137: The righteous gentleman sword! (seeking full subscription)

"Father, this Lin Pingzhi is quite pitiful. Why not just accept him into our sect?"

After returning to the inn, Yue Lingshan couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.

"I have already said that we must first seek his parents' opinion on this matter. You don't need to ask further."

Ning Yuan said indifferently.

Ning Zhongze, who was beside him, also said, "Lingshan, you've been away for so long; you should rest well first. Your father and I have also come from afar and are equally exhausted. Tomorrow, we still have to attend Liu Zhengfeng's Golden Basin Hand-Washing ceremony. There might be some trouble tomorrow, so we need to gather our strength today."

"I understand."

Yue Lingshan pouted and said reluctantly... "Senior Brother, what exactly are your plans?"

After Yue Lingshan left, Ning Zhongze couldn't help but ask.

"Junior Sister, rest assured, I have my own plans."

Ning Yuan did not elaborate.

Then he looked at Ning Zhongze, and the atmosphere between the two gradually became intimate.

After all, Ning Yuan's enhancement had already disappeared.

"Senior Brother, don't. This is an inn, there are many eyes and ears. What if..."

Ning Zhongze said in a low voice, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

"What is there to fear? We've been husband and wife for a long time."

Ning Yuan picked up Ning Zhongze and went to the bed.

A short while later... "Senior Brother, tomorrow we still have important matters. If anything happens, we'll need to deal with it, so don't be so intense tonight."

Seeing this, Ning Zhongze could only change her request.

"Don't worry, Junior Sister, I know what I'm doing."

Ning Yuan smiled slightly.

The next day.

Ning Yuan received a five-fold boost to his Comprehension Ability... Early in the morning, people from various Martial Forest sects gathered at the Liu Manor.

The Liu Manor was already decorated with lanterns and streamers.

In the pavilion within the main courtyard of the Liu Manor, a brand new golden basin was placed on a stool.

Below it, on both sides, there were three chairs each.

Ning Yuan sat in the seat of honor on the right, followed by the Mount Heng and Taishan sects.

The seat of honor on the opposite left side was empty.

Next were Yu Canghai of the Qingcheng Sect and other Jianghu Schools.

As various Jianghu people arrived and took their seats in the Liu Manor courtyard, Liu Zhengfeng grew slightly uneasy as he had yet to see anyone from the Songshan Sect, the leader of the Five Mountains Sword Sect. However, he still bowed with a smile to everyone, "Thank you, fellow Martial Forest comrades, for your presence at my Golden Basin Hand-Washing ceremony."

While Liu Zhengfeng was speaking, a fierce wind swept through Hengyang City, kicking up sand and stones. The Songshan Sect arrived aggressively with surging Killing Intent and surrounded the Liu residence.

"Today, I wash my hands in this golden basin. From now on, I will retire from the Jianghu and no longer participate in Martial Forest affairs."

As the ceremony began, a servant nearby poured rootless water into the basin. Liu Zhengfeng was about to dip his hands into the golden basin.

But then, a shout of 'Stop!' came from outside the manor.

Then, people from the Songshan Sect suddenly appeared.

"The command flag of the Five Mountains Alliance Chief has arrived! Junior Martial Uncle Liu is not permitted to wash his hands in the golden basin."

Zuo Lengchan's eldest Disciple, Shi Dengda, appeared holding a Triple-Religion Command Flag.

Everyone present looked up at this sight, many exchanging glances.

Even Abbess Dingyi of Mount Heng and Yu Canghai, among others, frowned deeply.

Only Ning Yuan responded calmly.

Liu Zhengfeng's heart sank, but he showed no panic on the surface. Instead, he bowed and said, "The Five Mountains command flag was originally jointly established by the Five Mountains Sword Sect; seeing the flag is like seeing the Alliance Chief. However, I have now washed my hands in the golden basin and retired from the Jianghu. I am no longer a man of the Jianghu. This is purely my private matter, so I may choose not to accept the command flag."

"Hmph, if the Alliance Chief says you can't retire from the Jianghu, then you can't."

Shi Dengda snorted coldly and waved his hand. Soon, the entire Liu Manor was surrounded. Then, dozens of Songshan Sect members brought out Liu Zhengfeng's wife, daughter, and two sons from inside the manor.

Liu Zhengfeng's expression changed, and he asked with a dark Face, "What is the meaning of this?"

"By order of the Five Mountains Alliance Chief, we are to watch over your family members. Not a single one is allowed to leave."

The person who brought out Liu Zhengfeng's family members said coldly.

Hearing this, a commotion broke out among the crowd.

The Songshan Sect actually involved the family members, regardless of age, immediately causing those present to be filled with indignation but afraid to speak out.

Even Taoist Tiansong, who was always known for his hatred of evil and his upright character, showed anger on his Face.

Abbess Dingyi of Mount Heng also looked displeased.

"You have gone too far! If the Songshan Sect intends to bully with numbers, the major sects present will never allow it."

Abbess Dingyi stood up in anger and spoke loudly.

The scene was in a stalemate for a moment. Liu Zhengfeng was about to wash his hands again.

But a sword was kicked over, knocking over the golden basin. Then, a foot stepped onto the basin as someone said coldly, "Senior Brother Liu, the Alliance Chief has ordered that you are not allowed to wash your hands in the golden basin."

Ning Yuan watched this scene indifferently, silently drinking his tea.

"Why not? Isn't Alliance Chief Zuo overstepping his bounds a bit too much?"

Liu Zhengfeng asked directly.

One of the Thirteen Taibao of Mount Song, Zuo Lengchan's Junior Brother Fei Bin, stepped forward. "Fellow Martial Forest comrades, Liu Zhengfeng has colluded with Dongfang Bubai of the Demonic Cult. How can we let him get away so easily?"

"What? The Demonic Cult?"

"Dongfang Bubai?"

Upon hearing Dongfang Bubai's name, everyone present tensed up.

"What exactly is going on?"

Many people asked in confusion.

Liu Zhengfeng knew the other party had come prepared, but he still didn't panic. He just smiled and said, "Fei Bin, I haven't even seen Dongfang Bubai. How can you speak of collusion?"

"Furthermore, with my strength, how could I possibly catch Dongfang Bubai's Dharma Eye? Would I even be worthy of colluding with him?"

"You may not know Dongfang Bubai, but the Demonic Cult has a Protector Elder named Qu Yang. Do you know him?"

Fei Bin asked with a cold laugh.

Hearing his sworn brother's name, Liu Zhengfeng's heart sank. He then said, "He and I are merely soulmates in the art of music. I have no intention of getting involved in the affairs of the righteous and demonic paths; I only wish to retire from the Jianghu and study the way of music together."

"So, you and the Demonic Cult Elder Qu Yang are indeed sworn brothers?"

Fei Bin immediately sneered, "As a Disciple of the Righteous Path, you became sworn brothers with a Demonic Cult Elder, and yet you still claim you haven't colluded with the Demonic Cult?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the people who had previously stood by Liu Zhengfeng's side all changed their expressions.

Even Abbess Dingyi couldn't help but say, "Since it involves the Demonic Cult, Senior Brother Liu, why don't you kill Qu Yang yourself to sever the relationship and state your position?"

"Right!"

Other Martial Forest members also chimed in.

Liu Zhengfeng looked troubled; naturally, he couldn't do such a thing. He couldn't help but look toward Yue Buqun, who was known in the Jianghu as the Gentleman Sword.

Hoping to get a fair word from the Gentleman Sword.

In the past, he would have been disappointed, but unfortunately, the current Yue Buqun was no longer the old Yue Buqun.

Facing the gazes directed at him, even Yue Lingshan and Ning Zhongze behind him looked at Ning Yuan.

Ning Yuan unhurriedly set down his teacup and slowly stood up. "As members of prestigious righteous sects, the difference between us and the Demonic Cult is that we must have moral principles."

"Regardless of whether Liu Zhengfeng and the Demonic Cult Elder Qu Yang are working hand in glove or are simply rare soulmates, this matter should not involve his family."

"As the saying goes, Jianghu matters should be settled in the Jianghu. If Jianghu grudges must always involve family members, then among everyone present, who doesn't have a family?"

Ning Yuan sneered, "I think when that time comes, everyone will be in a state of constant fear."

"Yue Buqun, do you also intend to collude with the Demonic Cult?"

As soon as Ning Yuan said this, Fei Bin immediately turned around and glared at him.

In the Five Mountains Sword Sect, Songshan had always been supreme, its power alone suppressing the other four sects.

As long as they held the moral high ground, the four sects wouldn't dare to oppose them. Now that the other party was openly defying the Alliance Chief's orders and not giving them Face, the people of the Songshan Sect were naturally enraged.

"What a heavy accusation!"

Ning Yuan, however, was completely unafraid and merely said coldly, "Is Songshan trying to use this as an excuse to eliminate those who disagree?"

"Will you label anyone who dares to oppose you as a Demonic Cult collaborator?"

Hearing this, the Huashan members behind him immediately held their heads high and chests out.

No one from the various sects present dared to resist Songshan; only their own Sect Head dared to confront injustice, which naturally made them feel proud.

"I didn't expect the Gentleman Sword to be so silver-tongued. We are currently discussing Liu Zhengfeng's collusion with the Demonic Cult, which he has already admitted himself. Since he colluded with the Demonic Cult, isn't it only right to exterminate his entire family?"

While speaking, Fei Bin suddenly thrust his sword into Liu Zhengfeng's eldest son.

Blood instantly splattered out.

This sudden sword strike was beyond everyone's expectations.

"Son!"

Liu Zhengfeng's eyes widened in fury, his Face filled with shock and rage.

The scene erupted in a commotion, and many people stepped back in fear.

Clearly, no one expected the people of the Songshan Sect to be so ruthless and decisive.

"This is the fate of those who collude with the Demonic Cult. Headmaster Yue, you had better think twice!"

Fei Bin sneered at Yue Buqun.

After all, he was Zuo Lengchan's fourth Junior Brother and one of the Thirteen Taibao of Mount Song; his strength was at least equal to, if not greater than, the leaders of the other four sects in the Five Mountains Sword Sect.

Possessing combat power at the Sect Head level, he naturally had nothing to fear.

Even Ning Zhongze was a bit nervous, her gaze turning toward Yue Buqun.

The other Huashan Disciples were also on high alert, warily watching the Songshan Sect members surrounding them.

This time, the Songshan Sect had brought hundreds of people.

Whereas their Huashan Sect had no more than a dozen Disciples in total.

This time, there weren't even ten of them present.

They were simply no match for Songshan's superior numbers.

"Are you threatening me?"

Ning Yuan took a step forward and sneered, "Fei Bin, you're not qualified to threaten me. Tell Zuo Lengchan to come and say it himself."

These words made Fei Bin's Face look even worse. "Yue Buqun, you dare to disrespect the Alliance Chief's command flag?"

"The Alliance Chief's command flag is respected by all of the Five Mountains; seeing the flag is like seeing the Alliance Chief. Today, you not only stand up for Liu Zhengfeng, who colluded with the Demonic Cult, but also make an enemy of my Songshan. It seems you have developed ulterior motives!"

Fei Bin shouted harshly.

Ning Yuan's Face turned cold. "Fei Bin, I am the Huashan Sect Leader, not your Songshan Disciple. You are not qualified to berate me. If word gets out that you dared to bully the weak and act so condescendingly today, do you really think my Huashan Sect is afraid of your Songshan Sect?"

"What a Gentleman Sword! You truly have guts. Since you want to vouch for Liu Zhengfeng, you'd better be prepared for the backlash!"

At this moment, another cold voice rang out.

It was Zuo Lengchan's third Junior Brother, 'Crane Hand' Lu Bai, stepping forward.

"I, Yue, do not consider myself Zuo Lengchan's lackey. It is absolutely impossible for me to follow Zuo Lengchan's orders unconditionally. As for the price, you'll need to have the strength to back it up."

Ning Yuan said indifferently, with his hands behind his back and his head held high.

Hearing Yue Buqun's words of justice, Liu Zhengfeng gave Ning Yuan a grateful smile. He then looked at the Songshan people in front of him and sighed, "Three of the Thirteen Taibao of Mount Song have come. What a grand display! I never expected that I, Liu Zhengfeng, would be worth such treatment. It is truly an honor!"

Thanks to: Suibian X for the 3000-point tip! Worship!