The Foremost of the "Bu" Generation

Whenever the Demonic Cult makes a move, the Mount Heng Sect is bound to suffer; this has practically become an inherent law of the pugilistic world, and this time is no exception.

Staring at the plea for help in his hands, Ning Qingyu felt exceptionally irritable. The only difference this time is that the Mount Heng Sect is not the only unlucky one; the Mount Tai Sect has also failed to escape.

The Left and Right Envoys of the Demonic Cult are leading their forces to enter the Central Plains from Hedong, while the Wind and Thunder Four Halls are preparing to descend from Shandong into Jiangnan. Unfortunately, the Mount Tai Sect's sphere of influence happens to be blocking their path.

Given the relationship between the Five Mountains Sword Sects and the Demonic Cult, such situations are usually resolved only through force. If they were to let them pass without a fight, the people of the Demonic Cult wouldn't feel at ease either!

Although it appears the Demonic Cult has deployed its main force, the mysterious Cult Leader Dugu has yet to show his face. This means the primary target of the Demonic Cult remains uncertain for the time being.

With two subordinates in trouble at the same time, deciding who to save first is a major problem. Splitting forces is impossible; the Mount Hua Sect does not have such deep foundations.

Moreover, having experienced an attack on their own mountain gate, Ning Qingyu is already fearful, and it is impossible for the Mount Hua Sect to mobilize its entire strength.

Especially since the Ten Elders of the Demonic Cult were wiped out by the Mount Hua Sect, who can guarantee that the Demonic Cult isn't just feinting, with their true goal being revenge against Mount Hua?

Sword Qi Soaring Hall

Stepping into this place again, Li Mu's feelings were completely different. The biggest change was the seating arrangement; a new chair had been added to the right of the main seat, distancing itself from the others.

The pugilistic world is the most realistic place; one doesn't need to think to know that it was prepared for Feng Qingyang. By virtue of his record of killing the Ten Elders of the Demonic Cult, the other elders of the Mount Hua Sect can no longer be placed on equal footing with him.

What surprised Li Mu the most was his own position, moving from last place to fourth from the bottom, followed by Yao Buzhou, Cai Buli, and Wang Buyao.

Purely from the perspective of strength, such an arrangement is naturally without issue. However, seating represents not only strength but also status and standing.

Being ranked at the very front of the "Bu" generation also means the sect recognizes him as the foremost among them. This undoubtedly occupies a favorable position for the upcoming struggle for the successor of the sect leader.

Li Mu has self-awareness; he does not believe that the Cai and Yao factions will give up easily. Although Feng Qingyang's return to the mountain has greatly increased the power supporting him, it is still unrealistic to suppress both factions.

There must be a story behind this; otherwise, it wouldn't have gone so smoothly. After all, the final decision on the change in seating was made by the sect leader, Ning Qingyu, while others only had the right to speak.

The elders had not yet arrived, and the four first-rate disciples of the "Bu" generation sat together, staring at each other with wide eyes, the atmosphere exceptionally eerie.

From the surprised looks in the eyes of the three, Li Mu could tell that they were equally unaware of the change in seating.

This means that before making the decision, Ning Qingyu did not inform the Qi Sect in advance, and it is even possible that he initiated it himself.

So, what is the purpose?

Although he has some weight, Li Mu still does not believe he is worth Ning Qingyu lowering his status to scheme against him personally.

Is it "the nail that sticks out gets hammered down," inciting the other three to join forces against him?

It is not that Li Mu is arrogant, but if the three could truly join forces, he would actually think more highly of them. Clearly, that is impossible.

After some investigation, Li Mu had also figured out the conflict between Cai and Yao.

Initially, although the two were opposed, it was not a matter of life and death. What truly caused them to completely fall out was a woman named Zhao Yanran.

It is unknown what magic this woman possessed, but after meeting her at the birthday banquet of the First Spear of Hebei, Zhao Fuquan, both men felt they had encountered their "true love."

Of course, they were not the only ones to fall in love; many young talents of the pugilistic world who attended the banquet were also captivated.

According to what Li Mu knows, this Zhao Yanran is no simple person. She is proficient in the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and she was able to navigate among many young talents with ease.

Although they are in the pugilistic world, they still have to abide by the orders of parents and the words of matchmakers. To marry the woman they love, they would inevitably need the elders of their sect to step forward.

Other competitors would be one thing—everyone could compete fairly and let her choose—but Cai and Yao are both disciples of Mount Hua; there is no reason for two disciples to propose to the same woman.

In the pugilistic world, the strong are respected, and this applies to matters of women as well. The two agreed to a duel, with the winner deciding the fate of the beauty.

Without any surprises, the older Yao Buzhou won. Following the standard procedures of the three letters and six etiquettes, she was eventually sent to the bridal chamber.

The matter should have ended there, but melodramatic plots are often full of surprises.

On the day of the wedding, the bride suddenly committed suicide. Upon examining the body, she was no longer a virgin. Beside her was a suicide note written to Cai Buli.

Based on years of experience watching melodramatic shows, Li Mu could conclude that there was definitely something wrong here. However, for people in love, their brains are usually not very sharp.

Yao Buzhou attributed the cause of his "wife's death" to Cai Buli, suspecting an illicit affair between the two; Cai Buli believed that Yao Buzhou had used despicable means to force his beloved to marry him.

Such a turn of events naturally aroused the suspicions of the elders in the sect. Unfortunately, after an investigation, the evidence presented not only failed to solve the problem but made it even more awkward.

Old veterans of the pugilistic world know that often, the more evidence there is, the further one is from the truth.

The elders of the sect unanimously concluded that this was a setup, but before they could continue their investigation, the Zhao Family was wiped out, and all leads were cut off.

The truth could not be uncovered, and the judgment of the elders could not put the two at ease. Or rather, subconsciously, they could not accept that the person they loved was a pawn used by others to scheme against them.

The incident happened before the last grand competition, which is why there was that scene of brutal violence on the ring between the two.

As time passed, although the two slowly regained their rationality, the rift in their hearts could never be mended.

Factional strife mixed with the hatred of a stolen wife is destined to be a muddled account; even if the mastermind behind the scenes were found, it would not change the outcome.

Compared to the complex Cai-Yao conflict, the dispute between Wang Buyao and Yao Buzhou was purely the result of Li Mu pushing from behind.

The methods were indeed a bit despicable, but the effect was excellent. It directly divided the Qi Sect from within and dismantled Yao Buzhou's advantage as the senior disciple of the sect leader.

Perhaps this change in seating is also a warning from Ning Qingyu to his own disciples. If it weren't for the fact that the Qi Sect has no better choices right now, Yao Buzhou might have already been abandoned.

After a moment of thought, Li Mu took the initiative to break the silence: "Senior Brother Wang, long time no see. How have you been lately?"

Wang Buyao was slightly stunned, seemingly not expecting Li Mu to greet him, and replied: "Thanks to your good fortune, Junior Brother, this brother has managed not to lose face."

"We have bitter lives; everything must be fought for ourselves. Unlike some people who don't need to do anything, just reaching out to the elders for whatever they lack."