Chapter 91

Chapter 90. What the hell is this? I'm the strongest! (5)

"Shut up!"

Zhong Xuhan growled in a voice brimming with anger.

Even for someone who had mastered martial arts, climbing Huashan Mountain was no easy feat. The rugged terrain seemed capable of making even birds fall from the sky.

"I don't understand why they built a Daoist temple in such a place. No wonder it's in decline."

Qing Ming would have clapped at this.

But Jin Jinlong didn't seem to think so.

"Isn't the meaning of a Daoist temple to leave the secular world and become one with nature? It's only natural to choose a place where outsiders can't easily enter when studying the Dao and refining oneself."

"But is Huashan really a Daoist temple? It's half a secular place. I would understand if Wudang were here."

"Indeed, you have a point."

Those who had climbed Huashan before also found it arduous, and there were resting spots along the way. Now, the disciples of Zhongnan were sitting at one of these spots, taking a short break.

One of the senior disciples spoke indifferently.

"If we go through all this trouble to climb, there should at least be some charm to it. But we'll probably just have to eat some roots and sleep in a dilapidated hall again."

"I don't even expect good food, but I hope I can sleep well. Last time, I couldn't sleep all night because I was worried the hall would collapse."

"Even beggars from the Beggar Sect wouldn't sleep in such a place. This Daoist temple is worse than a beggar's den."

Complaints and insults mixed together.

"Isn't it time to stop this pointless task? We come all the way to Huashan and suffer, only to do the Huashan people a favor."

Jin Jinlong shrugged, looking awkward.

"I know everyone has a lot of complaints, but it's best to calm down. Don't you understand the feelings the elders have towards Huashan?"

"We don't understand that either. Why are they so obsessed with a sect that's on the verge of collapse?"

"Exactly."

"Perhaps it's because of their hidden strength."

"Hidden strength?"

Someone snorted.

"If they had hidden strength, they would have found their place long ago. The fact that they've been in this state for nearly a hundred years means this is their place, doesn't it?"

"Which sect hasn't had its heyday? What matters is the present."

While everyone was belittling Huashan, one person spoke up quietly.

"Don't underestimate Huashan."

Everyone's gaze turned to him.

Li Songbai.

He spoke with a blank expression.

"Otherwise, you might suffer a great humiliation."

Zhong Xuhan sneered.

"Like Senior Brother?"

"..."

Despite the clear provocation, Li Songbai didn't react.

"Don't worry, Senior Brother. We won't do what you did to boost Huashan's morale. We'll crush the spirit you left behind."

"I'm telling you not to be complacent."

"What difference would it make if we were complacent with the Huashan people?"

"I..."

Li Songbai started to say something but stopped, letting out a low sigh. No matter what he said, it wouldn't be heeded.

Qing Ming's actions at the Yinhexiang Trade Guild had put Elder Qimu Sheng and Li Songbai in the most difficult position.

Especially, the criticism was mainly directed at Li Songbai. After all, how many people could criticize an elder?

"Do as you please. But if you are complacent, you will pay the price."

Just as Zhong Xuhan frowned and was about to say something, a low voice was heard.

"You're not wrong."

Everyone's heads turned again.

They all stood up as they saw a person slowly climbing the mountain.

"Sit down."

"Yes."

The elder who led them, Sima Sheng, scanned everyone and spoke.

"Have you forgotten about the Yinhexiang Trade Guild incident?"

The mention of the Yinhexiang Trade Guild made Li Songbai flinch, but the other disciples answered without hesitation.

"We haven't forgotten."

Sima Sheng's eyes twitched.

"You were humiliated because of a sect on the verge of collapse. Do you know how angry the Sect Leader was about it?"

Everyone bowed their heads slightly, not out of guilt but to avoid the anger in Sima Sheng's voice.

"Being humiliated by Huashan is enough. We must not suffer such humiliation again. When will our Zhongnan, which aims to dominate the world, have to tangle with a third-rate sect like Huashan? The Sect Leader intends to put an end to our relationship with Huashan this time! If anyone is complacent and is humiliated by a Huashan disciple, I will not forgive them."

Sima Sheng's cold voice made the Zhongnan disciples hold their breath.

"A general on the battlefield does not leave any loose ends, and a lion puts all its effort into catching a rabbit. The purpose of this Zhonghua Assembly is not just to defeat Huashan but to crush their spirit. Do you all understand?"

"Yes! Elder!"

Sima Sheng nodded and his sharp gaze fell on Li Songbai.

"Being cautious is different from being scared. Isn't that right?"

"..."

"Yes."

"Hmm."

Sima Sheng turned to look at Huashan.

"Since you've all rested, let's get up now. We need to arrive before the waiting people's necks get stiff."

"Yes."

The Zhongnan disciples started climbing the mountain, following Sima Sheng.

After a long climb, as they neared Huashan, the disciples began to comment.

"Ugh. What a mountain."

"We really shouldn't come here again."

"Shouldn't we be seeing the mountain gate by now, like last time?"

After climbing the steep cliff, a dilapidated mountain gate would appear, marking their arrival at Huashan. Those who had visited Huashan before climbed the cliff with renewed vigor.

"Huh?"

"What's that?"

They were taken aback by an unexpected sight.

Two years ago, Huashan's mountain gate was so old and dilapidated that it seemed ready to collapse at any moment. The gate was barely functional, to say the least.

But now, the old, worn-out gate was gone, replaced by a grand new one that welcomed them.

'Have we come to the wrong place?'

'No way.'

'Where else would a sect build a gate in such an impossible place except Huashan?'

Their gazes followed the new gate upward.

The sign hanging on the gate hadn't changed, but the once crumbling sign now exuded an ancient charm when combined with the new, massive gate.

The words "Huashan Sect" written in a bold and dynamic calligraphy gave off an inexplicable sense of pressure.

"No, what is this...?"

Most people already knew that the Yinhexiang Trade Guild was investing in Huashan.

But the incident with the Yinhexiang Trade Guild had only happened recently. It was impossible for the Yinhexiang Trade Guild, or even its patriarch, to rebuild Huashan's main gate to such a grand scale in such a short time.

"How is this possible?"

Jin Jinlong muttered in a daze.

Wasn't Huashan the poorest sect in the world? The Beggar Sect would even mock Huashan, saying they could learn a thing or two from them.

How could Huashan afford to build such a magnificent gate?

"Quiet."

Sima Sheng barked.

"Perhaps they begged for some money. But changing the gate doesn't change their essence. There's no need to make a fuss."

"Yes!"

"An unsuitable act."

Sima Sheng walked toward the gate with a slightly displeased expression.

At that moment,

Creak.

The massive gate began to open.

A person slowly walked out from inside.

Wujue Zhu Xianxiang.

He greeted the approaching Zhongnan disciples with a light bow.

"You must have had a long journey. Elder Sima, we've met before. I am Xianxiang, an elder of Huashan."

"I am Sima Sheng."

His response was short compared to the greeting.

But Xianxiang smiled without showing any displeasure.

"It's good to see you again, Elder Sima."

"Is the Sect Leader not here?"

Xianxiang's eyebrows twitched.

"The Sect Leader is inside."

"Even though guests have come from afar, he won't show his face?"

Xianxiang bit his lip slightly.

Sima Sheng was an elder of Zhongnan, a position of great prestige, but he was not in a position to order the Sect Leader of Huashan around.

Sima Sheng, who should have known this, was deliberately showing disrespect to Huashan.

Xianxiang suppressed his rising anger and spoke.

"Please come in. A banquet has been prepared to welcome the Zhongnan disciples. I hope you enjoy it and forget the fatigue of your journey."

"A banquet. It seems Huashan thinks the Zhonghua Assembly is just a time for eating and playing."

"..."

"How could that be?"

"Whatever. Lead the way. I need to meet the Sect Leader first."

Xianxiang sighed.

'How ruthless.'

While the old Zhongnan also used to bully others, they never went this far. It seemed they had come with a specific intention.

But hadn't Xianzhong already warned him not to act rashly? Suppressing his anger, Xianxiang forced a smile and gestured inward.

"Please come in."

"Hmm."

Sima Sheng entered with a slightly rough step, still bothered by the new gate.

'They must have received some backing.'

Some blind fool must have invested money in Huashan. They probably started with the most urgent things, like the gate and their attire.

But the internal halls...

"What?"

Those who entered the gate couldn't help but gasp.

"The halls?"

"When did this happen?"

Inside the gate, a vast training ground paved with blue stones and clearly new halls came into view.

'Did they repair all of this?'

No, did they rebuild it entirely?

Did a deity descend upon Huashan?

"Better than Zhongnan."

A murmur from behind summed up everyone's thoughts. Compared to this, Zhongnan looked shabby.

Just two years ago, Huashan was a desolate place with dilapidated halls and collapsed buildings. When did all this change?

Sima Sheng's face twisted.

He stopped, and Xianxiang looked at him curiously.

"What's wrong?"

"Things have changed a lot, haven't they?"

Xianxiang smiled and replied.

"Good things have happened."

"Is there still someone willing to back Huashan? Surely, no self-respecting sect would resort to theft."

Xianxiang's face flushed with anger.

No matter how much Xianzhong had warned him, this was unbearable.

"Watch your words..."

At that moment,

"Die."

Everyone's gaze turned to the side.

Sima Sheng's face involuntarily stiffened at the scene before him.

'What are they doing?'

He saw a group of people running frantically. Their martial robes were soaked, and their expressions suggested they had been running for a long time. They were staggering but somehow managed to keep running.

It was a strange sight.

But Sima Sheng's attention was not on them.

It was on the source of the voice.

Beside the group, a person with a clean outfit and a calm expression was running alongside them, as if on a leisurely stroll.

A small child.

Sima Sheng, his gaze fixed on the child, barked in a chilling voice.

"What did you just say?"