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

"You don't need to do anything. As long as you're still on the mountain, those demons and monsters won't dare to make any rash moves."

"You want to borrow my face?"

"Yes."

"You're quite honest."

Han Baitao wasn't angry. Instead, he smiled and said, "I haven't found a successor with my skills yet. I can stay here, but I'm not going to die for Suishan."

"I wouldn't dare. It's already an immense favor that you're willing to stay, senior."

"Then tell me, what are your plans next? Don't tell me you plan to keep this a secret forever," Han Baitao asked quietly.

Qin Zhongyu shook his head, "This junior did not intend to keep it a secret indefinitely, nor could I keep it a secret for long; I was just stalling for time."

"Use this month to stabilize the sect, send out letters to invite former friends of Master from the martial arts world to come up the mountain and hold a grand funeral. Then try to invite wandering martial arts people who have a past with Master to join Sui Mountain. With more people, those villains will have more to think about."

"Whom can you call, and why would they help you?"

"Zhao Huaiyuan, the Blade of Broken Mountain, was once saved by my master. He has now reached the True Essence Realm. If I send a letter to him, he will surely come."

"Zhao Huaiyuan... I've heard of him. He's straightforward and always repays kindness. Okay."

"Cheng Song, the head of the Iron Sword Sect, studied under his master for three years, so he can be considered half a disciple of Suishan."

"His inner strength is a bit lacking. Unless he has your master's swordsmanship, the Iron Sword Sect has a wide network in the southwest region, so it's still a good choice."

"Han Xi of Qingzhi Island, this man is a close friend of my master despite their age difference. My master once took a knife for him. Now he has entered the True Qi Realm, and Qingzhi Island under his command is also a force to be reckoned with."

"Han Xi is a man of deep cunning. When your master was alive, he naturally put loyalty first. But if he knew that the person was dead, whether he would offer help in times of need or stand idly by is anyone's guess."

"Lingnan Tiehong"

"Tie Hong? He's quite a figure in the True Yuan Realm, and his swordsmanship is also quite good, but he's too far away. By the time he arrives, it might be too late."

"Sun Tong of the North".

"Sun Tong is injured and can no longer fight."

Qin Zhongyu kept suggesting possible helpers.

Han Baitao commented on each one, assessing their potential.

"And also, Qinglang Mountain."

Finally, Qin Zhongyu said.

Han Baitao didn't speak immediately this time. He poured himself a glass of wine, drank it all in one gulp, and then slowly said.

Do you think Qinglang Mountain would care?

"Just give it a try," Qin Zhongyu sighed.

Han Baitao shook his head and didn't say anything more.

Qin Zhongyu poured him a glass of wine, and then poured one for himself as well.

The two drank in silence.

The night wind was blowing fiercely.

"I hope nothing unexpected happens," Qin Zhongyu said in a low voice.

……

The second day of the outer gate competition.

A small town about a hundred miles from Suishan, an inconspicuous house.

As soon as Yan Xiaoshuang climbed over the wall, she was so startled by a voice that she almost fell off the wall.

"You're back?"

She steadied herself and looked down.

A middle-aged man in a gray shirt lay on a bamboo chair, his face covered with a straw hat, holding a purple clay teapot in his hand, taking sips from time to time with the spout directly to his lips.

"Master," Yan Xiaoshuang jumped down from the wall and couldn't help but say, "Could you please not scare people like that next time?"

"Oops, did I scare you?" Yan San lifted his straw hat, revealing a gaunt face, and said sarcastically, "The fact that I scared you means your skills aren't up to par. If you could hear my breathing from outside the wall, you wouldn't be scared!"

Yan Xiaoshuang rolled her eyes.

Yan San sat up and looked her up and down: "How was it?"

"I've scouted the place. This is what the rich man's courtyard looks like..." Yan Xiaoshuang gestured, explaining the layout and guards.

"The most crucial point hasn't been mentioned yet, what about that jade Buddha?" Yan San said slowly.

"Although I didn't see it, it must be in that side room on the west side. Master, when are you going to make your move?" Yan Xiaoshuang asked with a grin.

"Take action? Your master doesn't have time for that, I have something big to do!" Yan San rolled his eyes.

"What's the big deal?" Yan Xiaoshuang asked, puzzled. She had been busy with this jade Buddha for several days.

Yan San said slowly:

"Have you heard? The day before yesterday, people from Chijin Mountain came to Sui Mountain to request an audience with Sword Master Yang Qingfeng, and guess what happened?"

"The Sword Master is not here?"

"no."

"Seclusion?"

"Brilliant!" Yan San slapped his thigh. "The Sword Master is in seclusion!"

Yan Xiaoshuang was taken aback: "So what if you're going into seclusion? What are you so happy about?"

"Heh, how did I end up with a disciple like you?" Yan San looked at him like he was an idiot. "At Yang Qingfeng's level, his seclusion is definitely to break through to a higher level of swordsmanship! At a time like this, he certainly can't care about anything else!"

Yan Xiaoshuang's gaze gradually hardened: "What do you want to do?"

"What do you think?" Yan San said with a grin. "With the Sword Master in seclusion and everyone in Sui Mountain busy with the Grand Competition, isn't this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?"

"You're going to Suishan to steal something?" Yan Xiaoshuang's eyes widened.

"Don't put it that way," Yan San corrected. "Master, this is called paying a visit and taking a look around!"

"Are you crazy! That's Sword Master Yang Qingfeng! If you go up his mountain to steal something and get caught, he can chop you in half with one sword!" Yan Xiaoshuang was stunned.

"You child, how can you be so unambitious?" Yan San shook his head, revealing a look of disappointment. "Your grandmaster dared to steal even things from the Star-Picking Pavilion back then, so what's wrong with me, his disciple, taking a stroll around Mount Sui?"

"But……"

"No buts."

Yan San's eyes darted around, and then he suddenly asked, "By the way, Yan Xiaoshuang, where did you put the star map I gave you before?"

Yan Xiaoshuang looked away guiltily.

"Hehe, you didn't give that treasure away, did you?"

"Pah, what treasure! You can't see anything from that piece of junk!"

"I didn't realize that was a treasure!" Yan San glared. "Our lineage is only good at stealing other people's treasures, how come you're giving yours away!"

Seeing that Yan Xiaoshuang had no strength left to refute, Yan San raised his head.

"Alright, with a spendthrift disciple like you, your master has to go and get something decent to restore the family's reputation!"

"Aren't you afraid of the Sword Master?"

"That Yang Qingfeng is a first-rate figure. If I, Yan San, dare to go up his mountain, my reputation will at least double after it's done!"

"What if you die?"

"Wouldn't it be better if he were dead? All the treasures I hid would be yours then, wouldn't you be happy?"

Seeing her master's carefree attitude, Yan Xiaoshuang gritted her teeth, not knowing what to say.

"By the way, go to that rich man's house, continue working, steal a few more decent things, and you'll be ready to graduate," Yan San said again.

"How can I steal a jade Buddha that's a foot tall?!"

"Then you should cut it into pieces and ship it in batches!"

"Once it's cut off, it's worthless!"

"Then you should figure out a way to get it out."

Yan San said casually, then waved his hand, and with a leap of lightness skill, he disappeared without a trace.

"I'd better kill you with one sword!" Yan Xiaoshuang said hatefully to his departing figure.