Chapter 28: Unreasonable

Yue Buqun was unwilling to "help" Wang Jingyuan under any circumstances. Although the Mount Hua Sect was not a Taoist sect in the strict sense, it still inherited a portion of the Quanzhen School's orthodoxy.

Unlike the Buddhist view that the physical body is merely a "skin bag" or a temporary vessel, the Taoists perceive the human body as both a "den of material desires" and a "vessel for receiving the Tao."

The core of the Quanzhen internal alchemy practice is "borrowing the false to cultivate the true," proposing that the "false body" and the "true body" complement each other. While the physical body is viewed as an illusory "false body with form," one must refine it to transform it into a "true body" to achieve transcendence.

When Wang Jingyuan descended to the mortal world, he did not appear as a bald monk, and his landing spot was Mount Hua—a blessed Taoist site. Naturally, Yue Buqun categorized him as a Taoist immortal.

Now, this immortal was preparing to damage his own body to help revitalize the Mount Hua Sect. Far from feeling happy, Yue Buqun felt panicked. How much karmic debt would that incur? Could he, Yue Buqun, ever pay it back, even over countless lifetimes?

Seeing that Yue Buqun was truly unwilling to cooperate, Wang Jingyuan clicked his tongue. "Fine, fine. If you aren't willing to do it, I'll find someone else."

Yue Buqun immediately straightened his expression and said solemnly, "It is already a blessing for Mount Hua that an immortal is willing to assist. How could we allow the immortal's divine body to be harmed for the sake of Mount Hua? Revitalizing the sect is a gradual process; if anyone dares to harm the immortal, I, Yue Buqun, shall be their mortal enemy!"

Listening to Yue Buqun’s long-winded speech, Wang Jingyuan began to catch on. "Good grief, so you’re hot-fixing the 'wheelchair exploit' as soon as you find it, are you? Forget it, let's leave it at that. A deep cut isn't the same as deleting the skill entirely. It’s a bit troublesome, but it can still be practiced."

Yue Buqun caught the key information: "The immortal can practice the 'Evil-Ward Sword Manual' without self-mutilation?"

"Yes, it's just a bit slower. Don't look at me like that; my situation is unique, and you can't learn it. Those who resemble me shall live; those who imitate me shall die."

Yue Buqun thought this made sense; after all, he was merely a mortal, and how could he compare himself to an immortal? Since the "Evil-Ward Sword Manual" could not be practiced, he had to consider the second issue.

After a moment of contemplation, he said to Wang Jingyuan, "Immortal, although it is somewhat... inappropriate for my Mount Hua Sect to keep this 'Evil-Ward Sword Manual,' it is a gesture of your good intentions, and I simply lack the fortune to enjoy it. I shall take full responsibility for this matter and will never allow those mundane fools to disturb you."

Wang Jingyuan frowned. "What on earth are you talking about? Before the goal is achieved, your reputation as the 'Gentleman Sword' is quite useful; don't let it be tarnished so easily. You just need to frame it as me acting on my own initiative."

"But..."

"You are the 'Gentleman Sword.' If a disciple makes a mistake and you are willing to help bear the burden, it is perfectly reasonable and justifiable. And because you are the 'Gentleman Sword,' even if the victims don't pursue it, who would truly make things difficult for you? If someone insists on dwelling on this, it's just a case of 'the drunkard's heart is not in the cup'—we’ll just give them what they want."

Yue Buqun recalled the sword manual Wang Jingyuan had just written down from memory. "Could it be..."

"Exactly what you think. Now, let’s talk about serious business."

***

Yue Buqun was surprised. "Was that not serious business?"

Wang Jingyuan pulled a business proposal signed by Lin Zhennan from his robe. "This is my greatest gain from this outing, and it is the foundation for revitalizing Mount Hua."

Yue Buqun had too many questions for Wang Jingyuan, so the two spoke by candlelight until deep into the night before Wang Jingyuan returned to his room to rest. Once inside, he lay on the bed, waiting. As soon as the hour of the Rat arrived, a notification appeared before him.

[Proficiency in "Zixia Divine Skill" +1]

Seeing the reward for the periodic task finally credited, Wang Jingyuan nodded with satisfaction and closed his eyes.

Early the next morning, Yue Buqun met with Lin Pingzhi. "You must be Pingzhi. You are indeed a talent."

Lin Pingzhi immediately knelt and kowtowed. "Disciple Lin Pingzhi greets his Master."

Yue Buqun stroked his beard and smiled. "Good, good, good!"

Ning Zhongze raised her hand to gesture for him to rise. "Rise, child."

With the approval of both, Lin Pingzhi’s position as a disciple was officially solidified. Yue Lingshan, standing to the side, breathed a sigh of relief. She had long known that the so-called "accepting a disciple on behalf of the master" was a fabrication, though she had eventually been persuaded by Wang Jingyuan to accept it.

However, she had always worried that it would be difficult for Lin Pingzhi to pass her father's test. Spending time with this "junior brother" had given her a good impression; his meticulous and orderly way of doing things reminded her of her father—he was far more reliable than a certain jerk.

She had originally planned to plead for him if her father refused, but she hadn't expected her father to accept Lin Pingzhi so readily. Feeling genuinely happy, she glanced at Wang Jingyuan, who was standing to the side looking nonchalant, and whispered, "You jerk actually have some use after all."

Because Liu Zhengfeng had been seriously injured, the Gold Basin Hand-Washing Ceremony was postponed. The Mount Hua Sect members would have to stay in Hengyang City for a few more days.

Yue Buqun, having nothing to do, began to guide his disciples in their martial arts. Curiously, when the disciples formed a formation to practice, Wang Jingyuan would stand to the side, munching on fruit and watching.

He looked exactly like some unscrupulous old timer holding an iced soda, watching students undergo military training. The other disciples were fine, as their Mistress had already mentioned several times that Wang Jingyuan's identity was extraordinary. How could ordinary disciples hold a grudge against an insider with such a powerful background?

Of course, someone was dissatisfied: the other "insider" present.

"Father, why doesn't he have to practice?" Yue Lingshan rubbed her sore arms and pointed at Wang Jingyuan, who was making faces at her, her voice filled with resentment.

Yue Buqun shielded him directly. "Jingyuan's swordsmanship is already quite refined, far exceeding yours, so he doesn't need to practice."

"Father, didn't you say there is no end to learning? In martial arts, it is like rowing a boat upstream; if you don't advance, you fall back."

Yue Buqun continued to brush her off. "That is true, but one must also balance work and rest. You have all seen how Jingyuan practices on Mount Hua; it is only right that he gets to rest now."

***

Yue Lingshan pouted, then her eyes rolled. "Father, since Junior Brother's swordsmanship is so refined and far exceeds ours, why not have him give us some pointers?"

Yue Buqun was about to speak, but Wang Jingyuan had already drawn his sword and walked over. "I'm bored anyway, sparring with some wooden stakes won't hurt."

Wang Jingyuan pointed his sword forward. "I'm going to challenge you all at once."

The senior brothers, having never been beaten up by Wang Jingyuan, took this opportunity to give him a "friendly reminder" that he should respect his seniors. Immediately, they were sent scrambling in chaos by Wang Jingyuan.

When Wang Jingyuan sheathed his sword, the Mount Hua disciples were all sprawled out, grimacing in pain. Yue Lingshan was almost crying, as Wang Jingyuan had specifically targeted her during the brawl.

Having received no proficiency rewards, Wang Jingyuan shook his head in disappointment. It seemed that among these Mount Hua disciples, other than Linghu Chong, none were worth much. No wonder Yue Buqun had it so rough in the original story.

As the training ended, the disciples helped each other back to their rooms to apply medicine. Only Lin Pingzhi stared at Wang Jingyuan with burning eyes, though he soon withdrew his gaze with a look of desolation.

The reason Wang Jingyuan had won so easily was not only his deep mastery of the "Mount Hua Sword Arts" but also the occasional flash of the "Evil-Ward Sword Manual."

The "Evil-Ward Sword Manual" was exceptionally fast. The other brothers couldn't see it clearly, but he and Yue Lingshan had seen it before. Yue Lingshan didn't care much about the strength of martial arts, but Lin Pingzhi was incredibly agitated because it was his family's legacy—yet, tragically, he could not practice it.

Back in his room, Yue Buqun was still ruminating on Wang Jingyuan's performance. Every strike had been perfect, yet the internal energy attached to the sword had been just enough—nothing more.

This approach to combat looked very much like the style of the Sword Sect. Yue Buqun shook his head; his small temple of Mount Hua could not contain such a true deity, and there was no need to overthink it.

As he poured himself a cup of tea to soothe his throat, he saw his wife rush in, looking as if she had something to say but was hesitant.

Yue Buqun was puzzled. "What has caused such panic?"

Ning Zhongze said, "Stories are suddenly circulating throughout the city. The content is filthy and obscene, but it is aimed directly at Brother Liu and Zuo Lengchan. I fear this is a conspiracy of the Demonic Cult against our Five Mountain Sword Sects."

Wang Jingyuan had already revealed his plan to Yue Buqun, so he knew exactly what Ning Zhongze was talking about. But at the thought of what Wang Jingyuan had told him, he felt nauseous and disgusted, his face twisting uncontrollably.

"Indeed, this must be a conspiracy by the Demonic Cult against us."