Chapter 35

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Thinking of the tragic scene where Zhang Cuishan and his wife were forced to commit suicide, Yin Liting felt a deep hatred, and with a cold snort, he said, "After that day, the Five Elders of Kunlun felt a grudge against our Wudang, and thus they have been making things difficult for us ever since. Seeing your prominence in the battle against the Ming Cult, these five elders couldn't sit still anymore."

After he finished speaking, he stepped forward and said, "Elder Tang, may I ask who came to your aid when the Ming Cult's Five Elements Flags and the Heaven Eagle Sect had you cornered?"

Tang Wenliang, with his bull-like eyes wide open, was about to burst into anger. Another Kunlun elder, Guan Neng, spoke up, "Third Brother, it's fine. You have a straightforward nature and can't stand others boasting, but don't make them lose face in public. Remember, this young scholar is the future Wudang Sect leader and might even become a son-in-law of Emei. If he is willing to take the hit, what does it have to do with you?"

The Five Elders of Kunlun burst into laughter, their voices full of arrogance and prejudice.

Lin Qing watched silently from the side, without a word.

It seemed that even among the prestigious orthodox sects, there were many who were unwilling to see his rise.

The couple He Taichong from Kunlun and Xian Yutong from Huashan, the "Divine Mechanic," both showed disapproving expressions.

Lin Qing remained silent.

Song Yuanqiao frowned.

He had heard many good things about Song Qingshu and was delighted, but he still had to maintain the image of a strict father in front of everyone, scolding his son.

But when he heard these people belittle Song Qingshu, the strict father turned into a loving father, and Song Yuanqiao couldn't stand it.

The Kunlun Sect had already developed a grudge against the Wudang Sect due to the Zhang Cuishan incident, and now they had provoked Song Qingshu. How could he tolerate it?

Just as he was about to stand up and sternly refute them, the atmosphere became tense, and suddenly a voice rang out, "The high monks of Shaolin have arrived!"

The high monks of Shaolin, Kongzhi and Kongxing, along with over a hundred disciples, entered the tent with their sleeves fluttering and solemn faces.

Fortunately, the central tent was spacious enough to accommodate so many people, but it was still crowded, with no place to stand.

"Long have you waited, I, Kongzhi, apologize!" Kongzhi recited the Buddhist chant and greeted everyone.

Lin Qing paid close attention.

"Shaolin's Four Great Monks: Kongwen, Kongzhi, Kongxing, and Kongzhi." These were the most renowned four monks of Shaolin. However, Master Kongjian had already been killed by Xie Xun with 13 strikes of the Seven Injuries Fist. The current Shaolin Sect leader was Master Kongwen. For this expedition against the Ming Cult, Master Kongwen remained at Shaolin, sending Kongszhi and Kongxing to lead the charge. Master Kongszhi was the overall leader of the six sects' western expedition to the Ming Cult and the siege of Bright Peak!

This overall leader, Master Kongszhi, had an unremarkable appearance, a bitter face, and a thin, small body, but his voice was like a bell, resonating throughout the hall.

Kongszhi, with a solemn expression and clasped hands, said, "On our way, we heard a dire piece of news. The Ming Cult, which was previously divided and in constant internal strife, has united due to a young man who discovered the 33rd Grandmaster Yang Dingtian's will through a secret passage under Bright Peak. They have now united to resist the siege by our six major sects. This news is very concerning."

Song Yuanqiao temporarily set aside the Kunlun Sect issue and nodded, "Master Kongszhi is right. I have also heard this news. Moreover, the Ming Cult has spread the news that a disciple of your sect named Yuanzhen infiltrated Bright Peak but was severely injured by the White-Browed Eagle King and the Blue-Winged Bat King, and fled."

This news surprised everyone.

Kongszhi, with clasped hands, said, "What are you talking about, Song Daxia? Yuanzhen had already died in the fierce battle with the Ming Cult, sacrificing himself for the cause. Amitabha."

Lin Qing's eyes flickered.

This was the mastermind behind everything, Cheng Kun, using the golden cicada shedding its shell strategy. However, due to the drastic changes in the plot, this guy was severely beaten by the Ming Cult's strong forces on Bright Peak and had fled to an unknown place to recover.

Imagine Cheng Kun emerging from the secret passage, only to be met by a group of enraged Ming Cult experts who were already prepared. The shock of this plot twist would be quite amusing.

"So, the Ming Cult is spreading rumors," Song Yuanqiao respectfully said, "This is a common tactic of the Ming Cult, not worth much attention."

"Hmph! Master Kongszhi, why boost the enemy's morale and undermine our own?" The second of the Five Elders of Kunlun, Zong Weixia, laughed to the sky, "The Ming Cult is a bunch of clowns, a rabble, and their time is up! Our six major sects have been advancing and conquering, achieving victory after victory. This shows that the Ming Cult is overrated and cannot live up to its reputation! Even if they unite now, how can they resist the sharp edge of our six major sects?"

"Exactly!" He Taichong coldly said, "Under my Kunlun sword, I have already killed no less than a hundred Ming Cult disciples. In the battle the other day, the Five Elements Flags were defeated by our three sects. The 300 elite forces of the Heaven Eagle Sect were completely annihilated by the Emei Sect. For a hundred years, since the 33rd Grandmaster Yang Dingtian's death, the Ming Cult has been in long-term internal strife. This is a perfect opportunity granted by heaven for us to destroy them! We must seize this chance, or it will be lost forever!"

His wife nodded in agreement.

The Huashan Sect leader, "Divine Mechanic" Xian Yutong, nodded and said, "Although the Ming Cult has temporarily united due to the situation, according to my information, internal conflicts still exist. The nominal leader is the Golden-Haired Lion King Xie Xun, who is not currently on Bright Peak. Therefore, the internal chaos continues, making it the perfect time for us to strike. If we wait, and the Golden-Haired Lion King Xie Xun returns to Bright Peak, he will legitimize his position and unify the divided Ming Cult, making it much harder to deal with. Isn't that right, Master Miejue?"

Kongszhi and Song Yuanqiao exchanged glances and looked at the Emei Sect.

Master Miejue, staring at the Heaven Sword in her hand, said calmly, "Whether the Ming Cult is in internal strife or united, once we reach Bright Peak, we will charge forward without hesitation, exterminating the Ming Cult's remnants, and extinguishing their centuries-old holy fire. This will not betray my name as Miejue, the demon slayer, and the reputation of the Emei Sect!"

Song Yuanqiao sighed.

Master Miejue, as her name suggests, was always a staunch advocate of war, and this was no surprise.

Four of the six major sects had already expressed their intention to attack Bright Peak immediately.

Kongszhi, hearing the enthusiastic and unanimous calls for war, was also hesitant.

Song Yuanqiao was somewhat anxious.

He, a disciple of Zhang Sanfeng, was cautious and careful. He said, "We must be aware of the Ming Cult's cunning. Previously, they were divided, with Yang Xiao, the Four Protectors, the Five Elements Flags, and the Five Scattered Ones all at odds, giving us an opportunity. But now, the Ming Cult has formally restored order under Yang Xiao's command, and they have the geographical advantage of the seven peaks and thirteen cliffs of Bright Peak. Although the Five Elements Flags were severely injured in the desert battle, they still have the Heaven, Earth, Wind, and Thunder divisions, along with the main forces of the Heaven Eagle Sect, defending the seven peaks and thirteen cliffs. We cannot act rashly!"

Among the Four Great Monks, Kongszhi, despite his name "Zhi" (wisdom), did not have much wisdom. Hearing Song Yuanqiao's reasoning, he found it quite reasonable and fell silent in deep thought.

Xian Yutong stood up and said with a cold laugh, "Mencius said: 'The city walls are not low, the moats are not shallow, the weapons are not blunt, and the grain is not scarce. If they abandon and leave, it is because the advantage of the terrain is not as good as the harmony of the people! The Ming Cult has lost its virtue, and heaven has taken away its spirit, leading to constant internal strife. Some have left, some have fled, some have declared independence, and some have disappeared. In short, their strength is only a fraction of what it was. If we are timid and fearful, and retreat at the first sign of trouble, not even daring to step onto the gates of the Ming Cult, this expedition will become a laughingstock for our six major sects. How can we face the people of the Central Plains?"

Everyone, upon hearing this, felt it was reasonable.

The siege of Bright Peak by the six major sects was the biggest event in the martial world, causing a great stir. If they had gone through great hardships, crossed mountains and deserts, and reached Bright Peak, only to give up because the Ming Cult had temporarily united, they would be laughed at by the world.

These were all heroes of the martial world, who would rather shed blood than lose face. They felt their backs straighten.

"Exactly! We can lose our heads, we can shed our blood, but we cannot lose the face of our prestigious orthodox sects!" The fourth of the Five Elders of Kunlun, Chang Jingzhi, loudly declared.

He Taichong, Master Miejue, and Xian Yutong all nodded, their eyes shining with determination, clearly deciding to launch a strong attack on Bright Peak.

Even Kongszhi took a deep breath and said in a booming voice, "Master Xian Yutong is right. Exterminating demons and defending the righteous path is our duty. If we retreat due to fear of the enemy, we will have no face to return to our people. We will also betray our status as prestigious orthodox sects and the righteous path of the martial world. Amitabha, knowing there is a tiger on the mountain, we must still go to the tiger's den. Is this not a good deed?"

Five of the six major sects had agreed to launch a strong attack, and Song Yuanqiao had no choice but to nod.

If he opposed further, they would say that only the Wudang Sect was retreating, and the weight of this reputation would be too much for Song Yuanqiao to bear.

Lin Qing sighed.

His sense of unease grew stronger.

He could even predict that this was a long-planned plot by the powerful Hongbang team of seven to reverse the plot.

Befriending Zhang Wuji, infiltrating the secret passage under Bright Peak, retrieving the will, ending the internal strife of the Ming Cult, and dealing a heavy blow to the six major sects.

This dramatic plot twist would surely bring great benefits!

Lin Qing had already tasted the sweetness of changing the plot from capturing Yin Wufu and killing Yin Yewang. Just the reputation value of "Famous in the Martial World," the orange chain mission "Destroy the Ming Cult," and the map and token to unlock the headquarters of the Heaven Eagle Sect in this world, were enough to make his heart race!

If the Hongbang team could lead the plot and defeat the six major sects on Bright Peak, what level of reputation and benefits would they gain in the Ming Cult camp?

It was unimaginable!

Even if the leaders of these prestigious orthodox sects couldn't be killed, the spoils left by the top experts like Kongszhi, Song Yuanqiao, and Master Miejue would be enough to make them rich and powerful!

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