The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, becoming a disciple of Yue Buqun.

Linghu Chong only said a few words briefly, but one can imagine how busy he has been lately.

"Alright, that's enough. Where's Master? I need to go report back right away."

After learning from Jiang Ning that Yue Buqun was in the main hall, Linghu Chong said nothing more and went to the main hall to find Yue Buqun.

A few more days passed, and Feng Buping, Cheng Buyou, and Master Mo still hadn't returned. However, the three of them did send back letters, and the contents of the letters were all similar. The disaster situation in the various prefectures they had visited was quite serious, and they would be delayed for quite some time before they could return. The preliminary estimate was that it would take about two months.

Yue Buqun replied to each letter, all of them expressing concern. He instructed Feng Buping, Cheng Buyou, and Master Mo to be careful and pay attention to their safety, and that he would send disciples to provide support if needed.

Three more days passed, and it was October 20th.

It's quite lively on Mount Hua.

"Congratulations on your 60th birthday, Master! May you enjoy boundless happiness and longevity."

The disciples stood in neat rows in the main hall and congratulated Yue Buqun.

Jiang Ning, Linghu Chong, and the other disciples stood on either side, while a dozen or so newly initiated children dressed in bright red clothes stood in the middle, bowing to Yue Buqun.

The main hall was already full of disciples, and there were many more disciples standing outside, but most of them were children.

"Alright, get up, everyone."

Yue Buqun said with a smile on his face.

After all the disciples stood up, Linghu Chong stepped forward with a box in both hands.

"Congratulations on your 60th birthday, Master. This is my heartfelt wish."

Yue Buqun took it, opened it, and found it was a longevity peach.

Linghu Chong said embarrassedly, "I originally wanted to give you something more valuable, but unfortunately I am short of money. Please forgive me, Master."

"The most important thing about a gift is the sentiment behind it. The value of the gift itself is not important. No matter how good it is, it is still just an external thing. On the contrary, I would not like it if you gave me something very expensive."

Yue Buqun smiled and said, "To me, the most valuable thing is your character."

Linghu Chong quickly replied, "This disciple will remember."

Yue Buqun looked at Linghu Chong, at the disciple he had raised himself. Linghu Chong was his first disciple, and the feelings between them were always different.

“Chong’er, you used to be lazy and incapable of taking on important responsibilities, but I have seen the changes in you over the past few years and I am very pleased. I only hope that you will continue to be like this in the future and not go astray.”

Yue Buqun said to Linghu Chong.

"Your disciple will remember your teachings."

Linghu Chong quickly said, and then prepared to kneel down, but was stopped by Yue Buqun.

"This is just my advice to you; just keep it in mind."

Yue Buqun said.

After Linghu Chong left, Liang Fa followed.

The order in which the disciples offered their congratulations was based on their ranking. Originally, after Linghu Chong was Lao Denuo, but Lao Denuo's grave was already several meters high with grass growing on it, so he couldn't come. After Lao Denuo was Liang Fa, who was the third disciple.

"Congratulations on your birthday, Master."

The birthday gift Liang sent was a couplet. Although the couplet itself didn't look particularly good, it was Liang's own idea, which was quite commendable.

Yue Buqun accepted it with a smile on his face.

"Liang Fa, you..."

Next came Yue Buqun's words to Liang Fa, followed by Shi Daizi, and so on, until Jiang Ning finally stepped forward.

Jiang Ning also gave a similar birthday greeting to the senior brothers before him, and held a birthday gift in a box in both hands.

When Yue Buqun opened it, he found that it contained a pair of wooden carvings.

"This is a wood carving made by your disciple. It depicts Master and Mistress. I wish Master a long life and wish Master and Mistress a long and happy life together, sharing joys and sorrows, and supporting each other through thick and thin."

Yue Buqun picked up a pair of wooden carvings, one of which was carved in his likeness, and the other was carved in the likeness of Ning Zhongze.

Ning Zhongze also took the wooden carving in her own likeness with a look of surprise.

Yue Buqun looked at his wooden carving. The carving was exquisite, depicting him standing with his hands behind his back, his expression calm, his clothes slightly fluttering. Every detail was lifelike, and even though it was just a wooden carving, one could feel a gentle and refined temperament.

The same is true of Ning Zhongze's wood carvings; it's as if Ning Zhongze's temperament has been carved into the wood carvings, both gentle and firm.

Listening to Jiang Ning's words and looking at the wooden carving in his hand, Yue Buqun couldn't help but fall into memories for a moment.

As Jiang Ning said, he and Ning Zhongze spent decades of joys and sorrows in the first half of his life, supporting each other through thick and thin until now.

Yue Buqun couldn't help but glance at Ning Zhongze beside him. He saw that Ning Zhongze's eyes were glistening with tears and her face was smiling. Clearly, the wood carving and Jiang Ning's words had truly touched her heart.

"I didn't know you had such skills."

Yue Buqun laughed.

The wood carvings by Jiang Ning were indeed stunning. Both carvings perfectly captured the expressions and temperaments of Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze, which greatly pleased him.

Chapter 643: I will find them myself

"Ning'er".

Yue Buqun looked at Jiang Ning and said, "Among your many fellow disciples, I have the highest expectations for you, and you are the most promising. I am very pleased to see you achieve what you have today."

Yue Buqun is right. He does have the highest expectations for Jiang Ning. Even before Jiang Ning obtained the Innate Skill, Yue Buqun had high hopes for him. Jiang Ning is also Yue Buqun's pride. This can be seen from the fact that when Yue Buqun visited other Five Mountains Sword Sects, he would often mention Jiang Ning even if Jiang Ning did not accompany him.

What Yue Buqun didn't expect was that Jiang Ning had actually reached this point, and indeed, he had lived up to his expectations.

Moreover, among all the disciples, Yue Buqun had the deepest affection for Jiang Ning. After all, even Linghu Chong, who was the first to join the sect, was already over ten years old when he became a disciple, while Jiang Ning was brought up the mountain by Yue Buqun when he was three years old and raised for more than ten years. Although he was not his biological son, he was no different from one of his own.

“You have been intelligent since childhood, and you understand many things and know how to do them, so I will not say more.”

Yue Buqun said.

Jiang Ning nodded silently and then stepped back. Next, Lin Pingzhi stepped forward to offer his congratulations. After Lin Pingzhi, the junior brothers and sisters who had not been in the sect for long came forward one by one to offer their congratulations.

Yue Buqun's 60th birthday celebration was not a grand affair, nor were other sect leaders invited. Only a banquet was held within the Huashan Sect. However, many disciples were not present at the banquet, as Feng Buping and Cheng Buyou were still out there providing disaster relief. Nevertheless, the event was still quite lively.

Seeing his disciples laughing and joking together, Yue Buqun also wore a faint smile.

“Senior brother, even if I meet my father in the afterlife now, I can have a clear conscience.”

Ning Zhongze said from the side.

Yue Buqun couldn't help but laugh.

"On such a joyous day, why bring up such an unlucky topic?"

Ning Zhongze laughed upon hearing this, saying, "That was just me jinxing it."

Listening to his wife's words, Yue Buqun was also quite emotional. Looking at his disciples laughing and joking, he couldn't help but say, "Decades have passed in the blink of an eye, and I am now in my sixties."

How many sixty-year periods does a person have in their lifetime?

Looking back decades ago, he was just an ordinary disciple of the Huashan Sect. Under normal circumstances, it would have been impossible for him to become the sect leader. But unexpectedly, he became the sect leader of the Huashan Sect by a twist of fate, and he served as the sect leader for decades. He devoted his youth and half of his life to the Huashan Sect. He helped the crumbling Huashan Sect to rise again. The hardships and suffering of the past decades flashed through Yue Buqun's mind.

But in every scene of the past, there is a figure that cannot be forgotten.

Yue Buqun couldn't help but look at Ning Zhongze beside him.

Feeling her husband's gaze upon her, Ning Zhongze turned her head to look at him and discovered that Yue Buqun's eyes were unusually filled with unprecedented tenderness, which surprised and puzzled her.

"what happened?"

Ning Zhongze asked in surprise.

"nothing."

Yue Buqun shook his head slightly and said, "You've worked hard all these years."

For Yue Buqun, Ning Zhongze was not only his wife, but also his partner, companion, and supporter through the decades of trials and tribulations.

To be honest, Yue Buqun has experienced countless hardships since he took over the Huashan Sect, which was practically an empty shell, from his dying master decades ago. Only he himself can truly understand the bitterness he has endured. There were countless times when Yue Buqun almost couldn't hold on. It was Ning Zhongze's constant support, understanding, and companionship that prevented him from going astray and becoming Zuo Lengchan. If it weren't for Ning Zhongze, he might not be where he is now.

Ning Zhongze hadn't expected Yue Buqun to say that, and shook her head, saying, "You're the one who's had the hardest time."

Yue Buqun laughed.

"Senior Brother, look at the way Father looks at me."

Not far away, Yue Lingshan nudged Linghu Chong and said.

What kind of look is that?

Linghu Chong was eating when he heard Yue Lingshan's words. He looked over, but was completely confused.

“Look at Dad, the way he looks at Mom is so tender.”

Yue Lingshan rested her chin on one hand and looked on with envy.

"I wish you could look at me like that someday."

"Isn't that simple?"

Upon realizing Yue Lingshan's request, Linghu Chong stopped eating and immediately patted his chest to assure her.

"Junior Sister, watch carefully."

Upon hearing Linghu Chong's words, Yue Lingshan turned to look at him, her eyes filled with suspicion, but also with anticipation.

Linghu Chong carefully observed Yue Buqun's gaze and expression as he looked at Ning Zhongze, pondered for a moment, and then looked at Yue Lingshan with a dreamy look in his eyes.

Yue Lingshan's expression was somewhat solemn at this moment.

"How about it?"

Linghu Chong looked at Yue Lingshan with a 'deeply affectionate' expression: "Do you feel anything?"

Yue Lingshan's face was serious.

"I feel nauseous and want to vomit."

"Hmm? Doesn't it look like it?"

Linghu Chong was taken aback.

Yue Lingshan said with an indescribable expression, "Senior Brother, my father looked at my mother with tenderness, but the way you looked at me just now was like that of a lecher. If it were anyone else looking at me like that, I would have already slashed them with my sword."

Is the difference really that big?