blueteamnovel Chapter 74 Pointing out the murderer, fighting the trapped beast
Chapter 74 Pointing out the murderer, fighting the trapped beast
Chapter 75 Pointing out the murderer, fighting the trapped beast
The courtesy shown by the White Egret Sword Sect was unprecedented for Lin Zhuo. In the past, he had always been a member of the crowd clapping or a soldier shouting in the ranks.
Now, he is a young grandmaster ranked ninth on the Earthly Ranking, regarded as an honored guest by renowned sects in the martial arts world, and admired, amazed, and envied by many outstanding martial artists of his age, listening to their unanimous welcome.
Lin Zhuo pondered for a moment, then clasped his hands in return and said loudly, "Your esteemed sect's hospitality is too much for me. Please keep things simple. We are all young men of the martial world, enjoying our wine and food. I am truly unworthy of the trouble you all have made a special trip to welcome us."
Upon hearing this, many young disciples looked at him with even more affection, and even the various hall masters and the sect leader Chang Mingzi smiled and nodded.
"What a fine young man who knows how to conduct himself properly and is well-mannered. I thought that someone who could master such martial arts must be arrogant and haughty, but who would have thought that he is such a humble gentleman." The Master of the Weapon Forging Hall praised him in a rough voice.
Chang Mingzi announced loudly, "Disciples, listen to my command!"
"As the sect leader commands."
"Since our distinguished guest has spoken, you need not wait here. All matters for today shall be put on hold. Return to your quarters and sit quietly behind closed doors."
All the disciples scattered, but on their way back to their dormitories, many Taoists were still wondering why the sect leader's order today was unusual. They wondered why, with such distinguished guests at their door, they were not allowed to move around outside.
Chang Mingzi turned to look at his eldest disciple Qinghong and nodded slightly. Qinghong immediately understood and hurriedly took his leave.
Lin Zhuo saw Qing Hong's fleeting figure and knew that he was preparing to set up an ambush on the main road down the mountain, waiting for the Demonic Sect's spies to escape and walk into the trap.
Chang Mingzi asked the other palace masters to stay and entertain the guest, and then invited Lin Zhuo into the main hall of the Dao Palace.
Now that he was closer, Lin Zhuo was able to observe more closely the world's top experts, martial artists known in the martial arts world as Grandmasters of the Heavenly Ranking.
The world of "Cangcheng" is like a small pond for players on the cross-platform game, a place where fry can swim and newcomers can grow safely. But even in this shallow water, countless beings still live. Those who can stand out in the mortal world and reach the end of the path of Qi Master are all extraordinary figures.
What kind of training and trials must they undergo to cultivate a spiritual will that can bear the essence of heaven and earth? Only then can they express their brilliant martial arts and make the whole world bow down in recognition?
Don't underestimate the heroes of this world just because their goal is low.
In Lin Zhuo's eyes, Chang Mingzi had a natural demeanor. He looked like an old man with gray hair, while the various palace masters around him were around forty years old. In fact, their ages were not much different.
If you want to become strong, you must bear the price. Heavenly tribulations will not forgive any once-glorious and outstanding talents.
The group sat down for tea, exchanged pleasantries, and complimented each other. Lin Zhuo said he had long admired them all, and the senior members of the sword sect praised him for his youthful talent. There was genuine affection between them.
Jin Xiaohu had no interest in human social interactions, and he kept yawning as he listened, squeezing out two lazy tears with his squinted eyes.
Chang Mingzi stroked his beard and smiled, looking at the tabby cat. "Are you the spirit beast Jin Xiaohu? I've heard you can speak human language. Would you do me the honor of replying to this old Taoist priest for a few words?"
The other hall masters thought to themselves: Could it be that our sect leader has become confused from practicing his skills?
Jin Xiaohu waved his paws like a lucky cat, then lazily shook his head and said, "Cats don't handle negotiations. People, don't bother me."
Chang Mingzi remained calm and composed, but when he saw his junior brothers and sisters jumping up from their seats in fright, and when he saw the disciples serving tea and incense staring in disbelief, he couldn't help but burst out laughing.
The old Taoist priest laughed and said, "There are rare flowers and herbs in the world that can bring the dead back to life and heal the wounded. Moreover, there have been stories of strange beasts since ancient times. Why are you making such a fuss? It's really unbecoming. Young Master Lin, please forgive my rudeness."
After everyone finished chatting and laughing, Chang Mingzi stopped laughing and became solemn.
"Young Master Lin has brought a great gift with him on this trip. My disciple Qinghong is of upright character, but having lived in the sect for so long, he has little experience in the martial world. He was actually taken advantage of by someone with ulterior motives and was deceived into having close ties with Hong Yingniang, the most beautiful courtesan in Anzhou's Golden Pavilion, almost letting a wolf into the house."
"What do you mean by that, Sect Leader?" The Master of the Medicine Fragrance Hall felt a jolt in his heart, but his face remained impassive as he asked softly.
The head of the Shi Nong Hall had a simple and honest appearance, but a remarkably fiery and straightforward temper. He immediately roared, "Go find Jin Lou right now and demand an explanation! Since that courtesan harbors such wolfish ambitions, she should be captured and interrogated!"
"Don't be rash. Qinghong is ignorant, and the courtesan is innocent. Let me tell you the details, young hero Lin."
Now that Chang Mingzi has spoken, all the palace masters know that today's grand display, seemingly to welcome guests, is actually to use the power of outsiders to rectify the family's reputation.
For a moment, everyone was filled with a thousand thoughts, their expressions became calm and still, and they remained silent, only pressing their heavy gazes on Lin Zhuo.
Lin Zhuo naturally had nothing to fear. He raised his hand and pointed, "Your sect has a high-ranking spy from the Demonic Sect who plans to work with the Demonic Sect's Mighty Heavenly King, Mo Weiren, to severely damage the White Egret Sword Sect. This person is none other than Chang Xi, the Master of the Medicine Fragrance Hall."
Chang Xi suddenly slammed his fist on the table and stood up. In his excitement, he unleashed his true energy, which shattered the fine pear wood.
"How dare you, brat, deceive me! I respect you as a Grandmaster of the Earthly Ranking, and addressing you as 'Young Hero' is already a sign of courtesy. How can I allow you to openly spread rumors here!"
A commotion erupted inside the main hall.
Lin Zhuo stood with his hands behind his back, coldly observing the man. "What's your hurry? I haven't even started listing the evidence yet, and you're already jumping out to refute me. I guess you're trying to say that you, along with the other hall masters and Daoist Chang Mingzi, all entered the sect to cultivate from childhood, growing up together, and that your background is clean and you have nothing to fear from investigation." Is that so?
"You! Whether I am innocent or not is not for an outsider like you to judge! Fellow disciples, Sect Leader, forgive my rudeness, but I will demand an explanation today!"
Chang Mingzi silenced the clamor and asked Lin Zhuo to continue, his bias quite evident.
Seeing this, Chang Xi's heart sank. He secretly recalled the mistakes he might have made over the years and the mess he hadn't cleaned up. He forced a bitter smile and said, "Senior Brother Headmaster, you've allowed this brat to criticize your junior brother. Did you have this in mind all along? Or have you been displeased with my inappropriate behavior over the years?"
"Shut up, all of you!" Chang Mingzi shouted again, rubbing his forehead as if he had a terrible headache. The palace masters had all been beaten by their senior brother when they were young, and seeing this familiar starting gesture, they all shrank back and dared not speak up for Chang Xi.
When the hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, Lin Zhuo and Chang Xi locked eyes, neither giving an inch, and began reciting a list of strange cases that had occurred in the White Egret Sword Sect in recent years, such as disciples in the mountains mysteriously disappearing, warehouses being robbed without reason, disciples on duty dying unexpectedly, and the shopkeeper who managed the secular businesses falling ill inexplicably.
Each case is meticulously detailed, specifying the time, people, location, mastermind, and motives, leaving no room for argument.
Lin Zhuo knew that in such a serious setting, he couldn't let personal feelings get in the way when describing the cases. Otherwise, if he embellished the cases a bit, he could easily fill a suspense novel.
Chang Xi initially put up a few stubborn resistances, but eventually fell silent.
The other temple masters' expressions changed drastically.
As the saying goes, "The military records are in twelve volumes, and every volume bears the name of the master." All the mysterious events in the White Egret Sword Sect over the years have been orchestrated by Chang Xi in secret. He has directly or indirectly caused dozens of deaths, and it is no exaggeration to say that he has a blood debt.
"Chang Xi! I'll call you Sixth Brother one last time. Is what Young Hero Lin said true?!" The Master of the Shi Nong Hall roared like thunder.
The Palace Master of the Fragrant Medicine Hall sneered, "Chang Ning, you've already decided whether it's true or false, so why pretend?"
He looked around the hall and saw terrified young disciples huddled against the walls, trembling, and familiar faces with furious, ashen expressions.
Looking at his senior brother, the sect leader, Chang Mingzi lowered his eyes, seemingly dozing off due to exhaustion.
Looking at Lin Zhuo, the youngest Earth Ranking Grandmaster of this era, whose background is mysterious and unpredictable, he is the most unexpected enemy.
"May I ask you one question: why are you so determined to oppose me?"
"Don't flatter yourself. You're just a minor character I dealt with easily. The real troublemaker is Mo Weiren, the Heavenly King of the Demonic Sect."
"Really? How did you manage to uncover these old stories? Did you summon the vengeful spirits of the dead?"
"Let's just say that."
The pale, effeminate Master of the Medicine Fragrance Hall let out a few bitter laughs, her eyes flashing with a fierce light as she looked at the Sect Leader. "Chang Mingzi! Are you satisfied now? Why haven't you killed me yet? And all of you, how can you sit still? My good head is right here, come and take it, to fulfill our thirty years of fraternal friendship!"
Chang Mingzi opened his eyes, sighed, and said, "As the saying goes, one should not trouble two masters with one matter. Young Hero Lin, things have come to this point, please capture this wicked creature on behalf of our sect, regardless of whether he lives or dies. Whether it succeeds or not, this old Taoist will owe you a favor."
"Senior brother, you mustn't!" "Sect leader, you mustn't air your dirty laundry in public!" "I've come to capture this wretched child!"
"Shut up, all of you—what does Young Master Lin think?"
Lin Zhuoxin thought that this eloquence test was a great success. He was able to get Chang Mingzi on board, and dealing with Mo Weiren would be much easier.
"Someone is willing to share the Taoist priest's burdens."
Chang Xi closed his eyes in contemplation, then opened them again and looked at the portraits of past sect leaders high in the main hall. He sneered, "Today, this unworthy disciple of mine is going to make a rash move and offend the ancestral masters. It's a pity that these fine tables and chairs are gone; it will be a lot of trouble to rebuild them."
"If even a single brick or tile is damaged, I will voluntarily admit defeat." Lin Zhuo was disgusted by the hypocritical act of this demonic cult spy.
"Hehehe, very good, very good."
The master of the Medicine Fragrance Hall was skilled in medicine and poisons. He took out a handful of medicinal powder from his pocket and applied it to the hair of the whisk, turning the originally snow-white fine hairs into a dim yellow color and giving off a dull fragrance like rotten fruit.
Chang Mingzi reminded him, "Young Master Lin, this wicked fellow rarely travels the martial world, so he has never been ranked on the Earthly Ranking. However, in terms of strength, he is on par with ordinary grandmasters."
"Senior brother, when have you ever seen me use my full strength? How can you judge my martial arts level based on that?" Chang Xi sneered.
Chang Mingzi murmured indifferently, "Your talent is limited to this. I knew how far you could go twenty years ago."
"Hmph." Chang Xi said no more, turning her anger, shock, annoyance, and ferocity to Lin Zhuo.
The whisk emitted a faint glow, revealing itself to be a masterful technique of separating the divine veins from the body and imbuing the spirit into the form. Each strand of the whisk seemed to possess a spirit, moving without wind, drifting gracefully like a beautiful woman dressing up.
In the next instant, thousands of strands of hair transformed into a waterfall, piercing through the air and crashing into Lin Zhuo.
Seeing the two top-tier martial arts masters engage in a fierce battle, the crowd, who had been immersed in grief and indignation, suddenly perked up, stood up, tidied up the tables and chairs, and focused their attention on watching. Even the young disciples who had been trembling with fear at the sudden turn of events now craned their necks and stared intently.
This is the world of martial arts, this is the world of martial artists.
No matter how many words are spoken, no matter how beautifully they are uttered, in this world without laws, saints, or emperors, all grudges and entanglements will ultimately be resolved through straightforward force.
What else is there to say?
Chang Xi knew he had no way out, but he was unwilling to die cowardly. The skills he had accumulated throughout his life were like charcoal buried deep underground, unknown for many years, until they came into the light of the world, and they were bound to burst forth with the most intense and brilliant flames.
Even though he was a traitor of humble origins, lowly status, despicable actions, and petty thoughts, deserving only the most tragic fate, Chang Xi was still a true martial artist.
Having infiltrated the demonic cult for many years, he endured countless days and nights of fear and torment, and struggled thousands of times between choosing between good and evil. On one side was the stain and incriminating evidence he could not escape, and on the other side was the identity and peace he longed for.
If a piece of wood is sandwiched between boulders, it will be crushed into dust; if it is a piece of copper or iron, it will be sharpened into a knife.
Now, this knife is about to stab the last enemy in his life, with a ferocity that is truly terrifying.
The White Egret Sword Sect is renowned in the martial arts world for its swordsmanship, but the weapons passed down in the sect are not limited to swords; they also include long sabers, spears, iron pens, and whisks.
Chang Xi was accustomed to using a whisk, and his "Free and Easy Cleansing Whisk" had reached a state of perfection. Its power was smooth and effortless. It seemed like a soft weapon, but when imbued with spiritual energy, it had the ability to split gold and cut jade. With a light sweep, hairs were as sharp as needles, piercing thousands of holes.
In terms of artistic realm, he is indeed superior to Lin Zhuo. In terms of skill, his years of accumulated experience and infrequent use of force have made him far more profound than any newcomer to the martial arts world.
But so what?
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