Volume 2: Tian Nan ? Xuan Qing Chapter 23: Carriages and Horses, Bustling with Guests

  The next day was August 19th, a day that many of Diancang's disciples had never seen before in the history of Xuqing Temple, a day filled with excitement and joy. The entire Diancang sect was in a state of jubilation.

  Lin Meng'er got up early and went to the back mountain to wake up Chu Jiu, along with Xiao Qi Zi, Si Tui, and Lu Lun. They arrived at the grand hall, where they saw lanterns and streamers everywhere, red paper couplets, flying flowers, and a sea of purple and red!

  The side yard also has a concentrated firework display area, which is really well-prepared.

  Chi Jiu nodded and said, "Cloud Master is indeed extraordinary. With just one arrangement, this grand hall looks like it was newly built!" Lu Lun also praised, "I haven't been to this grand hall for two days, but now it's completely transformed, so dazzling!"

  Lian Tian was standing beside him, chatting and laughing with the other fellow disciples, when he suddenly patted Yun's shoulder and said: "Brother Yun, today I really admire you!"

  Yun Yuanbus said humbly: "My fellow disciples are overpraising me, this is all the credit of my fellow disciples, I just supervised."

  Lin Ruo Chi, Gu Bai Yun and Liu Chen Fei arrived early at the grand hall to take a look around. Although they didn't say anything, they all smiled and nodded in approval, naturally praising in their hearts!

  Lin Meng'er had already sent a set of new clothes to his father's room. For the time being, all three sons returned to their rooms to change their clothes.

  Everyone had finished their breakfast and started receiving guests for the day. Just as they were ready, Lian Rong and Ye Lan's couple arrived at the mountain. Lian Tian and Lian Wanrou had already paid their respects and passed by the side hall. Luo Zhihan was not convenient to go to the side hall, so he stayed behind Lian Rong.

  Luozhi Han was wearing the long shirt that Yelan Mo had given him a few days ago, and it fit perfectly in every way. The Lian couple hadn't seen him for several days, but today he looked refreshed and clear-headed, smiling and nodding repeatedly, which made them like him even more. Yelan Mo asked him about everything that had happened recently.

  Luo Zhi bowed his head and said: "Thank you, Uncle Lian. Aunt Ye is worried, I will remember it in my heart!"

  Ye Lanmu stepped forward and helped him up, saying: "Foolish child, aren't you getting up?"

  Xuan Qing Guan's main hall Yunyan Hall, Cang Sanzi and Lin Ruoji sat in the main seat with Gu Baiyun, having tea with Mr. and Mrs. He.

  That Lin Ruo Chi, already over forty years old, looked like he was only in his thirties. He wore a long shirt, with a clear and refreshing appearance, a white face with a slight mustache, deep eyes, polite and courteous. If one were to meet him elsewhere, they would probably think he was just a middle-aged scholar. Who would believe that he was the number one swordsman in the world for the past twenty years, "Slanting Sun Divine Sword"?

  Liu Chenfei was dressed in plain clothes, of medium build and rough appearance, but slightly fat. Sweat could be seen on his forehead, he was indeed extremely busy, rushing back and forth, with no time to sit down.

  Yun Yuan had already arranged for a large number of younger brothers to be in charge of various tasks, such as the eleventh younger brother Wu Jincai being responsible for receiving gifts from guests, the eighth younger brother Huang Koufu being responsible for arranging seating for general guests, and the ninth younger brother Li Feng and tenth younger brother Chai Song being responsible for reporting on guests at the front and middle of the mountain. More than 20 people were in their positions, with everything going smoothly and in order.

  The ten senior disciples had just finished paying their respects to Lin Ruo Chi and Gu Bai Yun, and were now adjusting their clothes and hair in the Trial Sword Hall, preparing to ascend to the hall. Meanwhile, on the ninth day, Lin Xiang Er, Lian Wan Rou, and others were chatting and helping among the ten senior disciples, but most of the time they were strolling around in front of Lian Tian, Lu Lun, and Yun Yuan, laughing and talking. Shen Que and Lu Shao Hang had already finished their preparations and were sitting on chairs, cultivating their spirits.

  Lin Ming'er envied him, saying: "Second Brother, you're really spirited today. Just look at Xiao Rou's gaze, she hasn't left her brother's side?"

  Lian Wanrou smiled and said: "On the ninth day, little Shixiong, Meizi sister is bullying me again, only allowing her to watch, not allowing me to watch?"

  On the ninth day, he walked over and said, "Today, it's lively in front, but I think it's still not as lively as behind us!"

  Lü Lun deliberately asked: "Younger martial brother, what does this mean?"

  "Because we have these two good sisters behind us, who on earth has a more lively life than them?"

  Lin Meng'er and Lian Wanrou understood immediately, and without mercy or quarter, they chased after Chu Jiu, the Trial Sword Pavilion suddenly became a scene of turmoil.

  Consecutive days smiling at the ninth, Lin Meng'er, his sister, didn't say a word, but he knew. Under the Slanting Sun Peak, the 16th junior brother Zheng Lin's firework-shaped long tube signal "Tian Hua Fei Shang Shan" had been rising into the air frequently since dawn, naturally, there were constant streams of noble guests going up the mountain. I'm afraid that now the Ma Long Peak road is crowded with horses and carriages.

  Now arriving at the Grand Hall, in addition to Mr. and Mrs. Lian, there are also Wang Daozhan, the master of Dali's "Bai Daomen", and his four disciples, Fu Qianwan, the boss of Dali City's richest "Qianwan Money House" and his four subordinates, Shangren and his two disciples Lunhui Xiaoshang and Liudao Xiaoshang from Chongsheng Temple at the foot of Diancang Mountain, Zhou Wimeng, the general manager of "Baiwei Escort Bureau", and his disciples, as well as many famous martial artists and their disciples from Tiannan, totaling dozens of people.

  Everyone sat in their seats, but the front row was empty. They mostly knew each other and chatted with one another, creating a lively atmosphere. Fortunately, the Cloud Smoke Hall was spacious and deep, so there wasn't any feeling of being crowded at all.

  The hall was filled with the sound of people talking, and "Bai Dao Men" master Wang Daozhan and the boss of "Qian Wan Money House", Fu Qianwan, were discussing the incident that had occurred a few days ago in Fengyi Town's Zhangjia Village, where Zhang Lao Hu and his men were defeated. On that night, Luo Zhi Han and his brother wore black clothes and masks, and the people of Zhangjia Village later reported it to the authorities, but the authorities did not investigate further. The next day, everyone in town knew that Chen Xin had left with a heavy funeral attire and ashes, and the authorities tried to cover it up, wanting to let the matter drop.

  Although Wang Daojian had met Zhao Yin Feng, Chen Xin and Luo Zhihan at the "Bai Dao Men" on that day, he didn't take it to heart. Now seeing Luo Zhihan standing behind the master couple of Tian Nan's first sword casting manor, "Shen Mang Manor", when he went to pay respects to Lian Shi couple earlier, although he felt Luo Zhihan looked somewhat familiar, he couldn't recall for a moment and thought he was just one of Lian Ri Feng couple's disciples.

  Luozhi Han heard the news and couldn't help but think of his master, feeling a little dazed, with all sorts of feelings swirling in his head. Ye Lanmo hastily handed him a cup of tea, saying: "Han'er, here you go!"

  Luozhi was busy, knowing that Yelan was comforting him, and he was quite worried about her. He composed himself, smiled and said: "Thank you, Aunt Ye, I'm fine now!"

  At this time, Lin Ruochi's ninth disciple Li Feng rushed in from the door and knelt down to report: "Reporting to Master, Grandmaster, Fifth Uncle, Hengshan Sect's Horizontal Uncle, Cheng Shu brought four senior brothers are already outside the Guanmen."

  Although Lin Ruo Chi is Gu Bai Yun's junior brother, on today's grand ceremony of Dian Cang, he is the leader of a sect and naturally takes precedence.

  Everyone was shocked, knowing that they were the two junior brothers of Lie Chi Yan, the leader of the Kunlun School: "Cold Shadow Sword" Heng Fan and "Red Practice Palm" Cheng Man. These two men were very famous in the Western Regions.

  Lin Ruo Chi nodded, and Liu Chen Fei quickly stepped out of the grand hall to welcome them. The Kongtong Sect was also one of the prestigious sects, ranking alongside Diancang among the seven major sects in the world. Its influence was even greater than that of Qingcheng, surpassing the Nanhai Sword Sect. Two first-generation elder masters who were on par with the sect leader had arrived, so naturally, they deserved a high level of courtesy. Therefore, Liu Chen Fei, the third son of Diancang and wielder of the "Cloud-Sword", personally went to welcome them.

  The noise on the throne continued for a while, and soon Liu Chenfei led the horizontal fan to arrive at the Cloud Smoke Temple with Cheng Man.

  He was thin as a pine wood, with yellow wax-like skin on his face. His right hand was white and clean like jade, while his left hand held a sword; normally he wouldn't wear a sword, but now he did. He was eight feet tall, with a big red face and a thick waist. As soon as he entered the door, he made a fist: "Lin Zhangmen, congratulations!"

  His voice was loud and clear, echoing throughout the hall, a testament to his impressive internal energy. It was only then that the crowd caught sight of his massive fists, as large as grinding mortars, which were also red in color. The "Red Lotus Palm" indeed lived up to its reputation.

  Only Gu Baiyun and the abbot of Chongsheng Temple frowned slightly, because they knew that this "Red Sand Palm" was extremely poisonous. The practitioner mixed the venom of a centipede with toxic sand and practiced day and night, and once it was successful, anyone who was hit by the palm would be poisoned throughout their body, like being bitten by a centipede in the heart. If they didn't receive timely treatment, their life would be in danger.

  The two saw that Cheng's palm color had already turned pure, but they were afraid that he didn't know how many scorpions had died under his practicing palms, and didn't know how many people had been injured or killed by the "Red Practicing Palm".

  He has always been sympathetic to heaven and pitied the people. Although he lives in seclusion, he is actually a great Buddhist master of Tian Nan, silently reciting "Amitabha" in his heart.

  Lin Ruo Chi laughed and said: "Xiang Xian Di and Cheng Xian Di have been through a lot of hardships on the way, how is Shu Shang Xiong doing?"

  Cheng Man also smiled and said: "Thanks for remembering, Lin Zhangmen. How are things going with the Kongtong Sect and your master brother?"

  Cheng Man, Heng Fan and two others behind them, with seven more people, among whom three were Huang Langzi's three brothers, who were all disciples of "Cold Shadow Sword" Heng Fan. Among the other four, there was a young man, about twenty-five or six years old, who stood out first, with a jade-like face and a slightly sinister aura on his face, with piercing eyes that clearly set him apart from the others.

  After finishing the courtesy with everyone, he turned to his disciples behind him and said: "You, don't you come up to pay respects to your Master Lin?" The sharp-eyed young man stepped forward and bowed, saying: "Gongsun Li of Congtoumen pays respects to all the masters and uncles of Diancang!" The other disciples also bowed one after another.

  The crowd erupted in a flurry of whispers: "So he's Gong Sunli, the outstanding disciple of Kongtong Sect!"

  Liu Chenfei was also slightly startled, it turned out that this Gongsun Li was the second direct disciple of Lie Chiyan, the leader of the Kongtong Sect. He had already made a name for himself in the northwest, and a few months ago, there were rumors that he single-handedly took down the entire "Evil Tiger Fortress" on Mount Qilian. Both leaders of the fortress had their heads hung outside the gate. However, his reputation was not very good, as he was ruthless and merciless, killing all 14 people in the fortress, including an innocent local old man who was caught and taken up the mountain to cook and fetch water.

  However, Gong Sun's martial arts skills in the Western Regions were also highly renowned, and he had already obtained a few parts of Lie Chi Yan's true teachings from the Kongtong Sect. As such, many of his seniors in the Kongtong Sect couldn't compare to him.

  "Gentlemen, you are all young and accomplished, truly extraordinary. Please, quickly take your seats! Brother Heng Xian, Brother Cheng Xian, please sit on this side." Lin Ruo Chi also spoke with courtesy, waiting for the disciples of the Cuiwei Sect to finish their greetings before speaking.

  Lin Ruo Chi said, pointing to the fourth and fifth positions of the guest seat, "It's a bit rough, but please sit down." Although he praised Gong Sun Li in his words, he didn't point out a chair for him.

  Lin Ruo Chi was the leader of the Dian Cang sect and the number one master in the south, so naturally he wouldn't put Gong Sun, a second-generation disciple, in his eyes.

  He was furious and his temper flared up, but he thought to himself that this disciple of his was indeed a standout among the younger generation of martial artists today. His master had once said, "My son's martial arts skills may not be as rare as a phoenix feather or a unicorn horn, but they are still hard to come by!"

  Now Gong Sunli is also quite famous in the Jianghu, but he can't sit on the seat, and Lin Ruochi naturally doesn't give face to the Cuifeng Sect.

  However, in the blink of an eye, he was glared at by Gong Sunli, and Cheng Man had to hold back. Earlier on the mountain, the master's brother Lie Chiyan had said, "Gong Sunli is quick-witted and decisive. Although your two masters' martial arts are far superior to his, you still need to listen to his opinions more!"

  Cheng Man was not stupid and did not dare to disobey.

  Gongsun Li saw Lin Ruochi's whole body had an ethereal and otherworldly air, her eyes were clear and bright, seemingly always gazing into the distance, yet also as if her gaze was always on herself. With such cultivation, her internal energy was naturally unfathomable. He had long heard that her swordsmanship was divine, in the Taoist school she was a senior figure, one of the few top masters, and even his own master didn't dare look down on her, thus he also didn't dare be presumptuous.

  Cheng Man and Heng Fan sat down together, with Gong Sun Li and Huang Lang Zi standing behind them. Cheng Man saw that there were still three empty seats above him, his eyes blazing with anger, wondering who the three people were who could sit above him, his own senior brothers.

  Heng Fan also quietly asked Gong Sun Li: "Li, who do you think will sit in the three seats above?"

  Gongsun Li shook his head and said: "I'm not sure either, but it should be a master from one of the seven major sects!"

  Cheng Man snorted coldly and said: "I don't believe it, what kind of expert can come today?"

  "Reporting to Master, Qingcheng Sect's 'Three Hands Fire Sword' He Zhuo has exploded. Master Shi Bo is already outside the temple." Before Gong Sun Li could respond, Li Feng rushed into the grand hall again and bowed to report.

  Everyone knows that in recent years, the Emei faction of Shu has been unusually low-key, and the Qingcheng faction has become the only outstanding one in Shu. Under the careful operation of the gatekeeper, its reputation has caught up with the seven major factions. "Three-handed Fire Sword" He Zhuo is already 60 years old, with a violent temper and straightforwardness. Although he is still the senior brother of the current Qingcheng faction's gatekeeper, he is particularly respected in Jianghu, especially in Shu. He came from afar to visit Diancang, and has a deep relationship with Gu Baiyun, and also knows Lin Ruoqi. Therefore, Gu Baiyun hurriedly got up and went out to welcome him.

  His face turned cold, thinking that Hei Yanjing's martial arts were not particularly impressive. If he could sit in the top three just because of his age, it was really unacceptable. Moreover, this time White Cloud Sword Guest personally came to welcome him, and he was afraid that he would be sitting above himself. If that was the case, he couldn't tolerate it anymore and had to give Hei Yanjing a warning!

  Gongsun Zhi saw the look in his master's eyes and hastily said: "Master, don't act rashly, what's the harm in waiting?"

  Gu Baiyun said with a smile, and He Zhuo led the four of them into the grand hall. After some polite conversation, the people from Tianshan came over to pay their respects. But who would have thought that He Zhuo only sat in the sixth guest seat, below Cheng Man and Heng Fan? The top three seats were still empty.

  He Zhuang suddenly burst into laughter and said, "I heard that the Kongtong Sect has descended to the Central Plains again, and it's even more prosperous. Today, I see Brother Cheng Xian, and Brother Heng Xian, you are indeed radiant!"

  Cheng Man, before Heng Fei could speak, Gong Sun Li had already said: "I am Gong Sun Li, a disciple of the Cong Ling Pai. I have long heard that 'Three Hands Fire Sword' He Shi Bo's swordsmanship is unparalleled. My master often mentions it too. Today, I can finally see it for myself, and it's truly an honor!"

  He Zhuang suddenly stood up and sat down, after a while, everyone started talking and laughing again!

  The more he walked, the more confused he became, and thought: "These three peaks above, who are they waiting for?"

  Gongsun Zhi glanced at the sky and thought: "Today, my two uncles and I came to attend the sword-giving ceremony of a small seventh-generation disciple of the Dongjiang school. This is already an exceptional high rule for the Kongtong school. Among the seven major sects, can't Shaolin and Wudang send someone? Emei school will definitely not come, Huashan school is busy with internal strife and has no time to send anyone, so who's left? It's probably Kunlun!"

  He thought of this and nodded, but was still puzzled: "But even if the Kunlun people came, why would they leave three stools?"

  He was suspicious in his heart, and when he looked at Lin Ruochi and Gu Baiyun again, the two of them were smiling and chatting with everyone, as if they knew that the three people would definitely come, and they were not worried about the three empty seats at all.

  As expected, a gentle dragon's roar was heard outside the door, followed by bursts of loud laughter. The crowd's eyes lit up as a blue-shirted swordsman and four or five disciples strode into the hall. One of the disciples was chatting with Li Feng, beaming with joy, his emotions evident on his face. That's why Li Feng didn't announce their arrival.

  It's important that Li Feng knew that this blue-shirted swordsman and his own master, Master Tai, had a deep relationship, and coming together like this was only a joyful occasion, absolutely not pursuing anything else.