As the clamor in the hall gradually subsided.
Gu Han Yuan surveyed the expressions of everyone from the various sects. There was curiosity, confusion, apprehension, but more than that, there was awe.
Finally, Gu Han Yuan stared at Kong Wen and Kong Zhi, speaking in a clear voice:
"Truly, you are the domineering Northern Shaolin! When reason fails, you resort to force. Had Gu not possessed some skill, would I not have been killed by you right here? I wonder where your virtues lie? Your prestige? Your compassion? You dare act so brazenly in front of my grandmaster. Do you think Wudang has no one?"
Gu Han Yuan's questioning voice grew louder and louder, until finally, after his forceful interrogation, a chorus of "Clang" echoed through the hall.
The Wudang disciples behind him instinctively drew their swords, saying in unison:
"Do you think Wudang has no one?"
After all, this had become a matter of sect honor. As Wudang disciples, they would be scorned if they did not respond.
In this world, people had a deep sense of loyalty to their clan and sect, so those who were expelled would find it hard to gain a foothold in the martial world.
This was why Gu Han Yuan was so speechless towards Zhang Cui Shan. It was a good thing to take all the blame, but by being forced to commit suicide, wouldn't that damage the sect's prestige? In truth, Zhang Cui Shan's death was the greatest insult to Zhang San Feng and the Wudang Sect.
Seeing that the Wudang disciples had drawn their swords, ready to fight, the faces of the other sects changed.
Not only was the Wudang Sect inherently stronger, but besides Miejue Shitai's Heaven-Relying Sword, everyone else's weapons were deposited in the Sword-Dissolving Pond.
With bare hands, they would only face a massacre.
Kong Wen was already worried about a fight breaking out, so he had only come with a large force, using righteousness as a pretext to interrogate. A violent solution was completely out of the question.
As for a duel, that was something you only did when both sides were evenly matched. If there was a huge power disparity, who would bother with you?
However, thanks to Gu Han Yuan's sharp tongue, the situation had escalated to this point.
This was the confidence behind Gu Han Yuan's bold accusations. He knew that Kong Wen would never dare to use force. As long as he could push the situation towards tension, the more intense the atmosphere, the more leverage he could gain from the Wudang Sect. Kong Wen could only argue with his mouth. But someone who had been exposed to the modern information explosion, could he possibly be afraid of a few bald monks?
Of course, it was pointless for Kong Wen to blame Kong Zhi for his rash action now. He could only hurriedly explain himself, even forgetting to say "Amitabha" in his usual manner.
"The Wudang Daoists have misunderstood. My junior brother Kong Zhi acted out of a sudden urge to test Young Master Gu's martial prowess because our temple's reputation has been besmirched. There is no talk of killing. It's simply nonsense."
Recalling Kong Wen's previous address of "Young Master", and now "Young Master Gu," it was truly ridiculous.
"Such a misunderstanding! Such a test! To bully the weak and use your superior numbers is justified? Why doesn't Master Kong Zhi test Grandmaster's martial arts? If Gu's skills are lacking, would that also be a misunderstanding, a mistake? Today, you can kill me by mistake, tomorrow you can surround and kill my fifth uncle, and in a few days, will you issue an order for ten thousand monks to attack Wudang Mountain? After seizing the Dragon-Slaying Saber and becoming the supreme martial arts leader, will you then make a deal with the court to divide the country?"
Gu Han Yuan immediately escalated the issue, whether or not there was any reason. First, he pinned the blame. As for refuting, he had already made arrangements, knowing that there would be no opportunity for the Northern Shaolin to refute.
The more forceful and accusatory Gu Han Yuan's words became, the higher the level of the accusation, the more terrified the Northern Shaolin monks became.
Kong Wen and Kong Zhi's faces were completely black, a mouthful of resentment trapped in their chests, nearly making them faint.
Especially Gu Han Yuan's last statement, which almost painted the Northern Shaolin as rebels. And since there were people from the Ming court present today, who knows what consequences would arise if it spread to the court.
As expected, Kong Wen had to be the first to yield, softening his stance and pleading in his tone:
"My junior brother Kong Zhi did wrong in attacking Young Master Gu. We will have him apologize to you. If you are still dissatisfied, we can come again with compensation to apologize to Wudang. However, please retract your previous words. Our temple has been established in the Ming martial world for a hundred years. We have always been law-abiding and uphold the peace and justice of the martial world. We have never had any intention of becoming the supreme martial arts leader. As for the ten thousand monks, it's utter nonsense."
By now, Kong Wen dared not even mention Xie Xun and the Dragon-Slaying Saber. Who knows what other terrible accusations Gu Han Yuan would hurl at him.
However, Gu Han Yuan only gave a cold smile and remained silent.
The atmosphere in the hall instantly became tense.
At that moment, a cold laugh came from outside the hall.
"Truly, the righteous sects are so hypocritical. They bully others with their strength, and when their strength is inferior, they immediately beg for mercy, but they still insist on putting on an act."
Kong Wen was already in a state of agitation due to Gu Han Yuan, and now hearing such a provocative remark, he was furious. He shouted towards the outside:
"Who is the villain pretending to be a ghost?"
A figure slowly walked in from outside.
The person wore a dark and eerie Asura mask on their face, their long hair black as ink. A wide, black robe covered their entire body. In their hand, they held a wide, plain, dark-colored knife with an ancient design.
"The Dragon-Slaying Saber!"
Zhang Cui Shan, who had lived with Xie Xun for over a decade, recognized the Dragon-Slaying Saber at a glance, his eyes full of disbelief.
After all, Xie Xun and the Dragon-Slaying Saber had been inseparable for over a decade. It seemed like the knife and the man were one, and if the knife perished, so would the man. Now, he only saw the knife, not Xie Xun, immediately causing him to worry.
Upon hearing Zhang Cui Shan say that the person was holding the Dragon-Slaying Saber, everyone in the hall stood up in shock. Many people could not tear their eyes away from the Dragon-Slaying Saber.
Some looked suspicious, some were full of greed. Of course, there were also those, like Shangguan Haitang, who were simply curious.
"Who are you? Why do you have the Dragon-Slaying Saber? Where is my brother Xie?"
Zhang Cui Shan was anxious. He could not believe that in just a few months since leaving Ice and Fire Island, Xie Xun might already be dead.
The person let out a boastful laugh.
"Hahaha! I am Wu Tian. Unbound by Heaven. This Dragon-Slaying Saber, naturally, was taken from Xie Xun. It took quite a bit of effort to kill him."
Hearing Wu Tian's words, Zhang Cui Shan felt a surge of blood rush to his head, his eyes bloodshot, and he was about to rush forward and fight to the death.
Fortunately, his fellow disciples quickly stopped him.
"The situation is unclear. We don't know what Wu Tian's intentions are. It's too dangerous to fight him rashly. We should wait and see first."
Zhang Songxi, who was the most intelligent and calm, finally persuaded Zhang Cui Shan.
Zhang Cui Shan could only stare intently at Wu Tian's figure, trying to discern something.