The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

Seeing the subtle changes in her expression, Chu Luren understood something—Mao Dongzhu had been pretending to be the Empress Dowager for over a decade. Although the identity was fake, she had probably been having affairs with others in secret over the years, but her jealousy towards Consort Dong'e was likely genuine…

Like her own daughter, Princess Jianning, who was disliked by the Empress Dowager after Mao Dongzhu's identity was exposed in the original work, who said that she was born out of wedlock, but Shunzhi was not stupid. He should have understood the principle of pregnancy for ten months.

If the timing really didn't match up at all, would Emperor Shunzhi have made no comment?

Whether the Empress Dowager was lying or not, at most it is "doubtful." Who can say that Jianning was definitely not Shunzhi's daughter?

Judging from her behavior when she confronted Hai Dafu, her jealousy and hatred towards Dong Eshi became even clearer!

Besides, if it was only for the scriptures, why would she risk killing Consort Dong'e?

If Shunzhi hadn't become disheartened and enlightened, but instead had been consumed by rage, she might have already been deposed or even executed.

In the end, it was indeed a good thing. After killing Consort Dong'e, Emperor Shunzhi actually became a monk, which directly made her, the empress, the empress dowager. The young emperor was also raised by her, which made things much easier for her.

However, her actions at the time were indeed too emotional, unlike that of an undercover agent who was focused on finding the scriptures. Otherwise, wouldn't she have been happier if Shunzhi had ignored her?

"Does the Divine Dragon Sect use the Leopard Embryo Tendon-Changing Pill?" Chu Luren asked tentatively.

Mao Dongzhu was shocked to hear this. The activities of the Divine Dragon Cult in China have always been secretive and cautious. Those who were given the "Leopard Embryo Tendon-Changing Pill" were all on important missions. How could... other people know about it?

“That’s right,” Mao Dongzhu replied without daring to think too much.

"Is this 'Leopard Fetus Tendon-Changing Pill' really that effective?" Chu Luren asked, puzzled.

Seeing that Chu Luren didn't seem to know much about the "Leopard Embryo Tendon-Changing Pill," Mao Dongzhu breathed a slight sigh of relief. If Chu Luren knew it like the back of his hand, she might have thought that Chu Taisui was an ally of the sect leader!

"If you take this medicine for a year, it will strengthen your body and make your physical exercises more effective. However, if you don't take the antidote after a year, the extremely potent toxicity will take effect, causing many strange changes in your body. If you stay in the body for too long, the death will often be gruesome," Mao Dongzhu said with lingering fear.

She clearly knew some examples...

"If it's that effective, why doesn't he just let you control the emperor and all the officials as well? Wouldn't that be more direct than looking for some dragon vein?" Chu Luren was puzzled by this.

Even if the cost of the Leopard Embryo Tendon-Changing Pill is high, since Wei Xiaobao, Fang Yi, Mu Jianping and others in the original work could take it, there's no reason why they couldn't squeeze out a dozen or so pills... Even just seven or eight pills would be enough to control all the important characters!

How could Hong Antong be so straightforward?

Upon hearing this, Mao Dongzhu was not surprised. Instead, he explained, "Uncle Chu, you may not know this, but the toxicity of this Leopard Embryo Tendon-Changing Pill lies in the fact that the medicine and the poison are of the same origin. It is only when the medicinal power is extremely strong and mixed that the toxicity is produced. Therefore, in addition to a special antidote, there is another way to cure it, which is to take the same highly nourishing substance and eat until you are too weak to take it. Then the poison can be cured without medicine! There are also famous doctors in the Qing court. Once they see through this, they can easily cure the poison."

Chu Luren initially understood, but then became even more puzzled and asked, "Hmm? Now that you are the Empress Dowager, can't you even find some tonics?"

"I dare not lie to Chu Taisui, this Leopard Embryo Tendon-Changing Pill is an excellent tonic, and it is very ingenious. Only by overpowering its medicinal properties can one reach the point where one cannot tolerate the tonic. Either one needs legendary spiritual medicines such as snow lotus from Tianshan Mountain, ginseng of ten thousand years, and cardamom of heavenly fragrance, or one needs to take a large amount of second-grade spiritual medicines."

I am not the only spies of the Divine Dragon Cult lurking throughout the capital. Some of them are unknown even to me. Even though I am bearing the title of Empress Dowager, if I suddenly demand a very large quantity of thousand-year-old ginseng and lingzhi, it is impossible to keep it a secret. At that time, someone will naturally come to take my life. Even if they cannot kill me, they will certainly expose my identity...

I usually receive some tonics as tribute from foreign lands, but it's never enough to cure the poison in one go. I can only offer them to the leader when the opportunity arises, to show that I haven't kept any for myself, and to demonstrate my loyalty.

After Mao Dongzhu explained, Chu Luren finally understood that the Leopard Embryo Tendon-Changing Pill actually had a solution that was "quite expensive and involved a lot of noise," so he still had to send someone to keep an eye on it secretly.

Indeed, in the original work, Mao Dongzhu specifically gave Wei Xiaobao thirty "Snow Ginseng Jade Toad Pills" and asked him to offer most of them to the leader.

So, by that logic, it was indeed useless to princes, ministers, and the emperor...

It's impossible for people to believe you just because you say there's no solution. They will definitely seek out imperial physicians or even renowned doctors for diagnosis.

Not to mention, it's much easier for someone who has never practiced martial arts to absorb nourishment than for an internal martial arts master.

For them, it wasn't too difficult to counteract the effects of the "Leopard Fetus Tendon-Changing Pill".

Chu Luren did not realize that Mao Dongzhu was telling a big lie, so he had her sit down cross-legged, placed his palm on her head, and used his internal energy to help her neutralize the poison.

Chu Luren was initially worried that since the tonic had turned into poison, the antidote might also be different from ordinary poisons...

However, as it turns out, Chu Luren was overthinking things... or rather, he misunderstood!

Medicine and poison are essentially the same thing. Chu Luren can use the Ice Toad True Qi to draw out poison from the human body, so he can also draw out undigested medicinal power. There is no difference.

When Chu Luren was helping Mao Dongzhu remove the poison from the "Leopard Fetus Muscle-Changing Pill," he hesitated in his heart—should he keep a secret to control this fake empress dowager?

However, after only a moment's hesitation, Chu Luren abandoned the dangerous idea.

Using drugs to subdue someone is ultimately a last resort. Occasionally using poison to interrogate or coerce is acceptable, but in the vast world of martial arts, there are countless talented individuals and extraordinary encounters. No magical medicine or venomous insect can guarantee that it will not be countered! If you really want to use external force to subdue someone for a long time, it is only a matter of time before you fail—the name "Bursting Tire" Yi Jin Wan is very unlucky.

Not to mention that with Chu Luren's current level of martial arts, he also needs to consider his "heart." Chu Luren is not that kind of person, so there's no need for him to force himself to do such a thing...

Chapter 465 The Well-Trained Little Red

After becoming a disciple of the Free and Unfettered Sect, Chu Luren didn't actually have any more martial arts skills from the Free and Unfettered Sect to learn.

Aside from "Free and Easy Wind Riding," which even Wu Yazi himself hadn't mastered, Chu Luren had already learned all the other martial arts of the Free and Easy Sect.

Even in terms of martial arts itself, Wu Yazi had very few pointers for him.

If it weren't for observing Chu Lu's character and actions, which didn't seem like a lie or pretense, Wu Yazi would have suspected that this kid had deceived him and that he actually had a great deal to do with Li Qiushui—that he had managed to reach this level by studying the manual and practicing on his own.

Are the secret manuals of the Free and Unfettered Sect really that simple?

There's not much to teach in terms of martial arts skills, but beyond specific techniques, the accumulated knowledge of Wu Yazi, or rather the Xiaoyao Sect, has greatly benefited Chu Luren in terms of martial arts philosophy...

For example, martial arts, temperament, and actions can influence each other, which is no exaggeration!

It seems that the Child Granny was born domineering and had a self-centered personality. Cultivating the "Eight Desolations and Six Directions: I Am the Only One" technique complemented and promoted her personality. Using the Life and Death Talisman to control those demons and monsters did not affect her state of mind at all. It would be crazy if she were to be compassionate.

However, if it were a Chu Luren, forcing himself to do similar things would only gradually affect his character, making it difficult to reach a higher level.

Chu Luren's hesitation was perhaps a warning from the spirituality of the Dao Embryo. Immediately, Chu Luren took the opportunity to completely remove Mao Dongzhu's poison...

"Alright, your poison has been neutralized," Chu Luren said, withdrawing his hand.

"I... thank you, my benefactor!" Mao Dongzhu said, tears streaming down her face. She then bowed to Chu Luren.

"What are your plans for the future? Do you intend to continue as Empress Dowager, or will you leave?" Chu Luren asked.

Without much thought, Mao Dongzhu replied, "This concubine has nowhere to go. All these years... this concubine has been the Empress Dowager, and besides being the Empress Dowager, I know nothing else..."

Chu Luren pursed his lips upon hearing this, finding the question rather awkward—does your job offer the five social insurances and one housing fund?

"If my benefactor commands me again, or if Prince Feng needs my cooperation in any way, I will do my best to respond!" After saying this, Mao Dongzhu turned around and went to the hidden compartment under the bed to take out three copies of the "Forty-Two Chapters Sutra".

Two of them were obtained by Wei Xiaobao after he confiscated Ao Bai's property, and one was obtained by Mao Dongzhu from Consort Dong'e.

If Chu Luren hadn't truly cured him of the poison, Mao Dongzhu wouldn't have been willing to hand over everything...

"No need." Chu Luren had no interest in any treasure and was about to raise his hand to refuse.

However, at this moment, Little Red, who had been on the eaves outside, suddenly flew in and landed on the Forty-Two Chapters Sutra with the white flag, making a lot of noise.

Chu Luren, Mao Dongzhu: ...

"Coo coo coo!" Seeing that Chu Luren ignored her, Xiao Hong actually grabbed the "Forty-Two Chapters Sutra" and pulled it out of Mao Dongzhu's hand, placing it in Chu Luren's hand.

“My benefactor’s divine bird is indeed… mischievous! Oh! Then let’s give them all to this red bird to play with!” Mao Dongzhu tried not to show any surprise as he spoke, handing the other two books to Chu Luren as well.

Well, what she actually wanted to say at first was: Chu Tai Sui's divine bird is indeed well-trained...

However, when the words were about to come out, he felt that saying it sounded a bit sarcastic, so he changed his words to playful.

Chu Luren kept glaring at Xiao Hong—who doesn't know you're the bird I trained? Aren't you embarrassing me?

At the same time, he was also wondering what was going on with Xiaohong.

He's usually only interested in snakes, so why is he suddenly interested in treasure?

Xiao Hong didn't seem to like jewelry much before...

Could it be that you are actually the Manchurian totem, the gyrfalcon?

The more Chu Luren thought about it, the more fantastical it seemed, so he had to restrain his thoughts and bring the scene back to reality.

"Very well... I'll accept the scriptures first and see what secrets they hold." Chu Luren felt that saying no again would only make him seem more hypocritical.

"Don't worry, my benefactor, I will soon obtain the scriptures from the Bordered Red Banner. If you are in the capital at that time, you can come and collect them." Mao Dongzhu was returning the favor.

"The Bordered Red Banner...Aren't you afraid of getting burned by directly attacking the banner lord of the Bordered Red Banner?" Chu Luren asked.

"Thank you for your concern, my benefactor. After that scoundrel Ao Bai was imprisoned, my son... cough, the emperor has already done his best to clean up the mess. He has no time to care about what I, the Empress Dowager, am doing. Besides, He Chabo of the Bordered Red Banner is already close to Ao Bai. If I kill him now, no one will say anything." Mao Dongzhu said casually.

Chu Luren could sense that Mao Dongzhu's concern for Kangxi was probably not entirely fake.

Although she was a fake empress dowager and she killed Empress Xiaokang, Kangxi's birth mother, she had raised him for more than ten years, so how could she not have feelings for him?

But... a banner lord, killed just like that?

The chaos within the Qing court after Ao Bai's downfall was evident!

Chu Luren nodded and said, "I will tell my elder brother about your matter. Knowing my elder brother's personality, if there is any trouble on the side of the Divine Dragon Sect in the future, and you cannot rely on the power of the Qing court, you can ask my elder brother for help... But if you rely on the Empress Dowager's status to act recklessly, my elder brother will definitely be the first to kill you!"

"I understand! The poison from the Divine Dragon Sect has been cured... I will only pretend to be friendly with the people on the island and have no other intentions," Mao Dongzhu said wearily.

Of course, Chu Luren didn't completely believe her. It might be true that Mao Dongzhu was "tired," but it was definitely false to say that she completely sided with Chu Luren after being rescued.

After all, Chu Luren knew he didn't have any kingly aura, and... Mao Dongzhu never mentioned that he had hidden the real Empress Dowager.

Even if he didn't have any specific plans, he at least left himself a way out.

Chu Luren didn't care much about this. Anyway, as long as Qiao Feng was reminded of her identity, he believed that she wouldn't be able to cause any trouble. On the contrary, it would be helpful to Qiao Feng.

However, as Chu Luren said, given Qiao Feng's personality, it was one thing for Mao Dongzhu to impersonate the Empress Dowager, whether she was forced or because of her status, but if she did anything else improper, Qiao Feng would not forgive her!

Qiao Feng didn't agree to be the "Banner Lord Prince" just to become an internal traitor.

The claim of "benefiting the Qing Dynasty" wasn't entirely a lie; it's just that Qiao Feng's understanding of what constitutes "benefiting" might differ from others'...

As the Chu Lu people said, stopping the war and leading their people out of the pass in time... why shouldn't that be considered "doing good"?

If Mao Dongzhu is determined to cause trouble, Qiao Feng's "Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms" will not hold back.

Chu Luren then took his leave while playing with Xiao Hong—the cover of the red-flag-adorned scripture was almost pecked open by Xiao Hong, and if he stayed any longer, the secret of the scripture might be exposed…

Chapter 466 Take the bird away

Chu Luren left the palace overnight. Because of Xiao Hong's unusual behavior, he didn't even have time to see Wei Xiaobao one last time. Anyway, his poison wasn't urgent.

"What is this? What's that bird inside that's pecking at you?" Murong Jiu asked curiously when she saw Chu Luren's bird pecking at a hardcover book, and Chu Luren kept trying to push the bird away.

Chu Luren glanced at her, then said proudly and arrogantly, "If I told you, it wouldn't just make my bird drool, it would make you drool to death!"

Murong Jiu thought for a moment, then frowned and said, "Vulgar! Could it be some kind of picture book?"

Chu Luren: ? ? ?

"What picture book? This is the legendary 'Forty-Two Chapters Sutra,' which points to the treasure of the Qing Dynasty. If we collect all eight copies, we can find the treasure that the Qing Dynasty looted from the Central Plains!" After Chu Luren finished speaking, he found that Murong Jiu's reaction was even greater than he had imagined.

"Treasure?" Murong Jiu said, taking the other two books from the Bordered Yellow Banner and the Plain White Banner.