The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, becoming a disciple of Yue Buqun

Page 511

He didn't understand why, but to everyone else, Jiang Ning stood there with his sword drawn, the blade radiating a chilling aura, and behind him were the two beasts, a tortoise and a snake, covered in blood and exuding a fierce aura. This scene was extremely shocking to everyone.

It also impacted Chongxu's mind and spirit.

However, Chongxu's gaze was more focused on the sword in Jiang Ning's hand.

……

On the way back, Jiang Ning did not continue to sit on the giant tortoise's back. The tortoise was covered in blood and smelled strongly of blood. Although Jiang Ning did not care, he would wait until the two beasts reached the river to wash themselves clean.

At this moment, Jiang Ning, Chongxu, and Linghu Chong rode side by side on horseback.

Jiang Ning and Chongxu remained silent throughout the journey, while Linghu Chong was quite excited and would occasionally exchange a few words with Chongxu, but Chongxu only gave perfunctory responses, seemingly somewhat absent-minded.

Linghu Chong didn't notice, but Jiang Ning did notice that Chongxu's gaze seemed to always be fixed on the Zhenwu Sword at his waist.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Ning took down the Zhenwu Sword and handed it to Chongxu.

"Master, to be honest, I forgot to mention that I seized this Zhenwu Sword from Xiang Wentian. I heard that it is your sect's treasured Zhenwu Sword, but I don't know if it's genuine. Previously, a senior from your sect came to Huashan Sect to offer his congratulations, and I asked that senior to check its authenticity, but he dared not make a certainty, saying that only you, Master, could tell. Now, I would like to ask you to take a look. If this sword is indeed your sect's lost Zhenwu Sword, I am willing to return it."

Upon hearing Jiang Ning's words and seeing the sword already handed to him, Chongxu's brow twitched for some reason, as if he had seen a hot potato.

Chapter 697: Temporary Borrowing

Chongxu accepted the Zhenwu Sword.

Chongxu has never brought up this matter, and has even avoided contact with Yue Buqun and Jiang Ning. This does not mean that he does not want to welcome back the Zhenwu Sword, but that he has not yet decided what price to pay.

Now that the True Martial Sword was right in front of him, Chongxu's expression remained unchanged, but he sighed inwardly.

He was already worried about what price to pay to get the Zhenwu Sword back, but before he could figure it out, he ended up owing the Huashan Sect a huge favor.

His mind was filled with countless thoughts, but Chongxu quickly put them aside and focused his gaze on the Zhenwu Sword.

"Indeed, this is the True Martial Sword of our sect's founder."

After a long silence, Chongxu spoke.

He had examined it carefully and found that, apart from the scabbard not being the original Zhenwu Sword scabbard, the sword was exactly the same as the Zhenwu Sword, the treasure of their Wudang Sect, and could not be faked.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning said, "In that case, this junior will return this sword to your esteemed sect."

Jiang Ning remained calm and unchanged, as if this was truly what he thought.

Upon hearing Jiang Ning's words, Chongxu's face showed a strange expression. He did not reply, but carefully examined the Zhenwu Sword, and then poured his inner force into the sword.

"Ok?"

Chongxu gave a soft hum, his gaze fixed on the Zhenwu Sword, which remained unchanged. He looked somewhat surprised, but then revealed an expression of certainty.

Without saying much, Chongxu continued to pour in his inner energy, but no matter what he did, the Zhenwu Sword remained unchanged, as if it were just an ordinary weapon. However, Chongxu had just witnessed the enormous power it unleashed in Jiang Ning's hands.

Stopping what he was doing, Chongxu looked at Jiang Ning as if he hadn't heard Jiang Ning's previous words and asked, "Young Master Jiang, may I ask if anyone else besides you can use the True Martial Sword?"

Jiang Ning shook his head.

"No."

Chongxu nodded thoughtfully.

It seems that even Sect Leader Yue can't use the True Martial Sword; only Jiang Ning can.

Thinking of this, Chongxu looked at Jiang Ning and smiled, "To be honest, young hero Jiang, although the Zhenwu Sword is the treasure of our Wudang Sect, no one in Wudang since our founder can use it. Even if they can use it, they need to have profound internal strength to barely use it. Moreover, it is not much better than ordinary weapons when used. On the contrary, it consumes more internal strength. So although it is the treasure of our sect, its symbolic meaning is greater than its practical meaning."

Jiang Ning listened calmly without saying a word.

"We originally thought it was just an ordinary, relatively sharp weapon, and never imagined that it would one day unleash such tremendous power."

"I have already learned from Xuanling that Young Hero Jiang does not expend much internal energy when using the True Martial Sword, and it is even easier than when using ordinary weapons. Is that true?"

The Xuanling mentioned by Chongxu was the old Taoist priest who went to Huashan Sect to offer congratulations last time.

Jiang Ning nodded: "That's right."

Chongxu's expression changed slightly.

Jiang Ning then asked curiously, "Speaking of which, I have a question. Master Xuanling once mentioned whether one needs to use pure internal energy to use the True Martial Sword. I didn't know at the time. Does Master know the truth about it?"

Chongxu laughed upon hearing this: "I have also tried it just now, and even with my internal strength, I cannot use it, so I cannot answer Young Master Jiang's question."

Jiang Ning nodded, not too surprised, but Chongxu then changed the subject.

"but……"

Chongxu looked at Jiang Ning: "Please forgive my impertinence, young hero Jiang, would it be convenient for me to examine the internal energy within your body?"

Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, and immediately understood the other party's intention. He did not refuse and extended his hand.

"can."

Chongxu solemnly took Jiang Ning's wrist.

After a while.

Chongxu withdrew his hand with a look of surprise.

"Young Master Jiang's internal energy is indeed extremely pure. Even in my entire life, I have never seen such pure and profound true energy."

Chongxu was indeed shocked. As soon as he touched the other's wrist, he felt that the true energy in the other's body was extremely hot, but fortunately it did not harm him. If those evil demons who practiced evil arts had encountered it, they would probably either die or vomit blood.

Chongxu began to believe what Xuanling had said.

It seems that one must possess incredibly refined internal energy to wield the True Martial Sword.

Upon hearing Chongxu's words, Jiang Ning's expression changed slightly.

In truth, he also had a question in his mind: why was he the only one who could use the Zhenwu Sword, while even his master Yue Buqun could not?

Jiang Ning never thought of himself as some kind of destined protagonist or that only he could use divine weapons. Besides, this wasn't some fantasy world of cultivation, it hadn't reached that level yet.

The only explanation is that his internal energy is pure, and the current state of Chongxu and the previous state of Yue Buqun further prove this point.

Upon hearing Chongxu's words, Jiang Ning's expression shifted slightly, and he asked, "I've heard that Abbot Fangzheng of Shaolin Temple has mastered the Yi Jin Jing. Surely Abbot Fangzheng should also be able to use the Zhenwu Sword, right?"

"Master Fang Zheng?"

Chongxu was somewhat surprised to hear this, but his expression quickly changed, and he remained silent.

The Zhenwu Sword is the personal sword of our sect's founder, Zhang Sanfeng. Our Wudang sect is a Taoist sect, and the Zhenwu Sword is the sect's most treasured artifact. Naturally, it can only be used with Taoist true energy.

Chongxu thought to himself.

Although Chongxu felt that Jiang Ning's true qi was so pure that he had never seen it before, he could at least be sure that it was Taoist true qi.

Without receiving a reply from Chongxu, and with no way Jiang Ning could go to Shaolin specifically to have Fangzheng test him, the issue was naturally put on hold.

“Master, since you have confirmed that this is your sect’s Zhenwu Sword, then this junior should return it to its rightful owner.”

Jiang Ning brought up his previous words again, without mentioning what price Wudang would need to pay in exchange, clearly indicating that it would be returned free of charge.

The Zhenwu Sword was right in front of him. As long as he spoke, the Zhenwu Sword, which had been lost for many years, could return to Wudang. However, Chongxu did not show much joy at this moment.

Chongxu looked at Jiang Ning and suddenly smiled.

"Young Master Jiang, are you really willing to return the True Martial Sword?"

Before Jiang Ning could answer, Chongxu, with a smile on his face, did something that surprised everyone around him.

Chongxu handed the Zhenwu Sword back.

Jiang Ning was surprised.

"What is this, Daoist Master?"

Chongxu wore a smile.

"In the past, the Demonic Sect seized the Zhenwu Sword from our sect. For decades, our sect has never given up on reclaiming the Zhenwu Sword, but all our efforts have been in vain. This is also the case in my generation. I never expected that Young Hero Jiang would actually take it back from the Demonic Sect villains."

"Perhaps it is destined to be with Young Master Jiang."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning frowned slightly, somewhat puzzled by Chongxu's meaning, but Chongxu continued.

“In the past, my sect’s founder used it to sweep away all the demons in the world. Unfortunately, his disciples were incompetent and could not unleash its true power. But Young Hero Jiang can truly use it.”

"Young Master Jiang personally retrieved the True Martial Sword, and only he can unleash its true power. All of this is enough to demonstrate the special connection between Young Master Jiang and the True Martial Sword."

"Since Young Master Jiang is destined to have the True Martial Sword, then I will take the liberty of lending it to Young Master Jiang temporarily."

"borrow?"

Jiang Ning was taken aback, seemingly never expecting Chongxu to give such an answer.

"good."

Chongxu wore a smile.

"Even if I were to bring the Zhenwu Sword back to the Wudang Sect, it would only be another offering in the main hall of Wudang. Rather than that, it would be better to let it fulfill its proper purpose."

"Since it has chosen Young Master Jiang, and Young Master Jiang has the will to vanquish demons, then let it shine again in Young Master Jiang's hands and wipe out all the demons."

Chapter 698: A Gentleman's Agreement

"..."

Jiang Ning was silent.

Chongxu did not urge Jiang Ning to answer.

After a long time.

Jiang Ning accepted the Zhenwu Sword.

“In that case, I will return the True Martial Sword after this demon-slaying.”

"Do not."

Unexpectedly, Chongxu still refused.

"Young Master Jiang has misunderstood what I mean."

Chongxu shook his head and said, "I am not lending the Zhenwu Sword to Young Hero Jiang for a few days or months, but indefinitely."

"Indefinitely?"

Jiang Ning frowned.

"good."

Chongxu smiled and said, "This humble Taoist would like to make a gentleman's agreement with Young Hero Jiang, what do you say?"

"A gentleman's agreement?"

Jiang Ning asked.

Chongxu smiled and said, "I lent the Zhenwu Sword to Young Master Jiang, but Young Master Jiang is in the prime of his life while I am old and frail. I do not think I will live to see the day when Young Master Jiang returns the Zhenwu Sword after his death. Therefore, I would like to make a gentleman's agreement with Young Master Jiang."

"From this moment forward, the treasure of our Wudang Sect will be temporarily lent to Young Master Jiang for his personal use indefinitely. During the period of Young Master Jiang's use, no descendant of Wudang shall ask Young Master Jiang for the Zhenwu Sword for any reason. If any descendant of Wudang violates this rule, Young Master Jiang may refuse to return it."

"And the True Martial Sword only requires Young Hero Jiang to return it voluntarily after a hundred years."

Chongxu means that the Zhenwu Sword was given to Jiang Ning while he was alive, but Jiang Ning needed to return the Zhenwu Sword to Wudang after his death.

After hearing these words, Jiang Ning looked at Chongxu in surprise.

Jiang Ning's state of mind had always been such that nothing could stir him up much, but Chongxu's words at this moment truly surprised him.

After a long time.

"it is good."

Jiang Ning nodded, thus accepting this gentleman's agreement.

Upon hearing Jiang Ning's agreement, Chongxu's smile deepened, but he felt a great sense of relief.

Finally, we managed to put this matter off for good.

Chongxu thought to himself.

That’s right, it’s procrastination.

Chongxu pondered and pondered, but could not think of what price to pay to get the Zhenwu Sword back. It wasn't until he took over the Zhenwu Sword for testing just now that Chongxu finally came up with this solution.