With a sword drawn, he laughs proudly, his martial prowess dominating the heavens!

Chapter 45 Actions of All Parties Following the Luoyang Incident

A sudden gust of wind ripples across the spring pond.

The news that Di Xiu and Wan Daping, disciples of the Left Alliance Leader of Mount Song, died fighting to eliminate the demons of the Demonic Sect had spread throughout Luoyang City in less than half a day.

The already turbulent "spring waters" of Luoyang's Jianghu (江湖, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry) have now become boiling hot.

It was just past 7 PM when the Golden Knife King's house was established.

In the study, Wang Yuanba paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, his steps quick and swift, showing no signs of old age.

Wang Bofen, standing at the bottom, was tall and stern, with his head bowed and eyes downcast, his forehead and temples covered in cold sweat.

The pair of golden walnuts in the old man's hands made a crackling sound, which grew louder and more urgent, so disturbing that he couldn't help but want to scratch his ears.

He glanced sideways, his hand just touching his ear, when he heard his father pause and say in a deep voice, "Have the Wang family members at the banquet that day give the same answer: if anyone asks, say that Di Xiu intentionally tested his junior brother Li Che's martial arts skills that day. The two of them toasted each other and then stopped when they were at a point, and the scene was quite harmonious."

As for why Di Xiu left midway, it was due to a sudden emergency; we don't know anything else!

Wang Bofeng nodded in agreement, but stopped abruptly as he was about to turn around. "Father, should we only inform the Wang family members? What about the servants at the banquet...?"

"Stupid!" Wang Yuanba glared at his son with disappointment, and said, "The disciples of Songshan were killed, but they gained a reputation as righteous."

Ha~ Although Di Xiu is Zuo Lengchan's disciple, the Songshan Sect is never short of disciples, especially one who is not valued and is sent out to handle trivial matters?!

As your father, I suspect that in Zuo Lengchan's eyes, face is definitely more important than this disciple.

Wang Bofen seemed to be deep in thought, then his eyes suddenly lit up, and he took two steps forward, saying, "Father, are you trying to muddy things up?!"

"Bullshit! If I had that kind of ability, would I need to put up with that coward Di Xiu's humiliation?!" Wang Bofen fell silent, not daring to answer. Then he heard his father say, "If the Songshan Sect sends someone to ask, and everyone's story is the same, it will only arouse suspicion. It's better for each side to have their own version of events. If two shrewish women are arguing in the street, you should stay away. You might even think they're just having a casual chat."

Do you understand?!

"My son understands..."

Seeing his hesitation and reluctance to speak, Wang Yuanba said again, "Hesitating like a woman! Speak quickly!"

"Father, you're saying... it really was Young Master Li who did it?"

Ouch—!

Wang Yuanba kicked his eldest son to the ground, the old man's kick was really hard. "You have a head on your neck, not a block of wood! Is that something you should be asking?!"

How could I have given birth to such a stupid son?!

What are you waiting for? Get to work!

Wang Bofen got up, rubbed his thigh, apologized, and turned to walk towards the door.

"Wait! Let's put the trip to Mount Hua on hold for now." Wang Yuanba leaned back in his chair, his fingertips tapping on the table. "Once things have calmed down, we'll enter Guanzhong under the guise of a merchant trip and pay our respects at the mountain along the way."

Furthermore, under the guise of settling the orphans of fallen heroes, send six portions of silver to the Songshan Sect; the amount should be substantial.

"Son has remembered."

Wang Bofen left the study, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, straightened his back, and regained the imposing manner of the eldest son of the Golden Knife Wang family.

He had only taken two steps when he stopped again, thinking to himself, "Just now, the old man didn't address me as Sect Leader Zuo or Alliance Master Zuo, but called me by my given name. Could it be...?"

Separated by a door, Wang Yuanba finally stopped fiddling with the golden walnut in his hand. After a moment of contemplation, he muttered to himself, "If it really was Li Che who did it, is he fearless because he has nothing to fear, or does Master Yue of Mount Hua have some other ulterior motive?!"

......

Shengguan Peak on Mount Song is the core of the Songshan School.

This peak is magnificent, with two waterfalls cascading down side by side, the sound of the water like thunder.

The area is treacherous, with jagged rocks and a bottomless abyss.

It stands majestically like a gateway between heaven and earth, with clouds and mist enveloping the viewer.

It truly embodies magnificent scenery.

At the summit stands the Junji Zen Temple, filled with ancient cypress trees. Although the main hall is enormous, it contains no Buddha statues, instead exuding a solemn and austere atmosphere.

Seven or eight people were gathered in the hall. In the center sat a man dressed in yellow robes and thick cloaks, with a black beard, broad eyebrows, and a burly figure like a lion.

His face was cold and stern, his eyes were like lightning, and although he did not move, he exuded an aura of authority.

It was none other than Zuo Lengchan, the leader of the Five Mountains Alliance!

Several people stood in two rows on the left and right, each holding a broadsword. Their auras were calm and deep, indicating that they were masters of internal martial arts.

However, there was another person kneeling on one knee in the center. He was slightly older than Di Xiu and was also dressed in yellow tight-fitting clothes, with his sword always in his hand.

"Master, fellow disciples, I have investigated and found that the people killed at the carriage and horse shop and the mortuary are undoubtedly members of the Demonic Sect. The fatal wounds were mostly on the neck and chest, and almost all of them were killed in one blow."

The wound was wide and deep, matching the sword of my sect.

As for the junior brothers... they were wounded by ordinary thin swords and died instantly!

Shi Dengda paused slightly before continuing, "Recently, some unorthodox people have indeed appeared in Luoyang City. Among the Five Sacred Mountains sects, only Li Che, the ninth disciple of the Huashan Sect, has come here with the escort."

However, he had already gone west with the caravan at noon yesterday.

The disciple also discovered that Junior Brother Di and Li Che were invited to a banquet at the Golden Knife Wang family's residence, and it seems that they even got into a fight.

However, accounts from the Wang family differ; some say it was a friendly sparring match, while others say it was a feud.

"Li Che?" Zuo Lengchan slightly raised his eyelids and asked in return, "Has there been any news from the Huashan Sect recently?"

"Never."

"Alright, Dengda, you may leave now. Take care of your junior brother's funeral arrangements."

"Yes, disciple takes his leave!"

The footsteps faded away, and the hall fell silent again.

After a while, the burly man at the head of the left-hand line spoke first: "Senior brother, do you doubt that little brat from the Huashan Sect? Even Linghu Chong, the top disciple of Huashan, could never have killed his two junior disciples, Di Xiu and Wan Daping, with a single sword strike."

This man is none other than Ding Mian, the leader of the Thirteen Protectors of Songshan, nicknamed "Pagoda-Bearing Hand"!

Zuo Lengchan frowned slightly, and his deep voice came out, "Several months ago I received news that although this boy is young, he has excellent talent and comprehension, and his martial arts are no less than Linghu Chong's."

That old fox Yue Buqun is adept at feigning weakness and hiding his true intentions. Ha! How could I not see through his ambition!

His sarcastic words carried a chilling undertone, and his narrowed eyes seemed to hold the power of swords.

After a few breaths, Zuo Lengchan said again, "What Junior Brother said is indeed true. Perhaps I have been overthinking it."

Ding Mian's expression softened slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "However, this Junior Nephew Li is indeed impolite. He has come to Luoyang but has not come to Mount Song to pay his respects to the leader of the Five Mountains Alliance. Junior Brother believes that he should be punished as a warning, so as not to tarnish the name of Senior Brother Gentleman Sword Yue."

"Well, Junior Brother, you can handle this matter as you see fit."

Furthermore, issue a message to the other four mountains: the Demonic Sect has been rampant recently, and the Five Mountains Sword Sects should uphold the righteous path and carry out the work of eliminating the demons and protecting the righteous!

"Senior brother is brilliant! Our Songshan Sect has set an example; how can the other four sects remain indifferent!"

......

Meanwhile, in the forest south of Luoyang where the fighting had taken place the previous night.

Zu Qianqiu and the other five knelt respectfully on both knees, but there was no one in front of them.

A moment later, a soft voice came from deep within the forest, "Wu Baiying, I heard that person shaved off all your hair with a single sword stroke?"

The one-eyed old man trembled. "Your subordinate is incompetent..."

Before he could finish speaking, a voice came from the forest again, "Zu Qianqiu, and you all, you've all seen that man's swift sword?"

"This is."

"Well, if you're not capable, you have to admit it. You all say you're useless, so I'll punish you by letting the whole world know you're useless!"

"This..." The group exchanged glances, completely baffled by the Holy Maiden's intentions, but then no further sound came from the forest.

......