The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

However, Yaoyue said coldly and emotionlessly, "Indeed, the Divine Illumination Scripture is extraordinary... No, should I praise your 'Three-Part Returning to Origin Qi'? It is indeed extraordinary! You are able to control the 'Divine Illumination True Qi'?"

Yaoyue was not as easily fooled as Lianxing. Firstly, she was calmer than Lianxing and did not panic. Secondly, Yaoyue's perception was also better than Lianxing's—she could clearly "hear" Chu Luren's heartbeat, and even the sound of blood flowing and internal energy circulating!

The injury was indeed quite serious, but the aftereffects of "Jade Beauty Playing the Flute" barely took effect before being overwhelmed by his healing effects.

In the short time it took to exchange two sentences, Chu Luren's injuries were already gradually improving...

Although it's still a long way from a full recovery, it's clearly improving!

He even followed Lianxing's reminder and acted as if he was "giving his last words".

Lianxing:......

Upon hearing this, Chu Luren said somewhat awkwardly, "Yaoyue..."

"What did you call me?" Yaoyue's skin was about to turn transparent again.

However, Lianxing's reaction still touched her quite a bit. Chu Luren's initial attitude, as if he was willing to sacrifice himself to stop them from fighting, also made her feel dazed.

It wasn't exactly touching, but it did involve some speculation—if Chu Luren really died from her injuries, what would happen to her and Lianxing afterwards?

I'm afraid... it won't be like when Jiang Feng died more than ten years ago, when he just didn't speak for a year, right?

Therefore, Yaoyue's actions this time were a "bluff"—unfortunately, Lianxing's attention was now focused on Chu Luren. After discovering that he was indeed getting better, although Lianxing complained that Chu Luren was acting, she was mostly happy.

Otherwise, if Lianxing noticed this anomaly, she would certainly be filled with suspicion and uncertainty...

My sister actually bluffed?

Normally, if Yaoyue wants to kill someone, she will definitely do it. There is no option for her to "bluff" unless she is brewing a more vicious conspiracy than killing directly.

Of course, Yaoyue generally doesn't plot anything. Apart from Jiang Feng's matter, she simply kills anyone else she dislikes.

However, it turns out that Inviting the Moon was just a bluff...

"Ahem, I mean... the Grand Palace Master?" Chu Luren was also confused; was Lianxing's statement reliable or not? Are you sure your sister likes me?

Looking at Chu Luren's appearance, Yaoyue was furious, but when she thought of Chu Luren's evaluation of Jiang Feng earlier, and when she thought of how Chu Luren had stood between her and Lianxing just now... Yaoyue stopped herself from bluffing.

"Hmph! Lianxing, you'd better watch yourself! If you want to follow him... then don't bring shame to Yihua Palace!" After saying that, Yaoyue glanced at Shen Qinghong and then flew away, not even paying attention to Xiaoyuer.

However, before leaving, he glanced at Xiaoyuer and then at Lianxing, clearly warning her not to speak carelessly.

Furthermore, Yaoyue left the cleanup to Lianxing—if Shen Qinghong didn't kill him, she would find a way to shut him up herself.

If any bad rumors circulate in the martial arts world in the future, Yaoyue will absolutely wipe out their entire family...

Moreover... if you choose to follow Chu Luren but leave the lowly maidservant by his side unkilled, you'll definitely be bringing shame to Yihua Palace—either leave this dog of a man or kill the other lowly maidservants—this is also the implied meaning in Yaoyue's words!

However, after Lianxing's face paled, a conflict flashed in her eyes. Then, she looked at Chu Luren and suddenly seemed to realize something...

“From now on… when I’m by Chu Lang’s side, I’ll be Nong Yue, not the Second Palace Master of Yi Hua Palace!” Lian Xing suddenly came up with a great idea.

Chu Luren: ? ? ?

Second Palace Master, you were so intimate with me without my consent, not to mention... why did you come up with such a clever trick after seeing me?

Do I look like a self-deceiving guy?

Chapter 526 Traveling Together

"Lord Chu has saved me again. I am deeply grateful... From now on, my life belongs to Lord Chu!" Shen Qinghong said, deeply moved.

Although this whole incident was caused by Chu Luren, and although Shen Qinghong wasn't blind or deaf and knew that the person who directly saved him was... Nongyue, it was precisely because she wasn't blind or deaf that Shen Qinghong was completely "afraid to move".

She would definitely thank Chu Luren first, and as for the rest, Shen Qinghong had already decided to pretend that she was blind and deaf!

Even more than a decade ago, before Shen Qinghong was imprisoned, the two from Yihua Palace were already notorious "female demons" in the martial arts world.

At the same time, Shen Qinghong now pronounces "Chu Taisui" quite naturally.

At first, Shen Qinghong was a little confused. Chu Luren seemed to be of good character and his temper was not strange, so how could he have such a nickname? Now... Shen Qinghong understood it very well.

The strangeness of the Chu Lu people is so extraordinary that it has led to the current situation; does it need any other description?

"No need for thanks, Chief Escort Shen. Actually, we also have something to discuss with you." After Chu Luren finished speaking, Shen Qinghong's expression changed.

Seeing this, Chu Luren couldn't help but look at Lian Nongyue beside him. Then he heard Murong Jiu, who had already turned back to normal, let out a "humph".

"Ahem, it's not with Miss Nongyue, it's that Brother Murong and I have something to discuss with Chief Escort Shen," Chu Luren quickly explained.

At this moment, Murong Jiu subtly shielded Nongyue behind her. Nongyue gave her a deep look but didn't pursue the matter for the time being.

"Please speak freely, both of you!" Shen Qinghong breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing that it had nothing to do with Er... and Nongyue.

"Does Chief Escort Shen wish to return this shipment?" Chu Luren asked directly.

Shen Qinghong was taken aback when he heard this. Before he could speak, Murong Jiu brought up the matter of hoping to invest in his new escort agency.

Chu Luren added, "There are also plenty of gold, silver, and valuables in the Five Absolutes Underground Palace below, which can be retrieved later. Compared to the shipment that Chief Escort Shen escorted, there is no less.

Upon hearing this, Shen Qinghong's expression changed repeatedly. Originally, he had intended to retire from the martial world and return to his hometown to see if he could find his wife and children from back then. If it was a suitable time for him to reappear, he would live out his days in peace and comfort. If it wasn't a suitable time for him to reappear, he would find a remote mountain village and live a simple life of farming...

However, Chu Luren's words reignited Shen Qinghong's ambition!

If this was merely hesitation, then Chu Luren's "request" for him to reorganize the escort agency became the decisive reason for his return to the martial world—after all, Chu Luren had saved him, and even if it was simply out of a desire to help or repay a debt of gratitude, Shen Qinghong would do so.

Not to mention that Shen Qinghong's passion hasn't cooled down yet...

The main reason he wanted to go into seclusion was because he thought he could never get the goods back!

What can a chief镖头 (bodyguard/escort) who has been missing for over a decade do besides live in seclusion?

Not long after Shen Qinghong agreed to the matter, Xiaoyuer woke up, but was still pretending to be unconscious. Xiaoyuer's martial arts skills were so-so, but he had received various training in the Valley of Villains, including training to be unconscious after being hit on the head with a club, so he woke up much faster than Jiang Yulang.

And when he woke up, he had completely overcome even his instinctive little movements. His breathing was not much different. After regaining consciousness, he remained motionless, as if he wanted to figure out why he had been knocked unconscious.

If you've been kidnapped, you can feign unconsciousness for a while to lower your guard...

Unfortunately, Chu Luren saw through his act immediately and kicked him, saying, "Get up if you're awake! Who are you trying to fool? Don't you know your heartbeat and internal energy have already given you away?"

Little Fish didn't know why, but he always felt that Chu Luren was a bit exasperated.

However, he still stood up with a smile and said, "Young Master Chu, Young Master Murong, did you drive away your enemy?" Xiao Yu'er had already seen Nong Yue, but did not ask.

He didn't even ask who knocked him out, assuming it was "the enemy".

"Yeah, they ran away," Chu Luren mumbled.

He didn't introduce Nongyue to him either—although Xiaoyuer didn't know Lianxing, Chu Luren felt that if he said too much, the kid might guess it himself!

In reality, there aren't many people in the martial arts world who have actually seen Yaoyue and Lianxing's true faces. Apart from Hua Wuque and the members of the Yihua Palace, who need no introduction, they are basically other peerless masters or acquaintances. Lianxing doesn't even need to disguise herself much to hide her identity.

As long as you don't make a move or encounter a few specific people, you basically don't need to worry about being recognized.

As for Xiaoyuer and Hua Wuque's matter, Chu Luren will definitely mediate in secret—simply and directly telling them the truth won't work, as that would only drive Yaoyue into a state of madness, one that no one can stop.

The main focus should be on Yaoyue, but before that's done, we must ensure that Xiaoyuer and Hua Wuque don't actually kill each other!

Although it's troublesome, but...

Why did Yaoyue fall in love with him?

Chu Luren sighed – this is probably what trouble is.

"When do you plan to open this lock?" Chu Luren asked directly.

"Huh? How do we open it? Even Young Master Chu couldn't break this lock, and Xiao Mimi probably put the key somewhere. We definitely can't find it..." Xiao Yu'er said, looking very troubled.

Chu Luren merely gave him a few more glances with a half-smile, clearly not believing that the lock could stump him.

However, Xiaoyuer seemed not to understand Chu Luren's gaze and showed no sign of embarrassment.

"Then you should take him with you and get out of here right now. Hua Wuque is already sharpening his sword at Emei," Chu Luren reminded him.

The reason why Xiaoyuer still pretends to be inseparable from Jiang Yulang is mainly for Tie Xinlan's sake—Xiaoyuer had already discovered that Jiang Yulang had found Emei two years ago by following the treasure map!

In other words, Jiang Yulang's treasure map and Kuangshi Tiezhan's treasure map are at least the earliest, or even earlier than Jiang Yulang's treasure map.

Although the treasure map is fake, it is very likely related to Tie Zhan's disappearance, so Xiao Yu'er wants to investigate it, and... has already suspected Jiang Biehe!

Upon hearing this, Xiaoyuer said somewhat defiantly, "Am I afraid of that guy?" Xiaoyuer becomes noticeably emotional when Hua Wuque is involved.

But then Xiaoyuer said, "Besides, Young Master Chu and I are going the same way after that, aren't we?"

"Huh? You know where I'm going?" Chu Luren asked curiously.

"Next month is the Empress Dowager's 60th birthday. Young Master Chu can't possibly miss it, can he? This Young Master Jiang's father is in Jiangnan, and he'll probably be going to Lin'an too. Not to mention... to unlock this 'love lock,' Young Master Jiang might even have to ask the world's number one locksmith from the world's number one manor for help!"

Little Fish easily guessed Chu Luren's whereabouts and explained why he was definitely going to Lin'an...

Chapter 527 Birthday Gift

On May 28th of the seventh year of the Tiansheng era, it was the sixtieth birthday of the Empress Dowager of the Song Dynasty.

This has nothing to do with 70% of the people in the martial arts world, and only with the other 29%—it's related to "certain businesses concerning the circulation of birthday tributes in various regions"...

The Empress Dowager's birthday celebration could support the Song court's bandits for several years!

Leaving aside those audacious individuals who directly took action, the majority of those involved were the escort agencies that transported goods back and forth, and the tolls they paid added up to a huge sum!

Chu Luren undoubtedly belongs to the last "one point". As a prominent figure with some connection to the imperial court, he is preparing to personally go to the capital to offer birthday wishes.

Besides celebrating his birthday, Chu Luren had another purpose—he had promised Brother Qiao Feng that he would find a way to have a hundred eminent monks from the Southern Shaolin Temple jointly copy the Infinite Life Sutra as a birthday gift…

In this way, we can see Xuanci's handwriting!

This matter is perfectly reasonable, and the Southern Shaolin Temple has no reason to refuse. In fact, if Xuanci weren't so guilty, he wouldn't be on guard at all.

Moreover, it's very easy to do. Chu Luren notified Yunluo and Huang Rong a few months ago. As long as the princess gives a slight hint, he believes the monks of Southern Shaolin are already copying it.

As the abbot of the Southern Shaolin Temple, Xuanci was bound to be at the forefront and copy the documents by hand. There was no way he could avoid it; otherwise... it wouldn't make sense, would it?

Needless to say, even without this incident, Chu Luren, as the "hero of chivalry and backbone of the martial world" appointed by the imperial court, would certainly have made this trip anyway.

At this moment, Chu Luren was sitting on a boat traveling down the river with Nongyue. Xiaoyuer and Jiang Yulang were also there, but Murong Jiu was not present. Instead, Tie Xinlan was there.

Although Murong Jiu was reluctant, reason ultimately prevailed over emotion, and she went to attend to more important matters—she was certainly worried about Shen Qinghong carrying such a large amount of red goods alone!

The reason I had been following Chu Luren was because I was worried that Xiao Jiujiu would cause trouble after she came out. Putting aside everything else... what if her identity was exposed? What if she was in danger? The main reason was that Xiao Jiujiu herself wanted to come along!

However, after this period of adjustment, Murong Jiu and Xiao Jiu Jiu have developed some tacit understanding, especially after discovering that Xiao Jiu Jiu is actually more capable in combat than she is. Therefore, they have a basis to temporarily act separately.

However, Murong Jiu will try his best to arrive in Lin'an before the Empress Dowager's birthday!