Fei Bin's boast about his prowess in the "Big Yang Yang Hand" was now rendered futile, for he had lost one hand and was likely to be nicknamed as the "One-Armed Man" or similar monikers. Chen Ang removed Fei Bin's limbs and sealed his acupuncture points with silver needles, not out of fear of his potential retaliation, but to prevent excessive bleeding and ensure he didn't succumb to his injuries.
Carefully searching through Fei Bin's belongings, Chen Ang sighed in disappointment, "As expected, novels are deceiving. I hoped to find 'Shanshan Swordsmanship' or 'God of the Sun,' but all I found was a couple of broken silver coins!"
As he uttered this, he flung a silver piece, causing two silver lights to ricochet, slicing through the air and embedding themselves into the left breast booth behind him, eliciting cries of surprise.
Ding Mian, infuriated, shouted, "Liu Zhengfeng, you dare harm my Junior Brother. I will report this to the alliance lord, and severe punishment awaits you!"
Chen Ang turned, surprised, then chuckled. His long sword quivered as he swiftly severed Fei Bin's ear. "No, you go report to the Left Alliance Lord and let him punish me. It's better to send the Thirteen Taibao, but wait, there are only twelve now! I'm truly scared of the Left Independence Lord's punishment!"
"You…" Ding Mian trembled, pointing at Chen Ang, unable to articulate his thoughts.
Liu Zhengfeng stepped between the two, his crossed swords halting them, and solemnly stated, "Ding Mian, Lu Bai, I acknowledge Zuo Leng Zen as the alliance lord of Five Top Sword Factions, but not as your Lushan faction's sect master. This issue does not concern him!"
"Ding Mian, do you wish to disband the Wuyue League?" Liu Zhengfeng's face turned red. "Are you really allying with Demon Sect Elder Quyang to divide our Five Top Sword Factions? Senior Brother Lu, Senior Sister Ding Yi, Senior Brother Tianmen, do you stand with him?"
Tianmen Taoist, the first to rise, asked Liu Zhengfeng in a cold tone, "Is what he says true?"
Liu Zhengfeng's response was ice-cold, "Tianmen Senior Brother, this matter is solely a conflict between me and Lushan, nothing more. Senior Brother, tell me: do you support the Five Yue or side with me to remove Left Cold Zen from the alliance lord's position?"
"I only ask, do you indeed have ties with Qu Yang?" The Tianmen Taoist had experienced the death of a master at the hands of Demon Sect, harboring a deep hatred against the sect, so the mention of the Demon Sect immediately clouded his mind.
Acknowledging his connection with Qu Yang, a fundamental part of Five Top Sword Factions, was something Liu Zhengfeng couldn't deny. Yet, this statement forced him into a confrontation with the martial arts community. Despite Left Cold Zen's actions or his own strategic considerations, he placed himself above the Five Top Sword Factions' principles.
With a lowered gaze, he said coolly, "Indeed! Quyang is not just someone I know; he is my most trusted confidant, my best friend."
This revelation froze the atmosphere in the field. Tian Men Dao Priest sighed, unsheathing his long sword and pointing it at Liu Zhengfeng, "As the guardian of Five Top Sword Factions today, I ask Left Lord Lord to cleanse our faction!"
Yue Buqun and Ding Yi Grandmaster stood by his side. Yue Buqun sighed, "Liu Junior Brother, if you decide to break ties with Qu Yang and swear to eliminate him within a fortnight, I'll support you! If you rectify this with the Left Alliance Lord, forgiveness may not be unattainable."
Ding Yi Grandmaster also chimed in, "Liu Junior Brother, your character is that of an upright gentleman, dealing with a despicable villain. Act swiftly and decisively to eliminate Qu Yang. I, along with Five Top Sword Factions, stand with you. Otherwise, Demon Sect's monks might exploit this and harm our allegiance."
Liu Zhengfeng sighed, raising his sword in silent agreement. Ding Yi Grandmaster shook his head and walked to the side of Tian Men Dao Priest. All Four Factions of the Five Top Sword Factions appeared divided, and even the rest of Mount Heng's faction seemed apprehensive.
Liu Zhengfeng had already sent his family away under the care of a trustee. In this dire moment, he had made up his mind. With gratitude towards Chen Ang for saving his family, he bowed and said, "Thank you, benefactor, for rescuing my family. Today, my fate is lamentable. I fear I can only repay your kindness in the afterlife. Kindly leave now. I'll try to stall them for a while."
"Unless I remind you, Ding Yi Grandmaster, they wouldn't stand in opposition. The commotion was caused by me. Don't blame others," Chen Ang smiled as he spoke.
"Where is the benefactor? I'm aware of my limited lifespan, and I haven't much time left. My death means it's hard for me to save my family and children, which is my greatest desire," Liu Zhengfeng lamented, waiting for the voices to subside before speaking slowly.
His emotions moved others present. Liu Zhengfeng, facing life's dilemma, not only remained steadfast but exhibited great resolve. Though the people of Jiang Hu might not agree, they couldn't help but admire him.
"Jiang Hu rules?" Chen Ang not only ignored Liu Zhengfeng's words but also turned and departed. Standing in place, he questioned, "I'm ignorant. Is Mister Liu aware of Jiang Hu's rules?"
"Make friends with the wicked, kill...is this a good Jiang Hu rule? The road to punish evil and maintain justice—it should be a Jiang Hu rule!" Chen Ang suddenly slammed the table in front of him and shouted loudly, "Making friends with scoundrels, who can be killed and who cannot? Indiscriminate killing of innocents—should they be killed or not? ** murderers, should they be killed or spared?"
"Of course, they should be killed!" Ding Yi Grandmaster exclaimed.
"Really? When Demon Sect members kill, you agree, but when someone innocent stands before you, why don't you kill them?" Chen Ang pointed towards Lin Pingzhi. "Fuwei Escort Service's innocent members were killed by Sichuan Sect's master, Yu Canghai. Now he's in front of you, why don't you act?"
Ding Yi Grandmaster was speechless. Not because of Chen Ang's sharp words, but because she couldn't understand Yu Canghai's actions. Though Chen Ang labeled him as indiscriminate, Ding Yi Grandmaster didn't perceive something amiss. She wanted to see Yu Canghai punished, but as a member of Qingcheng, a righteous sect, she was unable to interfere.
"Don't listen to the kid's nonsense, Junior Sister!" Ding Mian interjected. "The sect master seeks revenge for his child, not for outsiders. That's in accordance with Jiang Hu's rules!"
"Nonsense!" Chen Ang pointed and rebuked, "Distorting the truth. Yu Canghai's son, acting tyrannically and insulting a woman, was killed by Lin Pingzhi. What's wrong with that? Yue Sect Master, Lin Pingzhi killed your daughter. Why are you silent?"
"What? How do you know?" Yue Lingshan exclaimed, surprising everyone.
Yue Buqun, noticing his daughter's emotional outburst, had to step in, speaking up, "Indeed, Lin Young Hero has shown great kindness towards the girl. If he agrees, I'm willing to take him in and nurture him."
"No need!" Lin Pingzhi's eyes reddened as he coldly refused. He looked at Yue Lingshan in disbelief, his voice hoarse, "Is it really you?"
"I..." Yue Lingshan began but soon frowned. After a while, she lowered her head and said, "I'm sorry!"
Upon hearing her response, Lin Pingzhi stepped back, appearing to seek the opinions of these righteous figures. He glanced at them and then sneered at the Five Top Sword Factions heroes, who wore expressionless faces.
"Hahaha! Righteous path heroes, righteous path heroes!" Lin Pingzhi laughed loudly, his voice hauntingly eerie, leaving everyone disconcerted.
Chen Ang glanced at everyone present, then spoke coldly, "The so-called Jiang Hu rules favor the powerful. The Sun Moon Divine Cult, led by Unbeatable East, is the martial world's foremost. Therefore, your rules can't control him. Yu Canghai, as the Qingcheng sect master and leader of the righteous path, killing innocents—your rules can't hold him accountable!"
"Today, the rules of the Five Top Sword Factions are worthless. Left Cold Zen's flag and position as lord mean nothing!" Chen Ang sneered, clenching his fists in front of him, and exclaimed, "Today, what I say goes as Jiang Hu's rules because I'm stronger than all of you!"