Reborn as Lin Pingzhi, starting from escorting Daiyu to the capital.

Chapter 76 Post-Event Handling

"laugh!"

"laugh!"

Lin Pingzhi and Lin Daiyu tapped their hands in quick succession, and several small holes instantly appeared on the pine tree next to them.

The two exchanged a smile, quite satisfied with the effect of the One-Finger Divine Skill.

Suddenly, Duan Yanqing's expression changed drastically, and he looked pained.

Lin Pingzhi immediately recognized that Duan Yanqing's poison had flared up.

With a swift tap of his right index finger, the poison in Duan Yanqing's body was finally contained temporarily.

Thank you.

Duan Yanqing's face was ashen, and he was drenched in sweat.

He had long since become indifferent to life and death, but after learning that he had a son, he suddenly became afraid of dying.

Lin Pingzhi responded calmly:

"If you want to thank someone, thank them for teaching me the One-Finger Divine Skill. However, if you want to completely cure the poison Ding Chunqiu used, you'll have to go find him yourself."

"I know."

Duan Yanqing nodded.

Lin Pingzhi continued, "Duan Yanqing, I promised your son you could leave. But you should also remember your son's promise."

Duan Yu said at the time, "If this person continues to do evil in the future, I, Duan Yu, will bring him to justice without the need for the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) to take action." Duan Yanqing naturally heard every word clearly.

He finally understood Lin Pingzhi's intention: he wanted Duan Yu to restrain him.

He gave a cold laugh, his tone tinged with self-mockery:

"Young镖头 (镖头 is a term used to describe a skilled镖师, a kind of bodyguard or镖师), you underestimate me, Duan Yanqing. I have wandered the martial world for many years, without a wife or children. Now, in my old age, I have found such a fine son, and I am truly overjoyed. How could I possibly do anything evil and drag my son down with me?"

After speaking, he was overcome with emotion.

Lin Pingzhi nodded slightly: "Okay, I hope you remember what I said today."

Duan Yanqing clasped his hands together and bowed deeply to Lin Pingzhi to express his gratitude.

He then picked up the two steel rods from the ground, and with a flash, quickly left.

"I never imagined this villain had such a past."

Lin Daiyu watched Duan Yanqing's departing figure, sighing deeply.

"Young Master Lin, what should we do with these people?"

Su Xinghe walked over and pointed to a group of Xingxiu Sect disciples, asking them a question.

Upon hearing this, the disciples looked at Lin Pingzhi with unease.

Lin Pingzhi looked at the crowd, his gaze sharp and piercing:

"Your Xingxiu Sect has committed numerous evils and wreaked havoc on the martial arts world. Originally, I intended to annihilate you all in one fell swoop."

"However, I have always been fair in my dealings."

He then changed the subject, saying, "How about this, as long as one of you hasn't committed too many evil deeds, I can spare his life."

As soon as he finished speaking, the disciples began to argue:

"Young Master Escort is wise and brave. I am innocent. I was only responsible for playing the drums. I know nothing else."

"Young Master Escort is incredibly powerful. I was coerced by that old scoundrel Ding Chunqiu. I didn't do anything."

"Young Master Escort, please forgive me, I promise I will change my ways."

Lin Pingzhi raised his hands, signaling for everyone to be quiet:

"Here's what we'll do: each of you write down all the bad things that others have done, and I'll deal with it according to the circumstances."

"Remember, do not make false accusations against others. I will verify each one later, and if you do, you will be executed without mercy."

The disciples of the Xingxiu Sect were always ready to sing praises to Ding Chunqiu, so they had no shortage of paper and pens.

Upon hearing this, all the disciples sprang into action.

Those who committed fewer evil deeds naturally wore expressions of joy.

Those who have committed numerous evils appear fearful, plotting how to drag others down with them.

Soon, the disciples finished writing their notes.

Lin Pingzhi, Su Xinghe, and others checked the details on the note one by one and brought dozens of disciples who had committed numerous evils to justice.

Those who committed fewer evil deeds were either stripped of their martial arts skills or subjected to other punishments.

Only after the situation was resolved were these people allowed to descend the mountain.

Later, some of these disciples joined the Songshan Sect, some joined the Demonic Sect, and some were taken in by Hong Antong—but that's another story.

-----------------

Lin Pingzhi and the others entered the cave in the small house, moved Wu Yazi's body out, and buried it in a place with bad feng shui in the back mountain.

Lin Daiyu knelt before the grave, her expression solemn: "Master, I will definitely kill Ding Chunqiu to avenge you. Rest in peace."

Su Xinghe was overcome with tears, his voice choked with emotion: "Master, did you hear that? All your efforts have not been in vain. The sect leader is intelligent and beautiful, and she will definitely do what she says."

The two kowtowed nine times, and Meng heard several urgent voices coming from the foot of the mountain.

"Mr. Congbian, be careful! Ding Chunqiu is coming to settle accounts with you."

Lin Daiyu was taken aback, but Su Xinghe's face lit up with joy:

"Sect Leader Sister, these are some of my disciples whom I took in before. I didn't expect them to come as well. Please come with me to meet them."

In the blink of an eye, eight figures rushed up the valley; they were none other than the Eight Friends of Hangu Pass.

They were all panting, clearly having come in a hurry.

Seeing the chaotic scene before him, Kang Guangling stamped his foot and said urgently:

"Junior brothers and sisters, we're late. Master has been harmed by that old scoundrel Ding Chunqiu."

The second brother, Fan Bailing, interjected, "Senior brother, don't worry. The fact that Master's body isn't here means he hasn't been killed yet."

The fifth brother, Yama, said worriedly, "I'm afraid that Master will be kidnapped by that villain Ding Chunqiu."

When the others realized that Ding Chunqiu had been scheming all these years to obtain the martial arts manual of their sect from his master, they immediately understood the logic of it all, and their expressions became worried.

"Don't worry, I'm perfectly safe right now. I haven't been kidnapped by that old scoundrel Ding Chunqiu yet."

Su Xinghe and the others finally returned, their voices carrying a hint of relief.

"Master..." The eight people were overjoyed to see that Su Xinghe was safe and sound. They had originally intended to call Su Xinghe "Master", but remembering that they had been expelled from the sect, they quickly changed their address and said, "Mr. Congbian, it's good that you are alright. We rushed here as soon as we heard the news that Ding Chunqiu had entered the Central Plains. Fortunately, you are alright."

Su Xinghe said with emotion, "It's so kind of you to have such filial piety."

Kang Guangling said, "Master, Ding Chunqiu is coming soon. You should hide for now, and we'll hold him off for a while."

Eight people stood guard beside Su Xinghe and his two companions, their expressions resolute.

Su Xinghe laughed heartily:

"Don't worry, Ding Chunqiu has been driven away. You all, why don't you come and greet the new sect leader?"

"Um?"

The Eight Friends of Hangu were stunned and didn't know what to do.

Ding Chunqiu was kicked out?

Is there a new leader?

What's going on?

Su Xinghe introduced to Lin Daiyu: "Sect Leader, these are the eight good-for-nothing disciples I took in back then."

As he spoke, he pointed to the eight people and introduced them one by one:

"At this time, the eldest disciple, Qin Dian, was Kang Guangling."

"This is the second disciple, chess enthusiast Fan Bailing."

"This is the third disciple, a bookworm who reads carelessly."

"This is Wu Lingjun, the fourth disciple and a renowned painter."

"This is the fifth disciple, Xue Muhua, who is known in the martial arts world as 'Enemy of the King of Hell'."

"This is Feng Asan, the sixth disciple and a skilled craftsman."

"This is the seventh disciple, the infatuated Shi Qinglu."

"This is the youngest disciple, Li Kuilei, a theater enthusiast."

"These eight people, like me, were distracted by learning martial arts, so their skills are quite mediocre."

Su Xinghe added, his tone tinged with self-deprecation.

The eight men, initially ashamed, suddenly erupted in elation, exclaiming in surprise:

"Master, have you allowed us to return to our sect?"

Su Xinghe said, "Whether or not it is permitted is up to the new sect leader. Why don't you quickly ask your sect leader uncle for permission?"

Seeing that Lin Daiyu was so young and a woman, the eight men, though puzzled, all knelt down and said:

"Sect Leader Uncle, please allow us to return to the Free and Unfettered Sect."

Su Xinghe explained to Lin Daiyu, "Sect Leader, back then, because of Ding Chunqiu's matter, I was afraid that the old villain would harm these eight disciples, but I couldn't bear to deafen them or cut off their tongues. Therefore, I resorted to this drastic measure and expelled them from the sect. Now, if they want to rejoin the sect, they need the Sect Leader's permission."

Lin Daiyu exclaimed happily, "This is wonderful! How could I not allow it?"

Just as I was lamenting the lack of members in my own faction, the return of the Eight Friends of Hangu Pass was undoubtedly a great help.

"Thank you, Sect Leader Uncle."

Upon hearing this, the Eight Friends of Hangu Pass were overjoyed and immediately kowtowed to express their gratitude.