The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

The dragon vein in "Storm Riders" and what Murong Jiu said are clearly not the same thing, but... it's just too much of a coincidence.

Could that be the location of the dragon vein in the due west Kan position, in Sichuan...?

"Xiao Hong! Don't rush to eat! This is vegetarian after all, who knows if you can digest it? Let me ask someone who knows, and then I'll give it to you." Chu Luren repeatedly stopped Xiao Hong from being possessive of her food.

"Coo coo coo..." Little Red still seemed unhappy, but it only made a few calls, pecked Chu Luren's hand that was blocking it a few times, and then flew away listlessly.

……

The following night, Chu Luren secretly entered the palace again, only to encounter his fellow travelers once more...

When Chu Luren infiltrated the palace, the probability of encountering "fellow travelers" seemed slightly higher.

Chu Luren originally didn't really want to deal with this "competitor," but who knew that he was not only a "competitor (HANG)," but also a "competitor (XING)"!

Heaven help me, Chu Luren originally intended to keep to himself, but this man in black actually headed all the way towards the Imperial Kitchen...

At first, Chu Luren thought it was a coincidence, but then he saw the Imperial Kitchen Supervisor and the man in black had even sneaked into Wei Xiaobao's room!

Chu Luren was now convinced that he had encountered a formidable opponent.

The man in black was also quite skilled in martial arts, even surpassing the blind Hai Dafu. However, Chu Luren followed behind without Hai Dafu noticing. Seeing this, Chu Luren also quietly followed, without making a sound for the time being...

Chapter 468 Returning to the Sea with a Single Blade

"Good sir, if you're after money, I have some silver notes under my pillow. Consider it an invitation to tea..." Wei Xiaobao begged for mercy as a knife was held to his neck.

"Lord Wei, please don't panic. I had no choice but to do this." The man in black revealed Wei Xiaobao's true surname as soon as he spoke.

Keep in mind that he's still officially known as "Little Gui Zi"...

"Please speak, sir! As long as I, Wei Xiaobao, can do it, I will not refuse!" Wei Xiaobao said hurriedly.

"Don't worry, Lord Wei, it's nothing to trouble you. The Emperor wants you to secretly kill Ao Bai, right? Although Ao Bai's protective magic was broken before, and he has been imprisoned ever since, it shouldn't have fully recovered. But killing him without anyone noticing is not easy!"

After all, even the emperor wouldn't want to take the blame, so I believe Lord Wei can't either. I have a blood feud with Ao Bai. As long as you take me to see Ao Bai, I will naturally kill him with one blow, and then go far away, and no one will be able to find out anything." The man in black was also after Ao Bai.

Furthermore, the more Chu Luren listened, the more familiar the voice seemed, though the tone was somewhat awkward.

Then, after observing his knife-wielding posture from outside the window, Chu Luren immediately guessed his identity...

It was none other than Guihai Yidao, the Earth-level secret agent of the Dragon Guard Manor!

Who would have thought Guihai Yidao would also be in Manjing? What a magnificent Dragon Guard Manor!

Chu Luren didn't believe that Guihai Yidao had only arrived in the last few days. He figured that he had already infiltrated the area before the siege of Ao Bai, working in the open and in the shadows with Duan Tianya.

As for Guihai Yidao, he claimed to have a grudge against Ao Bai, but Chu Luren didn't believe it, and I doubt even Wei Xiaobao did...

Guihai Yidao not only exposed Wei Xiaobao's true identity but also knew the emperor's secret order to "Xiao Guizi." No matter how you look at it, he is not just a simple martial arts figure who wants revenge.

However, Guihai Yidao really doesn't need to hide it too much. As long as Duan Tianya has an alibi, no one will suspect Song Ting's Dragon Guard Manor.

The reason why Chu Luren found Gui Haiyidao's tone strange was that he rarely spoke so much in one go, which could be considered an extra layer of insurance.

No one in the Qing court recognized Guihai Yidao, and based on just a few characteristics, they could not connect this man with the taciturn secret agent of the Song court.

"So you're the descendant of a loyal official who was harmed by that scoundrel Ao Bai? Don't worry, brother. I was just worried about that too. Ao Bai is not easy to kill. When the time comes... you can do it yourself!" Wei Xiaobao said magnanimously.

In his words, he was also closing the distance between himself and Guihai Yidao.

Guihai Yidao is a secret agent, but in reality, he had been learning the "Heartless Slash" from Badao. He is a ruthless and competent swordsman, but he is by no means a competent secret agent.

After a few words, he actually believed Wei Xiaobao's lies and put away his sword.

However, Guihai Yidao also has one advantage: he doesn't open up to people. No matter how eloquent Wei Xiaobao is, Guihai Yidao will only let him go temporarily and then keep a close eye on him without moving!

"Brother, I can't see Prince Kang until tomorrow. How about I go get some late-night snacks?"

"Ao Bai's protective divine skill was so powerful that it took the combined efforts of the Grand Duke and Prince Feng to break it. Brother, can you do it?"

"Brother, you must escape when the time comes, otherwise wouldn't we be wasting the life of a righteous man for the sake of that Ao Bai?"

……

Wei Xiaobao was full of nonsense, but Gui Haiyidao neither believed nor disbelieved him. He was just like a robot, strictly following his mission. He just watched Wei Xiaobao and waited for the next day to go with him to find Ao Bai!

Wei Xiaobao was also puzzled; where did this piece of wood, impervious to water and fire, come from...?

If you said he was Ao Bai's enemy and simply wanted to kill him, Wei Xiaobao would never believe it. But if you said he was Ao Bai's remnant and came to save him... Wei Xiaobao also thought it was unlikely!

They didn't seem like him in terms of temperament. In Wei Xiaobao's mind, Ao Bai's confidants were like Tie Hu, who would definitely shout for a fight as soon as they saw him. They weren't so easy to fool.

Just then, Chu Luren's voice came from outside the door: "Xiao Guizi, are there any guests in your room?"

Wei Xiaobao was overjoyed upon hearing this, while Gui Haiyi was startled – he hadn't noticed anyone approaching at all!

“That’s right, this is…” Wei Xiaobao had just opened his mouth when Guihai Yidao, who had been standing still, suddenly went from being extremely still to being extremely active.

The sudden burst of killing intent and domineering aura made Wei Xiaobao choke on his words.

Without hesitation, Guihai Yidao turned and slashed at the doorway. The slash shattered several door panels, but... there was no one outside.

Upon seeing this, Guihai Yidao's expression changed slightly. He immediately sensed something and turned around, only to find that Chu Luren was now standing between him and Wei Xiaobao.

"This friend's swordsmanship looks somewhat familiar," Chu Luren said, looking at Guihai Yidao with a half-smile.

"The methods of killing are generally the same." Gui Haiyi said, wearing a black mask and not using a falsetto.

He probably thought that since he hadn't met Chu Luren many times and hadn't spoken much, Chu Luren wouldn't recognize him.

As for swordsmanship...

Guihai Yidao didn't believe that Chu Luren had mastered the "Heartless Slash," so he just thought of him as a familiar figure who was "armchair strategist."

Moreover, even if Chu Luren did recognize him, Guihai Yidao didn't think Chu Luren had any motive to expose him!

It's undeniable that Chu Luren dislikes the Dragon Mountain Manor, but this is the Qing court, and Chu Luren entered the palace secretly. No matter how you look at it, he shouldn't be in league with the Qing court.

"Little Gui, what do you think about my meeting with Ao Bai?" Chu Luren simply smiled at Gui Haiyidao without revealing his identity, and then turned to ask Wei Xiaobao.

Gui Haiyi's expression changed slightly. He hadn't expected the worst possible outcome—Chu Luren had come to see Wei Xiaobao, also to see Ao Bai?

But... what is his purpose? Does it conflict with his adoptive father's purpose?

"Your Excellency, I have made up my mind! I will go to Prince Kang's residence tomorrow. I am very familiar with the Imperial Guards, so borrowing a set or two of clothes will not be a problem. I would be grateful if Your Excellency would have to pretend to be a guard and go with me! But, but..." Wei Xiaobao looked at Gui Hai Yidao with a troubled expression, while not forgetting to hide behind Chu Luren.

"Oh? This friend also wants to see Ao Bai?" Chu Luren pretended not to know and looked at Gui Haiyidao.

“That’s right, this brother is that dog Ao Bai’s enemy. He wants to kill Ao Bai himself, but…” Wei Xiaobao said with difficulty.

He hoped that Chu Luren would get rid of the man in black, since Wei Xiaobao had no idea what the man in black would do when he saw Ao Bai, while Chu Luren could at least be sure that he would not help Ao Bai escape!

"What does Chu Tai Sui want with Ao Bai this time?" Gui Hai Yi Dao asked proactively.

"It's nothing, just asking him some questions. If you want to take action, you can wait until I've finished asking him before going into the dungeon." Chu Luren seemed very easy to talk to.

Chapter 469 Comforting Ao Bai

"Your Highness need not worry. Ao Bai has already been locked up, hasn't he? Besides, Your Highness is of noble birth. If there were any danger, you wouldn't be able to go down with a servant like me... Oh, and besides, these two guards will also protect me."

At Prince Kang's residence, after exchanging pleasantries with Prince Kang and Duolong who had come with him, Wei Xiaobao proposed that he was acting on imperial orders to check whether Ao Bai had suffered during his imprisonment.

Prince Kang and Duolong also joined in praising the Emperor's benevolence and boundless grace, which goes without saying...

Prince Kang originally wanted to accompany "Brother Gui" on his journey, after all, this man was a favorite of the emperor. Although Prince Kang was a prince and the banner lord of the Plain Red Banner, he was willing to make his acquaintance.

However, Wei Xiaobao naturally refused, and Duolong also chimed in with a word of advice—only then did Prince Kang realize his mistake and never mentioned going along again!

Clearly, Prince Kang had already realized that it was likely that Ao Bai's constant cursing had angered the emperor, and that the "Gui brothers" had come under the guise of a visit but were actually on "other missions"—a fact everyone understood without saying a word.

However, when Wei Xiaobao mentioned the two imperial guards, Duolong was taken aback—he was the chief of the imperial guards, how come he didn't know that people had been sent to protect the Gui brothers?

Seeing Duolong's puzzled look, Wei Xiaobao took the initiative to explain, "Oh, these two brothers were sent to me by Deputy Steward Ruidong, so you don't need to worry about it, brother."

"I see! I can trust Deputy Chief Steward Rui to handle things." Duolong was no longer puzzled.

Rui Dong was nominally his deputy, but everyone knew that Rui Dong was actually the Empress Dowager's man. He didn't usually report to Duolong and was essentially another imperial bodyguard...

And so, Wei Xiaobao led Chu Luren and Gui Haiyidao directly into the dungeon.

At this moment, Guihai Yidao was wearing disfigurement makeup, with scars all over his face and a big beard—although the concealment effect was good, it looked very fake.

"Your Excellency, if you have anything to say, ask it quickly after you go in, and... whatever you do, don't let Ao Bai shout anything out of line, otherwise you may not be afraid, but I'll lose my head! Brother Dao and I will wait outside. Once you've finished asking, Brother Dao can go in and take revenge!" Wei Xiaobao whispered a reminder.

He knew that "Brother Dao" was definitely a pseudonym, but he didn't expose it.

I just hope Chu Luren doesn't just ask and leave, but at least keeps an eye on this so-called Brother Dao, and only talks about it after he really kills Ao Bai!

After Wei Xiaobao came down from the dungeon, he specifically instructed the guards outside the palace: "Brothers, I've been ordered to come and see Ao Bai and ask how he's doing. Please do me a favor... This is money for everyone to have a get-together tonight and have a cup of tea. Anyone who doesn't accept it is disrespecting me, Xiao Gui Zi." As he spoke, he began to scatter money.

Once he was sure everyone else had left, Wei Xiaobao gave a wink towards the closed cell and then said, "Please come in, Your Excellency. Brother Dao and I will wait outside to keep watch for you."

Chu Luren glanced at Gui Haiyidao, then nodded to Wei Xiaobao, before pushing open the door and going inside...

The cell was actually somewhat soundproof, but Ao Bai's voice was too strong, and after all, he was a very famous man. Although Prince Kang mocked Ao Bai after he was imprisoned, he didn't dare to do anything to Ao Bai without the emperor's order.

Therefore, every day, shouts and curses against the "dog emperor" could be heard from the secret dungeon in Prince Kang's mansion.

When Chu Luren entered, Ao Bai was also in the middle of a good scolding...

"You dog emperor! I fought for your grandfather and your father to establish the empire, and you princes and grandsons are now on the throne, and this is how you treat me? You dog emperor! You will die a horrible death!" Ao Bai was cursing when he heard the sound of a door opening.

The thick iron chains binding him suddenly trembled, displaying a fierce and menacing appearance.

These iron chains must have been specially made, and Ao Bai's food and drink in the dungeon were very "simple," as he had not yet recovered after his powers were broken; otherwise, it might not have been possible to keep him locked up.

However, Chu Luren had already taken off the hat with the wig attached, and Ao Bai immediately recognized him!

"You..." Ao Bai was about to curse when Chu Luren swiftly used the Six Qi Finger Technique to partially seal Ao Bai's speech acupoint, preventing him from speaking too loudly.

Otherwise, if the people in the Prince's mansion found out that Chu Luren had come to see Ao Bai, it would be troublesome.

If Ao Bai hadn't broken his defenses, he would have been an impenetrable fortress, and Chu Luren wouldn't have been able to seal his acupoints. However, now that his hard skills have recovered by about 30%, it would be easy for Chu Luren to seal his acupoints.

"It's you! That dog emperor... He actually sent you to kill me? Where is he? Tell him to come here himself! Is he too afraid to see me? That coward!" Ao Bai was even more furious, still thinking that Chu Luren was sent by the emperor.

"Young Master Ao, don't be so angry. Although the Emperor confiscated your property, you should think of it this way... at least none of your dozen or so wives and concubines consummated their marriages with you, and your son was adopted by you! That doesn't count as cuckolding you!" Chu Luren kindly comforted the nearly sixty-year-old man.

"How could you know... you dog emperor, you dog emperor!" Ao Bai was so angry that his eyes almost popped out.

How did the Chu Lu people know?

Actually, it was Wei Xiaobao who told him!