Chapter 14

Everyone was puzzled, their faces blank.

The wind blew.

Yan Liting and Miejue returned. Miejue's face was filled with displeasure. It seemed that Yan Huan and the Hou Tu Banner were quite strong, and they had not been able to eliminate them.

Yan Liting tried to console her: "Don't be upset, Miejue. Each of the Five Banners has its own unique skills. My junior brother Moshenggu was slightly injured in the battle with the Li Huo Banner."

Turning his head, he patted Lin Qing's shoulder with a smile: "Good boy! You fought three at once just now. What kind of skill was that? I've never seen it before!"

Even the three men, bound and lying on the ground—Yin Wufu and his companions—lifted their heads, their faces full of resentment, and shouted: "Song Qingshu! We three attacked you, but you defeated us one by one. We accept our defeat and are willing to be killed by you! But we want to be clear ghosts before the King of Hell!"

Cold sweat dripped from Lin Qing's forehead.

Clearly, he was not using Wudang skills, but how should he respond?

One misstep, and his previous arrangements would be in vain.

Fortunately, Lin Qing was quick-witted and said with a smile: "This... is a skill recently comprehended by the real person. Ahem, ahem, Sixth Uncle, you understand."

This was the art of lying.

Say half the truth and half the lie. It showed that he was favored by Zhang Sanfeng and had learned secret martial arts, while also providing a reasonable explanation for his victory.

Zhang Sanfeng taught the Wudang Seven Heroes according to their individual talents. Except for Song Yuanqiao, he did not teach all of them the same martial arts. Wudang boxing, Wudang swordsmanship, Wudang internal skills... each of the seven had their own strengths, and it was difficult to know the full extent of their master's skills.

Would Yan Liting confront Zhang Sanfeng?

Not to mention that Zhang Sanfeng often went into seclusion in recent years, appearing and disappearing like a dragon. Even if Yan Liting asked, Zhang Sanfeng had taught him many skills, and it would be reasonable to say he had comprehended them on his own.

Yan Liting looked enlightened, and his gaze toward Lin Qing changed.

Indeed, the master favored this boy, even teaching him secret skills without letting them know.

Zhang Wujie's face was gloomy, and his eyes were filled with resentment toward Lin Qing.

Lin Qing passed the test and bowed to Miejue.

Miejue looked at Lin Qing with a rare hint of approval: "What a fine young hero, brave and unyielding, not swayed by wealth or status. You are a true hero. You should all learn from him, do you hear?"

The Emei disciples behind her all bowed and agreed.

Lin Qing's heart suddenly stirred.

To complete the three tasks of the Jiaoniao Xiaojing, it would be extremely difficult for him alone, but Zhang Wujie was not without enemies!

Miejue was the one who disliked Zhang Wujie the most!

Even on her deathbed, she forced Zhou Zhiruo to swear a deadly oath: if she were to be with Zhang Wujie, even her parents' souls in the underworld would not rest in peace!

An enemy of my enemy is my friend.

He needed to use this to his advantage to complete the tasks. If he could gain Miejue's favor, dealing with Zhou Zhiruo would be much easier.

Lin Qing, having figured out the key, said more respectfully to Miejue: "On Wudang Mountain, the real person praised you greatly. He said your swordsmanship is decisive and fierce, reaching the highest level, making you the second-best swordsman in the world."

Miejue was even more pleased, her lowered brows lifting, but she maintained the composure of a nun and said lightly: "That is the real person's praise. Zhang Sanfeng is the leader of the martial arts world, like Mount Tai and the North Star. We, the younger generation, all admire him greatly."

The two engaged in a Q&A, one flattering and the other accepting.

Lin Qing, familiar with the plot, kept praising her, making even Yan Liting stunned. He thought to himself: "When did Qingshu become so eloquent, and why is he so eager to please Miejue? His words are so smooth, making the old nun unable to hold back her smile. Sigh, in dealing with people, I am far inferior. If I had been so good at pleasing people back then, how could Xiaofu have been taken away and killed by Yang Xiang?"

He was usually introverted and not good with words, and he smiled bitterly.

Miejue, flattered by Lin Qing's praise, felt almost elated but shook her head and smiled: "Young Song, don't tease me. Let's deal with these three evil cult members first, then head to Bright Peak to join your sect as soon as possible."

Mentioning the evil cult, Miejue, who had been smiling, immediately became fierce.

Yin Wufu and his companions turned pale. They knew what would happen if they fell into Miejue's hands. They sighed and closed their eyes, cursing.

"Old witch Miejue! If you have the guts, come and kill me!"

"Even a frown is not the way of the Heavenly Eagle Sect."

"Even if my body is burned, I am not afraid. I pity the world, for there is much suffering."

Miejue sneered: "What brave evil cult members! Zhiruo!"

She raised her hand and threw the Heaven Sword to Zhou Zhiruo, raising an eyebrow: "Go! Kill these three villains!"

Zhou Zhiruo, though diligent in practice, had never killed anyone. Especially with Yin Wufu and his companions severely injured and bound, waiting to die, she was kind-hearted and could not bring herself to do it. She held the Heaven Sword, unsure what to do, and looked at Miejue: "Master... I... this..."

Ding Minjun, who had been watching, could not stand it. She was the senior sister, so why did the master always favor and cultivate Zhou Zhiruo? Could it be that the master intended to pass the position of sect leader to this much more beautiful and intelligent junior sister?

Thinking of how she had finally removed Ji Xiaofu, only to have a more beautiful and smarter Zhou Zhiruo come along, Ding Minjun was furious and shouted: "Zhiruo, the master ordered you to eliminate the evil cult members. There is no danger. What do you mean by hesitating? Are you questioning the distinction between good and evil, and sympathizing with these villains?"

Her sharp words and attempts to sow discord made Miejue's face turn dark.

Suddenly, a voice interrupted: "Please, Master, hold off!"

Zhou Zhiruo looked with gratitude, and it was Song Qingshu.

Miejue, who had been frowning, saw Song Qingshu, whom she greatly admired, and her expression softened: "Young Song, what is your suggestion?"

Lin Qing smiled and bowed: "Master, there's no need to rush to kill these three. They are already powerless to resist, and there are many more obstacles on the way. They might be useful. Why not take them to Bright Peak and eliminate them all at once?"

Miejue glanced at Lin Qing, thinking about the upcoming attack on Bright Peak. The evil cult's various factions had come to aid, and it was said that the White-Browed Eagle King, the Blue-Winged Bat King, and even the Purple-Shirt Dragon King had returned to Bright Peak, united against a common enemy. These three could be useful as hostages, so she nodded in approval.

Why did Lin Qing want to save Yin Wufu and his companions?

Because he sensed that the first battle chosen for him in this space was against Yin Wufu and his companions. They should not just be the first wave of easy experience and rewards but had a deeper meaning.

Upon closer inspection, their martial arts were average, but their identities were personal servants of the White-Browed Eagle King, Yin Tianzheng!

The White-Browed Eagle King was a very important character in "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber." Apart from the main characters, he and others like the Golden-Haired Lion King were significant figures in the plot.

Could there be hidden benefits in being the personal servants of such an important character?

Recalling their fierce expressions when he took the Heavenly Eagle Sect token from them, Lin Qing had an idea and thus stopped Miejue from acting.

The group briefly tidied up the battlefield and continued on their way to the rendezvous point.

As they approached a desert, Lin Qing stopped.

Yan Liting said: "Qingshu, let's go."

Lin Qing, recalling the plot, said: "The Kunlun Sect was supposed to meet here at noon today, but it's not even noon yet. Something might have gone wrong."

Yan Liting's face showed concern: "This is very worrying. The evil cult's ambushes are very fierce. It will be difficult to reach the rendezvous point at First Line Gorge."

Lin Qing said: "Sixth Uncle, the road ahead is uncertain, and there are evil cult ambushes. It's already late. Why don't we set up camp and rest with the Emei elders? We can head west together tomorrow."

Yan Liting nodded: "That's a good idea."

Miejue and Jingxuan thought: "In recent years, Zhang Sanfeng has not been involved in secular affairs, and Song Yuanqiao is the true leader of Wudang. It seems that the third-generation Wudang leader will be this young Song. Although Yan Liting is his uncle, he listens to his nephew."

Miejue's gaze toward Song Qingshu became even softer.

They did not know that Yan Liting was easy-going and did not have strong opinions, so he did not oppose others.

Following Lin Qing's suggestion, the two sects set up camp and rested.

The desert was cold, so they had to set up tents.

Lin Qing, with a modern mind, not only assigned tasks effectively but also helped everywhere, running around and arranging everything, winning the favor of Miejue, Yan Liting, and the Emei women.

But Lin Qing's busy work was not just to win their favor.

He used the convenience of directing the work and moving around to do two things.

Specifically, he gave a glance and a simple note to two women.

After finishing, it was already dark.

Lin Qing walked to a tent, where a graceful and curvaceous woman's body was already shivering in the cold wind, waiting for him.

"Mrs. Li," Lin Qing smiled, "It's great to see you safe."

"Call me Meilin or Sister Lin," the woman, Li Meilin, smiled faintly. "I didn't expect you to be such a hidden expert."

Lin Qing chuckled but did not respond.

Li Meilin knew he was cautious and would not reveal his true cards, so she asked urgently: "Have you seen Yanran?"

Lin Qing shook his head: "No. I have some questions to clarify."

His tone left no room for argument.

Li Meilin nodded.

Strength commands respect, and weakness must submit.

Lin Qing's strength had made him a pillar of support for the mother and daughter. As a weak woman, she had to obey.

"What is your identity here?

"I am an outer disciple of the Emei Sect," Li Meilin said helplessly. "But I don't know any martial arts, and I've suffered a lot on the journey."

"What is your task?"

"To survive for three months and make it through the battle at Bright Peak. Then I can return to the space and receive 200 supply points," Li Meilin said crisply. She seemed to be a knowledgeable and capable woman in real life.

Lin Qing sighed.

Li Meilin's task was the same as his initial new player task.

A normal adventurer mode.

But he, due to the cursed "Jiaoniao Xiaojing," had taken the path of opposing the protagonist, a road with no return and unimaginable difficulty.

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