Ten Years Lantern on a Stormy Martial Arts World Night Chapter 13

T/N: Second time I've weekly updated on Monday! Woop! I've also updated the Character List.

Chapter 13: Twelve Hours of Muwei Palace: 5 PM

In the main hall, Yang Heying was still implying Luoying Valley's uselessness. 

Ning Xiaofeng smiled politely: "Anything else? Don't be like an old toothless lady drinking porridge. Just say it all in one go." 

Yang Heying's face stiffened, then he smiled and said: "Okay, then I'll tell you the truth. Our six factions originally vowed to uphold justice in the world, but why do you stay behind closed doors in Luoying Valley? Although Nie Hengcheng is dead, there are still people making trouble in the world. But Luoying Valley actually turns a blind eye, doesn’t this violate our chivalrous ways?" 

Song Shijun felt that he had been misled and said angrily: "We are talking about Taichu Temple. Brother Yang, why are you talking about this? The Cai family has always been like this. And when Taichu Temple..." 

"Master Song, please don't interrupt. People are saying that Luoying Valley's refusal to save someone is not a chivalrous act. The performer is so energetic, how can we not let them finish." Ning Xiaofeng joked. 

Song Shijun closed his mouth.  

A good man should not fight with a woman, and a gentleman should not quarrel with a shrew.* Besides, he had never defeated Ning Xiaofeng, despite decades of trying, and he did not think that Yang Heying would be better than him, so he decided to watch the show silently. 

T/N: This is a chinese saying.  

On the other side, Song Maozhi saw that his own father was losing to a woman and wanted to say something, but Song Yuzhi suppressed him expressionlessly. 

Hearing the sarcasm in Ning Xiaofeng's words, Yang Heying angrily accused Luoying Valley of many irresponsible sins. Ning Xiaofeng did not refute, only smiled and asked Master Yang to say more. Finally, Yang Heying said angrily: "That's it! No more! It's your turn! If you don't explain today, how can Luoying Valley have the dignity to claim to be one of the righteous sects in the martial arts world?!" 

"Finished? It’s good you’re finished." Unexpectedly, Ning Xiaofeng didn't accept the move at all, and turned around with a smile, "Sect Leader Qi, now we are on your territory, you should say something." 

Qi Yunke sighed deeply. He just knew it. 

"Master Yang, this, this... Luoying Valley’s seclusion is not just a day or two. It has been like this for more than a hundred years. Don’t you think it's better, it's better..." 

Seeing Qi Yunke's difficulty, Zhou Zhizhen couldn't help but say: "Luoying Valley has always been underpopulated and lived in seclusion, and it's not unknown to Yang Clan Master. What's more, there were several battles with the Demonic Sect, and the Cai family suffered heavy casualties. The Valley needs to rest and recuperate, and we, the brothers and sisters, should be considerate." 

"Brother Zhou is right. He is right." Qi Yunke breathed a sigh of relief. 

Yang Heying sneered: "That's not true. Although Luoying Valley lived in isolation, the Valley would still take action when the road was rough. But in the last ten years the Valley has not shown up in the world! Some may say they were recuperating, but others may think they were going to withdraw from the Jinghu!" 

Zhou Zhizhen frowned, not wanting to talk to this fool. 

"Master Yang, you, you..." Qi Yunke couldn't form a sentence. 

Yin Sulian jumped in. "You, what you?” She repeated Qi Yunke’s stuttering with ridicule. “I think what Master Yang said makes sense. Either you withdraw from the martial arts world, so no one will talk down on Luoying Valley, or you should fulfill your responsibilities as a righteous sect in the martial arts world!” 

Song Shijun held back his laughter and glanced at Ning Xiaofeng, waiting for the show. 

After a moment, Qi Yunke cupped his hands and said in a deep voice: "Brother Yang, I can't speak against you. However, the whole world knows that Pingshu and I were close friends and are blood-sworn brother and sister. Her brother is my brother, and her family is my family. As long as the Cai family has not turned on our ancestors, I will not tolerate others criticizing the Cai family. If someone looks at Ping Shu’s death and wants to bully her family, I will not agree even if I risk my life. If it comes to that, do not blame me for not caring about the friendship between fellow martial artists.” 

Everyone in the world knew that the leader of the Qingque Sect, Qi Yunke, was kind and clumsy. No one had ever heard such powerful words, and for a moment, silence reigned in the hall. Only Zhou Zhizhen could be heard to say lightly: "Brother Yun Ke said it well." 

Ning Xiaofeng looked at Yin Sulian with a half-smile, but Yin Sulian turned away angrily. 

Yang Heying's face turned black with anger, he clenched hands, and finally sat down with a heavy sound. 

Cai Pingchun looked at Qi Yunke, then at his wife, and sighed without saying anything.  

Song Shijun knew there was no chance for a show anymore, so he curled his lips and turned around to joke with others.  

The maids and servants filed in, serving dishes and fine wines, and the banquet hall became lively again, with everyone whispering—— 

"This is the first time I heard Sect Master Qi speak in such a strong tone. Have you heard this before?" 

 "Of course not. Sect Master Qi has such a good temper. Whenever a disciple of the sect makes a mistake, he never punishes them severely." 

 "Of course! If there hadn't been Cai Pingshu back then, there's no telling whether there would be Sect Leader Qi today!" 

 "What, what story do you know? Come on, tell me!" 

"Well, actually I don't know much about it. I only know that Cai Pingshu helped Sect Leader Qi a lot..." 

Witnessing this scene, Cai Zhao once again lamented that the leader of the most dignified sect in the world was so soft that even the Si Qi sect dared to jump up. With the majesty of the old Sect Master Yin Dai when he was in power, who would dare to speak harshly?  

Chang Ning also sighed. Not only did he sigh, but he also said it directly: "How did Sect Master Qi get the position of Sect Master with such a soft temper? Oh, by the way, my father said that his martial arts skills were very strong and he defeated and killed many Masters of Demonic Cult." 

Fan Xingjia: "..." Don't talk about my master in front of me. 

The dinner began and the food and wine were served. Fan Xingjia walked around the halls and found that everything was in order. Zeng Dalou saw that and ordered Fan Xingjia to sit down and eat. Fan Xingjia's seat was in the East hall. 

Dai Fengchi fawned over Qi Lingbo as usual, and Qi Lingbo looked around with a smile. Every time she said a few witty words to the young martial artists around her, she would play coquettishly with Dai Fengchi and then cast a coquettish glance at Song Yu. Song Yuzhi sat upright as usual. The iceberg exuded a pleasant cold air, and when people asked him three questions, he only answered a few words. As usual, Ding Zhuo dipped his chopsticks into the food, then found an insincere excuse to say goodbye and go back to practice... 

In this situation, Fan Xingjia felt like he'd eaten salt and pepper pork ribs without any salt and pepper. It was tasteless and it took a lot of effort. Thinking about it, this table was not as interesting as the bipolar Chang Ning and Cai Zhao, so he took the opportunity to slip away. After grabbing a pot of freshly made fruit wine, he went back to the West Hall. 

Due to the previous discord, each sect no longer dared to talk about each other. In order to make the atmosphere harmonious, the topic gradually fell on the Demonic Cult. Anyway, on the Demonic Sect, everyone just needed to cuss them. 

One said that the Demonic Cult robbed homes, another said that the Demonic Cult committed rape and plunder, and still another said that the Demonic Cult stole and exploited people for money. Song Shijun laughed loudly and found it very interesting. 

Qi Yunke shook his head slightly: "The Demonic Cult is indeed evil, but it is not so unscrupulous." 

Yang Heying's face turned red after drinking: "Now the Demonic Sect is getting worse day by day. I think back then, the four major disciples of Zhao, Chen, Han, and Lu under Nie Demon were so frightening, and the Tiangang Disha Force were a killing machine, let alone the Seven Stars Elders of the Demonic Sect. The elders had a reputation of leaving no one or animals alive wherever they passed. But now...hehe, no one is afraid of them anymore, hahahaha..." 

Song Shijun: "Brother Yang, you’re saying the obvious! Who was the leader of the Demonic Cult back then? And who is it now? How can they compare! Although Nie Jun is Nie Hengcheng's nephew, in terms of cultivation and talent, one was a god and the other is a cannonfodder. It is because there is no one in the Demonic Cult, so he got to be leader!" 

The leader of the Shahu Gang interjected: "We had a fierce battle with a demonic sect division a while ago. Several demonic sect members said that Nie Jun was not the leader, but only the acting leader. Nowadays, the inner affairs of the demonic sect are in chaos and factions are fighting. Even under the old leader, surnamed Mu, it wasn’t like this." This man was Yang Heying's brother-in-law. Just now he did not dare to say much about the internal affairs of the Six Beichen Sects, but now he can finally say something. 

Song Shijun: "Pah! Luckily they are not organized. If they were, the whole world would be in chaos. By the way, Nie Jun, this new leader, has been here for many years. Why hasn’t he become the official leader yet?” 

Qi Yunke said solemnly: "To be a true leader, you need be acknowledged by the seven stars elders. But I heard that they are either dead or hiding." 

A Yin family member sitting below laughed and said: “Hahaha, as expected! As Old Sect Master Yin said, the demonic sect's heroes are not ones to follow rules, but they were temporarily subdued by Nie Hengcheng! As long as Nie Hengcheng dies, the demonic sect will be in chaos!" 

“Yes, Heroine Cai heard this, so she went to slay the devil." At this time, an insinuating voice came out. He looked like a weak Taoist priest, lean and short, like a monkey. 

"But it was all because of Old Sect Master Yin’s strategy!" The Yin family members argued. 

"If no one was able to kill Nie Hengcheng, it's useless to strategize." The cynical man continued. 

"Are you trying to humiliate Old Sect Leader Yin?!" The Yin family member seemed to be drunk and was about to overturn the table.  

Yin Sulian couldn't bear it anymore and said loudly: "Who are you? Tell me your name. Why don't I remember that Qingque Sect invited you?" 

The monkey-like Taoist looked at Qi Yunke: "In the past, when Old Sect Master Yin gave an order, everyone rushed fight the demonic sect. My master, uncle, brothers, nephews, no one came back. I have lived as a half-dead person these years. Thanks to Sect Master Qi’s kindness and nostalgia, he still remembers me, and invites me to the ancestor’s ceremony, and also remembers the Qingfeng Temple, which was destroyed.” 

Qi Yunke glared at his wife helplessly, then stood up and cupped his hands and said: "Your noble sect's ways are ancient and heartfelt, and the Temple stood up when the world was in chaos. If my master was still alive, he would never forget the chivalrous men of Qingfeng Temple. Yunzhuan Daozhang, please sit down." 

Cai Zhao stretched her neck and stared. " Yunzhuan Daozhang? He is Yunzhuan Daozhang! My aunt once mentioned that Yunzhuan Daozhang was eight feet tall, handsome, and had a refreshing swordsmanship. Why, how... " 

Fan Xingjia looked, and after a moment he whispered: "It should be that all the bones and meridians of his whole body were broken by someone. And the body has shrunk like this after being paralyzed for many years." 

Chang Ning glanced at it: "The Rotting Bone Meridian Breaking Palm, a unique skill of Elder Tianji Duan Jiuxiu. The fact he was able to survive was lucky." 

Everyone in the hall looked at each other. Each of the sects here either had many disciples or was living a carefree life. Obviously, they couldn’t compare with Qingfeng Temple, so Song Yang and others had to shut up. 

Seeing that there was no one around to help, Yin Sulian had no choice but to resort to a tried and tested trick - she shed tears immediately: "In order to vanquish the demonic sect, the ones that died was not just Qingfeng Temple. Not to mention Uncle Cai and Sister Pingshu, my martial uncles, and the old Master Zhou, and the old Uncle Song also died tragically at the hands of the Demonic Cult..." 

Song Shijun and Zhou Zhizhen both looked solemn and silent when they thought of their late father. 

"Not to mention my father and the father of Master Yang. They thought they would be able to live out their old age in peace after surviving Nie Hengcheng. Who would have thought, they would not escape the revenge of the Nie bastard’s disciples..." Yin Sulian cried so hard that the pear blossoms were raining down*, and everyone who saw felt pity.  

*crying so hard the pear blossoms rained down = crying really hard but very pretty  

Yang Heying's face darkened. 

Just when the atmosphere was sad, Ning Xiaofeng suddenly chuckled.  

The laughter was not loud, but everyone could hear it.  

Yin Sulian's eyes showed resentment: "Why are you laughing? Laughing to say my father deserved to die?”  

"I will not ridicule anyone who resists the Demon Cult." Ning Xiaofeng looked calm, "But I suddenly thought of your sister, Madame Qinglian. She was really strategic and resourceful. If it weren't for her, I'm afraid the revenge of bastard Nie’s disciples wouldn’t have ended.” 

Cai Zhao was confused when she heard what she said, but everyone in the main hall understood. 

"What do you mean?" Cai Zhao looked at Chang Ning out of habit.  

There was something strange in Chang Ning's smile: "Your mother didn’t tell you this? Your Aunt was really a kind and good person."  

"Stop being sarcastic. Do you want to tell me or not?" 

"Actually, the matter is very simple. After Nie Hengcheng's death, his disciples became excited and threatened to kill the Yin and Yang families to avenge their murderer."  

Cai Zhao became more and more confused, "But it was my aunt who killed Nie Hengcheng. Why do they want to kill the Yin and Yang families?" 

"Because everyone in the world thought that the one who killed Nie Hengcheng was Old Sect Master Yin, with Si Qi Clan Yang Yi as his deputy." 

"What?!" Cai Zhao stood up. 

 Fan Xingjia was startled. He looked around with wide eyes and quickly pulled Cai Zhao down. 

Chang Ning didn't react at all, still behaving gently, and his smiling eyes were like flowing clear ice water. Fan Xingjia secretly thought that Junior Brother Chang must have been a noble son raised by the Chang Family with rich clothes and good food. He wondered what kind of amazing appearance he would have when he was cured of the sores. 

"Although the Mount Tu battle eighteen years ago was earth-shattering, there were only a few people present." Chang Ning stacked six small wine glasses in front of him, "Sect Master Qi, your mother, and the Shi family brothers who have retired to seclusion, and my father and Master Zhou who arrived half a step late." 

He placed the wine glasses, and then moved out one by one, "Tushan was surrounded by Nie’s disciples. At that time, they didn't know that Nie Hengcheng was dead, and Sect Master Qi had to deal with the aftermath. However, Master Zhou was seriously injured at the time, so Master Zhou had to go back immediately. The brothers of the Shi family, one got disabled and the other injured, also supported each other and went into seclusion to recover. Only my father and your mother took your aunt back to Luoying Valley, and rarely left the valley in the following years." 

"Rarely left the valley? Why is that?" Fan Xingjia asked curiously.  

Chang Ning ignored him and continued: "The year after the Mount Tu War, Old Sect Leader Yin hosted a celebration banquet. At the banquet, in order to please the Qingque Sect, Yang Yi, that old snake, attributed the death of Nie Hengcheng to Sect Leader Yin." 

Cai Zhao was shocked: "Even if the others were not there, didn't Uncle Qi say anything?"  

"He did say it, but no one would listen." Chang Ning raised his eyebrows, "Besides, even if Sect Leader Qi didn't say it, doesn't Yin Dai himself know who killed Nie Hengcheng?" 

Fan Xingjia wanted to laugh, but didn't dare.  

Cai Zhao felt extremely aggrieved: "...So Uncle Qi never refuted it to the end."  

"Yang Yi never said explicitly that Nie Hengcheng was killed by Yin Dai. He only said that it was all the result of Old Sect Leader Yin. Old Sect Master Yin then replied that Old Sect Leader Yang was also very helpful - after that, it was spread in the world that it was Yin and Yang. The two of them killed Nie Hengcheng." 

Cai Zhao was speechless for a long time.  

Fan Xingjia interrupted again: "How come Junior Brother Chang knows so well?" He even knew clearly what the two elders said back then. 

"Because my father was also at the celebration banquet."  

Fan and Cai both let out an ‘a’ sound of understanding.  

"Why didn't Master Chang speak out?" Fan Xingjia asked cautiously, trying to get some relief for his master.  

Chang Ning smiled and said: "My father was also very angry at first, thinking that they were stealing heaven's merits, but then he thought about it and thought it wasn’t bad..."   

Cai Zhao's big eyes flickered, and she slowly lowered her head and bit her chopsticks.  

Fan Xingjia thought about it for a few times before he understood it, and he could only sigh. 

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