bookbashuk Page 439
Page 439
"Sect Leader, what did Sect Leader Yue say?"
Chongxu looked extremely solemn and didn't speak, but instead handed over the letter.
The old Taoist priest took the letter with a puzzled look and examined it.
Respectfully addressed to Daoist Chongxu.
I opened the letter and felt relieved.
It has been more than a year since I parted ways with you, Master, from Mount Emei. I wonder how you have been lately? Have you heard of the rumors circulating in the martial arts world recently? This matter concerns your sect's Zhenwu Sword.
Previously, my disciple had indeed snatched a sword from Xiang Wentian during the encirclement of the Demonic Sect. The sword was engraved with the words "Zhenwu". After obtaining the sword, I thought of your sect's treasured Zhenwu Sword. However, after talking with the Taoist priest, I learned that your sect's Zhenwu Sword was still on Wudang Mountain. Therefore, I believed that the Zhenwu Sword in my disciple's possession was a fake made by the Demonic Sect, and I stopped paying attention to the matter.
Unexpectedly, Ren Woxing recently claimed that the Zhenwu Sword in his disciple's possession was the lost treasure of your sect. Therefore, after hearing this, Yue wrote a letter to the Taoist priest to inquire about the truth of the matter.
If this is false, then it is a conspiracy by Ren Woxing targeting our righteous sects, intending to sow discord between the Huashan and Wudang factions. The evil cultists have not given up their desire to destroy our righteous path, and there may be more conspiracies targeting Huashan and Wudang in the future. I hope you will be careful and cautious, Daoist.
If this is true, the sword in my disciple's hand is indeed the Zhenwu Sword, the lost treasure of your sect. The Huashan Sect is willing to return it to you in its original form, and my disciple will personally deliver it back to Wudang.
Chapter 597: What to Exchange?
The old Taoist priest was overjoyed after reading all the contents of the letter.
"Sect Leader, Sect Leader Yue is such a good person, he is actually willing to return the True Martial Sword to Wudang."
Chongxu did not respond to the old Taoist's words.
The Zhenwu Sword is their sect's most prized possession, and its symbolic significance goes without saying. It was the sword that their founder, Zhang Sanfeng, carried when he swept away the demons. Later, it was taken away by the Demonic Sect for more than eighty years. In the past hundred years, Wudang has been unable to get it back no matter what they do. Now that the Zhenwu Sword is in the hands of the Huashan Sect, the Huashan Sect is willing to return it in its original form without making any demands. It seems as simple as just having a letter from Chongxu and it will be returned immediately.
but……
Is it really that simple?
It's not that simple, of course.
Although Yue Buqun did not mention any conditions in his letter, Chongxu did not think so.
Even if the leaders of major sects have conditions, they won't say them too obviously; they'll keep them tacitly understood.
However, Chongxu read the letter carefully three or four times but could not find the conditions implied by Yue Buqun, which puzzled him and made him unsure of what the Huashan Sect wanted.
"Why is the sect leader so troubled?"
The old Taoist priest was puzzled when he saw that Chongxu was not happy after reading the letter, but instead became even more solemn.
Chongxu was called back to his senses and shook his head, saying, "It's nothing. I was just thinking about how to reply to Sect Leader Yue about welcoming back the Zhenwu Sword."
The Zhenwu Sword is the most prized treasure of Wudang, with extraordinary symbolic significance. It was taken away by the Demonic Sect more than eighty years ago and is now in the hands of the Huashan Sect. The Huashan Sect intends to return it voluntarily, but problems have arisen as a result.
If the Huashan Sect is willing to return it, can the Wudang Sect accept it directly?
They will inevitably have to express their gratitude with a generous gift, or rather, exchange it.
But this raises another issue.
What can Wudang offer in exchange?
Upon hearing Chongxu's words, the old Taoist priest was also in a dilemma.
You must understand that the Zhenwu Sword is no different from anything else. It is the sword of the founder Zhang Sanfeng and a symbol of sweeping away demons. To get the Zhenwu Sword back, it must be of equal value; otherwise, it would be an offense against the Huashan Sect.
But that's where the difficulty lies.
The Wudang Sect has many valuable items, including martial arts manuals and divine weapons, but only two can truly be compared to the Zhenwu Sword in status.
One is the Tai Chi Classics created by Zhang Sanfeng in his later years, and the other is the Pure Yang Wuji Gong, the highest mental cultivation method of Wudang.
Could we exchange Tai Chi Chuan and sword for the Zhenwu Sword?
Absolutely not. The Tai Chi Classics are a martial art created by Zhang Sanfeng, extremely profound and unfathomable. For Wudang, it is more important than the Zhenwu Sword, and it is impossible to exchange it for the Zhenwu Sword.
As for the Pure Yang Limitless Skill, that's even more impossible. It's the highest internal energy cultivation method of Wudang, the foundation of the Wudang sect. Chongxu would never dare to exchange the Pure Yang Limitless Skill for the True Martial Sword.
The Zhenwu Sword is very important to Wudang, but in the end it is just an external object, and it has a greater symbolic meaning to the Wudang school than the Taijiquan Jing and Chunyang Wuji Gong. Chongxu could not exchange either of those for the Zhenwu Sword.
Otherwise, even if Chongxu were to die a hundred years later, he would have no face to face the ancestors of the Wudang School.
The old Taoist priest now understood Chongxu's dilemma. After hesitating for a long time, he said, "Sect Leader, since it is so difficult to make a decision now, why not bring back the Zhenwu Sword first? Anyway, Sect Leader Yue did not make any demands."
Chongxu couldn't help but smile bitterly.
That's why he's so conflicted.
If Yue Buqun had hinted at what he wanted in the letter, that would be fine, but the problem is that Yue Buqun didn't say anything at all.
Free things are always the most expensive.
Now that they have regained the Zhenwu Sword without any cost, if something happens to the Huashan Sect in the future and they come to the Wudang Sect, will the Wudang Sect help them?
Putting everything else aside, just look at the present situation: the Huashan Sect has already formed a grudge with the Beggars' Sect. If the Huashan Sect and the Beggars' Sect really go to war, what will the Wudang Sect do? Will they help the Huashan Sect or not?
If the Huashan Sect and Shaolin have a conflict in the future, which side will the Wudang Sect stand on?
"This matter is not urgent for now; let me think about it some more."
After thinking for a long time, Chongxu said.
Anyway, they haven't been able to reclaim the Zhenwu Sword for so many years, so a little more time won't make a difference. Besides, the Zhenwu Sword is still in the hands of the Huashan Sect, which is much better than before.
The old Taoist priest didn't urge Chongxu, knowing the matter was also difficult. He nodded and didn't continue the topic, instead saying, "Sect Leader, the martial arts world is talking about this now. Should we respond?"
"Ignore it for now."
Chongxu shook his head.
"it is good."
The old Taoist priest nodded, stood up, and said, "Then I won't disturb the sect leader any longer."
After the old Taoist priest left, Chongxu sat in place with his eyes closed, thinking for a long time. Then he got up and came to the table, picked up his brush to write, but stopped after writing the first character.
Chongxu's gaze unconsciously fell on a piece of calligraphy placed to the side.
That was the painting of Mount Hua that Zhu Houzhao had given him a few days ago.
Zhu Houzhao... Jiangning...
The imperial court... Mount Hua...
Chongxu's expression was calm, but his brows furrowed more and more, and it was unclear what he was thinking.
After a long time, Chongxu finally began to write.
……
April.
"Master, Master."
Lu Dayou jogged towards the edge of the lobby, shouting as he went.
"Master, Daoist Chongxu has replied."
After entering the lobby, Lu Dayou hurriedly said this and then handed over the letter with both hands.
"Ah."
Yue Buqun nodded and took the letter from Lu Dayou.
The envelope was addressed to Headmaster Yue of the Huashan Sect.
It is a character with the radical "冲虚".
Looking at the familiar handwriting, Yue Buqun wore a slight smile.
After waiting for several days, I finally received a reply.
He wanted to see what Chongxu had to say.
Yue Buqun opened the envelope and looked at the contents of the letter.
Master Yue.
It has been a year since we parted ways at Mount Emei. I still vividly remember your voice and appearance, and I miss you dearly. I look forward to speaking with Master Yue again.
Yue Buqun glanced at it quickly, skipping the foreplay and getting straight to the point.
I am already aware of what is being said in the martial arts world. Although I am shocked and angered by the shamelessness of the Demonic Sect, it is true that the True Martial Sword was seized by the Demonic Sect more than eighty years ago. All the predecessors of Wudang have personally gone up Blackwood Cliff to retrieve the True Martial Sword, but all have returned empty-handed. This is a disgrace to Wudang.
In the past, I falsely claimed on Mount Emei that the Zhenwu Sword was still in Mount Wudang. This was my attempt to cover up the shame of Wudang having the Zhenwu Sword stolen. I am deeply ashamed and feel ashamed whenever I think of this.
Unexpectedly, your esteemed disciple Jiang Ning snatched the Zhenwu Sword back from the Demonic Sect. Upon hearing this, I was overjoyed and wept tears of joy. We are even more grateful that your sect is willing to return the Zhenwu Sword.
However, the Zhenwu Sword has been lost for over eighty years, and it is difficult to ensure that the Demonic Sect has forged a fake Zhenwu Sword. Using a fake Zhenwu Sword to sow discord between the two factions is a serious matter. Regardless of whether the Zhenwu Sword in your disciple's possession is real or fake, I would like to ask your sect to keep it safe for you. I will personally go to Mount Hua to see for myself in the future.
After reading all the content, Yue Buqun raised an eyebrow and a slight smile appeared on his lips.
interesting.
Chapter 598: Reunion with Constable Tan
Chongxu didn't intend to take back the Zhenwu Sword immediately; instead, he asked Huashan to continue keeping it safe.
It seems Chongxu is also struggling with what to exchange and is planning to stall for time.
As for the other party's statement that he would come to Mount Hua later, Yue Buqun guessed that Chongxu would not come to Mount Hua in the short term until he had figured out what to use or what conditions to exchange for the Zhenwu Sword.
After reading Chongxu's letter, Yue Buqun put it away and stopped paying attention to the matter.
Since Chongxu has asked Huashan to continue accepting it, let's leave it at that for now and discuss it again when Chongxu comes to Huashan.
Yue Buqun looked at Lu Dayou and asked, "How is the matter of recruiting disciples going?"
Lu Dayou quickly replied, "Reporting to Master, Senior Brother, Junior Brother Jiang Ning, and Martial Uncle Feng and Martial Uncle Cheng all went to Xi'an and Hanzhong a few days ago to start recruiting disciples."
"Ah."
Yue Buqun nodded and asked, "Did it go smoothly?"
Lu Dayou replied, "So far, everything is progressing smoothly. No one is causing trouble in secret, and the people are very enthusiastic."
Hearing Lu Dayou's answer, Yue Buqun nodded in satisfaction.
This is the first time Jiang Ning has been fully in charge of the Huashan Sect's recruitment of disciples. Although Yue Buqun had previously said that he would never interfere, he was still somewhat worried that Jiang Ning lacked experience. Now he was relieved.
Yue Buqun waved to Lu Dayou, signaling that he could leave. He then looked at the letter Chongxu had written, chuckled softly, and got up to walk out of the hall. The air outside was so fresh, quite different from usual.
"The Huashan Sect today is also very different from the past."
Yue Buqun thought to himself.
……
"Name."
"Zhang Erdan".
"age."
Three years old.
"where do you live?"
"It's in Xiaojiwo Village nearby."
"How many people are in the family?"
"Besides the child's father, there are the child's two older brothers and three older sisters, making a total of eight people."
Hanzhong Prefecture.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning stopped writing and looked at the woman holding the child in front of her.
The woman was dressed plainly, with a rather rough face, and was holding a child in her arms as she answered questions with a nervous expression.
Jiang Ning noticed that the woman was nervous and reassured her, "You don't need to be nervous."
The woman nodded.
Jiang Ning smiled and asked, "How was the harvest last year?"