When it came to matters of great importance, Yan Shouyi did not want his friendship with Yu Luming to affect the bigger picture.
Reason told him that letting Yu Luming take the lead was the most sensible and safest option.
So, he agreed.
“Fighting the National Master is not only your destiny, but mine as well,” Yu Luming’s deep voice came through the phone. “I also want to avenge my master with my own hands.”
Yan Shouyi was silent for a moment, then said, “Go ahead without worry, you have me behind you.”
“En, if I return safely, you owe me a drink.”
“Ten drinks, and I’ll find pretty girls to drink with you.”
“…Damn it, you ruined the mood entirely.”
Yu Luming angrily hung up the phone. The sheer embarrassment made him wish he could appear at Daqing Mountain immediately and choke the National Master to death, just to shut Yan Shouyi up.
The dial tone buzzed on the phone. Yan Shouyi quietly put down his mobile, pondering for a long time.
Yu Luming would enter Daqing Mountain early tomorrow morning, and the outcome would be known within two days at the latest. His task was to go to the vicinity of Daqing Mountain in advance, ready for the next step of the encirclement.
After Yu Luming departed, it would be his turn to move.
However, Yan Shouyi still had some matters on his mind. He specifically went to ask Wang Jí Wǎng about the situation with A Gong and the others searching for the Vajra Pestle in Siam.
The reply he received was that A Gong and his companions had found the whereabouts of the Vajra Pestle, but they had clashed with local followers of the Four-Faced Buddha and were currently working to resolve the trouble.
In other words, they would likely not be able to participate in the decisive battle against the National Master.
…
Yu Luming was transported to Daqing Mountain by private jet early the next morning.
At this very moment, the encampment outside Daqing Mountain had already assembled over a thousand people!
Not only the Celestial Master Mansion of Longhu Mountain was dispatched, but also the Wudang Sect, Emei Sect, Laoshan Sect, Maoshan Sect, Hanshan Temple…
The elite forces of all the renowned sects had arrived at Daqing Mountain.
And all their sect leaders were present.
This represented the strongest force among the renowned sects of the current era.
At dawn, over a thousand people, clad in Taoist robes or monastic attire, holding their respective magical artifacts and weapons, formed neat ranks in front of the encampment.
It felt much like a martial arts convention from a wuxia novel.
Yu Luming, dressed in a purple Taoist robe and with the Celestial Master Token at his waist, slowly walked out from the encampment, his gaze sharp, surveying these powerful individuals.
“Welcome, Celestial Master!”
From the formation of over a thousand people, a unified and resounding cry erupted. Even seasoned veterans like Mao Xiaosan of the Maoshan Sect bowed their heads to Yu Luming.
This was not the time for pretense; everyone needed a spiritual pillar, and they needed Yu Luming to unite them all.
Yu Luming spoke loudly, “I believe everyone has witnessed the National Master’s might. Our fellow Daoists who ventured into Daqing Mountain have either died or been injured! Not a single one has returned alive! I hope everyone will not underestimate the enemy again!”
The crowd fell silent, their expressions grave.
They already knew the National Master’s power, and they also knew that their purpose this time was not to kill the National Master, but to investigate the situation within Daqing Mountain.
Each sect and faction had received pleas for help from their Daoist companions, who were trapped in Daqing Mountain and awaiting rescue.
Led by Yu Luming, the team only needed to rescue those Daoists and then withdraw directly from Daqing Mountain. If possible, they were to investigate the National Master’s current situation as much as they could.
Only then would the main army assemble for a full assault on the National Master!
Yu Luming noticed that each sect and faction had brought out their full strength, with sect leaders, elders, and elite disciples all participating, leaving no room for error.
He frowned and commanded, “Han San of the Maoshan Sect, Zhao Chengxiang of the Wudang Sect, Yuan Jianxin of the Laoshan Sword Sect, Ling Xiaoxiao of the Emei Sect, Chang Shan of Hanshan Temple… All of you return to the encampment. You are not permitted to enter Daqing Mountain!”
“Why not!”
Han San and the others were all indignant, unwilling to obey the order.
Their elders, however, chided them from the side, telling them to follow the Celestial Master’s arrangements.
Yu Luming said calmly, “You are the new generation of powerhouses from the renowned sects. In the face of danger, the older generation can gladly sacrifice themselves, but you represent hope. It is not yet time for you to take risks.”
He intended to leave a path of retreat for the various sects.
If, hypothetically, the National Master had set a deadly trap within Daqing Mountain and Yu Luming was unable to bring everyone back, at least Han San and the others could carry on the torch.
This was also the result of discussions between Yu Luming and Yan Shouyi.
Although these new generation powerhouses were strong enough, they still had to obey their masters.
Therefore, despite their reluctance, they were ultimately sent back to the encampment.
After leaving a portion of the people behind, Yu Luming looked towards another direction of the encampment.
In that direction stood a few hundred people, loosely formed. Unlike the renowned sects, this group had no discipline whatsoever. They stood askew, constantly whispering amongst themselves, showing no regard for the Celestial Master.
Disciples from the renowned sects frowned at them.
These were forces from Hongya Cave of the Min Sect, led by Zhou Yan.
Members of the Min Sect were accustomed to a life of freedom and lacked a sense of discipline, hence their casual demeanor, which Zhou Yan could not control.
Zhou Yan approached Yu Luming and clasped his fist, saying, “Celestial Master, we are here under the orders of our leader to accompany you into the mountain!”
Yu Luming nodded slightly, “Are your people ready?”
Zhou Yan smiled slightly, “I told them, anyone who dies behind the disciples of the renowned sects will be engraved on the pillar of shame. They are all furious and would rather die than be behind you.”
For the members of the Min Sect, entering Daqing Mountain this time was not just about slaying demons and exterminating evil.
More importantly, they wanted to prove themselves in front of the renowned sects!
To demonstrate that they were not inferior!
Yu Luming looked at the casually standing members of the Min Sect and realized that beneath their grinning masks lay hearts more resolute than anyone else’s.
“Let’s go, enter Daqing Mountain!” Yu Luming commanded.
Zhou Yan clasped his fist again, then turned and shouted to the members of Hongya Cave, “Brothers, into the mountain! Clear the way for our Daoist companions!!”
The originally casual members of the Min Sect suddenly straightened up and marched into Daqing Mountain in unison, their steps without the slightest hesitation, as if they would not flinch even if faced with a mountain of knives and a sea of fire blocking their path.
Witnessing this, the disciples of the renowned sects felt a touch of shame. They then mustered their own spirit, unwilling to be outdone by the Min Sect. Some disciples even wanted to take the lead, but found that the Min Sect had blocked the path so tightly that they couldn’t push through.
It was then that everyone realized these “rabble” were likely entering Daqing Mountain with a resolve to die.
Led by Yu Luming, everyone entered Daqing Mountain.
Before Daqing Mountain, they were as insignificant as a swarm of ants. Yet, it was precisely this swarm of ants that possessed the determination to move the mountain.