Wuxia: Start with max-level Nine Yang Divine Skill

Chapter 192 Public Trial Held (Two Chapters Combined)

"The Kheshig—those are the imperial guards of the Mongol Khan, said to be selected from among the most valiant soldiers in the Mongol army!"

"And the four chieftains of the Kheshig, being the most outstanding among them, holding prestigious positions and possessing unparalleled martial arts skills, actually died here?"

"The third Kheshig commander is a highly skilled and trusted figure, even among the Mongol emperors!"

"My God, such a person, actually—"

The crowd began to discuss amongst themselves, their gazes involuntarily turning to Li Fu once again.

In the firelight, his expression was calm, his blue robe was neat and tidy, without a single wrinkle or speck of dust, let alone any damage or bloodstains.

He just stood there casually, looking as if he had just experienced a fierce battle against dozens of opponents, including unparalleled masters like the Great Khan's personal guard.

Then look at the lean, slender yet powerful corpse of the Kheshig commander on the ground, with a fatal sword wound in his chest, and the Mongol warriors lying haphazardly around him, their deaths varied and unsettling—

The stark contrast sent a jolt through everyone present.

Liu Changzhen, Yun Qizi, Yu Hengzi (the head of the Hengshan Sect), He Mingzi (the head of the Huangshan Sect), and other sect leaders and elders of the martial arts world were even more unsettled.

They understood better than the inexperienced younger generation of martial artists present what the title of Third Chief of the Guard meant, and they also understood what terrifying martial arts skills were required to achieve such a feat.

"Just how high is this Officer Li's martial arts skill?"

Even one of the four top guards serving the Mongol emperor couldn't fathom his true strength despite his best efforts?

An elder of the Huashan Sect couldn't help but murmur to himself.

"Judging from this result—this Kheshig commander and these elite warriors probably didn't last many moves against him."

The other person said in a hoarse voice, his tone filled with disbelief.

"They really haven't gone through many moves!"

A master of the Hengshan School had a complex expression in his eyes.

"Look at the fatal wound on that Kheshig's chest. The wound is smooth, and the sword energy went straight through his chest. The speed of the sword energy was so fast that the opponent didn't even have time to block or dodge!"

And these steppe warriors, most of them killed with a single sword strike, the wounds mostly in vital areas like the throat and heart—what exquisite swordsmanship, what terrifying eyesight and speed that must have required!

"To fight against dozens of opponents, including one of the four top bodyguards of the Mongol emperor, and yet remain completely unharmed, with his clothes perfectly in place—this martial arts skill is simply—simply unbelievable!"

The head of the Huangshan Sect, Hemingzi, was a sprightly old man with white hair and a youthful face. He clicked his tongue and stroked his beard.

"I have lived for over sixty years and have encountered countless masters, but I have never seen anyone of this age, Li Fu, who can unleash the Divine Dragon Palm, with such martial arts skills!"

To say I've never heard of anything like it is true. For example, there's the legendary Chongyang Zhenren, the founder of the Quanzhen School, who is said to have achieved profound enlightenment at a young age. I've only heard of such things, but unfortunately, I wasn't fortunate enough to live through Chongyang Zhenren's lifetime.

Everyone else's eyelids twitched upon hearing this.

The leader of the Huangshan Sect actually compared Li Fu to the immortal Chongyang.

He was undoubtedly a legendary figure in the martial arts world, a god-like figure. The Quanzhen Sect he founded, in just a few decades, almost rivaled the Celestial Masters Sect, the leading sect of Taoism that had been established for nearly a thousand years, in leading the northern and southern Taoist sects respectively.

This is still the result of his indifferent nature and the fact that he has never deliberately developed his family's influence.

The young disciples from various factions who had come with their masters stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

Li Fu, who was the same age as them or even younger, had reached a level of martial arts that they could never achieve in their entire lives. He casually killed the chief bodyguard of the Mongol Khan, and even their own sect leader and elders felt that they were far behind him.

"One man, one sword, slaying the Kheshig commander, annihilating dozens of elite troops, and remaining completely untouched—is this truly something a single person could do?"

"No wonder even Master Liu was so polite to him—such martial arts skills are probably close to being a legend in the martial arts world."

"I would be satisfied when I have even a tenth of his martial arts skills."

A young disciple stood behind him, muttering to himself, his eyes filled with longing.

Many eyes were focused on Li Fu, filled with awe, amazement, curiosity, and deep apprehension.

Amidst the shock and disbelief, the crowd gradually came to their senses and began to ponder the matter once more.

Since it involves the personal guards of the Mongol Khan, the nature of this matter is completely different!

Even the most oblivious person would realize that this public trial was probably not just a simple feud within the martial arts world, but rather a deeper vortex behind the scenes.

Immediately, someone made a suggestion.

"Master Liu, this matter is of utmost importance!"

Given that the Mongol Khan's personal guards have infiltrated the area with unclear intentions, should this be reported to the authorities immediately?

These words caused another moment of silence in the room.

People started whispering among themselves.

"Report to the authorities?"

Given the current imperial court's attitude towards the Mongol Yuan dynasty —

"Alas, paying tribute year after year, submitting to the imperial court year after year, the court avoids them like the plague."

"I'm afraid that if the authorities find out, they'll prefer to avoid trouble and might even order us to keep quiet to avoid damaging diplomatic relations and jeopardizing the continuation of the alliance between the two countries."

"They might even turn around and blame us for being nosy—"

The discussions were filled with helplessness.

Many of the martial arts heroes in the arena showed resentment on their faces, but they had to admit that this was likely the reality.

Being born under a weak and cowardly court that fears its powerful neighbors like tigers is such a humiliating experience.

Suddenly someone remembered Li Fu's identity, and immediately stopped talking, looking at Li Fu with some embarrassment and awe, and carefully explained.

"Officer Li, we have absolutely no intention of disrespecting the government!"

It wasn't directed at Constable Li; his reputation for chivalry was widespread, he feared no authority, and everyone in the martial world knew and admired him. It's just—it's just that the current imperial court—alas!

The others echoed this sentiment, apologizing to Li Fu while still shaking their heads and sighing. They dared not discuss politics any further, repeatedly saying, "Let's not talk about state affairs, let's not talk about state affairs."

Li Fu didn't care, his expression was calm, showing a lofty demeanor that worldly affairs could not entangle his heart, and this otherworldly appearance made people secretly admire him.

At this time, another Quanzhen disciple reported that all the Mongol warriors' corpses had been carefully searched, and apart from weapons and a little silver and dry food, there were no documents, seals or special marks that could identify their identities or origins.

Liu Changzhen looked at Li Fu.

Li Fu said, "This was expected."

Since they dared to infiltrate the Central Plains and undertake such a dangerous mission, they naturally wouldn't leave any evidence that could expose their identities or implicate the Mongol Yuan dynasty.

"In that case, even if we report it to the authorities, it will most likely be useless."

Liu Changzhen sighed deeply, his face solemn. After taking a deep breath, he looked around at everyone and said in a deep voice.

"No matter what, whether or not we are surrounded by wolves, the public trial must be held as scheduled, and the lives of hundreds of people from the Taishan Sect must be accounted for!"

"The Mongol barbarians come and go as they please. Are we, the entire Quanzhen Sect and all the sects of the Northern Daoist School, so afraid of them that we dare not even do the right thing of seeking justice for our fellow practitioners?!"

"Master Liu is right!"

"We cannot afford to lose our composure just because the Tartars are causing trouble!"

"The blood of the Taishan Sect cannot be shed in vain!"

The sect leaders and elders responded enthusiastically, and the crowd was filled with righteous indignation.

People in the martial arts world, whose blood is still hot, cannot tolerate this kind of oppression and threat.

Some people also mentioned what Li Fu had just described, with people shouting and gossiping among the crowd.

"From what Master Li and Constable Li just said, Huo Shuyan clearly had a chance to be rescued, but he insisted on staying to prove his innocence—could it be that the Kongtong Sect has truly been wronged?"

If that's true—

The Quanzhen School and the Huangshan and Hengshan schools have really lost face this time.

"If the Kongtong Sect is proven innocent at the public trial, how will the Quanzhen Sect end up?"

Some suspicious glances drifted, intentionally or unintentionally, toward Liu Changzhen and the leaders of the Hengshan and Huangshan sects.

Liu Changzhen's martial arts skills were such that these discussions could not be hidden from him, and he also noticed the doubts in those eyes.

He stepped forward, turned to face the crowd, and said loudly, "Fellow practitioners!"

The purpose of the public trial is to find out the truth, clear the name of the wronged, and bring the guilty to justice!

Our Quanzhen Sect convened this meeting without any selfish motives. If it is found out at that time that our Quanzhen Sect, Hengshan, Huangshan and other sects have indeed misunderstood the Kongtong Sect and wronged Huo Shuyan.

I, Liu Changzhen, hereby swear that the entire Quanzhen Sect will publicly apologize to the Kongtong Sect without hesitation!

Everything should be based on facts and public opinion!

The leaders of the Hengshan Sect, Yuhengzi, and the Huangshan Sect, Hemingzi, also stepped forward and solemnly declared: "We share the same sentiment. Everything will be judged fairly after the public trial!"

Seeing that the leaders of the leading sects were of one mind and had an open and honest attitude, everyone nodded in agreement.

"Whatever the truth may be, we will find out at the public trial the day after tomorrow."

At that moment, everyone fell silent, increased their vigilance, and cleared the area below the mountain. The atmosphere became even more tense and solemn than before, and everyone felt that a storm was brewing. This public trial was definitely not going to be peaceful.

The day after that, the public trial was scheduled to take place.

The sun was high in the sky, and the huge square in front of Chongyang Palace on Zhongnan Mountain was already fully prepared.

A high platform was erected at the north end, with several seats set up on it. These seats were for the heads of major sects such as Quanzhen, Laoshan, Hengshan, and Huangshan, who were presiding over the trial, as well as a few famous heroes and constables who had been invited to the event, including Li Fu and the great hero Woyun.

Li Fu and the others took their seats.

Below the stage, in the plaza, the other sects and factions stood in order, a dense, dark mass of several hundred people, completely silent, the atmosphere extremely solemn.

Soon after, a notification came from the mountain gate.

"Sect Leader Chunyangzi of the Kongtong Sect has arrived!"

Everyone perked up and turned to look.

Li Fu also cast a glance at it.

Chunyangzi, the leader of the Kongtong Sect, wore a black Taoist robe. He had a square face and a long beard, giving him a stern and rigid appearance. His expression was calm and unreadable. He stepped into the square first.

He was followed by Elder Songxi, Daoist Shi, He Yisheng, and more than ten elite disciples of the Dongpai sect.

He Yisheng, Songxi, and Shi Daoren all wore solemn expressions. Under such a tense atmosphere, they secretly nodded to Li Fu, their savior.

The appearance of the Kongtong Sect members immediately attracted everyone's attention.

His gaze held suspicion, scrutiny, curiosity, and disdain.

Whispers began softly.

"It's finally here—"

"Judging from Chunyangzi's expression, he seems quite confident?"

"Those people behind him, are they the ones who infiltrated the Quanzhen Sect the night before last?"

"Hmph, sneaking around like that, they're either up to no good or a thief!"

"If you didn't have a guilty conscience, why would you need to do such sneaky things?"

Chunyangzi seemed oblivious to the various gazes around him, walked straight to the spot reserved for the Dong Sect members in front of the square, casually clasped his hands in greeting to Liu Changzhen and the others on the high platform, and sat down with a gloomy face.

Although he didn't look too good, he didn't seem flustered.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Liu Changzhen stood up and walked to the front of the stage.

Today, he also changed into his formal sect leader's robes, his expression solemn. He first bowed to the four directions and then spoke in a loud voice.

"Infinite Heavenly Venerable!"

Today, our Quanzhen Church, together with fellow practitioners from Laoshan, Hengshan, Huangshan, Huashan, and other sects, are gathered here not for personal grudges or to argue over who is superior, but solely to investigate a horrifying and inhumane massacre: the truth behind the annihilation of the entire Taishan sect!

His voice was clear and resonant, projected with his inner strength, making it audible to everyone in the square.

"The Taishan Sect is also a branch of our Taoist school, and we are all disciples of the Three Pure Ones."

Not long ago, the Taishan Sect, including its leader and all its members and servants, totaling more than 300 people, was brutally slaughtered overnight, leaving no one alive!

Such heinous acts are abhorrent to both gods and men, and cannot be tolerated by heaven and earth!

The room fell silent. Everyone was filled with grief and indignation as they recalled the tragic state of the Mount Tai Sect.

Liu Changzhen continued.

"After investigation by all parties, all the clues pointed to Huo Shuyan, a senior disciple of the Dong Sect!"

Because his whereabouts were unknown on the night of the incident, he was unable to prove his innocence, and his answers to questions afterward were evasive and suspicious.

In order to get to the bottom of this matter and to comfort the hundreds of wronged souls of the Taishan Sect, our Quanzhen Sect is holding a public trial and inviting fellow practitioners from all over the world to witness it.

Today, I will bring Huo Shuyan up here and, in front of all the heroes of the world, explain in detail his whereabouts and actions that night!

If there is any injustice, please state your case, and we will make a fair judgment.

If he is indeed the murderer, he shouldn't think he can get away with it!

His words were well-organized, explaining both the reasons and his stance.

"Good, good, this matter must be brought to an end."

"Hundreds of lives lost, an horrific tragedy, utterly depraved! The mastermind behind this must be brought to justice!"

The various factions in the audience nodded in agreement, and many were filled with indignation.

"Bring Huo Shuyan out!"

After Liu Changzhen finished speaking, he gestured to the audience.

Two Quanzhen Sect elders escorted one person up the platform from the side.

Huo Shuyan was dressed in prison clothes, with shackles on his hands and feet, and looked haggard.

He walked unsteadily, his eyes lowered, and was led to stand in the center of the stage.

All eyes instantly turned to him.

The atmosphere in the room was solemn. Liu Changzhen waved his hand, signaling the start of the public trial.

"Wait a minute, I have a few words to say before the conference begins."

Just then, Chunyangzi slowly stood up.

He first glanced at the sea of ​​heroes below the stage, then looked up at the high platform, his gaze sweeping over Liu Changzhen and the others before landing on Li Fu, who was sitting upright in his seat. He then solemnly cupped his hands in greeting.

"Officer Li, please accept my bow."

This sudden action startled everyone, even Liu Changzhen and the others on the stage glanced at it slightly, but they quickly realized what was happening.

Chunyangzi continued.

"I have already learned everything about what happened the night before from Elder Songxi of our sect, Junior Brother Shi, and my disciple Yisheng."

If it weren't for Constable Li's righteous intervention, which repelled the Mongol Kheshig guards and killed their leader, these disciples of our Dong Sect would probably have already met a terrible end and been buried at the foot of Zhongnan Mountain.

The entire Kongtong Sect will forever remember your life-saving grace.

On behalf of my entire sect, I express my sincere gratitude to Constable Li for his assistance!

After saying this, he bowed deeply again, his attitude sincere.

Li Fu nodded slightly and said calmly.

"Sect Leader Chunyang is too kind; it was just a small favor."

>