Chapter 1085: Being Controlled by Others (V)

"In fact, I was just looking for an opportunity to discuss this matter with Master Yan Ling, but you beat me to it." Yun Zhuiyue ignored the malicious looks from Long Yu and Hu Zhen and put down the teacup slowly. "This matter is difficult, but it is also easy. It's nothing more than... eight words."

"Oh?" Yan Wuji raised his eyebrows and looked at Yun Zhuiyue who was calm and composed, "May I ask which eight words they are?"

"Adapt to the times and seize opportunities."

"This……"

"What kind of plan is this?" Before Yan Wuji, who was full of embarrassment, could raise his question, Long Yu had already expressed his disdain, "Saint Lord Yun's answer was clearly a perfunctory one. What 'adapting to the times and waiting for the right opportunity', at first glance it sounds profound, but when you think about it carefully, it is boring, even... worthless. Let me say something unpleasant, Saint Lord Yun's deceptive 'excuse' can be applied to anything at will, anyway, there is no right or wrong..."

"Cough cough!"

As if sensing Yun Zhuiyue's dissatisfaction, Yan Wuji quickly interrupted Long Yu who was talking nonstop: "How do you know that Saint Yun's answer was perfunctory? How do you know that his plan is worthless? If you have any doubts, you can ask them after Saint Yun has finished speaking. Now you only have a partial understanding, so why bother to speculate?"

After that, Yan Wuji apologized to Yun Zhuiyue again: "Long Yu is still young, so his words and actions are inevitably impetuous and out of line. I hope that Lord Yun will not take it to heart."

"Master Yan Ling, you don't have to explain for him. I won't care about these trivial matters." Yun Zhuiyue stared at Long Yu, who was hesitant to speak, and replied calmly, "It's just that he really should learn from Master Yan Ling. Even if he can't learn your calmness, he should at least learn your... etiquette of hospitality."

"you……"

"Saint Lord Yun!"

Yan Wuji knew Long Yu's "mad" nature, and that he was fearless. He also knew that Yun Zhuiyue was not a pushover, and that if provoked him, he would not give in, and would rather die than surrender. Therefore, in order to prevent the two from arguing and intensifying the conflict, Yan Wuji hurriedly changed the subject before Long Yu opened his mouth: "Forgive me for being slow, but what exactly does 'adapt to circumstances and act according to circumstances' mean?"

"Whether the world is willing to admit it or not, as of today... the pattern of the Central Plains martial arts world has undergone earth-shaking changes." Yun Zhuiyue still stared at Long Yu intently, and answered Yan Wuji's question nonchalantly, "Qingfeng's death in the 'Eradication of Traitors Conference' foreshadows that the 'old-school forces' headed by Wudang and centered on Shaolin, Kunlun, Kongtong and other sects have since stepped down from the 'altar'. They were replaced by the 'new-school forces' headed by Liu Xunyi, including the Xianwang Mansion, Jueqing Valley, Sanyi Gang, Xiangxi Teng Clan, Hexi Qin Clan and other closely related 'new-school forces' 'He has made his mark in the Central Plains martial arts world. Of course, Jin Fuyu and his group, including Jin Jianwu, Qingcheng, Emei, and Jiangnan Lufu, have been drifting between the new and old factions since Luo Tianjin's death. The current changes in the martial arts world have had a relatively weak impact on them, but they are not without any impact. At least... Jin Fuyu has once again missed the opportunity to take charge of the Central Plains martial arts world. He lost to Luo Tianjin the first time, and was seized by Qingfeng the second time. This time, the title of martial arts leader was taken by my adoptive father Teng Sanshi. For Jin Fuyu, who is powerful but unlucky, this is a pity. "

"That's right!" Yan Wuji could not deny it. "After this battle, Wudang was devastated, but Liu Xunyi soared to the sky. Although the title of Wulin leader temporarily fell on Teng Sanshi's head, as an outsider, I can also see the strangeness. Xie Xuan pushed Teng Sanshi to the position, but he was just using his relationship with Liu Xunyi to seize the title of 'leader'. In my opinion, the position of leader of the Central Plains Wulin...will belong to Liu Xunyi sooner or later."

"Sooner or later? Master Yan Ling is too conservative! Even now, my adoptive father, the leader of the martial arts world, is in name only. The uncrowned king who truly holds the power of life and death... is still Liu Xunyi." At this point, Yun Zhuiyue's eyes flashed with a gleam, and he said meaningfully, "There is no doubt that Liu Xunyi has become the next top figure in the Central Plains martial arts world who is in the limelight and holds real power after Luo Tianjin and Qingfeng. However, this huge change happened too suddenly, and there are still many people in the martial arts world who are clinging to their shortcomings and are complacent. Not only can they not see the future situation, but they are bumping around like headless flies. Even Liu Xunyi himself... may not know how capable he is today?"

"Yes!" Yan Wuji sighed with emotion, "According to reports, after the 'Eradication of Traitors Conference' ended yesterday, Danfeng Garden was packed with people. Those who wanted to get close to Liu Xunyi... seemed to be opportunists, trying to curry favor with the powerful, but in fact, they were all smart people like Saint Yun who could see through things and adapt to changes."

"Master Yan Ling, you are too kind. I, Yun, would never dare to be called a 'smart man'. Nowadays, the smarter a person is, the worse his or her fate will be."

"Hey! Those people that Saint Yun is talking about are not truly smart people, but some self-righteous fools." Facing the humility in Yun Zhuiyue's words, Yan Wuji's compliment was equally intriguing.

"That's why I have to 'adapt to the circumstances'." Yun Zhuiyue's expression changed, and he spoke the key point in one sentence, "Now, Liu Xunyi is like the rising sun, unstoppable. No matter what plan I make, as long as I go against him, it will be against the trend, and there will be no good results. Therefore, the only thing I can and must do now is to go with the flow. Use my 'merit' in helping Liu Xunyi turn the tide at the 'Eradication of Traitors Conference' to get close to him, and win his trust at all costs. Only in this way, I will not be 'unsuccessful', and everything we have done for this 'Eradication of Traitors Conference' will not be in vain."

"Saint Lord Yun's explanation does make sense..."

"After all this talk, Saint Yun is still reluctant to leave." Long Yu sneered and teased, "It's just...are you reluctant to leave Liu Xunyi? Or are you reluctant to leave Xiao Zhirou..."

"Whoosh!"

"Keng!"

"Crack! Crack!"

Before he could finish his words, Yun Zhuiyue, who could no longer bear it, suddenly threw the teacup in his hand towards the outspoken Long Yu.

The rapidly spinning teacup streaked a dazzling white meteor in the air, shooting straight at Long Yu's face. However, just as the teacup was about to smash Long Yu's head, a silver light flashed in the air without warning, splitting the teacup in half. The two parts of the teacup whizzed past Long Yu's ears, flew to the left and right, and smashed into the wall ten feet away.

It wasn't until the teacup hit the wall and broke into pieces that the remaining tea in the cup splashed out.

This shows how fast Yun Zhuiyue threw the cup, Long Yu drew his sword, and the broken cup flew around...
At this moment, everyone seemed to use "smashing cups" as a signal. Si Wudao, Tang Xuan, Wuming, Shao Yuanqing, Hu Zhen, Huo Biao, Qiu Zheng, and Ya Kun stood up angrily almost at the same time, reaching for their weapons at the same time.

Inside the side hall, although no one said a word, they were staring at each other with eager eyes, and the situation was already tense.

Yan Wuji suddenly turned around, his deep black eyes staring at the murderous Long Yu without blinking.

"Boom!"

Long Yu, who was ready to attack, suddenly grinned under Yan Wuji's gaze, and threw the dagger on the table to show his concession.

"call!"

A disagreement would lead to swords and sabers. As the "leader" of this alliance, Yan Wuji felt both aggrieved and helpless.

Seeing Long Yu voluntarily abandon his sword, Yan Wuji, who was sweating profusely, couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief, and then pretended to be calm and slowly poured a cup of new tea for Yun Zhuiyue, and at the same time sighed absentmindedly: "Saint Lord Yun's 'adapting to the times' makes sense. Liu Xunyi is on the rise, and we should really avoid his edge. If Saint Lord Yun can use the 'Extermination of Traitors Conference' to integrate into the core circle of the 'new faction', it will be of some help to our next plan... It's a pity that time has been delayed too long. Originally, we could have used the 'Extermination of Traitors Conference' to cut the Gordian knot and defeat the Central Plains martial arts world in one fell swoop. Now we can only bury our heads and endure, waiting for the next opportunity. Alas! Things have developed to this point, and there seems to be no better way."

"Master Yan Ling is absolutely right." Yun Zhuiyue slowly withdrew his cold gaze from Long Yu and reached out to take the teacup handed over by Yan Wuji. "What you said about 'next chance' is exactly what I want to say about 'waiting for the opportunity'."

Seeing that Yun Zhuiyue had no intention of pursuing Long Yu's "crime of disrespect", Si Wudao and the other three looked at each other and slowly sat back in their seats.

At the same time, Hu Zhen and others also quietly returned to their original positions.

This storm that was about to break out started and ended silently. From beginning to end, no one present said a word, not even a single scolding or complaint. It was as if... everyone tacitly pretended that nothing had just happened, and the transition was incongruous but very natural.

"It's easy to say that there will be another chance, but who knows when it will come?" Yan Wuji said bitterly, "The longer we wait, the greater Liu Xunyi's power will be, and the more stable his position in the Central Plains martial arts world will be. It will be more difficult for us to find his flaws. More importantly, the Khan and the prince have already deployed their troops in secret and may target the Song court at any time. Therefore, even if we can wait... I'm afraid the Khan and the prince can't wait."

"I feel the same way as Lord Yan Ling. If the Khan insists on attacking, although he will encounter some obstacles from the Central Plains martial arts community along the way, I believe that the Mongolian cavalry will eventually win the battle with their unstoppable strength." Yun Zhuiyue responded in an orderly manner, "Once the Khan personally leads the army to pacify the southern half, unify the country, and bring the people back to their hearts, I'm afraid that in the next few years or even decades... we will no longer have the opportunity to achieve success."

As if sensing a clue from Yun Zhuiyue's calm attitude, Yan Wuji's eyes changed and he asked suspiciously: "From the tone of Saint Yun... it seems that he has already made plans?"

"Exactly."

"I'd like to hear your advice!"

"Although opportunities are hard to come by, they may not always come by waiting..." Yun Zhuiyue answered cryptically, "They can also be created."

"Create... an opportunity?" Yan Wuji's eyes lit up, and he was instantly interested in Yun Zhuiyue's answer. "What do you mean? How does Saint Yun plan to create an opportunity?"

"I will follow the precedents of Luo Tianjin, Qingfeng and even my adoptive father who took turns to take the top position. My plan is very simple, with only two steps." Yun Zhuiyue's attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, and his words were neither arrogant nor impatient. He seemed to have it all planned out. "The first step is to get close to Liu Xunyi and gain his trust. The second step is to wait until I become the core and even the powerful figure of the 'new faction', then I will surprise him, attack him when he is off guard, and secretly eliminate Liu Xunyi... while replacing him and taking over the Central Plains martial arts world."

……

(End of this chapter)