Chapter 75

As Linghu Chong listened to these people's accusations, he was already extremely angry. Seeing their unfriendly gazes, he shouted loudly, "This set of sword techniques was taught to me by a senior of the Huashan Sect. How could it be the辟邪剑法 (Evil-Dispelling Sword Technique)?!"

The old man sneered coldly, "If you were from another sect, I might believe you, but you are from Huashan... Hmph, apart from your master and his wife, who else could be a senior?"

Tang Ying'e nodded and said, "That makes sense. Apart from Mr. Yue and Ning Zhongze, the elders of the Huashan Sect are probably just these few senior disciples." He pointed to Feng Buping and others, introducing them one by one to the crowd, and then said, "Whether it is the Evil-Dispelling Sword Technique or the Huashan Sword Technique, these senior disciples of the Huashan Sect will certainly recognize it. Everyone will see for themselves."

The old man, seeing this, looked around at the crowd and said, "Everyone here tonight is a famous hero in the martial world, and there are even high-ranking experts of the Huashan Sword Sect present. How this matter is handled is up to all of you. I will follow your instructions without hesitation."

Yue Fangxing, seeing them echo each other as if they had already determined that Linghu Chong was using the Evil-Dispelling Sword Technique, was furious and said coldly, "That's best. If anyone really disobeys, these three corpses are a warning." He pointed to the three dead bodies on the ground, all of whom he had killed, so he had the right to say this.

The old man, hit where it hurt, coldly snorted and did not respond.

Feng Buping dismounted from his horse, bowed to the crowd, and said, "If you all give me this face, I am truly grateful. Yue Buqun has usurped the position of our sect's leader, causing heaven and earth to be enraged, and the Huashan Sect's reputation in the martial world has been ruined. Today, he has even forced people to become his disciples and stolen their sword manuals, acting without any law or order. I am unworthy and incapable, and should not be the leader of the Huashan Sect. However, thinking of the hardships our ancestors endured in founding the sect, I cannot bear to see the Huashan Sect be destroyed by Yue Buqun, this unworthy disciple. I will do my best, and I hope all of you will guide and supervise me in the future." He then bowed again to the crowd.

Yue Fangxing, hearing this, was furious. Lin Pingzhi had no place to go and had come to Huashan, but now in Feng Buping's mouth, it had become evidence that the Huashan Sect was plotting to steal the Evil-Dispelling Sword Manual. He could not help but give Lin Pingzhi a cold look.

Lin Pingzhi stepped forward and said loudly, "I have no place to go and was taken in by my master. I am now a disciple of Huashan, but I have never heard of you. What right do you have to meddle in Huashan's affairs?" Although he had stepped forward, his words also defended Huashan, but he avoided mentioning the Evil-Dispelling Sword Technique, clearly having some doubts.

Feng Buping, in his moment of triumph, ignored the young man and continued, "Yue Buqun stole someone's sword manual and refuses to repent. His crimes are heinous and cannot be forgiven. He must be executed according to the sect's rules! Junior Brother Cong, go and test this young man, let everyone see clearly, and help us clean up the sect." He ignored Lin Pingzhi and pointed to Linghu Chong.

A man in his fifties responded, "Yes!" He drew his long sword, walked up to Linghu Chong, and sneered, "Boy, fighting with me is your bad luck!"

Yue Fangxing, worried about Linghu Chong's injuries, stepped forward with his sword and said, "If you want to test my senior brother, you have to get past me first."

Cong Buqi, not recognizing him, but hearing him call Linghu Chong "senior brother," assumed he was a junior disciple and thought his martial arts were even worse. He laughed and said, "Young boy, if you want to die, you don't have to be so eager!"

Feng Buping shouted, "Junior Brother Cong, talking is useless, kill!"

Cong Buqi responded, "Yes!" He raised his long sword, his elbow bent, and the red light from the torches reflected on the blade, turning it red and green.

Yue Fangxing let out a long whistle and said loudly, "Good! Today, I will show you why the Qi Sect is superior!" Seeing this man's rudeness, he had already decided to thoroughly subdue him.

Cong Buqi, hearing his whistle, was startled: This boy has considerable strength, worthy of being from the Qi Sect. Seeing the broad and heavy sword in Yue Fangxing's hand, he assumed he would use large, sweeping moves. He decided to use his meticulously practiced sword techniques to counter him.

However, being an experienced martial artist, he would not make a hasty decision. He sneered and said, "Boy, why don't you make the first move!" He wanted to see Yue Fangxing's sword style first.

Yue Fangxing, though lacking combat experience and not understanding Cong Buqi's intentions, did not want to take advantage of him to avoid future disputes. Knowing he was the junior, he made the first move, assuming a posture called "Welcoming Guest with a Pine Tree," guarding himself.

This sword technique was derived from the shapes of ancient pines, though not one of the nine Huashan techniques, it could connect with various sword styles and was used by Yue Fangxing as an opening move.

Seeing this, Cong Buqi was furious: You were given a chance, but you didn't take it, so don't blame me. He thrust his right hand's long sword rapidly, making three quick strikes, each faster than the last, all aimed at Yue Fangxing's vital points, extremely ruthless.

The onlookers, seeing this, all cursed silently: This man is truly shameless. Even a junior knows to be humble, but he is so ruthless. Yue Fangxing had no place to retreat, and if he were hit, both he and Linghu Chong would likely be in mortal danger.

Yue Fangxing, of course, did not retreat. He was not panicked, and with three clanging sounds, sparks flew as he blocked the three strikes. He then counterattacked with a sword move, the blade carrying true qi, extremely sharp, which was the "Purple Qi from the East" from the nine Huashan techniques.

Seeing him easily block his three strikes, Cong Buqi was greatly surprised. Seeing the counterattack, he quickly retreated. His arm was already tingling from the three sword clashes, and seeing the power of this strike, he dared not block it and wanted to avoid the sharp edge.

This retreat, though a good choice, cost him the initiative. Yue Fangxing, gaining the upper hand, used the nine Huashan techniques one after another, continuously, forcing Cong Buqi to retreat step by step. His strength was already superior to Cong Buqi, and his sword techniques were not much different, but his experience was far less. Initially, he was cautious, but now that he had the initiative, he knew he had to take advantage of it. However, to thoroughly subdue the sword sect, he did not use his more proficient Mixed Yuan Sword Technique, but only the nine Huashan techniques.

Cong Buqi, being careless and rashly attacking, was counterattacked and lost the initiative, forcing him to retreat step by step. He was extremely angry and surprised, never expecting to be forced into such a situation by a junior. This made him lose face, and he roared continuously, trying to turn the tide.

The onlookers were also shocked, never expecting Yue Fangxing's sword techniques to be so exquisite. After watching for a while, they saw that Yue Fangxing's sword techniques were just a few moves, but each strike had slight variations, making it seem endless and extremely exquisite.

If this were the only reason, it would only slightly surprise them. More importantly, Yue Fangxing's sword made a hissing sound, indicating considerable strength. Despite his young age, he dared to expend so much true qi, showing that his strength far exceeded their expectations.

In fact, they did not know that this was the brilliance of Yue Fangxing's theoretical sword techniques. Normally, even with deep strength, it is difficult to continuously attach true qi to the sword, as the consumption is unbearable. However, the sword techniques are different. They combine moves and true qi circulation, not only bringing true qi with the moves but also promoting the circulation of true qi within the body, replenishing the consumed strength. This way, the efficiency is higher, and there is continuous replenishment, naturally lasting longer than others. Although the nine Huashan techniques did not significantly boost Yue Fangxing's strength, they greatly reduced his consumption, otherwise, even with deep strength, he would not dare to do so continuously.

The onlookers, of course, did not know this. Seeing Yue Fangxing continuously strike for hundreds of moves, they were all shocked and began to ponder.

Cong Buqi roared continuously but could not turn the tide. His sword techniques, though exquisite, were purely about moves without strength. Once they met Yue Fangxing's long sword, they were deflected, posing no threat. Trying to find a flaw in Yue Fangxing's sword techniques was not easy. These techniques, perfected by Feng Qingyang, had any flaws hidden or quickly covered. He had spent a lifetime finding flaws in others' techniques, so how could his own be easily seen?

Thus, Cong Buqi continuously retreated, and soon he was at the temple door. If he were forced outside, it would be a defeat without a fight.

Realizing this, Cong Buqi became desperate. He suddenly roared and, regardless of Yue Fangxing's moves, slashed his sword horizontally, seemingly ready to fight to the death.

The crowd gasped, not expecting this to happen. Ning Zhongze and Yue Lingshan even screamed in shock.

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