Duan Zhengchun transmigrates to Yin Zhiping

"What? Now you know you're embarrassed?"

"Back then, you were so self-righteous, refusing to budge no matter what she said."

Seeing Duan Zhengchun's embarrassed expression, Qiu Chuji smiled and made a joke.

"Please don't tease your disciple. I didn't bring her with me on this trip to Xiangyang, but I sent her a message by carrier pigeon and arranged to meet her at Zhongnan Mountain."

Duan Zhengchun gave a wry smile and answered slowly.

Qiu Chuji smiled and said seriously, "I'm not making fun of you, but since they've followed you, you should treat them well and not leave behind the regrets your grandmaster had back then."

Duan Zhengchun nodded seriously and said, "Disciple understands, I know what to do."

Qiu Chuji nodded in satisfaction and continued, "Your Uncle Hao has reported everything you did in Xiangyang to me after returning to the mountain, and I am very pleased."

"The Song and Mongol kingdoms are about to go to war. Although you have refused the position of leader of the martial arts alliance, I know that you will not stand idly by when the time comes. But I hope that no matter when or where, you will always put your own safety first and never be greedy for merit or act rashly."

"Although you are no longer a disciple of the Quanzhen Sect, I am still proud to have taught you!"

Duan Zhengchun looked at Qiu Chuji seriously and said firmly, "A teacher for a day is a father for life. No matter what, you will always be my teacher, and that will never change."

Qiu Chuji smiled with satisfaction and continued, "So what are your plans next? Are you going back to the border?"

Duan Zhengchun shook his head and said, "The matter of mobilizing heroes from all walks of life to fight against the Mongol army is Guo Jing's business. I am not good at it."

"Therefore, I do not plan to go to the border before the great battle begins. But please rest assured, Master, I will go there immediately if anything changes at the border."

"I will be staying in the Tomb of the Living Dead for a while. We'll talk about what happens after that."

Qiu Chuji nodded silently without saying a word.

"By the way, my grandmaster Zhou Botong also came back with me this time. He lives in the Tomb of the Living Dead. Master, would you like to meet him?"

Duan Zhengchun hesitated for a moment before continuing.

Qiu Chuji was taken aback and said in surprise, "He's back too?! I didn't expect the two of you to get along so well. It seems that your personality is what he likes, unlike the other disciples in the sect."

“I have disappeared. He has never liked to come back. This time, he only agreed to come up the mountain because of you. If he wants to come back, he will naturally come back.”

Duan Zhengchun nodded and changed the subject. Thinking about it, it made sense. Even he himself didn't like this place, let alone the old rascal known to everyone.

After exchanging pleasantries for a long time, Duan Zhengchun got up to say goodbye and prepared to leave with Qiu Chuji seeing him off.

But just as the master and disciple opened the door, they found Liu Chuxuan, Wang Chuyi and others leading a large group of disciples who quickly gathered outside the alchemy room, blocking Duan Zhengchun's way.

"What do you mean by this?!"

Qiu Chuji frowned slightly, glanced at everyone, and asked in a deep voice.

“Master, now that Yin Zhiping has returned to the mountain, I wonder if he left behind Master’s sword, the Lingxiao Sword?”

Liu Chuxuan glanced at the sword box that Duan Zhengchun was carrying on his back, then clasped his hands in a fist salute to Qiu Chuji.

"I have already decided to hand over the Lingxiao Sword to Zhiping. There is no need to discuss this matter further."

Qiu Chuji remained expressionless and spoke in a deep voice.

"Master Brother! The Lingxiao Sword is a sacred artifact of our sect. How can it be handed over to an outsider so easily?!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Chuyi immediately spoke loudly.

"Yes, Zhiping is no longer my disciple. Besides, even if he were, he wouldn't be qualified to take the Lingxiao Sword. That was Master's personal sword back then!"

Liu Chuxuan also loudly echoed.

"I have already said that, effective immediately, the Lingxiao Sword belongs to Zhiping!"

"Since he was able to find the Lingxiao Sword, it was naturally his good fortune, and also the Lingxiao Sword's own choice!"

After Qiu Chuji finished speaking loudly, he winked at Duan Zhengchun, signaling Duan Zhengchun to go first.

Duan Zhengchun bowed respectfully, said nothing more, and walked straight down the stone steps.

"No! He can't take the Lingxiao Sword!"

"What if one day he goes astray and uses the Lingxiao Sword to wreak havoc on the martial world? Wouldn't that bring shame to our Quanzhen Sect?!"

"Even my master in heaven wouldn't agree to this!"

Seeing that Duan Zhengchun was about to leave, Wang Chuyi immediately stepped forward and stood directly in front of Duan Zhengchun, his face full of excitement.

Duan Zhengchun narrowed his eyes, trying his best to control the urge to make a move. He had long been impatient with Wang Chuyi. If he really wanted to make a move, with his current skills, even Wang Chuyi would be no match for him.

"Enough! Don't you even listen to me anymore?!"

"Have you forgotten what kind of punishment one receives for disobeying the sect leader's wishes?!"

Qiu Chuji's face darkened, and he demanded an answer in a stern voice.

"Senior brother?! Please think twice!"

Wang Chuyi remained relentless, showing no intention of giving way.

Duan Zhengchun clenched his fists slightly, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes. It wasn't because Wang Chuyi was constantly at odds with him, but because Wang Chuyi had publicly disrespected Qiu Chuji!

However, just as tensions were about to rise, a figure suddenly descended from the rooftop like lightning, slapped Wang Chuyi across the face, and plucked a tuft of beard from Wang Chuyi's chin. In the blink of an eye, the figure arrived beside Duan Zhengchun.

This sudden turn of events caused everyone present to gasp in surprise and turn to look at the person who had suddenly appeared.

"I've met Uncle Master!"

Immediately afterwards, apart from the furious Wang Chuyi, the other five Quanzhen disciples all bowed respectfully to the newcomer.

The person who suddenly appeared was none other than Zhou Botong, the old rascal who followed Duan Zhengchun back to Zhongnanshan.

Looking across the world, he is probably the only one who dares to slap the Five Masters of Quanzhen in public.

"Uncle-Master, I just heard Zhiping say that you have also returned to Zhongnan Mountain. I thought you didn't want to come back."

"It's been many years. How is your health, Uncle-Master?"

Qiu Chuji smiled and bowed with clasped hands while asking questions.

Zhou Botong blew away the tuft of beard in his hand in one breath, put his hands behind his back, snorted coldly, and said slowly, "Very old, but not dead yet!"

"You lot are getting more and more outrageous! If my senior brother knew this from beyond the grave, he'd be so afraid he'd crawl out of the ground to come and find you!"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Chuji and the others lowered their heads silently, all feeling somewhat ashamed.

Since Wang Chongyang's death, the Quanzhen School has indeed lost its former glory and has gradually declined.

"Why did my martial uncle attack and injure someone?!"

Wang Chuyi, with a bitter face, covered his flushed cheek with one hand and asked a question unwillingly.

Zhou Botong snorted coldly, looking at Wang Chuyi with disdain, and shouted, "Shouldn't you fight back?! Your sect leader has already said that the Lingxiao Sword belongs to Zhiping from now on, but you two are just making a scene here. What are you trying to achieve?!"

"Don't think I don't know anything just because I haven't returned to the sect for many years. You're the one most closely related to Yin Zhiping being expelled from the sect, aren't you?!"

"You even managed to expel such a prodigy from your sect? Have you all lost your minds?! No wonder the Quanzhen Sect is declining year by year!"

"In my opinion, you Five Masters of Quanzhen are all a bunch of good-for-nothings!"

Faced with Zhou Botong's harsh rebuke, the five Quanzhen disciples present were all speechless and lowered their heads in shame.

Wang Chuyi dared not say anything more. He had never expected that Yin Zhiping would become so close to his martial uncle.

"You brat, stop wasting your breath on them. There are some things you taught me that I don't quite understand. Go back and teach me."

"Let's see who dares to stop you now!"

Zhou Botong ignored everyone else and turned to Duan Zhengchun, urging him to say something.

Duan Zhengchun smiled and nodded, then turned and bowed to Qiu Chuji. He then followed Zhou Botong and left Chongyang Palace without being stopped.

...

For the next period of time, Duan Zhengchun stayed in the Tomb of the Living Dead to cultivate the Nine Yin Manual, and his martial arts skills increased at an incredible speed.

Xiaolongnu and Lu Wushuang also returned to Zhongnan Mountain as promised and reunited with Duan Zhengchun.

Zhou Botong, who was staying at the Tomb of the Living Dead, not only grew closer to Duan Zhengchun, but also got along very well with Xiaolongnü. He even fell in love with Xiaolongnü's bee-controlling technique and pestered her all day long to teach him the secret.

Until a month later...