17: Chapter 17 100th Birthday Banquet

There was one month left until the centennial birthday banquet of Zhang Sanfeng.

The entirety of Wudang Mountain had long since begun preparing for the banquet.

Inside and outside Zixiao Palace, everything had been swept spotless by the Disciples.

Red silk draped across the eaves and halls, exuding a festive atmosphere everywhere.

Yet beneath this festivity, there lurked a tension like an impending storm.

In recent days, the small town at the foot of Wudang Mountain had suddenly been flooded with countless people from the Jianghu.

Influential Schools had all sent Disciples up the mountain in advance.

Ostensibly to help with the banquet preparations, they were actually there to gather information and keep an eye on the whereabouts of Golden-Haired Lion King Xie Xun.

Those unknown scoundrels of the Jianghu and wandering Martial Artists held hopes of fishing in troubled waters, wanting to use the opportunity of the banquet to get a share of the spoils.

Even if they could not get their hands on the dragon slaying saber, just catching a glimpse of this Martial Forest legend would make the trip worthwhile.

Furthermore, secret agents of the Yuan Dynasty imperial court had also disguised themselves as Jianghu figures, mingling into the groups heading up the mountain.

They secretly monitored every move of the Wudang Sect, ready to relay information to the Ruyang Princes Mansion in Dadu at any moment.

Inside the main hall of Zixiao Palace, Zhang Sanfeng sat in the main seat. Listening to Zhang Songxi's report, he tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his expression indifferent.

"Master, as of today, there are over three hundred Disciples from various major Schools on the mountain, and nearly a thousand Jianghu figures gathered in the town at the foot of the mountain."

Zhang Songxi said, bowing, his tone carrying a hint of gravity.

"Among them, the five major Schools—Shaolin Sect, Emei Sect, Kunlun, Kongtong Sect, and Huashan—have all sent Elders to lead their teams up the mountain. They claim to be here to offer their birthday wishes early, but in reality, they have been constantly probing for the whereabouts of Senior Golden-Haired Lion King Xie Xun."

"There are also some minor Jianghu sects, such as the Giant Whale Gang, Sea Sand Sect, and Spirit Fist Sect, who have all sent people as well."

"They are causing trouble at the foot of the mountain, demanding that our Wudang Sect hand over Golden-Haired Lion King Xie Xun and the dragon slaying saber, and have already clashed with our Disciples several times."

Beside him, Yu Lianzhou furrowed his brows, his Killing Intent fully exposed: "Master, these clowns dare to act presumptuously on Wudang Mountain!"

"This Disciple requests permission to go down the mountain and deal with them, so that those with ill intentions will know that our Wudang Sect is not a soft persimmon that anyone can squeeze!"

"There is no need to be impatient." Zhang Sanfeng waved his hand and looked up at the group.

"These scoundrels are merely pawns that have jumped out to test the waters. Killing them would only give others ammunition against us."

"It would let the five major Schools seize a pretext to say that our Wudang Sect is bullying the weak and cannot tolerate fellow members of the Jianghu."

He knew clearly in his heart that the turmoil during the centennial birthday banquet in the original story was never instigated by these Jianghu scoundrels.

Standing behind them were the major Schools like the Shaolin Sect and Emei Sect, and even more so, Cheng Kun and the Ruyang Princes Mansion hiding in the shadows.

These scoundrels were merely cannon fodder pushed to the front.

"Then are we just going to let them run wild at the foot of the mountain?"

Mo Shenggu, young and hot-blooded, couldn't help but ask, his face full of indignation.

"Naturally not." Zhang Sanfeng smiled faintly, his gaze turning to Yin Liting and Mo Shenggu.

"Liting, Shenggu, you two, take the third-generation Disciples down the mountain."

"If they do not make a move, treat them with courtesy; if they dare to strike first, do not hold back, just take them down."

"It is a good opportunity for you and those young Disciples to practice," Zhang Sanfeng added.

"The Three-Talent Variation of the True Martial Seven-Section Formation that I taught you can be tested during this opportunity."

Yin Liting and Mo Shenggu's eyes lit up, and they immediately bowed to accept the order: "This Disciple obeys! We will certainly not fail Master's mission!"

The True Martial Seven-Section Formation was created by Zhang Sanfeng in the original story after observing the True Martial Seven-Section Mountain. With seven people joining forces, its power was infinite, capable of contending with the top Masters of the world.

Since his Transmigration, Zhang Sanfeng had combined his modern understanding of Formations with the essence of the Tai Chi Great Dao to revise this set of Formations.

Not only did the power of the seven-person Formation skyrocket, but he also evolved two-person, three-person, and five-person variations, strengthening the power of the Formation.

As for the third-generation Disciples he mentioned, they were seven exceptionally gifted youths he had personally selected from the Wudang third-generation Disciples a few days ago.

They were Young Hero Song Qingshu, son of Song Yuanqiao; Gao Lingchuan, Disciple of Yu Lianzhou; Lu Chengying, Disciple of Third Master Yu Daiyan; Su Mingzhe, Disciple of Zhang Songxi; Gu Hanjiang, Disciple of Fifth Brother Zhang Cuishan; Lin Jinghong, Disciple of Yin Liting; and Zhao Jingtao, Disciple of Mo Shenggu.

In the original story, Young Hero Song Qingshu, because of his jealousy toward Cult Leader Zhang Wuji, had his Heart-Nature led astray, ultimately ending up with his reputation ruined.

Now, Zhang Sanfeng had polished his Heart-Nature early on. Today's Young Hero Song Qingshu was steady, composed, and exceptionally gifted, serving as the leader among the third-generation Disciples.

That afternoon, Yin Liting and Mo Shenggu took the seven young Disciples, including Young Hero Song Qingshu, down Wudang Mountain.

In a tavern in the town at the foot of the mountain, a group of Disciples from the Giant Whale Gang and Sea Sand Sect were drinking and spewing wild words.

They were cursing the Wudang Sect with foul language, claiming that the Wudang Sect was hiding the Devil Head Golden-Haired Lion King Xie Xun, and even threatening to burn down Wudang Mountain.

Just as they were clamoring the loudest, the door of the tavern was pushed open.

Yin Liting and Mo Shenggu walked in slowly, accompanied by the seven young Disciples.

The tavern instantly quieted down, and everyone's eyes were focused on them.

"Your Excellency, are you the Sixth Hero Yin and Seventh Hero Mo among the Seven Heroes of Wudang?"

The leader of the Giant Whale Gang, Mai Jing, stood up and said with a fake smile.

"What? We brothers are just drinking and chatting here, does that interfere with your Wudang Sect's business?"

"Our Wudang Sect respects you all as fellow members of the Jianghu and allows you to stay at the foot of the mountain."

Mo Shenggu's gaze was cold as he swept across the crowd, "But you are spewing wild words here, insulting the Wudang Sect, and slandering my School. Do not blame our Wudang Sect for being heartless."

"Heartless?" The leader of the Sea Sand Sect, Yuan Guangbo, sneered.

"The Wudang Sect is hiding the Devil Head Golden-Haired Lion King Xie Xun, are we not allowed to speak of it? If you have the ability, hand over Golden-Haired Lion King Xie Xun and the dragon slaying saber. Otherwise, when the people from the five major Schools arrive, your Wudang Sect will be in big trouble!"

Before the words fell, Yuan Guangbo suddenly raised his hand and flung a handful of poisonous sand toward Mo Shenggu's face, which was extremely sinister.

"You are courting death!" Mo Shenggu snorted coldly. With a wave of his sleeve, a gentle internal energy surged out. The poisonous sand instantly recoiled and was scattered all over Yuan Guangbo's own face.

Yuan Guangbo screamed, covering his face as he fell to the ground, rolling in agony.

"Daring to make a move at the foot of Wudang Mountain, I think you are tired of living!"

Yin Liting drew his sword, and the Sword Intent of the Wudang Cotton Sword spread out, instantly restraining Mai Jing who wanted to step forward to help.

Seeing this, the Disciples of the Giant Whale Gang and the Sea Sand Sect drew their weapons and rushed forward.

"Form up!"

Young Hero Song Qingshu gave a low shout. With the other six Junior Brothers, their figures instantly dispersed. Following the Three-Talent Variation of the True Martial Seven-Section Formation, they grouped into threes and met the charge.

Of the seven youths, the oldest was no more than seventeen, and the youngest was only fourteen.

Yet, joining forces in the Formation, the Formation operated seamlessly, and every move and style of the Wudang martial arts was perfectly coordinated.

Even though they were facing dozens of Jianghu experts, they were beaten back steadily. In just a few dozen rounds, they were all knocked to the ground, with no power to resist.

The other Jianghu figures in the tavern watched, dumbfounded.

No one expected the third-generation Disciples of the Wudang Sect to have such terrifying strength.

With just seven people, they easily took down dozens of experts from the Giant Whale Gang and the Sea Sand Sect. That Formation was even more mysterious and unfathomable.

Yin Liting looked at the subdued crowd and said coldly:

"Today, we will cripple your martial arts and banish you from the foot of Wudang Mountain. If you dare to cause trouble or spew wild words here again, you will be executed without mercy."

After the words fell, Mo Shenggu acted, crippling the martial arts of Mai Jing, Yuan Guangbo, and the other leaders of the disturbance, and threw them out of the town.

The effect of killing the chicken to warn the monkey was immediate.

Those Jianghu scoundrels who were originally restless at the foot of the mountain became silent as cicadas in winter upon hearing the news.

Inside Zixiao Palace on Wudang Mountain, Zhang Sanfeng listened to Yin Liting's report and looked at the seven youths, including Young Hero Song Qingshu, standing below with upright posture, nodding with satisfaction.

"Well done. You have already touched the threshold of the essence of the True Martial Seven-Section Formation."

Zhang Sanfeng praised them, then looked at everyone, "However, these scoundrels were merely an appetizer. The real turmoil is yet to come."

He turned and walked to the back of the hall, looking at Golden-Haired Lion King Xie Xun who had been waiting there for a long time, and said faintly:

"Golden-Haired Lion King Xie Xun, Great Master Kongjian died because of you. The Shaolin Sect will inevitably use this as a pretext to take the lead in attacking."

"Write down all of Cheng Kun's crimes, as well as everything you have done over these years. At the birthday banquet, I want the entire Jianghu to know the truth of the matter."

Golden-Haired Lion King Xie Xun nodded, clenched his fists, and said in a hoarse voice: "I understand. Rest assured, Immortal Master, I, Golden-Haired Lion King Xie Xun, will never shirk the responsibility I should bear."

Zhang Sanfeng nodded slightly.

What he wanted was not to use force to forcibly suppress this turmoil.

Instead, he wanted to reveal Cheng Kun's true face before the entire Central Plains Martial Arts World, take complete control of the initiative, and dismantle the pretext of the five major Schools for forcing their way in from the root.

Days passed by, and the centennial birthday banquet drew closer and closer.

Abbot Kongwen of the Shaolin Sect and Abbess Miejue, Sect Head of the Emei Sect, arrived at Wudang Mountain one after another, bringing with them Core Disciples of the five major Schools and hundreds of top experts.

The entire Wudang Mountain was gathered with experts, undercurrents were surging, and the air was filled with a tense, sword-drawn atmosphere.

Finally, the day of Zhang Sanfeng's centennial birthday banquet arrived.

On the square in front of Zixiao Palace, banquets were laid out, and the Sect Heads and experts of the various major Schools of the Central Plains Martial Arts World were all gathered here.

On both sides of the square, Wudang Disciples stood in Formation, their aura steady, ready for battle.

When Zhang Sanfeng, dressed in a moon-white Daoist robe, walked slowly out of Zixiao Palace and sat in the main seat, the entire square instantly fell silent.

Everyone's eyes were focused on this centennial Daoist.

Seeing his upright posture, ruddy complexion, and deep eyes, where was there any trace of the decrepitude of a centenarian?

Abbot Kongwen and Abbess Miejue looked at each other, both seeing a hint of gravity in the other's eyes.

This birthday banquet was destined not to be peaceful.