221: vote

A moment later, the person sat down, snorted, and explained, "Manor Lord Shi was seriously injured and has been recuperating, so it was naturally inconvenient for him to see anyone."

"What's so inconvenient? Will talking to people for a few moments cause his serious injuries to relapse?"

The person coldly snorted, disdainfully saying, "Moreover, how can he come down the mountain now? Is he no longer weak?"

"I think Yue Buqun is deliberately hiding something, which is why he doesn't want outsiders to see the Xuan Su Manor Couple."

"Then how do you explain Headmaster Yue bringing the two down the mountain now? At the Martial Arts Assembly, they can't possibly not show their faces; they will have to face so many people then."

The person stood up and asked loudly.

"Perhaps an agreement has been reached, or the Xuan Su Manor Couple have had a weakness exploited, and now even if the whole Dragon and Dao are revealed, I'm afraid..."

The person shook his head as he spoke.

But the expressions of the others grew increasingly grim.

"When you're not allowed to see them, you suspect there's a hidden agenda. Now that you're allowed to see them, you think they've been threatened and their words aren't credible. According to you, no matter what decision is made, it's all untrustworthy, right?"

Several people sneered and said.

"I think the seed of doubt has been planted, and no matter how it's explained, you won't believe it. No wonder Alliance Leader Yue doesn't want to explain, because he saw through everything long ago. No matter how it's explained, no matter when it's explained, no matter who clarifies it, you only want to believe the answer you want to know. Once it's different from what you think, you won't believe it."

The other people all stood up, showing admiration, then sneered at the people opposite them, turned around and left, "Explaining to people like you is simply a waste of time."

"No wonder Alliance Leader Yue wants to kill people; I think Alliance Leader Yue was still too soft-hearted. You hypocritical people should all be executed, not a single one left."

After speaking, the people left, leaving only a hall full of grim-faced people.

"Vulgar! Resorting to killing at the slightest disagreement!"

"No wonder Yue Buqun is so fond of killing; it's because he has these people supporting him."

"If this Yue Buqun becomes the Martial Arts Alliance Leader, can the Martial Forest still be peaceful?"

The others all reprimanded.

"Since you are so dissatisfied, why not go directly up the mountain and tell Alliance Leader Yue your opinions face to face?"

At this moment, someone sneered and said.

This immediately caused the group of originally indignant people to lower their banners and cease their drums.

Go and tell Yue Buqun these words face to face?

They were dissatisfied, but they weren't crazy.

If they said it to his face, even if Yue Buqun didn't do anything to them at that moment, would they have a good outcome later?

Especially once Yue Buqun became the Martial Arts Alliance Leader, it would be even easier for him to manipulate them.

Although they were very indignant, they also understood that Yue Buqun becoming the Martial Arts Alliance Leader was already a foregone conclusion.

Of course, they dared not say such words in front of Yue Buqun.

That would be playing with their own lives.

Gossiping behind his back was already very courageous... "Brother Gou, who do you think is right? What exactly is Yue Buqun planning? Why did he not allow people to see the Shi Qing couple earlier, but now he is openly bringing the two of them to a grand event like the Martial Arts Assembly?"

Bai Axiu couldn't help but say.

"No one knows that, but once we see them, everything will come to light."

Shi Potian said seriously.

"But at that time, will what they say be the truth?"

Bai Axiu's face showed a worried expression.

Shi Potian's expression froze, then he smiled and said, "We can find an opportunity to ask them privately again. By comparing their stories, we can naturally discover some truths."

"Brother Gou, you are indeed smart."

Bai Axiu's eyes immediately lit up upon hearing this.

Meanwhile, on Mount Song.

"Brother Shi, if they ask about Xia Ke Island tomorrow, you can speak truthfully."

Ning Yuan said, standing in front of Shi Qing.

"But wouldn't that cause many people to hate Brother Yue and misunderstand you?"

Shi Qing looked astonished, then shook his head, "Brother Yue, this absolutely cannot be."

"Brother Shi, don't worry. I know what you want to say, but telling one lie means you'll need many more lies to cover it up later. Therefore, it's better to tell the truth."

Ning Yuan chuckled and waved his hand, saying, "Moreover, this is not some unspeakable secret. If there's truly a mistake, it's their greed, not my Yue's malicious intent."

"What's more, even if Brother Shi covers for me, they won't believe it. They only want to believe what they want to believe."

"As for misunderstanding and hatred towards me, they already hate and resent me immensely, so this point is no longer important. Anyway, no matter what I do, they won't easily be convinced by me."

Ning Yuan said with an indifferent expression.

"Alas!"

Shi Qing sighed softly upon hearing this, "These people are indeed like that; they only want to believe what they want to believe, completely disregarding whether the facts are true."

"It's just that after I reveal this matter, I'm afraid these people will find more ways to cause trouble for Brother Yue!"

"Brother Shi, don't worry about these things. When soldiers come, we'll block them; when water comes, we'll cover it with earth. They couldn't do anything to me before, so now they're even more helpless."

Ning Yuan, however, looked completely relaxed, "Once I become the Martial Arts Alliance Leader, someone will naturally explain it clearly for me, and they will then understand my actions at that time."

"I hope so."

Shi Qing sighed softly at this and said no more.

Ning Yuan then looked at Min Rou.

Min Rou, at this moment, dared not show the slightest abnormality.

"Big Brother Yue must be careful; these people have now reached a point where they will stop at nothing."

Min Rou earnestly advised.

"Thank you for your concern, Junior Sister Min Rou. Don't worry, nothing will happen."

Ning Yuan smiled slightly.

He winked at Min Rou before getting up and leaving.

Soon after, Min Rou also found an excuse to leave.

Inside Ning Yuan's room.

Min Rou lay in Ning Yuan's arms, "You have important matters tomorrow, why are you still working so hard tonight? Aren't you afraid..."

"Aren't you afraid your legs will be weak tomorrow?"

Before Min Rou could finish, Ning Yuan playfully completed her sentence.

Min Rou's cheeks flushed slightly.

Ning Yuan, however, chuckled and said confidently, "Let alone these few times, even if I fought all night, I would still be full of energy tomorrow."

"Don't you still know this?"

Ning Yuan said, showing a playful expression.

Min Rou immediately turned crimson.

She, of course, knew this. After all, she had experienced it quite a few times... Early morning.

On Shaoshi Mountain, voices buzzed.

Various Schools gathered together.

"amitabha!"

Looking at the bustling Buddhist Holy Land, Great Master Fang Zheng chanted Buddhist mantras to calm the crowd.

"This Yue Buqun has such a grand display, making so many of us wait for him alone."

In the crowd, someone said angrily.

But he only dared to speak in a low voice, not daring to shout it out.

He dared not question loudly.

"Exactly, his display is too grand. Now even the host of Shaolin has appeared, but he is still late. What great authority!"

Someone echoed.

Although there were many people echoing around, they all did the same, deliberately lowering their voices, making it possible for others to hear, but in a weak and powerless way.

It wasn't clear.

There was no hint of confidence in their demeanor.

Just as the entire venue was buzzing with discussions, a clear voice suddenly came through.

"Five Mountains Alliance Chief arrives!"

As the voice came, a figure stepped on air and directly flew down from a distance to the high platform.

On both sides of the high platform sat the Sect Heads of various Schools.

Ning Yuan stood on the platform and immediately said with a chuckle, "Thank you all for participating in this grand event hosted by Yue. I, Yue, am a step late, and I hope you will forgive me."

Ning Yuan said with a chuckle.

He spoke apologies, but on the surface, he didn't show the slightest hint of remorse.

However, everyone said nothing about this.

Even though many people had been displeased and complained earlier, at this moment, they all fell silent in unison.

Not a single person dared to stand up and accuse the other party of being late.

"Alliance Leader Yue is joking; we have just arrived, and isn't the time for the Assembly not yet here?"

Someone below the stage said with a smile.

Many people around looked on in surprise.

Because they remembered that among those who had just complained about Yue Buqun's grand display, this person was one of them.

Now, this person was so servile, which made people sigh.

"The world is degenerating, and people's hearts are no longer ancient!"

Someone muttered softly, full of disdain.

"Since everyone has arrived, let the Assembly begin. The purpose of today's Assembly is only one: to select a person of high moral standing and prestige to serve as the Martial Arts Alliance Leader and reshape the Martial Forest's ethos."

"Fellow Martial Forest comrades, what do you think of Yue's action?"

Ning Yuan looked around and asked with a smile.

The middle-aged man remained silent, and then Ning Yuan continued, "As everyone knows, in recent years, the conduct of our Righteous Path Schools has not been what it once was, with many evil deeds. When the Demonic Cult commits evil, we, the Righteous Path, punish the wicked and eliminate evil. But when some people within our Righteous Path commit evil, there are no means of punishment."

"It has even reached a point where, because some individuals are too powerful, they act recklessly, annihilating entire families, and there are many unlawful acts, leading to many Jianghu people, and even ordinary commoners, having an inherent distrust of our Righteous Path."

"When our Righteous Path Schools are mentioned, people avoid them like snakes and scorpions. If this kind of atmosphere is not rectified now, I fear it will cause endless harm in the future."

"It just so happens that I, Yue, am currently the Five Mountains Alliance Chief and possess the prestige and ability. That is why I am holding this Martial Arts Assembly, so that everyone can jointly elect a Martial Arts Alliance Leader to undertake this task."

"What do you all think?"

Ning Yuan smiled and looked around.

Immediately, some people around echoed his words.

"This is naturally good."

"The current Jianghu atmosphere is indeed not right; there are many problems, and this is all Zuo Lengchan's fault. He corrupted the entire Jianghu's atmosphere."

Someone immediately accused, pushing all the problems onto Zuo Lengchan's head.

After all, Zuo Lengchan was already a dead man, and dead men couldn't argue.

Everyone spoke one after another, expressing their support on the surface.

"Since everyone has no objections, then let's discuss a charter together."

Seeing this, Ning Yuan said directly.

"What is there to discuss? Alliance Leader Yue's martial arts are profound, and he is highly respected, with a reputation for chivalry throughout the Jianghu. I think no one is qualified to hold the position of Martial Arts Alliance Leader except Alliance Leader Yue."

At this moment, someone immediately stood up to express support for Ning Yuan.

Although some people showed dissatisfaction, they all remained silent at this moment, not standing up to object.

But Ning Yuan naturally couldn't accept it. He waved his hand and said with a smile, "Thank you all for your support for Yue, but since it is an election for the Alliance Master, everyone should speak freely, and only with the judgment of all under heaven can it be justified."

"Therefore, I hope all fellow Daoists can put forward a candidate."

"This..."

Upon hearing this, everyone was surprised.

However, some people snorted coldly in their hearts, "Putting on an act, do you think everyone will believe that everything is fair this way?"

"You are clearly confident that this position of Alliance Master will not escape your grasp."

Although their hearts were filled with indignation, on the surface, they all remained calm, with smiling expressions.

The atmosphere seemed extremely harmonious.

"Since Alliance Leader Yue says so, then let's do as Alliance Leader Yue wishes. However, I, Old Li, have no other candidate; I simply admire Alliance Leader Yue's character, so I will still choose Alliance Leader Yue."

One of the Sect Heads said with a chuckle.

The expressions of the others beside him were somewhat stiff.

After all, such direct choices were indeed difficult for them to speak about. What if they offended Yue Buqun... Therefore, many people showed awkward smiles, and no one spoke.

If they were to mention someone else's name in public, wouldn't everyone know that they hadn't chosen a certain person? That would offend not only Yue Buqun but possibly also the Sect Heads of Schools they were friendly with.

Ning Yuan, as if he had anticipated this, did not accept it directly and continued, "I know that because of my, Yue's, strength, everyone is apprehensive and dare not speak directly. So, for fairness, I have prepared a ballot box. Everyone can write the name of the person they favor on a slip of paper and put it into the ballot box without a signature. This way, no one will know who chose whom."

"This way, everyone can vote with peace of mind and not worry about offending others."

"At that time, people from Shaolin will count the names and votes."

"This way, there's no need to worry about me, Yue, engaging in favoritism or malpractice."

Ning Yuan said with a smile.

"This is a good method."

Indeed, upon hearing this, many people's eyes lit up.

"This way, there's really no need to worry, because besides ourselves, no one knows who we chose, so we won't have to worry about offending others."

Someone clapped their hands, and there was a sentence in their heart that they didn't say, which was, "And even less need to worry about offending Yue Buqun."

However, although it wasn't said, the meaning was pretty much the same.

Everyone understood the benefits of this method.

"Alliance Leader Yue is indeed wise, choosing such a fair method. I wonder who would dare to say this matter is not fair enough."

Someone stood up and laughed heartily.

The others also nodded in agreement.

"Alliance Leader Yue's move is excellent. Since that's the case, let's begin."

Someone said impatiently, immediately picking up a pen to start writing.

All the Sect Heads and experts present received writing brushes, ink, and paper.

Each wrote down the candidate in their heart.

Some chose themselves, some chose friends, and some chose Shi Potian.

Even more people wrote down the names of Shaolin's Great Master Fang Zheng and Wudang's Daoist Chongxu.

Anyway, no one knew who chose whom.

Therefore, there was no need for reservations.

Of course, there were also many people who chose Ning Yuan.

Especially those smaller Schools, they strongly supported him.

As Shaolin dispatched Disciples to collect the votes with the ballot box.

One by one, the ballots were cast into it. (End of Chapter)