The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

Quiet?

As soon as Chu Luren and his group arrived at Ershibapu, they sensed that something was off about the atmosphere.

Forget about the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year; all the shops along the road had their windows and doors closed, and there was no sign of liveliness at all. Instead, the desolation was strange.

Although the year is not good and the festive atmosphere is weak, it shouldn't be this desolate.

The sky was only slightly overcast, and there wasn't a single person in sight.

"Heh, it seems these demons and monsters have finally realized the importance of joining forces." Chu Luren immediately realized—there were evil sect experts who were about to gang up on him!

Otherwise, what? Would every household be forced into marriage?

This time it won't be wrong!

Chu Luren then took the suona from his waist...

Chapter 368 Attack on Hengshan

Jiangshan County, Ershibapu, afternoon.

Master Dingjing of the Hengshan Sect, leading dozens of Hengshan disciples of all ages, passed through this place and wanted to rest for a while. They had been ambushed by the Demonic Sect in the nearby mountains, and many of the disciples were injured.

But they found that the Twenty-Eight Shops were surprisingly deserted in broad daylight.

Moreover, after finding the inn, Dingjing rushed in and discovered that the food and wine on the table were not completely cold, but there was not a single person in sight!

Dingjing knew perfectly well that something was wrong with Twenty-Eight Shops.

This time, the Hengshan Sect received an order from the Five Mountains Alliance Leader, Zuo Lengchan, who said that the Demonic Sect was planning to ambush Lin Pingzhi of the Huashan Sect in Fuzhou and seize the Hengshan Sect's "Evil-Repelling Sword Technique." He also ordered the other three sects to come and protect the sect!

Master Dingjing, the eldest of the three masters of Hengshan, personally led a group of dozens of elite disciples from the Hengshan School, trekking through mountains and rivers from the Northern Hengshan Mountain to the Fujian region...

Last night, the Hengshan Sect members encountered an ambush, and today they witnessed this strange scene in the inn. Ding Jing was already on guard, but just then, a pitiful cry for help suddenly came from afar!

Abbess Dingjing was filled with compassion and could not bear to see others in distress without helping them. Even though she knew there was something strange about this place, she still sent her disciples out to search for any innocent victims.

However, as the search continued, the number of Hengshan disciples dwindled—Dingjing realized she had been tricked!

Enraged, Abbess Dingjing leaped onto the roof, looked around, and began to curse...

Just then, the roof tiles shattered, and several figures in black rushed out. Each of them was a skilled fighter. There were seven of them in total. Although their martial arts were slightly inferior to Ding Jing's, the seven of them working together... Even though there were too many of them and they didn't coordinate well, which limited their strength, Ding Jing was already in grave danger!

Just as Ding Jing was about to collapse, two more figures in black rushed up and joined forces with her to drive away the ambush. They also revealed their identities – one of them was Zhong Zhen from the Songshan Sect, and the ninth of the Thirteen Protectors of Songshan.

Dingjing escaped the predicament, but the Hengshan disciples around him were all wiped out, not a single one left, and no one knew where they had been taken.

Zhong Zhen invited her inside for a detailed discussion. At this time, the Songshan Sect also had a group of experts. Ding Mian, Lu Bai and others were also present in the Twenty-Eight Shops!

Ding Jing was anxious about the Hengshan Sect disciples and didn't have time to exchange pleasantries with the Songshan Sect people. However, Zhong Zhen took the opportunity to bring up the matter of the Five Mountains Sword Sects uniting and said that the Songshan Sect had discovered a demonic sect's lair nearby...

If the Five Mountains Sword Sects were to merge, then the matter of Hengshan would naturally become the matter of Songshan… The threat was palpable!

"According to your words, if my Hengshan Sect does not agree to the merger, then the Songshan Sect will stand idly by?" Dingjing was very angry. Although she still believed that the disappearance of her disciples was the work of the Demonic Sect, Hengshan was here in accordance with the order of Zuo Lengchan, the leader of Songshan!

“That’s not quite right. I’m here on the orders of my senior brother, the sect leader, to discuss this important matter with Abbess Fujian. As for other matters… I wouldn’t dare to act recklessly without my senior brother’s orders. Please forgive me, Abbess.” Zhong Zhen adopted an official tone.

Even though Abbess Dingjing wasn't as irritable as her junior sister Dingyi, how could she not be furious upon hearing these words?

"Is this what Alliance Leader Zuo is here for? This is not what Hengshan told me before! Hengshan Sect is here to protect our fellow practitioners from Huashan, not to discuss any merger!" Dingjing said angrily, and at the same time she was already thinking of leaving... while the villains should not have gone far.

Upon hearing this, Zhong Zhen laughed and said, "Hahaha, the reputation of Hengshan's three heroes is indeed well-deserved! Linghu Chong of the Huashan Sect committed such a beastly act, and Hengshan actually came to protect the Huashan disciples?"

"I will settle accounts with that scoundrel Linghu himself, and Senior Brother Yue has already expelled him from the sect... This matter has nothing to do with Mount Hua!" Besides, I have no say in the merger of the two sects. Even if I agree, it will be in vain if my sect leader does not agree." The usually kind Dingjing was unusually angry at this moment.

Upon hearing this, Zhong Zhen moved a foot closer and whispered, "As long as the abbess agrees, then the abbess Dingxian will have no choice but to agree! In the past, the head of every sect and school was usually the eldest disciple of the sect. In terms of virtue, martial arts, and the order of entry into the sect, the abbess should be the one to lead the Hengshan Sect..."

This is the killer move that the Songshan Sect has used to death, but it is indeed very effective!

The Taishan and Hengshan sects were infiltrated in this way, producing many lackeys who were physically in their own sects but had their hearts in Songshan. These lackeys were all "highly respected" elders in their sects; otherwise, they wouldn't have been chosen.

The Huashan Sect saw that Yue Buqun was all alone, and the Songshan Sect had supported the Sword Sect, almost seizing power from him.

However, Dingjing wasn't having any of it. Instead, she used a chop to cut off a corner of the table, leaving a smooth cut as if it had been made by a sharp blade!

"It was my request to my master and my junior sister Dingxian to succeed as sect leader that I made back then, because she is more suitable... I wanted to be sect leader, and I have done so long ago! The Songshan Sect, as the leader of the Five Mountains Alliance, has resorted to such despicable means, which is truly contemptible. After returning to the mountain, I will explain this matter to my junior sister, the sect leader!" Dingjing said, and then turned and left.

But as soon as she opened the door, the cold evening wind made Ding Jing calm down—she had felt good, but dozens of elite disciples of Hengshan were still trapped!

or……

He would pretend to agree first, and then commit suicide after saving the person!

What can be done if the people of the Songshan Sect are dead and unable to testify?

This is because Dingjing is truly insightful and has not doubted anything so far. From beginning to end, the Demonic Sect had nothing to do with it; it was all a self-directed and self-acted performance by Songshan.

Moreover, if it were Chu Luren, would there be any need to follow the rules of the martial arts world with these people?

Let them rescue people first, and then spread rumors everywhere that they took advantage of people's misfortune and kicked them when they were down!

And just then, we heard...

Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tick-tick-tick—a sound very familiar to the people of Songshan, a sound that makes their hearts skip a beat the moment they hear it, came over.

This tune sounds just like "A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix"...

It wasn't the signature "Swordsman Song," but given the situation where the sound of suonas suddenly came from all directions, there was no other choice!

Although Ding Jing had never met Chu Luren, she had heard countless rumors about him. Upon hearing the voice, she quickly exclaimed, "Has Chu Taisui arrived?"

At the same time, based on the feedback from the sound power, Chu Luren immediately located Master Dingjing's position!

A moment later, Chu Luren walked in amidst the lingering melody of "A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix".

"Oh? Everyone from the Songshan Sect, are you also waiting for my treasure map?" Chu Luren didn't recognize Ding Jing, but he did recognize his good friends Ding Mian and Lu Bai.

However, Chu Luren's "good friends" all turned pale when they saw him!

"Young Master Chu is joking. Hero Yan was renowned throughout the martial world back then. Unlike those mediocre people, he always puts righteousness first and never cares about worldly wealth... So how could he possibly have any treasure?" Lu Bai denied that he was looking for Chu Luren, but on the other hand, he couldn't help but speak sarcastically.

“That makes sense. Otherwise, why would the second place on the Heavenly Ranking be so prestigious? Unlike some people ranked in the twenties, who are always eyeing the foundations of other sects. If you didn’t know better, you’d think their own family had been wiped out.” Chu Luren nodded and humbly agreed.

Chapter 369 Interception

"...Anyone who didn't know better would think his entire family had been wiped out!"

"You... Young Master Chu is joking! If there's nothing else, we won't entertain you here!" Zhong Zhen's face turned ugly. There was more than one person ranked in the twenties, but they all said "coveting other people's property," so who else could they be referring to?

"Lord Chu, this humble nun is Dingjing from Hengshan. Just now, my Hengshan disciples were tricked by the Demonic Sect. I hope Lord Chu will spare no effort to help us, considering that we are all chivalrous people. This humble nun and the entire Hengshan Sect will be eternally grateful!" Dingjing hurriedly asked Chu Luren for help.

Chu Luren saw that her attitude was very sincere, but... she kept calling him "Chu Taisui" so readily!

"Have you ever heard of 'the one who rivals Zhuge Liang' or 'Little Kongming'?" Chu Luren asked, clicking his tongue.

Stillness: ? ? ?

The Songshan Sect members all looked grim—after all, their allies from the Five Mountains Sword Alliance were right there, yet Dingjing had gone to ask someone else, and Chu Luren at that, who was at odds with Songshan. This was quite a slap in the face.

“Master Dingjing is joking. How could this matter trouble Young Master Chu? Our Five Mountains Sword Sect is of one mind and one branch. Would our senior brother sit idly by?” Ding Mian said with a stern face, his tone carrying a hint of threat.

If it were someone else, they might consider whether to break ties with Songshan, since they've already agreed to rescue people...

However, Ding Jing didn't have so many hidden thoughts. Without thinking, she said, "That's not what you just said! What 'shared ties'? Didn't you say you wouldn't go to rescue people if you didn't agree to merge your factions?"

Zhongzhen: ...

Making your junior sister the sect leader back then was truly the right decision!

"Haha, Abbess Dingjing, there's no need to worry. I, like Zhuge Liang, have already predicted the enemy's moves and know where those villains have taken our Hengshan Sect members." Chu Luren found this straightforward abbess quite agreeable.

"Thank you so much, Lord Chu!" Ding Jing said gratefully.

Chu Luren: ...

This old lady can be quite annoying sometimes!

As for the location of the Hengshan people? Chu Luren did know, but not by "calculating" it. Rather, he had heard a commotion from another place while playing the flute!

Chu Luren led the way, and Ding Jing quickly followed. Ding Mian, Zhong Zhen, and the others exchanged glances and also hurriedly followed behind. Chu Luren pretended not to notice.

Upon arriving outside a large house, Ding Mian, Lu Bai, and the others secretly breathed a sigh of relief—they had already realized that the people inside had been moved!

Chu Luren frowned deeply, kicked open the door, and sure enough, there was no one there.

"Heh, it seems Young Master Chu's calculations were inaccurate," Zhong Zhen scoffed.

Chu Luren turned to look at him and said, "That's strange. Given Songshan's style, shouldn't they have immediately accused me of being an accomplice of the Demonic Sect when they heard me say I knew the location? Why is it that this time they don't believe that a nobody like me would team up with the Demonic Sect to harm you?"

Upon hearing this, Ding Jing also began to have some doubts, but at this moment she was more worried about the disciples in the sect and did not think too deeply about it.

Zhong Zhen paused for a moment upon hearing this, but immediately retorted, "I didn't say that, Young Master Chu, why are you in such a hurry?"

Chu Luren ignored him, and after leaving the house, he stretched out his left hand and guided the little red on his right shoulder to his fingertips. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he released the little red.

Little Red went out, flew around twice, and then started to coo loudly.

Upon hearing the sound, Chu Luren immediately used his lightness skill to rush towards the direction of the little red bird's cry. Ding Jing also realized that the red bird was indeed well-trained and had likely found the tail of the Demonic Sect, so she quickly followed.

The people of Songshan couldn't help but feel tense—after all, it was indeed their people who had kidnapped the Hengshan disciples.

They weren't disciples of Mount Song, but rather some heretical and unorthodox figures that Zuo Lengchan had cultivated over...

Although being exposed wouldn't immediately lead to association with Mount Song, it's still better to remain undiscovered!

Originally, the Songshan Sect wanted to take advantage of the chaos, but they were too late. The evil sect members who were about to leave Ershibapu from the south were already lying on the ground, and there were also Hengshan Sect disciples who were tied up nearby. They had no way to deny it!

It wasn't that Chu Luren acted quickly, but rather that Murong Jiu had discovered the commotion first and intercepted the evil sect members who were trying to escort the Hengshan disciples away.

These people first used sleeping powder to ambush Hengshan disciples in batches. Later, when Dingjing was delayed, they fed them some antidote, allowing them to move but not to circulate their internal energy. Then they untied the ropes binding their feet and urged the Hengshan disciples, both nuns and laypeople, to leave in a hurry.

Although these Hengshan disciples were elite, they were poisoned and unable to exert any internal strength. Their arms were also tied, and if they were even a step too slow, they would be whipped. Their journey was miserable, and those who shouted for help were killed on the spot.

However, just as they were about to leave Twenty-Eight Shops, they were intercepted by Young Master Murong...

A group of unorthodox experts, seemingly numerous and powerful, how could they possibly be a match for Murong Nan?

As for threatening with hostages? They won't fall for that at all!

Although Murong Jiu didn't move against the men in black who were holding knives to hostages, he refused to cooperate with either their threats to force him to surrender or their mere request to let him go.

When Chu Luren arrived, Murong Jiu was spotless, while most of the men in black had already fallen.

Ding Jing, anxious for his disciple's safety, shouted and cursed at the black-clad men who were holding knives to the Hengshan disciples' throats. Naturally, they dared not release the disciples at this point.