Chapter 96

The valley was silent, and everyone watched Su Xinghe and Xuzhu, this pair of master and apprentice, with curiosity about the sharp words they exchanged. Although Xuzhu was no longer the foolish monk from his previous life, his thoughts were still naively pure, unable to understand the intricacies, and even more puzzled by why his usually kind elder brother was so stern and strange today.

Seeing Xuzhu's confusion, Su Xinghe sighed inwardly.

The rules of the Lingxiao Sect required that new disciples must be handsome, but Xuzhu was a smelly monk, and Xiao Feng was not particularly handsome either. Yet, they were both disciples of the Lingxiao Sect, leaving everyone helpless. As for the requirements of proficiency in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, medicine, divination, and astrology, they were even more irrelevant. Xuzhu knew some medicine, but Xiao Feng was a complete warrior, completely violating the rules of the Lingxiao Sect. This was probably one of the reasons why his master and grandmaster did not get along.

As for Su Xinghe himself, he did not dislike Xuzhu. On the contrary, he was somewhat grateful to him, as he had removed the traitor Ding Chunqiu. After two meetings, Su Xinghe knew that Xuzhu was a simple and honest person. How could he dislike such a person? However, he had to respect his master's orders and maintain the dignity of his elder brother and the sect leader.

With a mind full of chaotic thoughts, Su Xinghe had no intention of making things difficult. He flicked his sleeve and walked back to the chessboard, sitting down.

"Is there anyone else who wishes to experience the Linglong chess puzzle?" His gaze fell on Bai Xiaosheng, the only young and elegant person left. Unfortunately, Bai Xiaosheng had no interest in it.

Bai Xiaosheng had the Beiming Divine Skill and other powerful skills that were not inferior to it. He was a treasure trove of martial arts. His only problem now was the insufficiency of his internal energy after re-cultivation. However, he was unwilling to accept Wuyazi's transmission of power, as it was not his own cultivated internal energy. Even if it was pure, it contained Wuyazi's spirit, which would be a disaster for him.

Therefore, even if he could solve the Linglong, he would not step forward. Besides, he had already tried at the Jianhu Palace and could not solve it.

Seeing Bai Xiaosheng's indifference, Su Xinghe shook his head in disappointment. At that moment, the captured Yue Laosan suddenly shouted, "Old man, our leader is here to solve the puzzle. Quickly let that kid release us so our leader can solve your damn chess puzzle."

Su Xinghe frowned and turned to look at the shouting Yue Laosan. This guy was a simpleton, but his words annoyed Su Xinghe. He coldly looked at Xuzhu and said, "Little Brother Xuzhu, these three are my guests..."

His words were simple, essentially asking Xuzhu to release the three. By saying this, he was trying to embarrass Xuzhu. However, Xuzhu was not one to care about face. He smiled awkwardly and said, "Elder Brother, these are all evil people?"

"So what if they are evil? Are you afraid your elder brother can't handle them?" Su Xinghe retorted, leaving Xuzhu speechless. He could not respond to that.

Sighing inwardly, Xuzhu waved his hand, and the disciples immediately untied the three.

Duan Yanqing coldly snorted. He was a well-known figure in the martial world, and although he was evil, being captured and tied up like this was a great embarrassment.

Glancing at the Linglong chess puzzle, Duan Yanqing lost interest. He tapped his iron staffs and flew straight out of the valley. Yue Laosan and Ye Erniang followed closely, and Su Xinghe did not try to stop them at all.

Xuzhu watched the three leave, hesitating, but ultimately did not make a move. Just as they were about to leave the valley, Bai Xiaosheng suddenly spoke, "Ye Erniang, I think it's better for you to stay. There are many young talents gathered here today."

The words "young talents" were emphasized, making Ye Erniang shudder.

Bai Xiaosheng had lived a long life and knew about his son and men. Ye Erniang did not fully believe him because he had not provided any evidence. However, his words today made her heart tremble violently.

Perhaps Bai Xiaosheng did not know, but his words were what Ye Erniang wanted to hear. It was her lifelong wish!

Indeed, she stopped. Duan Yanqing frowned and said, "Second Sister..."

Ye Erniang shook her head at them, gritted her teeth, and walked back, standing behind Bai Xiaosheng. Duan Yanqing coldly snorted but said nothing, taking Yue Laosan and leaving.

The people in the valley looked at Ye Erniang standing behind Bai Xiaosheng, completely puzzled. What was going on? She was about to leave, why did she come back? Was she looking for death?

"Second Brother, this..." Duan Yu pulled Bai Xiaosheng, unsure what to say. Bai Xiaosheng shook his head, and on the other side, Jiumozhi sneered, "Are you the leader of the Beggar Sect? How can the Beggar Sect now cooperate with the Four Evils?"

Bai Xiaosheng turned to look at him and sneered, "Jiumozhi, you should take care of yourself. As a monk, you are full of greed, anger, and delusion, and do not deserve to be a high monk."

"You..." Jiumozhi was furious, but thinking of Bai Xiaosheng's martial arts, he stopped, not making a move. He then said, "Ye Erniang has committed countless evil deeds in the martial world, killing many infants. I believe the righteous people of the martial world will not let her go. It's a pity that with the protection of the Beggar Sect, such an evil person can live well."

His sarcastic words made many frown and dislike Bai Xiaosheng's actions, but Bai Xiaosheng ignored them and walked to Ye Erniang, speaking in a voice only they could hear, "Don't you want to see your son? That Xuzhu is him."

Ye Erniang's eyes widened in disbelief. She suddenly turned her head, her gaze filled with complex emotions, and thought, "My son, my son, is this my son?"

She could hardly believe it was really her son, but she hoped it was true, as it would allow her to see her long-missed son.

"He is a great hero in the martial world, famous in one region, and you have committed countless evil deeds. What a pity," Bai Xiaosheng said coldly, his voice almost inaudible, making Ye Erniang shudder again.

The others watched Ye Erniang's changing expression with great curiosity. What did Bai Xiaosheng say to make her so shocked?

Suddenly, Ye Erniang walked to Xuzhu and bowed, saying, "Great Hero Xuzhu, I have committed countless evil deeds and should have committed suicide to atone for my sins. However, I have an unfulfilled wish and cannot die. Great Hero Xuzhu, I wish to become your disciple and do good deeds to atone for my sins. I beg you to accept me."

Her words left everyone puzzled, and Xuzhu was even more confused. What was going on? Did a few words from Bai Xiaosheng turn the evil Ye Erniang into a good person, reforming her?

Everyone looked at Ye Erniang, Xuzhu, and Bai Xiaosheng with surprise, wondering what Bai Xiaosheng had said.

Xuzhu, who was shocked, finally came to his senses. He thought that if Ye Erniang truly changed, it would be a good thing, so he said, "If Ye Erniang truly changes, it will be a good thing. Xuzhu will accept you as a disciple."

"Thank you, Xuzhu!" Ye Erniang was overjoyed.

Her decision was partly due to Bai Xiaosheng's words. If Xuzhu was really her son, she, the evil mother, would not dare to recognize him. Thus, staying by his side, watching him, and accompanying him was what Ye Erniang could do. If Xuzhu was not her son, she could use this time to find evidence to prove it.

Ye Erniang's matter was quickly resolved, and the others did not try to solve the Linglong chess puzzle. Su Xinghe was in a bad mood, as he had not found anyone to solve the puzzle and could not fulfill his master's wish.

He looked at Xuzhu and said coldly, "Little Brother Xuzhu, if you have nothing else, please leave."

Xuzhu smiled bitterly, took a few steps forward, and bowed, saying, "Elder Brother, I am here on my master's orders. My master left a will, stating that if you invite talented people from all over to solve the Linglong, I should go to Wuliang Mountain to investigate some matters. If everything is as my master predicted, then the disciple of the second uncle will be determined."

"What do you mean by that?" Su Xinghe frowned, his face extremely ugly. He was somewhat afraid of his mysterious grandmaster.

"Elder Brother, don't misunderstand. My master did not mean me, but the person who learned the Lingxiao Sect's secret manual at Wuliang Mountain," Xuzhu explained, making Su Xinghe suddenly understand. Yes, he had heard his master say that he once lived in seclusion at Wuliang Mountain. Did he leave a secret manual there?

Su Xinghe's gaze swept over everyone, guessing who the lucky person might be.

Beside him, Bai Xiaosheng sighed inwardly. This time-traveler was truly remarkable. He had taken Xuzhu and added Duan Yu. However, he did not expect that Duan Yu would not go to the Jianhu Palace this time. Fortunately, he had taught Duan Yu the Beiming Divine Skill, or he, Bai Xiaosheng, would have to become the Lingxiao Sect's leader.

With this thought, Bai Xiaosheng's mischievous mind resurfaced. He gently pushed Duan Yu from behind, and he immediately stepped forward, drawing everyone's attention.

For a moment, all eyes were on Duan Yu.

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