Chapter 96

Chapter 95. If we lose to those brats, we're all dead. (5)

The day of the Huazong Assembly had arrived.

Xianzhong quietly looked at the second-generation and third-generation disciples lined up in front of him.

Their faces were incredibly tense, which made Xianzhong's heart ache. The children in front of him understood the heavy burden they carried as they prepared for the Huazong Assembly.

His heart ached.

He wasn't sure when it had become so distorted, but this burden should have been carried by the elders of the sect, including the Grandmaster. However, at some point, the task of proving the sect's strength and upholding its honor had been passed to the children.

The second-generation disciples were too young to bear such a burden.

The third-generation disciples were no exception.

Despite this, he was deeply grateful to the children who stepped forward without a single complaint, and thus felt even more apologetic.

"Grandmaster."

Xianying subtly gave a hint, and Xianzhong slightly raised his head.

He had let the children stand there for too long, lost in his thoughts.

Xianzhong cleared his throat softly to change the atmosphere and spoke in a gentle voice.

"Everyone looks so tense."

Xianzhong slowly looked around at the children and shook his head.

"There's no need to be so stiff. Winning or losing isn't important. Just use this Huazong Assembly as a stepping stone for yourselves."

Xianzhong met everyone's eyes and spoke with determination.

"Regardless of the outcome, you will still be proud disciples of Huashan. Just remember that."

His words were simple.

They didn't boost the morale of those about to compete, nor did they instill a sense of pride in upholding Huashan's honor.

But his words gently eased the minds of the disciples who were carrying a heavy burden and feeling tense.

As everyone's expressions softened, Xianzhong nodded.

"I'll be watching. Go on."

With that, Xianzhong turned and walked away. Xianying quickly followed by his side.

"Are you not going together?"

"Even if it's a competition, those who are competing and those who are watching cannot go together. They have things to discuss among themselves. Let the children be alone."

"Yes, Grandmaster."

Xianying nodded, and the other Huashan elders and disciples quickly followed Xianzhong.

As the second-generation and third-generation disciples relaxed their breathing, one person stepped forward.

Baitian.

He stood in front of everyone with a resolute expression.

"Today, we fight Zhongnan."

Baitian's gaze briefly shifted to Qingming before returning to its original position.

"As the Grandmaster said, there's no shame in losing. The shame lies in not giving your all. When you compete, remember that you are disciples of Huashan."

"Yes, Senior Brother!"

"Let's go!"

Baitian led the second-generation disciples with a determined face toward the competition venue. The faces of the second-generation disciples who followed him showed firm resolve. Even Yu Yixue, who was walking at the back, had a different, more solemn expression than usual.

"Ahem."

As the second-generation disciples moved away, Yunzhong quietly stepped forward.

The third-generation disciples enthusiastically welcomed Yunzhong.

"What? What do you want to say, Senior Brother?"

"Let's just get it over with. This is going to take all day."

"Ha. They say a title can drive a person mad."

These brats...

"Give me the same respect you give to Baitian!"

"Fine, let's just get it over with. My legs hurt."

"If we're going to do this, let's all speak at once. Senior Brother Zhaogel, go stand at the back to save time."

"Ugh."

Yunzhong sighed deeply.

'They used to be such good kids.'

How did it come to this?

Yunzhong turned his head to look at the culprit of all this.

Despite the grand event of the Huazong Assembly, Qingming was slouching with a look of extreme boredom.

"Qingming."

"Yes?"

"Nothing to say?"

Qingming smirked.

"What's the big deal?"

Qingming briefly turned his head to look at the competition venue.

"We need to finish quickly and eat. Let's go."

Yunzhong couldn't help but smile.

"Alright, you brat."

One thing he was sure of: although Qingming was a pain in the ass most of the time, he was always reliable when it mattered.

"Let's go!"

Yunzhong led the way, and everyone followed him to the competition venue.

Qingming, who followed behind, quietly smiled.

* * *

The Huazong Assembly was originally created to facilitate exchanges between Huashan and Zhongnan.

Of course, both Huashan and Zhongnan had their own hidden agendas, but on the surface, the purpose was to foster exchanges centered around the competition.

Therefore, the Huazong Assembly did not accept outside visitors.

Until now, only the disciples of Huashan and Zhongnan gathered to compete against each other.

This Huazong Assembly was no different.

Everyone thought so until they arrived at the competition venue.

Murmurs filled the air.

"..."

Xianzhong opened his eyes wide and looked at the training ground.

After passing through the gate of Huashan, the large training ground immediately came into view. Due to the nature of the competition, a wide space was necessary, so the Huazong Assembly was always held here.

Until now, the wide training ground was flanked by the disciples of Huashan and Zhongnan, but today, a strange scene unfolded.

"Who are these people...?"

Around the training ground where the Huazong Assembly was to take place, a crowd of unknown people had gathered.

Worse still, more people were pouring in through the gate.

What was even more peculiar was that those entering were carrying various items. They were setting up chairs and tables around the training ground.

Xianzhong was taken aback by the unexpected situation and lost his words for a moment. Yunyan approached with a worried look.

"Grandmaster."

"What's going on here?"

"The people who gathered at the gate demanded entry to watch the Huazong Assembly. With so many people, we couldn't just turn them away."

"Hmm."

Xianzhong sighed.

"Did Zhongnan invite them?"

If so, the purpose was clear.

They wanted to show Huashan's defeat to these people in a stark manner.

At first, he didn't notice, but upon closer inspection, the attire of the people was quite elaborate. Some faces were familiar to Xianzhong, indicating that they had likely invited the prominent figures of Shaanxi.

Among those he recognized were the heads of the top ten merchant guilds in Shaanxi and local celebrities. Even officials in official attire were visible among them.

Considering their influence in Shaanxi, the events and news from today's Huazong Assembly would quickly spread throughout the region.

'How despicable!'

Xianzhong, slightly heated by this thought, spoke in a slightly lower voice than usual.

"How could you let outsiders in without permission?"

"Grandmaster."

"How could you allow their obvious intentions?"

"That, that's not it..."

"Hmm?"

At that moment, a low voice reached Xianzhong's ears.

"Grandmaster, this seems to be an unscheduled event."

Xianzhong turned his head.

Sima Sheng, an elder of Zhongnan, approached with a slightly flustered look.

Xianzhong focused on Sima Sheng's "flustered" expression.

'Is this not the doing of Zhongnan?'

If Sima Sheng had invited them, he wouldn't be flustered. He would have walked over calmly and mocked them.

Xianzhong glanced at Yunyan.

"What's going on?"

"I tried to stop them, but the person who brought them here..."

"It's me, Grandmaster."

Xianzhong and Sima Sheng's gazes turned to the source of the voice. A very familiar person was walking toward them with a smile.

"It's not Lord Huang."

"Lord Huang?"

Huang Wenyao of the Yinheshang Guild was approaching them.

"Good day."

Lord Huang calmly performed a bow. The two of them received his greeting, but their faces were still full of questions.

Lord Huang, after releasing his hands, smiled.

"Since the Huazong Assembly is happening, I thought it would be more exciting with an audience, so I brought some people."

"Hmm."

Xianzhong frowned, about to say something, but Sima Sheng beat him to it.

"Not a bad idea. Since this is the last Huazong Assembly, it could be a festival for Shaanxi."

While subtly emphasizing the phrase "last Huazong Assembly," Sima Sheng spoke.

Xianzhong sighed.

With Lord Huang inviting people and Zhongnan agreeing, it would be difficult for him to oppose it. Could he really tell these people who had climbed the treacherous Huashan to turn back?

'Impossible.'

Complaints about the harshness of Huashan would spread throughout Shaanxi. Considering their influence, it would be even more difficult.

'This is tough.'

Turning these people away would be extremely difficult.

In the end, Xianzhong could only sigh inwardly and smile.

"Very well. Since you're here, enjoy yourselves."

"Thank you for your understanding, Grandmaster. Then, I'll go prepare."

Lord Huang smiled and turned around. Wu Yingkai also smiled and headed toward the audience seats being set up.

As Lord Huang walked, he subtly glanced at Qingming.

'Is it alright?'

Qingming nodded slightly.

Exchanging glances, Lord Huang had an unreadable expression.

'Small Master always surprises me. What are you planning this time?'

The one who asked Lord Huang to gather the prominent figures of Shaanxi was none other than Qingming. He secretly visited the guild leader in Huayin and relayed the message.

- Just bring as many famous people as you can.

'I did as you asked. The rest is up to you, Small Master.'

Receiving Huang Wenyao's gaze, Qingming smiled.

'The bigger the stage, the better!'

What was the point of Huashan and Zhongnan fighting in a secluded place with no one watching?

Even if they produced results, Zhongnan could deny it, and no one would believe Huashan's claims. Therefore, everyone needed to see the results of this Huazong Assembly with their own eyes.

"Let's finish the preparations here."

"Hmm?"

"Nothing, nothing."

Would you understand even if I told you?

How could a sparrow understand the meaning of a crane...? Oh, wait, these aren't sparrows and cranes.

Anyway!

Grandmaster! I'm using my brain, I am! Cancel what you said about me being stupid before!

- You've always been smart.

"Really! A little praise would go a long way, you know?"

Zhaogel frowned and looked at Qingming.

"Why are you talking to yourself? Are you nervous?"

"..."

While Qingming sighed, the preparations were roughly completed.

The chairs and tables were set up, and the audience took their seats, maintaining a distance from the training ground. The servants who brought the furniture lined up behind them.

"It's about to start."

A tense voice was heard.

Shortly after, Yunyan walked to the center of the training ground. Standing in the middle, he looked around and performed a bow to the audience.

Then, he took a deep breath and straightened his chest. A solemn and resonant voice rang out.

"Let's begin the Huazong Assembly for this year!"

The atmosphere immediately heated up.