Chapter 32: Remnants of the Old Era

Huashan mountain path.

Lu Li and Liang Fa walked side by side.

Through the gaps in the deep, lush vegetation, one could see a waterfall cascading down from the strange rocks and precipitous mountains, splashing up flying pearls like jade.

Looking toward the summit, one could faintly see red walls and tiled roofs; these were the buildings of Huashan situated on various peaks.

After many days, walking on the familiar Huashan again and looking at the surrounding mountain rocks, Lu Li felt his footsteps had become much lighter.

Meanwhile, Liang Fa beside him occasionally wore a look of joy and then furrowed his brows, seemingly racking his brains over something, his body also lagging half a step behind Lu Li.

Suddenly, Liang Fa spoke: "Second Senior Brother, I can understand the matter of flaws, but I still don't understand how having no moves can defeat having moves."

Liang Fa was seen casually gesturing the moves of the Huashan Sword Technique, using his fingers as a sword, and thrusting out three swords in succession.

"Senior Brother, the sequence of these three swords of mine, when linked together, is an extremely formidable killing move.

According to the modifications you made on the road, the flaws are even harder to find; how could it possibly be inferior to a sword technique without moves?"

Lu Li laughed: "It doesn't matter if you don't understand; there are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand readers' eyes.

Perhaps you can change your perspective: when you have practiced all sword moves to the realm of Mastery, the single sword you execute casually is also an extremely formidable sword move; relatively speaking, even the most formidable sword move becomes a move-less one."

Lu Li used his finger as a sword and smoothly dismantled Liang Fa's finger-sword.

As it turned out, all along this journey, Lu Li had been teaching Liang Fa some advanced sword techniques.

For example, the Huashan Sword Technique after his modifications, as well as several exquisite sword moves from the Five Mountains Sword Technique.

However, not everyone's comprehension could reach the level of Lu Li and Linghu Chong, nor did everyone pursue the Dugu Nine Swords.

Therefore, Lu Li did not forcibly instill the philosophy of "no moves defeating moves," but instead let Liang Fa find his own way.

And Liang Fa's way was diligent study.

He was not as clever as Linghu Chong, but he excelled in being down-to-earth.

Liang Fa practiced every sword technique Lu Li taught him with great diligence.

His current swordsmanship was already that of a rare expert in the pugilistic world.

If they were not forcing internal energy, Lu Li estimated that Liang Fa's level was equivalent to 0.8 of Fei Bin.

Liang Fa nodded, secretly swearing in his heart to practice every single move to Mastery.

Even if he did not know who Hamlet was.

The two followed the mountain road until they reached the boundary marker of the mountain gate.

Liang Fa asked in confusion: "Where are today's mountain-guarding disciples?"

It was strange to say, but the two did not see any mountain-guarding disciples at the gate.

Lu Li's heart stirred; could something have happened on Huashan? "Let's go, I'm afraid guests have arrived."

...... Huashan Zhengqi Hall.

Standing inside the hall was a tall and thin man; he was the Great Taibao of the Songshan Sect, Tower-Lifting Hand Ding Mian.

Besides him, there were the Fourth Taibao, Great Yin-Yang Hand Le Hou, as well as the Elder of the Hengshan Sect, Lu Lianrong, and Yuyinzi of the Taishan Sect.

Ding Mian stood with his hands behind his back and said loudly: "Sect Leader Yue, this matter concerns the orthodox succession of Huashan and cannot be taken lightly. As we of the Five Mountains are connected like branches, we cannot ignore it."

The Elder of the Hengshan Sect, Lu Lianrong, echoed: "Indeed, this matter concerns the ownership of the Huashan Sect Leader position; we of Taishan and Hengshan must come to witness it."

Upon hearing this, Ning Zhongze could not help but press her hand on her sword hilt and say: "Huashan orthodox?"

"Brother Feng, please speak clearly.

Back then, you of the Sword Sect admitted defeat and left the sect yourselves, acknowledging that you were no longer Huashan disciples.

When the Huashan Sect was at its weakest, who was holding it up? Now that Huashan is gradually getting better, you come to stir up trouble again?"

"If you truly had ambition, why not establish your own sect in the pugilistic world and hold your head high?"

Behind Ding Mian stood three people.

The leader, with a sallow complexion and a heavy air of hostility, was Feng Buping of the Huashan Sword Sect.

The two behind him were Cheng Buyou and Cong Buqi.

Only hearing Cheng Buyou say: "Hmph!

Back then, you of the Qi Sect used conspiracies and tricks,

otherwise, it wouldn't necessarily have been you who won.

We have already reported this matter to Alliance Master Zuo, and today we come with the Five Mountains Command Flag to re-determine the Huashan Sect Leader."

As he spoke, he raised the Five Mountains Command Flag in his hand.

Seeing the Five Mountains Command Flag, Yue Buqun could not help but look solemn.

He had always known that Zuo Lengchan was ambitious and had been wanting to annex the other four sects.

The incident caused by Liu Zhengfeng's Golden Basin Hand-Washing that day was likely related to this as well.

Yet he did not expect that he would bring the people of the Sword Sect to Huashan so quickly; it must have been a long-planned scheme.

Among the three of the Sword Sect, Feng Buping had the highest martial arts.

He saw him take a step forward and sneered: "Yue Buqun, today people from the four sects are all present to witness.

Let us of the Sword and Qi Sects compete with swords again, best of three."

"The winner becomes the Huashan Sect Leader; the loser rolls off Huashan."

"Do you dare to accept?"

After speaking, Feng Buping and the others looked at Yue Buqun with contempt.

They had already calculated everything.

The only ones capable of fighting in the Huashan Sect were Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze.

As for the remaining second-generation disciples, even though there were two quite outstanding ones like Linghu Chong and Lu Li, they were only of the younger generation; they likely were not the opponents of people like Feng Buping.

Furthermore, after the Liu Mansion incident, Zuo Lengchan had already sensed signs of Huashan's faint revival, so he immediately sent Ding Mian to bring Feng Buping of the Sword Sect to Huashan to contend for the Sect Leader position.

Furthermore, the second disciple Lu Li has also gone to escort the Liu Family dependents; at this moment, Huashan has absolutely no one capable of fighting!

Therefore, Feng Buping's confidence is currently soaring.

Yet strangely, he did not see any tension on the faces of Yue Buqun or the various Huashan disciples.

Even when he proposed the best-of-three format, he saw Yue Buqun's expression suddenly relax.

What is going on? You all should be facing a formidable enemy, feeling very nervous and worried!

Feng Buping: The plot is not right!

Linghu Chong raised his eyebrows and held his sword horizontally across his chest.

"Why use a butcher's knife to kill a chicken? To deal with the likes of you, where is the need for Master to take action himself?"

"What Sword Sect or not; when it comes to sword techniques, I fear you are not even as good as me, a disciple."

Yue Buqun reprimanded, "Chong'er, do not be rude."

One could see that although Yue Buqun was reprimanding Linghu Chong, the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned!

Little did they know, Yue Buqun was currently struggling to keep from laughing out loud.

His appearance was a bit like a student who had been praised by a teacher in class when he was young.

Happy, but insisting on pretending not to care.

'Best-of-three... If it were the Huashan of the past, it would truly be difficult to fend off.

'But now, both my wife and I have practiced the sword techniques on Siguo Cliff, our martial arts far surpassing what they were before, and the martial arts of my eldest disciple Linghu Chong are no longer inferior to my own.

'It is only a pity that Li'er is not on the mountain; otherwise, Feng Buping would probably be beaten until he cried.'

And all these changes seemed to have been triggered by Lu Li.

'When he left, he said Zuo Lengchan would deal with Huashan; could it be that he foresaw today?' 'I also don't know how Li'er and Fa'er are doing; they are escorting the Liu Family dependents, I fear they will encounter an ambush by the Songshan Sect.'

Before Yue Buqun could speak, a voice suddenly came from outside.

"Best-of-three? What is there to be afraid of accepting?"

Everyone looked toward the sound and saw two Huashan disciples walking in; they were none other than Lu Li and Liang Fa.

"Li'er, Fa'er, you have returned."

"Greetings, Master, Mistress."

"Eh, good!

Good..."

Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze's faces broke into genuine smiles.

It was that feeling of an old father and mother watching their child go on a long journey, having worried for a long time and finally seeing them return safely.

Yue Buqun had originally been worried that Zuo Lengchan would make a move against Lu Li and the people of the Liu Mansion; now that he saw Lu Li had returned, he could finally truly set his mind at ease.

And below, Ding Mian and Le Hou exchanged a glance, both feeling suspicious in their hearts.

'This Lu Li and Liang Fa look like nothing happened to them at all; could it be that Lu Bai took the wrong road?' Little did they know, their several brothers from the Songshan Sect had already been thoroughly buried in the wind and sand of the Helan Ancient Road.

At this moment, Lu Li turned around, scanned the three men including Feng Buping, and said indifferently: "Huashan Sword Sect? You are nothing but remnants of an old era.

The ship of the new era that is Huashan no longer has a place to carry you."

"Since the three of you insist on a sword duel, it shall be accepted by the new generation of disciples of our sect, and let you recognize the new Huashan once again."

"Eldest Senior Brother, Third Junior Brother, no problem, right?"

Linghu Chong and Liang Fa smiled at each other and answered in unison: "No problem."

"Huashan's eldest disciple Linghu Chong, second disciple Lu Li, third disciple Liang Fa.

Please, Sword Sect, grant us your instruction."

The three stood side by side, blocking the path in front of Feng Buping and his two companions.

Just in their youth, high-spirited and vigorous.