Chapter 1 The Beginning
In the morning, around eight o'clock, Wan Yunting finally got out of bed. He walked through the Emei Sect courtyard with Lu Xiaodie and Zheng Rong, observing many disciples busy with the decorations for the wedding ceremony tomorrow between Zhou Ruoxi and Lin Xiaobao, a disciple from Dragon Tiger Mountain.
Red banners were hung before the beams, large auspicious characters were pasted on the windows, and even in the square before the Emei Sect's main hall, tables and stools were prepared for the banquet, creating a joyous atmosphere...
Meanwhile, various major sects invited to attend the quasi-sect leader's grand wedding ceremony also began to arrive today. There was Master Huikong from the Shaolin Sect, Sect Leader Lu Chenzi of the Kongtong Sect, Sect Leader Li of the Xingyi Sect, and others whom they had met at the grand ceremony of paying respects to ancestors at Wuliang Temple previously...
The Wudang Sect naturally also sent representatives. Leading them was Daoist Master Zuo Qi, followed by the sect leader's eldest disciple Xian Yun, as well as seventh junior sister Zi Qing, eighth junior brother Huo Fei, and ninth junior sister Chong Ling'er, who came with that girl Lan Xin.
"It's so lively."
Chong Ling'er, dressed in a down jacket over her Wudang Sect disciple robes, her bright and spirited eyes surveyed the scene of Emei Sect adorned with lanterns and decorations, filled with joyous festivity. She hadn't seen such a scene in a long time, which made the disciples from the invited major sects very happy and expectant.
Zi Qing wore a simple gray robe, and due to the cold weather, she was wrapped in a gray cloak. Her messy beautiful hair was secured with a wooden hairpin, with a few strands of hair falling on her forehead, looking somewhat unkempt. However, her exquisitely beautiful features, sculpted by nature, and her naturally dazed phoenix eyes, immediately attracted the attention of the young disciples from other sects, who kept glancing and pointing, discussing Zi Qing, the most talented sword genius among the younger generation in the martial world!
Eldest disciple Xian Yun exuded a kind and gentle demeanor. He followed his martial uncle Zuo Qi, accompanied by eighth junior brother Huo Fei, and was exchanging pleasantries with the sect leaders and elders from other sects...
However, Zi Qing's appearance still caused confusion. Given her aloof personality, she shouldn't have attended such a lively wedding.
"Do you know where Abbot Wan went?"
Lan Xin, who was by Zi Qing's side, looked around, not seeing any sign of Wan Yunting.
It was clear that Zi Qing had heard that Wan Yunting had also arrived at Emei Sect, hence she came with her eldest senior brother and martial uncle Zuo Qi to look for him.
"I heard that Abbot Wan has a very close relationship with the Emei Sect's quasi-sect leader Zhou Ruoxi. Some say he's going to snatch the bride. I wonder if it's true!" Lan Xin said, linking arms with Zi Qing.
Zi Qing, with her naturally dazed expression, seemed uninterested in these matters, and slowly replied, "What is true and what is false, what does it matter."
"To watch the fun."
Lan Xin, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, said with a smile, "I've never seen anyone snatch a bride before, only in those cheesy dramas."
"Master, if Abbot Wan really tries to snatch the bride publicly, will that Emei Sect quasi-sect leader Zhou Ruoxi go with him? If Abbot Wan succeeds in snatching the bride, it would definitely become a beautiful tale in our martial world!"
"A beautiful tale?"
Chong Ling'er slowed her steps, walking alongside Zi Qing and Lan Xin, and said with a smile, "Little Xin'er, you're too naive. If that Abbot Wan dares to snatch the bride and cause a scene in front of everyone, he'll definitely become a public enemy! Even Zhou Ruoxi wouldn't be able to become the sect leader of Emei Sect! It would only end in tragedy!"
Lan Xin, upon hearing this explanation, said in surprise, "So, Abbot Wan won't snatch the bride and cause a scene?"
Chong Ling'er walked with her hands behind her back, looking playfully clever, and said with a smile, "That depends on how deep the feelings between Abbot Wan and that Zhou Ruoxi are, and whether he's willing to sacrifice for her!"
Lan Xin shook her head, pouting, "Not necessarily. That guy Wan Yunting doesn't seem like such a fool!"
Chong Ling'er waved her hand, then turned to Zi Qing with a meaningful smile, "Seventh martial sister, I think you and Abbot Wan are quite a match. Moreover, Master also said that you should interact more with Abbot Wan!"
Lan Xin's expression froze at these words, but Zi Qing, in her naturally dazed state, showed no reaction, saying, "Master's intention is for me to practice the Great Dao Sword Art with him!"
Chong Ling'er nodded with a smile and said, "You naturally have to learn the sword art, but as for the person, martial sister, you should pay more attention!"
"Martial Uncle Ling'er, forget it. That Abbot Wan is a big scumbag; he has several girlfriends."
Lan Xin rolled her eyes at Chong Ling'er. She had stayed at his place with her master Zi Qing for a period, and she knew that Wan Yunting had several ambiguous women around him...
At this moment, Wan Yunting was in Zhou Ruoxi's courtyard, discussing the conversation he had overheard last night between Grandmaster Jun Xuan and Zhang Xincai!
The young disciple who had been lurking by the roadside saw Zhang Xincai approaching and stood up, saying, "Senior sister, that Wan Yunting is still inside!"
Zhang Xincai's face was grim. Recalling how Wan Yunting had deliberately provoked her last night, which made her very angry, she said, "You keep watching, I'll go find Master."
"Alright."
The young man nodded and continued to crouch behind the bushes to observe, while Zhang Xincai returned to find her master...
In the room, Wan Yunting, Zhou Ruoxi, and Jiang Tingxia were sitting together.
"What? That old hag Jun Xuan deliberately used Senior Sister to lure you to Emei Sect to snatch the bride, making you a public enemy? So that she could oust Senior Sister from her qualification to succeed as sect leader, and then conveniently become the sect leader herself?" Jiang Tingxia exclaimed in surprise as she looked at Wan Yunting after hearing his account.
Zhou Ruoxi also looked at the man in astonishment, not expecting Grandmaster Jun Xuan to do such a thing behind her back, with Wan Yunting as the target!
"That's right."
Wan Yunting nodded and said, "This way, I would have no place in the martial world, and you, Ruoxi, would lose your qualification to become sect leader. This would achieve Grandmaster Jun Xuan's desired objective!"
"Vicious old hag, has her conscience been eaten by dogs!" Jiang Tingxia cursed angrily.
Zhou Ruoxi's expression turned grim, and she was also extremely angry. If Grandmaster Jun Xuan were to succeed, they would be burdened with a very shameful accusation!
Adultery, mistress!
"Yunting, what are you planning to do?"
Zhou Ruoxi looked up, her autumn eyes filled with worry as she looked at the man. Wan Yunting gave her a comforting smile and said, "Don't worry, I have a way to deal with it, so you don't have to worry."
"What way?" Jiang Tingxia asked curiously.
But Wan Yunting smiled mysteriously, selling it as a secret.
After leaving Zhou Ruoxi's side, Wan Yunting swaggered back, looking at the busy scene of Emei Sect disciples preparing for tomorrow's wedding between Zhou Ruoxi and Lin Xiaobao of Dragon Tiger Mountain, which made Wan Yunting sneer inwardly.
Although he didn't know the relationship between Grandmaster Jun Xuan and Sima Boyong, it wouldn't be so easy to kill him!
Suddenly, a ball rolled towards Wan Yunting. He stepped on it and looked up to see a young man with a delicate appearance and a foolish demeanor running over, shouting, "My ball..."
Seeing the young man dressed in Dragon Tiger Mountain attire, he knew this must be Lin Xiaobao, the son of Heavenly Master Lin of Dragon Tiger Mountain, who was about to marry Zhou Ruoxi. Wan Yunting bent down, picked up the ball, and smiled as he handed it to him, "Here."
Lin Xiaobao took the ball and grinned foolishly, "Thank you, big brother."
Wan Yunting, seeing no one around, smiled kindly at him and asked, "What's your name?"
Lin Xiaobao was naturally foolish and had the intelligence of a three or four-year-old, but he still knew his own name, "My name is Lin Xiaobao. What's your name, big brother?"
Wan Yunting smiled, "My name is Wan Yunting. How about I play ball with you?"
"Okay."
Lin Xiaobao became excited, placed the ball on the ground, and kicked it towards him. Wan Yunting caught it with his foot and juggled it in the air a few times, leaving Lin Xiaobao mesmerized. He clapped his hands excitedly, "Big brother, you're so amazing! Can you teach me how to play?"
"Yes."
Wan Yunting enjoyed football. After all, he had played football at university. Although his skills weren't great, it was enough to entertain Lin Xiaobao.
So Wan Yunting and Lin Xiaobao played football on the grass in the small garden. However, after a short while, they saw Grandmaster Jun Xuan and Zhang Xincai hurrying over. Upon seeing this scene, Grandmaster Jun Xuan's heart tightened, and she quickly called out, "Abbot Wan, so you're here!"
Wan Yunting kicked the football to Lin Xiaobao and turned to look at Grandmaster Jun Xuan. He saw the subtle nervous expression on her old face and knew she was worried about Lin Xiaobao!
Wan Yunting said with a smile, "Grandmaster Jun Xuan, why have you come?"
Grandmaster Jun Xuan glanced at Lin Xiaobao. Seeing that he was unharmed, she felt relieved and smiled at Wan Yunting, "I was just passing by and saw you playing with Ruoxi's husband, so I came to say hello."
Wan Yunting pretended to be surprised and pointed at Lin Xiaobao, saying, "Is he the Dragon Tiger Mountain disciple who is marrying Senior Sister Zhou?"
"That's right."
Grandmaster Jun Xuan nodded and signaled to Zhang Xincai to pull Lin Xiaobao over. However, Lin Xiaobao hugged the football and hid next to Wan Yunting, looking fearfully at the stern-faced Grandmaster Jun Xuan, and nervously said, "Big brother, I want to play with you."
This scene made Grandmaster Jun Xuan frown. "Xiaobao, you're getting married tomorrow, you can't keep playing here. You need to go back and prepare. Come here quickly..."
Zhang Xincai was about to pull him, but Lin Xiaobao struggled, "No, I just want to play ball with big brother..."
Grandmaster Jun Xuan's face became displeased, and she said sternly, "Xiaobao, go back with me!"
"No, I just want to play with big brother..."
Lin Xiaobao fearfully hid behind Wan Yunting. This made Grandmaster Jun Xuan's heart sink...
"How about this, Grandmaster Jun Xuan, I'll play with him for a while and then send him back," Wan Yunting said with a smile.
Grandmaster Jun Xuan narrowed her old eyes, observing Wan Yunting, who was smiling and seemingly carefree. After thinking for a moment, she nodded, "Then I'll trouble Abbot Wan to send him back later."
"Okay," Wan Yunting nodded with a smile.
Grandmaster Jun Xuan said nothing more and turned to leave with Zhang Xincai. But suddenly, Wan Yunting stepped forward, "Wait, Grandmaster Jun Xuan, you have a leaf on your back, let me help you remove it..."
Grandmaster Jun Xuan was startled and suddenly turned around, only to see Wan Yunting holding a leaf in his hand!
"Hehe."
Wan Yunting smiled at her, gesturing with the leaf in his hand. Grandmaster Jun Xuan looked at him suspiciously with her old eyes, and then, without thinking further, turned to leave. Zhang Xincai quickly followed...
Watching their retreating figures, Wan Yunting let out a cold smile, looking at the long strand of hair beneath the leaf in his hand!