Reborn Song Qingshu: Besieging Bright Peak at the Start

"Since no one wants to break the rules, but the Ming Cult is indeed at a critical juncture of life and death..."

Why not take this opportunity to elect a new leader?

Entering the secret passage by order of the new leader would not be considered a violation of the rules.

What do you all think?

The moment Song Qingshu uttered these words, the hall fell silent for a moment.

The crowd looked at each other, their expressions varied.

No one expected that this young hero Song from Wudang would make such a suggestion at this critical juncture.

However, upon closer examination, this statement is not without merit.

The question is... who should we nominate?

Since Yang Dingtian disappeared, the Ming Cult has been leaderless for more than 20 years. The four great Dharma Kings have either left or scattered, the five scattered individuals have gone their own way, and the five flags have each governed themselves. Although it is called the Ming Cult, it has long been torn apart.

If it weren't for the six major sects besieging Bright Peak and holding knives to their throats, it's questionable whether these people could have gathered together at all.

There is only one fundamental reason—

No matter who is chosen as the leader, they will not be able to win over the masses.

For years, Yang Xiao has been temporarily managing the affairs of the Ming Cult as the Left Guardian of the Brightness Sect. In terms of wisdom and martial arts, no one else in the Ming Cult can be found.

However, he was arrogant and acted arbitrarily. The Five Wanderers did not respect him, Wei Yixiao did not give him any face, and although the Eagle Hall had nominally returned to the main sect, Yin Tianzheng treated him politely but did not necessarily listen to him.

Otherwise, on the eve of the Battle of Bright Peak, these people would not have started fighting amongst themselves, allowing Cheng Kun to take advantage of their vulnerability and nearly annihilate the entire Ming Cult.

Yang Xiao was fully aware of this, so when Song Qingshu spoke, his heart stirred.

He exchanged a glance with Yin Tianzheng—

When the two knelt together on Bright Peak to thank Zhang Wuji, they already had a tacit understanding.

At this moment, Young Hero Song's words conveniently provided a way out.

Yang Xiao pondered for a moment, then looked at Song Qingshu and spoke slowly:

"Oh? Since Young Master Song has made this suggestion, you must already have a suitable candidate in mind?"

Song Qingshu met Yang Xiao's gaze and chuckled inwardly: Left Envoy Yang, your assist was perfectly timed.

He remained outwardly calm, straightened his clothes, and humbly clasped his hands in greeting:

"Logically speaking, I am not a member of the Ming Cult, and everyone here is a senior. It is not my place to make any comments."

  

However, I do have someone in mind, and if I were to recommend this person, I believe everyone present would agree.

"Hey! Young Master Song, stop beating around the bush! What time is it? Just get to the point!"

Zhou Dian was the first to lose his temper and urged loudly.

"Yes! Young Master Song, please speak quickly!"

"Who exactly is it?"

The Ming Cult experts present urged him on, and even Wei Yixiao narrowed his eyes, seemingly showing some interest.

Seeing that the time was right, Song Qingshu surveyed the entire room and announced loudly, "This person is—Zhang Wuji, young hero Zhang. What do you all think?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent.

The first person to react was Zhang Wuji himself.

He had been listening quietly to the side, wondering which senior expert Song would recommend, but when he suddenly heard his own name, he was completely stunned.

"No...no...absolutely not!"

Zhang Wuji waved his hands repeatedly, so anxious that he became incoherent.

"Senior Brother Song, please don't joke! I am a Wudang disciple, how could I become the leader of the Ming Cult? Besides, I personally promised my grandmaster that I would never join the Ming Cult, this..."

"Wuji!"

Before he could finish speaking, Yin Tianzheng stepped forward, his voice booming like a bell, causing the hall to resonate with a buzzing sound:

"I, Yin Tianzheng, am the first to agree! All my fellow Ming Cult brothers can see this clearly—"

Young Master Zhang has saved the Ming Cult from destruction. If it weren't for his courageous act, the Ming Cult would have been wiped out long ago!

In terms of martial arts, this young hero single-handedly fought against masters from six major sects. Who in the sect could match his courage and skill?

In terms of character, he was kind and generous, sincere in his dealings with others, and always left room for maneuver when facing enemies, never taking a single life.

Who else but him could be the leader of this cult?

These words resonated deeply.

The people in the hall exchanged glances; some nodded slightly, while others seemed lost in thought.

Yin Tianzheng's words make sense. Everyone has seen Zhang Wuji's kindness to the Ming Cult, and no one can deny its weight.

Yang Xiao didn't rush to speak, but calmly looked at Zhang Wuji.

Zhang Wuji was sweating profusely and was about to refuse again when Yin Tianzheng's face hardened:

"Wuji! What, your grandmaster's words are law, but your maternal grandfather's words are not? Do I, Yin Tianzheng, not even carry that much weight in your heart?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wuji was immediately speechless.

Saying "yes" is wrong, saying "no" is wrong, and he was so anxious that his face turned red.

On one side were the teachings of his grandmaster Zhang Sanfeng, and on the other side were the expectations of his maternal grandfather. Both were people he respected most. Caught in the middle, he was in a dilemma and couldn't say a word for a moment.

Just then, Xiao Zhao's timid voice rang out from the side: "Young Master... that secret letter."

Zhang Wuji was startled, then suddenly remembered that when he learned the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth in the secret passage, he had found a will next to the remains of Yang Dingtian and his wife. It clearly stated that it was the dying wish of the leader of the Yang sect.

He quickly took out the secret letter from his bosom and presented it to Yang Xiao with both hands:

"Uncle Yang, this is a will I found in the secret passage. It was written by the leader of the Ming Cult himself. In his will, the leader of the Ming Cult said that if he were to meet with misfortune, my adoptive father, the Golden-Haired Lion King Xie Xun, would temporarily assume the position of leader of the Ming Cult."

Yang Xiao took the will and began to read it carefully.

Everyone present held their breath, their eyes fixed on the letter.

A moment later, Yang Xiao slowly folded the will, raised his head, and his expression was unreadable.

He looked at Zhang Wuji, then suddenly changed the subject and asked a question that had nothing to do with the will.

"Young Master Zhang, I only have one question for you: have you mastered the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth?"

Zhang Wuji's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly explained:

"Uncle Yang, please listen to me. I had no choice at the time. I was only trying to save myself and did not intend to spy on your sect's divine skills..."

"Young Master Zhang."

Yang Xiao raised his hand to interrupt him, his tone calm but leaving no room for argument.

"I'll only ask you, yes or no?"

The main hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Looking into Yang Xiao's eyes, and then at the assembled followers in the hall, Zhang Wuji finally realized that he couldn't hide the truth any longer. He could only give a wry smile and frankly admit it:

"Yes, I have indeed mastered the Qiankun Great Shift."

Before he finished speaking, Yang Xiao flicked his robe and knelt down on one knee decisively.

"The Ming Cult's ironclad rule is that only the Cult Leader can practice the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth technique. Since Young Hero Zhang has mastered this skill, he is the successor chosen by Cult Leader Yang in the dark. Your subordinate, Yang Xiao, Left Guardian of the Brightness Sect, pays respects to the Cult Leader!"

This kneeling was done without hesitation, decisively and cleanly.

In fact, Yang Xiao had already seen through the clues on Bright Peak.

The technique Zhang Wuji used when fighting was clearly the Qiankun Great Shift. Otherwise, how could a young man of about twenty years old reverse the attack of the masters of the six major sects in an instant?

From that moment on, Yang Xiao had a plan in mind.

Now that Zhang Wuji has admitted it himself, why would he hesitate?

The Ming Cult has been plagued by internal strife for years. Yang Xiaokong is intelligent but struggles to win over the masses. This young man is unparalleled in martial arts, upright in character, and has done great deeds for the Ming Cult. Making him the leader is the best choice, both in terms of public and private matters.

Seeing Yang Xiao's decisiveness, Yin Tianzheng immediately knelt down on one knee, his voice booming:

"Your subordinate, Yin Tianzheng, the White-browed Eagle King and Protector of the Ming Cult, pays respects to the Master!"

Zhou Dian, Peng Yingyu, Zhang Zhong the Iron-Crowned Taoist, Shuobude the Cloth-Bag Monk, and Leng Qian exchanged glances.

Peng Yingyu spoke first:

"Left Envoy Yang and Eagle King are right. Young Hero Zhang saved the Ming Cult's life and has mastered the Great Shift of the Universe. I, Peng Yingyu, am completely convinced of his right to be the leader!"

He then knelt down.

The other four men, without further hesitation, knelt down in unison: "Your subordinates pay their respects to the Master!"

A smile flashed across Wei Yixiao's pale, ghostly face, and his shrill voice rang out in the hall:

"Wei Yixiao has never been convinced by many people in his life, but Young Hero Zhang... no, Master, you are one."

As he spoke, he knelt down on one knee.

The flag bearers of the Five Elements Flags followed closely behind, a large, dark mass of them kneeling down.

In an instant, everyone in the Ming Cult knelt on the ground in the main hall, their voices shaking the roof tiles: "Your subordinates pay their respects to the Cult Leader!"

Standing in the center of the crowd, Zhang Wuji looked around at the sincere and eager faces, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He wanted to refuse, but the shouts of battle from below the mountain were getting closer and closer. He wanted to explain, but the crowd didn't give him a chance to explain at all.

He had no choice but to turn his pleading gaze to Song Qingshu, who stood before the throne.

Song Qingshu met his gaze with a serious expression, but in his heart he thought: Junior Brother Wuji, you might as well just give in.

Of course, you can't say that out loud.

Song Qingshu walked down the steps and stood before Zhang Wuji, saying solemnly:

"Wuji, you've seen the current situation—powerful enemies surround us at the foot of the mountain, and all the sect's experts are injured. If you don't become the sect leader, they won't enter the secret passage."

You have always been kind and benevolent; how can you bear to watch hundreds of lives die because of you?

As for your grandmaster and uncle, I will explain the situation to you once this matter is resolved.

You temporarily assumed the position of leader to save people; your grandmaster, being a man of great principle, will surely understand.

You don't need to worry about that.

Song Qingshu's words were reasonable and persuasive, giving Zhang Wuji a way out and dispelling his last remaining concerns.

Looking into his senior brother's sincere and determined gaze, and listening to the increasingly close shouts of battle from below the mountain, Zhang Wuji finally took a deep breath and nodded vigorously.

"Alright! I don't want to harm everyone because of my own selfishness. In that case, I will temporarily assume the position of leader."

He turned around and faced the entire congregation. His voice was not loud, but it carried a sense of determination.

"Left Envoy Yang, please give the order immediately: everyone in the sect, from top to bottom, must retreat into the secret passage!"

"I will obey the leader's orders!"

Yang Xiao clasped his hands in acceptance of the order, abruptly stood up, turned and strode out of the hall, his voice booming like a bell, echoing throughout Bright Peak:

"The leader's decree—all members of the Ming Cult, retreat into the secret passage immediately!"

As soon as the order was given, the entire Ming Cult sprang into action.

The Five Elements Flags provided cover from the rear, the wounded were evacuated first, followed closely by women and children, and everything proceeded in an orderly manner.

Standing at the entrance of the main hall, Zhang Wuji watched as the followers filed into the secret passage, and his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally eased a little.

Song Qingshu stood not far behind him, watching this scene with a slight smile on his lips.

The Ming Cult's version of "donning the yellow robe" has finally come to an end.

He was involved in the entire process and personally pushed forward the project—although according to the original plot, even if he didn't speak up, Zhang Wuji would have been pushed to the position of leader sooner or later, but that was different.

His silence was a historical inevitability; his opening of the mouth was a timely act of kindness, a gesture of goodwill in the face of adversity.

The Ming Cult has gained such a good leader, and Song Qingshu deserves a share of the gratitude.

Moreover, his relationship with his junior brother Wuji is now as close as it gets.

With Zhang Wuji becoming the leader, wouldn't the immense power of the Ming Cult be Song Qingshu's greatest asset?