Chapter 82: Some Things Just Can’t Be Ignored
Deep within the inner courtyard, Chen Chenyun handed a sword manual to Shi Hao.
Shi Hao sat down and carefully examined the manual, page by page.
The candlelight illuminated his face.
Outside, the others held their breath, waiting.
After a long while, Shi Hao closed the manual and smiled, “No problem.”
Chen Chenyun asked, “Are you sure?”
At this point, he wasn’t worried about the young man stealing the manual and running away.
After all, Floating Cloud Monastery would fall into the villain’s hands tomorrow, its century-old reputation ruined. A mere sword manual meant nothing.
He was worried that Shi Hao wouldn’t be able to learn the Star Plucking Sword Technique in a single night… Mastering an entire sword technique in such a short time was unrealistic.
And even if he did learn it, his chances of defeating Kou Deqiu were slim.
After all, only the Phase Cloud Profound Art could truly unlock the Star Plucking Sword Technique’s full potential.
Shi Hao stood up, “Leave tomorrow’s battle to me.”
That night, for many, was a sleepless one.
Shi Hao practiced the sword technique alone in the west courtyard… For him, it wasn’t particularly difficult.
The Star Plucking Sword Technique was indeed a powerful technique, but it was far inferior to the Immortal Lightning Sword Technique. And his Gathering Essence Flowing Pearl true energy was far superior to the Phase Cloud Profound Art.
In fact, after just two hours of practice, he had completely mastered the essence of the Star Plucking Sword Technique.
He then returned to his room and continued refining the new, mysterious true energy, finally resting just before dawn.
For Chen Chenyun and the others, sleep was impossible.
They had learned that this young man surnamed Shi possessed a seventh-rank cultivation… the same level as Kou Deqiu.
But he was almost twenty years younger than Kou Deqiu, meaning his training couldn’t possibly be as extensive.
Of course, there were geniuses in the martial world. Judging someone’s strength solely based on their age was foolish.
But tomorrow’s duel was restricted to the Star Plucking Sword Technique. Kou Deqiu practiced the Phase Cloud Profound Art, which perfectly complemented the sword technique, and he had been practicing it for years.
For this young man to surpass him in a single night… it seemed impossible.
In fact, when he had volunteered, they had thought he was joking.
But martial artists had their pride. Since he had stepped forward with such righteous conviction, they wouldn’t question him. Even if he lost, they would have no regrets.
And if he won, they would be eternally grateful, willing to follow him through fire and water.
Despite their hope, they couldn’t shake their worries.
Chen Yan’er repeatedly questioned Xu Xiaoyan, trying to gauge Shi Hao’s true strength.
Xu Xiaoyan just said, “Don’t worry, don’t worry, it’ll be fine, it’ll be fine,” and then went to sleep.
She was the first to sleep and slept the most soundly, as if nothing was happening.
The next morning, sunlight bathed Rong Mountain. Kou Deqiu arrived with his entourage. The monastery had been meticulously cleaned, and large incense burners were placed at the entrance.
Incense burners at the entrance were customary for Daoist temples, but Floating Cloud Monastery, having become more of a martial arts school, hadn’t adhered to such formalities.
Now, with the courtyard swept clean, the incense burners lit, the stone tablet polished, and the children dressed in Daoist robes, lined up neatly on either side of the entrance, the monastery regained some of its former dignity.
Inside, rows of benches had been placed in the courtyard, and a large crowd had already gathered.
Although Wei Yi and Chen Chenyun’s other friends couldn’t participate in the fight, they had come early to help clean and prepare the monastery, inviting other martial artists from the surrounding area to witness the duel.
The crowd was so large that even with the extra benches, there wasn’t enough seating, people standing shoulder to shoulder on both sides of the courtyard.
This made Tan Danzi, Tang Zhijing, Daoist Qinghong, and the others frown.
Kou Deqiu snorted, his anger simmering. He was determined to kill Chen Chenyun today, not only to eliminate a potential threat but also to intimidate his junior brothers and make an example of them.
“Friends and fellow martial artists!” Chen Chenyun, dressed in his Daoist robe, stepped forward and bowed to the assembled crowd. “Our master has unfortunately passed away, leaving behind Floating Cloud Monastery and its meager assets. I, unworthy as I am, have been entrusted with the leadership.”
“Senior Brother Kou has returned, intending to claim the leadership. Although my junior brothers and I are not highly skilled, we will not back down. Therefore, today, we will settle this matter through a contest of skill, witnessed by all of you. If Senior Brother prevails, we will naturally accept his leadership without question.”
“But if Senior Brother is defeated, he must leave Floating Cloud Monastery and never interfere in its affairs again!”
He turned to Kou Deqiu, “Do you have any objections, Senior Brother?”
Kou Deqiu’s face was dark with killing intent, his voice cold and menacing, “None whatsoever.”
Tang Zhijing of the Sacred Confucian Academy stepped forward, laughing, “In that case, allow me to add a few words! Every sect and school has its internal disputes, matters of right and wrong, difficult to resolve…”
He was interrupted by boos and jeers, but he continued, seemingly oblivious, “As martial artists, ultimately, we must rely on our skills to determine the truth. Since this is an internal matter of Floating Cloud Monastery, we are merely here as witnesses.”
“Firstly, only disciples of Floating Cloud Monastery may participate. Secondly, no external techniques are allowed. Thirdly, it must be a one-on-one duel. And fourthly, since this is a martial arts contest, accidents can happen. Although peace and restraint are valued in the martial world, sometimes things get out of hand. Therefore, those who participate must accept the consequences, win or lose, life or death.”
“These are the rules. Are there any objections?”
His powerful voice silenced the crowd.
Chen Chenyun said, “Agreed.”
Tang Zhijing chuckled and stepped back. He had already investigated. The most skilled martial artist in Floating Cloud Monastery was Chen Chenyun, who was only eighth-rank and, due to their lack of access to immortal ingredients, couldn’t cultivate their sect’s Daoist internal energy technique.
Kou Deqiu stepped forward, sneering, “Very well. Let me experience Junior Brother Chenyun’s skills and see if he’s worthy of being the abbot.”
Chen Chenyun said, “Your opponent is not me, Senior Brother.” He turned and walked away.
The Floating Cloud Monastery disciples parted, and a young man, carrying a sword on his back, stepped forward.
As he appeared, a powerful, invisible sword intent pressed down on the crowd. Although no one had noticed him before, the moment he stepped into the courtyard, all eyes were on him.
His presence commanded attention, his aura filling the air. Although his build was slender, not particularly imposing, and his face gentle and refined, making him look more like a scholar than a swordsman, he radiated an undeniable power, like a sharpened blade, his presence impossible to ignore.
Kou Deqiu demanded, “Who are you?”
The young man, his hands clasped behind him, stood before him, his stance steady and unwavering, his voice calm and resolute, “I am Chongyun, here to test Senior Brother’s skills.”
Kou Deqiu snorted, “Chongyun? I’ve never heard of you.”
Chen Chenyun said loudly, “Junior Brother Chongyun is Master’s last disciple, taken on after you left. It’s understandable that you don’t recognize him, Senior Brother. He is a member of Floating Cloud Monastery. Everyone here can testify.”
The monastery disciples voiced their agreement. Wei Yi, Zhao Rong, and others also spoke up, “That’s right. We’ve seen Chongyun many times during our visits to the monastery.” “Kou Deqiu, you’ve been away from Floating Cloud Monastery for so long, you don’t even know your own junior brothers?”
A sweet, ethereal voice echoed, “Kou Deqiu, you’ve schemed and plotted to seize the leadership. But Master anticipated your betrayal and took on Chongyun as his last disciple, teaching him our sect’s secret techniques, waiting for this day, for you to reveal your true colors.”
Although the girl’s voice was soft, it seemed to come from everywhere.
Tan Danzi snorted, “Did your former abbot really have such a disciple, or did you find someone at the last minute to try and keep the leadership?”
An old man stood up from the crowd, “I can testify. I was present when the former abbot introduced Chongyun to us. He said Chongyun was his last disciple, and although Floating Cloud Monastery had declined, there was no need for a grand ceremony, simply asking us to witness.”
Several other elderly men also stood up.
Tang Zhijing looked at the first old man and said coldly, “Elder Wei, you’ve been retired for a long time. Getting involved in this won’t benefit you.”
The old man, Wei Yi’s grandfather, his back hunched, sighed, “Although might makes right in the martial world, right is right, and wrong is wrong. Everyone can see the truth. There are some things… some things just can’t be ignored. Even if it means risking this old life, I have to speak up!”
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