"As expected of the Sect Master, you are the number one martial artist in the world today. I admire your skill."
Regardless of his inner thoughts, Ye Feng's praise was still offered at the opportune moment.
"It's just a compliment from the world, Young Master, you don't need to take it seriously. I have received Sect Master Ye's letter, asking you to take time out of your busy schedule to personally come to this Lonely Mountain to invite me. It was my fault."
Ling Yan replied indifferently, politely but distantly, showing no enthusiasm whatsoever because of Ye Feng's expression.
"You flatter me, Master. As the leader of the martial arts alliance, my master should have personally invited you. However, I have been busy with many affairs within the sect lately and could not spare the time. I could only send Feng to welcome you." Ye Feng repeatedly said that he dared not accept such an invitation.
"Sect Leader Ye is too polite. Since the time is approaching, how about we set off this afternoon?"
Tired of these insincere formalities, Lingyan went straight to the point and asked about the itinerary.
"It's entirely up to the Pavilion Master."
Ye Feng agreed without hesitation. He figured that even if Ling Yan said they would set off in a few more days, as long as they could make it to the succession ceremony, he wouldn't have any objections.
After having lunch, the group leisurely exited the gate of Gushan Mountain where Tianji Pavilion was located.
Speaking of which, Lingyan hasn't come down the mountain for a while now, only watching the changes in the martial arts world from her pavilion, so she's lost much of the flavor of the mortal world.
Gushan is indeed called Gushan (Solitary Mountain), as it is the only mountain within a radius of a hundred miles.
Although located in the Central Plains, it is unlike other low hills that can only be called mounds; it is a truly majestic mountain forest.
Tianji Pavilion is built on this hill, surrounded by towering peaks and lush forests. The heat is largely blocked by the verdant trees, making it a perfect place to escape the summer heat.
Furthermore, due to its advantageous location, it is equipped with many traps and mazes. Anyone who can enter the pavilion without guidance must be a highly skilled martial artist with considerable expertise in mechanical arts.
Gu Zhong must have put in a lot of effort to get promoted to the cabinet.
Since we left too early, there was no need to rush back to Tianwu Gate overnight.
Lingyan made no hesitation in asking to see some sights along the way, and Ye Feng agreed.
In a prefectural city a few dozen miles from Gushan, they stumbled upon a grand spectacle.
The richest family in the city, the Cheng family, has an only daughter who is doted on by the family and is always allowed to do whatever she wants.
It was fortunate that the eldest daughter of the Cheng family did not grow up to be a tyrant in such an atmosphere, but unfortunately, she had heard too many stories of the martial arts world and was determined to find a martial arts sect to become a chivalrous heroine.
The elderly father couldn't bear to see his only daughter suffer hardships and risks, so he pretended to be sick all the time in order to get rid of his wild daughter.
Unexpectedly, her secret was exposed recently, and in a fit of anger, the eldest daughter of the Cheng family packed her bags and planned to run away overnight.
Although the servants discovered and stopped them temporarily, in order to completely dispel his daughter's idea of venturing into the martial world, the head of the Cheng family quickly posted a notice in the city to hold a martial arts contest to find a husband.
They wanted to force their daughter into marriage, with a martial arts practitioner as her husband, to completely eliminate her desire to travel far away.
So when Lingyan and Ye Feng entered the city, all they heard was news of a martial arts contest to find a husband.
Despite his seemingly composed nature, Ye Feng couldn't hide his youthful charm and carefree spirit. He always enjoyed joining in on such matters, but with Ling Yan around, he couldn't just leave on his own.
Unexpectedly, the excitement fell on them.
The group just happened to pass by the arena. Ye Feng couldn't help but glance at the stage. He saw that the pretty and spirited woman on the stage had just been defeated by a burly man with a thick beard.
The burly man spoke crudely, and the woman's eyes were filled with disgust.
"You are not even a fraction as handsome as this chivalrous man, yet you dare to covet me?"
Perhaps seeing that the group was fully armed with swords, she pointed down to the audience, her finger landing squarely on the most handsome man, Ye Feng.
"Boy! Get up here and fight me! Miss Cheng, you'd better watch out, some people are all show and no substance, all looks and no substance!"
The burly man rudely mocked Ye Feng, then let out an arrogant and lewd laugh.
Ye Feng frowned, surprised by being called out for no apparent reason. He glanced at Ling Yan and saw that she remained unmoved.
"Sect Master, please allow Ye Feng to delay for a moment."
Ye Feng apologized and leaped onto the stage.
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Author's Note:
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 2021-06-20 21:12:36 and 2021-06-25 23:51:01!
Thank you to the little angel who watered the nutrient solution: ~1 bottle;
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 52 The Leader of the Righteous Path Alliance and the Leader of the Demonic Cult (Part 5)
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"Kid, you've got some nerve. Don't wet your pants later."
The burly man looked down on the delicate young man in front of him, who at first glance appeared to be a pampered young master.
"Vulgar and crude. Enough with the nonsense! Please enlighten me!"
Ye Feng didn't draw his sword, but simply carried it on his back and gave the big man a perfunctory bow.
"Not drawing your sword? Have you forgotten because you're scared?"
The burly man continued to mock.
"There's no need to deal with you yet."
Ye Feng answered coldly.
"You look down on me? You're asking for it!"
The burly man possessed immense strength and wielded a large hammer. He slammed the hammer into the ground and then swung it back up, aiming it at Ye Feng.
A third-rate martial artist with only brute force and no skill was about to face a renowned genius with profound inner strength and top-notch martial arts. The outcome was predictable. Ye Feng defeated the strong man in less than three moves and even made him vomit blood a few more times because he remembered the previous offense.
Under the incredulous gaze of the burly man, he left behind the words "Ye Feng of Tianwu Sect, you are too kind," and gracefully stepped down from the stage, preparing to leave.
"Father! If you insist on making me marry someone else, I will marry him!"
The pretty woman pointed the gun at Ye Feng and shouted towards the teahouse upstairs.
"Young master, please wait."
The two servants standing guard by the platform quickly and respectfully blocked him.
"What is it?"
Ye Feng had no choice but to stop walking towards Ling Yan.
"Today, Miss is holding a martial arts contest to choose a husband. The winner will be our new son-in-law. Please come upstairs for a chat, sir."
Upon hearing this, Ye Feng staggered and repeatedly refused.
"I am already engaged, so I am afraid I cannot agree."
"Please, young master, take a step closer."
The two servants, however, seemed not to hear him and continued to invite him upstairs.
"Young Master, you should go. Otherwise, how will the Cheng family father and daughter save face?"
Ling Yan withdrew her gaze from the Cheng family's young lady and spoke, but it was a suggestion to go upstairs, which surprised Ye Feng. The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion Master didn't seem like the type to meddle in such matters.
However, since the other person on the trip did not raise any objections, Ye Feng did not refuse any longer and waited to go upstairs to explain things to the head of the Cheng family.
Lingyan did not go with him, but returned to the inn to wait. She knew what would happen next; not only could he not refuse the marriage, but he would also be tricked by the young lady of the Cheng family into taking her along on her adventures in the martial world.
As for why Lingyan did not object, it was only because this young lady of the Cheng family had a special identity—she was Gu Zhong's long-lost younger sister. Before Gu Zhong found her, Lingyan felt it was necessary to protect her.
The area around this prefecture is not very peaceful, so it's best to keep it with you.
This is why she insisted on making a trip here.
As expected, not long after, Ye Feng returned to his residence with a worried look on his face, accompanied by the slender and domineering young lady. Just then, Ling Yan was having a meal in the lobby with her subordinates.
"Sect Master."
Ye Feng looked ashamed and bowed to her to explain.
"This is Cheng Yun, Miss Cheng. Due to some reasons, she is traveling with us for the time being. I will send her home after the ceremony at my sect is over."
"Oh?" Ling Yan continued eating with her chopsticks, her eyes fixed straight ahead, and picked up the last piece of ham from the plate. She didn't seem very interested in Ye Feng's explanation. "Then please take good care of this young lady, Young Master."
Cheng Yun, who had been pampered since childhood, had never experienced such neglect before. She raised her eyebrows, showing her anger.
"Miss Cheng! This is the Master of Tianji Pavilion."
Ye Feng quickly explained, fearing that Cheng Yun might offend Ling Yan without knowing his own strength, which showed his dedication.
Cheng Yun is only six years younger than Gu Zhong, and is already in her early twenties. If she were born into an ordinary family, she would have been a mother long ago. If she were a female knight-errant in the martial arts world, she would have matured through various hardships and trials.
A woman with such innocent yet cunning charm is a rare sight, which made Ye Feng unable to resist taking a few more glances at her, and he was willing to protect her more.
Fortunately, Cheng Yun was not so spoiled that she was so ignorant of her place. She had also heard of the reputation of Tianji Pavilion. With a quick glance, she instantly put away all her thorns.
"Greetings, Pavilion Master! I have long admired the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. It is an honor to meet you today."
He quickly greeted her politely, saying that this was nothing more than being opportunistic.
However, Lingyan disliked her personality. In the original story, she was self-righteous and easily fooled into setting aside her family's massacre and revolving around Ye Feng. She was also partly responsible for Gu Zhong's death.
Ultimately, it all comes down to youthful ignorance. Having been pampered since childhood, they were unwilling to think deeply or bear the burden of hatred they carried. Instead, they chose a path that was more advantageous and easier for them.
However, as much as she disliked it, she should take good care of her beloved's sister whom he had been searching for for many years. Ultimately, it was best to leave her fate to Gu Zhong to decide.
"I hope Miss Cheng will behave herself on the road. Young Master, let's set off after we finish our meal."
Lingyan put down her chopsticks, carefully wiped the corners of her mouth with a clean white silk cloth, stood up after tidying herself up, said a few words, and went upstairs.
The maids sitting beside her also stood up and followed her.
"I will obey your orders, Pavilion Master."
Ye Feng knew that this trip had taken up a lot of his time, so he readily agreed.
However, another problem arose. The prefect invited Ye Feng to the government office, saying that he had important matters to discuss.
In truth, it was the reputation Ye Feng left behind after his match that caused the trouble.
The prefect here has been troubled lately by a major case near the prefectural city.