While on Mount Hua, my mind is at peace!

Chapter 43 Split into Two Groups

That evening, Mr. Mo scolded Liu Zhengfeng for a long time, but still couldn't change his mind. Among everyone present, only Yue Feng knew why Liu Zhengfeng was so insistent; the others were puzzled but helpless.

Wu Qingcang said, "If the Golden Basin Washing Hands Ceremony is still to be held, Cao Yi will definitely take this opportunity to avenge his son and at the same time achieve the Eastern Depot's goal in Hengyang."

Liu Zhengfeng said, "That's perfect. You all go, and I'll stay here to draw his attention. That way, the Eastern Depot shouldn't send anyone to pursue us, and everyone can evacuate safely."

Yue Buqun and the others, being members of the Five Mountains Sword Sect alongside Liu Zhengfeng, couldn't bear to see him act this way. They tried to persuade him again, one after another. But Liu Zhengfeng wouldn't listen.

Master Mo was furious and tried several times to draw his sword and subdue Liu Zhengfeng. Seeing that things were not going well, Wu Qingcang quickly ordered his servants to bring fish soup and said to everyone, "Please give me some face and try my new chef's fish soup. Whether it's good or bad, I'd appreciate your comments!"

Everyone held Wu Qingcang in high esteem, and upon hearing his words, they began to drink the fish soup, which was indeed incredibly delicious. Everyone praised it highly, and Wu Qingcang seized the opportunity to add, "Since Brother Liu is so determined to retire from the fish business, we shouldn't force him."

"I have a plan. We will divide everyone here into two groups. One group will stay in Hengyang with Brother Liu and hold a ceremony to cleanse our hands of our past. After the ceremony, we will leave."

"The other team should make a big show of it and leave the city as soon as possible to draw away some of the Eastern Depot's agents in Hengyang. This way, both teams will be under pressure, but neither will be too much. What do you all think?"

Yue Buqun frowned and said, "The plan is good, but I'm afraid it will be defeated one by one by the Eastern Depot."

Wu Qingcang said, "Therefore, the second group must be united as one and must not scatter. Even the heroes of the Qingcheng Sect should try to stay together."

All eyes turned to Xie Tianqing, who nodded: "The Qingcheng Sect is willing to work together with all our comrades from the Five Mountains Sword Sect to overcome this difficult time."

Yue Buqun continued, "Even so, there are still many dangers involved. What if Cao Yi sees through our plan, abandons one route, and concentrates his forces to annihilate the other?"

Everyone nodded secretly; what Yue Buqun said was exactly what they were most worried about. Wu Qingcang chuckled:

"Cao Yi is power-hungry and extremely confident in his martial arts skills, so he will never give up any path. That being said, this is still a high-stakes gamble. Whether to gamble and how to gamble is up to you."

Master Mo cursed Liu Zhengfeng: "For you alone, so many fellow martial artists have been caused great distress, and perhaps even more will die in Hengyang. What kind of Hengshan disciple are you!"

Liu Zhengfeng's eyes were bloodshot, and he gritted his teeth, remaining silent. Master Mo stared at him for a long time, then suddenly let out a long sigh, bowed deeply to Yue Buqun and the others, and said, "Our sect is unworthy, producing such a disgrace. I, Master Mo, apologize to you all!"

Everyone quickly helped Master Mo to his feet. Wu Qingcang said, "Let's discuss who will lead the first route and who will lead the second. In my humble opinion..."

Yue Feng suddenly spoke up: "Chief Constable Wu, let me and a few of my brothers stay in Hengyang, and the rest of you go to Mount Hua with my father."

Yue Buqun felt a wave of dizziness, rubbed his forehead, and hurriedly said to Wu Qingcang, "Lord Wu, my son is young and impulsive. Please don't take his words seriously! Hengyang is the center of the vortex, and it should be guarded by someone more capable."

Wu Qingcang smiled without saying a word, and the others all had strange expressions. Yue Buqun suddenly recalled the scene of Yue Feng killing Cao Jun at the Xu residence. Yes, wasn't this kid the most capable person among his group?

Wu Qingcang observed Yue Buqun's expression and, seeing that he understood, said to Yue Buqun, "Brother Yue, rest assured. My granddaughter and I will also stay in Hengyang and will certainly protect Young Hero Yue."

No matter how much Mr. Mo disliked Liu Zhengfeng, he stepped forward and said, "I will not go to Mount Hua for now. I will deal with the matter in Hengyang City first."

Yue Buqun sighed and nodded, saying, "In that case, I entrust my son to you two."

"No problem. Everyone is tired, so why don't you stay at my humble abode for the night? Tomorrow you can pack your things and prepare to leave the city."

Everyone was indeed tired. After thanking Wu Qingcang, they were led to their respective rooms by servants.

Due to the large number of people and limited rooms, Yue Buqun and his son Yue Feng were assigned to the same room. Upon entering, Yue Feng lit a candle. This was the first time the father and son had been alone together since Yue Feng left the mountain.

Yue Buqun stared at Yue Feng with a complex expression. After a long while, he slowly spoke, "I won't ask where you learned your martial arts, nor will I ask what happened along the way. I only ask you, where is your second senior brother?"

Yue Feng told Yue Buqun about Lao Denuo's background and his actions in Fuzhou. Yue Buqun smiled coldly:

"I knew he was a spy for the Songshan Sect all along, but I just hadn't figured out how to use him. This is good, though; without a spies around me, I can sleep a little more soundly from now on."

Seeing the writing implements all laid out on the table, Yue Feng went over and meticulously copied down the sword techniques of the Changkong Dangmo Sword from memory. Yue Buqun took the sword manual and, even with his vast knowledge, was utterly astonished: "Where did you obtain such wondrous sword techniques?"

Yue Feng laughed and said, "Would you believe me if I said it was divinely inspired?"

Yue Buqun glared at Yue Feng, knowing he wasn't telling the truth, but too lazy to ask further. Just as he was about to delve into the sword manual, Yue Feng spoke again:

"There is a secret cave on the Cliff of Repentance in our sect, which I discovered by chance before I came down the mountain. Inside are some lost martial arts techniques of the Five Mountains Sword Sect, as well as some lost martial arts techniques of the Ten Elders of the Demonic Sect. After you return, Father, you can try to share these martial arts techniques with the leaders of the Five Mountains Sword Sect and the Qingcheng Sect."

Yue Buqun's eyes lit up, and he brandished the sword manual in his hand: "How do those martial arts compare to your swordsmanship?"

"Fireflies are more beautiful than the bright moon."

"Since that's the case, I understand," Yue Buqun said, feigning magnanimity. He understood Yue Feng's intention: to let him take this opportunity to win over people's hearts. The martial arts world was in turmoil, and people were filled with anxiety; it was indeed the best opportunity for him to rise to power.

Thinking of this, Yue Buqun couldn't help but sigh, "It is said that no one knows a son better than his father, but no one knows a father better than his son!"

After Yue Feng finished talking with Yue Buqun, he left Yue Buqun in the room to study the sword manual and went to chat with Deng Jun and the others for a while. Deng Jun, Chen Ji, and Linghu Chong shared a room. Although the three had not known each other for long, they had already become close friends.

The group chatted happily, drinking tea instead of wine, their hearts overflowing with understanding. It wasn't until midnight that Yue Feng emerged from Deng Jun and the others' room. Thinking that Yue Buqun might still be studying the sword manual, he didn't want to disturb him. Seeing the bright moon in the sky, he leaped onto the roof.

Suddenly, a clear, cold female voice asked, "What are you doing here?" Yue Feng turned his head and saw Wu Shuangxue with an indifferent expression.