Nalan Yanran gazed intently at Nanhai Sword Sect's leader, carefully examining him according to Yang Chengye's introduction, and the more she looked, the more she felt that Yang Chengye was right.

  At this time, Yang Chengye raised his head and carefully looked around for Zhang Sanqiang's trail, but he never found him.

  "Haha, I didn't expect Southern Sea Sword Master to arrive so early. It seems that I have no choice but to leave the Ming Cult?"

  At this time, a loud and hoarse voice suddenly rang out, the sound was so loud that everyone's ears were stopped, as if it was thundering "buzzing" with a humming noise.

  The crowd looked in the direction of the sound, and saw a middle-aged man wearing a dark-colored robe, with a tobacco pouch at his waist, a short gun on his back, and a pair of linked beards, walking from afar. His footsteps seemed slow, but were actually very fast. As soon as he finished speaking, he was already standing by the West Lake.

  This man is Zhang Sanqiang, the vice-leader of the Ming Cult, second only to the current leader Yu Wupuo.

  The Mingjiao originated from the Persian Manichaeism and was introduced into China during the Tang Dynasty where it developed and reformed.

  During the Northern Song Dynasty, it became Mingjiao, and its doctrine revered brightness, such as the later Left and Right Bright Messengers, Bright Summit, etc.

  During the reign of Emperor Huizong of Song, Liangshan Marsh was pacified by the Northern Song Dynasty court, and the Fang La that Song Jiang fought at that time was the leader of the White Lotus Sect.

  Mingjiao has been in conflict with the imperial court all along and is a backbone of resistance against the imperial court.

  The heroes of Liangshanbo re-created the Mingjiao, and even Fang La was captured and died. From then on, the Mingjiao suffered a heavy blow and went into hiding.

  By the Southern Song Dynasty, Yu Wupo took over as the leader of the Mingjiao and used a series of measures to reform it. As a result, there were signs of its resurgence, which made the Southern Song court feel like a fishbone stuck in its throat, so they sent troops to suppress it again.

  Yu Wubao led the Mingjiao followers to repel the imperial army, but Yu Wubao was also seriously injured and is now critically ill.

  Then the Mingjiao sect split again into two factions, one of which supported Yu Wupu's disciple Nanhai Jianzun, believing that Nanhai Jianzun was Yu Wupu's only true heir and should naturally inherit his position as leader.

  Nanhai Jianzun is a disciple of Yu Wupuo, and few people in the Jianghu know about it. At the same time, Nanhai Jianzun has an extremely good reputation in the Jianghu for his exceptional swordsmanship, with hardly anyone daring to challenge him.

  Another faction supports Vice Zhang Sanqiang, believing that Zhang Sanqiang is second only to the leader Yu Wupu in terms of prestige within the Mingjiao sect, and has made countless contributions to the sect, with Yu Wupu also having intentions to yield to Zhang Sanqiang.

  Nanhai Jianzun learned of this and was initially unable to accept it, so he released a statement saying that he would engage in a duel with Zhang Sanjian at West Lake. The winner would become the new leader of the Ming Cult after Yu Wubao.

  Nanhai Jianzun stood on the reef, looking at Zhang Sanqiang and said in a low voice: "Uncle Zhang, I have been waiting for you here for a long time, please come forward and let's talk."

  The rock in the middle of the lake where Nanhai Sword Master was located, although far from the lake shore, gathered sound into a line, and the voice reached Zhang Sanqiang's ear, as if it were nearby.

  Upon hearing this, Zhang San Gun burst out laughing "Haha" and immediately sprang up, rushing towards the center of the lake. His toes lightly touched the water's surface, like a willow leaf, light as if weightless.

  In the blink of an eye, Zhang San Gun arrived in front of Nanhai Jianzun, standing on another reef.

  "Good nephew, it's been years and your skills have improved greatly!"

  Zhang San gun back with his hands behind him, smiled and said to Nanhai Sword Zun.

  "Uncle Zhang, several decades ago, our Ming Cult army was defeated at Liangshan Marsh, suffering heavy casualties and never recovering from the blow."

  Nanhai Jianzun said, "In these years, Master has worked hard to revive the Ming Cult. Now, because of you and me, we are facing division again. So, I ask you to withdraw from the competition for the position of Cult Master. What does Zhang Shu think?"

  Zhang San gazed at Nanhai Sword Saint with a smile that was not quite a smile, and said: "My noble nephew's heart is tied to the safety of the Ming Sect, Zhang is deeply moved."

  "However, I've heard that you, young master, are from the imperial court and intend to destroy our Ming Cult. Can you dispel Zhang's doubts?"

  Upon hearing this, Nanhai Sword Sect's face changed slightly, his voice hoarse as he said: "Zhang Shu, why do you speak such words?"

  "I was just an orphan without parents back then, luckily Master took me in and taught me kung fu, how could I possibly be from the imperial court?"

  "Could it be that Zhang Shu wants to take the position of Master and is trying to harm me?"

  "Hmmph!"

  Zhang San sneered and said: "An empty hole may not necessarily attract wind, if you can prove what you say, I, Zhang Mou, will withdraw from the competition for the position of Sect Master, how about it?"

  After hearing Zhang San's words, Nanhai Jianzun's face turned gloomy again and said: "How can I prove it? It seems that Uncle Zhang will not give in. In that case, let us see the truth with our own eyes!"

  Nanhai Jianzun said, drawing his long sword from his waist and making a few flourishes with it, pointing at Zhang Sanqiang.

  Zhang San didn't show any weakness, drew out the short gun from behind his back and said: "For the sake of Ming Jiao, I, Zhang, must take the position of the leader, to prevent Ming Jiao from falling into the hands of a traitor, or else..."

  Zhang San's words had barely fallen when the long sword of Nanhai Sword Sect was already stabbing towards his face. Zhang San's expression didn't change, he took a step back with one foot. His short spear crossed over, "Dangdang" the sound of the long sword and short spear colliding, emitted a metallic ringing sound.

  "Swimming Dragon Sword Technique!"

  Seeing the Nanhai Sword Emperor's long sword flipping, a sword curtain was continuous and unbroken, one after another. Zhang Sanqiang calmly responded, shuttling through the sword shadow, his short gun frequently stabbing out, looking for the weakness of the sword curtain.

  "Clang Clang Clang"

  Suddenly, a fierce collision sounded, and the sword curtain dissipated. Zhang San Gun's body retreated, standing back on the original reef, with his short gun still in a forward thrusting motion, and several sword marks appeared on his clothes.

  Nanhai Jianzun's body flew out backwards, the long sword in his hand was left with only the hilt still grasped in his hand, and his originally handsome face also became somewhat ferocious.

  "Zhao Ji!"

  Zhang San took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "I have already investigated your true identity, which is Zhao Gouyi's daughter. You deliberately got close to the sect leader just for the position of sect leader."

  "Your master's skills are profound and rarely met with an opponent. Although he was injured, it wasn't to the point of being critically wounded. You also contributed a lot to this, didn't you?"

  "As long as you follow me back to Guangmingding and confess your sins in front of the master, I can consider sparing your life."

  Hahaha

  Nanhai Jianzun should be called Zhao Ji laughed and said: "Zhang Sanqiang, I didn't expect that nothing could escape your notice."

  "Not bad, I am indeed the adopted daughter of the Emperor, and I entered Mingjiao in order to seize the position of the leader, so that Mingjiao can be used by the imperial court."

  "But the more you know, the faster you'll die. Do you think you can still leave Lin'an alive today? This West Lake will be your burial ground!"

  Zhao Ji said up to here, looked around and shouted loudly: "Don't you move yet?"

  As soon as Zhao Ji's words fell, countless soldiers wearing armor appeared around West Lake, driving away the onlookers. At the same time, a team of soldiers holding bows and arrows stood by the shore, drawing their bows and aiming at Zhang Sanqiang.

  Zhang San glanced around and sneered: "Zhao Ji, you think these people can keep me here? You're too naive!"