The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

Ning Zhongze had a very good reputation in the martial arts world, especially in the eyes of discerning people, who thought she was even better than Yue Buqun.

After recognizing Ning Zhongze, no one doubted that she was Ao Bai's person.

"Amitabha, what brings Lady Ning here?" Shenshan had also come down by this time.

"Is this a house-cleansing operation?" Zong Weixia said, glancing at Linghu Chong.

Linghu Chong was so excited to see his master's wife that he ignored Zong Weixia.

"I... saw Chong'er being brought here, and I thought he was with... cough cough, so I came to check." Ning Zhongze probably meant to say "with some shady dealings," but seeing many experts from various sects present, she changed her words.

Everyone can understand.

Chu Luren asked suspiciously, "Why is Madam Ning in Manjing? Could she have followed Brother Linghu here?"

of course not!

If Ning Zhongze wanted to see Linghu Chong and had any instructions, she would have shown herself openly long ago. So... why did she come to Yanjing?

Chu Luren always felt that Ning Zhongze's words were somewhat evasive.

“This matter has nothing to do with Chu Tai Sui,” Ning Zhongze coldly interrupted.

"Madam Ning probably doesn't know that we are here to assassinate Ao Bai. This matter cannot be revealed. Why are you here? Please explain."

After Chu Luren finished speaking, everyone glared at him—you also know that you can't reveal it? You didn't even wait for people to ask before you just blurted it out!

Ning Zhongze was also furious, knowing that Chu Luren had deliberately brought it up to provoke her. However, after a moment of silence, Ning Zhongze simply replied, "I discovered that my missing disciple, Lao Denuo, has appeared in the Hebei area."

“Master’s wife…” Linghu Chong was deeply moved.

Of course, this is why Master's wife came to find Laudenuo in order to clear her name!

However, Chu Luren always felt that Ning Zhongze hadn't said everything...

“Madam Ning, you now know what we are going to do. Please join us for the next few days and wait for Ao Bai to be executed!” Zong Weixia said, cupping his hands in greeting.

Fortunately, Ning Zhongze was considered a trustworthy person by everyone.

"That's the reason." Ning Zhongze nodded.

Those familiar with her personality couldn't help but take a second look—in their impression, Ning Zhongze should have been more proactive in taking advantage of such an opportunity to rid the people of harm, but now... she seemed to have something on her mind.

However, when they saw Linghu Chong, they all thought it was because this disciple was troublesome, and it was no wonder that he had something on his mind, so they didn't think much of it.

The very next day, "Little Guizi" finally brought concrete news that they were going to take action!

"Eunuch Gui has been keeping us waiting. Did you bring more people this time?" Zong Weixia was already getting impatient.

Xiao Guizi quickly added, "I'm sorry to have kept you all waiting! The time is finally ripe... This morning, Zhenyuan Escort Agency delivered the goods!"

Zhenyuan Escort Agency? Chu Luren's expression shifted; the name sounded familiar... Oh, right! It's the escort agency that delivered Wang Weiyang's coffins and transported Lin Pingzhi's parents' coffins. Their main agency is in Manjing!

"What's going on with Guan Zhenyuan Escort Agency?" Liu Chengfeng asked, frowning.

"My heroes, you may not know this, but it's like this... The masters from Shaolin and Wudang instructed His Majesty to specially train eight Death Child disciples to develop a formation specifically designed to attack acupoints and vital points!"

At this point, many people showed disdain—you think you can kill Ao Bai with just a little practice? Then why did you come to us?

Seeing this, Xiao Guizi did not refute, but continued, "If that's all, it's naturally not enough to deal with that scoundrel Ao Bai. However, we later found the whereabouts of eight 'Deadly Acupoint Piercing Cones.' It is said that these Deadly Acupoint Piercing Cones are shaped like short spears and were forged at the same time as the Heaven-Slaying Sword and the Dragon-Slaying Saber. No matter how skilled one is in internal or external martial arts, as long as they pierce the acupoints, they can break through the body..."

"The Deadly Acupuncture Point Cone? Does such a thing exist? Has any of you been to this event and heard of it?" Zong Weixia said, looking around.

However, everyone was completely baffled, not knowing when the Heaven-Slaying Sword and the Dragon-Slaying Saber had acquired eight more brothers.

Xiao Guizi then chuckled mischievously, "Hehe, it's perfectly normal that none of you heroes have heard of it, after all, I made it up not long ago..."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at him with displeasure—are you making fun of us?

"Since there's no acupoint-breaking cone, what can eight kids who've only been training for a few years accomplish?" Chang Jingzhi, the fourth of the Five Elders of Kongtong, who looked tall and thin, also became puzzled.

"They can't do anything on their own, but... aren't we heroes here? It doesn't matter if the 'Deadly Acupuncture Point Cone' is fake, as long as Ao Bai believes it! This time, Zhenyuan Escort Agency really transported the goods all the way from Fuzhou to the capital. Once Ao Bai finds out, he will definitely go to check. Then we'll make our move in the warehouse where the Acupuncture Point Cone is!" Xiao Guizi revealed the two parts of the plan, one overt and one covert.

On the surface, the emperor wanted Ao Bai to believe that when he was summoned to the palace, he would rely on a few specially trained eunuchs to carry out the operation. At the same time, he would also fabricate some kind of "deadly acupuncture point breaking cone". As long as Ao Bai believed that Kangxi wanted to harm him, regardless of whether he believed he would lose, he would try to sabotage the operation and, ideally, get his hands on that damned acupuncture point breaking cone and throw it in front of Kangxi to humiliate him!

But the real plan, hidden in secret, was to lay an ambush at the location of the breaching cone...

"What if Ao Bai sends his men to investigate?" Linghu Chong thought for a moment and realized there was still a loophole.

"Brother Linghu, don't worry. His Majesty intends to order Lord Zhang Zhaozhong to guard that warehouse of the Imperial Household Department. Unless Aobai comes in person, no one can get in!" Xiao Guizi seemed to be quite familiar with Linghu Chong.

Linghu Chong... as expected, he's still so easily befriended by demons and monsters.

“Zhang Zhaozhong?” Zong Weixia muttered, glancing at the expressionless Liu Chengfeng before nodding.

Zhang Zhaozhong had previously been highly valued by Ao Bai, but... as a lay disciple of Wudang, although Wudang did not prohibit lay disciples from serving any particular sect, now that Wudang has taken action, it is likely that Zhang Zhaozhong has already been "turned to the side".

“That’s right, if Zhang Zhaozhong dares to disobey, let Brother Yu take him down!” Chu Luren answered for Liu Chengfeng.

Liu Chengfeng: ...

Liu Chengfeng smiled awkwardly, thinking to himself, "Do you have some misunderstanding about Second Senior Brother's Tiger Claw Absolute Protection Hand?"

Chapter 451 Kangxi

Xiao Guizi lured Zhang Zhaozhong to the inn under the pretense of a secret imperial edict, then conveyed the Emperor's intentions. At this moment, Liu Chengfeng also appeared and informed him of Wudang's intentions...

"Brother Liu, please rest assured, and please also Eunuch Gui, Zhang Zhaozhong will be diligent in obeying the imperial decree and will go through fire and water for the Qing Dynasty without hesitation!" As expected, Zhang Zhaozhong immediately knelt down before the secret decree upon seeing Liu Chengfeng.

Zhang Zhaozhong wasn't too concerned about Liu Chengfeng, even though the "Soft Cloud Sword" was more famous. He, the "Fire Hand Judge," wasn't afraid of him.

Even though there are many experts here, Zhang Zhaozhong might outwardly comply but inwardly defy them—after all, he used to be Ao Bai's lackey, and with his courage, he might not be able to bring himself to gamble on the young emperor.

However, Liu Chengfeng represented Wudang, which made Zhang Zhaozhong abandon all other options and prepare to surrender to the emperor...

Neither Wudang nor Shaolin officially forbids their lay disciples from serving any dynasty. Similarly, if a disciple becomes too notorious, they may be expelled from the sect.

Of course, this is a matter of degree, generally referring to the extent that it has angered both the people and the sect to the point of greatly affecting the sect's reputation.

Otherwise, lay disciples face very few restrictions after completing their apprenticeship.

But now, Wudang, using Ao Bai's various crimes as a pretext, wants Zhang Zhaozhong to assist Kangxi in eliminating Ao Bai, and he dares not object...

Otherwise, even if he makes a great contribution to Ao Bai, he will have to sleep with one eye open and one eye closed from now on, otherwise he might get robbed by his second senior brother one day!

As a disciple of Wudang, he was expelled from the sect by Wudang, and no one could find fault with him.

Moreover, Ao Bai may not have valued him much, after all, he was just a Han Chinese. The reason he became Ao Bai's lackey was simply because the young emperor had no real power.

As for the Song and Yuan dynasties? The situation was similar on the Mongol side, and Kublai Khan was said to have shown much more respect to Han masters than Aobai did. However, it should be noted that the Mongol Yuan and Song dynasties had their main military forces in Xiangfan and not far from Wudang Mountain!

He went to the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. What if he is sent to the front lines?

I'm afraid I'll be kicked out that very night...

The Song court's top experts are mostly from the Dragon Guard Manor lineage, making it difficult for outsiders to infiltrate the core unless they join the Eastern Depot.

This is clearly disadvantageous for Zhang Zhaozhong, who is extremely ambitious for fame and fortune.

However, Zhang Zhaozhong's obsequious and opportunistic behavior caused Qiao Feng, who was standing to the side, to let out a cold snort...

Zhang Zhaozhong looked at him and added, "Please rest assured, Duke Zhenguo!"

Qiao Feng: ...

"You're a Han Chinese, aren't you afraid of being ridiculed by the world?" Qiao Feng said bluntly.

Xiao Guizi wanted to cover her face, while Zhang Zhaozhong thought for a moment and then showed a look of sudden realization: "Don't worry, Duke Zhenguo. From now on, as long as I, Zhang Zhaozhong, can find out about a place, anyone who dares to say a single 'no' to you, Duke Zhenguo, I will gouge out their eyes, cut out their tongue, and execute their entire family!"

Qiao Feng: ...

Qiao Feng was about to say something, but Xiao Guizi immediately changed the subject, asking Zhang Zhaozhong to go back and speed up the preparations!

Afterwards, Xiao Guizi also carefully reminded everyone to get a good rest tonight, because the goods would be delivered to the Imperial Household Department early tomorrow morning. He believed that Ao Bai would have already received the news, and everyone would then ambush in the front yard of the Imperial Household Department's warehouse.

Actually, Xiao Guizi didn't need to remind them. Almost no one in the inn slept that night. Everyone was practicing their internal energy and adjusting their breathing to get into the best state!

The next morning, when Xiao Guizi arrived, he was accompanied by a young man of similar age.

Upon seeing this person, Murong Jiu frowned involuntarily and whispered to Chu Luren, "This young man has an extraordinary bearing; he must be...someone of extremely high status." Murong Jiu was quite perceptive in this regard.

Without anyone guessing further, the man directly revealed his identity: "I am deeply grateful to all the heroes who have come to eliminate Ao Bai. I will join you all in a final battle against that scoundrel!"

There was clearly only one person who dared to refer to himself as "朕" (Zhen, meaning "I" or "the Emperor") in the entire capital.

Moreover, the Manchu emperors were truly arrogant and unable to lower themselves. Even when they pretended to be humble, they strictly referred to themselves as "朕" (Zhen, meaning "I" or "the Emperor"). For example, in the Song Dynasty, the emperor would only refer to himself as "朕" when he wanted to put on airs. In normal times, he would always refer to himself as "我" (Wo, meaning "I" or "I").

Upon hearing this, many people looked at him with unreadable expressions, and even Xiao Guizi, who was standing to the side, became a little nervous...

Without going into too much detail, it's likely that half of those present wanted to kill both the "dog emperor" and Ao Bai!

However, the young emperor seemed oblivious to anything amiss. He searched through the crowd, then precisely located Qiao Feng, stepped forward, and bowed deeply, saying, "Xuan Ye greets Imperial Uncle! Imperial Uncle, Xuan Ye has missed you dearly since hearing about your situation. However, that treacherous dog Ao Bai has gone too far, and I dare not summon Imperial Uncle to see him rashly in order to avoid his notice..."

Emperor Kangxi had put in a lot of effort. Although his words were somewhat awkward, sometimes using honorifics and sometimes not, it was clear that he was trying his best to act. He might even have genuinely felt wronged, as his eyes were red at this moment.

Qiao Feng was indeed swayed by this, and helped the young emperor up, saying, "Why are you crying? A real man should take down that Ao Bai today!"

"Hmph, but we are doing this for the sake of all living beings, not for the sake of your Manchu kingdom." Zong Weixia looked down on the young emperor.

The young emperor echoed, "Indeed, but whatever your reasons, I thank you all today! I will also go with you to witness the execution of that treacherous dog, Ao Bai!"

“Amitabha, Your Majesty is of inestimable worth, why take such a risk? Why not…” Shenshan said this, which was within the character of a monk, so no one could conclude from this that Qingliang Temple was already a supporter of the Qing court.

The young emperor interrupted, "No, if all you heroes are willing to take such risks for the sake of the people, how can I, as the ruler of the Qing Dynasty, only dare to hide in the background?"

Hearing this, those who were initially excited and mentally planning to take down this damned emperor couldn't help but sigh and give up the idea.

It wasn't that he was truly blinded by the aura of dominance, but rather...

After all, it was this damned emperor who summoned them, planned the opportunity, and arranged the strategy. Whether it was to put their minds at ease or because he was truly driven by manly pride and wanted to witness Ao Bai's execution, he had taken the initiative to act alongside them...

Killing the emperor along with the dog at this point would be beneath the dignity of a master!

Chu Luren also realized that, now that he thought about it, the people Kangxi had brought in, apart from those who had openly or secretly pledged allegiance to him or those with vested interests, were basically all "heroes" with a strong sense of江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world).

This shows that they knew the others would prioritize "righteousness" when doing things. Otherwise, if it were the likes of the Heaven and Earth Society or the Mu Prince's Mansion, they would have killed them first, regardless of whether they followed the rules!

The only exception was Duan Tianya. Chu Luren felt that as a secret agent of the Imperial Guard, he should not put "the code of the martial arts world" in his code of conduct. However... Duan Tianya had no intention of killing at this moment, which meant that the Marquis had not given him a similar task.

Seeing that the young emperor had quite a bit of backbone, Qiao Feng said, "Well said! It's still uncertain whether you can shoulder the responsibility of the country, but a real man should have this kind of backbone! When the time comes, you and Xiao Gui will be by my side."

Chu Luren also noticed that Qiao Feng was becoming more and more open-minded and was no longer worried that his words would cause misunderstandings.

However, while praising the young emperor, Qiao Feng also subtly reminded him that his surname was Qiao!

……