Chapter 93: The Choice

Yun Zhonghe naturally noticed the venom in his gaze, but he paid it no mind.

Zuo Lengchan had become a ruined man, and the Mount Song Sect was dead in all but name. What storm could a mere ant possibly stir up?

Seeing Yun Zhonghe seated in the place of honor, every inch a master of the house, the crowd knew resistance was futile.

One after another, they tacitly accepted him as the supreme leader of the Seven Sects Alliance.

Yun Zhonghe gave a quiet nod to himself.

Fortunately, they were wise enough to know when to yield. Otherwise, he would not have minded letting them taste his iron-blooded methods.

“Since none of you object, then I shall accept the task without false modesty!”

With a smile, Yun Zhonghe cupped his hands to all sides.

The others returned the salute in kind, though it was plain to see that their submission was only skin-deep.

Yun Zhonghe did not care and pretended not to notice.

After a brief silence, he spoke again. “Now that the alliance leader has been decided, the seven sects must join hands and wipe out the Sun Moon Cult.”

“Huashan disciple Lao Denuo, moved by righteousness to sever family ties, is hereby appointed the new head of Huashan. Take office at once!”

Lao Denuo had been hidden within Huashan for decades, and in all that time he had surely planted many of his own people.

Now that Huashan had lost its leader, with his abilities he would surely be able to seize complete control in short order.

At the words, joy surged across Lao Denuo’s face. He hurried forward and said, “Thank you, Alliance Leader!”

The people below had not expected him to exercise the authority of the alliance leader so quickly.

This was an attempt to cut Huashan down to the roots!

Yet the next thing Yun Zhonghe said made them feel instantly ashamed, as though they had judged a gentleman by the heart of a villain.

“All of Huashan’s troubles were the fault of Yue Buqun alone. Now that he is dead, let bygones be bygones. Do not make things difficult for his family.”

“If any disciples are willing to remain, they must all be given important posts. If they are unwilling, then let them go!”

Upon hearing this, Xie Xun could not help but inwardly praise him. Mercy and severity in equal measure—what a fine way to win people over!

Yet somehow, those words still sounded oddly off. Could it be that even now, Yun Zhonghe still harbored hopes for Yue Lingshan?

He had not expected Yun Zhonghe to be such a devoted man.

The people below also realized they had misread Yun Zhonghe’s meaning, and their impression of him improved somewhat.

Once everything was arranged, Yun Zhonghe’s voice rang out with a hint of authority. “The extermination of the demon cult brooks no delay. If anyone dares to sabotage matters in secret at such a time, then do not blame me for showing no mercy.”

At those words, everyone felt a nameless chill rise in their hearts.

“Yes!”

They answered in unison.

Yun Zhonghe was right. When it came to the demon cult, their interests were aligned.

They should set aside their prejudice and their private feuds for the time being.

Seeing the expressions on everyone’s faces, Yun Zhonghe thought to himself, “That should do it.”

“It’s getting late. You may all return and make your preparations.”

“In three days, we attack Black Wood Cliff and wipe out the demon cult!”

With that, he stepped down from the high platform and exchanged a look with Lao Denuo.

The latter understood at once and lowered his head to follow behind Yun Zhonghe.

In a room furnished with antique elegance, Yun Zhonghe held a cup of hot tea and gently blew across its surface.

Lao Denuo and Lin Pingzhi knelt side by side on the floor.

After a long while, Yun Zhonghe set down his teacup, looked at Lao Denuo, and with a flick of his wrist tossed a manual before him.

“This is the manual for Purple Mist Divine Skill. Take it and practice diligently. Then no one will dare question your right to be the head of Huashan.”

Lao Denuo was overjoyed. He thanked Yun Zhonghe over and over again and eagerly opened the manual.

“Get up.”

At Yun Zhonghe’s command, Lao Denuo rose and stood off to one side.

Lin Pingzhi remained kneeling on the ground, head bowed, too afraid to meet Yun Zhonghe’s eyes.

“What is it? Did you think I would lose today and go find some secluded place to master the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual, then dominate the martial world?”

Lin Pingzhi shook all over, his heart filled with terror.

Yun Zhonghe was simply too frightening. Nothing in his heart could ever escape those eyes.

“Master, spare me!”

Without the slightest hesitation, he slammed his head against the floor. The thuds echoed like drumbeats, and his forehead was soon a bloody mess.

A cold light flashed in Yun Zhonghe’s eyes. He planted a foot on Lin Pingzhi’s head.

Crushing force surged down. Lin Pingzhi was forced flat to the floor, and the planks beneath him could not withstand such power; they split apart inch by inch.

His face twisted horribly. It felt as though his skull were about to explode.

“I don’t want to hear nonsense. Yue Buqun is dead now. If you cannot prove your worth, I do not mind sending you below to keep him company.”

Hearing this, Lin Pingzhi knew this was his last chance.

Under the threat of death, his mind raced at full speed.

Very quickly, he thought of the value he still possessed.

“I can help Master win over Yue Lingshan’s heart, and even Ning Zhongze’s,” he blurted out.

The moment the words fell, the crushing force on his head vanished all at once, and he let out a sharp breath of relief.

It seemed he had gambled correctly.

The real reason Yun Zhonghe had spared Huashan was for the sake of mother and daughter, Yue Lingshan and Ning Zhongze.

“This is your last chance. If you handle this well, you had better start thinking about whether you still have any value left for me to use.”

“And if you don’t, then kill yourself early and save me the trouble.”

Yun Zhonghe’s words made Lin Pingzhi’s newly settled heart lurch violently once more.

“Yes.”

He answered anxiously.

Yun Zhonghe knew Lin Pingzhi was not the sort of man who could be made to dance on strings forever. He had to be beaten down from time to time, or the fellow would inevitably begin entertaining other ideas.

“You seem rather unconvinced.”

“I would never dare!”

Yun Zhonghe stroked his chin, then tossed the sheepskin scroll bearing the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual before Lin Pingzhi.

“Don’t say I never gave you a chance. You have always wanted to practice the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual, haven’t you? I will give you one month. In one month, if you can defeat me, I will set you free.”

Lin Pingzhi stared at the manual on the floor, then listened to Yun Zhonghe’s words. Conflict filled his eyes.

He had read the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual before, and he knew that the martial art written there would be more than enough to defeat Yun Zhonghe.

“Hmm?” Yun Zhonghe looked at him, a trace of mockery lifting the corner of his mouth. “Too afraid? Or are you reluctant to part with it?”

Lao Denuo, standing nearby, was utterly baffled. What was there to hesitate over when it came to practicing such a peerless art?

Then he glanced down and saw the first line on the cover of the manual.

To practice this skill, one must draw the blade and castrate oneself.

Lao Denuo murmured the words under his breath, and a bead of sweat instantly appeared on his forehead.

He swallowed hard, and a wave of lingering dread surged through him.

Thank heavens he had not rushed to practice this art. Otherwise...

He glanced down between his legs with a shiver.

Yun Zhonghe noticed the expression on Lao Denuo’s face and chuckled. “What, have you already practiced it?”

Lao Denuo shook his head so violently he looked like a rattle drum, every inch of him filled with refusal.

After this little interruption, Yun Zhonghe turned back to Lin Pingzhi, his voice cold. “My patience is limited.”

At those words, the struggle in Lin Pingzhi’s eyes slowly faded. He reached out and seized the sheepskin scroll bearing the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual.