The Smiling, Proud Wanderer 58 Chapter Thirty-Three: Sword Fight Part 1

Peachtree Branch Fairy said, "Ability, integrity, and prestige? In all of Wulin, the only person who fulfills all these requirements is Shaolin's Great Master Fangzheng." Every time the Peach Valley Six Fairies talked, everyone had laughed because no one could actually understand what they were talking about. But when they mentioned Great Master Fangzheng's name, the whole mountaintop became quiet. Great Master Fangzheng's martial art was powerful, and he was also a merciful and righteous person. He had always upheld justice in Wulin, and had also been revered by everyone for the last dozen of years. Shaolin School's reputation was flouris.h.i.+ng, and it was also the number one school in Wulin. So when the descriptions of 'ability, integrity, and prestige' were used to describe Great Master Fangzheng, no one objected.

Peachtree Root Fairy shouted, "Is Shaolin temple's Abbot Fangzheng a person of ability, integrity, and prestige?"

The thousands of people there answered together, "He is!"

"Very good, since everyone agreed, Great Master Fangzheng is favoured by everyone then. Compared to the six of us, it seems Great Master Fangzheng is favoured slightly more. In that case, we'll have to invite Great Master Fangzheng to become the Five Mountains School's headmaster then."

Quite a few people from Songshan School and Taishan School immediately called out, "Nonsense! Great Master Fangzheng is the headmaster of Shaolin School. What does he have to do with our Five Mountains School?"

Peachtree Branch Fairy replied, "Just now, this old priest said he wanted to invite a senior of integrity, ability, and prestige to become the headmaster, so I found one for him. Could it be Great Master Fangzheng isn't a person of ability and integrity? Could it be he has no prestige? Alas, could it be that he's not a senior in Wulin? Are you saying Great Master isn't a senior of integrity, ability, and prestige, and that he's just a lowly n.o.body in Wulin? What absurdity! Who had the nerve to say that? Who didn't want him to become the headmaster? Peach Valley Six Fairies will have it out with him!"

Peachtree Trunk Fairy said, "Great Master Fangzheng has been the headmaster of Shaolin School for dozens of years already. Why can't he be the headmaster of the Five Mountains School? Could it be the Five Mountains School is above Shaolin School as of today? Which crazy person has the nerve to say Great Master Fangzheng isn't fit to be the headmaster?"

Taishan School's Yujizi scowled. "Great Master Fangzheng is a person of integrity and ability, and everyone respects him deeply. But today we're electing the headmaster of the Five Mountains School. Great Master Fangzheng is a respected guest, how can we just drag him into our matter?"

Peachtree Trunk Fairy said, "According to what you said, Great Master Fangzheng cannot be the headmaster of the Five Mountains School because Shaolin School and Five Mountains Schools are unrelated."

"Correct," Yujizi answered.

"How come Shaolin School and Five Mountains School are unrelated? I say they're greatly related! Which five schools formed the Five Mountains School?" Peachtree Trunk Fairy inquired.

"Sir, you already know, but you're still asking about it again. Five Mountains School consists of Songshan, Taishan, Huashan, Hengshan, and Heng-Shan Schools," Yujizi replied.

Peachtree Flower Fairy and Peachtree Fruit Fairy replied together, "Wrong, wrong! Just then Zuo Lengchan said that after the five mountains sword schools merged, Songshan School and Taishan School's names will no longer exist in Wulin. How come you mentioned the name of the five schools again?"

Peachtree Leaf Fairy said, "I see he's still very much attached to his school and doesn't want to forget it. Once an opportunity arises, he'll hatch a plan and destroy the Five Mountains School. Then he'll start rebuilding his Taishan School and establish its prestige again." Many people in the crowd started laughing as they thought, "These Peach Valley Six Fairies are crazily turning everything upside down. But every time someone says something slightly wrong, they immediately latched onto it and the original speakers can't do anything."

What all these people didn't know was that the Peach Valley Six Fairies had been debating endlessly since they managed to talk at around the age of two or three, and were particularly good at latching onto the mistakes in each other's speech. In the last dozens of years, they had become accustomed to doing this. Thus, it was no wonder that no one could be their match when the Peach Valley Six Fairies combined their six brains and mouths. Yujizi's face was green for a time, and red for a time. He said, "This is really one big bad luck for Five Mountains School with the six of you weirdos in it."

Peachtree Flower Fairy said, "You said the Five Mountains School is bad luck. That's really looking down at the Five Mountains School, and means that you don't want to stay inside the Five Mountains School."

Peachtree Fruit Fairy said, "This is only the first day that our Five Mountains School is opened, and yet you're already cursing it, saying that it's bad luck. In the future, the Five Mountains School will be glorious, and will stand as equals with Shaolin and Wudang. It will become a big school that everyone in Jianghu looks up to. Priest Yuji, how come you don't have a good heart and said something so ominous?"

Peachtree Leaf Fairy said, "I see Priest Yuji's body is at Five Mountains, but his heart is at Taishan, he's hoping the merger would fail and that it would break up by the end of the first day. With this kind of intention, how can the Five Mountains School accept him into the school?"

For the pugilists of Jianghu, they had always lived on the points of bloodied swords so they believed very much of things that were taboo. When everyone heard what the Peach Valley Six Fairies said, they all felt that the Peach Valley Six Fairies' words were logical. How could Yujizi said the Five Mountains School was bad luck on this auspicious day? Even Zuo Lengchan was dissatisfied at what Yujizi said. Yujizi knew he had said the wrong thing and he immediately stayed silent, while inwardly feeling angry.

Peachtree Trunk Fairy said, "I said Shaolin School and Songshan School are related, but Priest Yuji said they're unrelated. So are they related or not? Are you right or am I right?"

Priest Yuji indignantly said, "Since you love to say that they're related, we'll just say that they're related."

Peachtree Trunk Fairy said, "Ha! Matters of the world are based on logic. Which mountain is Shaolin temple on? Which mountain is Songshan School on?"

Peachtree Flower Fairy answered, "Shaolin School is on Mount Shaos.h.i.+, Songshan School is on Mount Tais.h.i.+. Shaos.h.i.+ and Tais.h.i.+ both belong to Mount Songshan, is that right? Why did you say Shaolin School and Songshan School are unrelated?"

These words they said really made sense and everyone in the crowd were nodding their heads.

Peachtree Branch Fairy said, "Just then Mr. Yue said, after schools have merged together, the number of fighting in Jianghu would decrease. It's for this reason that he approved of the merger. He also said, the merging schools will be selected based on the similarity of their skills, the closeness of their locations, and their willingness to merge. Speaking of nearness, Shaolin and Songshan are near each other, they are even together on one mountain. If Shaolin School and Songshan School don't merge, then what Mr. Yue said was a little bit like breaking… breaking… breaking some… some sort of air."

The crowd knew that he managed to hold back from saying the word 'wind', but they giggled over it. They all felt it was rather unthinkable for Shaolin and Songshan to merge, but what Peachtree Branch Fairy said was also quite reasonable, and it followed what Yue Buqun said earlier. Linghu Chong was secretly impressed, "The Peach Valley Six Fairies are experts in latching onto someone's words, but I'd never expected them to say these kinds of words. I wonder who's helping them?"

Peachtree Trunk Fairy said, "Great Master Fangzheng is in favour with the public, and originally we all wanted to invite him to become our Five Mountains School's headmaster. But someone raised the issue that Great Master Fangzheng doesn't belong to the Five Mountains School. So Shaolin and Five Mountains School must merge and become 'Shaolin Five Mountains School.' That way Great Master Fangzheng can become the new school's headmaster."

Peachtree Root Fairy said, "That's right! At the present time, there's no one who can compare to Great Master Fangzheng or more fit to become the headmaster."

Peachtree Fruit Fairy said, "We, Peach Valley Six Fairies, accept Great Master Fangzheng. Could it be there are people who don't accept?"

Peachtree Flower Fairy said, "If there's anyone who doesn't want to accept, then there's no harm to come out and have a contest with us. Once you beat the Peach Valley Six Fairies, you might as well have a contest with Great Master Fangzheng. Once you beat Great Master Fangzheng, you might as well have a contest with all the great masters from the Da Mo Hall, Luohan Hall, Commandment Courtyard, and the Scripture Chamber. Once you beat all the great masters from the Da Mo Hall, Luohan Hall, Commandment Courtyard, and the Scripture Chamber, then you can have a contest with Priest Chongxu of Wudang…"

Peachtree Fruit Fairy interrupted, "Fifth brother, why do they have to have a contest with Wudang's Priest Chongxu?"

Peachtree Flower Fairy answered, "The two headmasters from Wudang School and Shaolin School are best friends who share weal and woe together. If someone beat Great Master Fangzheng, how could Priest Chongxu not come out?"

Peachtree Leaf Fairy said, "That's right! You're not wrong at all! Once they beat Priest Chongxu, then they'll fight the Peach Valley Six Fairies."

Peachtree Root Fairy said, "Yi! They already fought against us, why do they have to fight us again?"

Peachtree Leaf Fairy replied, "Even if we lost the first time, how could the Peach Valley Six Fairies happily admit defeat? We'll naturally dispute this with those smelly b.a.s.t.a.r.ds again."

The crowd was laughing madly listening to the six brothers talking back and forth. There were some who were disagreeing with them, and there were some who were calling out and following them. Yujizi was extremely mad and couldn't hold it back anymore. He flew forward with his sword in his hand and called out, "Peach Valley Six Weirdos, Yujizi doesn't accept and wants to fight with you."

Peachtree Root Fairy said, "We're all from the Five Mountains School, how can we be killing each other?"

"You talk too much. The G.o.ds detest it and the ghosts loathe it! Once we get rid of the six of you from the Five Mountains School, our eyes will see clearer and our ears will hear better," Yujizi replied.

Peachtree Trunk Fairy said, "Alright, you have a sword in hand and murder in your heart. Are you thinking of using your sword to chop chop chop chop chop chop our six heads?"

Yujizi snorted and ignored him, but his eyes were full of murderous intention. Peachtree Branch Fairy said, "Today is the merger of our five schools. If on the first day, your Taishan School kill six masters from the Heng-Shan School, how can the Five Mountains School cooperate after today? How can we still work together?"

Yujizi thought that these words sounded logical. If he killed these six people today, then there would be endless fighting as there would certainly be someone from Heng-Shan School who would seek revenge for them. He immediately restrained his anger and said, "Since you already know that we should work together, then stop hindering this big matter with your nonsense, and stop talking." He took his long sword a foot out of the scabbard then slammed it back in.

Peachtree Leaf Fairy said, "How about words that are beneficial to the Five Mountains School's future and people in the orthodox path?"

Yujizi coldly laughed. "Hng, none of you are saying anything like that!"

Peachtree Flower Fairy said, "Doesn't the matter of who's going to become the headmaster of the Five Mountains School concern our school's future and the destiny of Wulin's orthodox path? The six of us are doing our best to choose a senior master who's in favour with the public to become our headmaster here. But you're so selfish, and only want that person who gave you three thousand gold taels and four pretty ladies to become the headmaster."

Yujizi was livid as he shouted, "NONSENSE! Who said someone gave me three thousand gold taels and four pretty ladies?"

Peachtree Flower Fairy said, "Hmmm… I said the number wrongly. It's not three thousand gold taels; it's definitely four thousand taels. It's not four pretty ladies, or three ladies, but it's five ladies. You don't know who gave these to you? It's that person who you wanted to elect as the headmaster. That's the person who gave these gifts to you.

Yujizi immediately drew his long sword. "You're talking nonsense again! I want your blood splattered right here!"

Peachtree Flower Fairy cackled madly, walked towards Yujizi, and said, "You used such a despicable method to harm Priest Tianmen who was your Taishan School's headmaster. Are you still thinking of harming other people? Not only was Priest Tianmen killed by you right here, other people from your own school were harmed by you. Harming people really must be your specialty. Why don't you see and try it on my body." As he said this, he strode forward step by step. Yujizi held his long sword in front of him and severely shouted, "Stop! Walk one more step and I won't be polite anymore."

Peachtree Flower Fairy said, "Are you being polite right now? This Songshan mountaintop isn't yours. I'm allowed to walk anywhere I want, go to the east, walk to the west, what's that got to do with you?" As he said this, he again walked forward a few more steps and was now only a few feet away from Yujizi. Looking at Peachtree Flower Fairy's ugly, long horse-face with crooked yellow teeth, feeling of extreme loathing grew within Yujizi. With a stab, he thrust out his long sword towards Peachtree Flower Fairy's chest.

Peachtree Flower Fairy hurriedly dodged the stab and scolded, "Smelly traitor, you're really… really attacking!"

Yujizi had already grasped the essence of Taishan School's swordsmans.h.i.+p. As his first attack came out, his second attack followed and the sword moves were extremely fast. Peachtree Flower Fairy had already dodged four attacks in the time he took to scold Yujizi. But Yujizi's sword moves were getting faster and faster, while Peachtree Flower Fairy's hands and legs were very busy dodging in a disorderly fas.h.i.+on. "Woah, woah!" Peachtree Flower Fairy continuously called out. He wanted to take the short iron stick hanging from his waist but he was too slow to do so. As the sword flashed around, Peachtree Flower Fairy's left shoulder was pierced. Immediately within seconds of this, Yujizi's long sword fell from his hand and his whole body flew up into the air. His four limbs were each grabbed by Peachtree Root, Peachtree Trunk, Peachtree Branch, and Peachtree Leaf Fairies. This was like a rabbit caught by a falcon, and happened very quickly.

Suddenly, there was a flash of yellow and a sword chopped down towards Peachtree Branch Fairy's head. Peachtree Fruit Fairy, already beside his brothers to protect them, extended his short iron stick to block the sword. The yellow-clad person sent his second sword thrust towards Peachtree Root Fairy's chest. Peachtree Flower Fairy drew out his short iron stick to block this attack and recognized the yellow-clad person as Songshan School's headmaster, Zuo Lengchan. Zuo Lengchan knew that even though the Peach Valley Six Fairies talked in a jumble, they actually had astonis.h.i.+ng skills. On that year when he sent a master of Huashan School's sword branch, Cheng Buyou, to Mount Huashan, Cheng Buyou was torn into four pieces. When he saw Yujizi captured by these six brothers, he knew he must rescue Yujizi promptly to prevent him from being torn apart. Actually, since he was the host, it was inappropriate for him to just fight as he wanted. But the situation was desperate so he hastily pulled his sword out to help. Zuo Lengchan attacked both Peachtree Branch Fairy and Peachtree Root Fairy to force them to release their hands to dodge the attacks. But he never expected the Peach Valley Six Fairies to work together seamlessly. While four of them were holding the enemy's hands and legs, the remaining two were on the outside protecting. These two sword moves from Zuo Lengchan were swift and fierce but they were successfully blocked by Peachtree Fruit Fairy and Peachtree Flower Fairy.

Actually, Yujizi's life was hanging by a thread. Zuo Lengchan had used his inner energy when he was trading blows with Peachtree Fruit Fairy and Peachtree Flower Fairy because he knew he must force these two people back within six moves. If he didn't manage to do this in six moves, then it might be too late to save Yujizi from being torn apart.

Zuo Lengchan immediately circled his long sword and the sword flashed. A moment later, Yujizi uttered a shout and his head hit the ground. Peachtree Root Fairy and Peachtree Branch Fairy were now each holding an arm, and Peachtree Trunk Fairy was holding a leg. Only Peachtree Leaf Fairy was holding a leg which was still attached to the rest of Yujizi's body.

Zuo Lengchan knew he had no way of forcing the Peach Valley Six Fairies to release Yujizi quickly. So taking the bull by its horn, he chopped both of Yujizi's arms and one of his legs so the four fairies couldn't tear him apart. This situation was very similar to when your hand was bitten by a poisonous snake and you cut your arm off to save yourself. After Zuo Lengchan cut off three of Yujizi's limbs, he antic.i.p.ated the Peach Valley Six Fairies would cease to give anymore trouble to this crippled man. So he retreated with a cold laughter.

Peachtree Branch Fairy said, "Zuo Lengchan, you gave gold and pretty ladies to Yujizi so he helped you to become the headmaster. How come you cut off his arms and legs? Are you trying to silence him?"

Peachtree Root Fairy said, "He's afraid we would tear Yujizi into four pieces. That's why he came out to help. But he got the wrong idea."

Peachtree Fruit Fairy said, "He thought he was being clever. What a pity. How funny. We grabbed Yujizi just to play around with him. Today is the opening day of the Five Mountains School, who would dare to kill people here?"

Peachtree Flower Fairy said, "Yujizi really wanted to kill me. But we're friends from the same school, so why would we kill him? We only wanted to throw him up and down, scare him a bit. But Zuo Lengchan was crude, and his brain is muddled."

Peachtree Leaf Fairy, with his whole body drenched with Yujizi's blood, dragged the leg which was still connected to the body and dropped Yujizi in front of Zuo Lengchan while continuously shaking his head. He said, "Zuo Lengchan, you're too violent. How could you harm Yujizi like this? He doesn't have his two arms and one leg anymore, what should we call him from now on?"

Zuo Lengchan sucked a breath in anger and thought, "If I were just a bit slower, the four of you would've torn Yujizi into four pieces. How can he still live? How dare you to speak such words now! But I have no evidence to make this clear to everyone here."

Peachtree Root Fairy said, "Zuo Lengchan can kill Yujizi with a stab of his sword and give him a clean death. But instead he cut off his two arms and one leg to make him not alive, not dead. So merciless, so heartless."

Peachtree Trunk Fairy said, "Everyone is from the Five Mountains School. If we have any problem, let's talk about it. Why do you need to be so violent? You have no loyalty at all."

'Tower Holding Palm' Ding Mian said loudly, "You six weirdos, whether we move or not, you were going to tear him into four pieces. Headmaster Zuo went in to save Priest Yujizi precisely because he's from the same school. What you said was absurd."

Peachtree Branch Fairy said, "We were clearly just playing around with Yujizi but Zuo Lengchan thought it was real. It's hard to distinguish between real and fake. Zuo Lengchan was just being unwise."

Peachtree Leaf Fairy said, "A gentleman takes responsibility for what he does. You have already harmed Yujizi but you're trying to deny it now. There's no valour in what you're doing. There are so many heroes on this mountaintop who saw you chopped off Yujizi's two arms and leg. Do you think you can still deny it now?"

Peachtree Flower Fairy said, "Heartless, unrighteous, unwise, cowardly. How can this kind of person become the headmaster of the Five Mountains School? Zuo Lengchan, you must be dreaming." When he finished speaking, the six brothers shook their heads together.

Actually, the Taishan School's headmaster would've been torn into four pieces if Zuo Lengchan hadn't use his wonderful sword art to cut off Yujizi's two arms and one leg. The first cla.s.s masters besides the wors.h.i.+pping place naturally could see this, and they were praising Zuo Lengchan's wonderful sword art in their hearts. But the Peach Valley Six Fairies declined this vehemently so it was hard for other people to dispute them. The people who knew that Zuo Lengchan had suffered an injustice found this really funny while the ones who didn't see the real reason felt that Zuo Lengchan behaved very crudely and violently; their faces showed their resentment.

Linghu Chong had already known the Peach Valley Six Fairies for a long time so he had a very good understanding of their characters. He thought, "The Peach Valley Six Fairies attacked Zuo Lengchan with every word they said today. How come their brains are so clear today? Most likely there's someone directing them from the side." He slowly walked closer to the Peach Valley Six Fairies to see which master was helping them, but he saw there was no one else standing beside the Peach Valley Six Fairies. The five brothers were busy trying to stem the bleeding on Peachtree Flower Fairy's shoulder. Linghu Chong turned his head around and gazed to the west. Suddenly he heard a very faint sound in his ear: "Brother Chong, are you looking for me?"

Linghu Chong was surprised and happy. Even though the voice was faint, he heard it clearly and it was Yingying's voice. He turned his head slightly to look at where that voice was coming from. But what he saw was an extremely fat and bearded big man leaning on a big rock, lazily stretching his hand to scratch his head. On this Songshan mountaintop, there was at least around one to two hundred bearded big man so no one would pay any attention to them. Linghu Chong squinted his eyes, and suddenly he saw a cunning and charming smile in that person's eyes. He was exulted and walked towards her. Yingying transmitted her voice to him, "Don't come here, you'll ruin the secret." This voice was very faint, like it was coming from somewhere far.

Linghu Chong promptly halted his step and thought, "I don't know what kind of voice transmitting martial art you have, but it must be one of your father's secret." He immediately understood, "Those words the Peach Valley Six Fairies said were all taught by you. No wonder these six slow-witted people can say something like heartless, unrighteous, unwise, and cowardly." He felt really happy and wanted to show this. He loudly declared, "Peach Valley Seven Fairies' words are reasonable. I know the Peach Valley Six Fairies only have six fairies, but who could've thought they have one more clever and beautiful seventh fairy, the female fairy, Peachtree Calyx Fairy!"

(Translator's note: here's the definition of calyx: the whorl of sepals of a flower collectively forming the outer floral envelope or layer of the perianth enclosing and supporting the developing bud; usually green.)

When the crowd heard Linghu Chong suddenly saying some inanity unexpectedly, they were all startled. Yingying transmitted her voice, "This is a very critical time. You're the headmaster of the Heng-Shan School, so don't say any nonsense. Zuo Lengchan is backed into a corner now, so this is your good opportunity to become the Five Mountains School's headmaster."

Linghu Chong was alarmed and he thought, "Yingying disguised herself so that she could be here at Songshan and help me become the Five Mountains School's headmaster. She's the daughter of the Sun Moon Sect's Chief, and currently a mortal enemy of the orthodox sects. If she's discovered, it's going to be very dangerous. She's braving danger just to help me gain a name in Wulin. She has such deep feelings towards me. I… I… I really don't know how to repay her."

He then heard Peachtree Root Fairy said, "Great Master Fangzheng is such a senior master but you're not willing for him to become the headmaster. Yujizi has no arm and no leg. Zuo Lengchan is heartless and unrighteous. So naturally, neither of them can become the headmaster anymore. Let's choose a young hero who has the world's

number one sword art to become the Five Mountains School's headmaster. If there's anyone who doesn't accept this, then there's no harm in trying out his sword art." As he said this, he opened his left palm and extended his arm towards Linghu Chong.

Peachtree Trunk Fairy said, "This young hero Linghu is Heng-Shan School's headmaster. He has a deep relations.h.i.+p with Huashan School's Mr. Yue, and he's also a good friend of Hengshan School's Mr. Mo Da. Within the five mountains sword schools, three schools have supported him."

Peachtree Branch Fairy said, "Taishan School's priests are all insects (sounds similar to Linghu Chong's name), so most of them naturally support him and not many would go against him."

Peachtree Leaf Fairy said, "Everyone in the Five Mountains School uses a sword. So whoever has the highest sword art will, of course, without a doubt, become the headmaster."

Peachtree Flower Fairy pressed on the injury on his shoulder and said, "Zuo Lengchan, if you don't accept, there's no harm in competing swords with young hero Linghu. Whoever wins will become the Five Mountains School's headmaster. This is called the leaders.h.i.+p challenge sword fight!"

Among the people who had come to Songshan, besides the people from the five mountains sword schools and people like Great Master Fangzheng, Priest Chongxu, and others with an interest in the events, most of the people who came here were looking for some entertainment. Everyone knew that if the merger of the five schools were successful then there would be fighting to decide for the headmaster position. These Jianghu people really didn't care for lengthy debates. They didn't mind when the Peach Valley Six Fairies were entangling Zuo Lengchan with words and saying interesting things. But if everyone were to talk the way Yue Buqun did, and talk until the sun goes down, it would definitely bore the h.e.l.l out of everyone there. So hearing Peachtree Flower Fairy say "leaders.h.i.+p challenge sword fight', they cheered and applauded loudly.

The crowd had seen Priest Tianmen die miserably and they had also seen Zuo Lengchan chopping off limbs. These two events could be said to be scary and too close to reality. But the contest to decide on the headmaster position of the Five Mountains School would involve masters and they would be able to see a few good fights. This would more than satisfy their cravings. That was why the crowd was applauding and cheering excitedly.
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Linghu Chong thought, "I promised Great Master Fangzheng and Priest Chongxu that I will block Zuo Lengchan from becoming the Five Mountains School's headmaster so that he can't cause a disaster in Wulin. But if Master becomes the headmaster, him being a just and fair person, naturally people will be pleased and willing to accept him. Besides him, who else in the five mountains sword schools can do this job?" With a loud voice, he said, "How could everyone forget a most suitable person for this position? If we don't elect the Gentleman Sword Mr. Yue to become our headmaster, whom else can we choose? Mr. Yue's martial art is very high and his knowledge is outstanding. He's also righteous and compa.s.sionate towards people. This is well known, otherwise, how could he have gained the name 'Gentleman Sword'? My Heng-Shan School elects Mr. Yue to be the Five Mountains School's headmaster." After he said this, the disciples of Huashan School applauded and cheered.

From among the Songshan School, someone said, "Even though Mr. Yue is not the wrong choice, he's still below Headmaster Zuo by a notch." Another person said, "Headmaster Zuo has been the chief of the Five Mountains Sword Schools for so many years already. It's very reasonable that he becomes the Five Mountains School's headmaster. Why do we need to elect someone else?" Another person said, "In my opinion, the headmaster of the Five Mountains School must be Headmaster Zuo and none other. Then we'll establish four vice positions for Mr. Yue, Mr. Mo Da, young hero Linghu, and Priest Yu… Yu… Yu… either Priest Yuqingzi or Priest Yuyinzi. That'll be appropriate."

Peachtree Branch Fairy called out, "Yujizi is not dead yet. He only has two shorter arms and a shorter leg. You don't want him anymore?"

Peachtree Leaf Fairy said, "Sword fight, sword fight! Whoever has the best martial art should become the headmaster!"

The thousands of Jianghu people echoed this sentiment by shouting, "Right! Right! Sword fight, sword fight!"

Linghu Chong thought, "In the situation today, Zuo Lengchan must be overthrown first. Then Songshan School will lose their leaders.h.i.+p. Otherwise, my Master would never become the Five Mountains School's headmaster." He immediately drew his sword and called out, "Mr. Zuo, all the realm's heroes are here. They all want us to have a sword fight to take the leaders.h.i.+p. What do you say if we start first?" He inwardly pondered, "Zuo Lengchan's cold palm is very formidable, and my bare hand martial art is nothing compared to his, but I wouldn't lose to him when it comes to sword art. After I've won against Zuo Lengchan, I'll lose to Master and no one would be able to say anything. If Mr. Mo Da were to fight, he won't necessarily be able to beat Master. Two masters from the Taishan School are injured and dead, so they wouldn't have anyone who could compete well enough anymore. If my sword art isn't Zuo Lengchan's match and I lose to him, I would've still exhausted a lot of his internal energy. My Master can fight him afterwards and have a very good chance of winning." He hacked twice with his long sword and said, "Mr. Zuo, everyone in the five mountains sword schools uses sword, so we'll decide this with a sword." He said this first to prevent Zuo Lengchan from suggesting they fight barehanded.

The crowd called out one by one, "Young hero Linghu is quick with his word, fight with the sword." "The winner becomes the headmaster, the loser gets ready to receive his order. That's a fair deal, that's the best way." "Mr. Zuo, get down and accept this challenge. What are you scrupling about, afraid to lose?" "You already talked for half a day, what else is there to say? Go and fight!"

In a moment, that Songshan mountaintop was all a clamour with shouts. Everyone was shouting; even the most experienced seniors were shouting. These people were invited by Zuo Lengchan, but this matter of who would become the Five Mountains School's headmaster had nothing to do with them. They originally didn't want to b.u.t.t in, but a martial art compet.i.tion to take the leaders.h.i.+p would be very exciting to watch, so they were all hoping to watch a few good fights. With this added urgings from the guests, it became imperative that if they didn't have a compet.i.tion then this headmaster position would not be decided.

Linghu Chong was very happy to see this and he called out, "Mr. Zuo, if you're not willing to cross swords with me, how can you be the Five Mountains School's headmaster in the presence of all these people?"

The crowd called out one by one, "Sword fight, sword fight! Not fighting isn't for a hero, but for a dog!"

Many people from the Songshan School knew Linghu Chong's sword art was wonderful, and Zuo Lengchan could not be guaranteed a win against him. But there was no good reason to say why Zuo Lengchan couldn't compete swords with him. So all they could do was scowl and stay silent. In all the clamour, a clear voice was heard, "All the heroes here want a sword fight to decide the Five Mountains School's headmaster. We can't just brush away their wonderful idea." The person who said this was Yue Buqun.

The crowd called out, "Mr. Yue is right, sword fight to take the leaders.h.i.+p, sword fight to take the leaders.h.i.+p!"

Yue Buqun said, "Sword fight to take the leaders.h.i.+p is one thing. But the real intention of our five mountains sword schools merging into one is to lessen the fighting between schools. That's why in this martial art compet.i.tion, once the result is decided you must stay your hand and not take your opponent's life. Otherwise, it would be a great violation against the real intention of our five mountains school's merger."

When the crowd heard him talking of leaders.h.i.+p, they all quietened down. A big man said, "That's all good, but sabres and swords don't have eyes. So if you die, that's your own bad luck. Who can you blame?" Another person said, "If you're afraid of death or injury, go hide at home and hug your doll. Why would you be here to become the Five Mountains School's headmaster?" The crowd burst into laughter.

Yue Buqun said, "Even so, to be injury free is always wonderful. I only have a few shallow ideas, but please consider them."

Someone called out, "Quickly fight! What else is there to say?" Another person said, "Don't blindly disturb him. Hear what Mr. Yue has to say." The person before said, "Who's disturbing? Go home and ask your darling!" The other person hurled abuses back.

Yue Buqun said, "Anyone here is ent.i.tled to partic.i.p.ate in the leaders.h.i.+p sword fight, but there are some stipulations…" His internal energy was abundant. When he talked, he completely drowned the voices of those people hurling abuses at each other. They turned around to listen to him continue, "The leaders.h.i.+p martial art compet.i.tion is to contend for the leaders.h.i.+p of the Five Mountains School. For that reason, if you're not a member of the Five Mountains School, you can't come and fight even if you have heavenly skills. Otherwise, this fight would be called 'World's Number One' fight, and not a way to decide the leaders.h.i.+p of the Five Mountains School."

The crowd all answered, "Right! Non-members of the Five Mountains School can't come and compete." There was also a person who said, "Let's all fight to become the 'World's Number One'; that's also good!" This person was obviously talking nonsense, so no one replied to him.

Yue Buqun said, "Concerning this martial art compet.i.tion, about not taking other's life and not injuring people from the same school, Mr. Zuo, please tell us what you think."

Zuo Lengchan coldly said, "Of course you cannot take another person's life in this fight. But not to injure other people would be very difficult. What's Mr. Yue's esteemed opinion in this?"

Yue Buqun said, "I believe the best way would be to ask Great Master Fangzheng, Priest Chongxu, Beggar Clan Leader Xie, Qingcheng School Priest Yu, and other virtuous senior masters in Wulin to be judges. Who wins and who loses will be decided by them to avoid people fighting endlessly. We're just deciding the leaders.h.i.+p, not life and death."

Fangzheng said, "Good, good! 'Deciding the leaders.h.i.+p and not life and death', these words will stop blood from being spilled. What does Mr. Zuo think?"

"Since it's Great Master's concern for my humble sect, I'll definitely obey it. We were originally the five mountains sword schools, so each school should send out one person to compete in swords to take the leaders.h.i.+p. Otherwise, each school will send out hundreds of people and the compet.i.tion will drag on for years without any conclusion," Zuo Lengchan replied.

The crowd felt that it wouldn't be very lively if there were only five people fighting. But if each school were to send out its headmaster, then no one else from any of the schools would be able to put up a challenge anyway. They then heard the people from Songshan School cheering, so no one else objected to this.

Peachtree Branch Fairy suddenly said, "Taishan School's headmaster is Yujizi. Will this ox-nosed priest with no arms and no leg also come forth and compete?"

Peachtree Leaf Fairy replied, "He's only missing both arms and a leg, why can't he go forth and compete? He still has one remaining leg. He can take off and kick people."

When the crowd heard this, they couldn't help laughing.

Yuyinzi from Taishan School indignantly said, "These six weirdos harmed my martial brother Yujizi and made him a cripple. Yet, they're still here ridiculing him. I want each of their arms and legs cut off. Come, let's fight one on one!" After he said this, he immediately drew his sword out and stood there. This Yuyinzi was tall and thin, and had an imposing appearance. As he stood there with a solemn demeanour and with his priest robe floating in the wind, he looked really grand. The crowd cheered for him.

Peachtree Root Fairy said, "From the Taishan School, you're the one who's going to compete for the leaders.h.i.+p?"

Peachtree Leaf Fairy said, "Were you selected by your school or did you volunteer yourself?"

Yuyinzi replied, "How does that concern you?"

Peachtree Leaf Fairy said, "Of course it concerns us. Not only it concerns us, it greatly concerns us, it extremely concerns us. If you were selected by the Taishan School to compete for the leaders.h.i.+p, then once you lose, Taishan School's second person cannot compete again."

Yuyinzi said, "The second person cannot come out to compete, so what?"

Suddenly someone from the Taishan School said, "Martial Brother Yuyinzi isn't my choice. If he lose, of course, another master from Taishan School can go out." The person who said this was Yuqingzi.

Peachtree Flower Fairy said, "Haha, another master; is that you?"

"Good, maybe it's me," Yuqingzi answered.

Peachtree Fruit Fairy called out, "Everyone look. Taishan School again has an internal strife. Priest Tianmen has already died and Priest Yuji is injured. These two people are again fighting to become Taishan School's headmaster."

"Nonsense!" Yuyinzi retorted.

But Yuqingzi was smiling coldly and didn't say anything.

Peachtree Flower Fairy said, "So who's going to compete for the Taishan School?"

Yuqingzi and Yuyinzi answered at the same time, "Me!"

Peachtree Root Fairy said, "Alright, the two of you fight first and see who's stronger. Talking won't clear it up but there will definitely be a winner and a loser after you fight."

Yuqingzi came out and waved his hand. "Martial brother, step back! Don't get ridiculed by other people."

"Why would other people ridicule me? Martial Brother Yuji was heavily injured, I just want to take revenge for him," Yuyinzi interjected.

"Are you taking revenge or competing for the leaders.h.i.+p?"

"Do you think we can be the Five Mountains School's headmaster based on our measly skills? Isn't that absurd? Everyone from Taishan School has unanimously supported Chief Zuo to be our Five Mountains School's headmaster a long time ago. Why would we two brothers go out and be shamed?" Yuyinzi reasoned.

"In that case, step back. I'm the eldest in Taishan School right now."

Yuyinzi coldly laughed and said, "Hmmph, you might be the oldest, but looking at what you do every day, do you think anyone in the school still respects you?"

Yuqingzi became angry and said fiercely, "What's your meaning? You refuse to acknowledge the order of seniority? What's our school's number one rule?"

"Haha, don't forget, we're now members of the Five Mountains School. We entered the Five Mountains School at the same year, same month, same time. What order of seniority? The rules of the Five Mountains School haven't been drawn up yet, so what number one, number two? You mentioned the Taishan School's rule to keep me under control. It's a pity there's only Five Mountains School now," Yuyinzi said.

Yuqingzi didn't know what to say. His left hand pointed at Yuyinzi's nose and he angrily said, "You… you… you…"

The thousands of men called out, "Fight! See who's got higher skills!"