Chapter 48: The Legend of the Origin of the Elder Hall of Mount Hua

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Chapter 48: The Origins of the Huashan Elder Hall

“Of course it’s…” Zheng Jian saw that he had piqued the curiosity of all three, and immediately drew out his words.

Feng Buping and his companions’ hearts leapt into their throats.

“Fake!”

Disappointment colored their faces.

“Just kidding, it’s true, truly true! Look at you, so easily teased—it’s really no fun.”

The three stared at Zheng Jian speechlessly. How could this child be so sly? Wasn’t his master known as the “Gentleman Sword”? How did he end up with such a mischievous disciple?

“Resentment value from Feng Buping +100.”
“Resentment value from Cheng Buyou +200.”
“Resentment value from Cong Buqi +500!”

Zheng Jian immediately regarded Cong Buqi with respect. Such a “clear-cut” person, so honest in his grievances, was truly someone of genuine character.

“All right, Nephew, stop keeping us in suspense. Quickly, tell us—which Sword Sect elder is living in seclusion on the rear mountain?” Feng Buping said helplessly. Fighting was out of the question, and they couldn’t win anyway—otherwise, he might have long since pressed Zheng Jian for answers at swordpoint.

Zheng Jian smiled slightly, “Do you want to know?”

All three nodded rapidly, just like chicks pecking at rice.

“Beg me. Beg me and I’ll tell you. This is an exceptional secret—you’ll certainly gain by knowing it.” Zheng Jian wore a mischievous grin.

“…”

Feng Buping was nearly driven mad by Zheng Jian.

“Resentment value from Feng Buping +200.”
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“All right, Nephew, your elders beg you—please be merciful and tell us!” Feng Buping was utterly intimidated by Zheng Jian, to the point of even using the honorific “please”—all for an answer.

Zheng Jian glanced at the furious Cheng Buyou and Cong Buqi, and had no doubt that if his answer disappointed them, the three would draw swords without hesitation.

“In light of your sincere request, I’ll tell you.” Zheng Jian’s expression turned solemn. “That elder didn’t wish to see anyone from Huashan. Before leaving, he specifically reminded me not to divulge his whereabouts. Today, I’m making an exception for you. That elder is... Feng Qingyang!”

“Boom!”

The three were utterly stunned, silenced by the weight of that name.

“Is it… really true?” Feng Buping’s voice trembled.

Cheng Buyou: “You—you’re not sent by Yue Buqun to mess with us, are you?”

Zheng Jian nodded solemnly. “Even my master doesn’t know of this. If not for a stroke of luck, I wouldn’t have learned it myself.”

“Heaven has eyes. Uncle Feng is still alive—heaven has eyes!” Feng Buping shouted in excitement, tears streaming down his face and caring nothing for his appearance. “Buyou, quickly, slap me—tell me I’m not dreaming!”

Upon hearing this, Cheng Buyou immediately raised his left hand and slapped Feng Buping’s face with a loud crack.

“!!!” Feng Buping’s face instantly swelled, but he wasn’t angry at all; instead, he grew even happier. “It’s not a dream, not a dream! Hahaha, it’s true, it’s true!”

After a while, their emotions gradually calmed. Zheng Jian was not surprised.

For years, they had endured hardship, believing that aside from themselves, there were no other Sword Sect members left. Now, hearing that a “Qing” generation elder still lived—none other than the famous Feng Qingyang—their excitement was only natural.

“Nephew Zheng, please show us where the elder is living in seclusion. Rest assured, we will never interfere in Huashan affairs again. We only wish to serve Uncle Feng in his old age. Unless Huashan faces mortal peril, we will not leave the mountain.” Feng Buping declared loudly, “If you still don’t believe us, the three of us can swear an oath!”

Cheng Buyou and Cong Buqi immediately swore as well, their eyes fixed intently on Zheng Jian.

Zheng Jian smiled wryly. “It’s not that I don’t believe you. Besides, even if you tried to stir up trouble, I have confidence I can make the wind cease and the rain stop. But I only know that Uncle Feng is living somewhere on the rear mountain. As for exactly where, I do not know. You three will have to look for him yourselves. After all, decades have passed without anyone finding him. If not for that time he revealed himself, who would know he was still here?”

The three hesitated for a moment, but ultimately believed Zheng Jian. After all, they had already agreed to retreat from the martial world, and Zheng Jian had no reason to deceive them. Moreover, since Uncle Feng had feigned death and lived in seclusion for so many years, he must still be brooding over past events.

“It doesn’t matter if we don’t know. The three of us will also retreat to the rear mountain of Huashan. Someday, we will find Uncle Feng.” Feng Buping said with conviction.
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The three immediately made up their minds, thanked Zheng Jian, and turned to head straight for the rear mountain.

Watching their departing figures, Zheng Jian sighed. “I wonder if what I’ve done is right or wrong… Whether Uncle Feng will see you—well, that depends on your destiny.”

Zheng Jian did this for no other reason than to ensure that the lonely old man who often grieved in silence would no longer be alone, to let him know that the Sword Sect still had successors. Moreover, Uncle Feng was old and needed companionship.

No matter how great one’s martial arts, time still takes its toll. Feng Qingyang’s swordsmanship was superb, but he never practiced internal arts and could not prolong his life. Age inevitably brings illness—an incontrovertible truth.

Rather than letting an old man die alone in the mountains, it was better to have these three younger men accompany him, inherit the Sword Sect’s many sword arts, and care for Uncle Feng.

The earlier test had shown that the three were genuine men, not as vicious as Mei Niansheng’s disciples in “Sword Stained with Royal Blood.”

And with their presence, Zheng Jian could also keep track of Uncle Feng’s whereabouts. If the three harbored any ulterior motives, Zheng Jian would not hesitate to clean house.

“When Uncle Feng is gone, and Master and Mistress grow old, I’ll build a Huashan Retirement Hall in the rear mountain, just for them to spend their twilight years!”

This thought suddenly occurred to Zheng Jian, and he found it quite feasible.

“Yes, once everything is settled, before leaving the world of ‘Smiling Proud Wanderer,’ I’ll finalize this plan! There are details to perfect, but the general direction is sound. At that time, it will be called the Huashan Elder Hall, with Grand Elders and Elders appointed. They can cultivate themselves and steer the sect in major matters, preventing the leader from acting recklessly and making irreparable mistakes.”

So many fantasy sects have Elder Halls; Zheng Jian thought it was reasonable to introduce one to Huashan. That way, the sect could avoid the fate in the original story, where Huashan’s essence was nearly lost. Even after he left the world, the sect would continue to thrive and grow.

Though there are no eternal solutions, at least a few centuries of prosperity are possible, and that’s enough!

“Indeed, as long as the mind doesn’t falter, there are always more solutions than difficulties…”

…
(End of chapter)
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