Strength and Status

Two days later, you successfully waited at Returning Goose Tower for your senior brother Linghu Chong.

He was pale-faced, drenched in blood, and could barely walk steadily—clearly suffering from severe blood loss.

Before you could reveal yourself, he was knocked to the ground by a pretty young nun. Seeing this familiar scene, you immediately recognized the nun as Yi Lin of Mount Hengshan Sect, and the leering man following behind her as the Ten-Thousand-Mile Solitary Walker Tian Boguang. At this thought, a cold murderous intent flashed in your eyes. In any era, those who rape women deserve death!

Just as in the original story, to save Yi Lin from Tian Boguang's clutches, Linghu Chong had no choice but to feign cooperation, drinking and gambling with him. During this process, Tian Boguang arrogantly revealed his identity, provoking Daoist Master Tiansong of Mount Tai Sect and his disciple Chi Baicheng to attack him in the name of justice. Unfortunately, their skills were lacking; even with Linghu Chong's help, they were no match for Tian Boguang. He beat them effortlessly, even killing Chi Baicheng on the spot. You didn't act rashly during this, because you noticed an interesting person—Lin Pingzhi, disguised as a beggar. In your view, the most upright person in the entire world of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer was Lin Pingzhi, before his family was utterly destroyed. A man like him didn't deserve such a tragic end, so you decided to lend him a hand.

Seeing your senior brother Linghu Chong beaten beyond recognition, you no longer hid. In an instant, you flashed between the two and casually ran your sword through Tian Boguang's throat, killing him dead.

Your sudden appearance shocked and delighted Linghu Chong, but before he could celebrate, Luo Renjie of the Four Talents of Qingcheng arrived. He hadn't seen you kill Tian Boguang and didn't even recognize you. His eyes were only on Linghu Chong, who had rescued Lin Pingzhi, and he demanded Linghu Chong hand him over.

You had no sympathy for the Qingcheng Sect's opportunistic behavior. With a casual palm strike, you sent Luo Renjie flying. You told him to deliver a message to Yu Canghai: the Mount Hua Sect was protecting Lin Pingzhi. If Yu Canghai had the guts, he could come and demand the boy from you personally. Then you announced your name. Your strength was nearly at the limit of the Purple Mist Divine Art; the only ones in the martial world who might be stronger were Dongfang Bubai and Feng Qingyang. So it was time for the world to know that the Mount Hua Sect had not only a senior brother like Linghu Chong but also a stronger fifth disciple, Tao Jun. It was also time to help Mount Hua reclaim its position as the leader of the Five Peaks Alliance.

Though your palm strike was casual, it sent Luo Renjie spewing blood and gravely wounded. He didn't dare linger and fled shamefully with the help of his junior brothers. You didn't stop him. As a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, your master Yue Buqun valued his reputation above all, and you had no intention of tarnishing the "Gentleman" title he had painstakingly built over decades.

Afterward, you first stopped Linghu Chong's bleeding, then had Lin Pingzhi and Yi Lin, who had been watching from the sidelines, help support Linghu Chong as you all went to reunite with the other Mount Hua disciples. Since you had decided to help Lin Pingzhi, you naturally kept him by your side. Lin Pingzhi, who had been hiding like a hunted rat, had just witnessed your overwhelming strength and followed you without hesitation.

Before leaving, you cast a deep, meaningful glance at an old man and his granddaughter. You didn't know them, but familiar with the plot, you recognized them as Qu Yang, an elder of the demonic cult, and his granddaughter Qu Feiyan. Though your master Yue Buqun had always taught you to kill demonic cult members without question, this clashed with your principles, so you pretended not to see them. But that glance made Qu Yang's face change. He immediately pulled his granddaughter and left the tavern. He knew his own strength was only slightly above Tian Boguang's; if you could kill Tian Boguang with one casual sword strike, killing him would take at most two.

When you found your fellow disciples at the inn, your junior sister Yue Lingshan had already joined them. They were locked in a standoff with Abbess Dingyi of Mount Hengshan Sect, who had been provoked by Daoist Master Tiansong. She was demanding the return of Yi Lin, who had been taken by Linghu Chong, whom she accused of fraternizing with Tian Boguang. But with your arrival, Yi Lin quickly explained everything, resolving the conflict between the two sects. As an apology and thanks, Abbess Dingyi produced the Mount Hengshan Sect's secret healing ointment, Heavenly Fragrance Healing Ointment, and personally treated Linghu Chong's wounds.

Half a day later, once Linghu Chong's condition had stabilized, you set out for the Hengshan inn to reunite with your master Yue Buqun. By then, night had fallen. Upon arrival, you happened upon Daoist Master Tianmen of Mount Tai Sect and Yu Canghai of Qingcheng Sect, who were causing trouble. Because of your intervention, neither Daoist Master Tiansong nor Luo Renjie had died, so the two could only trade verbal barbs. Your master Yue Buqun paid them no mind. When Yi Lin again publicly recounted the events, especially your killing of the rapist Tian Boguang, everyone from the various sects turned to look at you. They then showered your master with flattery, praising his teaching and saying the Mount Hua Sect had a worthy successor. He was quite pleased.

You didn't rush to expose Lin Pingzhi's identity. Instead, after everyone had gone their separate ways, you took Lin Pingzhi alone to see your master Yue Buqun and revealed who he was. The days of fear and the tragedy of his family's massacre had already matured Lin Pingzhi greatly. Once his identity was exposed, he immediately knelt before your master Yue Buqun, begging to become his disciple.

For your master Yue Buqun, Lin Pingzhi was a hot potato. In the past, he would have gladly taken him as a disciple. But times had changed. After learning the Five Peaks Swordplay and its counters from the cave at Siguo Cliff, Yue Buqun's ambitions had shifted. He no longer desperately sought the Bixie Swordplay. He still kept an eye on it only to ensure it didn't fall into others' hands, especially Zuo Lengchan of Mount Song Sect. Your master Yue Buqun had personally told you all this, asking for your help, and you had agreed.

Seeing your master Yue Buqun hesitate, Lin Pingzhi kowtowed frantically. Your master then looked to you for your opinion. You didn't care either way, but seeing Lin Pingzhi's pitiful state, you nodded. At your nod, your master relented and agreed to take Lin Pingzhi in, but only after obtaining his parents' consent. Though it wasn't yet certain whether he could join the Mount Hua Sect, Lin Pingzhi's face lit up with joy.