Chapter 13

Xiao Sheng infused his inner strength into his fists, which instantly turned as white as jade. He struck heavily, hitting a dark wooden staff.

*Peng!*

Qi energy erupted, and at the point where the fist and staff met, an invisible ripple spread out. The withered grass on the ground exploded, and a strong wind whistled past.

"Brat, your fist technique is not bad, but innate is still innate. It's not something a martial artist like you, who has only reached the acquired stage, can defeat!" Mu Gaofeng bent over, a cold smile on his face. He had already connected the twelve main meridians and then the Ren and Du meridians, making him a genuine early-stage innate expert. Although Xiao Sheng was powerful, he was still young and had only connected the twelve main meridians, making him a top-notch expert at the peak of the acquired stage.

Mu Gaofeng's staff suddenly jabbed out, like a venomous snake emerging from its den, swift and urgent. The tip of the staff hit Xiao Sheng's chest, and with a *crack*, his ribs were instantly shattered. The explosive power of an innate expert erupted, and Xiao Sheng was thrown away like a broken sack.

"Lin boy, how about it? Isn't my kung fu impressive? Just hand over your family's *Exorcism Sword Manual*, and I'll take you as my disciple and teach you martial arts," Mu Gaofeng said to the three people beside Xiao Sheng.

"Phew! You evil cultist, even if your kung fu is powerful, how dare you covet our family's *Exorcism Sword Manual*? My brother will eventually kill you!" Lin Pingzhi's eyes were bloodshot. He deeply resented his own weak martial arts, which had led to such humiliation for his family.

Lin Zhenan and Lin's wife helped Xiao Sheng stand up, their faces filled with worry. They had originally planned to go to Luoyang to hide for a few days, but they never expected to be intercepted by the Northern Camel Mu Gaofeng. If not for Xiao Sheng's desperate resistance, they would have already fallen victim to Mu Gaofeng's hands. Now that Xiao Sheng was injured and unable to fight, the situation was becoming even more critical.

"Who is your brother? Is he very powerful?" Mu Gaofeng narrowed his eyes, his gaze flickering.

"My son's martial arts are average, but he has been favored by the martial arts community and is known as the 'Death-Dealing Sword.' I am truly ashamed," Lin Zhenan said with a look of shame, feeling uncomfortable. He had been reduced to relying on his son's reputation to save his life.

"Death-Dealing Sword?" Mu Gaofeng's heart tightened, but thinking of the *Exorcism Sword Manual* right in front of him, he hardened his resolve: "The Death-Dealing Sword may be powerful, but he's not here! I can take your lives as easily as turning over my hand! How dare you play mind games with me! Speak quickly, where is the *Exorcism Sword Manual*?"

Lin Zhenan's face turned even more bitter. He hadn't expected this person to be so persistent. The *Exorcism Sword Manual* had already been destroyed by his eldest son, and this time it was truly gone.

Xiao Sheng staggered to his feet, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and reached into his chest to pull out a red pill, which he swallowed. He then rapidly pressed points on his body, and soon his face turned a deep red.

"Ha!"

He exhaled and opened his voice, his two white jade-like fists turning as white as bone. With a stomp of his foot, he shot out like a cannonball.

Seeing Xiao Sheng fighting desperately, Mu Gaofeng did not dare to be careless and immediately held his staff horizontally in front of him. This staff was made from a rare vine in the desert, extremely tough. He had used it as a weapon for many years, and it had never failed him.

*Boom!* Xiao Sheng's fist struck the dark wooden staff. His skin immediately burst open, revealing white bones.

The vine staff was tough, and the punch bent it without breaking. However, Mu Gaofeng could not withstand the immense force, and his arm gave way, bending backward. Through the staff, Xiao Sheng's desperate punch struck Mu Gaofeng's chest with great force.

*Crack!*

Mu Gaofeng's ribs were instantly shattered. His body flew back rapidly, and with his legs not being agile, he tumbled like a rolling gourd.

Xiao Sheng fell to the ground with a thud, having exhausted all his strength.

Mu Gaofeng struggled to his feet, spitting out a mouthful of blood. His eyes flashed with anger and malice: "Little thief, I will poison you to death! I will make you suffer for three days and three nights, slowly dying in pain!"

He had just shattered Xiao Sheng's ribs, and then Xiao Sheng struck back. This was a great humiliation!

His black staff suddenly jabbed out, and all his innate inner strength erupted. The staff emitted a black, ink-like light, and a piercing whistling sound filled the air.

*Clang!*

A pale purple sword light flashed, and the powerful strike was deflected. The person who had come to the rescue lifted Xiao Sheng from the ground and placed him beside Lin Zhenan.

The rescuer turned around, revealing a refined middle-aged man.

"Brother Mu, why are you not doing business in the desert but here?" Business, of course, was not good business, but rather the trade of killing and plundering. Yue Buqun was gentle and refined, even when scolding people, he did not use foul language, truly living up to his title as the Gentleman of the Sword.

"Is Sect Leader Yue managing things too broadly? Does the hunchback need to report to you?" Mu Gaofeng was wary of Yue Buqun but was stubborn and did not hold back his words.

"I naturally cannot manage Brother Mu, but since Brother Mu is threatening my disciple's family, I must intervene! Let's see if the martial arts world has forgotten the sharp swords of Huashan!" Yue Buqun's face was serious, but his words were full of empty talk. Lin Zhenan watched in amazement.

"Which one is your disciple? The one using fists?" Mu Gaofeng was furious. Yue Buqun was shameless, making such an intervention seem normal. Truly a hypocrite.

"Not that, but the young Lin family head. He is my youngest disciple, don't you know?" Yue Buqun said with a righteous look.

Mu Gaofeng's face turned red with anger. This person must have been watching for a long time, otherwise how would he know about his joke about taking Lin Pingzhi as a disciple? He had let himself be humiliated, truly despicable!

But thinking of the pale purple sword light earlier, he clenched his slightly numb hand and inwardly acknowledged the power of the *Purple Mist True Qi*. In just one exchange, he realized that Yue Buqun had not only connected the Ren and Du meridians but had also opened two more extraordinary meridians, making him a mid-stage innate expert. He was wary and could only huff angrily and leave.

Yue Buqun stood calmly, not stopping him. After Mu Gaofeng left, he let out a long breath.

"Fortunately, I managed to scare Mu Gaofeng away. Otherwise, it would have been troublesome." Yue Buqun sighed in relief: "Chief Lin, the situation was critical just now. I acted hastily, please bear with me and do not hold it against me." He was referring to his claim that Lin Pingzhi was his disciple.

"How could I hold it against you? If not for your help, we might have already fallen victim to his evil deeds." Lin Zhenan was grateful and pulled Lin Pingzhi over: "This is my son, Pingzhi. Come, Pingzhi, quickly pay your respects."

"Lin Pingzhi thanks Master Yue for your great assistance." Lin Pingzhi bowed respectfully.

"So the young Lin family head is called Pingzhi. Indeed, he is a fine young man." Yue Buqun stroked his beard and accepted the bow.

Lin Zhenan's eyes twinkled: "Master Yue, your martial arts are formidable, and Huashan is a prestigious school. Could you take my son as a disciple? I do not ask for any profound sword techniques, just a few years of training to help him protect himself, and I would be deeply grateful." He bowed deeply, saying, "I hope Master Yue will agree."

Yue Buqun quickly helped Lin Zhenan up and carefully examined Lin Pingzhi. After a while, he nodded in satisfaction: "Meeting is a form of destiny. Since that's the case, Pingzhi, are you willing to become my disciple?"

Lin Pingzhi was still somewhat hesitant, but seeing his father's sharp gaze, he knelt down with a thud. *Thump, thump, thump*, he struck the ground three times, his forehead turning red and swollen. He called out, "Master."

Yue Buqun stroked his beard and smiled in satisfaction. Although he was somewhat hesitant, his heart was sincere, which was good.

...

That night, in the inn.

"Father, why did you make me become Master Yue's disciple?" Lin Pingzhi's mother had strict discipline, and although he did not understand the reason, since he had become a disciple, he would treat Master Yue with respect. He now called him "Master."

Lin Zhenan was pleased to see his son's respect: "Master Yue's martial arts are formidable, and Huashan is a powerful backing. If you join Huashan, the small-time villains in the martial arts world will not dare to provoke our Lin family."

"Brother's martial arts are so powerful, can't he just teach me? And with the name 'Death-Dealing Sword,' others won't dare to provoke our Lin family, right?" Lin Pingzhi asked, puzzled. He now idolized Su Zhong. He could not imagine that his cold-faced brother was so famous in the martial arts world.

"Your brother, no matter how powerful, is still just one person. How can he compare to a powerful sect? And even if you join Huashan, will your brother not teach you martial arts?" Lin Zhenan explained to his son.

Lin Pingzhi thought for a moment, found it reasonable, and stopped asking. With Su Zhong's 'Death-Dealing Sword' and his entry into Huashan, the Lin family was finally safe.

Seeing Lin Pingzhi's pleased expression, Lin Zhenan was happy but also felt a bit helpless. Thinking of his eldest son, who had been cold and even cruel since childhood, he inwardly said, "You're right, your brother might not teach you martial arts." This was one of the reasons he had made Lin Pingzhi join Huashan. He could not predict his eldest son's temperament.

...

"Brother Fei, is everything arranged?" Ding Mian asked Fei Bin, who had just entered the room.

"Second Master, rest assured, everything is arranged. When the time comes, we just need to follow the plan. We will surely overturn Liu Zhengfeng!" Fei Bin said excitedly. The Shaolin Sect had been patient for many years, building up its strength. The Thirteen Protectors had been diligently practicing their martial arts, and now it was finally time for them to rise, how could he not be excited?!

"Brother Fei, be patient. We have waited for so many years. We must not ruin the Sect Leader's grand plan due to a moment's carelessness," Ding Mian said sternly.

Fei Bin bowed respectfully: "Master's words are wise, I was a bit impatient."

"Being impatient is understandable. We have been practicing martial arts for so many years, and now it's time for our Shaolin to rise. Who wouldn't be impatient?" Lu Bai chuckled.

"Master is right," Fei Bin said with a smile.

Ding Mian did not push further; he was just naturally cautious.

"Has Qu Yang arrived?" Ding Mian asked.

"According to our spies, Qu Yang was seen at the Huiyan Tower at noon today. However..." Fei Bin suddenly remembered another piece of information, his heart skipping a beat.

"What is it?" Lu Bai, seeing Fei Bin's hesitation, asked curiously.

"Also at noon today, at the Hui