Film and Television World Life Record

Liu Zhengfeng laughed and said, "Forgive me for being presumptuous. How could my retirement from the martial arts world be associated with righteousness?"

Seeing this, Abbess Dingyi interjected, "Senior Brother Liu, what Alliance Leader Zuo said makes sense. We martial artists value chivalry and righteousness, and we should roam freely in the martial world. Why would we want to become some kind of official?"

Liu Zhengfeng said with a wry smile, "Master, my mind is made up and I will not change it. I would like to trouble all the heroes and valiant men to be my witnesses." Without further hesitation, he stepped forward and reached his hands into the golden basin.

Suddenly, a figure flashed by, and with a clanging sound, the golden basin tipped over and fell to the ground, spilling all the water. It was Steinda, who was standing nearby, who had knocked the basin over with a single blow.

Liu Zhengfeng was furious. He took a deep breath, barely suppressing his anger, and asked in a low voice, "Nephew Shi, what is the meaning of this?"

Shi Dengda cupped his hands slightly and said, "Uncle Liu, please forgive me. I have heard that you are a true hero in the martial world, a man of great integrity and righteousness. I admire you very much. Normally, I would never dare to be disrespectful, but today, I absolutely cannot let you retire from the martial world."

Liu Zhengfeng's eyes narrowed, and ignoring him, he loudly ordered, "Da Nian, pour water. I'm determined to wash today, and I'd like to see who dares to stop me."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Danian and the other disciples of the Liu family dared not be negligent. In an instant, another basin of water was prepared, and they all stared at Shi Dengda with predatory eyes.

At this moment, Qu Feiyan, who was playing in the backyard of the Liu residence, exclaimed, "Who are you? What are you doing? I want to go play in the garden with my Sister Liu!"

Then another cold voice came: "Go if you want, but Miss Liu, please stay."

Liu Qing retorted angrily, "This is my home. I can go wherever I want. Is it any of your business?"

The voice sneered, "Leader Zuo has ordered that not a single member of Liu Zhengfeng's family is allowed to leave."

These words caused everyone in the hall to change color.

Stendar immediately changed his expression and said coldly, "Uncle Liu, since you are so stubborn, then don't blame your nephew for being ruthless."

"Junior Brother Wan, bring the person out."

As soon as he finished speaking, a group of people were brought out from the back room. Leading them were Liu Zhengfeng's wife, concubine, his two young sons, and several disciples of the Liu family. Behind each of them was a disciple from Songshan Mountain, holding a dagger and pressing it against the back of Liu's wife and the others.

Upon seeing this, Liu Zhengfeng's expression changed drastically. He slammed his hand on the table beside him and pointed at Stendhal, shouting angrily, "You... how dare you? You've taken a bunch of women and children hostage. Show yourselves in front of all these heroes, how many of you have come?"

As soon as he finished speaking, dozens of people suddenly appeared on the roof, outside the gate, in the corner of the hall, in the backyard, and all around. They were dressed in all sorts of different ways, and among the more than a thousand people, no one noticed them.

The assembled heroes were taken aback, looking left and right, and discussing amongst themselves.

Abbess Dingyi was the first to lose her composure, exclaiming loudly, "Nephew Shi, what... what does this mean? Such actions are utterly outrageous..."

Shi Dengda said, "Uncle Dingyi, please forgive me. My master gave an order that I must persuade Uncle Liu not to retire from the martial arts world. I was afraid that Uncle Liu would not obey the order, so I have offended you."

Liu Zhengfeng trembled with rage as he said, "You Songshan Sect thinks too highly of me. I am but a mediocre fighter, having taken in a few incompetent disciples. I was simply weary of the conflicts of the martial world and only wished to retire to the mountains and forests to live out my days in peace. Yet you have provoked me to such a great commotion..."

Shi Dengda said with a half-smile, "Uncle Liu, my master knows everything you've done in private. As long as you come with me to Mount Song to apologize, my master is merciful and, for the sake of everyone, he will not make things difficult for you. Uncle, you should think carefully, lest you be disgraced and regret it too late."

Liu Zhengfeng laughed heartily and said, "How have I acted throughout my life? All the heroes and valiant men present can bear witness to it. How dare you, the Songshan Sect, slander me at will?"

The many江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world) men in the hall knew Liu Zhengfeng's character well and nodded in agreement.

Stendhal scoffed, "That's not necessarily true."

As he spoke, a cold glint appeared in his eyes: "Uncle Liu, you really don't understand what I mean. We have already investigated your association with that villain. The reason we didn't expose you in public was to give you a chance to repent. If you are so ungrateful, then don't blame us for being impolite."

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhengfeng's expression changed. He didn't know if Zuo Lengchan truly knew about his friendship with Qu Yang, or if he was just making things up and deliberately spreading rumors.

But deep down, I had a feeling that they probably already knew all along, but deliberately waited until today to say it, probably to blackmail me in front of everyone.

But now there was no way out but to retire from the martial world. It was a matter of success or death. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but exclaim, "I, Liu, have always been upright and honest in my life. I have never done anything to betray my friends. I wonder what you mean by these words, Nephew Shi?"

Shi Dengda sneered, then suddenly cupped his hands to the surroundings and said to Liu Zhengfeng, "Our actions today are not due to any conflict with any faction. If necessary, we wouldn't even dare to offend you, Uncle Liu. It is only for the sake of the lives of millions of fellow practitioners in the martial arts world that we have no choice but to act this way."

Upon hearing this, all the heroes in the hall were stunned. They wondered if Liu Zhengfeng had simply retired from the martial arts world, and how could his actions be related to the lives and fortunes of millions of fellow martial artists?

Liu Zhengfeng retorted, "That's far too kind of me. I'm just an ordinary person in the Hengshan Sect, with young children and only a few incompetent disciples. I'm utterly insignificant. How could I possibly concern myself with the lives of millions of fellow martial artists?"

Master Dingyi interjected, "Nephew Shi, Brother Liu has retired from martial arts and bought an official position. To be honest, I don't approve of that either. But everyone has their own ambitions. If he wants to be an official, as long as he doesn't harm the people or break the code of honor among martial arts practitioners, no one can force him to stop. I don't think Brother Liu has such great ability to harm so many martial arts practitioners."

Shi Dengda said, "Master, you are unaware that you are a virtuous person in Buddhism and naturally do not understand the tricks of others. Please think about it, Master Liu of Hengshan Sect is a famous hero in the martial arts world. He usually lives a carefree life, but suddenly he donated money to become an official. Is there no reason behind this?"

Upon hearing this, the assembled heroes felt there was some truth to it. Given Liu Zhengfeng's character, how could he possibly buy an official position? It was simply too inappropriate.

Liu Zhengfeng suddenly sighed, looked up and said:

“Brothers from the Songshan Sect, now that you’re here, please show yourselves.”

As soon as he finished speaking, several people on the roof responded, "Good!"

A yellow shadow flickered, and three people stood at the entrance of the hall. The one standing on the east side was a fat man with a tall and imposing figure. Everyone recognized him as Ding Mian, the second junior brother of the Songshan Sect leader, who was known as the Pagoda-Bearing Hand. The man on the west side was extremely tall and thin. He was Lu Bai, the Crane Hand, who held the third position in the Songshan Sect.

The last man, around forty years old, of medium build, exceptionally thin, with a mustache resembling a wisp of a beard, was none other than Fei Bin, the Great Songyang Hand.

The group cupped their hands in greeting and said, "Junior Brother Liu, please. All heroes, please." Ding Mian, Lu Bai, and Fei Bin were all renowned figures in the martial arts world, and the assembled heroes all stood up to return the greeting.

As the experts from Songshan arrived one after another, everyone had a feeling that things would not end well today, and that Liu Zhengfeng would suffer a great loss.

Master Dingyi said, "Brother Liu, don't worry. Everything in the world boils down to reason. Don't be fooled by their numbers and power. Do you think our friends from the Taishan, Huashan, and Hengshan sects are just here to eat and do nothing?"

Liu Zhengfeng said with a wry smile, "Thank you, Abbess Dingyi. Zuo Meng has taken the initiative to create such a grand scene. I'm afraid I can't escape this calamity today."

Fei Bin, the Great Songyang Hand, snorted coldly and stepped forward, saying, "Liu Zhengfeng, we originally wanted to give you a chance, but judging from your current performance, you are truly unrepentant."

Fei Bin then said to Stendhal, "Raise the command flag."

Stenda said: "Yes!" He raised his command flag and stood next to Fei Bin.

Fei Bin said coldly, "Senior Brother Liu, the Left Alliance Leader instructed us to investigate with you: what secret collusion do you have with the Demonic Sect Leader Dongfang Bubai? What conspiracy have you devised to deal with my Five Mountains Sword Sect and all the righteous sects in the martial arts world?"

These words immediately shocked the assembled heroes, many of them letting out a gasp of surprise. The Demonic Sect and the righteous path were irreconcilable enemies, their feud having lasted for over a century, a protracted and endless struggle with victories and defeats on both sides. Of the more than a thousand people in this hall, at least half had suffered at the hands of the Demonic Sect; some had their fathers and brothers killed, others had their teachers and elders murdered. The mere mention of the Demonic Sect filled everyone with righteous hatred.

The biggest reason for the alliance of the Five Mountains Sword Sects was to deal with the Demonic Sect.

Hearing Fei Bin accuse Liu Zhengfeng of colluding with the evil cult, everyone was shocked and a commotion broke out.

Dingyi was also taken aback. She looked at Liu Zhengfeng quietly and said, "Junior Brother Liu, Junior Brother Fei said that you colluded with Dongfang Bubai and plotted against my righteous fellow practitioners. I don't believe it. If you have something to say, you might as well say it in front of all the heroes."

Liu Zhengfeng flicked his sleeves, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "All the heroes and seniors present here have witnessed my conduct throughout my life, and have never seen any Dongfang Bubai. So where does this talk of collusion and conspiracy come from?"

Fei Bin chuckled and said, "Senior Brother Liu, I'm afraid that's not entirely true. There's a Dharma Protector Elder in the Demonic Sect named Zuo Qu Yang. I wonder if Senior Brother Liu knows him?"

Liu Zhengfeng was originally very calm, but when he heard him mention the name "Qu Yang", his expression changed immediately, his lips tightened, and he was unable to answer for a moment.

Fei Bin roared again, "Liu Zhengfeng, do you even know Qu Yang?"

Liu Zhengfeng suddenly looked up and sighed, as if he hadn't heard Fei Bin's words. His expression was blank as he slowly sat down, picked up the wine pot with his right hand, and poured a cup. At this moment, the hall was completely silent, with only the sound of wine being poured into the cup.

He raised his glass, drank it down in one gulp, and remained completely calm and composed in this critical moment.

Seeing that he remained silent, everyone sighed inwardly. Since he didn't speak, it was tantamount to acquiescing.

After a long while, Liu Zhengfeng nodded and said, "That's right! Brother Qu Yang, I not only know him, but he is also my only confidant and my best friend in my life."

Although Liu Zhengfeng's words were not unexpected, hearing them spoken by him still caused an uproar. In an instant, the hall was filled with noise as the heroes discussed among themselves.

Master Dingyi's face flushed red and then turned pale. Suddenly, she spat and turned away, refusing to look at him again.

Yue Buqun suddenly stood up and said, "Junior Brother Liu, it's not a big deal that you know people from the Demonic Sect. When we travel the martial world, we sometimes meet people and only find out later that they are from the Demonic Sect. As long as you can distinguish right from wrong and draw a clear line with them, it's not too late to mend your ways. None of the heroes here will blame you and will still consider you a friend."

A desolate smile suddenly flashed across Liu Zhengfeng's face. He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Yue Buqun and said, "Thank you for your righteous words, Brother Yue. However, Brother Qu and I hit it off immediately and became friends at first sight. We usually only discuss music. He is a master of the seven-stringed zither, while I like to play the xiao. When we meet, we usually play the zither and xiao together. We never talk about martial arts."

"You may not believe it, but although Brother Qu is a member of the Demonic Sect, I know from his music that he is of noble character and has a bright and upright mind. He has absolutely no schemes or tricks to deal with you heroes."

The crowd grew increasingly astonished, never expecting that his acquaintance with Qu Yang was based on music. They were hesitant to believe it, but his sincerity was undeniable. They reasoned that many in the martial world were eccentric and captivating, and Liu Zhengfeng's fondness for music was not unusual.

The masters of the Hengshan School have always loved music. The current leader, Master Mo Da, is nicknamed "Xiaoxiang Night Rain". He always has a huqin (a two-stringed bowed instrument) in his hand and is known as "the sword is hidden in the huqin and the sound of the sword comes from the huqin". It is quite possible that Liu Zhengfeng became friends with Qu Yang through playing the xiao (a type of vertical flute).

Fei Bin laughed and said, "Brother Yue, I'm afraid Junior Brother Liu won't listen to you at all?" Yue Buqun smiled slightly and didn't answer.

At this point, Fei Bin suddenly turned to Liu Zhengfeng and said loudly, "Senior Brother Liu, you are a rare talent in our Five Mountains Sword Sect. You were mistakenly associated with villains and went astray. If you can deeply repent, wouldn't you be given a way to start anew? As long as you promise to kill Elder Qu Yang of the Demonic Sect within a month, bring his head to me, and then come with me to Mount Song to apologize to Alliance Leader Zuo in person, then all your past transgressions will be forgiven. What do you say?"

Since ancient times, good and evil have been irreconcilable. The Songshan Sect's demand that Liu Zhengfeng kill Qu Yang to prove his sincerity was not an unreasonable request. All the heroes were watching to see how he would respond.

Seeing this, Liu Zhengfeng took a deep breath and couldn't help but sigh, "The Demonic Sect and our righteous path have been fighting and killing each other for over a hundred years. The rights and wrongs are too numerous to recount in a short time. Today, I, Liu, will wash my hands of this world and withdraw from the martial arts world. I will no longer concern myself with the grudges and killings in the martial arts world. I only hope to stay out of it and avoid being implicated. From now on, I will retire to the mountains and forests, play the flute, teach my children, and be a law-abiding citizen."

"I thought that this wish did not violate the rules of our sect or the alliance of the Five Mountains Sword Sect. Who would have thought that Alliance Leader Zuo was so powerful that he could not hide my move from him. However, although I am just a lowly man, I am determined not to harm my friend."

Chapter 552 Testing the Sword at Mount Song

Ding Mian chuckled coldly, "Junior Brother Liu, you're mistaken. If we were truly friends, fellow righteous people, we would stand by each other through thick and thin without batting an eye. But what is that Qu fellow? The Demonic Sect knows that our Five Mountains Sword Sect has been thriving in recent years, so they've been trying every means to sabotage it and sow discord."

"Qu Yang was sent by them to try and please you by starting with music. Senior Brother Liu, you need to clear your head. How many of our people have been killed by the Demonic Sect in the past? This time they are using you to carry out a grand conspiracy to persecute righteous people like us. If you continue to be deluded, don't blame us for taking action to cleanse our sect."

Upon hearing this, Yue Buqun continued, "Brother Liu, you only need to nod your head, and Yue Buqun will take care of Qu Yang for you, how about that? You said a true man cannot betray his friends, but is Qu Yang the only person in the world who is your friend? Aren't we, the fellow practitioners of the Five Mountains Sword Sect, your good friends? We've traveled a long way to attend your Golden Basin Washing Hands Ceremony, aren't we your friends too?"

"Are all these friends not as valuable as Qu Yang?"

Liu Zhengfeng smiled bitterly and said, "Thank you for your kind words, Brother Yue, but a true man has principles and things he will not do. Just as if someone forced me to kill any of my good friends here, even if my whole family suffered, I would never nod in agreement. If Brother Qu were to mention even a single word about harming any of my friends, I would despise his character and would never consider him a friend again."

His words were extremely sincere. In the martial arts world, loyalty is of utmost importance. Although these martial arts heroes did not think much of Liu Zhengfeng's consideration for his friendship with Qu Yang, they could not help but secretly admire him.

Yue Buqun sighed and sat back down, seemingly admiring Liu Zhengfeng's righteousness or lamenting his own inflexibility.

Fei Bin said, "So, Senior Brother Liu is determined not to slay the demon and eliminate the evil, and kill that great demon Qu Yang?"

Liu Zhengfeng said, "I cannot betray my friends. You may kill me or torture me as you see fit."

Fei Bin sneered, "Liu Zhengfeng, do you think that just because all these heroes are guests in your home, my Five Mountains Sword Sect will have reservations and be unable to clean house?"

He reached out and beckoned to Stendhal, saying, "Come here!"

Stendhal replied, "Yes!" and took three steps forward.

Fei Bin took the five-colored command flag from his hand, raised it high, and said, "Liu Zhengfeng, listen up: Alliance Leader Zuo has ordered that if you do not agree to kill Qu Yang within a month, the Five Mountains Sword Sect will have no choice but to immediately clean house to avoid future troubles. We will show no mercy. Think it over carefully."

Liu Zhengfeng smiled bitterly and said, "When I make friends, I value loyalty and integrity. How could I harm my friends to protect myself? Your Songshan has already made all the arrangements, and I'm afraid you've even bought my coffin. If you want to take action, then do it. Why waste words?"

Fei Bin unfurled his command flag and sneered, "Fine!"