Chapter 82

Chapter 81. Who Challenged Who? You're Dead Now. (1)

"When walking around the main mountain, they said to keep your knees straight."

"They even said I need to ask for permission when going to drink water."

"Ah, damn. They're really petty and dirty."

The second-generation disciples tormented them in every way possible.

Not only did they nitpick every little thing during training, but they also found fault with everything in daily life.

Today, they even gave an order to clean the exterior of the Baimei Hall so that not a speck of dust remained.

"Rather than this, just hit me!"

Zhaoge gritted his teeth.

He was used to being bullied physically, but he couldn't adapt to this kind of torment.

"I never imagined the senior disciples would be such people."

"I used to respect them!"

"Are they some kind of neighborhood thugs? Is this even allowed?"

Yunzhong sighed deeply.

'There's no doubt about it.'

There's no doubt that the second-generation disciples are doing this to torment them. The malice and mockery in their words are too vivid.

But that doesn't mean their actions are wrong. Everything the second-generation disciples demand is based on the rules set by Huashan.

But why is that a problem?

'These rules were established at least two hundred years ago.'

Originally, old rules are supposed to be revised according to the changes of the times.

But Huashan's rules couldn't be changed.

Therefore, until now, the way to overcome this gap has been to ignore the outdated rules by tacit agreement.

But the second-generation disciples started enforcing these rules to discipline the third-generation disciples.

Moreover, the biggest problem with these old rules is that they are all like earrings if hung on the ear, or nose rings if hung on the nose.

"Seriously, what does it mean that Huashan disciples should never let go of their swords? Does it mean they have to hold their swords even when washing or using the toilet?"

"…Even when eating, they say you should hold it in your hand."

"Even when sleeping, you should hold it, right?"

"If that's all, I wouldn't say anything. How does the rule that Huashan disciples should always keep the teachings of the sages in their hearts mean they have to memorize the entire history of Huashan?"

"…They don't even know it themselves."

"Exactly!"

The third-generation disciples gnashed their teeth.

They were all distracted by this bizarre sect's injustice. Every time the second-generation disciples sneaked up and glanced at them, they felt their lifespan decreasing.

"Can't even eat properly! Can't sleep properly!"

"When they're bored, they gather us. If one person makes a mistake, they call everyone and scold us."

"In this vast world, what kind of nonsense is this?"

"Senior Brother! We have to do something, don't we?"

Yunzhong sighed deeply.

"What do you want to do?"

"This is too much! It's obvious they're trying to bully us, and we can only take so much."

"Right! We can endure everything else, but we can't tolerate our training being disrupted! No matter what, this is a martial arts sect, and training shouldn't be interfered with!"

The third-generation disciples' eyes were bloodshot.

Actually, the third-generation and second-generation disciples didn't have much conflict before. The second-generation disciples were busy with their own training, and teaching the third-generation disciples was the responsibility of the Baimei Hall, so they lived like strangers.

Still, the third-generation disciples had a kind of admiration for the second-generation disciples. But now that they are acting so despicably, the sense of betrayal is indescribable.

Yunzhong turned his head slightly to look at the root cause of all this trouble.

Seeing Qingming leaning indifferently on the chair, Yunzhong cautiously spoke.

"Qingming."

"Yes?"

"…Don't you think we should do something about it?"

"About what?"

"The senior disciples, the senior disciples."

Yunzhong sighed deeply.

Everyone knows why this is happening, even if they don't say it outright.

Right now, the second-generation disciples want the third-generation disciples, especially Qingming, to bow their heads and join them.

'This is a bit too despicable, though.'

Yunzhong understood their position to some extent.

Actually, the problem isn't with the Baizi Pavilion but with Qingming. To be precise, the problem isn't with Qingming's actions but with his very existence.

If Yunzhong were the Baizi Pavilion, he would find it hard to tolerate having a troublemaker like Qingming in the lower ranks.

So far, there haven't been any issues with the relationship between the first-generation disciples and the elders. Qingming never crosses the line when dealing with them. No matter what he feels inside, he clearly shows respect to the elders of the sect.

But it's different with the Baizi Pavilion.

Yunzhong has already seen how Qingming treats the Baizi Pavilion.

"…Isn't it obvious what they want?"

"Obvious?"

Yunzhong sighed again.

"I won't tell you to change your personality. Just try to please them a little, and I'll see what I can do to resolve it…"

"Please them?"

Qingming's voice made Yunzhong's eyes twitch slightly.

Oops, wrong word choice…

But contrary to Yunzhong's expectations, Qingming didn't have a fit. Instead, he looked at Yunzhong with bright eyes and said cheerfully,

"Senior Brother, Senior Brother!"

"Hmm?"

"I think I have a better solution! This will really solve everything!"

Seeing Qingming's excited smile, Yunzhong felt uneasy even before hearing the plan, but as the senior brother, he had to ask.

"…What is it?"

"What else? Beat up all those senior disciples!"

As soon as Qingming finished speaking, he sprang up from his seat. Yunzhong, startled, shouted in panic.

"Stop him! Stop him! If you don't, we're all dead! Stop him!"

Perhaps sensing the same unease as Yunzhong, the senior brothers, who were prepared, immediately leaped into action. They grabbed Qingming's arms and legs, and Zhaoge jumped up and pinned Qingming to the ground.

"Ugh!"

"Don't let go! Absolutely don't let go!"

"Let go! You won't let go?"

The third-generation disciples, like a pack of dogs, clung to Qingming desperately. Their determined eyes clearly showed their resolve: "We will not let this mad dog out of the Baimei Hall."

"Qingming! Calm down, Qingming!"

"We're all doomed!"

"There's a limit to bullying! If you beat up the senior disciples, you'll really be expelled!"

Qingming's eyes were wide with anger.

"Alright, I won't beat them! I won't! I'll just give them a light tap! Just one tap, I promise!"

"That's still beating them, you madman! Hey! Hold him properly!"

"Man, how can he be so strong!"

"Ugh!"

Qingming wriggled and gritted his teeth.

"Those idiots are doing things they didn't even do a hundred years ago! I'm so angry, I just can't help it!"

Taoism fundamentally pursues naturalness. In other words, Taoism is a place that doesn't get entangled in the norms and hierarchies created by society.

Isn't it a famous anecdote that when Confucius came to pay respects to Laozi, Laozi advised him to stop such behavior?

Yet, the disciples of Taoism are doing things that even Confucians wouldn't do.

"Calm down, Qingming! If you beat up the senior disciples, it will be a big problem."

"All our efforts so far could be ruined!"

"Just stay still! Stay still!"

"Let go! You won't let go? Fine, I will!"

The third-generation disciples formed a massive human tower to pin Qingming down. But every time Qingming wriggled, the tower wobbled.

Yunzhong watched the scene and broke out in a cold sweat.

'Is this even a reasonable situation?'

Baitian is the strongest among the second-generation disciples.

Before Qingming arrived, the position of Huashan's top talent was naturally Baitian's, and everyone believed without a doubt that he would eventually become Huashan's top master.

Zhaoge is also talented, but martial arts require time to develop. Zhaoge, who started practicing the sword over ten years later than Baitian, had almost no chance of catching up.

Even if it were possible, it would be a story for several decades later.

That's how distribution works. No matter how talented someone is, the time and skills accumulated differ, making it difficult to overcome the gap.

But what is happening in front of Yunzhong's eyes now?

The youngest member of the Qingzi Pavilion, who joined Huashan last, is talking about beating up the leader of the Baizi Pavilion, which is absurd.

'The real problem is that no one here thinks it's impossible.'

Rationally speaking?

I'm not sure.

No matter how strong Qingming is, it doesn't seem like he can match Baitian. Even if Qingming started practicing martial arts before he could walk, Baitian has been holding a sword for a longer period.

Moreover, Baitian is not lacking in talent.

A minor difference in talent can't overcome the gap in time. Those who can are called geniuses, but even the greatest geniuses need time to overcome a decade's difference.

Rationally, really rationally, it's impossible for Qingming to beat Baitian.

'But the problem is that I have a feeling Baitian will get hit if they fight.'

From the start, common sense and rationality don't apply to this person. What has he ever done that was rational?

"Qingming."

Yunzhong sighed deeply and said,

"I understand how you feel, but it's absolutely not possible now."

"Why?"

"The Huazong Assembly is coming up soon."

"So what?"

"…Baitian is supposed to represent the second-generation disciples at the Huazong Assembly. If he gets hit by you and can't participate, what will we do?"

"Come on. I wouldn't hit him that hard. Hurting but not injuring is my specialty. You know?"

"I know."

I know very well, because I've been hit by you countless times.

"But it's still not possible. If Baitian gets hit by a junior, how will he have any confidence left?"

"…"

"Let's just endure a little more. Getting beaten by Baitian is better than being ignored by the Zhongnan guys."

Qingming frowned.

"Just beating them up would be better."

"Just this once, for my sake, let it go. The Huazong Assembly is a big deal. Please."

"Hmm."

Qingming turned his head and said in a slightly less intense voice,

"Move aside now."

The senior brothers looked at Yunzhong. When Yunzhong nodded, they slowly let go of Qingming and stepped back, but they kept a distance so they could grab him again if he tried to run.

"So, we just have to endure until the Huazong Assembly ends, right?"

"…It's not necessarily just until then…"

"What's so vague! Be clear!"

Yunzhong closed his eyes tightly. Then, to put out the immediate fire, he said,

"Yes! Until the Huazong Assembly!"

"Alright."

Qingming nodded readily.

"Since you've worked so hard, I'll do it for you."

"…I'm so grateful I could cry."

"Why are you crying?"

"No, no."

These aren't tears. They're sweat from my heart, you brat.

"But what if they start a fight?"

"…Will they?"

"What if they do?"

Yunzhong sighed.

"Then you'll have to handle it yourself. I don't know anymore."

"Alright?"

Qingming's lips curled into a smile. Seeing that smile, Yunzhong felt an endless sense of unease.