Chapter 101: Support

A month ago, following the cat demon scandal involving the Four Directions Sword Sect in Qingyang Prefecture, many of its high-ranking members were arrested or killed. The sect’s reputation was ruined overnight. Of Yunzhou’s original seven major sects, only six remained, and these now led the martial arts world of Yunzhou.

At this moment, the timely arrival of the six major sects greatly encouraged the hundreds of righteous martial artists who had been intimidated by Gu Mo. The crowd parted, clearing a path through the bustling street.

The first to appear were over a hundred disciples of the Canglan Sword Sect, led by Shang Buyu, known in the martial arts world as “The Heavenly Strategist.” The Canglan Sword Sect held a transcendent status; even a casual third-generation disciple from their ranks exuded an extraordinary aura.

“Great Hero Shang!” “Great Hero Shang, please uphold justice for our righteous martial arts community!” “Great Hero Shang, I hope you’re well. That villain Gu Mo is fierce!”

As Shang Buyu appeared, many martial artists greeted him.

Immediately afterward, came the disciples of Mount Qiu Sword Arena, led by the Nanshan Swordsman, Jiang Wanzhao. There were only about a dozen of them, which was already a rare sight.

Mount Qiu Sword Arena had the fewest disciples among Yunzhou’s six major sects. Most of them were ascetic cultivators obsessed with swordsmanship, rarely traveling the martial arts world. Even when they did travel, they often preferred to go alone. If it weren’t for the ongoing Martial Arts Conference, it would be very difficult to see twenty or thirty Mount Qiu Sword Arena disciples outside their sect at once on a normal day.

Unlike Shang Buyu’s polite and gentle demeanor, Jiang Wanzhao and the twenty to thirty disciples from Mount Qiu Sword Arena were all stern and humorless. When greeted by other martial artists, they merely offered a slight nod.

Next came the Wu Family from Wujun. Like the Canglan Sword Sect, they brought no fewer than a hundred people. Their leader was the family head, Wu Tianfang, a well-known chivalrous figure in the martial arts world, recognized by most present.

Afterward, Chang Si, leader of the Flying Fish Gang; Xiao Jinghong, leader of the Three Rivers Gang; and Yin Tianye, master of the Nanting Mountain Villa of the Alliance of Righteousness, all appeared with their respective disciples. They were followed by other top martial arts sects like the Great Banner Gate and Qingliang Temple. In an instant, at least five hundred more people filled the long street, blocking several intersections to the point of being impassable.

Once all members of the six major sects had arrived, an old man with a silver beard stepped forward and, with a voice like a booming bell, declared: "Fellow martial artists, the villains from the Moon-Worshipping Demonic Cult—Gu Mo, Gu Chudong, and Yang Qingtong, who betrayed her father—these three scoundrels deserve divine punishment and earthly destruction! We, the righteous martial artists, have come to Tai'an County to strategize the eradication of demons and launch a punitive expedition against the Moon-Worshipping Demonic Cult. Today is the perfect day to use the heads of these three as a sacrifice to rally our forces. Alas, these fierce demons have taken advantage of the righteous heroes lacking a leader, harming many of our upright martial artists. Fortunately, the great heroes from the six major sects have arrived! There is no reason to let these demons continue their rampage. Let us all stand together; even a single spit from each of us could drown them!"

This elder was Lei Meng, leader of the Huayan Gang, a major force in Dongping Prefecture. Over seventy years old and highly respected, martial artists respectfully called him “Old Master Lei.” He held significant influence in the martial arts world.

As soon as Lei Meng spoke, many immediately responded.

“Old Master Lei is right! How can we let these demonic villains oppress our righteous path!”“That’s how it should be! Everyone, let’s stand together!”“Mere demonic brats daring to act ferociously!”

For a moment, the heroes cheered, drawing their weapons one after another, ready to besiege Gu Mo and the two others as soon as the great heroes from the six major sects gave the order.

Meanwhile, in the center of the long street, Gu Mo and the two others stood quietly. Gu Mo was already fully focused, ready to act at any moment. He secretly reminded Gu Chudong and Yang Qingtong to find an opportunity to escape. Although he considered himself skilled in martial arts, he knew he couldn't withstand too many enemies. Even random punches can kill an old master, and this time, they faced not just a large number of people, but also many masters, employing an endless array of techniques.

Of course, he also possessed the Six Meridians Divine Sword, so he wasn't worried about being surrounded. His only concern was a mishap involving Gu Chudong.

Fortunately, Gu Chudong had now elevated her Bright Jade Skill to the seventh level, the "Jade Massacre" realm, which greatly reduced his worries.

At this moment, sensing the fervent mood of the crowd, Shang Buyu, as the senior disciple of the Canglan Sword Sect (the leading sect in Yunzhou), naturally needed to make a statement. He had to be the first to speak to reignite the battle into a fierce climax, boosting morale to its peak and counteracting the oppressive feeling left by Gu Mo's recent display of power.

Immediately, Shang Buyu activated his internal energy and proclaimed loudly: "Fellow martial artists, we cultivate martial arts to uphold justice. Now that the demonic path is before us, we should all unite against our common enemy and eliminate evil..."

However, Shang Buyu had not finished speaking.

From the long street, a clear, sharp reprimand suddenly rang out: "Shang Buyu, it's a disgrace for you, the senior disciple of the Canglan Sword Sect, to openly engage in such an act of bullying the few with the many! How shameless!"

Upon hearing these words, the heroes were greatly astonished. No one expected that someone would come to the aid of Gu Mo and the others in such a situation. Even Gu Mo and his companions were somewhat surprised, instinctively looking towards the source of the voice. Gu Mo, however, didn't move; he had already recognized the voice as belonging to Yan Sanniang.

Everyone looked over. They saw Yan Sanniang, accompanied by several masters from the Peerless Villa, pushing their way through the crowd. Today, Yan Sanniang wore close-fitting attire, wielded a long saber, and had her hair neatly tied back, looking very sharp and efficient—a stark contrast to her usual demure and refined demeanor.

As a great hero of the martial arts world and the senior disciple of the Canglan Sword Sect, Shang Buyu was displeased at being publicly reprimanded. He immediately flew into a rage, but seeing that his opponent was a woman roughly the same age as his daughter, he suppressed his anger and asked, "Who are you? By speaking on behalf of these individuals, do you intend to associate with the demonic path?"

Yan Sanniang's expression was cold as she replied, "I am Yan Sanniang of Peerless Villa. Gu Mo is a member of my Peerless Villa; he is already aligned with me. What makes you think I'm associating with the demonic path by speaking for him?"

“Oh, it’s Bone-Scraping Saber!”

In the crowd, someone who recognized Yan Sanniang mocked, "What, Yan Sanniang, do you intend to oppose the righteous martial arts world and protect these demonic villains?"

"Hmph," Yan Sanniang snapped, "Are you deaf to reason? I said, Gu Mo is a member of my Peerless Villa, not of the Moon-Worshipping Demonic Cult!"

"That Gu Mo is originally from the Moon-Worshipping Demonic Cult," someone retorted angrily. "Yan Sanniang, don't confuse right and wrong!"

"Indeed, long hair and short wisdom," another person said. "Even now, you're still being deceived by that demonic villain. Yan Sanniang, don't lead yourself astray!"

A friend of Yan Sanniang advised, "Miss Yan, Gu Mo is indeed an assassin for your Peerless Villa, but that's merely a disguise. He's a spy from the Moon-Worshipping Cult planted among our righteous path. Please come back quickly. It wasn't easy for you to establish Peerless Villa; don't destroy its foundation!"

Yan Sanniang cupped her hands towards that person and said, "Whether Gu Mo is from the Moon-Worshipping Demonic Cult, I know best. I, Yan Sanniang, stake my head as a guarantee that he is absolutely not a member of the Moon-Worshipping Demonic Cult. He must have been wrongly accused!"

“With human and material evidence, what accusation can be called wrongful!”

Yin Tianye, master of Nanting Mountain Villa, sternly reprimanded, "Yan Sanniang, do not spread deceptive words here. Gu Mo colluded with Yang Qingtong to murder disciples of the Wutong Sect, and today, in this very place, he brutally murdered our martial arts brethren alongside villains from the Moon-Worshipping Cult. With so many witnesses, what more can you argue?"

Yan Sanniang said in a deep voice, "The right and wrong of this matter, it's all based on your words. Gu Mo hasn't had a single chance to explain!"

Yin Tianye angrily said, "He's a demonic villain; who would believe anything he says?"

“I believe him!”

Just then, a loud shout rang out from the crowd. Everyone looked over.

They saw a young man pushing his way through the crowd. Finally, he emerged with a few companions whose clothing bore the insignia of the Changfeng Escort Agency.

"I believe him," the young man stepped out and shouted. "I, Tang Buyi, believe him!"

"Who is this person?" "Who is Tang Buyi? Never heard of him. To dare stand up for those demonic villains now, he must not be a nobody. Could he be a newly risen martial arts prodigy?" "He's so young; is he also a young master like Gu Mo?" "I think I've heard of that Changfeng Escort Agency!"

Among the crowd, whispers and discussions arose. Everyone was very puzzled. As for Yan Sanniang, many martial artists present recognized her; after all, the name "Bone-Scraping Saber" itself had some notoriety in the martial arts world, and Peerless Villa had recently risen to prominence. But Tang Buyi left everyone present bewildered.

At the same time, in one part of the crowd, many members of martial arts factions from Linjiang Prefecture turned their gaze towards the Tang family's group. Among the various martial arts factions present, there happened to be members of the Tang family from Zhushan County, who had come to join the commotion. In the local martial arts circles of Linjiang Prefecture, quite a few people knew Tang Buyi, the Tang family's young master.

At this moment, the Tang family members all turned pale. Each was covered in cold sweat and trembling nervously, unable to help but curse under their breath, wishing they could beat Tang Buyi to death. In this situation, Tang Buyi stepping out to support Gu Mo, a slight misstep could drag the Tang family into an endless abyss.

However, fortunately, at this moment, Tang Buyi shouted again: "I am Tang Buyi, known in the martial arts world as 'Timely Rain of Linjiang.' I am the head of the Changfeng Escort Agency in Linjiang Prefecture and a good friend of Gu Mo. I unconditionally believe that Gu Mo is absolutely not a demonic villain. I have personally witnessed him kill many villains from the Moon-Worshipping Cult. He despises evil as if it were a personal enemy; he is a true heroic champion. He must have been wrongly accused, and I, Tang Buyi, stake my head as a guarantee!"

In the crowd, Yin Tianye subtly exchanged a glance with a man beside him. That man was not from the Alliance of Righteousness, but he was a rather well-known martial artist from Dongping Prefecture. He understood the hint and loudly declared, "Who do you think you are, and what right do you have to guarantee anything? Gu Mo is a demonic cult member, and this has been affirmed by all six major sects of Yunzhou. Do you think your word is more true than that of the six major sects?"

Tang Buyi immediately retorted, "Although I, Tang Buyi, am a small figure..."

The burly man snapped, "Then shut up! What right do you have to question the six major sects? What right do you have to speak here? Thirty-two lives from the Wutong Sect, and dozens of our fellow martial artists' bodies are still lying on this street. Yet you still speak for these demonic villains? Gu Mo is still standing with Yang Qingtong right now. Whether he's a demon is obvious at a glance; there's no need to argue! Fellow martial artists, that Yan Sanniang and Tang Buyi were arranged by that villain Gu Mo to confuse us. Don't be deceived by them. The bodies of Abbess Jingxin, Great Hero Zhao Meng, and others are still lying on the ground. What are you still hesitating for? Let's go together and kill those villains!"

Immediately, Yin Tianye, master of Nanting Mountain Villa of the Alliance of Righteousness, waved his hand and gave the order. The disciples of the Alliance of Righteousness charged forward. In an instant, this directly stirred up many righteous martial artists, who began to surge forward, ready to besiege, with no intention of further talking.

Tang Buyi and Yan Sanniang's expressions were grim. They fully understood what it meant to have little influence when one's words carried no weight.

However, just then, from the Canglan Sword Sect's contingent, a figure suddenly leaped forward and rushed to the very front. But then, he abruptly turned and unleashed a sword strike towards the long street, lifting many flagstones with dull thuds. Countless shattered stones flew, and dust billowed into the air, as if smoke was rising from a battlefield. The flying flagstones collided, emitting crisp, rapid sounds resembling the urgent roar of war drums, causing ears to ache as they blocked the righteous martial artists.

Everyone was astonished, because the person was none other than the renowned disciple of a grandmaster, Shen Bai, "White Cloud Sword"!

“Great Hero Shen, what are you doing?” someone questioned.

Shen Bai turned his head to look at Gu Mo and asked in a calm tone, "Gu Mo, I have only one question for you: Are you a member of the Moon-Worshipping Demonic Cult?"