Having studied for a hundred years, why do you call me the Martial Saint?

However, after the ceremony was over, Qin Zhongyu remained standing there with his smile unchanged, but he showed no intention of inviting them into the hall.

Lu Zhongzheng waited for a while, and seeing that there was still no movement inside the hall, his heart stirred slightly, but his face remained expressionless.

"Master Qin," he asked with a smile.

"This time, I, from Chijin Mountain, have brought some unworthy gifts and have also taken in two new, rather unworthy disciples. I was thinking that if there is an opportunity, the children could also pay their respects to the old master. I wonder if the Sword Master is on the mountain?"

Lu Zhongzheng felt that his hints were already quite obvious.

But Qin Zhongyu only showed an apologetic expression and cupped his hands in greeting, saying:

"Master Lu, please forgive me. My master has recently been in seclusion studying martial arts and is at a critical juncture. He is unable to receive guests at this time. Before he went into seclusion, he specifically instructed me to treat any friends from Chijin Mountain well and not to be impolite."

Lu Zhongzheng's face stiffened.

Seclusion?

The visiting invitation from Chijin Mountain arrived more than ten days ago, and the date of today's visit was clearly stated in the invitation.

If the Sword Master was truly in seclusion, he could have given prior notice. Why wait until he arrived at the door to tell him?

But Lu Zhongzheng had lived for over fifty years, and after only a moment of stiffness, he smiled and nodded, saying:

"The Sword Master's martial arts have improved greatly, which is a blessing for us martial artists. It is important to go into seclusion, it is important to go into seclusion."

Lu Zhongzheng remained calm, but the Seven Star Craftsmen behind him couldn't hide the displeasure on their faces.

Although Lu Zhi and Xue Ling didn't quite understand what was happening, they could sense that something was wrong, so they stood obediently to the side, not daring to say a word.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Qin Zhongyu personally led Chi Jinshan and his party to their guest rooms.

The onlookers exchanged bewildered glances, and the scene fell silent for a moment.

After a long pause, the old hand in the martial arts world said, puzzled, "This isn't right... In the past, when people from Crimson Jade Mountain came, even if the Sword Master was very busy, he would still show his face..."

The young man beside him asked cautiously, "Senior, what do you mean...?"

The seasoned veteran shook his head and said nothing more.

Many people present began to have doubts.

Who in the martial world wouldn't give face to Chijin Mountain? Even the Sword Master has always done so, so why not this time? Has Chijin Mountain somehow offended the Suishan Sword Sect, or...?

Some of the martial arts practitioners exchanged glances, each seeing a crazy speculation in the other's eyes.

But no one voiced their suspicions.

……

Deep within the Suishan Palace lies a hidden room unknown to most.

Yang Qingfeng's disciples formed a circle, the atmosphere somewhat heavy.

Upon seeing Qin Zhongyu enter, a burly disciple couldn't help but say:

"Senior Brother Qin, there are so many smart people in the world, how long do you think you can keep this a secret?"

Qin Zhongyu's face was grim. He didn't answer immediately, but walked to the main seat, put his hands behind his back, and asked in return:

"Then how many people in this world do you think covet our Jinghong Sword, the Suishan Nine Yang Skill, and Master's swordsmanship?"

"And how many of those enemies have been hiding for so many years, never being discovered by us?"

"Hmph, your attempts to cover things up only reveal your weakness! When the truth comes out, those people will swarm in like wolves smelling blood, making things even more difficult for us!"

The burly disciple glared angrily, disagreeing with Qin Zhongyu's actions from the bottom of his heart.

Another disciple, dressed in mourning clothes, said with a choked voice, "Our master's kindness to us was as heavy as a mountain. Now that he has passed away, we haven't even been able to hold a funeral worthy of him. Senior brother, how can you do this to our master?"

"Exactly!" Another slightly older female disciple said in a deep voice, "Senior brother, I know you're doing this for the sect's sake, but our master has always been upright and honorable. Are we really going to sneak around and ruin his reputation?"

Qin Zhongyu remained silent for a moment, then suddenly slammed his hand on the table.

"That's enough!"

He had a cold expression as his gaze swept across everyone's faces.

"My master passed the position of sect leader to me before he passed away. So, I am the one who decides how the sect should operate."

"If you still acknowledge me as your master, then listen to me. If not, you are welcome to go out now and announce it to the world!"

His words stunned everyone, and for a moment no one responded.

There was a moment of silence.

A calm voice came from the corner.

"Qin Zhongyu".

The speaker was a man who sat in the shadows with his eyes closed.

"Chu Wuyai, you should call me sect leader now," Qin Zhongyu said calmly.

Chu Wuyai didn't take it to heart and nodded, saying, "Since you are the sect leader, then give me the Jinghong Sword."

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the dark room instantly froze.

Qin Zhongyu narrowed his eyes.

In addition to the sect leader, the Suishan Sword Sect has a highest title called Sword Master.

The title of Sword Master is awarded to the person with the highest swordsmanship in the sect. The Sword Master is the sharpest blade in the sect, and is responsible for wielding the Jinghong Sword.

When Yang Qingfeng was alive, he was both the sect leader and the sword master.

Currently, the title of Sword Master is vacant.

Chu Wuyai demanded the Jinghong Sword, which meant he believed his swordsmanship was the best present.

Qin Zhongyu looked at him and said coldly:

"Chu Wuyai, do you think you're the leader of the Suishan Sword Sect?"

Chu Wuyai did not answer.

He was just standing there when suddenly, a sword intent emanated from his body!

A chill instantly filled the dark room.

The swords of the men were trembling and buzzing in their scabbards!

The expressions of the disciples present all changed.

The burly disciple was both surprised and delighted, exclaiming, "Ascending to the Clouds... you've already mastered the first move?!"

Chu Wuyai ignored him and just stared straight at Qin Zhongyu.

I think I am.

……

Chijin Mountain was arranged to stay in a quiet guest house in Suishan.

Several plum trees were planted in the courtyard, and flower buds had already sprouted on the branches.

After exchanging pleasantries, Lu Zhongzheng locked himself in his room, seemingly lost in thought.

Lu Zhi and Xue Ling, two restless children, begged a craftsman surnamed Fan to take them out for a stroll.

Fan Yun couldn't persuade the two children otherwise, so he took a few attendants and led them into the mountains.

After walking for about 15 minutes, we turned into a pine forest.

The pine trees here are tall and straight, with patches of snow still clinging to their branches and leaves, glistening in the sunlight.

Xue Ling tilted her head back and looked around for a while before saying, "This place is quite beautiful."

Lu Zhi curled his lip, "It's alright, but it's still far inferior to the three peaks and sixteen scenic spots of our Chijin Mountain."

"But the trees here are thicker than those on our mountain."

"That's because the smoke from the furnace killed the trees!"

"No, that's not true!"

Fan Yun listened to the two children's nonsense and a helpless smile appeared on his lips.

But his gaze involuntarily drifted towards the direction of Suishan Palace.

Today's events left him with a sense of unease.

The friendship between Chijin Mountain and Suishan Sword Sect is not something that just started today. Back when he was still a craftsman, he had come to Suishan with the former master craftsman.

On that occasion, the Sword Master personally received him. He didn't say much, but he wasn't arrogant either.

But this time, he didn't even show his face.

What exactly happened...?

"Xue Ling, look over there! There's someone there!"

"Hey, really? Wearing so little, isn't he cold in this weather?"

The children's voices interrupted his thoughts.

He has two children with him, so nothing can go wrong.

Fan Yun cautiously looked in the direction Lu Zhi was pointing.

On a large rock ahead sat a boy of about twelve or thirteen years old, dressed in coarse linen clothes, head down, holding a carving knife, intently carving a piece of wood.