Chapter 31: Yue Buqun's Shady Maneuver

Songshan Sect, atop the fighting stage

"Gulp…"

Zuo Lengchan, a top-tier expert of the Wu Lin, silently swallowed.

A sidelong glance at the longsword behind him left him with a lingering sense of dread.

That sword had just grazed past his cheek.

Had Yue Buqun not held back his killing intent, his head would likely already be separated from his body by now.

Zuo Lengchan stared at Yue Buqun before him in horror; at this moment, the fury in his heart could no longer be suppressed.

Which two idiots had gone to probe Yue Buqun back then?

Didn't they say his strength was utterly unremarkable?

And this is the result?

And they call this unremarkable?

If this counts as unremarkable, could anyone else in the entire Wu Lin even be found!

Those two who went to probe his strength really should be dragged out and beheaded.

Fury raged within, but the situation before his eyes still had to go on.

He was the Sect Leader of Songshan Sect—if he surrendered outright now!

Then the face of their Songshan Sect would be utterly lost!

His own face, Zuo Lengchan's, would also be utterly lost.

From this day forth, how could he, Zuo Lengchan, still keep his footing in the Wu Lin!

"Boom!"

The instant Zuo Lengchan had just steeled his resolve, a thunderous crash rang out at his side.

Zuo Lengchan, still shaken with fear, glanced over and saw that on the stone bricks of the fighting stage beside him, Yue Buqun had, with his profound internal force, unmistakably imprinted a palm imprint.

"Gulp…"

For a moment, all around the fighting stage, countless Wu Lin folk fell utterly silent, struck dumb.

Staring blankly at Yue Buqun, they no longer knew what to say.

"Sigh, sometimes being too strong isn't good either—easy to leak out!"

With another sigh, Zuo Lengchan atop the fighting stage was jolted awake in an instant.

Who was he, where was he, what was he about to do?

Right—if he surrendered, the face of their Songshan Sect would be lost, and his own face, Zuo Lengchan's, would be lost too.

So how could he, Zuo Lengchan, possibly fail to surrender over a mere matter of face?

"Sect Leader Yue's mastery borders on the marvels of creation—none can compare!"

Dropping straight to one knee in a half-kneel, Zuo Lengchan uttered the words respectfully.

What? You said someone was just swearing to die rather than yield?

Nonsense—Zuo Lengchan is not that kind of person.

How much is face even worth? Would he fail to surrender over that?

Don't be ridiculous—that's impossible!

"Mm, then judging by Sect Leader Zuo's meaning, the position of Alliance Leader of the Five Mountains Alliance?"

Seeing Zuo Lengchan so sensible, Yue Buqun was quite gratified.

If Zuo Lengchan had been any less sensible, he would have been in quite a headache.

As for why Yue Buqun spared Zuo Lengchan—

Naturally, it was to make money!

Among the Five Mountains Sword Sects, Songshan Sect was the most powerful!

How could Yue Buqun possibly pass up such a natural money-making tool.

And as for killing Zuo Lengchan and taking control of Songshan Sect himself—

Yue Buqun simply didn't have the time to manage it.

Besides, Songshan Sect's methods of amassing wealth were a bit over the top.

He, Yue Buqun, was the Gentleman Sword.

If he took over, his reputation in the Wu Lin would be ruined.

After all, Zuo Lengchan may have no shame, but he, Yue Buqun, did!

Zuo Lengchan at the side was speechless, choking on his words.

Zuo Lengchan: This old man here thanks you so damn much!

So, keeping Zuo Lengchan around to help him amass wealth without damaging his own reputation—why not?

As for Zuo Lengchan refusing—

He wouldn't dare refuse!

Yue Buqun, a smile on his face, walked over unhurriedly and patted Zuo Lengchan on the shoulder.

"The position of Alliance Leader of the Five Mountains Alliance naturally belongs to Sect Leader Yue!"

Even though he was unwilling a hundred times over in his heart, circumstances were stronger than men.

Zuo Lengchan may have been slow to react, but he wasn't blind.

Yue Buqun's strength could kill him as easily as turning over his hand!

At a time like this, if he didn't grovel, was he looking to die?

"Hahaha, since that is so, then this Yue will not stand on ceremony!"

With a light laugh, Yue Buqun directly accepted the position of Five Peaks Alliance leader.

With his current strength, he wouldn't have given a damn about the leader's seat—if not for the money.

"Hail the Alliance Leader!"

The new leader of the Five Peaks Alliance was now confirmed.

The martial artists from the Five Peaks Sword Sects all bowed and spoke in unison.

For figures like Mo Da of the Hengshan Sect and Abbess Dingyi Shitai of the Hengshan Sect,

his election was widely accepted.

After all, Yue Buqun's strength spoke for itself.

They couldn't beat him in a fight.

Moreover, Yue Buqun's reputation in the Jianghu had always been excellent.

He was known as the Gentleman of the Gentleman's Sword.

Under his leadership, the Five Peaks Sword Sects would surely fare much better.

Yet, just as everyone held this belief,

Yue Buqun, now seated on the Alliance Leader's throne, stood in the center of the arena.

His gaze swept over the crowd below, and he felt the time had come to execute his plan.

He had worked tirelessly, journeying this far.

It was never for this Alliance Leader position.

To him now, the Alliance Leader's seat was worth a damn.

The old Yue Buqun might have pursued it, to elevate the honor of Huashan Sect and himself.

But now he had encountered a celestial connection.

What honor? What glory!

All of it, go to hell.

With this celestial connection, Yue Buqun might even achieve immortality like a celestial being.

Why would he need the Five Peaks Alliance Leader position to add to his glory?

All he wanted now was one thing!

Money—golden, glittering money!

With money, Yue Buqun could achieve immortality.

Without money, he couldn't even afford a decent meal.

So, before coming here, Yue Buqun had already decided on his plan for the Alliance Leader position.

"Gentlemen, since I, Yue, have today become the leader of the Five Peaks Sword Sects,"

standing atop the arena, Yue Buqun gathered his formidable inner energy, and his voice instantly spread across all of Songshan.

"I hereby vow that from this day forward, the Five Peaks Sword Sects shall never again be troubled by the Mo Sect!"

Yue Buqun's words echoed throughout the arena.

Instantly, the Five Peaks Sword Sects erupted in joy, applauding excitedly.

Mo Da and Abbess Dingyi Shitai exchanged glances and smiled with relief.

Indeed, choosing Yue Buqun as leader was the right decision.

His internal energy cultivation must be unmatched in the Wu Lin.

His grand ambition—none of us have been misled!

Yet, just as Mo Da, Abbess Dingyi Shitai, and others rejoiced,

Yue Buqun's voice atop the arena took a sudden turn.

"But since all of you have joined the Five Peaks Sword Sects, to better safeguard your sects' finances from being targeted by Mo Sect bandits, I am willing to personally safeguard them for you!"

As soon as he spoke, the cheers across the arena fell silent.

The martial artists stared at Yue Buqun in shock.

Even Mo Da and Abbess Dingyi Shitai were dumbfounded.

What do you mean, "part of your finances, to prevent bandits from coveting them"?

What do you mean, "hand them over to me for safekeeping"?

You've got to be kidding—do you think we're all fools?

Yue Buqun, could your words be any more dishonest?

Those who had just supported Yue Buqun—Mo Da and others—now instantly changed their minds.

May I ask—can we still withdraw our support for Yue Buqun as Alliance Leader?