At this moment, within a conference hall of Wudang Sect's inner sect, Sect Leader Zhong Yulong sat at the head seat with an air of natural dignity, while the elders of the Wudang Sect's older generation occupied the seats to his left and right.
Next came Zhang Yansong, Zuo Qi, Wang Zhengyi, and others. Disciples like Xian Yun and Xiu Qi were not qualified to sit and could only stand behind their elders. All eyes were focused on Wan Yunting and his son Ouyang Zhixin, who were entering.
"Grandmaster Wan has returned, please have a seat."
Zhong Yulong, with his immortal demeanor, still offered a gentle and approachable smile. He subtly gestured with his hand, inviting Wan Yunting and his son Ouyang Zhixin to sit on the prepared chairs to his left.
"Thank you, Sect Leader Zhong."
Wan Yunting cupped his fist and bowed respectfully before leading Ouyang Zhixin to sit. Shortly after, Ouyang Shen also walked in, having heard of his grandson's return. Zhong Yulong invited him to sit with Wan Yunting and his son, then inquired, "Grandmaster Wan, has the police station apprehended the killer from last night?"
Wan Yunting shook his head. Facing the varied gazes of the Wudang Sect members, he calmly stated, "No, but from the surveillance footage from down the mountain yesterday, we have identified a foreigner. Investigations confirm he is a killer from a drug trafficking organization in Mexico!"
"A killer from a drug trafficking organization..."
Upon hearing this, the Wudang Sect members present began to whisper among themselves, their expressions a mixture of surprise and bewilderment...
After all, the people of the Wudang Sect were traditional martial artists and the sole inheritors of Taoism in China. They had very little contact with the outside world, and their disciples strictly adhered to the sect's rules, never engaging in criminal activities.
Therefore, when Wan Yunting revealed that Tan Zhiyuan had been killed by a killer from a foreign Mexican drug trafficking organization, all the Wudang Sect members felt a sense of shock and disbelief.
There seemed to be no connection between the two, yet they were linked by someone. Wan Yunting sighed and said, "Sect Leader Zhong, the cause of this matter indeed stems from me. I, Wan Yunting, cannot shirk responsibility for this incident."
"Grandmaster Wan, please don't say that!"
Zhang Yansong spoke up. His aged face was haggard, and Tan Zhiyuan's death the previous night had brought him immense pain. He hadn't slept all night and seemed to have aged even more. He waved his hand at Wan Yunting and sighed, "This was a mistake made by my foolish disciple, who was manipulated into committing such a foolish act. If anyone is to blame, it is my failure as Zhang Yansong to teach him properly. You, Grandmaster Wan, have done nothing to wrong our Wudang Sect."
Originally, some of the Wudang Sect disciples had privately grumbled, believing that Wan Yunting shouldn't have appeared at the Wudang Sect, as it might have led to such an incident.
But hearing Zhang Yansong say this, the disciples standing behind him fell silent. If they had to pinpoint who was at fault, it was Tan Zhiyuan, who should not have let greed and money blind him!
"Brother is right."
Zhong Yulong rose and approached Wan Yunting, who also quickly stood up. Zhong Yulong said, "Grandmaster Wan's actions in the outside world are those of a righteous individual. The fault does not lie with you. Instead, it is our Wudang Sect disciple who was manipulated and allowed an assassination attempt on Grandmaster Wan within our sect. I apologize to you on behalf of our Wudang Sect..."
With that, Zhong Yulong slightly bowed to Wan Yunting, who repeatedly waved his hands, "Sect Leader Zhong, there's no need for this. It is I who have brought trouble to the Wudang Sect..."
Zhong Yulong waved his hand, looking at him and smiling, "Grandmaster Wan, you possess a magnanimous spirit and are truly a dragon among men. Wuliang Daoist Temple is fortunate to have you as its successor. You have inherited the legacy of our Wudang Sect's Sword Dao ancestor, and you have a connection with our Wudang Sect. If you ever need anything in the future, you can always seek me, this old Taoist. I will do my utmost to help!"
Wan Yunting was taken aback, understanding why Zhong Yulong said this, which filled him with excitement.
After all, the Wudang Sect was the foremost righteous sect among the various martial arts factions. With such a promise from Zhong Yulong, it would be much easier for Wan Yunting to navigate the martial arts world in the future.
This was because all the major sects regarded the Wudang Sect as their leader, and Zhong Yulong himself was the president of the Martial Arts Association, the former leader of the martial arts world!
"Thank you, Sect Leader Zhong."
Wan Yunting cupped his fist and bowed, sincerely thanking Zhong Yulong. He then took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to him, saying, "This is the Nine Layers of Sword Art of the Great Dao Sword Technique, which I wrote when I had some free time at the police station last night."
When Zuo Qi, Wang Zhengyi, Xian Yun, and other disciples saw that the paper Wan Yunting handed to the Sect Leader was the sword art of the Great Dao Sword Technique, they became excited.
Zhong Yulong opened the paper and looked at the beautiful and upright handwriting. His old eyes widened slightly, and he praised, "Excellent calligraphy. Grandmaster Wan, you are very thoughtful."
Wan Yunting smiled, "I have not yet fully grasped the deepest essence of the Great Dao Sword Technique. Once I am more familiar with it, I will create a new sword manual for the Great Dao Sword Technique and return it to your Wudang Sect."
Zhong Yulong smiled and nodded, tucking away the paper. "Grandmaster Wan, I will not see you off when you depart later. I offer this farewell here. When you have time in the future, please visit our Wudang Sect again."
"Thank you, Sect Leader Zhong. We shall take our leave now."
Wan Yunting cupped his fist and bowed again. Zhong Yulong nodded with a smile and said nothing more, instructing disciples like Zi Qing to escort them out...
Ouyang Zhixin and Ouyang Shen also got up, bid farewell to Zhong Yulong, and left the hall together. Wan Yunting saw Zhang Yansong, supported by his disciple Yao Xin, also preparing to leave. He stepped forward and said, "Daoist Zhang, I would like to discuss Brother Tan's matter with you."
Zhang Yansong, with his haggard face, turned to look at him and nodded, "Grandmaster Wan, do you wish to know who Tan Zhiyuan was associating with in the capital?"
"Yes."
Wan Yunting nodded and said earnestly, "Brother Tan was manipulated and ordered to do this. I also want to find the person behind the scenes!"
Zhang Yansong nodded, "I understand. However, when Zhiyuan and I were in the capital, we usually stayed at your Ouyang family's residence. But Zhiyuan occasionally went out. As for the people he met outside, I, as his master, am also unaware!"
Wan Yunting raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, "Did anyone visit you at your Ouyang family residence?"
Zhang Yansong paused. He thoughtfully considered for a moment before turning to Wan Yunting and saying, "There was a young man in your Ouyang family named Ouyang Liqun who visited us. He and Zhiyuan had a very good conversation!"
Wan Yunting's heart skipped a beat. It seemed there was a breakthrough in this matter!
Zhang Yansong continued, "I found this matter rather strange. At the time, apart from your grandfather, most people in your Ouyang family did not proactively visit us. But that young man's sudden visit caught my attention, which is why I remember it."
Wan Yunting nodded and continued to ask, "Besides Ouyang Liqun, did Brother Tan meet anyone else in the capital?"
Zhang Yansong shook his head, "I don't know about that."
Wan Yunting nodded and stopped asking. He said with sincere apology, "Daoist Zhang, it was I who implicated Brother Tan, otherwise he would not have been manipulated. Please accept my condolences."
Zhang Yansong waved his hand, "Grandmaster Wan, it's not about who is right or wrong now. Zhiyuan was manipulated because he failed to guard his Dao heart. It has nothing to do with Grandmaster Wan's fault; one can only say it was his own doing. Alright, I won't say anymore. I won't see you down the mountain."
After saying this, Zhang Yansong had Yao Xin help him leave. Wan Yunting stood in place and watched them leave before turning back...
At this time, Duan Yingying had already finished packing her belongings. Ouyang Shen was conversing with Ouyang Zhixin. Seeing Wan Yunting return, he asked a few questions before also going back to pack his things and come out, preparing to leave the Wudang Sect.
"Grandmaster Wan, we are here to escort you down the mountain..."
Xian Yun, along with Xiu Qi and Xu Yuxin, Zhi Guang and Zi Qing, Chong Ling'er, and Lan Xin and several other disciples, had been instructed by their master, Zhong Yulong, to see Wan Yunting and his party off down the mountain.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Xian..."
Wan Yunting cupped his fist and bowed to express his gratitude. The group then silently left the inner sect of the Wudang Sect and proceeded to the outer sect to descend the mountain. The bodyguards brought by Ouyang Zhixin, and even personnel from the local police station, had arrived to ensure Wan Yunting's safe journey to the airport...
"Alright, Senior Brother Xian, we'll part ways here."
Wan Yunting saw that it was about time, turned to Xian Yun and the others, cupped his fist, and smiled, "Farewell for now. Let's meet again if there's an opportunity in the future."
"Certainly, Grandmaster Wan. Please come and visit the Wudang Sect more often when you have time." Xian Yun smiled peacefully, also cupping his fist in return and smiling.
Wan Yunting smiled, noticing the exclusion in the expressions of Xiu Qi and Xu Yuxin, and knew that Xian Yun's invitation was merely polite. He nodded and said no more, turning to continue down the steps.
"I will come down the mountain to find you after the New Year!"
Suddenly, Zi Qing, who had not spoken until then, called out to Wan Yunting's retreating back. He paused and turned to look at Zi Qing's naturally blank expression, wondering why she was looking for him.
But it wasn't the right time to ask her. Wan Yunting smiled without saying anything and continued to descend the mountain with his grandfather and the others.
Xian Yun and the others stood on the steps, watching Wan Yunting's convoy disappear. Third Senior Sister Xu Yuxin immediately turned to Zi Qing and asked, "Seventh Junior Sister, did Master tell you to go find him?"
Zi Qing stared blankly at Wan Yunting's car convoy disappearing from view. She did not answer Xu Yuxin's question and turned to go back...
Leaving Xu Yuxin bewildered on the steps, Second Senior Brother Xiu Qi playfully tapped her head and said, "Don't ask. Let's go back."
"No, was this really Master's intention..."