The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

"Huh?" Mu Wanqing and the others looked over at the same time, their eyes not very kind.

"'Huh' what? His daughter is so beautiful. That Blood Blade Ancestor is so wicked and reckless. He'll definitely try to take advantage of her as revenge. The 'Bell Sword Duo' have always been at the top of the rankings. They've long since lost their sense of proportion. If they're not careful, something bad might happen!"

Seeing Chu Luren's open and honest gaze and hearing his frank tone, no one could refute him.

“Okay, let’s pack up now. Hopefully we can still make it back in time to celebrate the New Year with Yu Yan’s grandfather…” Mu Wanqing said, already standing up.

“No, you all stay here… at most, Ajiu will accompany me,” Chu Luren emphasized.

"Cough!" Murong Jiu glared at him.

"I mean, at most 'Brother Murong' will accompany me." Chu Luren knew that she was afraid that if he called him that casually in public and outsiders heard it, it would become big news in the martial arts world!

"Why? We can dress as men too!" Mu Wanqing retorted, dissatisfied.

"You guys are unprofessional," Chu Luren waved his hand.

Upon hearing this, Mu Wanqing stared at Murong Jiu's chest for a couple of seconds, then looked as if she was about to reach out and poke it, but Murong Jiu stopped her...

"Then why don't you teach us? It won't have any impact..." Mu Wanqing said, then whispered closer to ask if there would be any impact.

However, Murong Jiu pushed her away impatiently—since this woman had already rejected her, why bother with her anymore…

"Do you think your unprofessionalism is only here?" Murong Jiu said disdainfully, unfolding her fan and fanning herself twice in front of her chest.

"Alright, the rumors have already spread to Henan, and things might have already gotten out of hand! I'm planning to travel south from Xiangfan by light boat and fast horse to get to Jingchu as soon as possible, otherwise it might be too late, and it wouldn't be good for you to come along." Chu Luren interrupted their professional discussion.

“That’s right, then let the rough man go with you!” Mu Wanqing said, and before Murong Jiu could object, she immediately turned and ran away, her voice carrying from afar: “I’ll go help you pack!”

Although Chu Luren had repeatedly reminded the Bell and Sword Duo about how difficult it was to deal with the Blood Saber Ancestor, it was unclear whether they had taken it to heart.

From the moment they heard about it to the time Chu Luren set off from Leigu Mountain, only half a day had passed...

but……

Chu Luren felt that he was probably too late!

After all, this wasn't information he deliberately inquired about, nor did he hear it from Qunyu Academy. It was a natural spread of rumors in the martial arts world, which naturally has a time lag. Moreover... it had already reached Leigu Mountain and the Deaf-Mute Sect's headquarters, making the time lag even more severe—even the mute knew about it before Chu Luren found out!

Chu Luren was also thinking to himself, should he ask Ren Yingying to open a Qunyu Courtyard on Leigu Mountain next time he saw her...?

Since Senior Brother Su always had a long face, Chu Luren, as the sect leader, felt that he should take a look at his entertainment plans.

Even though it was late, Chu Luren still rushed there as quickly as possible—do your best and leave the rest to fate!

Although Wang Xiaofeng was shameless, jealous of talent, petty, vain, and despicable, Chu Luren did not hold a grudge. More importantly, Shui Dai had helped Chu Luren in the past, and he could not ignore this matter.

Although to be precise, Tie Wushuang and Shui Dai were helping the Liu family of Hengshan back then, it was ultimately Chu Luren who shamelessly went to their door and said that it was originally none of their business, so they went to help.

Therefore, Chu Luren not only cherished this sentiment in his heart, but also... how could he let someone go to the Liu family's rescue out of chivalry and honor, and no one come to their aid when they were in trouble?

Chu Luren is now highly skilled and daring, especially since he is accompanied only by Murong Jiu. With their martial arts prowess, even if they cannot directly confront the army, they are not afraid of any border turmoil. They will first head west to Luoyang, and then prepare to head south to cross the Song-Yuan border...

Even if Wu Sangui received the news and saw that Chu Luren was just passing by, he had no intention of provoking him.

When passing through the area north of Xiangyang and around Wudang Mountain, Chu Luren happened to meet Yu Lianzhou, who was coming down the mountain.

"Brother Chu, are you on your way to pay your respects to my master?" Yu Lianzhou greeted Chu Luren when they met at the inn. "My master heard about Brother Chu's deeds after emerging from seclusion and greatly admires your actions..."

Yu Lianzhou was probably hinting to Chu Luren that his master was very pleased about the Emei matter.

When Chu Luren was in seclusion at Leigu Mountain, he wrote a letter to Yu Lianzhou, as well as a secret letter to Zhang Zhenren—delivered personally by Xiao Hong.

After much deliberation, Chu Luren felt it would be somewhat awkward for a junior like himself to tell Master Zhang about the "handkerchief" in person. Therefore, he decided to inform him first via letter. He would let Master Zhang bring it up if he wanted to, and Chu Luren would not bring it up if he didn't want to...

This isn't about currying favor; it's about respecting your seniors!

The reason why he didn't come to Wudang immediately was twofold. First, he wanted to let Master Zhang process the matter. After all, if he had just received the letter and arrived immediately afterward, it would have been no different from discussing it in person. Second, Chu Luren felt that he lacked sufficient knowledge and experience. If he were to ask Master Zhang for advice now, he might be tempted to try to do too much at once.

Upon seeing Yu Lianzhou, Chu Luren was truly moved by her words, but unfortunately, now was not the time.

“Brother Yu, you may not know this, but I also wish to pay my respects to Master Zhang as soon as possible. However… I have heard that the Four Heroes of the South are planning to besiege Blood Saber Ancestor. I have dealt with that Blood Saber before, and his ruthlessness and cunning have left me with lingering fear. I am still somewhat uneasy about this matter. Once I return from my journey south, I will definitely go and pay my respects to Master Zhang,” Chu Luren said with regret and worry.

Yu Lianzhou was taken aback upon hearing this—he had been somewhat puzzled by Chu Luren's travel-worn appearance. If he truly intended to pay his respects to Master Zhang, he wouldn't be in such a hurry now that he was here, and... he should have already presented his visiting card.

Upon hearing Chu Luren's words, Yu Lianzhou felt that the Four Heroes of the South could easily defeat a Blood Saber Ancestor, but seeing Chu Luren's reaction, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe...

Chapter 476 A Mishap

"Brother Chu is so public-spirited and righteous, I am truly ashamed," Yu Lianzhou sighed, then said, "I have nothing to do these days, so let's go south together!"

Yu Lianzhou didn't initially think that the Four Heroes of the South would have any problems facing the Blood Saber Ancestor...

In his view, either Junior Brother Liu or Junior Brother Shui, two of the best among the lay disciples, would be no match for Blood Blade Ancestor, not to mention their sworn brothers Lu Tianshu and Hua Tiegan. Wasn't this a sure thing?

not to mention……

Wasn't that something that happened a month ago?

I'm afraid we'll have a result soon, right?

However, since Chu Luren brought it up, and as an "outsider," he even went to "rescue" him, what could Yu Lianzhou, as his senior brother, say?

Of course, I had no choice but to go along!

Originally, Yu Lianzhou wanted to travel around because Master Zhang had already emerged from seclusion and had instructed his disciples.

Originally, he planned to go to the Sichuan area to take a look... There were rumors that Emei was going to organize a siege of Bright Peak, but they had not yet formally invited the various sects. Yu Lianzhou wanted to go and see the situation first.

But once Chu Luren "kidnapped" them like that, they were tied up tightly!

"This... I'm mainly worried about the Blood Blade's cunning. If we really encounter the Blood Blade, neither Brother Murong nor I are afraid. But if Brother Yu is in trouble..." Chu Luren said very honestly.

"There's nothing more important, Brother Chu, you don't need to worry about it." Yu Lianzhou couldn't possibly refuse to go now.

Chu Luren did not refuse outright—Yu Lianzhou, Murong Jiu, and even himself after his enlightenment… their strength was all within the range that even if the Blood Blade Ancestor had schemed and plotted, it would be extremely difficult for him to turn the tide!

At this moment, Yu Lianzhou felt that he was just going to take a detour through Jingzhou and Xiangyang to take a look. He should soon hear the news of the Blood Saber Ancestor's execution, and then he could enter Sichuan from Jingchu.

This optimistic view only lasted for three days...

After Chu Luren joined Yu Lianzhou, the three of them swaggered across the Song-Yuan border. Occasionally, they encountered small groups of Yuan soldiers, but they killed them without hesitation.

However, just three days later, upon arriving in Xiangyang, a border town where people from the martial arts world usually gathered, they heard some terrible news!

The Four Heroes of the South invited like-minded individuals to besiege the Blood Saber Ancestor, which was considered a "grand event" in the martial arts world of Jingchu. As a result, there have been fewer martial arts figures in Xiangyang City recently.

Because he was in a hurry, Chu Luren didn't visit Guo Juxia and planned to rest at the inn for the night. Before he even went to Qunyu Courtyard, he overheard the conversation at the next table...

"Have you heard? Master Shui's daughter has been kidnapped by a lewd monk from the Blood Sabre Sect!"

"What? Wasn't it said that the Four Heroes of the South joined forces to wipe out the Blood Blade villain? How could this be..."

"Yes, where did you hear that? The Bell and Sword Duo are said to have swordsmanship that's no less than that of Master Shui..."

"Ha! Two juniors, not inferior to Master Shui? You believe this sedan chair carrying story? I heard it from my senior brother! The day before yesterday in Jingzhou Prefecture, the Bell and Sword Duo encountered a little lecherous monk, and indeed they took him down cleanly and efficiently. But after they beat the little one, the old man came. It was the Blood Saber Ancestor himself who arrived. The two little kids were no match for him at all. Guess what happened?"

Not only was that lecherous monk rescued, but Heroine Shui Sheng was also captured! Tsk tsk, with Heroine Shui Sheng's figure and looks, falling into that lecherous monk's hands, hehe… I wonder if Young Master Wang will accept this cuckoldry in the future… Ouch!

As the man told his story, his expression and tone became increasingly lewd. Chu Luren couldn't stand it, so he casually tapped his table, sending a broken chicken bone flying. It hit the man right in the mouth, and he cried out in pain, his mouth full of blood. He spat out... not only the bone, but also his own teeth!

"Who is it? What kind of hidden weapon is it?" The people at the same table nervously picked up their knives and stood up, while the people at the other tables also secretly became wary.

“That’s chicken bone, it can’t be ivory,” Chu Luren said, placing the suona on the table.

The man immediately forgot about the blood flowing from his mouth, and the others at the table were also trembling with fear...

"You are...Chu, Chu..."

"too……"

"Son!"

Upon seeing this, Chu Luren said coldly, "What do you mean by 'Young Master'?"

"Master Chu, I am Wu De, a successor of the Wu School of Swift Swords. Seeing you reminds me of my great-grandfather, Old Master Wu, and I feel boundless respect for him!"

"Indeed, we were unaware of your presence. We apologize for disturbing your drinking..."

These individuals may not be found on any of the lists in the martial arts world, but they are still quite respectable. If Chu Luren were to hold a heroes' gathering at Juxian Manor, they might even be able to make an appearance.

However, upon seeing the renowned Chu Tai Sui, they dared not be at all presumptuous, lest they further anger him...

"Normally, fighting and bloodshed are forbidden in Xiangyang City, but I invited you to eat chicken, and you knocked out your own tooth. Can you blame me for that?" Chu Luren said to the man who had just made those outrageous remarks.

"No blame, no blame! It was I who wasted Master Chu's kindness!" The man's words were slurred and he shook his head repeatedly.

What else?

Xiangyang doesn't allow it?

Can he still complain to Master Guo about Chu Taisui? Even if Chu Luren beat him up in the street, Master Guo probably wouldn't stand up for him... (The implication is that Chu Luren was the one who started it.)

"Then stop talking nonsense and tell the whole story from the beginning! Not a single lie is allowed," Chu Luren said sternly.

"Yes, yes, I'll tell you now... This, this... Master Chu is a 'hero among heroes, the backbone of the martial world,' comparable to Master Guo in chivalry, no less skilled than Master Zhang in martial arts, and he is also a man of great righteousness and dashing charm, always accompanied by beauties wherever he goes..."

"Shut up! Who told you to say these things? Where can't you say these things? I'm asking you about the Bell Sword Duo and the Blood Saber Monk!" Chu Luren interrupted his flattery.

These people in the underworld like to embellish the facts and make them seem exaggerated.

The man quickly recounted what he knew...

Logically speaking, after two or three years, the "Bell and Sword Duo" should be much more mature and stronger than when Chu Luren first met them at the Iron Mansion.

Unfortunately, they still forgot the advice Chu Luren gave them back then—if you encounter the Blood Blade Ancestor, never be reckless, go home and find your elders!

It's too late to say all this now. Wang Xiaofeng and Shui Sheng taught a lesson to a wicked little monk in Jingzhou Prefecture, and things went relatively smoothly. At the same time, they felt that the Blood Saber Sect was not a big deal. However, when the Blood Saber Ancestor arrived, they were caught off guard along with the martial arts practitioners present, and were literally "1 vs. dozens"...

Although Liu Chengfeng arrived in time, Blood Blade Ancestor did not kill too many people, but Shui Sheng was kidnapped!

It is said that he went westward, and the four great heroes of the South, known as "Falling Flowers and Flowing Water," also pursued him, but there is still no news of him...

Knowing that Chu Tai Sui couldn't stand vulgarity, this person became much more tactful when recounting the story.

This actually reflects the mentality of some people in the martial arts world—when the Four Heroes of the South besieged the Blood Saber Ancestor, half of the martial arts world in Jingchu responded and it was a great success. But... when the Four Heroes of the South really suffered a misfortune, some people, even if they didn't say it on the surface, couldn't help but feel gloating in their hearts!

Chu Lu and his two companions naturally had no intention of gloating, especially Yu Lianzhou, who was equally anxious about the situation of his two lay junior brothers. So, the three of them didn't rest in Xiangyang City, but changed horses and continued to follow the rumored route...

Chapter 477 Pursuit

This path taken by Chu Luren is truly not easy...

The three of them changed horses at every city they visited and traveled day and night, but they still suffered from the delay in information and the Blood Saber Ancestor's constant deception, which led people from the martial arts world astray!