The implication was that he didn't take the Wudang Sect seriously at all, and that they could be wiped out with a flick of his wrist.
That's true. In the eyes of those in power, the outlaws and bandits are all beneath their dignity, like children's toys—insignificant and untouchable, and can be easily eliminated.
………
Wudang Sect.
Xiao Ning sat cross-legged on the bed with his eyes closed, resting when he suddenly heard a commotion outside, as if something earth-shattering had happened.
He stood up, walked out of the room, grabbed one of his disciples, and asked, "Halt! What's the matter that you're so panicked?"
The disciple was about to struggle after being captured, but when he saw that it was Xiao Ning, he breathed a sigh of relief and respectfully replied, "Reporting to Grandmaster Uncle, a large army has suddenly surrounded the mountain. The Sect Leader is summoning all disciples to the main hall for a meeting!"
Xiao Ning raised an eyebrow, put the disciple down, and turned to leave.
Zhenwu Hall.
Zhang Sanfeng and the Seven Heroes of Wudang were prominently featured, along with many other outstanding disciples from three generations.
Then, everyone took their seats.
Zhang Songxi said worriedly, "Master, Uncle-Master, a large number of Yuan troops have suddenly surrounded the mountain. The initial estimate is that there are at least 10,000 of them. They are well-equipped and will not be easy to deal with!"
Zhang Sanfeng stroked his beard, but remained calm and said, "Junior brother, was our plan not kept secret, allowing the Mongols to learn of it?"
"That's not necessarily true. I suspect it might be a calamity brought about by the death of the National Preceptor Liansheng!"
Xiao Ning smiled gently and said slowly, "I killed Lian Sheng, so it's only natural for Meng Yuan to avenge him!"
"Very well, we'll deal with whatever comes our way! Since they've come to me, I'll handle this personally!"
Zhang Sanfeng nodded, showing no concern whatsoever.
The crowd filed out and arrived at the square outside Zixiao Palace, looking down.
At the foot of Wudang Mountain.
The Seventh Prince sat on his horse, dressed in military attire, with ten thousand Mongol cavalry following behind him. His face was full of pride and satisfaction.
The Prince of Ruyang was his future in-law. Ever since the Prince of Ruyang's entire family was wiped out, that wicked son in the family had been shouting and yelling all day long, unable to eat or drink, clamoring to avenge Minmin.
Left with no other choice, the Seventh Prince had to petition the Emperor to destroy Wudang as soon as possible. His reasons were twofold: first, to make an example of them and warn these peasants; and second, to appease his own son.
However, mobilizing troops is not something that can be accomplished in a day. By the time the army arrived at Wudang Mountain, two months had already passed, and Xiao Ning had returned from Kunlun Mountain with Zhang Cuishan.
Of course, the Seventh Prince was unaware of these matters. A thought flashed through his mind, and he turned his head and said, "Pass on my order to send men to challenge them. If the entire sect surrenders, I can spare their lives; otherwise... leave no one alive!"
"yes!"
Upon hearing this, a lieutenant standing beside the Seventh Prince responded, and immediately a messenger stepped forward to announce:
"Listen up, Wudang Sect members! Surrender immediately!"
"Listen up, Wudang Sect members! Surrender immediately!"
"Listen up, Wudang Sect members! Surrender immediately!"
With a loud bang, countless shouts rang out, and even the Wudang Sect members on the mountain could hear them clearly.
The square in front of Zixiao Palace.
The group gazed down the mountain and heard the Yuan soldiers shouting. Xiao Ning said, "I'll go and meet these Tartars!"
After he finished speaking, he took a step, and his body disappeared in a flash.
Looking again, they saw a figure leaping down the mountain, leaving a trail of afterimages before disappearing after a long time.
Zhang Sanfeng narrowed his eyes and muttered to himself, "Impressive lightness skill!"
At the foot of the mountain.
The Seventh Prince, Antu Temur, squinted his eyes. After a while, his expression turned stern, and he said coldly, "Since these lowly commoners don't know what's good for them, then don't blame me for being impolite! Issue my order: go up the mountain!"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a voice tinged with anger rang out: "You Tartars have some nerve! How dare you come to my Wudang Mountain and cause trouble!"
The Seventh Prince looked closely and saw a young man dressed in a sky-blue Taoist robe suddenly appear about a mile away, as if he had been hiding there all along and had only just revealed himself.
Without even realizing it, a name slipped out of the Seventh Prince's mouth: "Are you Xiao Ning of Wudang?"
Xiao Ning stood with his hands behind his back, treating the nearly ten thousand soldiers in front of him as nothing, and said calmly, "I am indeed Xiao Ning. You Tartars dare to besiege my Wudang Mountain? Have you eaten the gall of a bear and the heart of a leopard?"
His tone conveyed an indescribable disdain.
Xiao Ning's words immediately enraged the Seventh Prince. When had he ever been so looked down upon?
He roared, "How dare you! Men, attack!"
As soon as the Seventh Prince finished speaking, the ten thousand Yuan soldiers behind him immediately took action.
"Swish! Swish! Swish!"
Raise the bow, nock the string, and aim!
"put!"
At his command, ten thousand arrows flew up like locusts, rapidly heading towards Xiao Ning.
Xiao Ning remained expressionless, quietly observing the Yuan soldiers' actions.