Reborn Song Qingshu: Besieging Bright Peak at the Start

Wudang Mountain.

A handsome young man in a Taoist robe stood at the foot of the mountain on a blue stone path, leading a yellow horse.

He looked up at the majestic mountains before him and murmured, "Finally here!"

Who else could it be but Song Qingshu?

After that day at the inn, Song Qingshu traveled with the Ming Cult heroes for most of the journey.

The group traveled eastward along the official road, passing through Tianshui and Fengxiang, and finally reaching the heart of Guanzhong.

Upon reaching the Fengyuan Road area, according to the pre-arranged route, Zhang Wuji and the Ming Cult group needed to turn southeast, exit Tongguan, and head towards Shaolin Temple on Mount Song, while Song Qingshu would continue south to return to Wudang.

The two officially parted ways at the post road intersection outside Fengyuan Road.

Song Qingshu rode alone south.

After traveling for several days on the mountain road of Shangluo, we entered Huguang and then took a boat northward on the Han River. After several days of sailing, the green mountains on both sides gradually receded, and the river water changed from turbulent to calm. At the end of the waterway was Junzhou Ferry.

They abandoned their boat and went ashore, spending the night in Junzhou City.

Finally, early that morning, we arrived at the foot of Wudang Mountain.

Looking up, the seventy-two peaks of Wudang Mountain are layered with verdant peaks and a sea of ​​clouds.

Song Qingshu left his horse at the foot of the mountain, mustered his strength, and leaped up the mountain path.

The stone steps of Wudang Mountain meander like a dragon, layer upon layer disappearing into the depths of the clouds and mist.

  

It would take an ordinary person most of the day to walk from the foot of the mountain to Zixiao Palace, but Song Qingshu used his Cloud Ladder technique and his figure leaped several feet on the stone steps in just a few leaps.

The sound of pine trees rustling in his ears filled the air as he secretly calculated the time it would take to part ways with Zhang Wuji.

According to the plot, after Zhang Wuji and his group arrive at Shaolin, they will find the inscription on the back of the Arhat: "First destroy Shaolin, then destroy Wudang."

In his shock and anger, he would immediately rush to Wudang alone, where he would happen to run into Gang Xiang, who was using the name of Shaolin Kong Xiang to launch a sneak attack on Zhang Sanfeng. It was also at that time that Zhao Min led the attack on the mountain.

He returned to Wudang ahead of schedule, and there should still be a few days before Zhao Min attacks the mountain.

These few days of free time will be his opportunity to take the initiative.

The mountain path suddenly narrowed ahead, with sheer cliffs on both sides closing in on each other. Song Qingshu paused slightly, looked up into the depths of the clouds and mist, and could vaguely make out the outlines of the palaces and pavilions.

Further up is the Zixiao Palace.

He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and rose into the air once more.

After passing the narrow section, we continued uphill for a while.

The mountain path ahead gradually widens, and two ancient trees stand tall and majestic.

Behind the ancient trees, a towering boulder, over ten feet high, stands majestically, inscribed with two large vermilion characters: "Jie Jian" (解剑).

In the stone pavilion next to the stele, several disciples were on duty.

From afar, a figure could be seen flying along the mountain path, moving with astonishing speed.

The young Taoist priest leading the group was about to ask who the newcomers were.

The figure suddenly stopped in front of the Sword-Unlocking Stele, his posture stabilized, revealing a handsome young face, and he cupped his hands in a gesture of respect towards the stone pavilion.

The leading Taoist priest took a closer look, and the wariness on his face instantly turned into surprise.

He strode out of the stone pavilion, followed by his three fellow disciples, who all bowed in greeting.

"Senior Brother Song! It's you back!"

The greeting was filled with genuine joy.

Song Qingshu had been with Song Yuanqiao for several months when they went down the mountain to suppress the Demonic Sect. Now that he had returned safely, several of his fellow disciples on duty couldn't help but surround him and ask him all sorts of questions.

"Senior Brother Song, it took you several months to get down the mountain, and everyone has been thinking about you."

Did the operation to wipe out the demonic cult go smoothly? Why are Senior Uncle Song and the others nowhere to be seen?

The youngest Taoist priest spoke up, only to be glared at by the leading priest: "You have no manners! Senior Brother Song has just returned, and you're already making a racket."

A hint of surprise flashed across Song Qingshu's face at just the right moment, since he was unaware that Song Yuanqiao and the others had not returned.

After a moment of surprise, his face darkened.

He patted the young Taoist on the shoulder and turned to the leading Taoist, asking, "Is everything alright on the mountain?"

The leading Taoist priest's expression turned slightly serious as he nodded and said, "Everything is peaceful on the mountain, but everyone is worried about your expedition and your absence, especially Third Uncle Yu, who sends someone to inquire about news from the mountain gate every few days."

He paused slightly, then lowered his voice and added:

"Senior Brother Song, why didn't Senior Uncle Song and the others come back with you?"

Song Qingshu paused for a moment, not answering directly, but said in a deep voice:

"This is a long story. Let me go see Third Uncle first. You must be on high alert during your duty days. No matter who comes, even if they are familiar faces, you must not let your guard down."

Seeing his solemn expression, which was unlike his usual admonitions, the disciples immediately stopped their playful banter, clasped their hands in greeting, and said in unison:

"Don't worry, Senior Brother Song, we will not dare to slack off in the slightest."

Song Qingshu said no more and continued to rush up the mountain.

Several disciples watched his figure disappear into the morning mist. The youngest Taoist hesitated before speaking:

"Senior brother, why did only Senior Brother Song come back? Could something have happened...?"

The leading Taoist priest interrupted:

Stop talking nonsense! Focus on your own work.

The group returned to the stone pavilion to stand guard, but the leading Taoist priest looked towards the end of the mountain path, a hint of worry quietly rising in his eyes.

The morning light was just right on the bluestone square in front of Zixiao Palace.

Several young Taoist disciples were sweeping when they saw a figure walking briskly from the mountain gate. Upon closer inspection, their faces lit up with joy, and they called out loudly:

"Senior Brother Song is back!"

The disciples on duty in front of the hall were also alerted, and in the blink of an eye, several people surrounded them, greeting them all at once.

Song Qingshu was highly respected and well-liked among the third-generation disciples of Wudang. His return was met with enthusiastic welcome from everyone.

Several disciples took the baggage from his shoulder and escorted him toward the main hall. Inevitably, some people asked why Song Yuanqiao and his party had not returned.

Song Qingshu remained calm throughout, only saying, "We'll discuss this further after I've met my Third Uncle," without pausing his steps.

Just then, someone inside the hall announced the news.

Before long, two young Taoist boys carried a rattan chair out from the side of the hall. Sitting on the chair was a middle-aged Taoist with a thin face, his legs covered with a thin blanket. It was Yu Daiyan, one of the Three Heroes of Wudang.

Upon seeing Song Qingshu, Yu Daiyan's face immediately lit up with joy, and he exclaimed, "Qingshu! You're back! Where are your father and the others?"

As soon as he spoke, he keenly caught the fleeting melancholy in Song Qingshu's eyes.

"Third Uncle."

Song Qingshu quickly stepped forward, bowed respectfully before the rattan chair, and said in a low voice:

"Let's talk in your room."

Seeing his solemn expression, Yu Daiyan's heart skipped a beat, knowing that something serious must have happened.

He didn't ask any more questions, but simply nodded to the two boys carrying the rattan chair.

Qingfeng and Mingyue understood, and carrying the rattan chair, they turned and walked towards the side hall, with Song Qingshu following closely behind.

As the disciples in the square in front of the hall watched the departing figures, whispers began to rise, but no one dared to follow them.

Upon arriving at Yu Daiyan's bedroom, Qingfeng and Mingyue arranged the rattan chairs. Yu Daiyan then waved his hand, and the two withdrew, gently closing the door behind them.

At this time, only the uncle and nephew were in the bedroom.

Outside the window, the sound of pine trees rustling in the breeze could be heard, while inside, a wisp of sandalwood incense rose gently from the incense burner.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Yu Daiyan leaned back in his rattan chair, his face extremely pale.

Just now, Song Qingshu briefly recounted what had happened after he went down the mountain to him.

How did he recognize Wuji, who was using the alias Zeng Aniu, on Bright Peak? How did the six major sects retreat? How was Wuji elected as the leader of the Ming Cult? And how did he stay in the Ming Cult?

Upon hearing that Zhang Wuji was not only alive but had also single-handedly fought against the masters of the six major sects on Bright Peak, Yu Daiyan was so excited that his hands trembled and he kept asking questions.

"Really? Is it really Wuji?"

Over the years, he has been paralyzed in bed, filled with remorse day and night. Whenever he thinks of his fifth brother's suicide, Su Su's tragic death, and Wu Ji's uncertain fate after being struck by the Xuanming Divine Palm, it feels as if a thousand arrows are piercing his heart.

Hearing that their only child was not only safe and sound, but had also developed extraordinary skills, he was overjoyed and wept tears of joy, repeatedly saying, "Heaven has eyes."

But as Song Qingshu continued speaking, his expression gradually froze.

When Song Qingshu mentioned that Yin Liting's limbs had been crushed by the Shaolin Vajra Finger and that he was currently lying on a stretcher being escorted by the Ming Cult members to Shaolin to demand an explanation, Yu Daiyan trembled violently and almost fell off the rattan chair.

He himself had been crippled by the Vajra Finger technique, suffering twenty years of unbearable torment. Now, hearing that his sixth brother had also suffered the same fate, a surge of grief and indignation rushed from his chest to his throat, his eyes instantly turning red, and he let out a heart-wrenching cry: "Sixth brother!"

Finally, Song Qingshu revealed that he had heard from the Sword-Unraveling Stele that Song Yuanqiao and his group had not yet returned. Combining this with the various clues he had found along the way, he could conclude that the six major sects' masters who had gone on this expedition to the Ming Cult had been ambushed on their way back and had probably all fallen into enemy hands.

Yu Daiyan knew this was no small matter, and he was completely unsure of what to do. He spoke solemnly:

"Qingshu! Let's go! Let's go to the back mountain to find your grandmaster!"