Immortality begins with the Swordsman.

Chapter 41 The True Lineage of Mount Hua

The lively drinking contest quickly came to an end, and the onlookers all dispersed.

Because Ouyang Qingzhao publicly announced: "I will return to Chang'an tomorrow."

Upon hearing the confirmation, the Sword Sect disciples immediately dispersed, each returning to their rooms to pack their belongings.

Only Gu Changfeng remained unmoved.

He took a few steps closer and said solemnly, "Uncle-Master Ouyang, I want to know why you have been so slow to return to Chang'an."

Ouyang Qing leaned back in his chair, stretched, and chuckled, "You've always been clever, why don't you tell me your guess first?"

Gu Changfeng pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Hmm, I have a feeling you're planning something big, but I lack the experience to guess. However, I know a saying: 'If you don't cut the weeds at the root, they'll grow back in the spring breeze.'"

Ouyang Qingzhao chuckled and said, "Haha, always talking about eliminating the root of the problem. If I didn't know your background, I would suspect you're a member of the Demonic Sect."

He changed the subject, his expression softening slightly, and said in a calm tone, "You're blaming me for not killing that kid surnamed Zuo, aren't you?"

Gu Changfeng nodded, his expression serious: "This man is wicked. He has only just begun to show his talent, yet he dares to plot against my Huashan Sect in secret. As his power grows, he will surely become a great threat."

Ouyang Qingzhao did not rush to refute, but instead reached out and took the four empty bowls, arranging them into a square.

"The evil cult has taken up residence in Hebei."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and pointed to one of the bowls, then pointed to the other three in turn: "Mount Heng in the North, Mount Song in the Center, and Mount Tai in the East—the three sects are positioned in three directions, forming a defensive triangle. Only by joining forces can we restrain the Demonic Sect."

After saying this, he took a fifth bowl, gently placed it on the west side, paused briefly, and said, "But our Mount Hua is far away in Shaanxi."

He looked up at Gu Changfeng, his tone leisurely yet carrying a hint of deeper meaning: "Take a good look at this layout, and then look at those three factions—what do they resemble?"

Gu Changfeng frowned and said, "A line of defense."

"That's right." Ouyang Qingzhao smiled slightly. "Those three sects are a shield for our Huashan sect—a shield used to defend against the Demonic Sect."

He then pointed to the bowl named "Songshan" and said, "The most crucial link is Songshan. It is located between my Huashan and the Demonic Sect. If the Demonic Sect wants to attack our Huashan, they cannot bypass Songshan."

"Therefore, the Songshan Sect cannot be weak. However, the Songshan Sect leader, Songyangzi, is already old. If I kill his disciple, the Five Mountains Alliance will inevitably crack and fall apart." At this point, his tone became a bit more serious: "We are still too weak now. Even with the natural defenses of Mount Hua, we may not be able to stop the Demonic Sect from coming in full force."

"That young man Zuo Lengchan possesses both martial arts skills and talent, and he will surely bring glory to the Songshan Sect. With them blocking the way in front, our Huashan Sect can recuperate and build up its strength in the rear. Why not?"

Gu Changfeng fell silent.

He finally understood that this was a strategic compromise for the sake of the bigger picture and the future.

After a long while, he looked up at Ouyang Qingzhao and softly uttered two words: "Impressive."

Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind, and he asked, "Then Mount Heng in the south is far away in Hunan, what business do they have with it?"

Ouyang Qingzhao said calmly, "When Hubei and Hunan are prosperous, the whole country is well-fed. Do you understand what that means?"

Gu Changfeng nodded: "I understand, they produce a lot of grain." Their Five Mountains Sword Sect deals in salt and grain.

Ouyang Qingzhao showed a look of satisfaction and said, "This child is teachable."

Gu Changfeng suddenly asked, "But what if Zuo Lengchan really grows up and becomes a threat to us?"

Ouyang Qingzhao smiled confidently: "As long as I am alive, he will never be able to cause any trouble in his life. He will always be a shield for our Huashan Sect."

Gu Changfeng: "..."

He was speechless for a moment, then said solemnly, "Uncle-Master, don't say such things."

Ouyang Qingzhao smiled lightly, her expression full of indifference.

Gu Changfeng sighed: "Well, back to Chang'an, what are your plans regarding the three major families hunting us down, Uncle? Are you not going to go back and take revenge, wiping out their entire families?"

Ouyang Qingzhao frowned, looking him up and down. "It's either eliminating the root of the problem or wiping out the entire family. You're really not from the Demonic Sect?"

Gu Changfeng rolled his eyes: "No!"

Ouyang Qingzhao said calmly, "Our Huashan Sect is a prestigious and righteous sect. We cannot personally carry out the extermination of an entire family; it would be easy for us to be criticized."

Gu Changfeng was stunned for a moment, then his eyes widened suddenly: "Uncle-Master, you just said 'cannot do it personally,' not 'cannot do it at all'?"

Ouyang Qingzhao chuckled lightly: "That's your own idea, I didn't say anything..."

Gu Changfeng leaned closer with a smile and said, "Uncle-Master, please tell me. This disciple is young and ignorant, and really can't understand these intricacies."

Ouyang Qingzhao sighed and said, "Actually, young people shouldn't be exposed to the dark ways of the world too early, as it can easily make them lose their ambition. But your heart is probably already black, so it doesn't hurt to tell you."

He paused, his gaze darkening slightly. "You only need to consider one question—if the news that the elite forces of the three major families have all perished at our hands were to reach Chang'an, what consequences would it cause?"

Gu Changfeng pondered for a moment, his mind racing.

Now, the elites of the three major families have all been lost, leaving behind only a group of old, weak, women and children, who are powerless to protect themselves.

His eyes lit up, and he tentatively asked, "Is it a case of everyone kicking someone when they're down?"

Ouyang Qingzhao nodded slightly and said, "That's right. With the three elites dead, the remaining people will have no power to protect themselves and will be reluctant to give up their huge family fortunes—that is the real disaster."

He paused, then continued, "If they could have fled Chang'an lightly equipped like we have, perhaps they would have had a chance. Unfortunately, I received news this morning that someone has intervened and killed all three families..."

As he spoke, Ouyang Qingzhao made a "slashing" gesture.

Gu Changfeng asked in confusion, "Someone? Who is it?"

Ouyang Qingzhao smiled gently and pointed to the sky.

Gu Changfeng paused for a moment, then revealed a knowing expression: "As expected, they're the worst!"

Suddenly, he panicked and blurted out, "Then all the spoils we worked so hard to acquire will just be picked up by them for nothing?"

"Don't worry, what's rightfully ours will be ours, not a penny less." A hint of sarcasm flashed in Ouyang Qingzhao's eyes. "After all, we've cleansed three major cancers for them, and they should be grateful for that 'favor'."

Gu Changfeng stood there stunned for a moment, his expression complicated.

After a moment, he silently turned around and went back to his room to pack his bags.

Only Ouyang Qingzhao and Ye Qingge remained sitting opposite each other, the autumn wind blowing gently, the aroma of wine still lingering.

Ye Qingge suddenly spoke up: "I quite like Changfeng, that child."

"I like it too," Ouyang Qingzhao nodded. "She has a sharp edge and a sense of responsibility, which is great."

Ye Qingge chuckled softly, her tone half-serious and half-joking: "It wouldn't be a bad idea to marry Ling Shuang to him, use him to stabilize the Qi Sect, and then plan for the future."

Ouyang Qingzhao nodded in agreement, her expression calm: "That's what I was planning to do too."

Ye Qingge nodded and said, "Everything is ready, except for the final push. I hope nothing goes wrong when the time comes."

Ouyang Qingzhao said calmly, "It won't cause chaos. I went to such great lengths to protect more Sword Sect disciples so that we can return to the mountain and 'set things right'."

Ye Qingge sighed, "Alas, such a good sect has been turned into a mess by those two. They really should step down and make way for more capable people."

Ouyang Qingzhao sighed slightly and said, "Yes! What Mount Hua needs now is a sharp sword—a sword that can cut through the gloom and point straight to the light."

Ye Qingge tilted her head back and took a sip of wine. The autumn wind, sharp as a blade, brushed against her frosty face, causing a few strands of her dark hair to flutter wildly. Her eyes were calm as still water, yet within that deathly stillness, a hint of madness quietly flickered:

"Before the age of thirty, one should focus on the sword, compete with heroes from all over the world, and show one's true heroic nature; after the age of thirty, one should calm one's mind and then cultivate one's inner energy to seek the Dao. This is the only path for the Huashan Sect."

"They are blinded by hatred and will only lead our Huashan Sect into the abyss..."