The Trash Sect's Ascension - chapter 12

The pavilion doors instantly shattered, splinters flying everywhere, followed by a pained cry of “Ouch!”

Everyone present frowned.

It was Dao Yuanzi, the Sect Leader of the Five Elements Sect, notorious for his poor reputation.

Dao Yuanzi scrambled up from the ground, awkwardly dusting off his backside, his face plastered with a sycophantic smile. “A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding! This old Daoist was not eavesdropping. It’s just that this matter concerns my Five Elements Sect. You may not know, but Zhao Qingsong is considered an Outer Sect Disciple of ours. His affairs are naturally the business of my Five Elements Sect.”

He grabbed a drunken Daoist with his left hand, his smile ingratiating. “This is my Martial Uncle, Daoist Qiushan. Zhao Qingsong is his disciple.”

Daoist Qiushan yawned, his drunken eyes bleary. “…Zhao Qingsong, who’s that?”

Dao Yuanzi shook him urgently. “Oh my, Martial Uncle, please wake up! Now is not the time to be muddled. Zhao Qingsong, the cowherd you saved on Funiushan Mountain two hundred years ago, is now the Sect Leader of the Sunset Glow Sect.”

Daoist Qiushan clutched his head, thinking for a long while before realization dawned. “Oh, him! He’s not my disciple. Back then, I was passing through Funiushan Mountain and just casually taught him for a few days.”

“When I left, he was quite reluctant and asked about my background and lineage. Not wanting to reveal my identity and be pestered by that mortal lad, I made up the Sunset Glow Sect on a whim, since the evening glow was beautiful that day. He looked so yearning and asked if he could visit my sect. I said the sect had fallen, only my master and I remained, and the future revival of the sect would be his responsibility.”

Daoist Qiushan was both surprised and amused. “What, that kid actually went and founded a Sunset Glow Sect?”

Dao Yuanzi beamed at the crowd. “You all heard it. Zhao Qingsong was guided by my Martial Uncle, stepping from the mundane into the Dao, so he counts as a disciple of my Five Elements Sect. He understands righteousness and risked his life to save the Flowing Wind Sword Master, living up to our sect’s teachings.”

“The ways of Heaven are unfathomable. A casual guidance from my Martial Uncle a century ago, and a hundred years later, his disciple shields the Flowing Wind Sword Master from disaster. Every cause has its effect. Zhao Qingsong’s fate was meant to converge here. Clearly, the bond between our sects was set a century ago.”

“Zhao Qingsong’s aptitude is mediocre and he was not fit to enter my Five Elements Sect. But considering he saved the Flowing Wind Sword Master from peril despite his humble origins, fulfilling the ties between our sect and the Sword Sect, after much deliberation, I have decided to make an exception and officially admit him. Though he has died, his name can be entered into our sect’s register of disciples, fulfilling his wish.”

He paused, his small, shrewd eyes gleaming. “Everyone, the founding of the Sunset Glow Sect was merely a joke by my Martial Uncle, not a legitimate sect, and unworthy of your gratitude. Since Zhao Qingsong is a disciple of our sect, the two Spiritual Veins, Jimei and White Deer, should naturally belong to my Five Elements Sect.”

“As for his sect’s disciples, well, once this matter is settled, I’ll make an exception and let them return with me to the Five Elements Sect.”

He was answered by a sharp burst of sword energy.

With a crack,

Dao Yuanzi’s hairpin shattered into pieces.

The sword energy skimmed his scalp, shaving off his hair from forehead to Daoist topknot.

At a glance, it looked like a bare ridge suddenly appearing in a vegetable patch-utterly ridiculous.

Dao Yuanzi staggered back several steps, his legs trembling, teeth chattering uncontrollably.

He was, after all, a Sect Leader. Though terrified, he had to maintain his dignity, and pointed at me with a trembling finger. “Y-you’re bold! I am Zhao Qingsong’s Senior Brother. By rights, you… you should address me as Martial Uncle!”

I didn’t even lift my eyelids and barked, “Clown, get out!”

Dao Yuanzi’s face turned green and white. In front of the Twelve Peak Masters of the Sword Sect and Master Wuliang of Wanfo Temple, if he was cowed by a junior, he’d never be able to hold his head up again.

He shakily waved his horsetail whisk, about to spit out some harsh words.

A sharp pipa chord rang out, and Dao Yuanzi’s ornate black-and-gold robe suddenly burst apart.

In the blink of an eye, the cloth was tattered and flying everywhere, barely covering his greasy white flesh.

Dao Yuanzi shrieked, his short arms desperately trying to cover his upper body.

Several snickers sounded. Qiwu Peak Master squeezed her eyes shut, unable to bear the sight.

Second Junior Sister’s brows arched fiercely, hugging her pipa, her red dress blazing like fire. “Bark again, and I’ll make you walk out of Dingjian Pavilion stark naked!”

Dao Yuanzi snapped his mouth shut.

A gray monk’s robe flew out, landing lightly on Dao Yuanzi’s shoulders.

He clutched it like a lifeline, hurriedly draping it over himself.

The robe was slim and couldn’t be closed at the front, but he didn’t care.

Anything was better than exposing himself in public.

“Amitabha, please, both of you, calm your anger.”