220: Suspicion among factions

In the current world, there are many Schools.

However, large Schools naturally occupy more resources. Whether it is the scope of recruiting Disciples or the industries they control, they are far beyond what small Schools or Loose Cultivators can compare to.

Cultivating martial arts is an extremely costly endeavor.

The poor study, the rich Cultivate.

Whether it is using medicine or consuming various meats to nourish the body, it requires a significant amount of money to proceed.

And if one's diet cannot keep up while cultivating, the more one practices, the more it harms the body.

Therefore, the major Schools are not reclusive experts; instead, they have assets everywhere to support the people on the mountain in their cultivation.

Naturally, they place great importance on making money and resources.

But resources are limited.

If large factions occupy enough resources, the share occupied by small Schools naturally shrinks significantly.

When it comes to Loose Cultivators, they can only rely on themselves.

Moreover, once they make a mistake and provoke a Sect, they will instead be hunted down, living a hard life.

Therefore, many people choose to defect to the imperial court and act as lackeys.

Others choose to defect to the Demon Cult and become their minions.

But this does not mean these ordinary Jianghu people and small Schools have no resentment.

On the contrary, resentment has been building up.

But it has never erupted.

Because the major Schools have legacies of at least several hundred years, they can be described as having deep roots, and the Schools have always been of one mind.

They are simply not something that small Schools and scattered soldiers can shake.

For so many years, it has been constantly accumulating.

Now that Ning Yuan says he wants to reorganize the atmosphere of the Martial Forest and simultaneously become the Martial Arts Alliance Leader, he is bound to suppress the established major Schools.

During this period, he will naturally promote and reuse a batch of rising new Schools.

And this is precisely the opportunity for these small Schools.

Therefore, the major Schools are dissatisfied with Ning Yuan holding the Martial Arts Assembly to elect a Martial Arts Alliance Leader.

But small Schools and Loose Cultivators are extremely expectant of this.

Because no matter what the final result is, it will not make their current situation worse.

Perhaps they can also seize an opportunity from it and rise to power overnight.

Therefore, it seems that some people are opposing Ning Yuan becoming the Martial Arts Alliance Leader, fearing that Ning Yuan will dominate the Martial Forest and rule the Jianghu.

But in reality, it is a class struggle and a conflict of interests.

Ning Yuan merely let it be known that he wanted to reorganize the atmosphere of the Martial Forest, and by raising some issues concerning small Schools, he gained a large number of supporters.

Therefore, small Schools and Loose Cultivators from all over have joined forces.

Creating a tremendous momentum.

Deterring many factions.

Some Schools used the excuse that these Schools were evil cults and wanted to exterminate them, but in the end, they were killed by experts from the Five Mountains Sword Sect.

This immediately made those factions that were still hesitant firm in their stance.

The action of the Five Mountains Sword Sect naturally represented, to a certain extent, the attitude of Yue Buqun.

And this also showed that their guess was correct.

Yue Buqun indeed intended to make changes.

And this subtle response of support also made all parties firm up, increasingly supporting Ning Yuan's decision.

No matter how many people the major Schools have, they are far outnumbered by these small Schools and Loose Cultivators.

Therefore, as all parties united, the momentum created at this moment made people from all major Schools turn pale at the mention of it.

...

"They've rebelled, they've all rebelled!"

Inside one of the Schools, someone slammed the table in great anger.

"These small Schools, whenever they saw us before, were they not always respectful? Now, they actually dare to openly oppose us, and even dare to openly talk back to me. Who gave them the guts to speak to me like this?"

The Sect Head of the Eagle Claw School slammed the table and stood up.

The wooden table beneath his hand instantly shattered, scattering into pieces on the floor.

"Could it be that Yue Buqun really wants to stand up for these lowlifes? Don't forget, his Huashan is also one of the prestigious major Schools."

"Sect Head Yin, calm down. Although Yue Buqun is also from a prestigious School, he clearly sees our purpose now, which is why he spread such news, all to win over these small Schools and scattered soldiers to fight for the right to speak."

"In this way, even if we say we want an open election, we won't have the advantage in numbers. This Yue Buqun is truly cunning, not giving us any chance to exploit, hmph!"

The person speaking let out a huff, his face looking ugly.

"Then what should we do now?"

"Our strength is not as good as his, and now, public opinion is also in his favor. Once the Martial Arts Assembly is held, who can still compete with him?"

"Are we really going to watch the position of Martial Arts Alliance Leader fall into his hands?"

Many people said angrily.

"Then what solution do you have?"

Although the others were unwilling, they had no other way, so they could only snort: "I would like to see how he is prepared to reorganize the atmosphere."

"Actually, everyone doesn't need to be so worried. After all, Yue Buqun is still sitting in the position of Huashan Sect Leader. I think he released this news just to win over these small Schools. Once he becomes the Martial Arts Alliance Leader, he might not necessarily implement these things."

Some people, however, analyzed it very calmly.

Hearing this, many people showed thoughtful expressions.

"There is some truth to that. Perhaps Yue Buqun is just trying to win people's hearts. It was also because we pressured him too much initially that he chose this method. If we hadn't spread those rumors back then and had followed the rules of deciding heroes through martial competition, perhaps Yue Buqun wouldn't have let people release such news."

"Sigh! If I had known, I wouldn't have caused so much trouble. Now it has backfired!"

Some people began to regret, beating their chests and stamping their feet.

"It's too late for regret now. We should think more about how to face Yue Buqun's reorganization next."

Someone snorted and said directly.

"Soldiers come to block, water comes to cover; thinking about how to cope now is meaningless. We'll just have to wait until that time comes."

Someone sighed.

No matter how many people and how powerful the major Schools are, now that they have no advantage in strength and no advantage in public opinion, although the Martial Arts Assembly has not yet been held, the result is already decided.

They are already like fish on the chopping block, to be slaughtered at will.

...

As time continued and the situation fermented.

A month passed in a flash.

The date of the Martial Arts Assembly was getting closer and closer.

Ning Yuan had already arrived at Mount Song to take charge.

And in the town at the foot of Mount Song, it was already overcrowded.

Martial artists from various Schools arrived together.

There were also many small Schools and Loose Cultivators.

For such a major event as electing a Martial Arts Alliance Leader, as long as one is a person of the Jianghu, everyone wants to see it in person.

After all, this is a grand event that is rare in a hundred years.

In the future, this will become their topic of conversation after tea and meals.

When they are old in the future, if they say they have attended the Martial Arts Assembly, their descendants will also look up to them.

Moreover, Jianghu people love to watch the excitement, especially when it involves the whole world, the big excitement of the entire Jianghu; there is no reason to miss it.

Fortunately, Mount Song has two major Schools: the Songshan Sect and the Shaolin Temple.

Especially since Shaolin is a thousand-year-old temple that has experienced many major events, all of which have taken place at Shaolin.

The town is also prosperous, so facing the current situation, it can still accommodate everyone.

However, Jianghu people all have hot tempers, and many Schools or individuals already have rifts or even hatred between them.

Now that they are gathered together, it is naturally inevitable that they will resort to force.

There is almost never a quiet moment.

"Zhao the Second, it was your brother who killed my Disciple for no reason. I killed him to take revenge, which is in accordance with the Heavenly Dao and is reasonable. If you want to take revenge for him, then come on. Do you really think I, Zhang, am afraid of you?"

Inside the town at the foot of the mountain, the two sides met on a narrow road.

When enemies meet, they are extremely jealous.

With a few words, a conflict broke out, both sides fought, and blood stained the main road.

Yue Buqun stood on the peak of Mount Song.

Listening to various news sent by his subordinates.

Behind him were the Shaolin Abbot, Great Master Fang Zheng, and Daoist Chongxu of Wudang.

After listening to this news, Ning Yuan said with a solemn expression: "You tell me, if this atmosphere is not changed, will it work?"

"Every year, I don't know how many people die because of revenge killings. But when will this cycle of vengeance end? You kill him, he continues to kill you. As long as people are not all dead, the hatred never ends. When will it ever end?"

"And the cause of many things is just because of a small matter. If everyone could sit down and talk calmly, then none of this would have happened at all."

Ning Yuan sighed lightly, then said heavily: "Therefore, I am holding this Martial Arts Assembly to elect a Martial Arts Alliance Leader. It is to have a fair person in this Jianghu, someone who can mediate conflicts and hatred for all Schools."

"Striving to settle the conflicts between the two sides before some irreversible things happen. In this way, I don't know how much hatred this Jianghu can reduce, and I don't know how many lives can be saved."

Ning Yuan suddenly turned around and looked at Fang Zheng, "The Buddha says that saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. Great Master Fang Zheng, how many pagodas do you think my actions can build?"

"This..."

Fang Zheng was stunned, looking at Ning Yuan, his expression complex. After a long time, he said: "amitabha, Benefactor Yue is truly far-sighted in strategy; this old monk is not as good. It's just..."

Fang Zheng's tone suddenly changed, "It's just that the human heart is difficult to fathom, and how can Benefactor Yue guarantee that everything is truly fair?"

"Since both sides have grudges and conflicts, I'm afraid that unless one side sacrifices their own interests, it will be impossible to resolve the contradictions."

"Even if it is resolved on the surface, I'm afraid the resentment will still accumulate in the heart, and sooner or later it will erupt."

"At that time, a slaughter will still be unavoidable."

Fang Zheng's tone was heavy.

"Great Master Fang Zheng, are we to not try to see if we can really stop the killing just because of things that haven't happened yet?"

Ning Yuan chuckled, "Preventing problems before they happen, being able to resolve slaughter in its budding stage or even before it happens, is this not a great good?"

"And once hatred is formed and people have died, then it is truly difficult to resolve."

"For such matters, even if the Buddha came, I'm afraid he would be powerless!"

Ning Yuan sighed with a smile.

Fang Zheng's expression was stiff. After a long time, he sighed lightly and stopped speaking, "Since Benefactor Yue's mind is made up, this old monk is not in a position to persuade you further. I only hope that everything develops just as Benefactor Yue expects."

"If from now on the Jianghu can have less slaughter, then Benefactor Yue's Karma is indeed immeasurable."

Ning Yuan smiled slightly, neither confirming nor denying.

...

The chaos at the foot of the mountain finally subsided with the arrival of the Disciples of the Five Mountains Sword Sect.

And soon, the agreed-upon day finally arrived.

The Sect Heads of the other Sects of the Five Mountains Sword Sect also arrived.

"Abbess Dingxian, do you think Headmaster Yue's move is appropriate or not?"

Daoist Tianmen of the Mount Tai Sect couldn't help but ask.

"Sigh!"

Abbess Dingxian sighed lightly, "I also didn't expect that Headmaster Yue would one day hold such a major event. It is surprising."

"The most important thing is that Yue Buqun's strength is too strong. Originally, his ability to defeat Zuo Lengchan already shocked the world, but who could have imagined that he could also defeat Dongfang Bubai, and even return from Xia Ke Island, crowning the world with no one as his opponent."

"Until now, we still don't know what Realm Yue Buqun has actually reached."

Mo Da also said with a serious expression.

"There are rumors in the Jianghu that Headmaster Yue has already surpassed the scope of martial arts and stepped into a brand new Realm. I don't know if it's true or false."

Daoist Tianmen had a look of curiosity.

But Abbess Dingxian and Mr. Mo Da could only shake their heads, because they didn't know either.

They haven't even reached Zuo Lengchan's Realm, so how can they understand that kind of Realm?

At the same time.

At the foot of Mount Song, Shi Potian and Bai Axiu had also arrived.

"It's really strange. Holding the Martial Arts Assembly at Mount Song, why did Yue Buqun bring the Xuan Su Manor Couple to Mount Song as well?"

Shi Potian looked puzzled.

He was planning to go to Huashan at this time to ask the two about Xia Ke Island.

Unfortunately, he learned later that Shi Qing and Min Rou were actually traveling with Yue Buqun and had come to Mount Song, which surprised many people.

It also gave rise to various speculations.

"Rumor has it that Shi Qing strongly supports Yue Buqun's decision, so he insisted on coming in person to express his views. I don't know if it's true or false."

Bai Axiu said softly.

Just as the two were talking, they heard voices coming from the next private room.

"I think it's because Shi Qing and Min Rou must know the inside story of Xia Ke Island, so Yue Buqun is not at ease leaving the two at Huashan, fearing they will be kidnapped by others and the truth about Xia Ke Island will be questioned out."

Someone in the next room suddenly said.

Hearing this, Shi Potian and Bai Axiu both showed expressions of concern.

"So, you mean that Yue Buqun intentionally brought the two to Mount Song? But if that's the case, why didn't Yue Buqun kill them? Wouldn't that be a once-and-for-all solution?"

Someone couldn't help but say.

"Well said. In this world, if you want something to be buried and unknown, isn't killing the most convenient and effective way? You don't think Headmaster Yue lacks the strength to kill, do you?"

"Well said. If Alliance Leader Yue had killed both of them directly at Xia Ke Island in the first place, wouldn't no one know? That would be even better."

Many people raised questions.

After all, this is a fact.

The person being addressed was somewhat speechless.

But at this time, the person beside him said: "I think Yue Buqun keeping them is just a facade to prove that he didn't do anything at Xia Ke Island. Otherwise, if only he came back alive, it would make it seem even more secretive."

"Hmph, if others are alive, you suspect there are hidden circumstances; if they are all dead, you also suspect the same. No matter what, you just don't trust Headmaster Yue, that's all. Why go to so much trouble and find so many excuses?"

Someone slammed the table and stood up, saying coldly.

"Your Excellency, why get angry? We are just stating a guess. And, if there really is no hidden secret in this, why doesn't Yue Buqun let the Disciples of so many victims go to ask the Shi couple?"

"As long as the couple speaks, wouldn't the misunderstanding have been cleared up long ago?"

Someone was still calm and said with a smile.

Once this was said, it made the angry people's expressions stiff, unable to speak.

(End of this chapter)