Chapter 964 - 930: An Uninvited Guest

Xu Chunliang chuckled, "I will impart all six skills of the Weary Sect to Mulan. Six months from now, we will arrange another location for her assessment. If she passes, she will become the new Sect Leader of the Weary Sect. Before that, I have decided to appoint her as acting Sect Leader. This is the handover document I personally wrote; please pass it around. Mulan, later distribute a copy to everyone for their records."

The group took the original document and passed it among themselves. Huang Wanglin, seeing this elegant and graceful calligraphy, indeed recognized it as penned by the Sect Leader himself. He greatly admired Xiahou Zun’s calligraphy skills.

Without saying a word, Meng Huaiyi merely glanced at it, pondering inwardly that an acting Sect Leader is not a formal one. How could mastering all six skills of the Weary Sect be easy? Historically, no Sect Leader of the Weary Sect has been under thirty, because even if one began training in childhood, it would take until age thirty to master all six skills.

Moreover, Xiahou Mulan is a woman, and it is even more difficult for a woman to make a mark in this field. At least, Meng Huaiyi had never heard of such a case.

Xu Chunliang said, "Since the four elders have no objections, it is decided as such."

Zhai Pingqing sighed inwardly. Even if we had objections, they wouldn’t affect your decision, as you are intent on promoting your daughter. But how could your daughter have the virtues and talents to lead such a large Weary Sect? The Weary Sect is likely to be ruined in your hands.

Huang Wanglin said, "We naturally support the Sect Leader’s decision, but we must adhere to the founder’s rules: Miss Mulan must successfully pass the assessment of the six skills to formally become the Sect Leader; otherwise, it would be hard to convince others."

Although Huang Wanglin did not explicitly oppose, he was also not optimistic about Xiahou Mulan leading the Weary Sect. As one of the four elders, he must speak up for the future of the Sect at critical moments.

Meng Huaiyi could see that these two were also unwilling at heart; no one wanted to be led by a young girl. Since they spoke up, there was no need for him to object further. Meng Huaiyi said, "Elder Huang is right. Sect Leader, when do you plan to assess Miss Mulan’s proficiency in the six skills?"

Xu Chunliang coldly replied, "Did I not make myself clear just now? In six months’ time."

Meng Huaiyi said, "Wouldn’t six months be too long?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Very well, if you think it’s too long, then let’s set it for the eighteenth of December this year. I’ll set the time, you pick the place, and Mulan will certainly attend."

Meng Huaiyi calculated, the eighteenth of December? That would be next January, considering it’s only the end of June now. Damn, Xiahou Zun is cunning; instead of shortening it, he actually gained an extra half month. This only proves he lacks confidence that Xiahou Mulan can master all six skills in half a year; otherwise, he wouldn’t resort to such tricks.

Just then, the doorbell rang, and Xiahou Mulan frowned. This meeting of the four elders in the Capital City had not been disclosed to others. According to the rules of the Weary Sect, they should keep it secret. Did someone leak the information?

With a glance at the smartphone-connected surveillance, outside stood a monk—it was Monk Yuanrong.

Xiahou Mulan drew a silent breath. Why has he come? This house is extremely private; aside from the four elders, no one else knows about it. However, Yuanrong and Cao Xinwei are close friends, so perhaps Cao Xinwei told him.

But his choice of timing could hardly be a coincidence. It should be that one of the four elders leaked the information.

Xiahou Mulan felt a twinge of unease, and whispered in Xu Chunliang’s ear.

Xu Chunliang calmly said, "Let him in then."

Xiahou Mulan remotely opened the front gate, and Monk Yuanrong, wearing a bamboo hat and gray monk’s garb with billowing sleeves, walked directly into the courtyard.

He called out loudly, "Miss Mulan, I apologize for coming uninvited." While speaking, he kept walking and barged straight into the living room.

Zhai Pingqing angrily said, "Impertinent! You are no longer part of the Weary Sect. Why come to disturb Miss Mulan and interrupt our meeting?"

Yuanrong appeared before everyone with imposing momentum, and his gaze fell on Xu Chunliang, who sat calmly in the center. He was momentarily stunned. He had received prior information that Xiahou Mulan had convened the four elders here, unaware that Sect Leader Xiahou Zun was also present.

Realizing Yuanrong’s unfriendly intent, Xu Chunliang knew the Weary Sect indeed had significant internal issues. Each of the four elders had their agendas, and Yuanrong likely conspired with one or more of them to challenge Xiahou Mulan. If not for Xu Chunliang’s plan, it would have been difficult to navigate today’s situation smoothly.

Xu Chunliang glared coldly at Yuanrong, exuding authority.

Yuanrong had yet to recover from the surprise of seeing Xiahou Zun, muttering, "Sect Leader..."

Xu Chunliang indifferently stated, "Mr. Yan, you are no longer part of the Weary Sect, and I am not your Sect Leader. We are in the middle of a meeting, and your presence here is quite inconvenient."

Yuanrong put his palms together, "Amitabha, I apologize for arriving uninvited and causing offense. I shouldn’t interrupt your meeting, but I have something I must express!"

Huang Wanglin said, "Whatever it is, please wait until we’ve finished our meeting."

Yuanrong responded, "Mr. Huang, although I am no longer a Weary Sect member, I once rendered great service to the Sect. Do I not have even the right to speak?"

Zhai Pingqing said, "If not for considering your past hard work and exemplary contributions, you would have been kicked out long ago."

With a laugh, Meng Huaiyi replied, "Born from the same root, why the rush to persecute each other? I just find it curious where you got the news that we would be having a meeting here. Today’s matter was only informed to the four of us by Miss Mulan. Could it be that one of us leaked the information? Yet none of us knew that the Sect Leader would appear."

Cha Youliang remained silent. Among the four, the others held more seniority, while he, being the Law Enforcement Elder, was relatively insignificant, so why bring trouble upon himself?

Monk Yuanrong said, "Sect Leader, I’ll say a few words and leave."

Xu Chunliang nodded, "Go ahead."

Monk Yuanrong said, "Earlier, I sent you a handwritten letter. Did Miss Mulan deliver it to you?"

Xu Chunliang replied, "I’ve seen it."

Monk Yuanrong asked, "Did you meet my nephew, Yan Hong?"

Xu Chunliang replied, "I did. Regarding the matter you requested, I couldn’t help, so I just let him go."

Monk Yuanrong said, "But after visiting the Mulan Base, my nephew neither returned nor was his body found dead or alive. May I ask where the Sect Leader sent him? Is there a precise address?"

Xu Chunliang chuckled, "Yuanrong, you’re truly unreasonable. For a monk to always mention his nephew, it’s clear to me that you haven’t severed worldly attachments. Why should I owe an explanation about his whereabouts? Are you demanding him from me?"

Monk Yuanrong urged, "Sect Leader, whether Yan Hong is dead or alive, could you please clarify for me?"

Xu Chunliang angrily retorted, "You fool, have you lost your mind? I haven’t even held you accountable yet, and you have the audacity to demand him from me. Do you know what your misguided nephew did? He secretly accepted payment from Wu Yuanyi and went to Dongzhou to assassinate Hua Zhuyue of the Orchid Sect. If it were just attempted assassination of Hua Zhuyue, it would be one thing. But he implicated innocent people by sneaking into my home to attempt murder, yet his skills were inferior, and he was subdued by the opponent. He sought help from you, yet as a monk supposedly beyond worldly affairs, you should not have gotten involved. How did you respond? Not only did you fail to stop him, but you directed him to come find me at the base, clearly intending to deflect trouble and place me in danger. Have you considered me, have you considered the safety of the Weary Sect?"

The four elders understood the situation clearly: Yuanrong was somewhat unscrupulous, believing his face held such weight. Xiahou Zun had remained secluded for many years, avoiding conflict, yet directing Yan Hong there equated to unloading a great burden onto Xiahou.

Monk Yuanrong implored, "I only have one nephew under worldly ties; I hope the Sect Leader shows mercy."

Xu Chunliang resolutely declared, "Listen carefully, I don’t know his whereabouts, and even if I did, I have no obligation to inform an outsider."

Monk Yuanrong laughed maniacally, "Outsider, when I saved your life before, did you call me an outsider? You are unjust to me, don’t blame me for being unrighteous!"

At this moment, the courtyard gate was opened from the outside, and a group of people filed in. Leading them was a woman, none other than Wu Yuanyi’s daughter, Black Swallow, followed by six others, each appearing menacing.

Xiahou Mulan inwardly exclaimed trouble. Monk Yuanrong was only preparing the way, having tampered with the gate upon entering earlier, leaving it unlocked, so the seven encountered no impediment while entering the courtyard; ultimately, they had been careless.

Huang Wanglin angrily demanded, "What are you doing?" The situation before him made it impossible to remain calm.

After their entrance into the courtyard, one person locked the gate, guarding the entrance. Black Swallow led the other five into the living room, and simultaneously, they all pulled out crossbow arrows aimed at everyone inside.

Zhai Pingqing asked, "What is your intention?"

Black Swallow coldly replied, "You all need not be so anxious. We came today with no intention to harm; our sole aim is to seek justice for my godfather. However, I should first remind everyone to avoid sudden moves. Knives and swords have no eyes; our arrows are all poisoned, and if accidentally injured, there will be no remedy."

The mood turned solemn for everyone present. The notion that Wu Yuanyi would resort to any means made it clear that Xiahou Zun’s decision to expel him from the Weary Sect had indeed infuriated him, prompting such drastic measures.

Xu Chunliang said, "You are Wu Yuanyi’s goddaughter? No wonder you’re so unruly. Do you realize carrying weapons here to threaten us counts as what kind of crime?"

Black Swallow replied, "I’m not part of the Weary Sect, so naturally I need not adhere to your sect’s rules. If I hadn’t appeared this way, I’m afraid you wouldn’t listen to me calmly."

Xiahou Mulan asked, "Where is Wu Yuanyi? Why doesn’t he dare to come seek justice himself?"

Black Swallow took out her cellphone and opened a video, shortly after Wu Yuanyi’s face appeared on the screen. Through the lens, Wu Yuanyi saw everything in the living room and laughed heartily, "It’s been a long time since the Weary Sect was so lively. Greetings to the four elders, Miss Mulan, and the Sect Leader, who finally decided to emerge from seclusion?"

Xu Chunliang silently sighed at the relentless difficulties. Initially, he thought he had managed to intimidate the four elders, considering today’s matters were resolved smoothly, yet an obstacle developed in the form of Cheng Yaojin. Since Monk Yuanrong’s arrival, things had started to change.