Chapter 81: Is There Still Time?
Chen Chenyun asked solemnly, “What do you want?”
Kou Deqiu laughed, “Floating Cloud Monastery is a martial arts sect, so we should settle this the way martial artists do. Let’s have a fair competition. If any of my junior brothers can defeat me, even by a single move, I’ll leave and give up my claim to the leadership.”
Chen Chenyun and the others remained silent.
Tan Danzi said loudly, “Indeed! For martial artists, a contest of skill is the fairest way. If no one can defeat Nephew Deqiu, then he should lead Floating Cloud Monastery. No one can dispute that.”
Kou Deqiu looked at Chen Chenyun and sneered, “Are you afraid, Junior Brother Chenyun?”
Chen Chenyun gritted his teeth and stepped forward, “Fine! In that case, I’ll…”
The girl’s voice rang out again from the crowd, “Even a martial arts contest can be unfair. Senior Brother Chenyun has been busy managing the monastery all day, while you’ve been resting.
“Challenging him now, when he’s exhausted, is despicable!”
The monastery disciples voiced their agreement. Kou Deqiu shouted, “Who is that girl? Show yourself!”
He looked around, but unable to pinpoint the source of the voice, he couldn’t find her.
Seeing his junior brothers’ support for Chen Chenyun, Kou Deqiu snorted, “Fine, I’ll give you a night to rest. I’ll return tomorrow morning to test your skills, Chenyun, and all of you.”
Tang Zhijing stepped forward, smiling, “We will also be here to ensure fairness. However, since this contest is for the leadership of Floating Cloud Monastery, you should use the monastery’s traditional Star Plucking Sword Technique. And to ensure fairness, no one is allowed to gang up on him, and no other techniques besides the Star Plucking Sword Technique are allowed.”
The girl’s voice, ethereal and elusive, suggested she possessed more than just eighth or ninth-rank cultivation. He didn’t know who she was, but she likely wasn’t from Floating Cloud Monastery, so he added these restrictions.
He was also worried that Chen Chenyun, to protect the monastery, might invite outside help, turning this leadership dispute into a larger conflict within the martial world. Hence the conditions of “one-on-one combat” and “only the Star Plucking Sword Technique.”
Kou Deqiu laughed, “Very well! Tomorrow morning, I’ll test Junior Brother Chenyun’s skills and see how much he has improved.”
He turned and left, followed by Tan Danzi, Tang Zhijing, and the others.
After they left, the Floating Cloud Monastery Daoists gathered, their faces filled with anger. “Those bullies!” someone shouted. “Speaking of justice, those villains are all corrupt!”
Another said worriedly, “Senior Brother Chenyun, are you really going to fight him?”
Shi Hao looked at Xu Xiaoyan and smiled, “You’re quite good at that.”
Xu Xiaoyan said, “Am I?”
A sense of despair settled over Floating Cloud Monastery. Chen Chenyun told everyone to calm down while he thought of a solution.
Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan exchanged glances and walked around the monastery, the atmosphere heavy and oppressive.
They reached the inner courtyard and saw Madam Wang and Chen Yan’er. Madam Wang, looking at her silent husband, wiped away her tears, “Husband, just give up. Let Senior Brother have the monastery. Let’s leave tonight with the children.”
Chen Chenyun shook his head, “Master entrusted the monastery to me. He said that although Floating Cloud Monastery has declined, its centuries-old reputation must be preserved. Senior Brother is ambitious and has committed many vile deeds while working for the Six Gates. If he takes over, our reputation will be ruined.”
“As long as I live, I won’t let that happen.”
Madam Wang sobbed, “But you’re no match for him! Even before, when he was still here, you could only fight him to a draw. I heard he obtained immortal ingredients from the Chongxian Sect and has mastered the Phase Cloud Profound Art, his strength now surpassing yours. He’s seventh-rank, while you’re only eighth. He cultivates Daoist internal energy, while you, without access to immortal ingredients, can only practice external techniques.”
“How can you defeat him in the Star Plucking Sword Technique? Knowing his character, he won’t show you any mercy.”
Chen Chenyun shook his head, “I’ll do my best.”
Four men arrived. One of them called out, “Brother Chenyun.”
It was Chen Chenyun’s friends: Wei Yi, Zhao Rong, Lü Lihua, and Li Yihai.
Wei Yi said, “Chenyun, I heard Kou Deqiu came looking for trouble. What are you going to do?”
Chen Chenyun looked at his friends and said in a low voice, “I’ve made up my mind. Tomorrow, I’ll fight him to the death. But I need you to help me get my wife and children out of here…”
Madam Wang cried, “Husband, even if it means death, I’ll stay with you!”
Chen Chenyun turned to her, “Even if not for me, think of our children. Kou Deqiu is vengeful. If you stay, he won’t spare you.”
Lü Lihua said angrily, “Let’s gather our friends tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll fight him together!”
Chen Chenyun shook his head, “It’s useless. Kou Deqiu has the backing of the Chongxian Sect, the Six Gates, and the Sacred Confucian Academy. It will only endanger all of you.”
Li Yihai said, “We’re not afraid…”
Wei Yi, the most level-headed among them, frowned, “It’s not about being afraid. If we could defeat him by fighting together, we wouldn’t hesitate. But with our skills, even with reinforcements, we’re no match for him.”
They were at a loss. Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan pulled Chen Yan’er aside and quietly questioned her.
Chen Yan’er said helplessly, “The reason for Floating Cloud Monastery’s decline is mainly because we were labeled as unorthodox by the Chongxian Sect, cutting off our access to immortal ingredients. No one can cultivate our sect’s Daoist internal energy technique, the Phase Cloud Profound Art, anymore.”
“Although Kou Deqiu is the senior disciple and Master’s son, he defied Master’s wishes and betrayed our traditions, joining the government. And after joining the Six Gates, he committed many vile deeds. People came to the monastery to complain, and Master, angered by his son’s actions, fell ill. He couldn’t do anything to stop him.”
“Now, using his connections in the Six Gates, he obtained immortal ingredients from the Chongxian Sect and has mastered the Phase Cloud Profound Art. Our monastery’s Star Plucking Sword Technique requires the Phase Cloud Profound Art to reach its full potential. Without it, its power is significantly reduced.”
Xu Xiaoyan said thoughtfully, “In terms of foundation, one is seventh-rank, the other eighth. In terms of cultivation method, one practices Daoist internal energy, the other an external technique meant for outer disciples. And although they’ll both be using the same sword technique, one can use its full power, while the other can only use a fraction… What’s the point of even fighting?”
Chen Yan’er said helplessly, “Exactly.”
She glanced at Madam Wang and whispered, “And that Kou Deqiu had… inappropriate intentions towards my aunt even before he left. That’s why Uncle wants to send her away. Otherwise, knowing that villain, he would definitely…”
“When he joined the Six Gates, he assaulted a young woman. Her parents came to the monastery to complain, but Master couldn’t do anything. They then reported it to the authorities but were accused of false accusations and beaten to death. Master was so distraught by this incident that he fell ill, regretting ever having such a son.”
“If Floating Cloud Monastery falls into that villain’s hands, Grandpa and I will definitely leave. It’s a pity. Although the monastery has declined, we’ve upheld its reputation for generations. And now, this…”
Her eyes dimmed. Having lived here for three years, she felt like part of the monastery, saddened by its impending doom.
Shi Hao looked at the young Daoist priests, their faces filled with anger and indignation.
In reality, if Kou Deqiu became the abbot, with the backing of the Chongxian Sect, their lives might actually improve. They wouldn’t have to worry about resources, wouldn’t have to struggle to make a living by teaching martial arts, and they would have better opportunities.
But some things were more important than comfort and opportunity.
Shi Hao, his hands clasped behind his back, walked towards Chen Chenyun. For some reason, although he was just walking, everyone instinctively looked at him.
“What’s he doing?” Chen Yan’er stared at him, a strange feeling stirring within her.
It was as if the frozen, desolate landscape of their despair was suddenly illuminated by a ray of light.
Just looking at his imposing figure brought a warmth to this place of despair.
It was as if the layers of ice that had been suffocating them were shattering with every step he took.
Chen Yan’er murmured, “What’s he doing?” Although her voice was filled with confusion, her eyes sparkled with a newfound hope.
She didn’t understand why she suddenly felt this surge of hope, like a light piercing through the darkness, filling her heart with life.
Xu Xiaoyan smiled, “He’s doing what he believes is right.”
Chen Chenyun also instinctively looked at the approaching young man. Everyone was watching him, drawn to him, as if he had become the sun, their only source of light and warmth.
Under their gazes, the young man smiled faintly and asked, “Is there still time for me to join Floating Cloud Monastery?”
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