Chapter 22: I Request Uncle-Master Liu to Commit Suicide!

In the guest room, Lu Li brought Lin Pingzhi to pay respects to Yue Buqun, and then recounted the events in Fuzhou to Yue Buqun; only then did the various disciples step forward to offer their greetings.

It must be said that ever since Lu Li had descended the mountain, Yue Buqun had been on tenterhooks, constantly regretting that he should not have let Lu Li wade into these muddy waters.

But now that Lu Li had returned safely, he finally set his heart at ease.

Lu Li was not only safe and sound, but he had also found a lucrative escort agency for Huashan; one would think that Huashan's financial situation would only improve in the future.

Looking at Lin Pingzhi, he felt this young man was also quite good, so he agreed that after returning to Huashan, they would perform the ceremony of taking a master.

Lin Pingzhi was naturally overjoyed.

Yue Buqun did not even ask about the Evil-Warding Sword Manual; in his heart, the Evil-Warding Sword Manual was no longer important.

The night passed without incident.

The next day, near noon, guests from all walks of life gathered once again.

Aside from the members of the Five Mountains Sword Sects, there was also the Beggar Sect Vice-Leader Zhang Jin'ao, and the Qujiang Two Friends, 'Divine Blade' Bai Ke and 'Divine Brush' Lu Xisi, among others.

It could be said that everyone from famous sects and great factions down to traveling merchants and peddlers had come to attend the Golden Basin Hand-Washing Ceremony, which showed the breadth of Liu Zhengfeng's connections.

Dingyi Shitai and Tianmen Daoren, seeing many disreputable characters among these guests, chose not to associate with them and returned to their rooms to rest.

Only Yue Buqun did not put on the airs of a superior Master of the Huashan Sect; even if it were someone of no reputation, as long as they offered greetings to Yue Buqun, Yue Buqun would certainly return the greeting with a smile.

Before long, the banquet began.

Liu Zhengfeng led an official into the hall.

One could see that both men were slightly plump, looking like wealthy local landlords; from a distance, they even looked like brothers.

The official picked up a scroll from a tray and began to read aloud.

Upon hearing it, it turned out he was bestowing an official title upon Liu Zhengfeng!

Many martial artists secretly felt disdain, thinking to themselves that once one becomes an official, how could one be as free and unfettered as in the Jianghu? Dingyi Shitai was among this group.

After the official finished reading, he did not stay for the gathering and left directly.

Judging by his manner, he also looked down upon this room full of Jianghu people.

Liu Zhengfeng remained calm and composed, cupping his hands to the room full of distinguished guests: "I, Liu Zhengfeng of the Hengshan Sect, was taken in by my late master; I am deeply ashamed that I have failed to restore Hengshan."

"From this day forward, I, Liu, wash my hands in the Golden Basin and will no longer concern myself with the rights and wrongs of the Jianghu. If I break this vow, may it be like this sword."

Having said this, Liu Zhengfeng flipped his right hand and drew a long sword from beneath his robe sleeve.

Liu Zhengfeng extended two fingers and snapped it with force; the long sword actually broke in two.

He loosened his palm, and the two halves of the sword plunged straight into the blue bricks.

One could see the long sword radiating a chill, easily sinking halfway into the bricks; it was certainly no ordinary item.

His action of breaking the sword was done with such ease that the crowd could not help but marvel at his profound internal energy.

Liu Zhengfeng turned and reached out, about to place his hands into the Golden Basin.

If nothing unexpected happened, he would have successfully washed his hands in the Golden Basin and retired from the Jianghu.

But if nothing unexpected happened, something unexpected would surely happen.

"Wait!"

Outside the door, a loud shout suddenly rang out.

Following closely, ten men in yellow robes strode in; the leader, with a cold and stern expression, was the Songshan Sect disciple 'Thousand-Zhang Pine' Shi Dengda.

Shi Dengda held up the Five Mountains Command Flag and said: "By the order of the Five Mountains Alliance Leader, I ask that Uncle-Master Liu postpone the Golden Basin Hand-Washing."

Liu Zhengfeng knew clearly in his heart that his Golden Basin Hand-Washing was due to his close friend Qu Yang; now that he was being blocked by Shi Dengda, he immediately felt that something was wrong.

"Nephew, why do this? Today's Golden Basin Hand-Washing is my own private affair and has nothing to do with the Five Mountains Sword Sects."

"Please convey to Alliance Leader Zuo that today, I, Liu, will not accept the Command Flag."

As he spoke, he reached toward the basin.

But the people who had come were not just Shi Dengda.

Suddenly, three flying daggers shot in from outside the room, aiming at Liu Zhengfeng's palm, throat, and the water-filled Golden Basin.

Liu Zhengfeng turned his body sharply.

He dodged two of the flying daggers, but the Golden Basin was knocked to the ground.

The crowd looked up to see that three of the Songshan Thirteen Taibao had actually arrived!

They were the Great Songyang Hand Fei Bin, the Immortal Crane Hand Lu Bai, and the leader of the Thirteen Taibao, the Tower-Lifting Hand Ding Mian: "Brother Liu, the matter of the Golden Basin Hand-Washing should be put off for a while."

This sudden turn of events left everyone in the hall solemn, knowing that a major incident was about to occur today.

Liu Zhengfeng, suppressing his anger, said: "Your Songshan Sect is being so aggressive; what is the meaning of this?"

"Liu Zhengfeng, you have colluded with the villains of the Demonic Cult; do you still want to retire from the martial arts world so easily?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd was in an uproar.

"Do you recognize the Demonic Cult Elder Qu Yang?"

Upon hearing the name 'Qu Yang', Liu Zhengfeng's expression changed drastically; he sighed and said: "It is true, not only do I know Brother Qu Yang, he is also the friend I respect the most."

"We hit it off the moment we met, and we have only ever discussed music; I play the flute, he plays the zither, and we have never discussed any topic other than music."

Ding Mian seemed unable to understand Liu Zhengfeng's line of thinking and said loudly: "The people of the Demonic Cult have strange ways; I fear he only befriended you through music. As long as Junior Brother Liu reveals Qu Yang's whereabouts, our Songshan Sect guarantees to let bygones be bygones!"

"Otherwise, your family will also be implicated; Junior Brother Liu had better think clearly."

Who would have thought that Liu Zhengfeng would shake his head and say: "Music cannot lie."

"The friendship between Brother Qu and me is as clear as the wind and the moon; even if you kill my entire family, I, Liu, will never betray Brother Qu."

Among the heroes, many had deep blood feuds with the Demonic Cult, and seeing Liu Zhengfeng's reaction, they could not help but feel disappointed.

"Is that so? Bring them up."

At Ding Mian's command, yellow-robed disciples appeared on the roof, at the doorway, and in the corners of the courtyard.

This entire Liu Mansion had actually already been surrounded by the Songshan Sect.

Another group of Songshan Sect disciples walked into the main hall, escorting the family members of Liu Zhengfeng.

"Liu Zhengfeng, you have colluded with the evildoers of the Demonic Cult and remain obsessed and unrepentant; you cannot blame us for this."

Having said this, Lu Bai drew a long sword and held it against the neck of Liu Zhengfeng's son.

At this very moment, a flash of sword light suddenly surged forth, thrusting toward Lu Bai.

The sword light thrust three times in succession, and Lu Bai retreated three steps in succession.

After the three sword strikes, a figure flashed, the Songshan Sect disciples responsible for guarding the captives all fainted to the ground, and Lu Li stood before the Liu Family family members.

"Nephew Lu, what is the meaning of this? Could it be that you, like Liu Zhengfeng, have associated with the Demonic Cult?"

Lu Bai's tone was icy.

Lu Li shook his head and said, "Uncle Lu, do not make false accusations. I, like the uncles of the Songshan Sect, also feel that Uncle Liu should not have done this."

"It is just that we are the Five Mountains Sword Sects; what difference is there between us and the Demonic Cult if we kill entire families and wipe out clans at every turn?"

The crowd of heroes thought about it, and it was indeed so.

As the saying goes, Jianghu matters are settled in the Jianghu; unless there is a deep-seated hatred, one would never wipe out an entire family.

Furthermore, you are the Songshan Sect, a righteous sect of high standing.

Lu Li's words were practically a direct insult to their faces—did the Songshan Sect still want any dignity? Lu Li knew that today's events were not merely as simple as Jianghu morality, but were the first step in opposing the Songshan Sect.

If he could protect the Liu Family family members, the Hengshan Sect would be closer to the Huashan Sect in the future, and the Huashan Sect would also be standing on the side of humanity; no matter who in the Jianghu judged it, they would be the side that received support.

Dingyi Shitai was a monastic, and her heart was moved by compassion.

"Brother Ding, killing the women and children of the Liu Family is truly a sin."

"Indeed."

"The Songshan Sect has gone a bit too far."

The crowd of heroes spoke up one after another in agreement.

Liu Zhengfeng deserved to die, but wiping out his family like this was not right.

At the very least, it should be done behind... Seeing everyone pleading for him, hope rose in Liu Zhengfeng's heart, and he spoke: "Fellow brothers, please convey to Alliance Master Zuo that I, Liu, am willing to take my family far away beyond the Great Wall and never set foot in the Central Plains again for the rest of my life."

Just as everyone felt this was a good idea, Dingyi Shitai had already spoken: "This plan is excellent."

Yue Buqun was about to speak in agreement when he suddenly heard a voice of opposition.

"It is not appropriate."

Turning his head to look, it was actually Lu Li who opposed this matter.

The crowd was confused; why did Lu Li start by pleading for the Liu Family, only to oppose it now? "Nephew Lu, what exactly do you mean?"

Ding Mian asked in a deep voice.

"I, Lu, protected the Liu Family family members because I do not wish to increase the slaughter in vain, and I am also willing to personally escort the Liu Family family members to the Western Regions beyond the Great Wall, but Uncle Liu cannot go."

"How can one who has associated with the evildoers of the Demonic Cult be let off like this?"

"If Uncle Liu is willing to hand over the whereabouts of Qu Yang, he can naturally go to the lands beyond the Great Wall together."

"If Uncle Liu insists on protecting Qu Yang of the Demonic Cult, then..."

Lu Li turned around and bowed to Liu Zhengfeng.

"Lu Li of the Huashan Sect requests that Uncle Liu end his own life."