Linghu Chong, above all, dreaded serious and quick-tempered elders.
He was usually quite flippant, but in front of Yue Buqun, he was as meek as a quail. Now, in front of Ding Yi Shi Tai, he dared not act up, only staying quiet and obedient.
But he didn't expect the fire to reach him.
He could only explain helplessly, "Shi Bo, I am a bit reckless and my personality is impulsive. My second senior brother is steady and intelligent, and my Shi Niang has ordered that I listen to him when we are out."
"I see!"
Ding Yi Shi Tai, instead of being angry, affirmed, "That is as it should be. When my Master chose the new head, my senior sister, your Ding Jing Shi Bo, felt she was not up to the task, and strongly persuaded my Master to choose your Ding Xian Shi Bo as the successor. Your Ding Xian Shi Bo is also mature and stable, under her leadership, the Hengshan Sect has grown steadily."
Linghu Chong was surprised, and other Hengshan disciples were curious.
It was clear that not many people knew this.
Lian Cheng, however, didn't want to dwell on the matter, and pulled out a box, placing it on the table: "Shi Bo, please accept this."
Ding Yi Shi Tai took one look and slammed her fist on the table, roaring, "What do you mean, boy! Our Hengshan Sect agreed to fight the Demon Cult alongside the Huashan Sect because of the Five Peaks Alliance, what's with this gift? Is this an insult to our Hengshan Sect? Put it away, and don't do it again, otherwise I'll shave your head!"
See, her temper is truly volatile, no chance for explanation.
Linghu Chong even shrank his neck, truly afraid that Ding Yi Shi Tai would slap him.
"Shi Bo Shi Bo, calm down! It's not like you think..." Lian Cheng quickly explained.
"What's not like I think! Your intentions are too clear, you're still trying to argue. I see you're asking for a beating, I'll teach you a lesson right now!" Ding Yi Shi Tai began to roll up her sleeves.
"It's the Hengshan sword art Shi Bo! It's the Hengshan sword art!"
"It doesn't matter what it is... Hmm? What did you say? Hengshan Sword Art?"
Ding Yi Shi Tai's anger vanished instantly, replaced by astonishment. Her hands quickly opened the box, revealing a set of sword manuals, which she flipped through and discovered that it was indeed the Hengshan Sword Art!
And many of them were lost sword moves!
She became instantly excited, urgently grabbing Lian Cheng's shoulder, "Where did you get this sword art? Tell me!"
Lian Cheng quickly answered, "My Master found it in a cave while travelling. He said that the sword art was drawn on the cave wall, and he instantly recognized it as the lost Hengshan sword art. He guessed that it was left behind by a Hengshan senior who had retreated there in seclusion. Master immediately memorized the sword art, and to prevent others from finding it, he wiped the stone wall clean and sealed the cave completely.
After returning to Huashan, he immediately recorded the sword art. He originally wanted to send it directly to Hengshan, but as Shi Bo knows, there are people secretly watching Huashan, and it wouldn't be easy to send the sword art out.
Since Shi Bo has come this time, Shi Niang instructed us to deliver the sword manual to you personally.
It's not a gift, but a return to its rightful owner.
So please don't be angry."
So that's how it is!
Ding Yi Shi Tai was enlightened. While Lian Cheng's explanation had a few questionable points, Ding Yi Shi Tai didn't doubt him much.
If Huashan had any ill intentions, they wouldn't have returned the sword manual. Now, as Hengshan came to Huashan's aid during a crisis, this was Huashan returning the favor.
Thinking this, Ding Yi Shi Tai smiled, "It was my mistake, I shouldn't have been angry at you. There are many lost sword moves in this manual, I didn't expect to regain them. I thank the Huashan Sect for this. Buddha was right, good begets good, we came to help, and the sword art was found again, it's truly a fortune for Hengshan! Amitabha, well done, well done!"
The other Hengshan disciples were also overjoyed, joining their hands and chanting Buddhist sutras.
Lian Cheng and Linghu Chong exchanged glances, both relieved.
They were simply returning the sword manual, but almost got mistaken for gift-giving, luckily they explained quickly, or they'd have been beaten for nothing.
Actually, Lian Cheng had planned to give it after the matter was resolved, but Shi Niang, obviously more adept at social etiquette, had Lian Cheng deliver the sword manual before they started working.
It's simple logic, pay first, then work, motivation is definitely stronger.
Hengshan received the lost sword art from Huashan before starting work, and in addition to their joy, they felt grateful towards Huashan, so when they started working, it wouldn't just be for the Five Peaks Alliance, but also to repay Huashan's kindness, naturally they'd be more dedicated.
Especially for someone like Ding Yi Shi Tai, she would definitely go the extra mile.
Moreover, after this incident, the relationship between Hengshan and Huashan would definitely be better, Huashan gained a true ally, compared to Songshan, Taishan, Hengshan, or even Shaolin Wudang, Hengshan was obviously more reliable.
The key point is that Hengshan is also very close to Huashan, the two sects watching out for each other, would be much more secure!
Simply returning the sword manual, the benefits are immense!
As for the process of finding the sword manual, it's naturally a fabrication, and already unimportant, anyway, they already said the stone wall was wiped clean and the cave sealed, all explanations lie with Yue Buqun, whether Hengshan believes it or not doesn't matter, the goal has been achieved.
Soon, the next day arrived, the Hengshan disciples had rested well.
It was time to take action.
Huashan had already informed the county magistrate of Huayin beforehand, saying that there were recently some Demon Cult members causing trouble in the county, so the Huashan and Hengshan Sects would take action, the county government needn't intervene. The county magistrate naturally agreed readily.
At this time, under Ding Yi Shi Tai's arrangement, twenty-two people were divided into several groups, starting to investigate inside and outside the county.
Investigating in the county was simple, Lian Cheng directly pulled out a total of 500 taels of silver bills as activity funds, all exchanged into copper coins and distributed among the Hengshan disciples, asking them to find the Beggar Gang to inquire for information.
Although the Beggar Gang is declining, their number is still quite large, and they are well-informed.
They know the ins and outs of the various groups, from the high and mighty to the low and vile.
They must know which suspicious individuals have recently come to Huayin county, the Beggar Gang certainly knows it all, as long as you pay, the Beggar Gang won't mind revealing information.
Lian Cheng also brought Yi He, and in an alleyway, bought intelligence from a Beggar Gang disciple.
Originally, Lian Cheng wanted to act alone, but Ding Yi Shi Tai, as the elder and the strongest, naturally took command, directly assigning Lian Cheng and Yi He as a team.
Ding Yi Shi Tai stated that Yi He was the Hengshan Sect's eldest disciple and needed to be tempered.
She saw that Lian Cheng was steady in his actions and his strength was not weak, and that Yi He could learn a lot from him, so she didn't allow Lian Cheng to refuse.
What could Lian Cheng do, he dared not refuse, or he would be beaten by the old nun, don't doubt Ding Yi Shi Tai's violent temper, she even dares to beat Old Yue directly when she goes crazy.
Fortunately, Yi He was indeed the Hengshan Sect's eldest disciple, her strength had reached second-rate, she shouldn't hold them back.