The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

Chu Luren's expression changed - even though his martial arts were not known for their perception, the fact that a living person, even one who was being "Ora Ora" by him, could disappear in an instant was indeed as bizarre as the original work!

It wasn't that Chu Lu was careless, but at the very last moment, when they were almost touching, he had to let go...

This guy's demonic skills are too bizarre. A grown man practices like a woman. If Chu Luren only had the "Star Absorbing Technique" and the "Northern Darkness Divine Skill", he would dare to absorb them. However, the "Stealing Pill Style" of the Great Sage Stealing Pill Scripture comes from the "Absorbing Skill" and will absorb the opponent's martial arts and even meridians!

Although it was said that the Golden Immortal's body was using it, Chu Luren dared not gamble on whether absorbing it would have any bad effects on him.

If Chu Luren obtains the "Evil-Repelling Sword Technique" and the "Sunflower Manual," he can fuse them and decide whether to equip them based on the situation. However, those that can be directly "absorbed" cannot be chosen...

Just as Chu Luren was staring intently at the clothes that had fallen to the ground, while also cautiously checking his surroundings with his peripheral vision and hearing, a sudden drumbeat sounded.

In the front courtyard of Yuxiu Palace, at each of the eight corners, a drum set was exposed, with a person dressed in beautiful women's clothing playing the drum in front of each one—as for whether they were women, Chu Luren was not sure.

At this moment, Chu Luren was already cursing Cao Zhengchun to the bone in his mind—I clearly warned you, why haven't you come to the rescue yet?

The sound of drums seemed to strike Chu Luren's heart, causing him to feel agitated and his internal energy circulation to become sluggish.

However, Chu Luren, still unwilling to admit defeat, let out a cold snort and pulled out his suona from his waist...

Chapter 274 Breaking the Formation

In Lin'an, the Song court, within the inner palace, in the Yuxiu Palace.

A fierce battle of sound and energy is raging!

Among the Japanese masters disguised as the Izumo delegation, one group had mastered the "Heavenly Demon Eight Sounds." Although, like the Six Meridians Divine Sword of Tenryu Temple, each person only mastered one sound, its use in the form of a drum formation could indeed make anyone caught in it suffer a severe beating!

Chu Luren also knew about this martial art...

In the Qunyu Academy, Chu Luren obtained basic information about the masters of Fusang, which stated that in addition to the native Japanese ninjutsu and swordsmanship, Fusang also had the Demonic Cult's Musashi, which was discovered by Fusang masters by chance in the Central Plains a hundred years ago!

This "demonic sect" was a major sect that stirred up trouble during the period of division in the previous dynasty, before the introduction of Zoroastrianism from Persia to China. It was older than the Ming Cult, but it has now been destroyed.

However, a hundred years ago, a group of Japanese people who came to the Central Plains, together with the lineage of the Western Regions' Xiaoyao King, discovered the martial arts left behind by the Demonic Sect. After a great battle, they each obtained a part, which became the "Eastern Demonic Arts" and the "Western Demonic Arts".

Decades ago, the "Western Transmission of Demonic Arts" enabled the Carefree King to master demonic arts. When he marched eastward into the Central Plains, he caused the destruction of the Famous Sword Manor and severely damaged many righteous sects. Later, he was defeated by Zhang Sanfeng, who was just beginning to make a name for himself...

Thus, the lineage of this demonic art was interrupted. In contrast, the Japanese were very steady, not only passing the demonic art back to Japan, but also establishing it in their homeland, where it was combined with Japanese martial arts generation after generation.

The Heavenly Dragon Eight Sounds and the Poison Heart Palm used by Wuwan are both "Eastern Transmission Demonic Skills" that have already been known to the martial arts world of the Central Plains.

But what kind of strange martial arts does this Japanese prince practice? The Sun Moon Cult has no information about it...

At this moment, Chu Luren was besieged by the "Heavenly Demon Eight Sounds", but he was fearless and calmly used the "Nine Netherworld Sound Soul Skill" to play "Laughing at the World" on the suona to fight against the drum formation!

The true Heavenly Demon Eight Sounds should be the Qin Music Technique, but because it was divided into eight people, it could only be used in coordination with a drum formation.

Compared to Chu Luren's "Nine Netherworld Sound Soul Technique", this "Heavenly Demon Eight Sounds" has both sonic attacks and mental attacks.

Amidst the resounding drumbeats, the Chu Lu people's suona still stood out. After a high note soared up and forcefully inserted itself, it quickly turned the tables and took the lead in driving the rhythm!

The eight drummers looked solemn and barely managed to keep their drumbeats in order, but their attention had been completely captivated by the Chu Lu people's suona.

However, Chu Luren was also not comfortable. In terms of mental attacks, his suona skills were unmatched, but in terms of direct sound wave attacks, the "Nine Netherworld Sound Soul Technique" was not good at it...

The sound of eight drums swept over his entire body again and again. If a deaf person with insufficient internal strength were here, even if they couldn't hear the sound, their bones would have been shattered by the sound waves!

Fortunately, Chu Luren's current Golden Immortal Great Saint Body is more durable than Cheng Shifei's when he was not in his transformed state, and much stronger than when he was in the Heavenly Prison, which is why he did not vomit blood and suffer serious injuries on the spot.

In short, with the drumbeats and suonas now overlapping, the Japanese are mentally tormented by the Chu Lu people, but physically, it is the Chu Lu people who are suffering!

However, Chu Luren's sonic skills are not only the "Nine Netherworld Sonic Soul Skill," but also the "Laughing at the World Melody" itself plays a role.

Because of the unique effects of "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer," the situation is gradually tilting in Chu Luren's favor. After all, although these Japanese people are not guilty in terms of their stance, they all cultivate demonic arts, which inevitably affects their temperament. Moreover, they are all trained assassins, so it is difficult for them to have the mindset of "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer," while Chu Luren's mindset is now close to that of "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer."

I'm not working for Song Ting or being his lackey; I'm helping a friend. I'm completely honest about it!

The effect of the "Swordsman Song" is that the more open-minded and carefree one's state of mind, the more it encourages and inspires; conversely, it inhibits and suppresses one's emotions.

Therefore, the two sides initially seemed to be evenly matched, but the Chu Lu people were getting more and more into playing, while the eight Fusang drummers were gradually finding it difficult to play.

Just as the song "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer" ended and the gap between Chu Luren and the Fusang people reached its maximum, Chu Luren once again soared to a high note—out of respect for his opponents, Chu Luren chose a tune from their hometown, a suona version of "Bluebird," to send them off on their final journey (see the bonus chapter).

After a climax, the Japanese soldiers, due to loss of focus and misdirection of their energy, all broke their drums and vomited blood!

However, just as the last drumbeat sounded, the ninth person, who had been standing idly to the side, suddenly made his move, striking the large gong behind him with all his might. This strike, carrying the last sonic wave from the Fusang Clan, completely detonated the final, devastating blow of the "Heavenly Demon Eight Sounds"...

Although the sole gong player suffered a backlash from the sound energy after striking the gong, vomiting blood and dying on the spot, Chu Luren was also a beat slower. He felt the suona in his hand jump, as if someone had stuffed firecrackers into it. He not only lost his grip and let go, but his meridians were also affected by the backlash from the sound energy.

Compared to the fate of the Fusang people, the Chu Luren could be said to have won a great victory. However, at this moment, the gauze skirt that was originally on the ground suddenly rose up and flew towards the Chu Luren!

A hand "appeared out of thin air" from within the seemingly empty gauze skirt and struck Chu Luren's chest and abdomen.

In the original work, it was the same; he suddenly disappeared, leaving only his clothes, and then reappeared from the slowly rising clothes. However... Chu Luren thought that the TV series version was probably too exaggerated, so he was not sure. Besides, he had indeed observed before and found nothing!

It now seems that the opponent's evil skill also has the effect of illusion, plus the white gauze skirt itself has a mechanism, and most importantly, the body-shaping effect is even better than the Nine Yin Manual's bone-shrinking skill.

Chu Luren instinctively dodged with a swift, agile movement, and just as their bodies met, Fu Ling suddenly recalled the scene outside the apricot grove where he fought a fierce battle with Murong Fu…

Chu Luren used the momentum from his dodge to kick out, striking his opponent squarely in the groin!

Moreover, this fake Li Xiu underestimated Chu Luren, expecting Chu Luren's internal injuries to be more severe and not anticipating that Chu Luren could break through the Heavenly Demon Eight Sounds; secondly, he overestimated himself. Normally, the fake Li Xiu could have easily dodged this kick, but now, because he was eager to attack, he was stretching his muscles and bones, and therefore could not dodge in time!

Unlike Chu Luren who dodged Murong Fu's kick back then, only sacrificing Da Pingjiao, Jia Lixiu has truly suffered a complete loss.

A bloodcurdling scream rang out in Yuxiu Palace—this was not only the vital spot for men, but also the Achilles' heel of the fake Lixiu's martial arts!

In the original work, when the fake Li Xiu was fighting Duan Tianya and Gui Haiyidao with their internal energy, he was even able to shout at Cheng Shifei. However, after Cheng Shifei groped him, he immediately "lost his breath" and died...

What Chu Luren didn't know was that this weakness was not usually exposed, but would retract and hide. It would only be exposed when he used all his internal energy, or when he was in a state of extreme bone shrinkage and had not fully recovered his body shape, as just now!

Chu Luren originally wanted to pursue, after all, in Chu Luren's opinion, although the force of that kick was painful, it should not be fatal to a master.

However, the screaming fake Risuke fell to the ground, and then, with his increasingly weak screams, his body withered away...

Chapter 275 Dogs Biting Dogs

"Wow! Chu Luren, did you suck this up?" Princess Yunluo saw the fake Lixiu lying dead in a heap, and even though she was usually bold, she couldn't help but hide closer to Chu Luren.

“I don’t easily absorb people… This is his own evil technique backfiring!” Chu Luren rolled his eyes.

The emperor, who had been rescued by Shangguan Haitang earlier, was now helped back to his feet by her as well.

Because of the unique acupressure technique used by the fake Lixiu, Haitang was unable to release the pressure points, and the emperor could only move slowly and cautiously.

Shangguan Haitang didn't know how many other experts were on the enemy's side outside, and dared not charge forward. She could only hide to the side. She had been injured by the aftershocks of the Japanese drummers and gong players. Fortunately, the emperor did not understand internal energy, so the damage he suffered was not very serious!

Meanwhile, Cao Zhengchun, accompanied by experts from the Eastern Depot, arrived late.

"Your Majesty! This old servant is late in coming to your rescue, I deserve to die ten thousand times!" Cao Zhengchun knelt down as soon as he arrived.

"Wow, Eunuch Cao, if you had arrived any later, you could have started preparing for the new emperor's ascension to the throne," Chu Luren said with a smirk.

However, before Cao Zhengchun could do anything, the emperor kept glaring at him—"Can't you speak properly?"

Yunlu immediately stepped on his foot and said, "Don't talk nonsense... My imperial brother doesn't have any children yet!"

emperor:……

"Cao Zhengchun... release my acupoints!" The emperor's voice wasn't loud, but his anger was considerable; however, he couldn't raise his voice because his acupoints were sealed.

Cao Zhengchun rose and apologized again, saying, "This old servant deserves to die." He then checked the emperor's condition, tapping repeatedly, but... he couldn't solve it!

"What are you doing? Aren't you usually so formidable?" The emperor was furious.

“Your Majesty, this…this should be a unique acupoint striking technique from Japan, different from the martial arts of the Central Plains…By the way! Duan Tianya trained in Japan for a long time, so there should be someone in the Dragon Guard Manor who knows the Japanese acupoint striking technique, right?” Cao Zhengchun said truthfully.

Chu Luren was somewhat surprised to hear this—how could Cao Zhengchun have changed his ways and even voluntarily relinquish the credit?

“Your Majesty, Duan Tianya has indeed cultivated in Japan for several years, so he should be able to untie the acupoints,” Shangguan Haitang quickly added.

Cao Zhengchun then looked troubled and said, "This is probably... not easy. Your Majesty, it was Guihai Yidao, the Earth-rank spy from the Dragon Guard Manor, who just broke into the Heavenly Prison and killed many of the Eastern Depot's guards. That's why I'm late, cough cough cough..."

Cao Zhengchun coughed as he spoke, giving the impression that "this old servant is injured" and "this old servant has had a hard time."

Upon hearing this, Chu Luren raised an eyebrow and immediately looked at Cao Zhengchun with slightly higher regard, going from "average stupid" to "relatively stupid"!

This move was so blatant that they didn't even bother with the task of protecting the emperor; instead, they went to confirm the "prison break" at the Dragon Guard Manor!

Of course, Chu Luren estimated that Cao Zhengchun should have been nearby just now, but he didn't show himself. If it weren't for Chu Luren, Cao Zhengchun would definitely have made a move.

Eunuch Cao doesn't want any credit for himself, but he still wants to spit on the Dragon Guard Manor. Chu Luren is very pleased with this. This is the rhythm!

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Haitang looked anxious and asked, "What happened to my elder brother?" As soon as the words left her mouth, Shangguan Haitang regretted it... She shouldn't have appeared so anxious in front of the Emperor, especially after receiving news of the prison break.

Otherwise, it would make the Emperor think even more that the Dragon Guard Manor is forming cliques and creating a small group.

"Then you'll have to ask the Divine Marquis and the Secret Agent Shangguan! The secret agents of the Dragon Guard Manor are indeed formidable; even with the two of them working together, they managed to escape from this old servant's grasp... Please, Your Majesty, punish this old servant without considering the severity of the crime!"

Cao Zhengchun insisted that he was late because of Gui Haiyi's prison break and Duan Tianya's prison break.

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Haitang's expression only improved slightly.

Chu Luren estimated that, given Duan Tianya and Guihai Yidao's still-developing skills, even if they managed to escape, they probably wouldn't be able to "retreat unscathed"!

The original plan of the Divine Marquis was to have Duan Tianya rescue the emperor. He only needed to hint at it or even just let Guihai Yidao break into the prison. There was no need to give direct command.

If the Emperor is saved by Duan Tianya, then all misunderstandings will be cleared up, and the Emperor will feel indebted to the Dragon Guard Manor.

However, Duan Tianya and Gui Haiyidao fought with Cao Zhengchun during the prison break and escape, and then left injured. They did not directly save the emperor, and even delayed Cao Zhengchun's rescue of the emperor. The difference is too great!

It must have been because the Divine Marquis realized that the prison break had failed that he ordered Haitang to act as a final insurance policy.

"Your Majesty is wise. Secret Agent Duan and Secret Agent Guihai must have been worried about Your Majesty's safety, so they..." Shangguan Haitang wanted to explain further.

"Enough! Find a way to release my pressure points first." The emperor was clearly losing patience, especially when facing Shangguan Haitang. He felt very complicated. Thinking of Princess Lixiu before, his feelings became even more complicated. He couldn't help but feel angry, but then he remembered that she had just saved him, so he suppressed his anger.

"Let me take a look," Chu Luren said, putting his arm around the emperor's shoulder.

Then, the Seven Illusory Rainbow Light Finger Force seeped into the Emperor's meridians through the Jianjing acupoint...

Chu Luren had never heard of the Fusang acupoint striking method, but he figured that the so-called acupoint striking and releasing was nothing more than the clash of forces. Although Fusang martial arts had its own unique approach and were worth studying, it was still based on the martial arts of the Central Plains. It was impossible for them to have discovered any other meridians on their own.

The reason it "couldn't be untied" was probably because the emperor himself hadn't practiced internal martial arts, and the force and location of the pressure applied were rather dangerous, so he was worried about accidentally damaging it...

However, Chu Luren's Seven Illusions Rainbow Light Finger Force is different. It directly penetrates the meridians. When used to open acupoints, it is much more gentle and complete than simply using external finger force to open acupoints.

"Master Chu, please be careful," Cao Zhengchun said anxiously as he saw Chu Luren approaching.

After two subtle, slight sounds breaking through the barrier, the Emperor visibly breathed a sigh of relief, then glared at Cao Zhengchun and said, "Hero Chu is much more cautious than you!" He then glanced at Chu Luren.

Although he didn't ask, Chu Luren knew what he was thinking, so he took the initiative to add, "I'm not careful, I'm very reckless. It was your sister who dragged me here."

"It's all thanks to my imperial sister," the emperor said with a forced smile.