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

Page 2

Yue Buqun frowned and asked, "If your family property has been seized by outsiders, you should report it to the authorities and let them handle it. Why come to my Mount Hua?"

Although the world is in chaos now, it is still a unified dynasty, and Yue Buqun still felt that such a matter could be reported to the authorities.

"Master, you are unaware of this."

Shi Daizi interjected, "The county magistrate of Yunmeng County accepted bribes from the steward. They colluded with each other. After Wang Yuan reported the matter to the authorities, the magistrate said that he had made a false accusation. Not only did Wang Yuan not recover his property, but he was also beaten with twenty lashes and then thrown out of the yamen."

"Not bad!"

Lu Dayou said indignantly, "After hearing that Wang Yuan had reported to the authorities, the steward actually had him beaten up and his wife and children kidnapped, saying that he would make his wife and children serve him as punishment for reporting to the authorities."

"Wang Yuan had no way to report to the authorities, and his wife and children were kidnapped. He was filled with despair and wanted to commit suicide. Later, he learned from others that our Huashan Sect was a famous and righteous sect with a great reputation in the martial arts world. The disciples of the sect were chivalrous and righteous. He had nowhere else to turn, so he came to our Huashan Sect for help. Wang Yuan said that if we could help him take revenge and rescue his wife and children, he was willing to give up all his property. After hearing this, Junior Brother Jiang Ning decided to go down the mountain with them to help Wang Yuan."

"I see."

Yue Buqun stroked his beard and nodded, his anger subsiding slightly. He even felt a touch of pleasure when he heard outsiders say that their Huashan Sect was a prestigious and righteous sect with a splendid reputation.

But he frowned when he heard what came next.

"Since the government is not taking any action against this injustice, it is only right for us Huashan disciples to stand up for them. Why should we ask them to offer their family fortune as a reward? Ning'er is usually a sensible person, how can she be so ungrateful? If word gets out that I, Yue Buqun, am a hypocrite who has raised villains like you who take advantage of others' misfortunes to seize their property, it will ruin the reputation of my Huashan Sect. How will I be able to stand in the martial arts world after that?"

Chapter 3: Jiangning

Yue Buqun berated the crowd.

Before his death, his master entrusted Huashan to him, entrusting him with the task of developing and promoting the Huashan Sect. To fulfill his master's last wish, he dedicated almost his entire life to Huashan. Over the decades, he has been cautious and meticulous, developing the Huashan Sect to its current state. The Huashan Sect is his life's work, and he will never allow any disciple in the sect to bring any stain to the Huashan Sect, including his wife and daughters.

Hearing that Jiang Ning would actually take action for someone else's property, even if his intentions were good, it's bound to draw criticism.

"Ning'er is so insensible."

Ning Zhongze, who was standing to the side, also frowned and said.

Hearing Yue Buqun speak so seriously, Lu Dayou was so frightened that his lips trembled and he couldn't utter a single word for a long time.

"Master, please calm down."

At this moment, a disciple stepped forward.

Gao Genming cupped his hands to Yue Buqun and said, "Master has misunderstood Junior Brother Jiang Ning. Junior Brother Lu did not finish speaking just now. After hearing about Wang Yuan's experience, Junior Brother Jiang Ning told him that we Huashan disciples are taught by our master to help the weak and punish the strong and uphold justice. Since Wang Yuan has come to Huashan for help, Jiang Ning will agree. As for his family property, Huashan Sect will not take a single penny."

“Junior Brother Jiang Ning said that since the government doesn’t care, then Huashan will. If the law can no longer bring justice to the victims, or even oppress the parties involved, then upholding justice is the meaning of Huashan Sect’s existence.”

"it is good!"

As soon as Gao Genming finished speaking, Yue Buqun roared, startling everyone present.

Yue Buqun's fair face turned red, his eyes brightened, and he seemed somewhat excited.

“Well said! Ning’er’s ability to say these words shows that he has not forgotten his teacher’s earnest teachings.”

At this moment, Yue Buqun's anger had completely dissipated.

Seeing that their master was finally no longer angry, Lu Dayou, Gao Genming and the other disciples breathed a sigh of relief.

Ning Zhongze also smiled.

"My senior brother has taught a good disciple."

Yue Buqun had calmed down by now, but a smile still lingered on his face. However, the next second he seemed to remember something and frowned, saying, "Yunmeng County is only a day or two away from my Mount Hua. Ning'er went down the mountain seven days ago. Even if there were some twists and turns, she should have returned by now. Why hasn't she returned yet?"

Lu Dayou shook his head upon hearing this.

"This...this disciple does not know."

Yue Buqun pondered for a while, then asked, "You just said that Wang Yuan's wicked servant and steward gathered some Jianghu people. Who are they?"

Lu Dayou thought for a moment and replied, "Wang Yuan said that the steward led more than a dozen men to his house and drove him out of the Wang family home without saying a word. Those men were carrying swords and other weapons, and they looked like they were not to be trifled with."

Yue Buqun's brows furrowed immediately. He said, "Since the other side has so many people, why didn't a few of you go down the mountain with Ning'er back then? Why didn't you try to persuade him to come down? Why did you leave him alone all this time? Haven't you thought of going down the mountain to check on the situation?"

Seeing his master's expression turn sour, Lu Dayou's heart tightened again, and he replied cautiously, "Master forbade us brothers to go down the mountain before we left, and we dare not disobey."

Upon hearing this, Yue Buqun's brows furrowed even more deeply, and he remained silent, his face ashen.

Seeing his master's face growing increasingly grim, Shi Daizi stepped forward and said, "Master, don't worry. Junior brother's martial arts are superior to all my fellow disciples. Those people are probably just a bunch of people who only know a little bit of fist and footwork. They are no match for junior brother. He must have been delayed on the way back."

"Yeah yeah."

Lu Dayou quickly chimed in, "Those people are definitely no match for Junior Brother. We also tried to persuade him to wait for Master to return, but he is a person with his own opinions and insisted on going down the mountain with Wang Yuan. We couldn't persuade him, so we had no choice but to let him go."

After saying this, Lu Dayou felt a pang of bitterness in his heart.

This junior brother was the youngest in the sect, but his martial arts skills were the highest, on par with the eldest brother. He was also very opinionated. Although he seemed kind, he exuded an aura that kept strangers at bay, and his personality was completely opposite to that of the eldest brother.

"Bastard!"

Lu Da had just finished speaking when Yue Buqun shouted sharply, startling him.

Yue Buqun's sword-like eyebrows shot up, his face twitched incessantly, and his expression was filled with rage. He pointed at Lu Dayou, and his breathing became rapid.

“Ning’er is your junior brother. How could you let him go down the mountain alone to deal with the villains? As the saying goes, two fists can't beat four hands, let alone more than ten people. Even though Ning’er’s martial arts are not low, he is still young and has never been down the mountain before. He has not yet been exposed to the dangers of the world. Among the dozen or so people on the other side, there must be some veterans who have been traveling the world for many years. It is inevitable that Ning’er will fall into their hands.”

“You are fellow disciples, so it would be good to help each other when you go down the mountain together, but not only do you not go, you are also shirking your responsibilities here.”

"Master's orders, Master's orders, you all obey so readily, shirking all responsibility. When I tell you not to go down the mountain, you refuse. When I tell you to cultivate diligently, do you listen?"

"No matter how great a master's command is, can it be greater than saving lives?"

Yue Buqun sternly rebuked his disciples, including Lu Dayou and Gao Genming, clearly showing his genuine anger.

"Master, please calm down. Your disciple is guilty."

Lu Dayou turned pale with fright, his knees buckled and he knelt down to apologize to Yue Buqun.

Yue Buqun grew angrier as he spoke, and even raised his palm, with purple energy swirling between his fingers.

The other disciples were so frightened by this scene that they all knelt down.

"Master, please calm down."

We were wrong.

Ning Zhongze was also startled when she saw Yue Buqun's actions. "Senior Brother..."

However, before she could finish speaking, Yue Buqun stopped moving.

Yue Buqun looked at the group of disciples and said coldly, "Ning'er has been down the mountain for seven days now, and I don't know what her situation is. I'm going down the mountain to Yunmeng County to check on her, so that Ning'er doesn't really encounter any misfortune. As for you, I'll punish you when I return."

After saying this, Yue Buqun flicked his sleeves and was about to hurry down the mountain before his disciples could even get going. However, he stopped as soon as he was about to set off, his eyes fixed on the foot of the mountain.

Ning Zhongze had originally planned to go down the mountain with Yue Buqun, but seeing his unusual behavior, she was about to speak when her gaze followed Yue Buqun's.

The people kneeling on the ground also turned around to look.

A figure was seen coming up the mountain path from the foot of the mountain; the figure was strangely familiar.

As they got closer, the man's appearance came into view.

He was about fifteen or sixteen years old, but not short. He wore a blue and white robe and had a fairly handsome face with a cool and aloof expression. His appearance was not particularly outstanding, but his eyes were as bright and sparkling as obsidian.

The young man, carrying his robe in one hand and a long sword at his waist, was climbing the mountain path step by step. His upper body remained perfectly still, and the rugged mountain path seemed as flat as flat ground beneath his feet.

At this moment, the boy looked up and saw Yue Buqun and the others. A look of surprise appeared in his eyes, but he did not shout or yell. Instead, he continued to walk up the mountain, but his pace quickened. Even so, his upper body did not sway.

Only after the young man had walked across the mountain path and stepped onto flat ground did he put down his robes and walk step by step. When he saw the crowd kneeling on the ground, his eyes showed even more surprise, but he did not ask anything. Instead, he came to Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze and bowed.

"Disciple Jiang Ning greets Master and Mistress."

His voice was cool and aloof, just like his cool and aloof face.

Chapter 4: Is Justice Delayed Still Justice?

"Master and Mistress have been gone for two or three months. How have you been? Was your journey smooth?"

Looking at the young man before her, Ning Zhongze smiled.

"Good, good, it's all thanks to Ning'er for her concern. When your master and I were not on the mountain, did you practice your skills diligently?"

Jiang Ning remained calm and composed: "Replying to Master's wife, although Master and Master's wife have not been on Mount Hua during this period, Master's teachings still resonate in my ears, and I have not dared to slack off for a single day."

Upon hearing the answer, Ning Zhongze's smile deepened, and her expression became even more satisfied.

After answering, a smile appeared on Jiang Ning's face, like ice melting away.

Unlike Jiang Ning, Yue Buqun's gaze swept over Jiang Ning's entire body while his wife and apprentice were talking. He found that there were no wounds or signs of internal injury on his body, and his expression calmed down.

At this moment, Yue Buqun said calmly, "How was your trip down the mountain? Did you manage to rescue Wang Yuan's wife and daughter?"

Jiang Ning was not surprised to hear this. Yue Buqun must have learned the reason why he went down the mountain from Lu Dayou and others. Since Yue Buqun asked this question, he did not intend to pursue the matter of him going down the mountain without permission in disobeying his master's orders.

Jiang Ning nodded: "Reporting to Master, Wang Yuan's wife and children have been rescued safely, and his property has been recovered."

Yue Buqun nodded, then asked, "Were there any setbacks along the way? Did you encounter any difficulties?"

Jiang Ning smiled and said, "After I went down the mountain, I went to Yunmeng County with Wang Yuan. Later, I learned from others that Wang Yuan was not lying. I also personally confirmed this with the steward and those people. After that, I helped Wang Yuan rescue his wife and daughter and take back the part of the family property that the steward had embezzled. Then I went to the county government and found the magistrate of Yunmeng County and recovered the other part of Wang Yuan's family property. Wang Yuan wanted to give the family property to me to repay the kindness of my Huashan Sect, but I did not accept it."

Yue Buqun asked again, "Were his wife and daughters humiliated?"

Jiang Ning shook his head: "No, before I went there, the Wang family steward and those thugs tried to force themselves on Wang Yuan's wife and daughter, but they resisted to the death. The steward first seized the family property, and if he forced the family members to commit suicide, he was afraid that the people of Yunmeng would be ashamed. So he did not force them anymore, but locked the two women in the woodshed and gave them only thin porridge every day in an attempt to make them obedient. They were only rescued after I arrived."

Yue Buqun nodded in satisfaction and commented on Jiang Ning's actions, "Not bad, you did a great job."

"You didn't rush to attack someone just because you listened to Wang Yuan's one-sided story. Instead, you verified the facts from multiple sources before offering your help. One-sided listening leads to belief, while listening to both sides leads to clarity."

"Afterwards, they went to the county government to recover part of the Wang family's property, showing no fear of power and upholding justice."

"well done."

Yue Buqun said "very well" twice in a row, which means he was very satisfied with Jiang Ning's actions.

Jiang Ning maintained a smile throughout, standing there without showing any joy despite Yue Buqun's praise, which pleased Yue Buqun even more.

"Master, what's going on with my fellow disciples?"

Jiang Ning then spoke, his gaze fixed on Lao Denuo, Lu Dayou, and the others who were still kneeling on the ground, his eyes filled with questions.

Upon hearing this, Lu Dayou raised his head and gave Jiang Ning an ugly smile, then lowered his head again, not daring to speak.

From the time they went up the mountain in Jiangning until they talked with Yue Buqun, they didn't dare to say a word. Yue Buqun wouldn't let them get up, so they didn't dare to stand up and just knelt there obediently.

However, after kneeling for a long time and on a hard ground, their knees started to hurt, like being pricked with needles. The younger Lu Dayou and Gao Genming were okay, but Lao Denuo was in a lot of pain.

He's old, with frail arms and bones. Even though he's skilled in martial arts, he could still kill a master with a flurry of punches. He couldn't bear to kneel like this.

At first, he could kneel upright, but after a while, he couldn't hold on any longer. His legs started to tremble, and he had to use his hands to support himself on the ground, which made him feel a little better, but it was still uncomfortable. His legs were trembling as if they were about to take off. Ying Bailuo, kneeling next to him, kept his mouth tightly shut, his lips pursed again and again, his shoulders were shaking, and his face was flushed red. He wanted to laugh but dared not.

"Humph."

Upon hearing this, Yue Buqun snorted coldly, but not at Jiang Ning; rather, it was directed at Lu Dayou, Gao Genming, and the others.

"Those few, all disciples of Mount Hua, let their junior brother go down the mountain alone to deal with the villains, stubbornly obeying their master's orders, but they didn't understand the principle of acting expediently in times of emergency. They insisted on waiting for me to come back first. By then, Wang Yuan's family would have already been killed by the evil servants. What use would I be if I came back? To collect their corpses?"

"As fellow disciples, they don't even understand such a simple principle."

Yue Buqun snorted coldly again, looking at them and said in a cold voice, "It's fine if Ning'er can return safely this time, but if something really happens to him, and you, as his senior brothers, do nothing and just watch him get into trouble, I will definitely not forgive you!"

Lu Dayou, Gao Genming, and the others looked bitter and powerless to refute, unable to utter a single word.

“What my senior brothers said is not wrong.”

Jiang Ning calmly said, "We must be careful and cautious before we know the enemy's strength or weakness. We should plan carefully and make thorough preparations to avoid losing our lives in vain."

"However, how should we plan for the long term? And to what extent should we prepare? If we prepare this, we need to plan that; if we've prepared this, should we start preparing for the next one? If we've planned this, should we start planning for the next one?"

"Preparing and planning, discussing and deliberating, when will this preparation end? When will this discussion end? I can wait, my senior brothers can wait, but can Wang Yuan wait? Can the next Wang Yuan wait?"

"Everyone talks about justice, but what is justice? Helping the weak and punishing the strong is justice, punishing evil and promoting good is justice. Since it is justice, it seems that it doesn't matter if it comes a little late. But if we wait until Master comes back to help Wang Yuan, by then his wife and daughters will have been killed. Even if we help him avenge himself and take back his property, what then? Is justice delayed still justice?"

Jiang Ning's voice was not loud and was very calm, so calm that there was no emotional fluctuation, no sense of accusation or reprimand. But to Lu Dayou and the others, it was like a knife cutting into their hearts.

With each sentence Jiang Ning spoke, Lu Dayou, Gao Genming, and the others lowered their heads a little further. By the time Jiang Ning finished speaking, they had buried their heads deep in the ground.

On the contrary, Yue Buqun's anger gradually dissipated as Jiang Ning spoke, and he even revealed a few smiles in the end.

His disciple was just like that; he was usually very quiet, calm, and never showed his emotions. Although he was young, he was very opinionated, just like now. He had his own understanding of the world and justice, which was completely different from Linghu Chong's personality. He was also very talented and was already on par with his eldest disciple at a young age.

Sometimes Yue Buqun felt that if Jiang Ning weren't so much younger than the other disciples, he would be more suitable to be the senior disciple.