Although Zhang Sanfeng had just displayed his prowess, astonishing all martial arts factions, Shaolin, too, found itself strangely enticed by the allure of the Dragon Sword.
Moreover, disciples from various factions, armed and ready, had prepared weapons from the start, unwilling to let any opportunity slip away.
However, at this early stage, no one dared to speak up. It was well known that the first to do so would inevitably become the target of Wudang's attention.
After a brief pause, Xihuazi from the Kunlun school, seeing no one stepping forward, stood up directly. "Zhang Zhenren, today marks your 100th birthday celebration, and we, the juniors, are here to extend our congratulations!" he declared.
Xihuazi rose, his amplified voice resonating, "Secondly, we, fellow martial artists, wish to inquire about the whereabouts of the fugitive Xie Xun today!"
"Although Shaolin bears grievances with Xie Xun, we are unwilling to overshadow the real person's celebration at Zhang Zhenren's birthday banquet!" Kongwen stood up, and the entire Shaolin delegation nodded in agreement. Kongwen drew a clear line.
Zhang Sanfeng, addressing Xihuazi, remarked, "Are you suggesting that Xie Xun is hiding on Wudang Mountain if you wish to inquire about his whereabouts on my Wudang Mountain?"
Xihuazi's complexion changed, realizing the potential backlash from the martial world if he pursued this line of inquiry.
"Wudang, a renowned sect, Zhang Zhenren is highly skilled and would not engage in such deceitful actions," Xihuazi asserted before continuing.
"Years ago, Xie Xun went mad, slaughtering fellow martial artists, earning condemnation from all. Zhang Sanfeng waved his hand impatiently, "I am aware of Xie Xun's actions. I may be a hundred years old, but I'm not foolish."
The unspoken message was clear: cease the needless chatter.
"Unfortunately, Xie Xun fled overseas many years ago, leaving countless colleagues unable to bring him to justice. Today, we implore Zhang Wuxia to disclose Xie Xun's whereabouts to safeguard the martial arts world!" Xihuazi stated boldly.
Zhang Sanfeng nodded, glancing at Xihuazi, "Speak your mind, but make it brief. I haven't heard clearly in my hundred years!"
Xihuazi wore a displeased expression. Wasn't Zhang Sanfeng supposed to be a revered figure? Why was he speaking so bluntly?
"Cuishan, do you know where Xie Xun is?" Zhang Sanfeng turned to Zhang Cuishan.
"I am well aware; Xie Xun is my righteous brother." Zhang Cuishan nodded.
"Then decide for yourself whether you want to share that information."
"People are in the arena, and words hold weight. How can Cuishan be a heartless and unrighteous person!"
Zhang Sanfeng nodded, "You've heard it. My five disciples are also individuals with strong principles. I anticipate your efforts will be in vain. Please leave..."
"Does Zhang Zhenren intend to shield Xie Xun and the other evildoer? It's better for Zhang Cuishan to reveal Xie Xun's location promptly, preventing Wudang from making an enemy of the entire martial arts world!" Xihuazi sharply declared, exuding an unyielding demeanor.
However, behind Xihuazi, the eyes of his comrades showed signs of confusion. What was going on with their junior brother? Why jeopardize Wudang? Did he wish to clash with Wudang? Did he comprehend the stature of the elderly figure above? What was he saying?
Beside him, Shaolin's eyebrows twitched. Fortunately, they hadn't collaborated with such an erratic junior brother. The King Kong Gate was in a good place...
Zhang Sanfeng, surprised at Xihuazi's audacity, questioned, "Do you wish to become an enemy of Wudang?"
"It's not that I wish to be an enemy of Wudang. If Zhang Wuxia does not reveal Xie Xun's whereabouts today, it means Wudang is prepared to oppose the entire martial arts world!"
"Fellow martial artists, what do you say?"
Turning to the various martial arts factions, Xihuazi realized they had distanced themselves, including his own sect's leader, He Taichong.
Xihuazi: ???
Did his junior brother drag him back?
"Real person, we merely seek information about Xie Xun and harbor no intention of becoming Wudang's enemy," He Tai rushed out, explaining, feeling compelled to clarify due to their shared school affiliation.
"Yes, yes!"
"We just want to know Xie Xun's whereabouts!"
"Wudang stands for righteousness; how could we be enemies of Wudang!"
"Exactly!"
Zhang Sanfeng felt a bit disappointed; these martial arts schools truly fell short of his expectations.
Zhang Sanfeng: If they had attacked the old Dao with determination, I would have respected them and revealed the Dragon Sword's whereabouts.
Zhang Sanfeng shared in the group.
Meng Chuan: Wake up, real person. You were killed by a sword back then; you can't speak.
Zhang Sanfeng: Great, I was merely using a metaphor...
Meng Chuan: Oh, okay.
Yuan Dagu: How does the real person plan to deal with these people?
Meng Qi: Cut them down with a slash!
Zhang Sanfeng: If I spent all my days practicing martial arts just to become a supreme, growing a sword and living a long life, it would be meaningless.
Zhang Sanfeng shared in the group.
Zhang Sanfeng: Send them down the mountain directly.
"Dear fellow martial artists, I understand you seek Xie Xun mostly for the Dragon Sword in his possession." Zhang Sanfeng addressed the crowd, carefully advising,
"The idea of a supreme martial artist, relying on the heavens and slaying dragons, is nothing but a fantasy."
"If you truly wish to attain that martial arts supremacy, strive to live as long as the veteran here—what do you think?"
Mengchuan: Shrimp and Pig Heart.
Meng Qi: To be fair, living for a hundred years and then facing someone who's two hundred years old...
"Additionally, I have traversed the rivers and lakes with the old way for many years, so please don't harbor illusions about achieving supreme martial arts!"
"If you genuinely aspire to be a supreme martial artist, try facing the old way with a move!"
"That's all I have to say. Please go back, everyone!"
Zhang Sanfeng stood with his hand in his hand, gazing into the distance, and fell silent
."Real person, does Xie Xun truly..." Xihuazi was reluctant to give up, attempting to say more. Zhang Sanfeng stretched out his left hand, gestured in the air, then lifted his hand, sending Xihuazi soaring into the sky.
One hundred meters, five hundred meters, one thousand meters...
Zhang Sanfeng pulled him back down. After Xihuazi landed, his face turned purple, coughing frantically.
Observing Xihuazi's discomfort, Zhang Sanfeng infused a surge of true qi into him, instantly revitalizing him. Whether this qi had additional effects remained known only to Zhang Sanfeng.
However, it was common for foreign true qi to carry potential hidden dangers.
Meng Chuan: How dare you influence my cup? Perish!
Meng Qi: Crawl for the Lord!
Zhang Sanfeng looked at the horrified onlookers and declared calmly, "I said you need not think about Wu Lin Supreme. Please leave, okay?"
"Who agrees? Who opposes?"
Meng Qi: Real person, have you been reading too many novels lately?
Yuan Dagu: I've never seen a real person with such a plot!
Meng Chuan: Zhang Sanfeng, the renowned Junbao, master of the historical container cup.
Koichi: Indeed...
How could the major factions dare to oppose? Could anyone endure the previous display?
"Let's go now, bid farewell."
"Goodbye, real person!"
As the bewildered crowd departed, Zhang Sanfeng smiled and suddenly said, "Wait a minute!"
The major factions, wearing bitter expressions, as if enchanted, questioned, "Does the real person have any more instructions?"
"I have something to give you!"
"You dare not trouble the real person; we'll leave on our own, or rather, we'll leave ourselves."
Ignoring them, Zhang Sanfeng accompanied his birthday banquet guests. They had to leave; not seeing them off would be a breach of etiquette.
With a wave of his robe, representatives from all major factions found themselves at the foot of Wudang Mountain.
...
The major factions were dumbfounded. Weren't they just on Wudang Mountain? Why did Zhang Zhenren wave his sleeves?
Damn, it felt like a dream...