"So strange. I can barely understand most of what's written… But this person actually wants to become a Buddha, an immortal. What a foolish dream."
Even though she couldn't understand much of it, the small parts Yue Lingshan did understand felt interesting and fun. Especially when reading someone else's private diary, it felt even more thrilling.
…
"Who wrote this diary? It mentions Junior Sister and Lao Denuo going to Fujian. That 'Junior Sister' should be Shan'er. That means the owner of this diary is a disciple of our Mount Hua Sect?"
Another person flipping through the diary, Ning Zhongze, made her own judgment in her heart.
But the further she read, the more serious her expression became.
"Nonsense! This is complete nonsense!"
Ning Zhongze was angry. The part about the Fuwei Escort Agency being destroyed by the Qingcheng Sect only made her slightly concerned. After all, neither the Fuwei Escort Agency nor the Qingcheng Sect had a close relationship with Mount Hua. Especially the Fuwei Escort Agency—they had barely interacted before.
The Bixie Sword Manual only shocked her a little.
But later, the diary wrote that Yue Buqun would practice that sword art and eventually bring disaster to his own family. It even blamed Linghu Chong for everything.
That made Ning Zhongze furious.
She felt that this diary was insulting Mount Hua, insulting Yue Buqun, and insulting Linghu Chong.
Yue Buqun was the famous Gentleman Sword in the jianghu. Who didn't know that? How could the Gentleman Sword ever walk such a path?
And Linghu Chong—she and Yue Buqun had practically raised him together since childhood. When she looked at Linghu Chong, it was almost like looking at her own son.
How could Linghu Chong ever force Yue Buqun into such a situation?
Absurd. Completely absurd.
Right now, Ning Zhongze wished she could find the person who wrote this diary and demand an explanation. Why slander Mount Hua? Why slander Yue Buqun and Linghu Chong?
Unfortunately, aside from mentioning Junior Sister and Lao Denuo, the diary revealed almost no personal information. She only knew the writer was a Mount Hua disciple, but she had no idea who.
Of course, Linghu Chong and Lao Denuo could be ruled out.
"Junior Sister? What's wrong? Did Chong'er make you angry again?" Yue Buqun asked with concern when he saw Ning Zhongze's bad expression.
"Senior Brother, it's this—"
Just as Ning Zhongze was about to mention the diary, her chest suddenly tightened. It felt as if an invisible hand had grabbed her heart. The moment she tried to speak of it, her heart felt like it would be crushed.
"Junior Sister? What's wrong?" Seeing her face suddenly turn pale, almost fainting, Yue Buqun quickly supported her.
"I—I'm fine." Ning Zhongze shook her head, still shaken.
"Are you really alright? Your face looks terrible."
"I'm fine, Senior Brother. I'm fine." She shook her head again, but her mind was in chaos.
"Sit down and rest. Your face looks awful. I'll go call a doctor," Yue Buqun said with worry.
"No need. I'm just… just a little worried about Shan'er. It's her first time traveling far from home…" Ning Zhongze forced a small smile.
Hearing this, Yue Buqun smiled. "Don't worry. Shan'er is already eighteen. And Lao Denuo is with her. Nothing will happen."
Yue Buqun knew Lao Denuo was a spy sent by the Songshan Sect. But precisely because he knew, he felt more at ease letting Yue Lingshan travel with him.
As long as Lao Denuo wanted to maintain Yue Buqun's trust, he would never dare harm Yue Lingshan in the slightest. If she encountered danger, he would even have to risk his life to protect her. Otherwise, once he lost trust, he would have no value as a spy.
"Mm." Ning Zhongze nodded lightly. After all, when she was eighteen, she had already begun roaming the jianghu and striving for Mount Hua.
"But since you're so worried, Junior Sister, I'll go down the mountain tomorrow and secretly protect Shan'er. That should reassure you." Yue Buqun smiled, though his eyes flickered slightly.
"With you protecting her, Senior Brother, then there's nothing to worry about." Ning Zhongze nodded.
But in her mind, the Bixie Sword Manual flashed again.
The diary—though she couldn't be certain it was true—said that Yue Buqun would later practice that sword art.
So this trip to Fujian… was it really just to protect Yue Lingshan?
A trace of doubt rose in Ning Zhongze's heart.
"Senior Brother—"
"Yes? Is there something else?"
"Senior Brother… does Zuo Lengchan intend to act against Mount Hua?"
She couldn't directly ask whether he was planning to pursue the Bixie Sword Manual. Saying something like that openly didn't feel right. It was better to ask about Zuo Lengchan instead.
Ning Zhongze had a straightforward temperament. She spent her years focusing on training and upholding Mount Hua's reputation. She had never suspected Zuo Lengchan would act against them.
But since the diary mentioned it, she decided to ask.
Yue Buqun, who had been smiling faintly, paused. His expression turned serious.
"Junior Sister, have you noticed something?"
Seeing his reaction, Ning Zhongze suddenly realized that Zuo Lengchan might truly be eyeing Mount Hua.
"Senior Brother, does Zuo Lengchan really intend to harm us?"
Yue Buqun sighed.
"Junior Sister, since you hadn't noticed before, I didn't want you to know. With your personality, who knows what you might do if you found out. But since you've asked, I'll tell you."
"He indeed harbors ill intentions toward Mount Hua. He has always wanted to swallow us. Not just us—also the other three sects. He isn't satisfied with being the leader of the Five Mountains Alliance. He wants to merge all five into one sect and become its head."
Fatigue appeared on Yue Buqun's face.
Supporting Mount Hua alone was already difficult. Yet within the Five Mountains Alliance, there was still the Songshan Sect—and Zuo Lengchan.
All these years, to avoid being exposed, Yue Buqun had hidden himself carefully. Even in front of the person closest to him, he never relaxed. He feared Ning Zhongze might notice something, reveal a flaw, and attract Zuo Lengchan's suspicion.
If Zuo Lengchan truly targeted them, Mount Hua might very well be wiped out.
Yue Buqun relied on the Violet Cloud Divine Art and believed he was not much weaker than Zuo Lengchan. But Zuo Lengchan had the Thirteen Guardians by his side.
And who did he have?
It could be said that in the past, Yue Buqun couldn't even sleep peacefully.
Now that Ning Zhongze had noticed something, he decided not to hide it anymore. After speaking these secrets aloud, he felt a little lighter inside.