for a moment, then shook his head and smiled, "It seems that sometimes having too high a status isn't a good thing."

As people from various sects gradually came to their senses of the facts, the shock and absurdity they felt were even more intense than when Huo Shuyan turned against his sect and Chunyangzi was accused of moral failings!

It was like a raging storm, completely overturning their understanding!

"How is this possible?"

"Has the leader of the Quanzhen Sect truly sided with the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, colluded with them, and harmed fellow martial artists?"

"Is this...is this real?"

"The Quanzhen School is practically the leader of the Northern Taoist sects, how could they possibly submit to the Mongol Yuan Dynasty!"

Yun Qizi's beard trembled, filled with unbelievable anger and disappointment.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, you—you are confused! With your status as the leader of the Quanzhen Sect and the leader of the Northern Daoist Sect, what kind of identity and position do you hold!"

Why—why would you commit such a treacherous act, betraying your ancestors and colluding with foreign invaders?!

How dare you—how dare you face Patriarch Chongyang?!

Do you deserve the respect and trust that your peers have placed in you?!

Yu Hengzi of the Hengshan Sect, his face ashen, said sternly.

Liu Changzhen!

Your Quanzhen Sect is the orthodox lineage of the Han Chinese Taoist school, renowned throughout the world and revered by all people!

As the sect leader, instead of upholding righteousness and resisting foreign aggression, you colluded with the Mongol Tartars to plot against your fellow practitioners and overthrow the martial arts world!

You've gone completely mad—how can you even face the world?!

The anger in the eyes of Hemingzi, the leader of the Huangshan Sect, was almost bursting out.

"Liu Changzhen, you—you have actually stooped to this level!"

My Huangshan Sect and Taishan Sect have always been of one heart and one mind. Hundreds of members of the Taishan Sect were brutally slaughtered overnight. I have always believed that the real culprit was the Kongtong Sect. I am restless day and night and only hope that after the public trial, I can personally kill my enemy and comfort the spirits of my comrades in heaven!

But now—now you're telling me that you were behind all of this?!

His voice trembled, a mixture of anger at being fooled and pain.

"As the leader of the Quanzhen Sect and the leader of the Northern Daoist School, you are revered by the world and should be a pillar of the martial arts world and the backbone of the Han people!"

You actually colluded with the Mongol Tartars in secret, and even turned your sword against your own people!

Were you involved in the Taishan Sect massacre?!

Did you already know this would happen, or were you even an accomplice, helping the Mongol Yuan dynasty to wipe out the martial arts world of the Central Plains?!

He Mingzi became more and more agitated as he spoke, his eyes reddening as he recalled the tragic state of the Taishan Sect.

"I originally thought that you held a public trial to uphold justice for the martial arts world, and I even thought that your Quanzhen Sect was ultimately a model of righteousness—"

—How ridiculous, how ridiculous!

Today, all the major sects, if not for Constable Li Fu, would be manipulated by you, becoming your puppets.

The knife in my hand.

Liu Changzhen, do you live up to the teachings of Patriarch Chongyang?

Do you think you've lived up to the trust that the people of the world and the Taoist community in the North have placed in your Quanzhen Sect?!

In all these years, the Quanzhen Sect has remained powerful and influential under your leadership, though it hasn't made any further progress. You've truly been a master of maintaining the status quo. I was almost convinced that your master made the right choice in passing the leadership to you.

Now it seems you are simply—simply a disgrace to the martial arts world, a disgrace to the Taoist sect!

People from other major factions also angrily denounced and questioned, filled with the pain of being betrayed and extreme incomprehension.

You were such a beautiful woman, why did you have to become a thief!

Given Liu Changzhen's status and position, what would he be after?

"Liu Changzhen, why did you do this?!"

Faced with the questions, astonished and heartbroken looks of his former fellow martial arts practitioners, Liu Changzhen simply wore that chilling smile, remaining silent, a hint of mockery in his eyes, as if he were a summer insect that couldn't understand ice, and disdained to explain himself to them.

Everyone is currently inside the Quanzhen Sect in Zhongnan Mountain, and he controls this place. Even if his identity is exposed at this moment, he still holds the initiative and regards Li Fu and the others as turtles in a jar, so he is not flustered.

No one else understands.

Officer Li, why do you think I did this?

Liu Changzhen asked, seemingly with a hint of curiosity, wondering if Li Fu could guess his purpose.

>