The jianghu was abuzz, and Mount Hua soon grew lively as well. The changes were especially great among the Sword Sect.
After Cai Buli's pitiful performance at the Sword Qi Soaring Hall, several Sword Sect elders who had still been hesitating cast their votes with their feet.
"Junior Brother Li, we're at a critical juncture in our struggle against the Qi Sect. The Sword Sect must remain united. I implore you to keep the greater good in mind."
Seeing the situation spiral out of control, the Sword Sect elders who supported Cai Buli panicked too. Desperate, they tried anything they could think of and even sent their disciples to persuade Li Mu.
"Senior Brother Feng, I've already shut myself away to cultivate. What more must I do to keep the greater good in mind?
"You must have heard why the elders in the sect aren't willing to support Senior Brother Cai.
"As juniors, we shouldn't meddle in our elders' affairs. But Elder Feng and the others have gone too far this time. I'm not even taking part in the sect's disputes, yet they're still hounding me. Is that how elders should behave?
"There's nothing wrong with being grateful for Grandmaster Cai's kindness. But using the foundations of our Mount Hua Sect as a bargaining chip—that's going too far.
"Senior Brother Feng is a sensible man. In your opinion, given Senior Brother Cai's performance now, is he really qualified to lead our Mount Hua Sect?"
Feng Buping was clearly no skilled persuader. He'd started by trying to bind Li Mu with the "greater good," a clumsy attempt to teach a master craftsman how to use his tools.
The Sword Sect's grand plan might have been important, but beside the inheritance of the Mount Hua Sect, it was insignificant.
Feng Buping