Chapter 49: Sword Annihilates the East

In the world of Xiao Ao Jianghu, Huashan.

As Yue Buqun led Lu Qingshan and his group out of the meditation chamber, they immediately saw Yue Lingshan waiting outside.

Yue Lingshan had originally assumed Yue Buqun was training alone in the chamber, so upon seeing Lu Qingshan’s group, she frowned and asked: “Father, who are these people?”

Yue Buqun did not answer Yue Lingshan immediately; instead, he turned to Lu Qingshan and the others and said: “Group Leader, everyone, this is my daughter, Yue Lingshan!”

“So you’re Old Yue’s daughter!”

Pang Bo stepped forward two paces and casually pulled out a jade pendant, offering it: “This jade pendant will serve as my greeting gift.”

Looking at Pang Bo before her, Yue Lingshan was momentarily stunned.

This man, who looked to be about her own age, spoke as if he were Yue Buqun’s peer—it was utterly bizarre.

And then…

Since several months ago, Yue Buqun had seemed like an entirely different person.

First, he expelled his second senior brother, Lao Denuo, a spy from Songshan Sect; then he discovered lost sword techniques from the Five Mountain Sword Sects hidden in a cave on Si Gu Cliff; later, he rescued Qu Yang, a senior elder of the Demon Cult, at Liu Zhengfeng’s Golden Basin Cleansing ceremony…

On the journey back from Hengcheng to Huashan, he even produced a rare substance called “Thousand-Year Spirit Marrow,” which he had her and her senior brothers use to cultivate their inner qi…

After returning to Huashan, he bypassed his senior brother and entrusted daily affairs to Liang Fa, now his second senior brother—and his senior brother Linghu Chong showed not a single complaint!

Especially now, with so many elder masters from the martial world gathered at Huashan, Yue Buqun didn’t even bother to greet them—and instead was entertaining a group of strangers she’d never seen before, strangers whose arrival she had no knowledge of!

“Lanshan, what are you thinking about?”

Yue Buqun quickly interrupted her thoughts: “Since Brother Pang Bo gave you a greeting gift, accept it!”

Yue Buqun, who had once attended Cao Cao’s banquet in Luoyangcheng, knew well the value of Pang Bo’s gift—it was something that could save your life in a critical moment!

Such a treasure might be commonplace in Pang Bo’s world, but in his and Cao Cao’s world, it was undoubtedly extremely precious!

Afterwards, Han Li, Cao Cao, Xiao Yan, and others all presented their gifts—unremarkable trinkets they carried on their persons, yet to an ordinary person like Yue Lingshan, they were undeniably valuable!

Seeing this, Lu Qingshan immediately retrieved a gift from the chat group for himself.

It was a strange fruit, entirely emerald green, no larger than a dragon’s eye.

Lu Qingshan handed it casually to Yue Lingshan and smiled: “This is a ‘Forever Youth Fruit’! After consuming it, your beauty will never fade.”

Forever Youth Fruit? Never age?

Hearing Lu Qingshan’s words, Yue Lingshan felt utterly speechless.

The others’ gifts were one thing, but this last gift was utterly unbelievable!

“Could this man be a martial arts swindler? Has Father been deceived by these people?” she thought inwardly.

“Lanshan!”

Noticing her expression, Yue Buqun instantly understood her thoughts and hurriedly said: “Quickly thank the Group Leader for his gift!”

Hearing Yue Buqun’s command, Yue Lingshan snapped back to her senses.

Whether or not Lu Qingshan was a martial arts swindler, under Yue Buqun’s orders, she sincerely thanked him for the gift.

Then Yue Buqun continued leading the group toward the gathering site.

At that moment, a Huashan disciple rushed over, drenched in sweat, panting heavily: “M…Master…”

Though Yue Buqun normally disliked such unseemly behavior from disciples, before Lu Qingshan and the others, he did not scold him immediately, but asked directly: “What happened? Have the Songshan Sect people arrived?”

“Yes!”

The Huashan disciple caught his breath and continued: “Master, it’s not just Songshan Sect—they’re accompanied by Fang Zheng, the abbot of Shaolin Temple, and Chongxu, the Sect Master of Wudang!”

“Oh?”

Yue Buqun couldn’t help but exclaim: “I didn’t expect Shaolin and Wudang to send representatives! But this is good—after today, the martial world should finally return to peace!”

Although the Demon Cult, calling itself the Sun and Moon Sect, was currently the most powerful force in the martial world, Shaolin and Wudang were no less formidable, and Fang Zheng and Chongxu were among the rarest masters in the world.

In past Five Mountain gatherings, Shaolin and Wudang had merely sent disciples to offer congratulations—yet today, both their leaders had come in person.

Thus, Lu Qingshan’s group followed Yue Buqun quickly to the gathering grounds.

It was a large open area near Huashan’s base; at the front stood a stone platform with five high-backed chairs arranged side by side—the seats for the Sect Masters of the Five Mountain Sword Sects.

On the other three sides, numerous wooden pavilions had been erected, each furnished with tables, chairs, and benches, meant for other Huashan disciples and visiting martial artists from major sects.

When Lu Qingshan and the others arrived, only a few Huashan disciples remained on-site; all other martial figures had gone to welcome the Songshan Sect, Shaolin, and Wudang delegations.

After all, Songshan Sect was the leader of the Five Mountain Sword Sects, and Shaolin and Wudang were the undisputed pillars of the martial world—when they arrived together, everyone naturally went to greet them!

Yet Yue Buqun paid no heed; he continued guiding Lu Qingshan’s group to Huashan’s designated position.

And just then…

“Master Yue, you’ve got quite the arrogance!”

A large group of yellow-robed men, led by Jiang Nan, arrived with a crowd of martial artists under the guidance of Huashan disciples; Jiang Nan himself shouted loudly: “The abbot of Shaolin and the Sect Master of Wudang have come in person, yet you sent only disciples to greet them!”

Yue Buqun apologized to Lu Qingshan and the others, then smiled and stepped forward: “Brother Jiang, you jest. I was merely occupied with urgent matters—never did I intend to slight any of you!”

“Brother Jiang, everyone, time is running short—let us take our seats quickly!”

Jiang Nan, seeing Yue Buqun avoid a direct response, snorted inwardly, then followed him toward the center of the venue, while others quickly found their places.

Liu Zhengfeng, who had been with Ning Zhongze leading Huashan disciples, was about to go greet the Hengshan Sect when Lu Qingshan suddenly interrupted him.

“You must be Master Liu Zhengfeng?” Lu Qingshan looked at him and smiled.

“That’s me!”

Liu Zhengfeng studied Lu Qingshan and asked curiously: “May I ask who you are?”

He had clearly heard Yue Buqun tell Ning Zhongze that Lu Qingshan’s group were Huashan’s honored guests.

Yet he scoured his memory and could not place any of them—so he was deeply curious.

Lu Qingshan did not answer Liu Zhengfeng’s question, but asked directly: “I’ve heard you and Qu Yang composed the unparalleled ‘Xiao Ao Jianghu’ melody—might I have the honor of hearing it?”

“Are you also a lover of music?” Liu Zhengfeng blinked in surprise, then a smile spread across his face.

The ‘Xiao Ao Jianghu’ was indeed his and Qu Yang’s masterpiece!

At that moment, Lu Qingshan turned to Ning Zhongze beside him: “Madam Ning, I hear Qu Yang is currently on Si Gu Cliff—why not take us there to hear the ‘Xiao Ao Jianghu’ melody?”

Ning Zhongze was startled.

Was this the time to be concerned with a melody, at such a critical moment?

But remembering Yue Buqun’s earlier instructions, she quickly replied: “If the Group Leader wishes to hear the ‘Xiao Ao Jianghu’ melody, of course—it’s no problem. What do you think, Master Liu?”

Liu Zhengfeng froze.

He had assumed Lu Qingshan’s group were the mysterious masters Yue Buqun had brought to assist him—but now…

At such a crucial moment, was this the time to listen to music?

These mysterious people might not understand—but you, Ning Zhongze, don’t understand either?

Yet their lives had been saved by Yue Buqun and Huashan—they could not refuse.

“I have no objections.”

Liu Zhengfeng glanced at Yue Buqun: “But Master Yue, shouldn’t we be assisting you?”

“No need.”

Lu Qingshan waved his hand: “The matters ahead are surely within Master Yue’s capability alone. Let’s go to Si Gu Cliff to meet Qu Yang. What about you all?”

After speaking, Lu Qingshan turned to Pang Bo and the others.

Xiao Yan quickly said: “Group Leader, I’ll go with you!”

Cao Cao and Han Li agreed as well; only Pang Bo and Tianmeng Bingchan decided to stay behind and watch the spectacle.

“Then let’s go!” Lu Qingshan said, rising immediately and walking out, utterly unconcerned with others’ opinions.

Seeing this, Ning Zhongze—remembering Yue Buqun’s earlier instructions—bit her lip and followed, dragging Liu Zhengfeng along.

Their movement naturally drew the attention of everyone present.

Others didn’t matter—but Liu Zhengfeng was one of today’s main figures; no one wanted him to leave so easily.

“Master Yue!”

Jiang Nan glared at Yue Buqun and demanded coldly: “Who are these people, to act so brazenly? And where is the Demon Cult’s Qu Yang? Bring him out!”

“Brother Jiang, don’t rush! One more guest has yet to arrive—allow me to summon him!”

Watching Ning Zhongze and Liu Zhengfeng follow Lu Qingshan away, Yue Buqun—who had originally planned to slowly pressure his opponents—suddenly changed his mind and resolved to cut through the chaos with a swift strike!

He turned toward the dense forest beside him and shouted loudly: “Lord Dongfang, since you’ve arrived, why hide in shadows? Why not show yourself?”

Hearing Yue Buqun’s words, everyone present was stunned.

The reputation of the Demon Cult’s Lord Dongfang, forged through endless slaughter, was legendary.

Yet with so many martial masters present, they were not necessarily afraid.

“Hahaha…”

A voice, indeterminate in gender, emerged from the forest, followed by a crimson-clad figure who flashed into view, landing in the center of the crowd.

“Yue Buqun, I never thought you’d detect my presence!”

The crimson figure gazed at Yue Buqun from afar: “My men I sent earlier—you’ve captured them all, haven’t you?”

“Indeed.”

Yue Buqun suddenly stood and declared: “Lord Dongfang, I gathered the martial world here to eradicate your Demon Cult. Since you’ve come today, don’t think of leaving!”

Hearing this, Dongfang Bubai scanned the crowd and sneered: “Do you think these rabble can hold me?”

“I alone am enough!”

No sooner had the words left his lips than Yue Buqun, who had been dozens of meters away, appeared instantly before Dongfang Bubai and drew his sword in a swift slash.

Seeing Yue Buqun suddenly materialize before him, Dongfang Bubai was utterly shocked—he tried to evade with his peerless body technique, but Yue Buqun’s blade had already severed his neck.

Splash!

Beneath Yue Buqun’s dazzling swordlight, Dongfang Bubai’s head and body instantly separated.

"Fellow cultivators!"

Standing beside Dongfang Bubai’s corpse, Yue Buqun scanned the crowd and said: "The Demon Cult’s Qu Yang has abandoned darkness and embraced the light—he is now an honored guest elder of our Huashan Sect. If any of you have objections, step forward and test me!"

Looking at the corpse beneath Yue Buqun’s feet, all around was silent.

How to put it? The Xiaoyao plot was not handled well. I originally intended to write it in detail, but after thinking it over, it was too cumbersome—I’ve only seen the TV adaptation, not read much of the original novel.

I revised this chapter several times today and brainstormed multiple ideas, but none were properly arranged, so I sped things up and decided to end it here. The chat group may occasionally mention developments in the Xiaoyao world, but no further plotlines will be written...

There is a second chapter, but it will come later...

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(End of Chapter)