The Villain's Counterattack

Chapter 170: Retreating in defeat, the troops split into two groups

Yang Xiao ordered his men to bring down all of Wudang's Song Yuanqiao, Yu Daying, Mo Shenggu, Shaolin's Kong Zhi, Kong Xing, Emei's Master Miejue, and the Five Elders of Kongtong. In front of everyone, Song Qingshu made three promises, representing the three generations of Wudang disciples to withdraw from the dispute with the Ming Cult. Yin Liting announced that he would give up his hatred with Yang Xiao. At the same time, Song Yuanqiao also made a statement, and all of Wudang's people were released.

The Five Elders of Kongtong had already known that the reason why the "Seven Injury Fist Manual" was stolen was because of Cheng Kun's mischief. The Ming Cult was too powerful and the Kongtong Sect really couldn't afford to offend them, so they took advantage of the situation to settle the matter and escaped smoothly.

Shaolin's Kongzhi and Kongxing were originally guilty. After knowing that there might be Mongol spies inside Shaolin and that they could encounter accidents at any time, they wanted to leave. They made an agreement with the Sky Eagle Sect and promised Yang Xiao that they would no longer make things difficult for the Ming Sect. However, if the Ming Sect disciples made mistakes, they would not tolerate it, and would not punish the people in the future.

But problems arose when it came to Master Miejue. This conservative old nun scowled and cursed at Zhou Dian, but was so angry that she almost vomited blood by calling him a running dog of the Mongols. Song Qingshu came out to persuade them that from now on they would only discuss personal grudges and not involve disputes between sects. Master Miejue also knew that when you are under someone's roof, you have to bow your head, so she had to agree.

After many masters returned to the camp, the disciples of the six major sects finally felt relieved. When they heard that Song Qingshu had sent Zhang Wuji to Guangmingding to be a puppet leader in charge of coordinating relations, and that this was the exchange for them, Song Yuanqiao, Yu Daying, and Mo Shenggu were so angry that they were almost ready to clean up their sect.

When Zhang Wuji went up to the Bright Summit, the little girl Yin Li could no longer sit still, especially when she heard that there was a sister named Buhui on the Bright Summit who was obsessed with Zhang Wuji. She could not help but follow him to the Bright Summit as well. She was the granddaughter of the White-browed Eagle King and the junior sister and cousin of the current acting leader. The Five Elements Flag did not dare to stop her.

That night, Song Qingshu went up to the Bright Summit to meet with the Ming Cult members in secret. After discussing the strategy, he left. Before leaving, he confessed many things to Zhang Wuji, especially the part about "The Great Shift of the Universe". Then he left a plan and asked him to make good use of Yang Xiao before leaving.

The siege of Guangmingding by the six major sects ultimately ended in failure. Those small sects that were hiding in the dark to help were almost wiped out, and half of the disciples of the six major sects were gone. However, they were not killed but escaped after the masters were captured. As for whether they were able to escape, it is unknown.

"Along the way, there are a large Mongolian Tartar army and a group of unknown masters. Five of them are good at using the Vajra Palm and Vajra Finger. Their martial arts skills are not inferior to those of the two masters Kongzhi and Kongxing. We can't disperse and be defeated by them one by one, and we can't fight the Tartar army head-on. The only way now is to go into the mountains." Song Qingshu told everyone what he had seen and heard along the way. After listening to his words about deceiving Cheng Kun that day, they could naturally distinguish the truth from the lies.

"Is there really no chance of winning a head-on battle? Going into the mountains can certainly keep us safe, but our sect..." Master Kongzhi was always a little uneasy. Shaolin sent out quite a few troops this time, and the temple was not empty, but it was definitely more relaxed than usual.

"If the disciples of other sects had the same discipline as my Wudang inner disciples, they might be able to fight." Song Qingshu was also helpless. A good cook cannot cook without rice. Song Qingshu did not think that his military tactics and strategies were bad, but it was really difficult to command a group of rabble.

"Another strategy is for me to lead my disciples who are proficient in horsemanship and archery to lead the way and divert the Mongol army, or fight our way through. The rest of us will rush to Kunlun Sect as fast as possible, day and night. If the Mongol army loses its cavalry advantage, we will no longer be afraid of them."

"But we need to be careful along the way. Not everyone can rest, drink water and eat at the same time. There must be at least two or three hours between them to prevent being poisoned by the Tartars. And the route must be planned well. If something goes wrong, we must go into the mountains immediately. We need to take detours in dangerous areas and cannot go to flat areas. The requirements are even more stringent." Song Qingshu pointed out the possible dangers one by one, making everyone sweat. If the enemy really had a wise man like Song Qingshu, they would probably be defeated miserably.

"Qingshu, is the enemy really so difficult to deal with?" Song Yuanqiao couldn't help but interrupt Song Qingshu's speculations.

Song Qingshu shook his head and smiled bitterly, "I hope I'm just overthinking it. But could a princess of the imperial court, who orchestrated and pushed the six major sects to attack Bright Summit and has already cut off our retreat, surrounded by so many experts, and a young woman under the age of twenty, be an ordinary person? I never underestimate myself, nor do I unreasonably elevate my enemies. You are the ones who decide for yourself. What I can do is lead my three-generation disciples, riding two horses, to charge into battle. If anything goes wrong, I'll immediately retreat into the mountains."

"Where did this man and two horses come from?" Yu Daying only saw five or six war horses in the camp, as well as some remaining horse bones.

"Of course I borrowed it from the Tartars. I knocked them to the ground and asked them whether they wanted a horse or their life. They chose their life, so I had to choose a horse." Song Qingshu's humorous words made everyone laugh. Yin Liting and Mo Shenggu wanted to charge into battle with Song Qingshu, but he refused.

"I'm worried about the lack of your experts. I'm very likely facing the Mongol army, while you may be facing endless conspiracies and the many experts who once injured Wuji and Third Uncle. If it weren't for the Wudang Seven-Section Formation, I really wouldn't be able to rest assured." Song Qingshu now regretted letting Zhang Wuji stay in Guangmingding. Song Yuanqiao, Yu Daying, Yin Liting, Mo Shenggu, Wu Qingying, and Zhou Zhiruo, there were only six of them. They couldn't even put together a Wudang Seven-Section Formation. And that damn girl Yin Li, for the sake of her lover, ignored everything.

"Don't worry. You're familiar with this seven-section formation. It can be used by two or three people. With five of us working together, we can easily withstand a dozen or twenty people." Yin Liting's words startled Song Qingshu. "It should be six people."

Mo Shenggu shook his head slightly and said, "Sixth Sister-in-law and Junior-Junior-Sister-in-law Zhiruo learned the same set of sword techniques. Unlike you, they are proficient in all seven sets of sword techniques. If they learn a new one in a hurry, they will not be able to use it in complex terrain and will easily make mistakes."

"I'm willing to live and die with Senior Brother Song." Zhou Zhiruo's sudden confession startled Song Qingshu for a moment. He couldn't help but shake his head slightly and said, "You're a meticulous person, you've learned a lot from me. This time, you're the lead in the Wudang Sect's breakout. It would be a waste for you to charge into battle alongside me."

Zhou Zhiruo was slightly stunned when she heard this, and she looked at him deeply to make sure that this was not an excuse before she retreated. Wu Qingying smiled and pulled Zhou Zhiruo back. From a distance, he could hear her teasing Zhou Zhiruo, saying that she had already started to exercise the power of the head lady before she even got married. Song Qingshu couldn't help but smile bitterly and shook his head.

The masters of each sect returned to restrain their own disciples, sharing food and lodging according to the route Song Qingshu had mapped out, heading all the way to the Kunlun Sect. Song Qingshu left all his warhorses behind and led twenty-one inner disciples directly to a hidden Tartar camp. Guided by the Ming Cult disciples, they easily found the location. Song Qingshu and his companions, skilled in martial arts, easily dispatched the two or three hundred Tartars in a late-night surprise attack, stockpiled dried meat and fresh water, and rode away on horseback.

Song Qingshu took the initiative to attack, hiding and moving during the day, and attacking the Tartar army at night. He was extremely fast riding two horses, and even if he was discovered, he could still attack and succeed. The Mingjiao disciples would take care of the aftermath. They naturally liked this kind of thing where they could reap most of the spoils just by leading the way.

Just two days after their departure, the six major sects encountered a shabby-looking new inn. Zhou Zhiruo spotted its weakness and apprehended six or seven intruders inside. A fierce battle ensued, and the Shaolin sect's Kong Xing Dragon Claw Hand was broken and severely wounded. The Five Elders of Kongtong and the Two Elders of Huashan were also defeated. Nun Miejue relied on her Heavenly Sword to protect herself, and the Wudang sect deployed a sword formation to repel the intruders.

This time, the third generation of Wudang disciples came to the fore again. Zhou Zhiruo, the third generation first disciple of the Wudang female lineage, was very observant and discovered the enemy's weaknesses. When the enemy attacked, she commanded with confidence and killed several archers.

Comparison is the thief of joy. Just look at the third generation of Wudang disciples and then look at the other disciples of the six major sects. There is really no comparison. The look in Master Miejue's eyes when she looked at Zhou Zhiruo became even more wrong. It was full of brilliance, and she couldn't wait to take back the Emei Sect immediately.

Masters Kongwen and Kongxing finally witnessed the strength of these masters, masters of the Shaolin Vajra Palm and Vajra Finger. They were able to fight them evenly in a one-on-one fight, even injuring the careless Master Kongxing. If Zhou Zhiruo hadn't rescued him with her finger-snapping magic, Master Kongxing would have died, though he was still seriously injured.

Zhou Zhiruo's men caught the lurking Tatar group unawares. They commandeered over a dozen warhorses and used the black shop's carts to carry the wounded on a rapid advance. They fought and stopped along the way, but the battle was surprisingly evenly matched. The six major sects weren't entirely on the defensive either. Zhou Zhiruo's men, skilled in Qinggong, set traps, ambushes, and surprise attacks, occasionally gaining an advantage.