Accepting Apprentice on Behalf of Master

Lin Zhennan understood, "The way to save us is for Mr. Yue to take Pingzhi as his disciple?"

Wang Jingyuan replied, "Yes, that's the most straightforward way. As long as he enters the Mount Hua Sect, even if there's a conflict with the Qingcheng Sect later, it won't just be a matter between the Fuwei Escort Agency and the Qingcheng Sect.

Even though the Mount Hua Sect is no longer the foremost of the Five Great Sects, a starving camel is still bigger than a horse. Bullying a mere Qingcheng Sect is more than enough."

"This..." Lin Zhennan hesitated.

Wang Jingyuan clapped his hands, "Alright, I think I understand your thoughts. Your son, Lin Pingzhi, how many years has he been practicing the Bixie Swordplay?"

Lin Zhennan answered truthfully, "Since the age of five, he has diligently practiced, and it has been fourteen years now."

Wang Jingyuan glanced at Yue Lingshan, "Junior Disciple Sister, tell me, did I practice martial arts before coming to Mount Hua?"

Yue Lingshan thought back to how weak Wang Jingyuan looked when he first joined the sect and answered honestly, "Naturally, you hadn't."

"Then how long have I been practicing martial arts since I joined Mount Hua?"

It wasn't long, and Yue Lingshan quickly found the answer, "Since joining Mount Hua, I've been cultivating on the mountain for over half a month. Then we both came down the mountain to this place, which took two months on the road. All in all, about two and a half months."

Wang Jingyuan turned to Lin Zhennan, "His resume can be checked. The daughter of the Mount Hua Sect Leader wouldn't lie to you. Call Lin Pingzhi here, and I'll spar with him."

Lin Zhennan pondered for a moment, quickly made up his mind, and immediately went to the main hall to call Lin Pingzhi. Then he took Wang Jingyuan to the Fuwei Escort Agency's training ground.

Upon arriving at the field, Wang Jingyuan drew his sword, "Lin Pingzhi, I challenge you to a duel."

Lin Pingzhi looked at his father. Lin Zhennan nodded slightly. Then he also drew his long sword, "Young Hero Wang, swords have no eyes. Let's stop at the first touch."

With that, he struck an opening stance, seemingly waiting for Wang Jingyuan to attack.

This is probably a foolish kid who is lost in his ancestors' fame and has no idea of his own skill. Wang Jingyuan shook his head slightly and didn't hold back, launching a simple "Green Pine Welcoming Guests" straight at him.

Lin Pingzhi felt that Wang Jingyuan's sword moves were skillful and the angles were tricky, but the speed of his sword was slightly slow. Nevertheless, he swung his sword to block. However, before the two swords could touch, Wang Jingyuan retracted his sword and then launched another "Green Pine Welcoming Guests."

This time, the speed was incredibly swift. Lin Pingzhi quickly retreated and swung his sword to block again. However, as he swung his sword, his formation was already subtly disrupted, appearing hasty and disorganized.

Still, before their swords could touch, Wang Jingyuan retracted his sword again. Then, it was another "Green Pine Welcoming Guests."

By now, Lin Pingzhi no longer dared to underestimate Wang Jingyuan. He used his family's Qinggong and sword techniques together, wanting to block and dodge in advance. But to his surprise, this time Wang Jingyuan only adopted the stance of "Green Pine Welcoming Guests" and did not deliver the sword strike.

Only when Lin Pingzhi's moves had been exhausted did he seize the opportunity to strike. This move was neither hurried nor slow, just like Wang Jingyuan's usual sword practice. It was a common and precise "Green Pine Welcoming Guests" that landed on Lin Pingzhi's shoulder.

Kid, is the fast-and-slow swordplay fun?

[Mount Hua Sword Technique Proficiency +1]

"I concede," Wang Jingyuan sheathed his sword and casually cupped his fists. Then he looked at Lin Zhennan, "Joining Mount Hua is not a loss."

Lin Pingzhi stood frozen on the spot. How could this be? His family's Bixie Swordplay was undefeated throughout Heshuo. He had never lost a sparring match since he was a child.

How could this be? Defeated so easily by someone using the same sword move?

Wang Jingyuan patted Lin Pingzhi's shoulder, "That move is called 'Green Pine Welcoming Guests.' It's the first move of the basic Mount Hua sword technique, and you can learn it as soon as you join Mount Hua."

Wang Jingyuan wasn't lying, but what he didn't say was that his current mastery of the Mount Hua Sword Technique was far from that of a beginner. The previous three "Green Pine Welcoming Guests" moves, though simple in appearance, were only possible because Wang Jingyuan had reached a state where he could control his movements at will.

Lin Pingzhi suddenly turned his head to look at his father. Although he said nothing, the anxious longing in his eyes was evident.

Lin Zhennan, an old hand in the Jianghu, naturally had better judgment than Lin Pingzhi. He immediately walked over and tightly grasped Wang Jingyuan's hand, "My son Pingzhi being able to enter the Mount Hua Sect is truly a blessing for three lifetimes."

With Lin Zhennan's approval, Lin Pingzhi became even more enthusiastic. He quickly cupped his hands to Wang Jingyuan and Yue Lingshan, "Lin Pingzhi greets Senior Brother and Senior Sister!"

Wang Jingyuan nodded, accepting him without reservation. As for Yue Lingshan, as long as someone was willing to call her Senior Sister, she didn't care who they were. Moreover, this Lin Pingzhi looked honest and obedient, much more likable than a certain Junior Disciple Brother who showed no respect for his elders.

Wang Jingyuan asked, "Have you made up your mind?"

Lin Pingzhi nodded firmly, "Of course!"

Wang Jingyuan turned to Yue Lingshan, "Which way is northwest?"

Yue Lingshan identified the direction and pointed to the northwest. Wang Jingyuan immediately shouted at Lin Pingzhi, "Kneel down in that direction!"

Lin Pingzhi was startled but still knelt down facing the northwest. Wang Jingyuan placed his sword on Lin Pingzhi's neck, "Do you love gold or Mount Hua?"

Lin Pingzhi said uncertainly, "Love Mount Hua?"

Wang Jingyuan applied slight pressure with his sword, continuing to press, "Do you love gold or Mount Hua?!"

Lin Pingzhi understood and immediately said decisively, "Love Mount Hua!"

"Junior Disciple Sister, recite the sect rules," Wang Jingyuan looked at Yue Lingshan. Although Yue Lingshan didn't quite understand, she obediently began reciting the sect rules.

Then Wang Jingyuan looked at Lin Pingzhi, who was kneeling on the ground, "Did you hear clearly? Can you accept it? If you have any difficulties, you can come back next time and think about it, okay?

No, I misspoke. There's only one chance, no next time."

Lin Pingzhi was now wiser and immediately said, "I can abide by them!"

Wang Jingyuan nodded, used his sword to cut the jade pendant hanging from Lin Pingzhi's waist, and then struck it with his sword, shattering it. He said, "Loyalty and righteousness bring wealth and glory; disloyalty and unrighteousness lead to this lotus. Kowtow."

Wang Jingyuan said it casually, but Lin Pingzhi did not dare to be careless. He performed three kowtows facing the northwest. After finishing, he still felt a sense of unfinished business.

In his impression, even a regular martial arts instructor accepting a disciple wouldn't be so casual, let alone the Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect. It was over just like that? I haven't even felt anything yet.

Lin Zhennan and his wife, standing nearby, were also stunned. From beginning to end, they had never doubted whether Wang Jingyuan and Yue Lingshan were disciples of the Mount Hua Sect, because no one in the Jianghu would be so audacious as to impersonate them.

But now, he began to doubt the authenticity of Wang Jingyuan's identity. This so-called disciple acceptance, acting on behalf of the master, was not impossible, but it was too child's play. No, he had to send someone to Mount Hua to verify this immediately!

"Junior Disciple Sister, please teach him the basic sword techniques and internal energy methods first."

"Sure thing!"

Hmm, there's no need to rush things. Let's wait a bit.

Seeing that a top disciple of the Mount Hua Sect was about to impart knowledge, Lin Zhennan and his wife tactfully excused themselves.

A moment later, Wang Jingyuan and Yue Lingshan were invited to the side room to rest. Lin Pingzhi, however, was called to the study by Lin Zhennan. Upon entering the study, Lin Zhennan dismissed the servants.

"Pingzhi, recite the internal energy incantation you just learned."

Lin Pingzhi looked at his father in bewilderment.

Dad, why are you like this?!