The Villain's Counterattack

Chapter 165: The Trick of Cheng Kun

Of the six major sects, Wudang had the smallest contingent, with only thirty members. However, all of them were skilled fighters, and even the weakest inner disciples were second-rate fighters. Their sword and shield formations were truly impressive. Shaolin had over a hundred fighters, while Emei, Kongtong, and Huashan each had seventy or eighty. Kunlun, due to their proximity, had a similar number of fighters, but their strength was significantly inferior.

Song Qingshu directed everyone to cut wood, quarry stones, dig ditches and bury pits. At the same time, he also clearly divided the camps of the six major sects, and took a posture of fighting a protracted war. The people of the Ming Cult above Yixian Gorge naturally saw it clearly, but they could do nothing.

The Shaolin and Kunlun masters here were divided into two groups and attacked Yixianxia back and forth, forcing them to fight passively. Although a few people were injured, no one was killed because of the timely rescue. Instead, many Mingjiao disciples were killed because they were eager for success.

After this incident, the disciples of the Ming Cult guarding Yixianxia became more cautious. Whenever they saw someone trying to break through, they would repel them with arrows and rocks and resolutely refused to engage in battle with them. These people actually did not follow the rules and used masters to fight against them, a group of small soldiers. It was really too much.

At nightfall, the disciples of the six major sects assigned some people to guard the unfinished fortifications, and at the same time sent experts to the bottom of Yixian Gorge to occasionally beat drums and gongs to harass the Mingjiao guards. If they slacked off even a little, someone would try to break through, leaving them without rest all night.

Early the next morning, Song Yuanqiao, Yu Daying, Yin Liting, Mo Shenggu, Song Qingshu and Nun Miejue came together. The six great masters broke through the barrier together. Hundreds of Ming Cult disciples guarding the barrier almost succeeded in breaking through by them. At this time, the Green-Winged Bat King Wei Yixiao suddenly appeared, knocked Nun Miejue back with a palm, and then looked down at the Wudang heroes and made fun of them.

Fortunately, the Wudang masters were good at lightness skills and were extremely skilled in climbing the Cloud Ladder, so they escaped from Wei Yixiao. Song Qingshu used his finger magic to attack Wei Yixiao, but he dodged them one by one. The two then competed in lightness skills and hidden weapons on the cliffs of Yixianxia. In the end, Song Qingshu was outnumbered and defeated.

Being able to escape from the Green-Winged Bat King is no small achievement.

The Wudang and Emei sects launched three consecutive charges. Seeing that Wei Yixiao was also struggling, the five flag masters of the Five Elements Flag attacked at the same time, and all kinds of hidden weapons rushed up, almost causing them to suffer a great loss. In the end, Mo Shenggu was injured and Nun Miejue was poisoned, and the offensive ended.

The six major sects were attacking the pass every day and harassing the people day and night. More and more masters from the Ming Cult were participating in the defense, and gradually the Five Scattered People also appeared. Everyone except Yang Xiao was on the Bright Summit. As for Yang Xiao, he was guarding his daughter's boudoir, turning it into a dragnet, quietly waiting for the prey to come.

Cheng Kun's patience was even worse than he had imagined. The Ming Cult was heavily guarded, the six major sects were under unified management in the camp, and all the masters were registered. Even if he pretended to be injured and retreated on the first day, he wouldn't be so impatient.

Perhaps it was because Song Qingshu had challenged Yang Xiao and other masters directly today, saying that they would have a duel at the foot of the mountain to decide the winner. The implicit meaning was that after the fight, everyone would go back to their own homes and find a way out, and that would be the end of it.

This is also the opinion of Shaolin Kongzhi, Huashan Xianyutong, Emei Master Miejue, and the Five Elders of Kongtong. As for the opinion of Kunlun Sect, do they dare to have any objection?

The headquarters of the Ming Cult is at Guangmingding of Kunlun Mountain. If they really dare to blow up the temple, they will be taught a lesson by the Ming Cult in minutes. It is safest to stay put.

Cheng Kun didn't know that he had been in the sight of certain people. He first pretended to be injured (he was indeed injured, but not seriously. Later, seeing that Zhang Wuji was healing everyone's injuries in a very methodical way, he was afraid of being exposed, so he slapped himself again. This time he was really injured seriously). After fading from everyone's sight, he turned to logistics, and then joined the ranks of collecting wild fruits and hunting prey, step by step leaving the base camp of the six major sects.

But his cleverness backfired. Master Kongzhi had always been concerned about the safety of his disciples. He didn't expect to see Cheng Kun committing self-harm. He shook his head in his heart, thinking that Cheng Kun had become timid after being injured in the two attacks in Yixianxia. He also apologized to Song Qingshu beside him and wanted to capture him, but was stopped by Song Qingshu.

After this, Song Qingshu and Kong Zhi often paid attention to Yuan Zhen's (Cheng Kun's Buddhist name) actions until he did not return all night. The next day, a blood-red firework shot straight into the sky from Guangmingding. Song Qingshu knew that the time had come.

Song Qingshu quickly summoned the leaders of the six major sects, selected one or two people from each sect, and invited everyone to watch a good show. He then quietly left with Kongwen, Kongxing, Song Yuanqiao, Yu Daying, Nun Miejue, the first two of the Five Elders of Kongtong, Xian Yutong and the new head of Kunlun (a supporting role, no name needed). Everything was normal at the camp at the foot of the mountain, and it was taken over by Mo Shenggu, Zhang Wuji and others, who strictly defended the camp and pretended to charge.

Cheng Kun felt very aggrieved. Everything went smoothly at the beginning of the siege of Guangmingding, and the six major sects were successfully mobilized. Among them, the Wudang Sect was quite powerful, and killed more than 5,000 demon cult members without saying a word, which made Cheng Kun want to give them an encouragement award.

However, what happened next was beyond his expectations. The Sky Eagle Cult and the Ming Cult joined forces to block the entrance, and the well-trained Five Elements Banners frightened the six major sects into silence. Most of the sects he had secretly instigated were taken down, and his own hidden forces were also wiped out. If it weren't for Wudang's Song Qingshu's decisive turn, the expedition to Bright Summit would have ended here.

To catch a thief, one must first catch the leader. Cheng Kun decided to start from inside Bright Summit, and launch a surprise attack on Yang Xiao, Yin Tianzheng, Wei Yixiao, and the Five Scattered People. He wanted to find an opportunity to kill the leader of the Five Elements Flag, leaving the Ming Cult leaderless. Then the six major sects would be able to attack Bright Summit in one fell swoop and destroy the Ming Cult.

He had planned carefully and even resorted to self-harm to leave the camps of the six major sects. However, as soon as he came out of the secret passage, he was covered by a huge net. Yang Xiao and Wei Yixiao were actually waiting for his arrival there. A messenger of light and a Dharma King beat him seriously. If they had not been unable to enter the secret passage due to the rules, he would have been completely killed.

Cheng Kun didn't dare to stay in the secret passage any longer, fearing that they would seal both ends of the passage and release poisonous smoke inside. He would be in real trouble then. He hurriedly dived down the mountain. Not more than two miles away from the secret passage, a familiar voice sounded not far away, which made him shudder all over.

"Master Yuanzhen, the princess has ordered that all the members of the Demon Sect can be killed, but the masters of the six major sects must be captured alive. The princess can use them." An old man holding a short stick appeared near Cheng Kun at some point, scaring him.

"It's Mr. Lu. Why is Mr. Lu not serving the princess and running out to this desolate mountain?" Cheng Kun's heart skipped a beat. When did this Lu Zhangke appear here? Had he been following him the whole time?

"Master Yuanzhen has made an invaluable contribution in instigating the conflict between the six major sects and the Demon Cult. Once the Demon Cult is annihilated, the masters of the six major sects are captured, and their sects are destroyed, we will reward you accordingly. Master will be the first to receive the most meritorious service. You will then enjoy endless wealth and glory. I beg for your continued support." "Lu Zhangke" suddenly spoke seriously, "The princess heard that Master was seriously injured in his brave attack on the Demon Cult, so she sent me to visit him. Master, you look pale and your injuries are serious."

Cheng Kun's heart skipped a beat. He thought to himself that the two Xuanming Elders were only after fame and fortune, and he had no close friendship with them. Even if he had once done a favor to their fellow disciples (as in the case of the missing Tatars from Shaolin Temple ten years ago), they would kill him without hesitation in the face of such glory and wealth. This time, the Demon Cult and the six major sects were completely caught in their trap, and there was a high probability that they would not return. His role had been lost. Could it be that they wanted to eliminate him before rewarding him for his merits?

"He was just pretending to be sick to get away," Cheng Kun said calmly. "The Demon Cult and the six major sects are still there, and the princess's troops haven't arrived yet. How can Mr. Lu be so sure they will fail?"

"Haha, who told you the princess's army hasn't arrived? Besides, Ten Fragrance Softening Powder is enough to deal with a bunch of stragglers. The army is only here to wipe out the remaining remnants. Master, are those explosives you prepared to blow up the demon cult thieves and the six major sects? The princess has ordered that the masters of the six major sects can only be captured alive and not be killed."

Cheng Kun's eyes lit up. This was correct. If one of them wasn't killed, it would be a problem. It turned out that they wanted to keep someone from each faction. "The princess wants them to surrender to the court, but this won't be easy."

"The princess's thoughts are beyond the comprehension of us. Master Yuan Zhen, I'm curious about what you went through last night. Why do your injuries seem so much worse?" As the "Deer Staff Guest" approached, Cheng Kun's heart raced. His expression remained unchanged until he suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, though his complexion brightened considerably. "I simply infiltrated Bright Summit and was accidentally besieged by the demonic leader Yang Xiao, Wei Yixiao, and the Five Wanderers. While I was seriously injured, they weren't doing well either."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhangke paused, then silently took a half step back and said, "Master is truly formidable, single-handedly taking on seven demons. I admire you! In the future, when merits are awarded, Master, for defeating the Western Regions monks and earning the title of Imperial Master, please continue to support us two brothers."

Cheng Kun was shocked, his face full of disbelief, and he shouted sternly, "You are not Lu Zhangke, who are you?"