Chapter 13

Chapter 12. Bankruptcy, You Bastards! (2)

"Rather die than suffer! Rather die than suffer!"

Qingming's face was completely rotten as he returned to the Bai Mai Hall.

Nothing was in order.

They say that even the rich can last for three years after going bankrupt, but it seems that a hundred years was too much to ask. If he were to judge the current situation objectively, apart from the name Huashan, there was nothing better than a third-rate sect.

'It’s not that there’s nothing better, but it’s the epitome of a third-rate sect.'

No money, the disciples in poor condition, and their own incomprehensible philosophy that no one understands.

This is third-rate! Is there any other kind of third-rate?

Everything else is fine. Yes, everything else is fine!

But!

"Where did you sell the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique? You damn bastards!"

Mistakes can happen in the transmission. Learning martial arts from a secret manual is much harder than one might think.

It’s quite common in the jianghu for someone to go mad from practicing martial arts based solely on a secret manual, or for the martial arts to regress due to interpretations that deviate from the manual’s intent.

But for the martial arts to disappear entirely, how can this be!

Even if the previous generation was completely wiped out! With the secret manuals and history still intact, how can this make any sense!

"Ugh!"

Qingming scratched his head vigorously.

"This... where do I even start?"

The term 'total chaos' is used for situations like this.

"Senior Brother, should I still try to save Huashan in this state?"

Looking up at the sky, it seems like his senior brother is smiling.

- If you have to, then do it.

"Damn it!"

Qingming scooped up a handful of dirt from the ground and threw it into the sky, then stomped off toward the Bai Mai Hall.

"Ouch. My back."

Maybe because he did too much martial arts supervision, his back is aching.

Damn. Just a little chat, and he made the others finish their training and go eat, while he had to do the supervision. If he were still in his previous body, those who would have had to run from the foot of Huashan to the summit and back!

Still, it’s better than being too soft.

'I’m starting to get a bit impatient.'

Qingming smacked his lips.

He planned to first understand how Huashan operates and then think about where to start making changes. But the more he learns about Huashan, the more it seems like a long and arduous journey.

If he had come to this era with his past body and status, things would have been much easier. He could just knock the head off the sect leader and take over.

But now, Qingming is just the youngest of the third-generation disciples, and a beggar at that. His martial arts skills are also mediocre.

Can he change Huashan from this position?

"Ugh."

Just thinking about it makes him sigh.

Of course, if he takes his time and changes things gradually, it might be possible. But the problem is that Qingming is not a patient person. If he keeps seeing things as they are, he might die of frustration before Huashan changes.

'The other sects like Wudang and Qingcheng are probably still developing at this moment.'

Generally, sects focus on reproducing the martial arts of their founding ancestors, known as 'zongshi'.

But Qingming thinks differently.

The world is bound to develop. No matter how genius the founding ancestors were, with countless ordinary people continuing their work and research, they will eventually surpass the geniuses.

In other words, martial arts are bound to develop over time.

The Yijinjing, known as the secret manual of Shaolin, is not the same as the original Yijinjing created by the Sixth Patriarch Huineng. It has been continuously developed by countless successors, who have added new interpretations and improved its shortcomings.

Yes, development...

"Others are developing at this time, but not only are we not developing, we’re even losing what we have."

How can he not be frustrated?

Qingming sighed deeply.

First, he needs to...

Rumble.

"..."

Qingming looked down at his stomach.

"Tsk."

Maybe because he lived as a beggar for so long, his body is always hungry.

'Come to think of it, I didn’t have dinner.'

The others finished their training and went to eat, but Qingming didn’t because he was being punished.

There’s nothing worse than not being able to eat after finishing training and feeling hungry.

Qingming clutched his empty stomach and entered the Bai Mai Hall. First, he needs to sort out today’s affairs...

"There he is."

As he entered, Qingming’s eyes widened slightly at the enthusiastic welcome. In the large living room, dozens of third-generation disciples were seated.

"Hey, new guy!"

Qingming’s gaze weakly turned to them.

"Old acquaintance, right?"

It was the guy called Agel. The scowl on his face didn’t look like he was waiting with good intentions.

Qingming sighed deeply and spoke to Agel.

"Why, Agel?"

Agel’s face turned red instantly.

"Are you crazy! Call me Senior Brother Zhaogel!"

"Senior Brother..."

Qingming’s head tilted back to look at the ceiling. Looking at the old wooden ceiling made him feel like he might cry.

Ah. Now I have to call these little brats 'Senior Brother'.

But what can he do? If he’s upset, he should have come earlier.

"Yes, yes. Senior Brother Zhaogel. What’s the matter?"

"If you’re new, you need to go through the initiation ritual."

"Huh?"

"Don’t worry. I won’t be too harsh. You look so skinny, I’m afraid I might kill you if I hit you too hard."

Laughter erupted from all around. It seemed they enjoyed this kind of thing and had done it many times.

Well, he understands.

That’s how group life works. Through initiation rituals, they strengthen bonds and get to know each other. Most of the guys around him probably went through this ritual.

'They seem a bit low-quality, though.'

It’s not the ritual he’s unhappy with, but their attitude. These guys, who should be disciples of a sect, are acting like street thugs.

Of course, when Qingming first joined Huashan, he was a bit frivolous too, but not like these guys.

What? Am I being a grumpy old man?

What can I do! I’m eighty years old!

"Initiation ritual, huh."

Qingming nodded. First, he needs to meet their demands and blend in.

It’s annoying, but it’s one of the ways to save Huashan.

"Alright. What do I need to do?"

Zhaogel smirked.

"Big Senior Brother."

"Okay."

"Will Big Senior Brother do it?"

Big Senior Brother?

Qingming turned his head to look at the guy called Big Senior Brother. He was taller than the others and looked older.

So, he’s the leader of the third-generation disciples.

"Yes, you do it."

"Okay, then."

Qingming quickly figured out the hierarchy.

'That guy is the leader, but the real power is Zhaogel.'

It was the same in the past. The Big Senior Brother had the title, but Qingming was the one who solved problems. The title and the real power are not the same.

So, how can he use this situation to his advantage...

"Take off your clothes."

"…What?"

Qingming’s head tilted to the side.

Did he hear it wrong?

"Take them off."

"…"

Qingming looked around. The children in the Bai Mai Hall were all watching him, laughing.

His gaze finally landed on Zhaogel.

"…I think I misunderstood… No, I did."

Qingming forced a smile.

Stay calm.

Don’t get angry.

If he gets angry at these greenhorns, he’ll become just like them.

"Take, take them off?"

"Yeah."

Zhaogel laughed evilly.

"Men usually get close by doing this. Come on, take everything off. Once you dance and get hit a bit, you’ll start to feel affection for your senior brothers."

His smile grew so wide it almost reached his ears.

"First."

"Huh?"

"Only I can speak."

Ah, his pronunciation is off.

Qingming cleared his throat and forced himself to speak.

"Th... Master Yunjian?"

"The Hall Master practices in the evening. So, don’t expect him to help. It’s just us here now."

"I see."

Qingming slowly nodded.

"And even if the Hall Master were here, you’d only be safe today. You have to live here from now on. Do you think you can run away?"

That’s right. I have to live here from now on.

Thank you.

I was thinking wrong.

"So, there are no masters here, right?"

"This brat keeps talking. I can’t let this go. Let’s start with a beating. I didn’t like you anyway."

Zhaogel stood up and approached Qingming, grabbing his collar.

"Once you get hit, you’ll start to respect your senior brothers. I’m not doing this because I hate you. I’m guiding you back to the right path with love. Understand?"

"Senior Brother."

"What? You have something to say?"

"Strengthen your neck."

"Huh?"

At that moment, Qingming’s fist hit Zhaogel’s chin.

Bang!

With a loud noise, Zhaogel’s body flew up to the ceiling.

Crack!

He broke through the old ceiling and hung there.

Dangling.

His body was stuck in the ceiling, swaying slightly.

Very slightly.

The eyes of the third-generation disciples bulged out at the sight.

"…"

"…"

Qingming turned around and walked toward the door.

"Hey, where are you going…"

Click!

Qingming locked the door and turned around with a bright smile.

"In life, there are times when you have to think about things. The most frustrating thing is deciding what to do first. But…"

Creak. Creak.

Qingming’s head tilted from side to side.

"Thanks to you, my thoughts are very clear now. Yes, I need to clean up my surroundings first."

Qingming lifted his leg and stepped on a chair. The wooden chair shattered. He grabbed the most intact chair leg.

"Hmm."

He gritted his teeth and said,

"I was raised in the sect, so I know how to respect my seniors."

The children’s eyes lit up with hope.

Seniors…

"Seniors would be upset if they heard me. Don’t scream. If you scream, I’ll hit you twice as hard."

Ah…

We’re not seniors.

That makes sense.

"Let’s start with a beating. Senior brothers!"

Qingming, like a ghost, lunged at the third-generation disciples.