Reborn Song Qingshu: Besieging Bright Peak at the Start

Chapter 70 Ding Minjun Starts a Group

This group, mostly women with a few male disciples, was members of the Emei Sect gathered in the courtyard.

A woman's sharp voice suddenly rang out, "Based on your qualifications, martial arts skills, knowledge, and insight, how are you qualified to be the leader of this sect?"

The woman being questioned was slender and graceful, wearing a green dress that reached the ground. Even from behind, one could tell that she was exceptionally beautiful; she was none other than Zhou Zhiruo.

Zhou Zhiruo's voice trembled slightly, her tone gentle yet tinged with grievance: "Senior Sister Ding is right. Compared to the other senior sisters, I am neither virtuous nor capable, and my martial arts skills are mediocre. I am not worthy of being the sect leader."

On the day Master passed on the position, my younger sister knelt down and repeatedly declined, but Master sternly reprimanded her, insisting that she swear a solemn oath never to betray her trust.

Zhou Zhiruo spoke these words with extreme humility, but to Ding Minjun and the other Emei disciples, they sounded like blatant mockery.

You are better than me in every aspect—experience, martial arts, and knowledge—so what? Sigh~ Master chose me, aren't you angry?

The problem is, I couldn't refuse even if I wanted to. I knelt on the ground and begged, but my master wouldn't listen and even made me swear a poisonous oath.

It's easy to imagine that Ding Minjun was so angry upon hearing this that her chest heaved as if her lungs were about to explode. She shouted angrily, "Fine! Fine! Fine! I want to ask you, you're utterly incompetent, so why did Master choose to pass the position to you? Are you perhaps Master's illegitimate daughter?!"

Ding Minjun was known for her sharp tongue and volatile temper. While Abbess Miejue was alive, she had restrained herself somewhat, but now that her master was gone, she had no more scruples. In a fit of anger, she blurted out such rebellious words.

Such private gossip has never been concerned with logic or evidence.

Throughout history, people have always preferred to believe something exists rather than to believe it doesn't.

Furthermore, given that Miejue has always shown excessive favoritism towards Zhou Zhiruo, and that she inexplicably passed on the position of sect leader this time, it's not impossible that she has an illegitimate daughter.

The Emei disciples present exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions unreadable.

Zhou Zhiruo felt wronged and aggrieved, and tears welled up in her eyes, making her look pitiful: "Senior Sister Ding, I understand that you are not convinced by your younger sister, but how dare you talk nonsense and ruin Master's reputation?"

My younger sister's father's surname was Zhou. He was a boatman who crossed the Han River. My mother's surname was Xue. She was originally from Xiangyang. She fled south and married my father.

My younger sister suffered hardship in her childhood, losing both her parents. Fortunately, she was introduced by Master Zhang of Wudang and became a disciple of Emei. She was accepted as a disciple by her master. Before that, she had never met her master. Everything can be verified. How can such a claim be made?

We have all received great kindness from our master. Now that his body is barely cold, how can your words, senior sister, not chill the hearts of all of us fellow disciples?

As she spoke of this, tears streamed down her face, and she broke down in sobs.

In the corner of the courtyard, amidst the overgrown weeds, Song Qingshu and Zhao Min lay hidden in the shadows, witnessing the entire scene clearly.

Zhao Min nudged Song Qingshu lightly with her elbow, teasing in a low voice, "Tsk tsk, she really is pitiful to behold. Doesn't Young Master Song plan to rush out and play the hero? Why were you so protective of her in the main hall of Wan'an Temple, but now you're just standing by?"

Just as Song Qingshu was about to reply, he suddenly sensed some movement outside the courtyard and immediately gestured for Zhao Min to be quiet.

The next moment, a figure leaped over the wall. The figure was extremely agile and landed silently, landing precisely where Song Qingshu and his companion were hiding.

The man reacted quickly, sensing someone beside him. He immediately struck out with his right palm, but upon seeing who it was, he abruptly stopped, lowering his voice in surprise and delight, "Senior Brother!"

"Junior brother!"

When Song Qingshu recognized Zhang Wuji, his movements paused.

I thought the plot had deviated and Zhang Wuji wouldn't appear this time, but unexpectedly he still came.

Zhang Wuji was overjoyed to see Song Qingshu, but when he saw Zhao Min beside him, he was first taken aback, then suddenly realized, thinking: So my senior brother stayed in Dadu for her.

Just as Zhang Wuji was about to ask, Song Qingshu waved his hand slightly, signaling him to calm down and observe the situation in the courtyard.

Zhang Wuji came here specifically for Zhou Zhiruo, and he knew that the Emei sect was gathered here.

Seeing Zhou Zhiruo's tearful appearance, he felt a surge of warmth in his heart and couldn't help but want to help her out of the predicament.

Song Qingshu had anticipated Zhang Wuji's reaction and grabbed him. This kid couldn't stand seeing Zhou Zhiruo being bullied; it was the same thing in the main hall of Wan'an Temple last time. Before he knew it, Zhang Wuji had rushed out.

He lowered his voice and advised, "This is an internal matter of Emei Sect, and outsiders shouldn't interfere. Let's observe secretly for now."

After being persuaded by Song Qingshu, Zhang Wuji realized that his senior brother was right and calmed down, but he still felt a pang of heartache seeing Miss Zhou being bullied like this.

The three of them lay prone in the weeds, all looking towards the courtyard.

Now, Zhou Zhiruo's words were reasonable and well-founded, and coupled with her tearful plea, the expressions of the Emei disciples changed, and they all felt that Ding Minjun's words just now were too presumptuous.

Some things are nothing but a few ounces before they're weighed, but once they're on the scale, they weigh a ton.

You may have doubts, but you can't say them out loud.

If no one stands up at this moment, wouldn't that mean they are all heartless and treacherous people?

Therefore, Jingxuan, the senior sister of Emei who had been silent until now, stepped forward.

She sternly rebuked Ding Minjun: "Minjun! You are going too far! How could you utter such treasonous words!"

Master is wise and mighty. Since he appointed Junior Sister Zhou as the leader of our sect, he must have his own profound reasons.

We have all received great kindness and guidance from our master, and we should naturally follow her last wishes and wholeheartedly assist Junior Sister Zhou in bringing glory to Emei.

These words were spoken with great conviction. The fellow disciples present all felt that the eldest sister had a broad vision. At the same time, they also felt indignant on behalf of the eldest sister, wondering why the master did not pass the position to her.

Ding Minjun realized that she had spoken rashly in her haste, and that being squeezed by Zhou Zhiruo and Jingxuan had put her in a very unfavorable position. She rolled her eyes and softened her tone, saying to Jingxuan, "Senior Sister Jingxuan, I did speak without thinking just now. I hope you will forgive me."

"But my senior sister said that Master had a deeper meaning," but I, the younger sister, could not agree.

It's obvious to everyone that the master is biased.

"I'm speaking up for my senior sister. If she were to become the sect leader, no one would object. But Zhou Zhiruo, what right does she have?"

He turned to look at Zhou Zhiruo, who was wiping away her tears, and sneered, "I would like to ask Junior Sister Zhou, even if your position as sect leader is recognized by your fellow disciples, since you have received your master's dying wish, you should return to Emei immediately."

With Master's passing, the sect is filled with countless matters, all awaiting the leadership of the new sect leader. Why have you returned to Dadu alone?

Ding Minjun's two sentences, a combination of offense and defense, immediately stirred up the situation again, and everyone's attention once again fell on Zhou Zhiruo.

Jingxuan's words just now were merely a formality to demonstrate her senior sister's prestige.

She was also extremely dissatisfied with Zhou Zhiruo taking over as the sect leader.

She was the chief disciple of Emei Sect, and the position of sect leader should have been hers.

However, she was far more shrewd than Ding Minjun and was unwilling to take the lead rashly. Now that Ding Minjun was charging ahead, it suited her just the way she wanted.

Seeing that the time was right, Jingxuan followed up by asking, "That's right, Junior Sister Zhou, what brings you back to Dadu alone?"

Zhou Zhiruo could not give a reason. Her return to Dadu was naturally to fulfill her master's dying wish and to obtain the Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber.

The Dragon-Slaying Saber is in Xie Xun's hands. Although we could try to find out Xie Xun's whereabouts by getting close to Zhang Wuji, Xie Xun has been missing for many years and his whereabouts are already elusive.

Moreover, Zhang Wuji is the leader of the Demonic Cult, and Emei and Ming Cult have a long-standing feud. As a new leader, Emei is already struggling to gain the respect of its followers. If she were to associate with Zhang Wuji again, she would be giving him ammunition to use against her and making it difficult to establish her authority.

Therefore, after much consideration, obtaining the Heaven Sword is still the most reliable option. Compared to the Dragon Saber, whose whereabouts are unknown, the Heaven Sword is in Zhao Min's hands.

While others might not know why he stayed in Dadu, she knew perfectly well that Song Qingshu was staying there for Zhao Min's sake.

Since Song Qingshu and Zhao Min have a good relationship, she can obtain the Heaven Sword by getting close to Song Qingshu.

Only after burying his master, Miejue, on the road did he choose to return to Dadu alone to find Song Qingshu.