Bab 17: Chapter 17: The Deceased and the Legacy
"Well, look at this! Such a handsome young man!" Zhu Yuxian laughed softly as she looked at Lu Chengfeng, her eyes dancing with amusement. "Such a well-mannered child—he'd be perfect as my disciple."
Elder Yun Mo, beside her, maintained a serene smile, as if he hadn't heard Zhu Yuxian's words at all. He simply addressed Lu Chengfeng directly, "My child, do you know why I have personally come here to take you as my disciple?"
Lu Chengfeng clasped his hands in respect and replied humbly, "This disciple does not know. I respectfully ask for Elder's guidance."
Yun Mo began, "The core inheritance of my Yellow Dragon Peak is the 'Yellow Dragon Concealed Sword Mantra,' which emphasizes the art of patience and hidden power, like a dragon lurking in the depths or a cicada buried underground, silently amassing strength until it finally bursts forth."
"Our disciples rarely descend the mountain. But when they do, few dare to cross them, for they know that once the Yellow Dragon draws its sword, even the greatest heroes and leaders of the martial world must bow before its might."
"Your talent for swordsmanship, so restrained until recently, truly aligns with our Yellow Dragon legacy. It was only when your mentor was harmed, and you suffered dishonor, that you drew your blade, striking down your foe in a single move and making a name for yourself throughout Yun Cang."
"Your character and talents align perfectly with the path of our Yellow Dragon Peak, which is why I've shamelessly come here, hoping to bring a new genius into our fold."
"So, what say you? Are you willing to join Yellow Dragon Peak?"
Lu Chengfeng almost instinctively wanted to agree. However, he couldn't ignore the memory fragments of Zhao Changzhen—the shadowed figure in them bore a striking resemblance to the woman standing before him now, Zhu Yuxian. Her silhouette was so distinctive, so alluringly unforgettable, that it left a lasting impression in his mind.
On the surface, Lu Chengfeng kept his composure. But internally, a storm brewed. If not for Zhao Changzhen's memories, he would have found it impossible to believe that an inner peak elder might be allied with another faction, possibly even an infiltrator. The inner sect's screening was renowned for its rigor; background checks extended to three generations. Inner peak elders were considered the pillars of the sect. Should a figure of this rank harbor ulterior motives, it would pose an enormous risk to the entire sect.
Yet, Lu Chengfeng couldn't reveal even the slightest hint of his suspicions. He restrained his thoughts, stilling his mind, and avoided further eye contact.
Just as he was about to accept Elder Yun Mo's offer to join Yellow Dragon Peak, he felt a strange, oppressive force surrounding him. His body froze, every word caught in his throat.
"Zhu Yuxian, what is the meaning of this?" Elder Yun Mo's gentle smile vanished, his eyes narrowing as he fixed his gaze on her.
Although he spoke calmly, the room grew palpably heavier, as if a mountain loomed above, bearing down on all present.
For the first time, Lu Chengfeng felt the weight of authority emanating from figures of such stature. A single thought from either of them could likely end his life.
Zhu Yuxian, however, met Yun Mo's gaze with a look of feigned hurt, her beautiful face casting an almost magical allure. Her expression was so captivating, it seemed to melt the hearts of all who saw her.
Nearby, Zhou Tong instinctively took three steps back, bowing his head, unwilling to risk even a glance. "Senior Brother Yun, you and I both came to recruit a disciple. Yet you would whisk him away without giving me the chance to even extend an offer? Must I then slink away like a fool, laughed at by all?"
"You're renowned for your fairness and integrity, Senior Brother. Surely, you wouldn't mind if I speak my piece as well and allow this disciple to choose for himself, would you?"
Yun Mo gave a slight nod. The oppressive aura in the room dissipated as if it had never been there, leaving no trace of the tension from just moments before.
Lu Chengfeng thought of a saying: "Whether thunder or rain, both are gifts of the emperor's favor." Though the two before him weren't emperors, their quiet, enigmatic authority commanded a respect that far surpassed that of any mundane ruler.
With a gentle turn, Zhu Yuxian looked at Lu Chengfeng and said with a smile, "You seem a bit afraid of me, don't you?"
Before he could answer, she continued, "Your mentor, Zhao Changzhen, and I had a connection. Since his unfortunate incident, the sect has yet to discover the truth. There are bound to be complications and risks involved."
"The reason I am here to accept you as my disciple is, in part, to offer you protection. It's a gesture to honor a past acquaintance."
Lu Chengfeng was startled by her straightforward mention of a connection with Zhao Changzhen. Could it be that she wasn't an infiltrator but simply had some other relationship with him?
But then he recalled their clandestine meeting in the memory fragments. The remote location and the fact that it took place at night didn't suggest a casual acquaintance.
After all, she was a highly respected inner peak elder, while Zhao Changzhen had been a relatively obscure, outer peak elder. What sort of bond could they have shared?
After brief contemplation, Lu Chengfeng made up his mind. No matter her true nature, he wasn't willing to take the risk. Joining Yellow Dragon Peak seemed the wiser choice.
Just then, Zhu Yuxian sighed, "There's another reason I descended the mountain, besides taking you into my branch of the Mysterious Crane Peak. I wish for you to inherit the legacy of my late husband."
At this revelation, even Yun Mo's expression changed slightly. After a moment of thought, he asked, "Junior Sister Zhu, have you completed the compilation of… his martial arts?"
Zhu Yuxian shook her head. "My late husband's martial arts surpassed my own by far. I have only managed to piece together a portion after years of closed-door cultivation."
"If no one takes up his legacy, his life's work may be lost forever."
"My coming here serves two purposes: honoring an old friend and finding a worthy disciple to inherit my husband's teachings so that his life's work might not be forgotten."
Yun Mo was silent for a long time before finally speaking. "If you're here for his legacy, I have no grounds to compete with you. The man showed me great kindness in the past. May his legacy endure."
He looked at Lu Chengfeng, a flicker of nostalgia crossing his face. "It seems fate does not favor us this time. But inheriting his teachings will bring you great fortune, no doubt. If you succeed in your cultivation, may you one day stand as a pillar of the sect, as he did."
Lu Chengfeng felt a wave of panic. He wanted to throw himself at Yun Mo's feet, pleading with him not to leave.
"Elder Yun…"
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone