Chapter 13

People can run very fast, and experts in lightness kung fu can even match the speed of a fine horse. However, no matter how fast you run, you can't outpace the spread of rumors.

After Bai Xiaosheng and Tian Boguang competed in lightness kung fu, rumors began to spread during the day that Tian Boguang was planning to visit Mount Hua to see the wife and daughter of the gentleman swordsman Yue Buqun.

Such explosive rumors quickly spread throughout the entire area of Huayin. At the foot of Mount Hua, the gentleman swordsman Yue Buqun stood calmly, while not far behind him were the angry members of the Huashan Sect.

Given such a setup, it would be strange if Tian Boguang dared to show up today.

Therefore, although Tian Boguang arrived early in the morning at the territory of Mount Hua, he didn't dare to come out when he saw the stance of Yue Buqun and his group. On the contrary, Bai Xiaosheng, who arrived over an hour later, walked up Mount Hua as if nothing was wrong.

Yue Buqun, seeing Bai Xiaosheng, was slightly taken aback and said softly, "Why does Young Master Bai have the leisure to visit our Mount Hua?"

"Disciple greets Uncle Master Yue, Uncle Master Ning, and all the senior and junior brothers." Bai Xiaosheng first bowed to everyone, and Yue Buqun was puzzled by his address. At the right moment, Bai Xiaosheng explained, "Since parting with Uncle Master, I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the Hengshan Sect under Master Mo Da."

"Oh... Young Master Bai has joined Master Mo Da's sect, truly a cause for celebration." In the crowd, Lin Pingzhi was taken aback. Initially, the plan Bai Xiaosheng had suggested to him was to join Master Mo Da, but he ended up joining Huashan, while Bai Xiaosheng, by a twist of fate, joined Master Mo Da. Bai Xiaosheng also noticed Lin Pingzhi and gave him a slight smile.

Then, he answered a few more questions from Yue Buqun, explaining that he came this time because his master was not far from Huayin, and he thought of Lin Pingzhi and Linghu Chong, so he specially came to visit Mount Hua.

Yue Buqun nodded and, without showing any emotion, waved to the people behind him and said, "I have to go out today and cannot entertain you. De'nuo, you take Young Master Bai in."

"Yes!" Lao Denuo stepped forward and bowed to Bai Xiaosheng, "Junior Brother Bai, please."

"Senior Brother Lao, please."

The two walked up the path of Mount Hua, and not far below, Tian Boguang was gnashing his teeth in hatred. He knew he must have been outsmarted by that kid, otherwise why would Yue Buqun be blocking the entrance to Mount Hua.

'That bastard...' He cursed under his breath, stomped his foot, and quickly shot off into the distance. For him, the incident with Bai Xiaosheng was just a minor episode. The most important thing was to distract Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze, infiltrate Huashan, and bring Linghu Chong down, or his life would be in danger.

In the Huashan Sect, Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze went to town, while the other disciples returned one by one. After meeting Bai Xiaosheng, they chatted and joked. During this time, Bai Xiaosheng noticed the closeness between Lin Pingzhi and Yue Lingshan. He knew that the two had already made their relationship clear, and Linghu Chong, the big fool, was probably feeling dejected at Sigu Cliff.

After a while, everyone gradually dispersed, and in the end, only Lin Pingzhi and Yue Lingshan were left with Bai Xiaosheng.

Looking at the two, Bai Xiaosheng smiled and said, "Pingzhi, how are you doing in the Huashan Sect?"

Lin Pingzhi smiled slightly and said, "Master and Master Mother are very good to me."

"Does Senior Sister treat you badly?" Yue Lingshan interjected from the side.

"Not at all, Senior Sister is the best to me."

Seeing the two being so close, Bai Xiaosheng shook his head with a bitter smile.

"By the way, why haven't I seen Brother Linghu?" Suddenly, Bai Xiaosheng interrupted the two. His words made both of them pause. Yue Lingshan was clearly still angry with Linghu Chong and huffed, not answering. Lin Pingzhi said, "Senior Brother violated the sect rules and is currently at Sigu Cliff for penance."

Nodding, Bai Xiaosheng said, "Can I go see him?"

"This..." Lin Pingzhi was taken aback and didn't know how to answer. He looked at Yue Lingshan, who, under the gaze of her lover, said unhappily, "Sure, I'll have Liuhou take you there!"

With that, Yue Lingshan quickly left and soon returned with Lu Dayou. Bai Xiaosheng said a few more words to Lin Pingzhi and then got up to go to Sigu Cliff with Lu Dayou.

Sigu Cliff is located on the top of Yvnü Peak, a dangerous cliff. There is a cave on the cliff, which is where Huashan Sect disciples are imprisoned and punished for breaking the rules. The cliff is barren, with no grass or trees, and nothing but the cave. Huashan is usually lush and beautiful, but this cliff is an exception, said to be a pearl from the hairpin of Yvnü. The founder of the Huashan Sect chose this place for punishment because it has no grass, no trees, no insects, and no birds, so the punished disciples would not be distracted by external things while reflecting on their mistakes.

The two passed through the dangerous paths in the mountains and entered the area of Sigu Cliff. Bai Xiaosheng immediately saw the dispirited Linghu Chong. He was leaning against a large rock, completely listless, not at all like a martial artist, but more like a seriously ill person.

Seeing such a state of Linghu Chong, Bai Xiaosheng found it hard to compare him with the Linghu Chong who, despite being injured, still drank heartily.

"Senior Brother..." Lu Dayou, who had a deep bond with Linghu Chong, was truly distressed by his state. However, Linghu Chong was deeply immersed in the pain of a broken heart and did not respond to Lu Dayou's call.

Seeing his state, Bai Xiaosheng frowned. How could he comfort such a Linghu Chong?

Shaking his head, Bai Xiaosheng said, "Senior Brother Lu, can you help me get a few jars of wine?"

"Wine..." At the mention of "wine," Linghu Chong immediately grabbed Lu Dayou and said, "Junior Brother Lu, wine, I want wine..."

"Senior Brother, you can't drink anymore, you..." Lu Dayou's face was full of anxiety and worry. Bai Xiaosheng patted his shoulder and said, "Senior Brother Lu, go get the wine, I'll try to persuade Brother Linghu."

"This..." Lu Dayou hesitated but finally nodded and said, "Okay!"

He quickly went down the mountain, and Bai Xiaosheng sat next to Linghu Chong and said, "Brother Linghu, you look terrible. I wonder how much of your skills you still have."

His words only made Linghu Chong more dejected. His face was bitter, his mouth slightly open, and his throat moving, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.

Bai Xiaosheng knew that this guy must have discovered the martial arts in the cave, seen the flaws in the Huashan sword techniques, and, combined with the heartbreak, suffered a double blow, leading to his current state.

But this was not good. This was not the Linghu Chong Bai Xiaosheng hoped to see, and he also hoped to learn the Nine Swords of Dugu from Linghu Chong.

"Brother Linghu, look at my palm..." Suddenly, Bai Xiaosheng, sitting next to Linghu Chong, struck out with a palm. The force was so strong that it made Linghu Chong's face turn pale. He instinctively dodged, and Bai Xiaosheng took advantage of this to attack with his fists and feet.

Linghu Chong's boxing and kicking skills were really very poor. He only knew some basics, and in his current state, Bai Xiaosheng only needed three moves to strike Linghu Chong's shoulder, sending him sprawling.

"Brother Linghu, your boxing and kicking skills are far worse than your sword skills!" Mocking him, Bai Xiaosheng did not hold back, leaping up and kicking as if to end Linghu Chong's life.

At this critical moment, Linghu Chong rolled to avoid the kick and simultaneously kicked back with his feet, a move from the Huashan Sect's Leopard Tail Kick. Normally, this kick would force Bai Xiaosheng to retreat, giving Linghu Chong a chance to react. However, halfway through the kick, Linghu Chong hesitated.

Bai Xiaosheng, without hesitation, kicked out, striking Linghu Chong's foot and sending him flying several meters away, landing hard on the ground.

Thinking quickly, Bai Xiaosheng realized that the martial arts in the cave must have influenced Linghu Chong, making him think about the flaws in the Leopard Tail Kick and hesitate when executing it.

"Brother Linghu, if this is the Huashan Sect's martial arts, then your sect is not very impressive," Bai Xiaosheng said, gritting his teeth, directly criticizing the Huashan Sect, which was what Linghu Chong cared about most.

Indeed, upon hearing this, Linghu Chong immediately stood up and shouted, "Bai Xiaosheng, I may not be skilled enough, but the Huashan Sect is renowned, and it cannot be a false reputation!"

"Is that so? We'll have to see in a fight," Bai Xiaosheng growled, leaning forward and charging like a leopard. His palms crossed, creating a flurry of palm shadows that instantly reached Linghu Chong.

Seeing Bai Xiaosheng's palm technique, Linghu Chong's eyes narrowed, and he formed a sword with his fingers, piercing through the illusory palm shadows.

Bai Xiaosheng's eyes widened, and he shot forward. However, since he was already charging forward, it was difficult to change direction. Staring, Bai Xiaosheng saw Linghu Chong's finger sword aiming straight for his forehead, completely breaking his Bìluó Palm.

'Right, Linghu Chong is influenced by the martial arts inside, but he also remembers the methods to break the techniques.' Thinking quickly, Bai Xiaosheng forcibly twisted his body, rolling on the ground and awkwardly dodging to the side.

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