You Are the Face of Mount Hua

Ji Shu said he was leaving.

Feng Buping was deeply reluctant to part with him:

"Ji Shu, I know that following you now would put you in a difficult position. How about this—I'll go to Luoyang City and open a martial arts school. If you ever need me, just have someone send a letter. Even if it's a thousand or ten thousand miles away, I will surely come!"

His words were solemn and earnest.

He had been completely won over by Ji Shu.

He had never imagined that Ji Shu could enter the door of the Jade Breaking Sword Art so quickly! His swordsmanship and Inner Strength Talent were both peerless! Such a monstrous genius would absolutely become a figure who stirred the winds and clouds in the future!

He wanted to see just what realm Ji Shu's sword would reach in the end!

For Feng Buping, madly obsessed with the sword, the fundamental reason he wished to follow Ji Shu was to observe just how powerful the path of the sword could become.

As for how loyal he would be to Ji Shu? That was another matter entirely.

Ji Shu understood this as well. Thus, he merely nodded before bidding Feng Buping farewell.

Ji Shu returned to the main hall in the rear courtyard and paid his respects to Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze. He also called Yue Lingshan "Master Yue."

Ning Zhongze was greatly gratified.

Yue Buqun, however, wore a complicated expression. For a moment, he did not know what to say as he looked at Ji Shu.

Lu Dayou, standing to one side, remained thoroughly dumbfounded.

As for Lao De Nuo, Liang Fa, Shi Daizi, Gao Genming, and the other Inner Sect disciples of Mount Hua, their expressions varied, but without exception, their eyes held surprise and shock whenever they looked at Ji Shu.

Who was Ji Shu?

During the time Feng Buping had been passing on his methods, they had already learned about him from their junior sister. It was precisely because they understood that they were all the more stunned!

At this moment, they looked at Ji Shu as though they were looking at an immortal in the heavens!

In just a few days, he had cultivated to the point where he could effortlessly defeat Ding Mian, Tang Ying'e, and the others working together. Like divine troops descending from the sky, he had arrived in time to resolve Mount Hua Sect's perilous crisis!

No matter how they looked at it, it seemed fake!

But it was the truth!

The established worldviews of Liang Fa, Lao De Nuo, and the others were being battered into pieces by this "absurd and outrageous" reality!

Seeing this, Yue Lingshan's face was brimming with shared pride. This was the disciple whom her Master Yue had guided into the sect!!

Although she had not dared admit it before Feng Buping, Ding Mian, and the others, and had felt embarrassed even before her own people.

But Ji Shu's single "Master Yue" sent her heart blooming with joy. Her brows and eyes curved in a smile as she unconsciously straightened her back, her face full of pride, as if telling Lao De Nuo and the others, Did you see that? Did you hear that? Ji Shu called me Master Yue!!

Her sense of achievement and satisfaction swelled wildly at that moment!!

Ji Shu, who had saved Mount Hua from hanging over an abyss, called her Master Yue~~

So happy!

"Ahem, ahem."

Yue Buqun came back to his senses, coughed twice, and said gently:

"Ji Shu."

"Yes, Sect Leader!"

"I've already had someone prepare a separate courtyard for you. It's right next to mine. Someone will take you there later."

"...Yes, Sect Leader."

Yue Buqun had taken the initiative to show goodwill. With so many people watching, Ji Shu did not wish to reject him outright and leave Yue Buqun unable to save face.

As for the Old Sophora Tree at Yue Lingshan's place? As Yue Lingshan's disciple, he could go whenever he wished. Who would dare say no?

"I have also prepared a treasured sword for you."

Yue Buqun gestured to Lao De Nuo at his side.

Lao De Nuo immediately stepped forward, holding a treasured sword in both hands as he respectfully presented it to Ji Shu.

Ji Shu recognized Lao De Nuo. This was the second senior brother he had met when he first entered the sect. This man was a spy from Mount Song Sect, yet he could still remain safely at Mount Hua! It seemed the Players had not uncovered his true nature either.

The Blue Star world was ultimately different from the Earth world. Many entertainment works from the Earth world, such as The Smiling, Proud Wanderer and Immortal Sword, did not exist in the Blue Star world! Because of this, among the Players in this world, Ji Shu could be said to be the most unique.

Unlike Ji Shu, the other Players did not know the course of the plot or the outlines of the characters. They could only grope their way forward in the dark.

Perhaps that was why certain major events still happened as they were meant to, though the timing, the people involved, and other details had changed.

Thinking this, Ji Shu reached out and accepted the treasured sword, then said to Lao De Nuo, "Thank you, Second Senior Brother."

No matter who Lao De Nuo truly was, he still had to keep up appearances for now. He could not let Yue Buqun and the others become suspicious of him.

How could Lao De Nuo know that his identity as a spy had already been seen through? Hearing this, he gave Ji Shu a friendly smile and stepped aside.

"This is a treasured sword presented by a Player two years ago. It is called the Mount Hua Sword. Its meaning is that Mount Hua may shine as brilliantly as this sword! The Player specially gave it to me for my birthday. I am giving it to you now. I hope that in your hands, this sword will shine brilliantly and revitalize our Mount Hua!"

Yue Buqun's voice was gentle as he stroked his beard and smiled at Ji Shu.

Ji Shu feigned hesitation. "Sect Leader, since this sword represents the face of Mount Hua, I cannot accept it."

"From now on, you are the face of Mount Hua!"

Yue Buqun declared with ringing force:

"So it is perfectly fitting for you to take this sword!"

His eyes shone brightly as he looked at Ji Shu.

"Ji Shu, from now on, you are the chief disciple of Mount Hua! Lao De Nuo and the rest will all rank behind you. Every one of them must call you Eldest Senior Brother!"

"Sect Leader, I'm afraid that would be inappropriate..."

Ji Shu was about to refuse.

Lu Dayou and the others also wore subtle expressions.

But Yue Buqun made the decision decisively:

"I know what you are worried about, Ji Shu. To be honest, Linghu Chong, Mount Hua's former chief disciple, has already mixed with those wicked demons and heretics. I warned him many times, but he remained unmoved. For such a rebellious disciple, I had long decided to expel him from the sect. Today, Mount Hua's prestige has been greatly shaken—entirely thanks to you, Ji Shu! Not to mention being a mere Eldest Senior Brother; even becoming Vice Sect Leader would be more than deserved."

"Sect Leader..."

"Enough."

Seeing Ji Shu's expression, Yue Buqun thought for a moment and said, "If you feel being Eldest Senior Brother is unsuitable, then become Vice Sect Leader."

"This..."

"Ji Shu, if you refuse again, then you are not giving me, Yue Buqun, the Sect Leader, any face."

"...Thank you, Sect Leader."

"Hahahaha..."

Yue Buqun rose to his full height, walked over to Ji Shu, and patted him on the shoulder. "From now on, Ji Shu is the Vice Sect Leader of Mount Hua Sect. He has the authority to command all disciples. Lao De Nuo, Lu Dayou..."

"Your disciples are here!"

Lu Dayou and the others stepped forward.

"From now on, Ji Shu's words are my words! You must remember not to offend Ji Shu!"

"Yes, Master!"

"Mm."

Yue Buqun nodded, tightly clasping Ji Shu's hand as he said earnestly, "Ji Shu, Mount Hua is isolated and weak, in a crisis as precarious as a pile of eggs. For a disciple like you to appear is truly a blessing bestowed by heaven! I, Yue Buqun, hope you can truly blend into the great family of Mount Hua! If anything happens in the future, I also hope you will come directly to me."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

"Remember to come eat with us later. Don't be so distant with me."

"...Yes."

Yue Buqun was far too warm toward Ji Shu.

So warm that Ji Shu began to wonder whether this man was still the hypocrite from the latter half of the television drama, whose actions and temperament had changed completely.