!Ye Qiu pushed open the door, and a table appeared before them, with a wooden box on it.
The setup was identical to the other rooms.
“Senior, please!” Ye Qiu said.
“Thank you.” Chongxu Daoist quickly stepped into the room and opened the wooden box.
The next moment, a yellowed secret manual came into view.
On the cover of the manual were four vigorous and powerful characters—
Sword Twenty-Four!
Clearly, this was a sword manual.
“Bull-nose, what treasure is in the box?” Longbrow Zhenren stretched his neck like a giraffe and asked.
“Not telling you.” Chongxu Daoist said.
“Hmph, stingy.” Longbrow Zhenren snorted coldly.
Chongxu Daoist reached out, took the manual from the box, and quickly flipped through it.
After reading, the shock in Chongxu Daoist’s heart intensified.
The sword manual recorded twenty-four sword forms, each containing immense power, especially the last page, which had a line of small text.
“Master the twenty-four forms, and you can strike down saints!”
Chongxu Daoist was extremely excited, quickly stowing the sword manual, then walked to Ye Qiu.
He adjusted his robes.
With a serious expression.
Then, he bowed ninety degrees to Ye Qiu in respect.
“Senior, what are you doing?” Ye Qiu asked, puzzled.
Chongxu Daoist said gratefully, “Today’s opportunity is all thanks to you. You deserve such a grand gesture.”
Ye Qiu guessed that the manual Chongxu Daoist obtained must be extraordinary and said with a smile, “Senior, no need to be so polite.”
“I swear here as the head of Wudang Mountain, if you ever encounter any trouble, as long as I can help, I will go through fire and water without hesitation.” Chongxu Daoist thought, it is just polite talk anyway, Ye Qiu probably would not ask him to do anything.
After all, Ye Qiu’s cultivation was higher than his, he was not short of money, he was the God of War of the nation, and the master of Dragon Gate. Even if Ye Qiu faced trouble, he could handle it himself.
If Ye Qiu could not solve it, he would not come to him. Even if he did, Chongxu Daoist had an excuse ready: if you cannot solve it, what use is asking me?
“Senior, are your words sincere?” Ye Qiu asked.
“If I break this oath, may heaven strike me with lightning.” Chongxu Daoist said resolutely.
“Senior, you are too kind.” Ye Qiu’s tone shifted, “But since you said so, I do have one matter to ask of you.”
Huh?
Chongxu Daoist was a bit stunned.
Ye Qiu said with a smile, “I would like to ask you to guard Kunlun for three years, protecting the peace of the region.”
Guard Kunlun Mountain for three years?
Upon hearing this, Chongxu Daoist’s face darkened instantly. If he had not already agreed to guard Kunlun for one year, he would have fled long ago.
He did not want to stay in this godforsaken place even for a day.
Chongxu Daoist said to Ye Qiu, “To be frank, I am not the best candidate to guard Kunlun Mountain. I think the mangy dog is more suitable, no, he is the most suitable person in the world to guard Kunlun Mountain.”
“Bull-nose, the little brat is talking to you, do not drag me into this.” Longbrow Zhenren looked displeased.
This hellish place, staying even one extra day was torture. Not only was the environment harsh, but you rarely saw another soul, and food had to be hunted yourself.
Leaving here, he could feast on fine food and wine, go to the streets to read fortunes for young ladies, admire their fair legs, and when tired, visit a parlour for a massage from a young miss.
Is that not delightful?
Ye Qiu said, “The old thing is not the best candidate, because I have decided to take him with me when we leave Kunlun Mountain.”
What!
Chongxu Daoist’s face darkened further, “So, in the future, there will only be one person on Kunlun Mountain?”
“Yes.” Ye Qiu said, “Senior, you are the leader of the world’s Daoist sects, highly respected. Being alone suits cultivation better.”
“If the old thing stays here, he will spar with you every day, bicker with you, and annoy you constantly. You would not be able to cultivate in peace, right?”
“Taking the old thing away is for your own good!”
Good, my foot!
Chongxu Daoist did not want to stay with Longbrow Zhenren, but if Longbrow left, he would not even have anyone to talk to.
“Ye Qiu, to be honest, there are still many matters at Wudang Mountain that I need to handle. Agreeing to guard Kunlun for one year is already my limit, as for three years…”
Before Chongxu Daoist could finish, Ye Qiu said, “Senior, you just swore in front of everyone that you would go through fire and water if needed. Is this small request too much for you to agree to?”
“Also, I recall you said, if you break this oath, may heaven strike you with lightning.”
“Of course, you are the leader of the world’s Daoist sects, the head of Wudang Mountain. Naturally, you would not break your oath. Right?”
Right, my ass.
Chongxu Daoist wished he could slap himself. Why did he make that oath? Was that not just asking for trouble?
“Ye Qiu, I really cannot stay here for three years. I need to return to Wudang Mountain…”
“Senior, no need to worry about Wudang Mountain. I will give Shangling Zhenren ten billion later. With you absent, I am sure he can manage Wudang Mountain perfectly.”
“Shangling Zhenren is your esteemed disciple. You should know his character and abilities better than I do.”
“Besides, you can use these three years to temper Shangling Zhenren.”
“If he manages Wudang Mountain well, you can rest assured handing it over to him in the future.”
“Senior Chongxu, I have considered everything so thoroughly for you. Are you not touched? Do you not want to say thank you? No need, we are friends, after all.”
Ye Qiu smiled warmly, like a spring breeze.
Thank your grandfather!
“Ye Qiu, I am afraid I cannot agree to this…”
Before Chongxu Daoist could finish, Ye Qiu interrupted, “Senior, I will report this to Elder Tang later, saying you care deeply for national security and have decided to guard Kunlun Mountain for three years. Then, Elder Tang will formally request you to protect the nation’s peace.”
“What, I… you said, protect the nation’s peace?” Surprise appeared on Chongxu Daoist’s face.
“Exactly.” Ye Qiu said, “From now on, you will be the guardian of Huaxia.”
“Wudang has been established for centuries. Even the legendary founder, Master Zhang, never became a national guardian.”
“Think about it, achieving something Master Zhang never did, what a great honour.”
“With the title of guardian, Wudang Mountain will truly be the number one sect in the world, and its glory will continue for centuries.”
“Your achievements will surpass all previous heads of Wudang Mountain, and most importantly, your name will be recorded in history, remembered for ages.”
Chongxu Daoist was swayed by Ye Qiu’s words, his heart even delighted, though he maintained a calm facade and said, “There is some truth to what you say.”
“Alright, I agree to guard Kunlun Mountain for three years.”
“But I am not doing this for fame or to be remembered for ages. I have no interest in such vanities. I am doing this entirely for the future of Wudang Mountain.”
Keep pretending!
Who in the world does not want to be remembered for ages?
Ye Qiu did not expose Chongxu Daoist and said with a smile, “Since you agree, Senior, it is settled.”
Finally, this old schemer is dealt with.
Ye Qiu breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Let us go to the next room.”
Xiao Zhan said, “Big brother, there are no more rooms.”
“Then let us check the back courtyard!”
