Chapter 80

After the plan was set, Yue Fangxing asked Linghuchong, "Senior Brother, can you tell who the visitor was?"

Linghuchong calmed himself and shook his head, "The person was masked, and the clothing was loose, so I couldn't see the figure. At the time, I was inside the hall, and Sixth Junior Brother went to bring me hot water. This person suddenly burst in and struck at my chest. I used a dagger to block and stabbed at his palm, but he avoided it and hit my lower abdomen. However, he was also cut by my dagger, losing a finger. Then Sixth Junior Brother came in and shouted, and this person hurriedly fled."

Yue Lingshan, who was also in the hall, supporting Linghuchong, asked, "Could it be an accomplice of the masked people who were killed earlier? Senior Brother injured them, so they came to seek revenge."

Yue Buqun shook his head, "How could it be so quick? Moreover, this person specifically came for Chong'er, as if he knew about Chong'er's injuries." He actually had a vague suspicion, but it was inappropriate to say it out loud. Who else could know so much about Linghuchong's injuries and be eager to weaken the Huashan Sect except the Songshan Sect?

Yue Fangxing, of course, had also guessed, and said, "Father, there is indeed something suspicious about Senior Brother's injury."

Yue Buqun nodded, "Indeed, the other side could know Chong'er's exact location, which suggests we might have a spy among us."

Yue Lingshan said resentfully, "Could it be Laodenuo? I'll go find him!" As she spoke, she was about to leave. Last time, when she and Laodenuo went to Fujian, Yue Buqun had told her that Laodenuo might be a spy from the Songshan Sect, and asked her to be cautious.

Yue Fangxing stopped her, "It's not Laodenuo. At the time, he was burying the bodies outside the temple and wouldn't have known Senior Brother's location."

Yue Lingshan was puzzled, "Could there be another spy?"

Yue Buqun nodded, "Of course, otherwise how could they know so much about our Huashan Sect's every move? Laodenuo is at the lower residence and doesn't know much. There must be other spies on the mountain, possibly planted before Laodenuo."

Yue Lingshan was surprised, "Could it be an inner disciple? Does Father know who it is?"

Yue Buqun shook his head, "If I knew, why would I let them in?"

Yue Fangxing said, "Those few outer disciples are still loyal and often report on Laodenuo, but we must also be cautious that they might be spies from other sects."

Yue Buqun said, "From now on, Fangxing, you should be more vigilant. Ask Fafei, Daizi, and Genming to keep an eye on the newer disciples." The situation was serious, and he couldn't afford to let the disciples suspect each other. Liang Fa, Shi Daizi, and Gao Genming had been in the sect for many years and were still trustworthy. But the newer disciples, such as Lu Dayou, Tao Jun, Ying Bailuo, and Shu Qi, were less certain. Especially Lu Dayou, who, although he had driven away the intruder and was injured, usually respected the Master and followed Linghuchong's lead. Because he took care of Linghuchong, he was a significant suspect. Moreover, he was brought back by Linghuchong from outside, and his background was unknown, making it impossible to judge. For now, he would have to be separated from Linghuchong under the pretext of healing.

Linghuchong was saddened. Although he trusted Lu Dayou, he understood that his Master was doing it for his own good and had to temporarily separate from Lu Dayou.

Yue Fangxing also found it hard to determine who the spy was. He only guessed there were other spies in the Huashan Sect after Linghuchong's injury. As for Lu Dayou, although he believed in Sixth Junior Brother's innocence, he would observe him for a few days and be cautious.

The next day, Yue Buqun gathered the disciples and continued their journey to Luoyang.

The journey was uneventful, and a few days later, the Huashan Sect arrived in Luoyang and stayed at a large inn.

Lin Pingzhi went to his grandfather's house alone. Wang Yuanba was extremely pleased to hear that he had arrived with the Huashan Sect. Last time, the Huashan Sect passed through Luoyang without stopping, which he regretted. This time, he wouldn't let it happen again. He brought his son, daughter, and son-in-law to the inn and invited the Huashan Sect to stay at the Wang residence.

Yue Buqun couldn't refuse and led the Huashan Sect to stay at the Wang residence. That night, the Wang family held a grand banquet for the Huashan Sect, inviting many well-known figures from the Luoyang martial arts world, as well as many scholars, officials, and wealthy merchants. The guests and hosts were all in high spirits.

After the banquet, Wang Yuanba called his sons, closed the study door, and discussed the "Evil-Dispelling Sword Manual" with Yue Buqun and his wife. After all, this item originally belonged to the Lin family, and the Wang family naturally had some thoughts about it.

Yue Buqun frankly stated that this matter was closely watched by the martial arts world. If it weren't for the order of the Left Alliance Leader, the Huashan Sect would have avoided it long ago. The Wang and Lin families should not get involved in this mess. The Huashan Sect's primary goal was to protect themselves. If the Lin family sought revenge against the Qingcheng Sect, the Huashan Sect would not shirk their duty.

Wang Yuanba and his son, seeing that the Huashan Sect was unwilling to help, and considering their own strength, had to give up their thoughts. They repeatedly thanked Yue Buqun and his wife for their help with the Lin family, and the discussion continued until late at night. Yue Buqun mentioned seeking Ping Yizhi in Kaifeng to treat Linghuchong's injuries, and the Wang family immediately agreed to arrange it, promising to send them by boat to Kaifeng but insisting that the Huashan Sect stay at the Wang residence for a few days.

Yue Buqun, recalling the days of travel and helping Linghuchong regulate his true qi, realized his own strength had not fully recovered. The Huashan Sect disciples also needed a rest, so he agreed. Fortunately, Linghuchong had practiced the Purple Mist Divine Skill and could slightly mobilize the Purple Mist True Qi that Yue Buqun had infused into his body, alleviating the conflict of true qi. He no longer needed Yue Buqun to input true qi daily. Therefore, Yue Buqun spent these days focusing on recovering his strength and discussing with the old man Wang.

With Linghuchong injured, Yue Fangxing, as the second disciple of the Huashan Sect, naturally had to handle many social duties. Lin Pingzhi, knowing that his parents' situation had improved after joining the Huashan Sect, was even more grateful. However, with his Master being treated as a distinguished guest by his grandfather, he could only invite Yue Fangxing. Yue Fangxing couldn't refuse and went with Lin Pingzhi.

Lin Zhenan, experienced in the martial arts world, could talk to anyone. Yue Fangxing enjoyed the conversation and, on the way back, remarked to Lin Pingzhi, "Although Uncle Lin has lost his martial arts skills, his ability to handle people and situations is still excellent. Running a security company would be no problem." He glanced at Lin Pingzhi, thinking that after mastering the Sunlight Skill, his progress was rapid. In a few years, his martial arts skills would surpass the original Lin Zhenan. With the Huashan Sect's support, the Lin family could reopen the Fuiwei Security Company.

Lin Pingzhi, misunderstanding his meaning, thought the Huashan Sect had plans to open a security company and said happily, "Does Master intend to open a security company? The Lin family has some reputation in the green forest, and we can help Master with the burden." He knew that his parents couldn't stay at the Wang residence forever and wanted to find a way for his father.

Yue Fangxing, of course, knew the Huashan Sect had no plans to open a security company, but he was about to explain when he suddenly realized it was a good idea.

In recent years, Yue Fangxing had focused on martial arts and had only made a few suggestions for the sect's development, but he was not fully aware of the specific situation. It wasn't until this trip that he realized the Huashan Sect's financial difficulties. Although the Huashan Sect had more income after its revival, the construction of the lower residence and the renovation of the mountain had left little surplus. The expenses for the last trip to Hengshan for Liu Zhengfeng's retirement ceremony were also significant, leaving insufficient funds for the trip to Fujian, so only a few elite disciples were brought.

Although Yue Buqun didn't mention it to the disciples, Yue Fangxing could sense the sect's financial difficulties and had been considering the issue. As someone from the modern era, he naturally had many ideas for making money, but most were not long-term solutions and were not suitable for the Huashan Sect. After all, the Huashan Sect was primarily a martial arts sect and did not need purely commercial activities, which could entangle the sect in various disputes.

Today, the idea of a security company suddenly seemed like a good one. The Huashan Sect had considerable influence in the north, and the other four sects of the Five Mountains would give some face. Lin Zhenan was experienced, and the Lin family had many connections in the south, even though they had declined. With the Huashan Sect's support, they could suppress the Qingcheng Sect and ensure that others would cooperate. This would form a large security company spanning the north and south. The income from the security company would be sufficient to maintain the Huashan Sect. It would also provide a career path for the outer disciples and allow the inner disciples to gain experience through security work. This way, the Huashan Sect's informants would be spread throughout the north and south, and they would not be caught off guard again.

Yue Fangxing thought more and more that it was feasible, but although he was excited, he put the idea aside. After all, the Huashan Sect needed to go to Fujian and first overcome this challenge.

As they walked, Wang Zhongqiang's eldest son, Wang Jiajun, and his younger son, Wang Jiaju, and other Wang family members came over to invite Yue Fangxing to teach them martial arts. They had heard from Lin Pingzhi that Yue Fangxing's martial arts were extremely high, not inferior to Yu Canghai of the Qingcheng Sect, and naturally felt不服 (unconvinced). They thought that at his young age, even as a Huashan disciple, he couldn't be that strong and wanted to challenge him.

Yue Fangxing usually wouldn't bother with these inexperienced young men, but since they were at the Wang residence, he couldn't directly refuse. Moreover, the Wang family's gifts the previous day were generous, and he couldn't easily offend them, hoping they would give a generous farewell gift when they left.

Unable to resist their constant invitations, Yue Fangxing had to go.

Even so, Yue Fangxing did not show his skills but only guided Lin Pingzhi and the others to spar, also to see how Lin Pingzhi had progressed.

The Wang family members, knowing Lin Pingzhi's background, knew that although he had practiced martial arts since childhood, he was still slightly inferior to them. They let the youngest, Wang Jiaju, go first, thinking that if they defeated the junior brother, the senior brother would have to step in. They wanted to see how he would react.

However, when the two started sparring, the others were greatly surprised. Lin Pingzhi had practiced diligently over the past few months, and although he hadn't broken through to a new level, his skills had improved significantly, and his foundation was more solid. He often practiced swordsmanship in water, making his sword techniques steady and fast, far better than before. Wang Jiaju was defeated in just a few moves, and even Wang Jiajun couldn't defeat him.

The Wang family members were extremely surprised. They knew that the Huashan Sect, as one of the Five Mountains Sword Sects, had excellent martial arts, but they were still taken aback by Lin Pingzhi's rapid progress. They felt that Yue Fangxing, who had not shown his skills, was even more mysterious. Especially when they heard that Yue Fangxing's sword weighed over forty pounds, they were even more astonished. Being able to use such a heavy sword indicated significant strength, and even the old man Wang's golden saber was not as heavy. They became even more enthusiastic, inviting Yue Fangxing to teach them martial arts for several days without stopping.