Chapter 582: Lu Lihong of Wuming Hall

Walking toward them from afar were two people. The one leading the way was none other than Yang Yao, the very person who had guided Zhang Xiaohua into the Incense-Spreading Sect. Following behind him with his chin slightly raised and an arrogant air was the legendary genius from Spring Rebirth Valley. Back then, he had merely been a little medicine boy from the valley, but now he was an outer sect disciple of the Incense-Spreading Sect’s Wuming Hall.

As for his name, Zhang Xiaohua truly could not remember it clearly. However, the face within his divine sense was one he had genuinely seen before!

Wasn’t this the very mountain patrol disciple who had forcibly swindled Zhang Xiaohua out of his “Dragon Scale Fruit” beside Jinghai Lake on the first day he arrived at the Incense-Spreading Sect?

In an instant, Zhang Xiaohua felt utterly disheartened. What kind of character was this? He’s even considered the pride of Tuodan Hall, yet he could snatch medicinal herbs from the hands of a medicine boy? Putting everything else aside, that alone makes me look down on him by several degrees.

Only now did Zhang Xiaohua suddenly understand why he had found the matter strange at the time. The Dragon Scale Fruit was an exceedingly rare item, so how could an ordinary mountain-patrol disciple from Wuming Hall have recognized it? But if it had been this person, then there was nothing strange about it. Setting his character aside, he had at least possessed the basic professional knowledge expected of a medicine boy from Tuodan Hall.

Beside him, when Bai Huan heard Chen Fengxiao tell him to take Zhang Xiaohua to the inner hall to find some clothes, he immediately felt unwilling. Though he said nothing, his feet did not move in the slightest. He merely stood there, stretching his not-so-long neck and staring with starry eyes as he said in a low voice: “Aiyo, this Senior Brother Lu truly is a great master of martial arts. Look at him—after all these years, his bearing is still the same! Oh no, not the same. Look at those eyes, sharp as lightning, and that tiger-like stride and dragon-like gait. He truly has the demeanor of an expert. Even Boss Chen is far inferior to him…”

When Zhang Xiaohua heard the words “Senior Brother Lu”, he immediately thought of the “Lu Lihong” Yang Yao had mentioned. At once, he almost burst out laughing and had to cover his mouth.

Although Lu Lihong and Yang Yao had already drawn closer, they were still more than thirty meters away, and it was dusk, the time when people were hardest to see clearly. Even with Zhang Xiaohua’s keen senses, he could only make out a general impression. How could Bai Huan possibly see him clearly?

Thus, Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said, “So Senior Brother Bai admires Senior Brother Lu this much?”

Bai Huan ignored him and continued staring into the distance. “It’s not just me. Senior Brother Lu is practically the idol of all the disciples on Tianmu Peak. Whenever anyone mentions him, even Boss Chen can’t stop praising him. Oh, right, don’t be fooled by how Boss Chen greatly dislikes disciples from Spring Rebirth Valley—Senior Brother Lu is definitely the exception. Junior Brother Ren, when you meet Senior Brother Lu later, you must get close to him. He’s the pride of your Spring Rebirth Valley, a genius not seen in hundreds of years!”

After hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua secretly curled his lips. With those movement skills of his, he’s only slightly better than the Great Vajra Zou Shuming. How can he be called an expert, let alone a genius? He even stole my Dragon Scale Fruit, and they expect me to get close to him?

However, immediately afterward, he felt a bit more favorably toward Chen Fengxiao. Perhaps Chen Fengxiao had truly taken seriously what he had said about becoming an outer sect disciple. Seeing Lu Lihong coming over, he had hurriedly called him here, likely hoping that Zhang Xiaohua could ask this former Tuodan Hall disciple who had successfully passed the trials for some advice and thereby gain a few more chances of success.

“But did I ever want to become an outer sect disciple? Did I ever want to patrol the mountains for the Incense-Spreading Sect?”

Zhang Xiaohua shook his head and said to Bai Huan, who was immersed in his admiration for his idol, “Senior Brother Bai, you go ahead. I’ll find the inner hall myself.”

The moment Bai Huan heard this, he was overjoyed. “Good, good! You said it yourself. Then I’ll go welcome Senior Brother Lu first. Hurry and change into some fresh clothes, then come over and show your face too.”

With that, he strode off, not even bothering to ask whether Zhang Xiaohua knew where the inner hall was, much less point out its location.

Watching Bai Huan hurry away, Zhang Xiaohua rubbed his nose and turned around to enter the courtyard.

In any case, he had no intention of changing clothes, so what was the point of looking for the inner hall?

The courtyard was already completely empty, with not a single person in sight. However, it was no longer the same as on ordinary days. Though empty of people, it was far from empty of things. The usually vacant courtyard had long since been filled with small stools, arranged in neat rows and columns.

Zhang Xiaohua was greatly surprised. Looking up again, he saw that in front of the main hall stood a slightly elevated platform. Several tables and chairs had been placed upon it, and lanterns brightly illuminated the area around the platform. The light shone upon a long red banner hanging above it, on which was written a line of elegant characters:

“Once a Backbone of Tuodan Hall, Now an Elite of Wuming Hall—Lu Lihong’s Reminiscence and Outstanding Deeds Report Meeting.”

Seeing this, Zhang Xiaohua rubbed his nose once more. He had already done so countless times in this short while. He thought to himself, Could it be that this fellow really is a case of not judging a person by appearances?

A trace of anticipation could not help but arise in his heart.

Glancing around, his body moved without any visible preparation, floating gracefully into the air like a gentle breeze and heading straight toward a dark corner. It was precisely the freshly learned Wind-Riding Technique.

Unfortunately, after flying barely three meters and rising only about a meter above the ground, Zhang Xiaohua suddenly stumbled in midair. The elegance of riding the wind vanished completely, and he dropped like a stone.

Cough, cough…

He looked around. Fortunately, no one was there to witness it, so it was not too embarrassing.

With a hand seal, he used the Earth Escape Method to reach the corner, then leaped onto the wall and crouched there, looking down at the lively scene outside.

Not far away, Yang Yao and Lu Lihong had already met up with Chen Fengxiao, Wu Zhouxu, and the others.

From a great distance away, Chen Fengxiao had already raised both hands, wearing an expression of overflowing enthusiasm. As soon as they drew near, he immediately cupped his hands and said: “Chen Fengxiao, disciple of the Herb Division of Tuodan Hall on Tianmu Peak, welcomes the renowned and outstanding outer sect disciple of Wuming Hall, Junior Brother Lu Lihong!”

Yang Yao had originally been walking in front of Lu Lihong and was just about to return the greeting with a cupped-fist salute. However, upon hearing Chen Fengxiao’s introduction, he immediately stepped slightly to the side and let Lu Lihong come forward.

Lu Lihong, meanwhile, carried himself with the bearing of an expert. He took a step forward, cupped his fists with both hands, and said very modestly: “Senior Brother Chen, you flatter me too much. Although you and I are not in the same place now, weren’t we both disciples of Tuodan Hall back then? Outer sect disciple? Outstanding disciple? They’re all nothing but floating clouds. Only the brotherhood between us is real.”

Chen Fengxiao raised a thumbs-up and said: “Junior Brother Lu truly is extraordinary. Even after reaching such heights, you still haven’t forgotten old friendships. I really can’t compare with you. Admirable, truly admirable.”

As he spoke, Chen Fengxiao stepped to the side and bowed toward Yang Yao. “Martial Uncle Yang has worked hard. Bringing Junior Brother Lu here has truly added much glory to our Tianmu Peak.”

At the same time that Chen Fengxiao stepped aside, Wu Zhouxu also approached Lu Lihong with a spring-like smile on his face. He cupped his hands in greeting and began exchanging pleasantries with him.

Yang Yao, however, maintained his smile and said to Chen Fengxiao: “Ah, I simply have the fate of a hard worker. Thinking back to when I brought you into the Incense-Spreading Sect, the blink of an eye has turned into several decades. Looking at what you’ve achieved today, and then looking at myself… shameful, truly shameful.”

Chen Fengxiao warmly stepped forward and patted Yang Yao on the shoulder. “Martial Uncle Yang is like a guiding light for the Incense-Spreading Sect. Who knows how many disciples have entered this promising super sect under your guidance? I envy that contribution of yours immensely. No matter how much I try, it’s something I could never learn.”

Afterward, he grabbed Yang Yao’s hand and said warmly, “I heard that your last trip out of the valley was your final one, Martial Uncle, and that from now on you can enjoy a peaceful retirement within the Incense-Spreading Sect. I wonder what arrangements you have made? Our Tianmu Peak is lacking distinguished figures like yourself. If Martial Uncle is willing, why not come and preside over Tianmu Peak? I’d immediately give up my position as Chief to you!”

Yang Yao waved his hands repeatedly. “No, no. You and Nephew Lu are both outstanding talents of your generation. How could I compare with you? These old bones of mine should just stay on Baiyue Peak and bask in the sun. Besides, even if I wanted to come to Tianmu Peak, would Hall Master really be willing to replace you?”

Chen Fengxiao’s face bloomed into a smile as bright as a flower. He shook Yang Yao’s hand and said, “You are one of the Hall Master’s treasures. How could he bear to send you so far away? He’ll certainly arrange for you to be in some even more important position within the hall…”

Yang Yao chuckled and continued saying various inconsequential things.

Meanwhile, Wu Zhouxu, having finished his greetings, also came over and continued exchanging pleasantries with Yang Yao.

The other sixteen burly men surrounded Lu Lihong like stars encircling the moon, chattering away and asking him questions from every direction.

Only a short distance behind them, a group of young medicine boys was energetically beating gongs and drums and waving flower garlands. Their voices had already become hoarse, yet cries of “Welcome! Welcome! A warm welcome!” still echoed across the mountainside of Tianmu Peak.

After a while, both groups had finished their greetings. Some of the Tuodan Hall disciples who had admired Lu Lihong for a long time also looked eager to step forward. With a smile, Lu Lihong said to Chen Fengxiao, “Tuodan Hall really is the best. This is my old home. Every time I come back, I feel the warmth of family. However, the brothers’ enthusiasm is simply too great. I’m afraid…”

Naturally, Chen Fengxiao understood what he meant. He turned around and raised his hand. “Junior Brothers, don’t be anxious. The wind here is strong, and the weather is cold, so let’s first invite Junior Brother Lu into the courtyard. In a little while, we’ll hold a report meeting on Junior Brother Lu’s outstanding deeds. Together, we’ll reminisce about the years he struggled and fought here in Tuodan Hall. After the meeting, we’ll have plenty of time to exchange ideas with Junior Brother Lu and learn from him properly, taking Junior Brother Lu as a guiding beacon for our future…”

Chen Fengxiao spoke at length before the disciples finally quieted down and made way for them.

Lu Lihong wore a smile across his face as he walked at the front of the group. As he walked, he continuously waved his hand, looking exceedingly amiable.

Chen Fengxiao and Wu Zhouxu accompanied him from behind, both smiling and applauding.

Yang Yao followed behind them, accompanied by Zou Shuming and the others.

The disciples lining both sides of the path cheered loudly, all stretching out their hands, hoping to get a closer touch of this former elite of Tuodan Hall.

As for the medicine boys standing behind the disciples, they still tirelessly waved their flower garlands and played their instruments. Their little faces were flushed with excitement, and both eyes peered through the gaps between the disciples, hoping to catch a glimpse of something.

Unfortunately, they could see nothing.

All they could see was a disorderly mass of backs.