Chapter 3: The Unfortunate Encounter

The middle-aged man with knuckles wore a soft smile. "Isn't this a face-to-face encounter? Is Yue Buqun relying on this to recruit disciples?"

To everyone's surprise, Yue Buqun raised his head and smiled despite the low tone. "Ah, this strong man here resembles a descending white tiger! Bold and agile, his control over the sword's Qi is quite common in external martial arts. I have a suggestion for you. Go down the river to Songshan's Shaolin Temple and become a disciple of Master Fangzheng, joining the ranks of Shaolin's lay disciples."

As these words left his mouth, everyone was left dumbfounded. The middle-aged man with the white tiger emblem on his chest was particularly astonished, but soon, he was overwhelmed with joy and bowed in gratitude. "Thank you! Yue Buqun... the head."

Given his position, it was considered impolite to address Yue Buqun by his first name. Nevertheless, Yue Buqun merely smiled and didn't reprimand him. Instead, he affixed a piece of paper to the man and watched as he descended the mountain to join the Shaolin Temple.

Yue Buqun smiled faintly. "Miss Yue is not only talented, but she has also excelled in Qi cultivation. Zixia's extraordinary skills are not widely known in the martial world. Generally, people with the talent I seek are sought after by various sects, so they rarely go astray."

He walked along, observing everyone present. Du Yu's heart raced, for he had come to believe that he had truly traveled to the world of Swordsman. The three perilous missions had become an inescapable curse.

Joining the Huashan faction would provide an easy solution to the three tasks. First, he could learn the renowned Huashan swordsmanship, thus naturally acquiring skill points. Du Yu never forgot that the cave at the back of Mount Hua held one of Jin Yong's most famous adventures—the encounter with Feng Qingyang.

Dugu Nine Swords! Once learned, who would he fear?

As for the second mission, Yue Lingshan was one of the heroines. Although her affections seemed to be directed towards Linghu Chong, Lin Pingzhi had already undergone a shocking transformation. With his modern skills, could Du Yu not handle Yue Lingshan, who was inexperienced, arrogant, and sentimental?

Regarding the third mission, although the Huashan faction lacked the Evil Sword Manual or the Sunflower Manual, Lin Pingzhi was soon to join. He possessed the Evil Sword Manual!

Du Yu's palms grew sweaty. It wasn't about his nerves; rather, it concerned life and death. He couldn't help but feel anxious.

Yue Buqun was indeed an astute individual. Standing before each person, he accurately matched their appearance with the tattoo on their chest. Based on their temperament and the weather conditions, he decided whether they were suitable for joining the Huashan faction or recommended them to another sect.

Du Yu had a hunch that this meeting of hope did not exist in the original plot. It seemed as though it had been arranged behind the scenes, designed to assemble his own group of people.

The middle-aged man with knuckles, who resembled a white tiger descending the mountain, was assigned to become a lay disciple at the Shaolin Temple.

The timid girl, with the image of a white rabbit, was recommended to the Hengshan School, where nuns congregated.

The man with golden eyes, resembling white energy penetrating the sun, was accepted as Yue Buqun's disciple within the Huashan Sword Sect. The bespectacled man smirked triumphantly, casting a knowing glance at Yue Lingshan, who snuggled beside Linghu Chong and chatted away like a ghost. His intentions were clear.

Others were recommended to Mr. Mo Da of the Hengshan School or Zuo Lengchan of the Songshan School. Even the embroidered centipede and the sea mouse were urged to join the Five Poisons Sect and Sea Salt, respectively.

Du Yu was the only one left.

Yue Buqun's gaze fell upon him.

Du Yu felt exposed, as if his every flaw was being scrutinized. Surprisingly, Yue Buqun snorted coldly, his face turning somber.

"It's no wonder I felt unease today. This person's weather is that of madness!"

The Huashan faction was taken aback by Yue Buqun's words. Ning Zhong stepped forward and asked, "Could it be related to the wolf in the east?"

At that time, the righteous individuals referred to Dongfang Bubai, the leader of the Sun Moon God Sect, as "Dongfang Bubai." This aimed to enhance their prestige while denouncing the ambitions of the Demon Sect.

"Father, what does it mean to have the sign of madness?" Yue Lingshan curiously inquired.

Yue Buqun nodded slowly. "The madness associated with the Wolf Gu sign represents the Sirius star among the 108 constellations. It symbolizes the most fierce and savage nature. People with this sign are described as being as wild as wolves. Those who possess this weather, such as Shang Zhou and Sima Yi, are destined to be followers of evil, incapable of championing righteousness. This will inevitably lead to chaos in the world!"

"Swish, swish, swish!" The disciples of Huashan drew their longswords in unison.

Du Yu found himself in an icy pit. He noticed that everyone around him had a place to belong. They had high hopes for their future. Little did he expect that Yue Buqun's hopeful demeanor would result in the masters turning against one another, their swords clashing and their lives hanging in the balance.

The Wolf Gu sign was not something he had willingly chosen!

Du Yu glanced around and noticed that his remaining companions, apart from a few with concerned expressions, showed signs of gloating. Some even bore malicious intent as they looked at him.

After the deaths of Huangmao and the Black Viper, who knew whose hands their weapons would end up in?

Are these people following me?

With these thoughts in mind, Du Yu's heart grew resolute. Why should he dance to Yue Buqun's tune? What kind of honorable gentleman was Yue Buqun, anyway?

How could he allow himself to be manipulated?

I control my own destiny!

He stared calmly at Yue Buqun and spoke boldly, "I've heard that Yue Buqun is a humble gentleman, but I never expected him to be a man of empty reputation!"

"Bold!" Several Huashan disciples shouted.

"Let him speak!" Yue Buqun waved his hand.

Undeterred by the threat to his life, Du Yu continued, his voice resounding, "Mr. Yue claims I am a wolf and a madman. Does that mean you want my blood to stain Huashan Mountain?"

Yue Buqun snorted contemptuously. "Evil spirits and demons must be eradicated!"

"Very well, but punishing the innocent and the righteous is not the way of a true gentleman!" Du Yu argued eloquently. As a web novelist, he possessed the gift of eloquence. "I beg your pardon, but what have I done wrong that would warrant such calamity?"

"You

..." Yue Buqun was rendered speechless.

Du Yu, not one to back down, continued his compelling speech. "I possess no martial arts skills, and I am powerless. I have no sect to call my own. If not for that, why would I have come to the gathering of Wangqi disciples? Gentleman Jianyue, heroes of righteousness, why would you turn your blades against an unarmed commoner with no family or wrongdoing?"

Yue Buqun snorted coldly.

From the moment he laid eyes on this person, Yue Buqun found his countenance to be sinister. If he were to be judged by his appearance as a wolf and a madman, he would be better suited to join the Heimuya Demon Sect. Yet, the man's lack of martial skills and feeble demeanor indicated he had no sect affiliation. How could he be labeled a member of the Demon Cult? Calling him "Junzijian" seemed akin to drawing one's sword without cause.

"In that case, I suppose you are not an evil presence. Leave Huashan Mountain at once!" Yue Buqun declared. "However, should I hear of your misdeeds in the Jianghu, you will be the first to lose your head!"

Du Yu turned away and left.

As he departed, he could hear Linghu Chong's voice from behind. "All newcomers to the school, let us proceed to the ancestral hall of the Huashan School and pay our respects to the founders of the mountain."

A pang of sorrow struck Du Yu's heart. Joining the Huashan faction was no longer an option. However, within a month, he must acquire three skill points, or else he would face obliteration.

Expelled from Mount Hua, without Yue Buqun's recommendation to other sects, the vast and treacherous martial world lay before him. In his haste, he pondered: Where should he seek martial arts training?

Moreover, people in this world were unpredictable, and he was all alone. Without any martial skills to his name, venturing aimlessly could lead to a swift demise.

He felt the urge to run back and kneel before Yue Buqun, begging to become his disciple. Dignity was valuable, but life held an even higher price.

Yet, that stubbornness welled up within him, conflicting with his desperation. He left the mountain without looking back.

As he passed through the gate of the "Huashan School," he made a deliberate observation. Huang Mao's body remained, forever displaying the fear etched on his face before his demise.

Du Yu sighed softly, turned, and prepared to leave.

But then, something dawned on him!

Why was the Black Viper's corpse missing?

In that moment, he heard the sound of rushing wind behind him!