Song Yuanqiao spoke up. “Qingshu is still young. He has done wrong, and as his father I can only bear the punishment in his place.”
At this, Miejue gave a cold snort. “Sect Leader Song’s action is truly noble, but have you considered that if you really did this, once the matter spreads, how would people of the martial world think? They would say I, Miejue, am arrogant and overbearing, forcing Sect Leader Song to mutilate himself here on Wudang’s own mountain.”
As she spoke, Miejue thought of last year’s matter on Wudang Mountain involving Zhang Cuishan.
She had properly come to offer birthday felicitations, merely joining with several other sects to ask Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu a few questions. Yet after a few senseless remarks, Zhang Cuishan severed his own heart meridian before the Six Major Sects.
Afterward, not only was the Heavenly Sword held back by Zhang Sanfeng, she, Miejue, was also left with the overbearing reputation of being one who refuses to let go even when in the right.
“I, Miejue, may act overbearingly, but I do not like having filth splashed on me.”
As soon as these words fell, Song Yuanqiao instantly came to his senses and understood what Miejue meant.
The two of them were not ordinary independent wanderers, but leaders of their respective sects.
Even a small matter, placed within the martial world, would be infinitely magnified and affect their reputation.
What was more, Song Yuanqiao’s actions just now had indeed been inappropriate.
Realizing his earlier impulsiveness, he belatedly spoke.
“In this matter, it is indeed I, Song, who have been thoughtless and failed to consider so far ahead. I hope Master Nun will forgive this offense.”
Facing Song Yuanqiao’s sincere attitude and humble bearing, most of the anger in Miejue’s heart had already dissipated.
She then turned to look at Gu Shaoan.
“Shaoan, what do you think?”
Seeing Miejue ask him, Gu Shaoan smiled lightly and said, “I will leave everything to master’s decision.”
His tone was gentle, his manner calm, showing no sign of anger or of clinging to the issue.
This could not help but greatly increase the goodwill of Song Yuanqiao, Zhang Songxi, and the others of Wudang toward Gu Shaoan.
Looking again at Song Qingshu, who until now had still not taken the initiative to admit his wrongdoing, Song Yuanqiao realized that over these years he had focused only on teaching Song Qingshu martial arts, while neglecting care for him in conduct and character.
Listening to Gu Shaoan’s reply, Miejue’s face did not change, but in her heart she was satisfied to the extreme.
This trip to Wudang had originally been Miejue’s plan to use Gu Shaoan as bait to draw out the fish early and retrieve the Heavenly Sword.
Now with two victories, she had already taken a great advantage.
Moreover, although Song Qingshu had just broken the rules, his final move had only targeted Gu Shaoan’s shoulder and had not been a killing strike. It could only be considered improper behavior.
Let alone with Zhang Sanfeng present.
Even if there were no Zhang Sanfeng in Wudang, given the many years of ties between Emei and Wudang, Miejue would not cling stubbornly to this matter.
Immediately, Miejue said, “Since my disciple is uninjured, for the sake of the many years between Emei and Wudang, this poor nun will not pursue it further.”
At this point, Miejue’s words turned. “However, after today, I hope Sect Leader Song will pay more attention. After all, this poor nun is easy to speak with, but that does not mean others in the martial world are the same as I.”
“If Young Hero Song were to behave this way toward some other martial peer today, even with True Lord Zhang’s protection, I fear Wudang’s gate would still be shamed.”
Song Yuanqiao hastily replied, “I, Song, understand. After this, I will certainly teach my son well. Many thanks to Master Nun for your magnanimity.”
Miejue gave a soft “mm” and spoke no further.
Seeing this, how could Song Yuanqiao not understand Miejue’s meaning?
He gave an order at once, and Zhang Songxi stepped forward and presented the Heavenly Sword to Miejue.
“Master Nun, the original jade is restored to Zhao.”
Receiving the Heavenly Sword solemnly with both hands, feeling its familiar touch and weight, Miejue’s heart trembled.
She felt as if the great stone that had pressed upon her heart for the past year suddenly vanished without a trace.
It was the solid feeling that the Emei foundation had at last been preserved.
Seeing Miejue take back the Heavenly Sword, Song Yuanqiao first dismissed the assembled disciples, then instructed Mo Shenggu to go to Wudang’s library to copy 《Wudang Nine Yang Skill》.
As Mo Shenggu departed, Song Qingshu was taken away as well.
Before leaving, Song Qingshu subconsciously glanced toward Zhou Zhiruo.
But when his gaze fell on Zhou Zhiruo, he saw that her whole heart and attention were fixed entirely on Gu Shaoan, and his expression immediately turned dejected.
Like a puppet, he was led away by Mo Shenggu.
Back in the True Martial Hall, Song Yuanqiao’s gaze could not help lingering for a moment on Gu Shaoan, who stood obediently behind Miejue.
Looking at Gu Shaoan, whose obedient manner held a calm steadiness, who would have thought that this boy of only eleven already possessed such remarkable strength?
Song Yuanqiao said, “This disciple of Master Nun is truly extraordinarily gifted.”
As he spoke, envy rose in Song Yuanqiao’s heart.
In all these years, although Wudang’s disciples numbered in the thousands, not one had been as astonishing as Gu Shaoan.
After only two months as a beginner, he had already reached a perfected realm in Emei’s 《Willow Catkin Swordplay》, and even Emei’s 《Divine Dragon Three Appearances》 had entered the stage of entering the hall and reaching the room.
“If this child were in Wudang, why would master need to worry about Wudang’s lack of successors?”
Thinking of this, Song Yuanqiao could not help sighing inwardly.
Seeing the undisguised envy on Song Yuanqiao’s face, Miejue could not help showing a smile.
Although Wudang was a top-tier faction, in truth it faced many problems as well.
And it was different from Emei.
Emei had a decent reputation within its own small domain, but in the broader martial world, it was only second-rate.
By contrast, Wudang was like a great tree catching the wind.
The slightest carelessness could lead to an irredeemable downfall.
Thus, this acting sect leader Song Yuanqiao, though seemingly glorious, in truth faced difficulties no less than Miejue’s.
If not so, how would he have neglected Song Qingshu’s guidance all these years?
Perhaps out of shared misfortune, both bearing the rise and fall of a sect upon their shoulders.
The shadows remaining in Miejue’s heart now completely dispersed, and she spoke gently, “Shaoan is young, but he excels in a steady and diligent disposition. The time he spends each day on cultivation would make even this poor nun feel ashamed. It is only through such perseverance that he has his current achievement.”
Seeming also to notice Miejue’s softened attitude, Song Yuanqiao nodded. “Talent is rare, but what is rarer is disposition.”
“For your disciple to have such a tough disposition at such a young age means his future achievements will surely be limitless.”
Miejue nodded. “Then I will borrow Sect Leader Song’s auspicious words.”
As she finished, Miejue turned her head slightly and said softly, “Shaoan, thank Sect Leader Song.”
Gu Shaoan turned slightly and offered the Emei salute. “Thank you, Sect Leader Song, for your praise. This junior is unworthy of such honor.”
After winning two consecutive bouts, he was neither arrogant nor impatient.
Coupled with his outstanding appearance and bearing, the more Song Yuanqiao looked at him, the more he liked him.
“What a pity.”
【Congratulations, player, on attaining the achievement ‘Holding your head high.’ Achievement Points +】
“Hm? That’s one thousand Achievement Points just like that?”
Looking at the prompt that popped up before him, Gu Shaoan’s eyes lit up.
“As expected, to obtain Achievement Points quickly, I really do need to stir up some matters.”
However, seeing the system prompt with the words “Holding your head high,” Gu Shaoan could not help glancing at Master Miejue.
With a new month upon us, the Author earnestly asks for monthly tickets and data support.
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