A man in the martial world, a reincarnated sword immortal.

Chapter 86: The Gathering of Heroes from All Over the World, A Nighttime Investigation of Xiangguo Temple! (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)

Zhong Yuan asked this question in return.

This can be seen as a tacit admission that they came to participate in the Heroes' Gathering.

Duan Zhengchun immediately laughed and said, "We originally came to Tokyo to pay tribute, but we happened to hear that the Beggars' Sect is inviting heroes from all over the world to hold a grand gathering of heroes in Tokyo!"

"So, I just came to join in the fun!"

"If Young Master Zhong doesn't mind, we can go to the Great Xiangguo Temple together tomorrow to join in the fun."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Yuan immediately raised an eyebrow.

It's like someone bringing you a pillow when you're sleepy!

Unexpectedly, the Beggars' Sect held its Heroes' Gathering at the Great Xiangguo Temple!

This is great news!

The more people in the martial arts world there are, the greater the chance he will be able to rescue the Black-Clad Dharma King.

He immediately clasped his hands in a fist and smiled, "Then we'll meet at the Great Xiangguo Temple tomorrow!"

Upon hearing this, Duan Zhengchun stopped disturbing Zhong Yuan and the others, and pulled Duan Yu along, heading in that direction.

Duan Yu didn't forget to turn back and say it to Zhong Yuan again.

"Young Master Zhong."

"If you have any news about the fairy sister, you must tell me!"

Zhong Yuan nodded slightly, which could be considered a response.

After Duan Zhengchun led Duan Yu to sit down over there.

Duan Zhengming asked Duan Zhengchun in a low voice, "Zhengchun."

"I heard you mention this young master Zhong before; he seems to be a member of the Ming Cult."

"The Ming Cult was known as a demonic cult in the Song Dynasty."

"Members of the Ming Cult rarely make their public appearances in the martial arts world."

"It's quite unusual that this young master Zhong is also participating in the Heroes' Gathering."

Duan Zhengchun said, "Brother, I don't know the reason either."

"However, the Ming Cult did indeed reveal its activities during the Lingjiu Mountain Conference."

"It seems that the Ming Cult's current style of doing things is quite different from before."

"After all, this young master Zhong is so young, yet his martial arts skills are already above those of Qiao Feng in the North and Murong in the South."

"It's understandable that their behavior is more high-profile compared to the Ming Cult members of the past."

Duan Zhengming sipped his tea and nodded silently, saying nothing more.

Meanwhile, Zhong Yuan and the others continued their meal.

As more and more people gathered on the second floor, the crowd became increasingly dense and distracting.

Zhong Yuan and the others no longer mentioned rescuing the Black-Robed Dharma King.

After finishing their meal, they booked three guest rooms in the restaurant and went straight to their rooms to rest.

It was already getting late.

After everyone entered the house, it gradually got dark.

As night fell, Tokyo was illuminated with colorful lights, and the view from the windows of the hotel rooms was truly magnificent.

Zhong Yuan stood by the window, his internal energy circulating automatically throughout his body.

Looking at the magnificent sight of Tokyo, he couldn't help but sigh.

The moonlight shines hazily on the ancient city, and the night scene of Bianliang is as beautiful as a painting.

The lights shone brightly against the sky, and laughter filled every household.

It was past midnight.

The number of people on the streets of the city gradually decreased.

Bai Lixiao's voice rang out from outside the door.

Zhong Yuan said.

"Enter."

Bai Lixiao pushed open the door, bolted it shut, walked behind Zhong Yuan, and whispered, "Left Envoy."

"We can move now."

Zhong Yuan nodded slightly, and the two of them leaped out of the window and disappeared into the night.

Daxiangguo Temple was first built in the sixth year of the Tianbao era of the Northern Qi Dynasty.

In the first year of the Yanhe era of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Ruizong of Tang bestowed the name Daxiangguo Temple upon it in commemoration of the emperor's ascension to the throne from his position as Prince Xiang.

It was destroyed by fire in the early years of this dynasty, but was later rebuilt. It was a royal temple of the Song Dynasty.

Emperor Taizong and Emperor Yingzong of the Song Dynasty successively inscribed plaques or wrote eulogies for temples, and the appointment and resignation of abbots of various temples were all approved by imperial edicts.

Throughout history, eminent monks, high-ranking officials, scholars, envoys, and ordinary people have all been allowed to enter and exit.

Now, during the reign of Emperor Shenzong, the Daxiangguo Temple has expanded to a much larger area.

The temple covers an area of ​​over 500 acres and is divided into more than 400 districts, with 64 Chan and Vinaya institutes under its jurisdiction!

Huibei and Zhihai are the two major Zen temples in the east and west.

Although Shaolin Temple holds a high position in the martial arts world, its true official backing belongs to Daxiangguo Temple.

In terms of official standing, Shaolin Temple isn't even worthy of carrying the shoes of Daxiangguo Temple.

Zhong Yuan and Bai Lixiao used their lightness skills to arrive at the East Zen Courtyard of Daxiangguo Temple.

But this Dongchan Temple is also very large.

In such a vast place, searching for everything would likely take all night and yield no results.

but.

Bai Lixiao had been to Daxiangguo Temple before, but he had not found the exact location where the Black-Robed Dharma King was imprisoned.

But it wasn't all for naught.

At the very least, in some places, it is absolutely impossible to detain people.

Places where people can be imprisoned are usually clock towers or pagodas.

Zhong Yuan and Bai Lixiao searched the clock tower for a while but found no trace of them.

The bell tower of Daxiangguo Temple has been preserved since the Tang Dynasty. It is five zhang tall and has a Tang Dynasty bell weighing thousands of jin hanging on it. The bell is only rung on the first and fifteenth of each lunar month. Even monks rarely go up there on ordinary days.

There was a lot of dust on the ground, but fortunately, Zhong Yuan and Bai Lixiao flew up layer by layer from the outside and did not find anything unusual.

Then, they searched Tallinn again.

The eminent monks of Daxiangguo Temple throughout history were buried in the pagoda forest behind the temple after their passing.

Dozens of brick pagodas stand in the pagoda forest, overgrown with weeds that reach waist height. Monks only come to sweep and clean them during the Qingming Festival.

Many eminent monks prepared their own coffins in advance and placed them in the tomb chamber under the brick pagoda. Some empty coffins that were prepared in advance were left there to collect dust.

Wandering around Natalin so late at night is quite eerie.

After searching all around, they still couldn't find any trace of the prisoners.

Zhong Yuan knew that continuing the search like this was not a solution, so he immediately confirmed with the White Flood Dragon King, "Flood Dragon King."

"How did you obtain the news that the Black-Robed Dharma King was imprisoned at the Great Xiangguo Temple?"

Bai Lixiao said, "This information was obtained by my Ming Cult disciples while they were hiding in Tokyo."

"It absolutely cannot be fake."

"However, that disciple was later intercepted and killed by Yan Xingzhou and the Imperial City Guard."

Zhong Yuan nodded slightly, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.

"Continuing to search like this isn't a solution."

"I'm afraid even if we stay until tonight, we won't be able to find the exact location where the Black-Robed Dharma King is being held."

"Generally speaking, since the Imperial City Guard did not execute or imprison the King of Xuanyi, but instead imprisoned him in the Great Xiangguo Temple, he was a person of such stature."

"This means that there must be someone in the Great Xiangguo Temple who can suppress the Black-Robed Dharma King."

"Does the Dragon King know of any highly skilled monks with profound martial arts cultivation in the Great Xiangguo Temple?"

Bai Lixiao shook his head.

"Daxiangguo Temple is not a major martial arts school, unlike Shaolin Temple, and I have never heard of any martial arts masters in Daxiangguo Temple."

A glint of light flashed in Zhong Yuan's eyes.

"Just because I haven't heard of it doesn't mean it doesn't exist."

"Since the Great Xiangguo Temple is a royal temple, it must be somewhat different from a major martial arts sect like Shaolin Temple."

Bai Lixiao sighed softly.

"It's all my fault for being incompetent. When I came to Tokyo before, I infiltrated Yan Xingzhou's ranks, but I still couldn't find out any information about the Black-Robed Dharma King."

A night breeze was blowing.

A breeze blew from all around Natallin.

Zhong Yuan felt a chill run down his spine.

He thought about it.

"The Black-Robed Dharma King is imprisoned at the Great Xiangguo Temple. It's impossible for the Imperial City Guard to leave him completely unattended."

"However, after walking around like this, we haven't seen a single person from the Imperial City Guard."

"There are two possibilities. One is that those Imperial Guards were hiding in the shadows and we didn't see them."

"Secondly, these Imperial City Guards might have changed their appearance and disguised themselves as ordinary monks."

"This makes it less likely to arouse suspicion."

Bai Lixiao agreed wholeheartedly upon hearing this.

"Which possibility does the Left Envoy see?"

Zhong Yuan said in a deep voice, "Which possibility it is doesn't matter."

"The important thing is that the Imperial City Guards are really in this Great Xiangguo Temple."

"Since we can't find it, we can only lure them out and let the Imperial City Guards search for them for us."

Bai Lixiao asked with some curiosity, "Does the Left Envoy already have a solution?"

Zhong Yuan nodded slightly, a strange light flashing in his eyes, and whispered to Bai Lixiao, "Right now, the only option is to set another fire!"

Immediately, Zhong Yuan asked Bai Lixiao to come closer and whispered something in Bai Lixiao's ear.

Upon hearing this, Bai Lixiao's expression immediately brightened. He clasped his hands in a fist salute with Zhong Yuan and then flew away, disappearing into the night.

Zhong Yuan then leaped into the air and headed towards Zisheng Pavilion, which had the best view and the highest position in the Great Xiangguo Temple.

He wanted to stand on the Zisheng Pavilion and observe the activities of the Great Xiangguo Temple.

The Zisheng Pavilion of Daxiangguo Temple was built during the Zhenyuan period of the Tang Dynasty and rebuilt during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty. It has five stories and is about 15 zhang high.

In Bianliang, a city filled with low-rise wooden buildings, this is one of the highest points in the entire city. Standing on the top of the pavilion, one can even see the imperial palace directly.

Under the cover of night, Zhong Yuan concealed his aura and quickly arrived at the top of the Zisheng Pavilion.

He stood there quietly, waiting, feeling the night breeze blowing.

Two incense sticks later.

The fire started from the direction of the kitchen, and it quickly grew larger and larger.

Then, someone shouted loudly in the temple.

"Something terrible has happened!"

"Something terrible has happened!"

"Fire!"

"Fire!"

Not long after.

Another sound rang out!

"Something terrible has happened!"

"A thief has broken in!"

The sound didn't just come from one place.

The sound rang out in several locations within the temple grounds.

The people who shouted were the four Huyan brothers and Pang Wanchun.

Zhong Yuan had just asked Bai Lixiao to go back to the restaurant and call the four Huyan brothers and Pang Wanchun over.

Then, after the fire was started, the four Huyan brothers and Pang Wanchun shouted wildly, causing chaos.

He stood at the highest point, searching for traces of the Imperial City Guards.

Although it is nighttime, things are not visible from too far away.

However, Zhongyuan is located in the very center of the Daxiangguo Temple.

Therefore, he could still see that the temple quickly became crowded with people.

However, no trace of the Imperial City Guards was found.

Just when Zhong Yuandu thought it was very likely that the Imperial City Guard really hadn't sent anyone to guard the Great Xiangguo Temple.

Suddenly, his gaze fell upon the backyard, where more than a dozen Imperial City Guards dressed in their uniforms and carrying long swords appeared!

They all gathered around a well near a large pond in the backyard.

That large pond is a release pond for animals.

Inside the release pond, there is a blue stone Buddha statue, half of which is submerged in the water, with the other half of the Buddha's body exposed.

The release pond was full of water, and there were even fish and shrimp in it.

On ordinary days, there are probably quite a few pilgrims feeding the fish there.

Upon seeing this, Zhong Yuan narrowed his eyes and immediately leaped up.

It flew off in that direction.

Beside the release pond.

A group of Imperial City Guards, dressed in the standard uniforms of the Imperial City Guard, gathered around the well.

They stood ready, drawing their long swords and scanning their surroundings.

One of them, holding a torch, peered down.

Then, turning to the head of the guards, he said, "Head Guard Lin!"

"There doesn't seem to be any movement down there!"

"That old guy is still around."

The head of the secret guards was thin, with a leopard-like head and round eyes, a swallow-like chin and a tiger-like beard. Judging from his appearance, he was about twenty years old.

Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in his eyes.

"Let's go down and take a look!"

"I must see with my own eyes that the person is still alive!"

"No one is allowed to sleep tonight!"

"Open your eyes wide!"

"Tomorrow is the grand gathering of heroes!"

"Of all things to do, this had to happen tonight."

"It seems that the Ming Cult's demons have already secretly infiltrated Bianliang."

"Even right now, right here in the Great Xiangguo Temple!"

Wow!

These words were spoken.

This immediately caused the guards of the Imperial City Guard to become serious.

Guarding such a serious Ming Cult criminal is manageable on ordinary days, but what if they actually lose him?

Then all of them will probably be exiled to the border regions.

No one wanted to go from being a guard of the Imperial City Guard to becoming a thieving convict.

So everyone became extremely focused.

At this time.

Lin, the head constable, took a torch from a guard and headed down into the well.

Lin, the head constable, was both skilled and daring. He held a torch and kept lowering it.

Until they saw the figure locked inside the well, deep at the bottom.

Still not reassured, he jumped down and walked straight to the old man, the firelight illuminating his face.

The man had disheveled hair, wore prison clothes, and his hands were firmly bound by steel chains.

The same was true for his feet; the iron chains pierced through his collarbones.

After the firelight shone on the man's face.

Only then did Chief Lin feel relieved.

At this time.

The disheveled man suddenly opened his eyes, a cold light flashing in them, and shouted at Lin, the head constable, "Boy!"

"Why are you disturbing Grandpa's peaceful sleep in the middle of the night?"

Upon hearing this, Lin, the head constable, simply said, "Li Xuanyi."

"Don't be so arrogant. If it weren't for Lord Shaofu sparing your life and bringing those Manichaean demons to save you..."

Do you think you'd still be alive today?

The man snorted coldly upon hearing this.

"My cult leader, Zhong, is an extremely intelligent man; how could I possibly fall for your tricks!"

"Even if you lock Grandpa up for another hundred years, no one will fall for your tricks."

Lin, the head constable, raised an eyebrow and said calmly, "Is that so?"

"That's not necessarily true."

The words fell.

Lin Dutou leaped up, grabbed the rope thrown down from the well, and was pulled up.

After leaping out of the well, Chief Lin addressed the surrounding guards, saying, "Strengthen the guard tonight!"

"Sixth Brother, go to Young Master Yan's house tonight and report to him that members of the Ming Cult may have infiltrated."

.

One of the guards immediately stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "Yes!"

"I'll take care of it right away!"

Immediately, the guard slung his sword over his shoulder and left.

now.

Standing atop the Buddhist temple, Zhong Yuan had a clear view of the area around the well.

They even overheard some of their conversation.

But the Imperial City Guards were gathered around the well, and not far away, Imperial City Guards also appeared in the surrounding corridors.

He was almost certain that the man in the well was the Black-Robed Dharma King.

However, judging from the appearance, the well must be quite deep, and they are trying to rescue the Black-Clad Dharma King.

It would be difficult for him to do it alone.

The defenses here are extremely tight.

There were guards in each of the four corners.

The Imperial Guards stationed at the wellhead showed no intention of leaving.

I thought about it.

Zhong Yuan decided to retreat to the inn first, as there would be many people around tomorrow, and they would see if there was an opportunity then.

Immediately afterwards, Zhong Yuan left Daxiangguo Temple without a sound.

Back at the inn, everyone had already gone back to wait.

This was something Zhong Yuan had instructed the White Dragon Dharma King to do in advance.

When everyone saw Zhong Yuan return, they hurriedly gathered around to ask him questions.

Zhong Yuan nodded slightly and told the others everything he had seen and speculated about.

Bai Lixiao beamed with joy.

"So that's how it is."

"At the bottom of that well, there's an eight or nine out of ten chance that it's the Black-Robed Dharma King."

"Left Envoy".

"Tell us what to do!"

Zhong Yuan paused for a moment, then gestured for everyone to come closer.

The next day.

-

early morning.

Bianliang, the capital of the Eastern Capital, has long since returned to its bustling state.

Zhong Yuan and the others had breakfast early in the morning, left the inn, and headed towards the Daxiangguo Temple.

When Zhong Yuan and his group arrived outside the Daxiangguo Temple, there were already many martial arts practitioners heading towards the temple.

Among them were many disciples of the Beggars' Sect, all dressed in tattered clothes and carrying sticks.

Some disciples from the Kunlun, Lingdong, Qingcheng, and Penglai sects also appeared. Zhong Yuan had met those people once when he was at Lingjiu Mountain.

Of course, there are also sect leaders, such as Sima Wei, the leader of the Qingcheng Sect, and his son Sima Lin.

For example, Du Lingzi, the leader of the Penglai Sect, also appeared here.

Zhong Yuan and the others followed the crowd toward the temple.

Not long after he entered the temple, he saw people coming towards him and greeting him.

"Young Master Fang, we've been waiting for you!"

"I knew you'd come to this gathering of heroes from all over the world!"

That person was none other than Sikong Xuan, the leader of the Shennong Gang.

But there was another person accompanying Sikong Xuan, it was Wuliang Sword Zuo Zimu!

Upon seeing this, Zhong Yuan raised an eyebrow, a look of surprise flashing across his face.

Why did these two come together?

Zuo Zimu had a mournful face, but after walking up to Zhong Yuan, he still cupped his hands in a fist salute and said in a low voice, "Young Master Fang."

"I've finally waited for you."

Zhong Yuan, with his hands behind his back, asked, "What brings you two here?"

Sikong Xuan looked around and then said, "Young Master Fang, there are too many people around here."

"Let's go over there and talk."

Zhong Yuan did not refuse and immediately followed Sikong Xuan and the other two toward the group of strange people.

Zhong Yuan glanced at it a couple more times.

Seeing that the group of strange people were all different, a thought popped into my head: they must be from the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands.

at this time.

Sikong Xuan said in a low voice, "Young hero, should I now call you Zhong Shenjian, or should I continue to call you Young Hero Fang?"

Zhong Yuan raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in his expression.

"The Zhongyao Sword?"

Seeing this, Sikong Xuan was somewhat surprised and asked a question in return.

"Young hero, are you unaware that your name is already renowned throughout the martial world?"

"Even surpassing 'Northern Qiao Feng' and 'Southern Murong'?"

"Everyone in the martial world knows that you, young hero, fought the Heavenly Child Granny at Lingjiu Mountain, frightening her away with your unparalleled sword energy!"

"In the martial arts world, the most prominent figures right now are no longer Qiao Feng of the North or Murong Fu of the South!"

"It's the young master of the Ming Cult, [Zhong Shenjian]!!"

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