174: Lao Denuo confessed! Conquer Lao Denuo!

If someone has the strength to kill Zuo Lengchan, then it means they also have the ability to kill them.

And people with such strength are rare in this Jianghu.

Furthermore, for someone to be able to prevent even Zuo Lengchan from escaping, their strength must be even more terrifying. In this world, perhaps only one person could achieve that.

"Could it be that Dongfang Bubai has left Black Cliff?"

The group felt puzzled; they exchanged glances, each harboring their own speculations.

But only by arriving at the scene would they be able to tell.

...

"They're all dead."

"The people who came from Mount Song this time have been completely wiped out. How is this possible?"

Looking at the corpses scattered across the ground, the group immediately stepped forward to investigate.

"It's a sword wound!"

"What fast swordplay."

Everyone present was an expert, so they quickly noticed many clues.

"Zuo Lengchan!"

Immediately after, Ning Yuan, along with Fang Zheng, Daoist Chongxu, Abbess Dingxian, Mo Da, Daoist Tianmen, and the others gathered in front of Zuo Lengchan's corpse.

"A single sword strike to the throat!"

Upon seeing the sword wound on Zuo Lengchan's throat, Abbess Dingxian spoke with a grave expression.

Fang Zheng, however, narrowed his eyes and suddenly crouched down, grabbing Zuo Lengchan's wrist. A moment later, his expression changed abruptly, and he exclaimed, "The True Qi in Zuo Lengchan's body had already vanished before his death."

"What? How could his True Qi have vanished?"

Abbess Dingxian's face revealed astonishment.

"It's the Star Absorbing Skill!"

Ning Yuan said immediately with a grave tone.

Following Ning Yuan's reminder, the group immediately realized what had happened.

"Indeed, it is the Star Absorbing Skill!"

"Only the Star Absorbing Skill would result in such a situation."

"A few days ago, Zuo Ting, Di Xiu, and others from the Thirteen Taibao of Mount Song died from the Star Absorbing Skill. Now, even Zuo Lengchan has..."

Daoist Chongxu's expression was also incomparably grave.

The Demonic Cult leader from over a decade ago, Ren Woxing, could be described as a demon walking the world, arrogant and wild.

He brought immense pressure upon the Righteous Path.

Although he had disappeared for over a decade, his prestige and power still ran deep in the hearts of the people.

After all, those who had experienced the era of Ren Woxing, such as themselves, had personally felt how formidable Ren Woxing was.

Although Dongfang Bubai was even more terrifying now, Dongfang Bubai resided on Black Cliff and rarely descended. While his prestige was terrifying, it was not as direct or deeply ingrained in the hearts of the people as the dominance and tyranny of Ren Woxing.

"Could it be that Ren Woxing has truly returned to the Jianghu?"

Fang Zheng said with a grave expression.

"Zuo Lengchan had just mentioned Ren Woxing earlier, and to think Zuo Lengchan would be killed so quickly. It seems this Ren Woxing has been hiding in Luoyang all along; perhaps he is watching us from the shadows right now."

Daoist Chongxu looked around and said vigilantly.

"What? Ren Woxing is right here?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present was shocked, revealing expressions of vigilance.

"Everyone, rest assured. With so many of us here, Ren Woxing does not have the guts to appear."

Ning Yuan stepped forward and spoke immediately, calming everyone down. He then continued, "I have long heard of Ren Woxing's strength. Since he could kill Zuo Lengchan, it seems he has improved over these years. However, just because he could kill Zuo Lengchan does not mean he can kill anyone. I, for one, would very much like to witness the power of the Star Absorbing Skill."

As he spoke, Ning Yuan tilted his head back and shouted loudly, "Ren Woxing, I, Yue, am now the Five Mountains Alliance Chief. If you want to announce your return to the Jianghu and establish your reputation, there is no need to look for others. If you have the ability, come and kill me. If you kill me, the people of the world will naturally fear you."

"Headmaster Yue, do not easily provoke Ren Woxing."

As soon as these words were spoken, someone immediately spoke up to advise him.

But Ning Yuan directly raised his hand to stop them, saying, "It is fine. I, Yue, intend to provoke him. Only by enraging him will he stop focusing his attention on the leaders of the other sects. Whatever grudges he has, he may come and seek me."

Ning Yuan expressed this with a righteous and stern face.

"Headmaster Yue is truly righteous!"

Many of the Jianghu people who had just arrived heard these words and showed expressions of admiration.

"I never expected Ren Woxing to have truly returned to the Jianghu, and he even killed the Mount Song Sect Leader Zuo Lengchan. Fortunately, the Righteous Path still has an expert like the Alliance Leader Yue."

"Indeed, as long as that Ren Woxing dares to appear, Alliance Leader Yue will definitely be able to handle him."

"Alliance Leader Yue is the one who defeated Zuo Lengchan; his strength might not be weaker than that of Ren Woxing. No wonder Headmaster Yue is so confident."

Meanwhile, in the crowd.

Xiang Wentian and the veiled Ren Yingying also appeared.

Ren Yingying's face revealed excitement, while Xiang Wentian moved calmly to Zuo Lengchan's side, grabbed his wrist to examine him, and then returned to Ren Yingying's side, whispering, "It is the Leader's Star Absorbing Skill."

"It seems we can confirm that the Leader is in Luoyang."

"Uncle Xiang, why do you think Father would appear here? Could it really be related to that Yue Buqun?"

Ren Yingying's gaze swept over Ning Yuan, who was facing away from them in front, "Otherwise, the matter would be too coincidental. Could this Yue Buqun really have reached some agreement with my father?"

"Otherwise, why would Zuo Lengchan be assassinated and killed right after leaving Luoyang, immediately following his slandering and rumor-mongering against Yue Buqun?"

"Does the Holy Maiden mean that Yue Buqun has indeed reached an agreement with the Leader?"

Xiang Wentian looked thoughtful, and after a moment, he nodded, "This matter is not entirely impossible."

"Since the Leader is unwilling to show himself, he must have his reasons. If we want to find the Leader, it seems we must indeed start with Huashan for now."

While everyone was discussing this, the various Sect Heads gathered together.

"Headmaster Yue, what should we do now?"

Abbess Dingxian looked towards Ning Yuan and asked with a worried expression.

"The Demonic Cult has a Dongfang Bubai, which has already made us face a formidable enemy. If Ren Woxing appears as well, the Demonic Cult's strength will inevitably become even stronger. I fear that our Righteous Path will also be in peril."

Abbess Dingxian said gravely.

"Abbess Dingxian, you are overthinking. The appearance of Ren Woxing may not necessarily be a good thing for the Demonic Cult."

Ning Yuan was calm.

"Headmaster Yue, what do you mean by that?"

Abbess Dingxian raised an eyebrow and asked immediately.

"One mountain cannot tolerate two tigers. The current leader of the Demonic Cult is Dongfang Bubai, and Dongfang Bubai was once a subordinate of Ren Woxing. Now that Ren Woxing has returned, where does that leave Dongfang Bubai?"

"Do you really think Dongfang Bubai would give up the position of Leader?"

"Moreover, since Ren Woxing has returned to the Jianghu but dares not show himself directly, I fear it is because his disappearance all those years ago has a lot to do with Dongfang Bubai. That is why he dares not appear in public, but rather hides in the shadows, plotting."

Ning Yuan said with confidence.

"Headmaster Yue means that Ren Woxing's appearance might cause internal strife in the Demonic Cult, and the reason Ren Woxing disappeared in the first place might be because he encountered schemes from Dongfang Bubai, which is why Ren Woxing dares not show himself now?"

Daoist Tianmen said immediately.

"Correct."

Ning Yuan nodded slightly.

Upon hearing this, everyone could not help but nod, "Headmaster Yue's words make sense. No wonder that with Ren Woxing's originally arrogant and tyrannical personality, he would now resort to such secretive behavior."

"It seems he has suffered quite a bit over these dozen years, causing his personality to change."

"It is just that this Ren Woxing has absorbed Zuo Lengchan's internal energy, so I fear his strength has become even greater. If he wants to continue dealing with us, I fear..."

Someone said with worry at this moment.

"That is why I, Yue, said what I did just now. The purpose was to enrage Ren Woxing and make him focus his attention on me, so that I can alleviate the pressure on you all."

"Headmaster Yue!"

Many people revealed expressions of being moved.

"However, whether I can truly share your burdens, I, Yue, cannot guarantee. I can only do my best and leave the rest to fate."

Ning Yuan said with an expression of regret.

"This has nothing to do with Headmaster Yue. That Headmaster Yue could say such things, we are already endlessly grateful."

Many people cupped their hands and said.

Not long after, Ning Yuan arranged for people to collect the corpses of the Mount Song people.

When they returned to the city, the news about Zuo Lengchan being killed by Ren Woxing had already spread through every street and alley.

"I never expected that Zuo Lengchan would lose his life so quickly after just losing the position of Five Mountains Alliance Chief. His luck is truly terrible!"

"This Ren Woxing was able to kill Zuo Lengchan; it seems that after disappearing for these dozen years, his strength has become even stronger."

There were rumors that the reason Ren Woxing disappeared back then was because he was betrayed and schemed against by his own subordinate, Dongfang Bubai, causing him to flee with serious injuries. He had only recovered from his wounds after so many years and emerged once again.

"With Ren Woxing's return, this Jianghu will once again be filled with turbulent winds and clouds."

"The future of the Jianghu will likely become increasingly perilous."

"Not long ago, there were rumors that this Yue Buqun was colluding with Ren Woxing. Now that Ren Woxing has appeared and killed Zuo Lengchan, who had a grudge against the Huashan Sect Leader, could it be that this rumor is true?"

Someone suddenly became suspicious.

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole place fell silent.

The current Yue Buqun is not the Yue Buqun of the past.

He is now the Five Mountains Alliance Chief.

Now that the upper echelons of Mount Song are all dead, I fear that the entire Mount Song will soon fall into the hands of the other party, with power reaching the heavens.

Speaking ill of the other party now carries a great risk.

Meanwhile, inside an inn in Luoyang.

Ning Yuan let out a long sigh, "Sect Leader Zuo has met a tragic end, but a country cannot go a day without a ruler. Mount Song also needs to elect a new Sect Head as soon as possible to take charge of the overall situation. I wonder what opinions you Sect Heads have on this matter?"

Ning Yuan’s gaze swept across the Sect Heads of the various sects.

"Headmaster Yue, this is an internal matter for Mount Song. I am afraid Mount Heng is not in a position to participate. We only hope that Mount Song can take this as a warning and elect someone virtuous, respected, and with the world in their heart as the new Sect Head, to benefit the Martial Forest, rather than continuing to commit evil and bring harm to the Martial Forest."

Abbess Dingxian stood up and said immediately.

"Hmm, that makes sense."

Ning Yuan nodded slightly and looked at Mo Da and Daoist Tianmen, "Then what are the opinions of Mount Heng and Mount Tai?"

"Mount Tai is likewise not in a position to participate in this matter. We ask the Alliance Leader to decide."

Daoist Tianmen said immediately.

Among the Five Mountains Sword Sect, only the Mount Tai Sect was the weakest, so Daoist Tianmen had always been one to protect his own interests.

"This old man has no objections either."

Mo Da also said.

Zuo Lengchan was dead, and his Junior Brother's revenge could be considered avenged.

He had never liked dealing with worldly affairs; he didn't even want to be the Sect Head of Mount Heng, so how could he possibly care about who became the Sect Head of Mount Song?

As long as the new person who took the position didn't make things difficult for them at Mount Heng, it didn't matter.

"Since that is the case, I will send people to notify Mount Song and have them elect a new Sect Head."

Ning Yuan sighed softly, "Now that Zuo Lengchan has just died, Mount Song is without a leader, and it is inevitable that chaos might ensue. I will arrange for my first Disciple, Linghu Chong, and my second Disciple, Lao Denuo, to go and maintain order at Mount Song to prevent any chaos."

Hearing this, everyone frowned slightly.

Although they felt it was inappropriate, they couldn't say anything at the moment.

Afterward, once Ning Yuan had made the arrangements, he took his people and returned to Huashan.

Before leaving, Ning Yuan called Linghu Chong and Lao Denuo aside separately for a talk.

"Chong'er, your recent behavior in the Jianghu has been somewhat biased and has led to speculation. Now, I am sending you to Mount Song. I hope you can handle the affairs of Mount Song on my behalf, help to clear out the sect, and purge the scoundrels."

Ning Yuan instructed earnestly.

"Since Master has entrusted such an important task to this Disciple, the Disciple will definitely do his utmost."

Linghu Chong also said with a solemn expression.

"Among the other Junior Brothers, select a few more to help you and Lao Denuo. You are frivolous by nature, but Lao Denuo has always been steady; you will complement each other perfectly."

"Master, rest assured. I will handle this matter properly with Junior Brother Lao."

Linghu Chong nodded solemnly.

"Good. Once you have handled the affairs at Mount Song and returned to the mountain, I can rest assured and pass on the Zixia Divine Skill to you."

Ning Yuan patted Linghu Chong on the shoulder.

Linghu Chong immediately showed he was moved.

Not long after, Ning Yuan summoned Lao Denuo inside.

Facing Lao Denuo, Ning Yuan did not speak directly but just drank his tea in silence.

Lao Denuo felt a sense of oppression, and his heart could not help but flutter with anxiety.

Now that his true Master was dead and Mount Song was about to be taken over by Huashan, his own identity...

Lao Denuo was restless and anxious for a moment, yet he dared not speak.

"Lao Denuo, is there nothing you wish to say to your Master?"

After a long while, Ning Yuan finally spoke softly.

Lao Denuo's face showed panic. He suddenly knelt down and stammered, "I do not know what instructions Master has."

"Lao Denuo, I will only give you one chance."

Ning Yuan closed his eyes and said indifferently.

Hearing this, Lao Denuo's heart sank instantly.

"Could it be that my identity has already been exposed?"

"Should I admit it now? If I don't admit it, and if Yue Buqun really knows, he will definitely kill me."

"But if I admit it, what if Yue Buqun doesn't actually know my identity? Wouldn't I be confessing without being asked?"

Lao Denuo was caught in a dilemma.

His thoughts raced.

Cold sweat had already broken out on his forehead.

He quietly raised his head and saw Yue Buqun's indifferent gaze. His heart couldn't help but tremble. He hurriedly kowtowed and shouted loudly, "This Disciple is guilty. My true identity is actually that of Zuo Lengchan's third Disciple."

"It was Zuo Lengchan who sent me to infiltrate Huashan. I beg Master to punish me!"

As he spoke, Lao Denuo kowtowed repeatedly.

"Daring to speak the truth, it seems you haven't reached the point of being beyond redemption. However, you have provided my Huashan intelligence to Zuo Lengchan, and you must be punished."

Ning Yuan said indifferently.

Lao Denuo thought to himself, "He indeed already knew my true identity. Fortunately, I did not choose to continue hiding it. It is only punishment; it seems he won't necessarily kill me."

Lao Denuo secretly felt lucky, but out loud he said loudly, "This Disciple knows that I have committed an irreparable mistake. Any punishment from Master, this Disciple will gladly accept. Please, Master, impose your judgment."

Lao Denuo kept his head on the ground, not daring to rise.

"Hmph!"

Ning Yuan let out a cold snort, "In consideration of the fact that Zuo Lengchan is dead, I will give you a chance. As long as you perform well, you will remain my, Yue Buqun's, second Disciple, and you will only be my, Yue's, Disciple."

"If you dare to be two-faced again, then as your Master, I will have to punish you according to the sect rules. Do you know what punishment traitors and moles receive?"

"This Disciple knows."

Lao Denuo trembled and hurriedly replied.

"Good that you know."

Ning Yuan nodded with satisfaction, "This time, letting you go to Mount Song with Linghu Chong, you should know what I want, right?"

Lao Denuo's heart tightened, and he immediately said, "Master, rest assured. This Disciple will definitely make Mount Song a vassal of Huashan and ensure all of Mount Song's power is incorporated into Huashan."

"As the Five Mountains Alliance Chief, I cannot function without people to use. Therefore, if you handle this matter well for me, then the relationship between you and Mount Song will remain unknown to anyone."

"You will forever be the Second Senior Brother of Huashan!"

Ning Yuan slowly stood up, came before Lao Denuo, patted Lao Denuo on the shoulder, and said.

"Thank you, Master, for your grace. This Disciple will definitely not shirk even at the cost of his life!"

Lao Denuo straightened his back and said with a firm expression.

After watching Lao Denuo leave, Ning Zhongze, Madam Wang, Yue Lingshan, and Lin Pingzhi also walked in.

At this moment, the pale-faced Lin Pingzhi suddenly said, "Master, this Disciple also wants to help the First Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother. Please, Master, allow this Disciple to accompany the two Senior Brothers to Mount Song."

Lin Pingzhi had already castrated himself, and it was inconvenient to Cultivate the Evil-Exorcising Swordplay Manual at Huashan, so he had a thought to get away from Huashan.

And at Mount Song, where he was not well-known and there was no one to supervise him, it was naturally a good choice.

"Pingzhi, why do you want to go to Mount Song? What if you encounter any danger..."

Madam Wang was startled and wanted to speak to persuade him.

But Lin Pingzhi shook his head directly, "Mother, don't worry. Now that Zuo Lengchan is dead, and more than half of the Thirteen Taibao of Mount Song have died, it is impossible for me to encounter any danger at Mount Song. Furthermore, there are the First Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother. Besides, you underestimate your child too much; my current strength is far from what it was before."

"This..."

Madam Wang appeared hesitant.

Ning Yuan said at this moment, "It is good to go out and gain some experience. Since your mind is made up, then go to Mount Song with your two Senior Brothers."

Ning Yuan offered encouragement.

"Thank you, Master."

Hearing this, Lin Pingzhi immediately looked excited.

"Go with peace of mind; I will take good care of your mother."

Ning Yuan added another sentence.

"Yes!"

Lin Pingzhi was even more delighted to hear this, but he did not notice the hint of unnaturalness that appeared on Madam Wang's face.

"Father, I also want to go."

At this moment, Yue Lingshan suddenly shouted.

But Ning Yuan scolded, "What are you going for? When your martial arts can progress, it won't be too late to go out."

"Father, Little Linzi can go, why can't I?"

Yue Lingshan muttered with dissatisfaction.

"Pingzhi's martial arts have progressed rapidly during this period. Do you have his martial arts and progress?"

Ning Yuan snorted, then said to Ning Zhongze, "Junior Sister, Lingshan's temper has become increasingly wild lately; she needs to be strictly disciplined. Besides that, her martial arts have also been somewhat neglected; you must watch her and make her Cultivate diligently."

"Senior Brother, rest assured. I will pay attention."

Ning Zhongze sighed softly and could only say this.

Seeing Yue Lingshan's still indignant appearance, Ning Yuan's attitude softened slightly, and he added, "Later, I will discuss another matter with the Sect Heads of the various sects. By then, Huashan might be bustling for a while, and Huashan will also need manpower. Lingshan, you must not act recklessly."

"Bustling? What matter?"

Hearing this, Yue Lingshan's eyes lit up, and she became interested.

"You will know later."

Ning Yuan shook his head and did not say more.