However, Zhang San Feng was faster than Zhang Cui Shan and Yin Su Su.
A white shadow flashed, and Zhang San Feng was already engaged in combat with the two Xuan Ming Elders.
They merely exchanged a single palm strike each, and the two Xuan Ming Elders were shocked.
The slightly weaker Crane-Pen Elder, He Bi Weng, already had blood flowing from the corner of his mouth. Lu Zhang Ke didn't look good either, and nearly gasped for breath.
"Go!"
Lu Zhang Ke reminded them.
The two simultaneously grabbed Zhang Wuji's shoulders, striking a palm on his back to push him towards Zhang San Feng. They escaped while Zhang San Feng embraced Zhang Wuji.
"Xuan Ming Divine Palm!"
As soon as Zhang San Feng touched Zhang Wuji, he realized he had been struck by his old rival's ultimate skill, the "Xuan Ming Divine Palm." His expression changed, and he quickly placed both hands on Zhang Wuji's back, starting to circulate his inner energy to heal him.
"Wuji!"
Zhang Cui Shan and Yin Su Su had already arrived at Zhang Wuji's side, watching him with a pale face and lips, feeling immense heartache.
Gu Han Yuan followed the crowd to the hall's exterior, looking at the first small chives.
Zhang Wuji, at the age of fourteen or fifteen, had a delicate, youthful appearance, and strongly resembled Zhang Cui Shan, with an even gentler look. Though he was still young and hadn't fully grown, he inherited his parents' high level of attractiveness.
As for Wu Tian, he had already fled from the Wudang sect the moment Zhang San Feng made his move.
The puppet, Wu Tian, had achieved his objectives. There was no point in staying. Moreover, the Beginner level puppet technique had a limited time limit, and he needed to escape from the public's view as soon as possible.
Wu Tian had made a public appearance and gained some attention. He had resolved Zhang Cui Shan's crisis of being interrogated by the various sects using a fake Dragon-Slaying Saber, fulfilling his promise to Yin Su Su. He had also drawn out the two Xuan Ming Elders.
Once the two Xuan Ming Elders appeared, Zhang San Feng would inevitably step in to save Zhang Wuji. Combined with the effort needed to cure the cold poison, there was no need to worry about him taking action against Wu Tian.
In essence, every detail of the plan had unfolded precisely as Gu Han Yuan had envisioned.
As for clashing with Kong Wen for Yin Su Su's sake, and later engaging in combat with Kong Zhi, it was an unforeseen development, but the outcome was equally favorable.
Gu Han Yuan had gained reputation through Kong Zhi, showcasing his talents. From this point forward, he could openly travel the world as a Wudang disciple. Perhaps he could even earn the title of Wudang's top third-generation disciple.
While the Villain Points he had gained were spent, it was an unexpected bonus since it wasn't part of his plan. He now had 470 Villain Points remaining.
Looking at Zhang Wuji, who was receiving treatment from Zhang San Feng, Gu Han Yuan felt he could still collect more Villain Points from Yin Su Su.
Many members of the various sects had gone after Wu Tian, but they posed no threat except for a few Grandmasters.
Of the Grandmasters present, not a single one excelled in light footwork.
By leveraging his familiarity with the terrain, Wu Tian easily shook them off.
Not long after, Grandmasters like Kong Wen and Miejue Shitai, along with those who had pursued Wu Tian, returned to the Purple Cloud Palace.
Only Song Yuanqiao remained in the hall, entertaining the representatives of various sects. The other elders and the Seven Heroes had all gone to the courtyard to assist Zhang San Feng in treating Zhang Wuji.
When Kong Wen saw Gu Han Yuan still in the hall, he noticeably breathed a sigh of relief. He wanted to resolve the misunderstanding created by Kong Zhi earlier.
The Dragon-Slaying Saber's whereabouts had been revealed, and with Wu Tian having killed Xie Xun, there was no point in searching for him. Their goal of undermining Wudang today had failed, and they had been caught with their pants down. The matter of the Dragon Gate Escort Agency was simply laughable.
Kong Wen now only wanted to quickly repair the damage with Gu Han Yuan, otherwise, this incident would cause a lot of trouble once it spread.
From his previous experiences, Kong Wen also realized that Gu Han Yuan was a man who wouldn't budge without getting something in return, so he decided to be straightforward.
"Amitabha. Young Master Gu, Kong Zhi had offended you earlier. Please forgive him. In the future, the Northern Shaolin Temple is willing to owe you a favor. As long as it doesn't violate the principles of the martial world or our sect's rules, we will agree to your request."
Kong Wen's sincerity was evident. For the esteemed Northern Shaolin Temple to be willing to owe a favor to a third-generation disciple was unprecedented.
Though he had added numerous restrictions, it was likely that any difficult requests for help would be met with resistance.
However, what Gu Han Yuan cared about wasn't how to repay this favor, but rather the fact that its very existence, once spread, would bring him immense renown.
Seeing his objective achieved, Gu Han Yuan didn't push further. Moreover, everyone from the Wudang sect was in the courtyard saving Zhang Wuji, and there was no one else to help him leverage this situation. It was best to stop while he was ahead.
"Grandmaster Kong Wen is truly reasonable. Gu is young and impetuous, and has said many inappropriate things. Please don't take it to heart. If we have the chance in the future, I will definitely pay a visit to the Northern Shaolin Temple."
Seeing Gu Han Yuan give him a way out, Kong Wen nodded in satisfaction, offering another bow.
"Amitabha. Young Master Gu is indeed wise and generous."
Then Kong Wen expressed his farewell to Song Yuanqiao. Since they had already resolved the issue of their reputation, there was no point in staying longer. It was better to return to the Northern Shaolin Temple and organize manpower to search for Wu Tian.
They exchanged a few perfunctory courtesies before Kong Wen left with his people.
The leaders of all the various sects then took their disciples and departed.
Could they really expect the Wudang sect to provide food for all these unwelcome guests?
Soon, the bustling crowd in the hall had completely dispersed, leaving only one person, Shangguan Hai Tang.
She walked towards Gu Han Yuan, her gaze lingering on him for a moment. On closer inspection, she found him even more attractive than before.
"Brother Gu, I am Shangguan Hai Tang. Today, you silenced the Northern Shaolin Temple and wounded Master Kong Zhi with your sword, leaving me in awe.
Seeing Shangguan Hai Tang's exquisite face, Gu Han Yuan's mood also brightened. Looking at Kong Wen's old face for too long was truly irritating.
"Naturally, I know Shangguan Hai Tang, the leader of the Number One Estate in the World. You are even more dashing and elegant than what the rumors say. Just seeing Brother Shangguan fills me with joy. If you have the time, stay at Wudang for a few more days. I will happily treat you to a good time."
Shangguan Hai Tang, upon hearing Gu Han Yuan's words, smiled like a blooming flower, her beauty almost revealing her true identity as a woman disguised as a man.
Although she was somewhat tempted, she needed to return to the capital to report today's events to Iron-Courageous Divine Constable, Zhu Wu Shi. The chaos today, whether it was Gu Han Yuan's emergence or Wu Tian's mysterious appearance, would cause a stir in the martial world. She had to make preparations in advance.
"Shangguan also feels that we have met at a fateful moment. Unfortunately, I have urgent matters and must return to the capital. I cannot stay any longer. If you, Brother Gu, come to the capital in the future, be sure to visit the Number One Estate in the World. We will drink till we drop.
"That would be a shame. Once Gu descends the mountain, I will definitely pay a visit to the capital. We can drink and chat then. Let me see Brother Shangguan off.
Gu Han Yuan was hesitant about Shangguan Hai Tang's promise of drinking till they dropped, but he wasn't worried about her true identity as a woman being exposed.
"Brother Gu, there is no need to see me off. We will surely meet again. Brother Song, farewell."
After greeting Song Yuanqiao, Shangguan Hai Tang didn't hesitate and left the Wudang sect swiftly.