178: Black and White Swords

Huashan.

"Black and White Swords are here to pay a visit?"

Ning Yuan was on Jade Maiden Peak teaching his Disciples martial arts when he heard a subordinate come to report.

"Interesting, let's go take a look."

Ning Yuan put down the long sword in his hand.

Shortly after.

Inside the Huashan reception hall.

Two figures, one black and one white, appeared.

A man and a woman, standing side by side.

Both were middle-aged; the man was handsome and dashing, while the woman was refined and elegant. Their clothes fluttered, and both had long swords hanging at their waists.

"I, Shi Qing, along with my wife, Min Rou, pay our respects to Alliance Leader Yue."

Shi Qing and Min Rou said, cupping their fists.

Ning Yuan also stood up and walked down. "I have long heard of the great names of Hero Shi and the Ice and Snow Divine Sword. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputations!"

"Those are just empty names; how can they compare to the Five Mountains Alliance Chief?"

"The matter of Gentleman Sword defeating Zuo Lengchan has shaken the entire Jianghu. Alliance Leader Yue is now undoubtedly the number one expert of the Righteous Path in our Central Plains Martial Forest!"

Shi Qing said with a modest expression.

"Then, may I ask why the two of you have come to Huashan today, for..."

Ning Yuan got straight to the point.

Shi Qing looked embarrassed. He hesitated for a moment before sighing and saying, "Actually, my wife and I have come here today because we have a favor to ask."

"Oh?"

Ning Yuan's heart stirred, and he had a guess. He then said solemnly, "I wonder what could make the Black and White Swords so troubled? As fellow members of the Righteous Path, as long as I, Yue, can help, I will certainly do my best."

"Many thanks, Alliance Leader Yue!"

Before Shi Qing could speak, Min Rou quickly said.

"Please, take a seat, and tell me slowly."

After Ning Yuan invited them to sit, Shi Qing opened his mouth several times but still couldn't bring himself to say it.

Min Rou, standing to the side, couldn't hold back anymore. After glaring at Shi Qing, she looked at Ning Yuan, "In that case, let me say it."

"Please, Madam Shi, go ahead."

Ning Yuan nodded slightly.

"Sigh!"

Min Rou sighed as she spoke, "We have come here today in the hope of using the power of the Five Mountains Sword Sect to help us keep an eye out for the whereabouts of our son, Shi Zhongyu."

"Oh? What happened to your son?"

Ning Yuan asked in surprise.

Shi Qing, to the side, showed a look of shame, "It's a long story. My son, my son..."

Shi Qing found it hard to say.

After all, what Shi Zhongyu had done was truly unspeakable.

Although Min Rou was also very embarrassed, her eagerness to save her son made her disregard such etiquette. "It is like this: our son originally joined the Snow Mountain Sect. Because he committed some mistakes, he fled the sect without permission. My husband and I have been searching all along the way but have found no traces. We are worried he might encounter danger outside, so we hope Sect Leader Yue can extend a helping hand."

"The Five Mountains Sword Sect is deeply rooted, and our connections in the Jianghu are indeed extensive, with many eyes and ears. Normally, since the two of you are not from the Five Mountains, and searching for people is not something the Five Mountains Sword Sect specializes in, it would be difficult. However, since the Black and White Swords have come in person, if I, Yue, were to refuse, it would be contrary to righteous principles."

"So, does that mean Alliance Leader Yue agrees?"

Min Rou stood up in pleasant surprise.

"I thank Alliance Leader Yue!"

Shi Qing also immediately stood up to express his thanks.

"As fellow members of the Righteous Path, this small matter is nothing."

Ning Yuan waved his hand casually and continued, "However, I still need the two of you to explain the sequence of events and the places he might have gone, as this will help those below search for him more easily."

"Furthermore, it would be best if you could also inform me of your enemies; if someone has kidnapped your son, it would be dangerous."

Hearing this, both Shi Qing and Min Rou's expressions sank, revealing a grave look.

They really hadn't thought of this before.

They had only thought of Shi Zhongyu's enemies, and the Snow Mountain Sect people also couldn't find his whereabouts.

But they hadn't considered that it might be their own enemies in the Jianghu.

Thinking about it now, their hearts sank even further.

If that were the case, it would be even more dangerous.

"However, you two don't need to worry so much. If it truly is your enemies, they must have a demand and should have contacted you long ago."

Ning Yuan comforted them again, "How about this: you two stay at Huashan first, and I will arrange for people to investigate immediately. If there is any news, I can notify you right away."

"This..."

After Shi Qing and Min Rou exchanged glances, "Wouldn't that be too much trouble for Sect Leader Yue? Besides, we are eager to find our son and are afraid we won't be able to wait here with peace of mind."

"Manor Lord Shi's words are reasonable, but it would be best for someone to stay behind so that if news arrives, it can be relayed to you immediately. Otherwise..."

Ning Yuan shook his head.

Shi Qing and Min Rou looked at each other and also felt it made sense.

Moreover, asking someone for help without staying behind would seem too rude.

After all, the other party didn't owe them anything.

Thinking of this, Shi Qing took the initiative to say, "My wife has been very anxious about our son lately, so why don't we let her stay here for now, and I will head down the mountain to search."

"If there is any news, Alliance Leader Yue can let my wife know immediately to put her mind at ease."

"That works too."

Ning Yuan nodded in agreement.

Seeing that Shi Qing had already agreed, Min Rou could only reluctantly agree.

"Senior Brother, after you go down the mountain, why don't you look for our enemies and see if there are any clues there?"

Min Rou urged.

"Don't worry, Junior Sister, I will. I won't let a single one go; I will definitely get to the bottom of this."

Shi Qing nodded.

Afterwards, Shi Qing bid farewell and went down the mountain.

Leaving Min Rou behind.

"Madam Shi, please stay at Huashan with peace of mind. Later, I will have my Junior Sister prepare a room for you. As for the matter regarding your son, I will immediately arrange for people to spread the word."

"Many thanks, Alliance Leader Yue."

Min Rou immediately expressed her thanks.

"Senior Brother, why would the Black and White Swords think to ask for your help? I recall that our Huashan and Xuan Su Manor have no ties."

That evening, Ning Zhongze asked, puzzled.

"Although we have no ties, Xuan Su Manor comes from the Shangqing lineage and is also an orthodox Daoist sect. Since they have come to us for help, it is difficult to refuse."

Ning Yuan shook his head and said.

"That's true."

Ning Zhongze sighed softly upon hearing this.

Ning Yuan then came to Si Guo Cliff again and met Feng Qingyang.

For the next half month.

Ning Yuan went to Si Guo Cliff every night.

And Min Rou became familiar with Ning Zhongze and Madam Wang.

Half a month later.

[World: Smiling Proud Wanderer, Xia Ke Island]

[Departure Countdown: 820 days (1 day in Main World)]

[Luck: 520 (Can be exchanged for original body martial arts)]

[Current Identity: Yue Buqun]

[Current Talent: Dual Cultivation of Blessing and Wisdom (Effective, 6x Comprehension Ability)]

[Cultivation: Super First-Class (Late Stage of Qi Cultivation, Protective Aura Realm)]

[Martial Arts: Bei Ming Divine Skill, Seven-String Formless Sword, Five Mountains Divine Sword, Nine Swords of Dugu...]

"The Nine Swords of Dugu is truly extraordinary."

"The ingenuity of the Moves is indeed far beyond any sword technique I have practiced before."

Ning Yuan put away his long sword and sighed in a low voice.

Just then, Feng Qingyang's voice came, "Yue Buqun, your Comprehension Ability is indeed very high. In just half a month, you have mastered all the sword techniques of the Sword Sect, and you can even use the Nine Swords of Dugu skillfully."

Feng Qingyang stood on a rock, stroking his white beard, his expression full of emotion.

In all these years, this was the first time he had met someone who could comprehend his Nine Swords of Dugu at such a fast speed.

Such Comprehension Ability was something even he, in his younger days, could not match.

"With such talent, I never noticed it at all before. Truly strange!"

Feng Qingyang thought secretly.

After all, he hadn't just known Yue Buqun for a day or two.

It was absolutely impossible for a person to have such a change in such a short time.

Yet such a thing had happened.

Although Feng Qingyang was puzzled, he couldn't find any other reason.

He could only attribute it to a sudden enlightenment.

Understanding the Dao.

"Junior Martial Uncle Feng is too kind. Compared to your talent, Junior is truly dull."

Ning Yuan immediately said modestly.

Feng Qingyang was noncommittal, "You don't need to be modest; in front of me, put away that act."

"I only hope you will properly continue the Sword Sect's Legacy and continue Huashan."

"Now, I have nothing left to teach you. Take care of yourself in the future."

After Feng Qingyang finished speaking, without waiting for Ning Yuan to reply, he drifted down the cliff.

He was never someone who liked mundane matters.

Now, his last lingering concern had been resolved.

Naturally, there was nothing left to be attached to.

With this last bit of time, he might as well go out for a walk.

Ning Yuan stood on the mountaintop, watching Feng Qingyang leave. He narrowed his eyes, and after a long while, he shook his head.

"Now that I have learned the Nine Swords of Dugu, it seems I can proceed to the next step."

Ning Yuan thought silently to himself.

At the foot of Huashan.

Feng Qingyang had just jumped down when he happened to run into a figure in red.

"What fast speed!"

Feng Qingyang turned his head to look in surprise.

And the person opposite also turned their head to look.

Their eyes met, and both felt a jolt in their hearts.

"An expert!"

The same thought appeared in both of their minds.

Both sides passed each other.

But soon both stopped in their tracks.

"I didn't expect Huashan to have an expert like you."

Dongfang Bubai turned around, looked at Feng Qingyang, and asked in surprise, "Who are you?"

"And who are you?"

Feng Qingyang was equally surprised.

After looking Dongfang Bubai up and down, his brows furrowed even tighter.

Because he had never heard of such a highly skilled woman appearing in the Jianghu.

"I also don't know when Huashan came to have a figure like you. With a person like you, logically, Huashan wouldn't have declined for so many years, being suppressed by Mount Song."

Dongfang Bubai waved his large sleeve, becoming somewhat interested.

"Who exactly are you?"

Feng Qingyang raised an eyebrow, "Why are you so knowledgeable about Huashan? And what is your purpose in coming to Huashan this time?"

Feng Qingyang asked directly.

"Hmph!"

Dongfang Bubai snorted coldly. Since becoming the leader of the Sun Moon Divine Sect, no one had ever dared to question him.

"Old man, you're looking for death!"

Dongfang Bubai raised his hand and shot out several silver needles.

Feng Qingyang reached out, a willow branch from a nearby willow tree broke off, and with a casual swipe, the silver needles were swept onto the nearby tree trunk.

In the blink of an eye, Dongfang Bubai, in his bright red robe, had approached and pointed his sword finger towards the center of Feng Qingyang's eyebrows.

With such extreme speed, even Feng Qingyang was startled and immediately blocked it.

"What fast speed!"

Feng Qingyang shouted in shock.

Although he had been marveling at the other's speed when they passed each other just now.

He hadn't expected the other's speed to be so fast.

It was the first person he had encountered in decades.

The two fought instantly, their Moves as fast as lightning, each strike aiming for a vital point.

"What a vicious young woman, every Move is a killing blow."

Feng Qingyang shouted.

Dongfang Bubai snorted coldly, "When encountering an expert like you, wouldn't holding back be a sign of disrespect?"

Between the two, Sword Qi crisscrossed.

Dongfang Bubai possessed the fastest speed in the world, while Feng Qingyang had the most comprehensive Nine Swords of Dugu.

Although it was dangerous everywhere, he managed to block everything.

Both were increasingly shocked as they fought.

"I thought I was the best in the world, 'Sunrise in the East, only I am undefeated', but I didn't expect such an extraordinary person to exist in this Jianghu, and even hidden within this small Huashan."

Dongfang Bubai was secretly shocked.

Feng Qingyang's strength was enough to make him use his full power.

And the Feng Qingyang opposite was no less shocked than Dongfang Bubai.

"In the Jianghu, even Zuo Lengchan is just a Junior in my eyes, and I didn't even put Ren Woxing in my eyes back then. Now, a random woman passing by has such strength. Am I really old?"

Feng Qingyang couldn't help but feel emotional.

First there was Yue Buqun, the Huashan Sect Leader with suddenly high talent, and now he had met such a highly skilled young woman; this caused a great impact on Feng Qingyang.

After a hundred Moves, the two retreated dozens of steps at the same time, distancing themselves.

Their eyes met. After a long while, Feng Qingyang suddenly laughed aloud, "It seems we won't be able to determine a winner for a while, but I, an old man, cannot compare to a young person like you. We have no grudge or resentment between us, so there is no need to fight to the death."

"I wonder if this young lady has come to Huashan to find someone or to seek revenge?"

Feng Qingyang asked, squinting at Dongfang Bubai.

"Is there any difference between finding someone and seeking revenge?"

Dongfang Bubai asked indifferently.

"What you said is truly extraordinary!"

Feng Qingyang was stunned and clicked his tongue in wonder.

But thinking of the other's strength, it was indeed not something an ordinary woman could possess.

"Hmph!"

Dongfang Bubai snorted coldly, didn't say anything more, and turned to leave.

Seeing this, Feng Qingyang didn't stop him, just full of emotion, "Strange! Strange!"

"With such strength, this woman is truly a Prodigy of her generation."

Feng Qingyang didn't think too much about it.

Although Dongfang Bubai's name was famous in the Jianghu, except for the people of the Sun Moon Divine Sect, most only knew the name but not the person.

Even within the Sun Moon Divine Sect, only some high-ranking members were qualified to see Dongfang Bubai.

Therefore, ordinary Jianghu people naturally assumed that Dongfang Bubai, of "Sunrise in the East, only I am undefeated", was a man.

And they didn't know it would be such a heroic-looking woman.

A beautiful woman who, from her appearance, was already indistinguishable from a woman.

Feng Qingyang naturally wouldn't have such a thought.

And not long after this.

Dongfang Bubai appeared in front of Xiang Wentian.

Seeing this sudden red figure, Xiang Wentian was stunned in place. After reacting, he quickly knelt on the ground and shouted loudly, "Subordinate pays respects to the Sect Leader. Your subordinate did not know of your arrival; please punish me, Sect Leader."

Xiang Wentian lowered his head and shouted, cold sweat already seeping out on his forehead without him realizing it.

Over these past ten years, Dongfang Bubai's prestige and terror were deeply ingrained in the hearts of the entire Jianghu, let alone the Sun Moon Divine Sect.

Even Xiang Wentian, in front of Dongfang Bubai, behaved extremely submissively, not daring to have any disloyal thoughts.