Chapter 81

Chapter 80. A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss! (5)

"Listen."

"Yes, Master."

Yunjian extended his hand to pick up the teacup.

Plum blossom tea, made from dried plum blossoms, is one of the things that Xianzong is most confident about. Offering this tea also implies that there is quite a lot to discuss today.

"How was it?"

Before Yunjian could answer, he glanced at Yunyan, asking if it was okay for someone to hear. Xianzong, holding the tea, briefly replied,

"It's fine."

"Yes, then."

Yunjian began to speak.

"As Master said, I did not intervene. As a result…."

"As a result?"

"There are some issues arising."

"Hmm."

Xianzong nodded silently.

"If Senior Xianying hadn't come, the situation would have been even more tense. As Master said, there is a subtle current between the second-generation disciples and the third-generation disciples."

"That's to be expected."

Xianzong sighed.

This is a result of their choices.

'They were too hasty.'

The gap between the Yunzi and Baizi generations is too wide, and the gap between the Baizi and Qingzi generations is too narrow. As a result, the youngest of the Baizi generation, Yuxueshe, is almost the same age as the oldest of the Qingzi generation, Yunzhong.

Considering the usual practice of blocking entry for a short period to maintain a certain gap, it's inevitable that problems would arise.

'This was an unavoidable issue.'

When the third-generation disciples were accepted, Huashan didn't have the resources to take in new disciples. At the same time, the sect's finances were becoming increasingly strained. It was a situation where entry should have been blocked.

At that time, someone suggested accepting disciples in exchange for support from their families. That was the beginning of the problem.

From Huashan's perspective, which was desperate to secure funds, it was necessary to do so to get immediate money, even if it meant accepting disciples without proper selection.

Despite being a prestigious sect that carefully chose its disciples, Huashan accepted the children of supporting families without question.

As a result, the Qingzi generation is often criticized for lacking talent in martial arts.

"In the past, the Qingzi generation wouldn't have dared to challenge the Baizi generation. But the current Qingzi generation is different, isn't it?"

"That's right."

Is there a focal point? Or is there not?

In individual lives, this might not have much meaning, but in the interactions between groups, it can make a significant difference.

With the ambiguous focal point of Yunzhong and Zhaogel, the Qingzi generation was merely the third-generation disciples of Huashan. However, with Qingming as the center, the Qingzi generation won't be satisfied with just that.

Those with a twenty-year age gap don't see each other as competitors, but those with a ten-year gap can't help but be aware of each other.

"It's my fault for not being virtuous enough."

As Yunjian bowed, Xianzong firmly shook his head.

"This isn't your fault."

"Master…."

"I was the one who proposed building the Baiplum Hall, and it was everyone's decision, wasn't it? This issue was foreseeable from the moment we decided to build the Baiplum Hall and accept the third-generation disciples early."

This wasn't just a comforting statement.

Building the Baiplum Hall brought many benefits to Huashan. However, with gains come losses.

If the tradition of passing down knowledge through master-disciple relationships had continued, no matter how small the age gap, the younger generation wouldn't dare to treat the older generation casually.

But the current third-generation disciples have received nothing from the Baizi generation. They learn from Yunjian and practice with their peers. Naturally, the gap between the generations has widened.

This is the biggest weakness of the Baiplum Hall.

Yunyan, noticing something, spoke up.

"Master, what do you plan to do?"

Xianzong sipped the plum blossom tea in silence. The subtle fragrance of plum blossoms calmed his mind.

"What can be done?"

"But if we leave it as it is…."

"People are inherently like that. Just because we suppress and force them, it doesn't mean the resentment in their hearts will disappear. Sometimes, letting them clash isn't a bad thing. Ultimately, things will flow as they should, won't they?"

"Master, this is about the disciples."

"If we wanted to, we could change the direction of the lectures. But if we force the flow of water, it might seem fine at first, but eventually, problems will arise."

Xianzong smiled and said,

"Yunjian."

"Yes, Master."

"Let's trust our children."

"…."

Yunjian looked at Xianzong with a complex expression, his doubts clearly visible.

At that moment, Xianzong said something different from what Yunjian was thinking.

"Baitian isn't that extreme, is he?"

"Excuse me?"

"Isn't that what you think?"

Yunjian was taken aback.

'No, Master, that's not it!'

Baitian isn't the problem. Master! The problem is that Qingming!

Yunjian finally realized the significant gap between how the elders viewed Qingming and how he viewed Qingming.

Yunjian, as the head of the Baiplum Hall, knew the manipulative side of Qingming, but Xianzong saw Qingming as a cute puppy bringing blessings to Huashan.

"Baitian, despite his pride, is a child with a good heart. Even if he gets angry for a moment, he won't harm the relationship between seniors and juniors. It will be resolved appropriately, so don't worry too much."

What?

Who is going to resolve what?

Baitian calming down Qingming?

'This is chaos.'

No wonder Master seemed so calm!

But explaining now would be impossible. No matter how much he explained, Xianzong wouldn't believe him.

Moreover, Yunjian was also at a loss on how to describe Qingming. The unease he felt when looking at Qingming was just a vague feeling. It would be difficult to explain convincingly.

"…Yes, I understand, Master."

In the end, Yunjian had no choice but to retreat.

"Yunjian."

"Yes, Master."

"The Huazong Assembly is approaching."

The mention of the Huazong Assembly darkened Yunjian's face.

To be honest, Huashan's disciples no longer harbor the same animosity towards Zhongnan as they did in the past. The rivalry between Huashan and Zhongnan was based on competition.

But isn't competition usually between those who are similar or have a small gap? With the current disparity between Huashan and Zhongnan, there are no longer any who genuinely feel a competitive spirit towards Zhongnan.

However, who would want to see their own sect's disciples being easily defeated by another sect's disciples?

The difference is only this much among the children, but among the first-generation disciples and the elders, the gap is even wider.

"Many problems have been resolved, but the most important one remains unsolved. We are just at the starting point. To recreate the glory of Huashan, you must do much more."

"I will keep that in mind, Master."

"Good. Both of you, go now."

"Yes."

"Yes."

As Yunjian and Yunyan bowed and left, Xianzong quietly stood up.

Opening the window at the back of the room, he saw Lianhua Peak, almost free of snow.

Small flower buds were forming on the plum trees that had grown taller. By the time the Huazong Assembly begins, the mountain will be in full bloom with spring plum blossoms.

'Plum blossoms… plum blossoms.'

He had regained the Seven Plum Sword.

But Xianzong knew all too well that it was impossible to recreate the past glory with just the Seven Plum Sword.

'If only we had the Plum Blossom Sword Technique.'

Xianzong closed his eyes tightly.

However, he also knew that wishing for what doesn't exist wouldn't change anything. Now was the time to solidify what they had, not to search for what was lost.

Still, a lingering regret remained in his heart.

"Ancestors, please watch over Huashan."

Xianzong didn't know that the sage had already entered Huashan.

* * *

Unfortunately, Xianzong made two mistakes.

One of them was overestimating Qingming.

But from Huashan's perspective, this wasn't a significant problem. Qingming's ultimate goal, regardless of the means, was to strengthen Huashan. The more Xianzong trusted Qingming, the wider Qingming's influence would become.

Unintentionally, Xianzong's trust in Qingming was accelerating Huashan's development.

However, the other mistake was more fatal—Baitian wasn't as mild-mannered as Xianzong thought.

"…We need to eat something…."

"…."

"…We need to eat…."

"…."

The third-generation disciples of Huashan were gathered in the Baiplum Hall, their faces pale and lifeless.

Qingming's training squeezed every last bit of energy out of them. Somehow, this demon could accurately gauge the remaining strength of the third-generation disciples and push them to their absolute limits.

Thus, after training, they all ended up as stiff as sun-dried cloth.

Surprisingly, the third-generation disciples didn't express much dissatisfaction with the relentless daily training.

Of course, each training session felt like a near-death experience, but humans are adaptable, aren't they?

After a week of the terrifying training, they managed to endure it. Now, they could even greet the Grim Reaper warmly and return from the brink of death.

- Iron becomes stronger the more it is hammered, and a person becomes stronger the more they are pushed! A rolling stone gathers no moss.

'People don't gather moss in the first place. You crazy bastard.'

More terrifyingly, the third-generation disciples were proving Qingming's words with their bodies. They could feel themselves changing day by day.

They were beginning to understand what it meant to train in a way that suited their physical condition.

However, the problem was that a new disaster had befallen the third-generation disciples, who believed that enduring Qingming's training would be enough.

"I feel like I'm going to die."

"Damn… If it weren't for that senior…."

"Isn't this going too far?"

The ones tormenting them now were none other than the Baizi generation, the second-generation disciples.

Since the day Qingming confronted Baitian, the second-generation disciples had started to subtly pressure the third-generation disciples. They were clearly picking fights and tormenting them on purpose.

"What's wrong with those people?"

"Do you not know?"

"Ugh…."

Everyone's gaze turned to one person.

"Huh?"

Qingming, receiving the gazes of his senior brothers, tilted his head.

"What, why are you looking at me?"

"…."

"…."

This kid clearly has no conscience.