The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

“That’s right, it seems that you also know that Uncle Duan is here, which is why you came to visit?” Chu Luren felt that if Duan Zhengchun continued to act so recklessly, he would eventually alert the Yihua Palace.

Qiao Feng's expression was already awkward as he continued, "Actually... I recently received some unreliable information: the leader from back then might have been Prince Duan!"

Upon hearing this, Chu Luren looked at him strangely: "Thirty years ago, Uncle Duan was only a teenager... And let alone thirty years ago, even twenty-five years ago, when he was ranked eighth on the Heavenly Ranking, what kind of reputation did he have? Could he have pulled off an ambush at Shanhaiguan? Cough cough... Of course, I'm not questioning Uncle Duan's ability and reputation, I'm just stating the facts."

“That’s right, I also feel that this matter is too strange. As far as I know, the relationship between Master Tan, Master Tan, and Master Zhiguang with the Dali Duan family is just so-so, and their ages don’t match up at all…” Qiao Feng wasn’t stupid.

"Then where did this intelligence come from?" Chu Luren could already guess that there was only one person who hated Duan Zhengchun so much and could provide "reliable false intelligence" on this matter!

Upon hearing this, Qiao Feng felt somewhat embarrassed: "Ahem, to my shame, I also used some tricks before, and together with A'Zhu, we pretended to be strangers and went to Kang Min to get information out of her."

Although there was a reason for it, deceiving a widow is ultimately not a respectable thing to do.

“That means Kang Min and Uncle Duan have a grudge,” Chu Luren immediately concluded.

"This... I've never heard of it before." Qiao Feng was still somewhat hesitant.

"How old is Kang Min?" Chu Luren asked directly.

"He should be around thirty-five or thirty-six, but he looks much younger," Qiao Feng estimated.

"Isn't it perfectly normal for a woman of this age and with some good looks to have a grudge against Uncle Duan?" Chu Luren retorted.

Qiao Feng: ...

Qiao Feng was speechless for a moment, and explained with a sigh, "I only came to investigate because I heard that Prince Duan was nearby. Otherwise... although it is unbelievable, I still can't put my mind at ease."

Then Qiao Feng said seriously, "When the time comes, I will ask you directly. Second brother, please don't blame me for being so direct. If it really was Duan Wangye who did it... Although I don't want him to pay with his life, I will explain in detail why I led people to surround and kill my father and mother back then. After that, I will go to the cliff outside the pass and pay my respects at the cenotaph of my parents!"

At this point, Qiao Feng already knew that Duan Yu was not only from the Duan family, but also the son of the Prince of Zhennan. The relationship between Chu Luren and the Duan family, especially with the Prince of Zhennan, was very close. Although he was still resentful, he did not have any intention to kill him.

Chu Luren curled his lip: "If Zhao Qiansun and his gang had listened to a teenage playboy who spent his days roaming the streets and ambushed your parents at Shanhaiguan, I think it wouldn't have been a waste to kill them all..."

Chapter 346 Murong Jiu Begins to Think

After Qiao Feng and Chu Luren returned, they met up and continued their journey towards Xiaojing Lake.

As the crowd of onlookers grew larger, including even Qiao Feng from the North, Gu Ducheng became increasingly uneasy.

On the contrary, A'Zhu looked somewhat worried when she saw Qiao Feng return—she had previously disagreed with Brother Qiao directly confronting Chu Luren, since Duan Zhengchun was likely the enemy who killed Brother Qiao's father and mother.

At this time, A'Zhu was unaware of her own background, so she was naturally on Qiao Feng's side. She had already witnessed Qiao Feng's struggle after learning about this matter, and now she hoped that Qiao Feng could make a judgment on this matter "without interference"!

Meanwhile, after Chu Luren returned, he discovered that A Zhu and Murong Jiu seemed to have had some unpleasantness, and the two were not as intimate as he had imagined...

If it's just about keeping some distance, Chu Luren could understand—A'Zhu knows Murong Jiu's true gender, but others don't. If it's to avoid misunderstandings for Qiao Feng and to deliberately downplay her identity as a maid, that would be understandable.

But now A'Zhu's attitude is no longer about "keeping her distance"; she simply doesn't want to talk to Murong Jiu at all!

"Hmph, it's all because 'cousin' is used to being arrogant! Miss A'Zhu is originally Uncle Murong's goddaughter. It was agreed that if a good family was found, the Murong family would marry Miss A'Zhu off in a grand and glorious manner." Wang Yuyan complained.

Upon hearing this, Murong Jiu's eyebrows furrowed, and she said, "Did I stop her from being with Qiao Feng? I merely..."

"What? Do you want Qiao Feng to owe you a favor? Or do you want A'Zhu to be your 'insider'?" Mu Wanqing didn't give her any face.

Seeing that they were about to argue again, Chu Luren, who was originally lagging behind, spurred his horse and rode a few steps faster, pushing the three of them aside and squeezing himself into the middle: "Stop arguing! Brother Murong, be more magnanimous!"

Seeing that Chu Luren wasn't standing up for her again, Murong Jiu snorted and turned her head away.

A'Zhu and Qiao Feng were discussing something along the way and didn't pay attention to what was happening here. But Gu Ducheng... felt that the relationship between these people was strange!

However, Gu Ducheng didn't have time to think about anything else. They had already arrived at Xiaojing Lake. It was a bright moonlit night, and the reflection of the lake water made the surroundings look quite bright. It was also not time to rest yet.

"Your Highness! Look! It's the Princess who's come to see you!" Gu Ducheng immediately shouted in his hoarse voice.

Mu Wanqing tried to stop her, but it was too late.

Chu Luren vaguely heard some hushed arguing between men and women coming from the lakeside cottage. However, not long after, Duan Zhengchun came out with a warm and friendly expression.

Anyone who didn't know better would have thought he was teaching in the room just now...

"Wan'er! You've been missing your father terribly! Young Master Chu is here too? Good... wait! This young lady, who are you..." Duan Zhengchun was startled by the scene as soon as he came out.

First, she hurriedly expressed her concern to her daughter. Then, before she could even call out to Chu Luren and hint to him to take her daughter somewhere, she noticed that the young woman next to her looked very "familiar"!

When Wang Yuyan saw Duan Zhengchun, she was instinctively excited—after all, he was her biological father. As for the one in name only… he died when she was young, so she didn’t remember him well.

However, Wang Yuyan didn't want to react for the time being, especially with Murong Jiu beside her giving her an encouraging look, which made Wang Yuyan even less inclined to react!

"I am Qiao Feng, greetings to Prince Duan! I have a question for you, Your Highness. If you have any old times to reminisce about, perhaps we can discuss them later!" Qiao Feng asked stiffly.

"So it's the famous Qiao Feng of the North? It's a pleasure to meet you." Duan Zhengchun's eyes, filled with a mixture of guilt and expectation, were still focused on Wang Yuyan, only glancing at Qiao Feng once as he spoke.

Naturally, no one noticed the unusual tone in Qiao Feng's voice. On the contrary, Gu Ducheng and Murong Jiu both noticed it and couldn't help but frown.

"When you were young, did you ever do anything that offended others or violated morality?" Qiao Feng asked.

The question was quite impolite, and Duan Zhengchun, having just met Wang Yuyan, was preoccupied with his past misdeeds, so he instinctively nodded and said, "Yes, I've done quite a few."

Qiao Feng was taken aback upon hearing this—was it really true?

"Then we should ask Prince Duan why he did this!" Qiao Feng asked, suppressing his anger.

"This... youthful arrogance." Duan Zhengchun realized what was happening and couldn't help but feel embarrassed.

"Youthful arrogance? Do you know that your words 'youthful arrogance' have harmed my parents! Did they ever have any evil intentions?" Qiao Feng said angrily, his eyebrows furrowed.

Duan Zhengchun: ? ? ?

"Brother Qiao's parents? Qiao... Feng'er? How old are you? Where were you born? Your mother... who is she?" Duan Zhengchun looked at Qiao Feng, as if he was already beginning to gather his emotions.

Duan Zhengchun was also puzzled. Qiao Feng must be in his early thirties now. Back then... I was still in Dali!

Compared to Duan Zhengchun's cryptic remarks, Murong Jiu was more objective and had already noticed that Qiao Feng's emotions were not right!

Murong Jiu immediately began to calculate in her mind...

As the hope of the Murong clan, I, Murong Jiu, must prioritize the restoration of the kingdom in everything I do!

This girl, Azhu, is completely siding with outsiders; she's utterly unreliable...

My cousin is actually a princess of Dali? What a pity, if I had known, I shouldn't have hesitated!

If I could openly marry my cousin, and then secretly bring Chu Luren into the family... perfect.

That's right, right now, I, Murong Jiu, should first try to improve my favorability with Duan Zhengchun!

"Brother Qiao, what are you doing? Since this is your first meeting with Prince Duan, it's not appropriate to be so aggressive." Murong Jiu stepped aside, blocking Duan Zhengchun's path.

"This matter has nothing to do with Young Master Murong, but I, Qiao, must get to the bottom of it... Please step aside!" Qiao Feng's tone was also not very good.

"Heh, Brother Qiao, you're wrong. Both the Song Dynasty and Dali are lands of propriety, taught by the sages. Perhaps you don't understand." Murong Jiu said sarcastically to Qiao Feng in an attempt to gain favor with Duan Zhengchun.

Qiao Feng was indignant—but being relieved didn't mean he wasn't angry after being provoked like that!

"Don't understand? Then I, Qiao Feng, will have to ask Young Master Murong for some pointers!" Qiao Feng said, and with a roar of dragons, he made his move in anger.

Murong Jiu was prepared. When Qiao Feng struck with his palm, the dragon-shaped true energy on his palm was clearly visible. Murong Jiu remained calm and composed. She also raised her palm, but instead of meeting his palm, she used her sleeve, which was infused with the power of "Shifting Stars," to flick away Qiao Feng's palm force!

Those around them heard a high-pitched dragon roar, but it quickly went off-key.

Murong Jiu took three steps back, and with each step, brick and stone surfaces on both sides, each foot or so, shattered...

However, when the two looked at each other, Qiao Feng's expression did not change much, but Murong Jiu had a stubborn look in her eyes, clearly she had suffered a loss!

Chapter 347 Murong Jiu Has Already Messed Up

By the shore of Little Mirror Lake, Qiao Feng and Murong Jiu were about to fight again...

Chu Luren couldn't stand it anymore—what kind of nonsense is this, you two are fighting?

Chu Luren flashed into the air, like a fish swimming, cutting between the two at an incredible angle. With his left hand, he used the Great Ravine Fist to feint an attack to meet Qiao Feng's "Leaping into the Abyss," while with his right hand, he used the Six Qi Finger Technique to point at Murong Jiu, who seemed to be about to strike but was actually about to use "Shifting Stars" again!

When Duan Zhengchun saw Chu Luren intervene rashly, he was initially taken aback. Although he had said he would teach this little beast a lesson at Mantuo Manor, he ultimately did not consider Chu Luren an outsider.

Today, it seems that Qiao Feng is dissatisfied with his private life, and it's even suspected that it's part of his own karma.

Then it was Murong Nan who forcefully stood up for justice again...

Was it all because of him that this duel between Murong Fu of the South and Qiao Feng of the North was brought about?

Before Duan Zhengchun could figure out what was going on, Chu Luren got involved. In Duan Zhengchun's memory, Chu Luren's skills were only about the same as his own, which was considered pretty good among young people.

Although rumors were rampant in the martial arts world, including one about Chu Luren being "second on the Heavenly Ranking," Duan Zhengchun had witnessed Chu Luren's growth firsthand and naturally wouldn't believe the rumors too much. He only knew that Chu Luren's strength had improved considerably...

But... second on the Heavenly Ranking? I used to be eighth on the Heavenly Ranking!

However, Chu Luren stood between two opponents, blocking their attacks. It seemed like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, but when they clashed, Qiao Feng's palm strike had no effect whatsoever, and Murong Jiu was even forced back half a step.

Of course, Chu Luren also had a clever trick up his sleeve – when Qiao Feng saw his second brother blocking him, he quickly withdrew his strength. Even if he couldn't withdraw it at will, Chu Luren's Great Abyss Fist was specifically designed to deflect force, so he only withstood the first wave of energy that Qiao Feng hadn't had time to withdraw, and there was no pressure.

On the other side, Murong Jiu originally intended to use a trick, seemingly about to use the "Canhe Finger", but in reality, he was still silently using the "Dou Zhuan Xing Yi".

Chu Luren's "Six Qi Finger Technique" is the most versatile, not only in terms of the nature of its force but also in its direction—after all, it incorporates the "curved and straight as desired" White Rainbow Palm Force.

Now, Chu Luren has also seen some of the key points of "Dou Zhuan Xing Yi". This move is mainly a martial art of deflecting force and using the opponent's force against them!

It excels at manipulating force and changing the direction of power, which is effective not only for internal force but also for buoyancy.

However, such manipulation requires a grasp of the battle situation and an understanding of the opponent's martial arts. The "Six Qi Finger" may seem straightforward, but the hidden force is actually curved. Murong Jiu was careless and suffered another hidden loss!

"Second brother!"

"Master Chu!"

Qiao Feng and Murong Jiu both glared at Chu Luren. The former's expression was pleading, but it also carried a hidden "promise"—Qiao Feng couldn't do anything to Duan Zhengchun in front of Chu Luren, but he at least had to make him do something, hoping that his second brother could understand.

The latter... that is naked dissatisfaction and jealousy!

"Uncle Duan, my elder brother heard from others that you were the mastermind behind the massacre at Shanhaiguan back then, and the leader of that group of Central Plains experts. If you didn't do it, don't agree to anything!" Chu Luren asked Duan Zhengchun directly.

"Shanhaiguan? The massacre?" Duan Zhengchun was taken aback upon hearing this, instinctively following the previous clues, thinking to himself: I didn't go outside the pass to stir up any romantic troubles...

Then it dawned on me—the Shanhaiguan massacre! Was it referring to the widely circulated mystery of Qiao Feng's origins that had been circulating in the martial arts world for the past year?

Duan Zhengchun, recalling his previous answer, felt ashamed and shook his head repeatedly, saying, "Brother Qiao, you are wise. That was thirty-one or twenty years ago. I have only been traveling in the Central Plains and Jiangnan for thirty years, and I have never been near Shanhaiguan. Moreover... the heroes of the Central Plains at most gave the Duan family some face and did not refute my eighth place on the Heavenly Ranking at that time. How could they obey my orders? Where did this rumor come from? It is too absurd!"

Upon hearing this, Qiao Feng realized that these were indeed the same doubts. Moreover, Duan Zhengchun spoke frankly and didn't seem to be lying at all. Qiao Feng couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed, but he still had doubts about Duan Zhengchun's previous answer.

Of course, Qiao Feng wasn't embarrassed at all towards Murong Fu—you think you're so great? You think you're so amazing?

After being stopped by Chu Luren, Murong Jiu realized that there seemed to be a misunderstanding between Qiao Feng and Duan Zhengchun. So she had no intention of interfering anymore and just prepared to properly introduce herself to Duan Zhengchun and complete her mission of winning his favor!

But just then...