Starting With The Martial Arts Holy Fire Order

Chapter 37: Secretly Bringing Miss Ji Back

Daiqisi snorted, “What a nice thing to say! I don’t believe that all you so-called righteous sect members are good people. Don’t tell me none of you have ever killed innocents or done bad things!”

Before Extermination Master Tai could respond, Ji Xiaofu spoke up,

“Miss, I admit that there are a few scoundrels in the righteous sects, but that doesn’t represent our usual conduct. If any disciple commits wrongdoings, most sect leaders will deal with them harshly. Unlike your Devil Sect, where no one is held accountable even if they do something terrible.”

“You…”

Daiqisi was momentarily speechless.

Ling Yihan smiled slightly.

“Well said. No wonder you’re the favored disciple of Master Tai. But just how much do you know about right and wrong in the martial world? Do you really think every righteous sect punishes disciples for their misdeeds? How naive! Enough—since we can’t agree, there’s no point in talking further. Ah-Qi, Qingyang, let’s go!”

With that, Ling Yihan led Daiqisi and Hu Qingyang out of the inn.

“Wait, Leader Ling, I’d like our sect’s treasured Heaven-Relying Sword returned to me!” Extermination Master Tai called after him.

Ling Yihan snickered.

“Master Tai, did you buy the Heaven-Relying Sword? Or forge it yourself? Do you have any proof that it belongs to the Emei Sect?”

She replied sternly,

“The Heaven-Relying Sword has belonged to our Emei Sect since Lady Guo founded it. This is well-known throughout the martial world. Are you intending to take it by force?”

Ling Yihan burst into laughter.

“Nonsense! Whether Lady Guo Xiang once possessed the Heaven-Relying Sword is a matter from decades ago. Who’s to say she didn’t seize it from someone else? And besides, I didn’t steal it from your Emei Sect—I took it from the Yuan soldiers, our people’s enemies. Why shouldn’t I claim it as mine? If your sect couldn’t even keep it safe back then, it proves you’re unworthy of it. If you truly have the skill, try to take it back from me at the Martial Arts Conference in two days.”

Without looking back, he left with Daiqisi and Hu Qingyang.

“Master, that brat was so arrogant! He didn’t even respect you…” Ding Minjun muttered bitterly.

Slap!

Suddenly, Extermination Master Tai slapped her, speaking coldly.

“If I failed to reclaim the Heaven-Relying Sword from the Devil Sect, it’s my own incompetence. Complaining afterward—that’s not the way of the righteous.”

“Disciple… disciple understands…” Ding Minjun replied, holding her cheek in pain, her eyes reddening.

Ji Xiaofu watched Ling Yihan’s figure disappear, sighing quietly as she wondered what was on her mind.

Back at their lodging, Daiqisi playfully teased Ling Yihan,

“Brother Ling, did you take a liking to that girl named Ji Xiaofu at the inn today?”

Ling Yihan silently cursed at women’s intuition, laughing it off.

“Ah-Qi, what nonsense are you saying? I only just met her today. How could I have taken a liking to her?”

Hu Qingyang shook her head skeptically.

“You’re lying. I saw you staring at her just now. Your eyes were practically glued to her.”

Ling Yihan replied awkwardly,

“Was it that obvious? I was just curious. She’s young and likely entered the sect recently, and her martial skills are unremarkable. Why does that old nun Extermination Master Tai favor her so much?”

Daiqisi thought for a moment.

“Hmm, while Miss Ji’s skills aren’t impressive, she’s quite courageous. Earlier, when Extermination Master Tai was subdued by you, none of the other disciples dared to act, but she drew her sword to save her master. Such loyalty shows she’s a good person.”

Hu Qingyang added with a mischievous smile,

“She’s also quite pretty. Brother Ling has good taste. Sister Ah-Qi, how about this—we sneak into Emei’s camp tonight, bring Miss Ji here, and leave her on Brother Ling’s bed? That way, they’ll be as good as married. What do you say?”

Daiqisi covered her mouth, laughing.

“Good idea, Sister Qingyang! Not only would it fulfill Brother Ling’s wishes, it would also infuriate that old nun. A double win!”

Ling Yihan felt more embarrassed as he listened.

“Ahem… When did you two become so… devious? Weren’t you the Holy Maiden of Persia, and the innocent lady from Butterfly Valley?”

Since that wild night, Daiqisi had revealed her true identity to Hu Qingyang, who was initially shocked but soon accepted it and continued treating her like a sister.

“Hmph! After what you did to us, you still have the nerve to call me a Holy Maiden?” Daiqisi playfully stuck her tongue out.

“Sister, let’s teach him a lesson tonight!”

“Agreed!” Hu Qingyang responded, and together they pounced on Ling Yihan.

That night, sleep was out of the question.

Two days passed quickly. After the encounter with the Emei Sect, other martial sects had also arrived.

In addition to the host, the Ming Sect, attendees at the Martial Arts Conference included the Six Great Sects: Shaolin, Wudang, Emei, Kongtong, Huashan, and Kunlun.

There were also smaller sects like the Sea Sand Sect, the Giant Whale Sect, and the Divine Fist School. Although the Beggars’ Sect, once the largest sect in the world, had declined, they too sent an elder to represent them.

On the day the Ming Sect elders reached the summit of Mount Tai, they found various sects arguing, nearly breaking into a fight.

The disciples who had prepared the site reported to Ling Yihan that the quarrel was over seat arrangements. Shaolin and Wudang, being the foremost sects, were seated facing south from the north. Emei was next, followed by Kongtong. However, Huashan and Kunlun were bickering over whose leader should sit higher.

Watching the scene, Ling Yihan couldn’t help but chuckle.

“They’re already bickering over such a trivial matter, and I haven’t even revealed the Dragon-Slaying Saber or Heaven-Relying Sword yet. This Martial Arts Conference promises to be lively.”

“Hmph! These so-called righteous sects are disgusting!” Daiqisi scoffed in disdain.