The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

"No, the Heroic Deeds List is the most authoritative and impartial list in the martial arts world, and it has long since had nothing to do with the Dragon Guard Manor... If you don't believe me, you can ask Guo Jing." Chu Luren said in a serious tone.

Even Guo Jing remained silent this time.

"Did you become Guo Jing's disciple? Did Guo Jing send you to Lin'an?" Chu Luren asked after looking at Guo Jing.

"I did indeed become an apprentice, but my master told me to travel around. That's when I met Master Qi, who taught me another set of 'Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms'," Guo Jing honestly recounted.

"So you don't know that Master Guo is going to be in trouble soon?" As soon as Chu Luren said this, Hong Qigong looked over curiously.

Chu Luren didn't keep them in suspense: "Previously, a batch of cotton-padded clothes discarded from Xiangyang in Wuxi was burned in a fire, with more than 200,000 sets remaining, leaving only a small fraction..."

"What does this have to do with my master?" Guo Jing asked, puzzled.

"The problem is that among these remaining thousands of items, more than half of the small notes contain words of blessing for Guo Juxia," Chu Luren continued.

Hong Qigong's expression had become serious, while Guo Jing asked with even greater confusion, "Shouldn't the imperial court be rewarding my master?"

"Go to the side and think about it carefully." Chu Luren didn't say anything more.

Hong Qigong suddenly lost his appetite for the chicken leg in his hand and asked solemnly, "Do you know who the arsonist is?"

"Master Guo has a nephew who investigated the matter alone and fought with one of the arsonists, a Japanese man." Chu Luren also wanted to spread the word about this as much as possible.

As for whether Yang Guo's presence at the scene would be exposed, it doesn't really matter—the martial arts world and the imperial court are, after all, two separate lines. If Chu Luren were to say this to Shangguan Haitang, he would definitely be questioned thoroughly, especially since they need to capture Yang Guo, who is suspected of being involved.

Whether Yang Guo's words are credible needs to be investigated. However, in the martial arts world, as long as Chu Luren speaks, he has his own credibility to back him up, so people will definitely believe him and no one will pry into the details.

Besides, if it were truly detrimental to Guo Juxia, everyone has their own judgment, and the martial arts world would surely be in uproar. The imperial court would suspect Guo Juxia, but the martial arts world would not…

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Just then, Xiao Hong's cry came, and Chu Luren immediately rushed out of the imperial kitchen—this was a warning... Was Yunluo in danger?

Chapter 539 The Descent of the Heavenly Buddha

Whether it was a coincidence or not, Yunluo squatted outside the imperial kitchen for a long time without anyone speaking to her, and gradually grew tired, so... she decided to go to the toilet.

This place is quite far from her palace, but Yunluo knows that the nearest washroom should be in the direction of the Imperial Garden.

So Yunluo got up and headed towards the Imperial Garden, carefully avoiding the patrolling guards along the way—after all, it was so late, and wandering around the palace was somewhat against the rules, even for a princess.

Besides, he was lying in ambush for assassins!

Just then, she noticed the two people acting suspiciously. Her competitive spirit flared up, and instead of calling for help, she followed them directly…

Needless to say, she was discovered by the other party in just a few steps. As soon as she turned a corner, a dark figure flashed and she was immediately subdued by pressure point strikes!

Fortunately, Little Red had been following her the whole time. At this moment, it quickly "cooed" to warn her and then swooped down to peck at the person who had attacked it.

In a way, Xiao Hong was made to be more thorough by Yun Luo – she knew to warn first!

The person who "ambushed" Yun Luo was none other than Ouyang Feng, an old acquaintance of Chu Luren and Hong Qigong. After discovering that someone was following him, he took matters into his own hands and subdued Yun Luo to ensure safety.

Upon seeing a red light rushing towards him, Ouyang Feng brandished his snake staff. With two clangs, two sparks flew out, precisely blocking Little Red's beak!

Little Red felt a sharp pain in its beak from the blow and quickly flew back, but it had already successfully bought some time.

At the same time, Chu Luren also appeared from the rooftop using his light-footed skill—he had been wondering why Xiao Hong's location was some distance from the imperial kitchen.

Yunluo had been tiptoeing and hadn't gone very far, but Chu Luren immediately used his lightness skill on the roof, instantly closing the distance between them...

At this moment, seeing two sneaky figures in front of Yunluo, one of whom was forcing Xiaohong back, Chu Luren did not hesitate, let out a long howl, and pounced down.

As they got a little closer, Chu Luren recognized who it was—the two were indeed old friends.

One is Ouyang Feng, who appears to have the air of a grandmaster but is actually cunning and ruthless; the other is Yu Zhenzi, who doesn't even pretend to be a grandmaster, is despicable and shameless, and enjoys ambushing young people!

Based on what Hong Qigong said earlier, it seems that these two people came to retrieve the Buddhist scriptures for Wu Sangui.

Apart from the two of them, there was no one else in sight—which was normal, since the Song court's palace now was a completely different place from the Song court's palace in the original work, and it wasn't a place where just anyone with some martial arts skills could freely enter and exit.

Their martial arts skills are not top-notch; they would only be a burden if they came, and it's even less likely that they would bring Wu Sangui himself to drag the team down...

Therefore, only the two most skilled martial artists from the Prince of Pingxi's mansion were able to sneak in!

When they heard Chu Luren let out a long howl, Ouyang Feng and Yu Zhenzi immediately thought, "This is bad." Then, when they saw who it was, their hearts sank even further, and they attacked Chu Luren from the left and right.

Ouyang Feng immediately lay down on all fours, and a toad phantom appeared, with toad energy surging up from his cheeks!

Yu Zhenzi also beckoned over with his iron whisk... This whisk already contained steel wire, and after being infused with internal energy, it was completely like gold and copper wire.

Chu Luren then used the seventh move of the "Buddha's Palm" – Heavenly Buddha Descends to Earth!

Suddenly, a burst of Buddhist light appeared, and as the true energy rubbed together, it generated waves of sound like chanting. Under the influence of this "momentum," it would be directly perceived by the mind as clear chanting...

With a single palm strike, Ouyang Feng's toad-like movements faltered, and he couldn't help but think of his elder brother, whom he had angered to death. Yu Zhenzi also recalled the countless women he had violated, as well as the innocent people he had killed while practicing his combined Taoist Cotton Palm and Poison Sand Palm techniques.

Even such a resolute villain felt a sense of remorse upon first meeting him.

Of course, only when it is done unexpectedly will the effect be the best. If it were that Buddhist master from six hundred years ago, it might really make people repent, just like when he wanted to use the "six-syllable mantra" to wear down Jin Dan's violent nature.

However, Chu Luren did not have that level of skill. For him, the greater significance of the "Buddha's Palm" in purifying the mind was to enable himself to more effectively resist inner demons, and... to launch a sneak attack when the enemy was affected!

Just like now, even though Ouyang Feng barely managed to break free from the influence of the Tathagata Palm at the last moment and spat out the "Toad Qi Ball" to offset some of the palm force, he was still thrown out along with Yu Zhenzi.

Both of them were not weaklings, especially Ouyang Feng. Since someone knocked on his door twice, he has made progress in both "momentum" and "mindset" and is now on par with Ren Woxing when Chu Luren encountered him before.

Yu Zhenzi was a bit behind, but he was still within the scope of being able to help.

If they really calm down and analyze the moves, Chu Luren won't be so easy to deal with.

However, in a single exchange, they were utterly routed by the Chu Lu people...

Hong Qigong, who had followed closely behind, was now completely hidden on the rooftop—he had originally intended to join the attack, but now it seemed that Chu Taisui alone was enough.

After all, the way he entered the palace wasn't exactly respectable, so it was better for him not to leave at all.

Hong Qigong was also secretly surprised and suspicious. Firstly, he was surprised that Chu Luren's martial arts had improved again, and secondly... he was also surprised that even his style had completely changed.

Suddenly it has become an obvious Buddhist technique? Or is it a combination of technique and power, possessing both form and spirit?

Is there really such a thing as sudden enlightenment or a moment of profound awakening?

Chu Luren's long howl had already attracted the attention of the imperial guards around him, and now the sound of footsteps and the light of torches drew them in.

After Ouyang Feng jumped up like a toad, he didn't dare to confront Chu Luren. Firstly, he was still frightened by the previous move, and secondly, this was the imperial palace. Chu Luren could disregard things, but Ouyang Feng dared not linger!

Ouyang Feng flung his snake staff away, and Chu Luren, not letting the old poisoner's thing get close, raised his hand and unleashed "Buddha's Light Appears," shattering the snake staff in the middle with his palm force.

No! It wasn't just Chu Luren's palm strike, but the staff itself contained a twisting snake-like energy that shattered at the slightest touch!

Sure enough, a strange fragrance wafted from the staff. Chu Luren wasn't afraid, but Yun Luo was right beside him, so he waved his hands a few times in all directions to blow away the poison gas...

At the same time, Chu Luren took two steps forward and used his sonic powers to warn others: "Everyone be careful, there's poisonous smoke here!" This was a warning to the other imperial guards who had arrived.

"Young Master Chu, please take a look at the princess first!" Ouyang Feng reminded him as he retreated.

By this time, he had already guessed Yunluo's identity.

Chu Luren didn't need to turn around; he just twitched his ears slightly and heard a series of hissing and rubbing sounds. He immediately guessed what had happened and stopped in his tracks...

Coo-coo—coo-coo—

Little Red started barking excitedly, and unlike its usual barking, it sounded particularly spirited.

The Chu deer people didn't stop it either...

Suddenly, venomous snakes began to crawl out from all directions!

It seems the previous fragrance was not only poisonous, but also had the effect of attracting venomous snakes—Ouyang Feng had been preparing for this for a long time, actually hiding so many snakes in the palace.

Although they were all frightened by Xiao Hong, just to be on the safe side, Chu Luren stopped and killed the venomous snake that was crawling towards Yunluo first...

Chapter 540 The Approaching Conspiracy

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Little Red's "arrogant" cries echoed throughout the entire palace!

At this moment, Little Red was flying around the palace, crying out without restraint...

By this time, the imperial guards in the palace had already been alerted.

The imperial city was mostly inhabited by people from the Dragon Guard Manor, while the inner palace was filled with experts from the Eastern Depot. At this moment, all the imperial guards felt a tightness in their chests—Xiao Hong's cries were also interfering with their internal energy!

Ordinary people who have never practiced internal martial arts, or even highly skilled masters whose internal strength has reached a superb level, can ignore this natural sound power. However, martial artists who are neither high-level nor low-level will find it more difficult.

However, they dared not complain now; instead, they were somewhat relieved that Chu Tai Sui's bird was there. One by one, they endured the cries and looked miserable as they scrambled to catch snakes...

That's right, Little Red's cries mainly intimidate all the venomous snakes and "command" them to expose themselves.

It was precisely because of Xiao Hong that there were thousands of venomous snakes that no casualties were caused in the palace!

At this time, the emperor had already issued an edict that all palaces should be brightly lit, and the concubines should not leave their chambers until the snake plague outside had passed.

"It's truly fortunate that Hero Chu didn't leave the palace; otherwise, if the Emperor or the Empress had been disturbed, I would have been guilty beyond redemption," the Divine Marquis said with a stern face.

It was supposed to be a thank you, but it sounded like a sarcastic remark about Chu Luren not leaving so late at night.

"No thanks, no thanks. As a 'heroic warrior and pillar of the martial world,' this is what I should do." Chu Luren seemed completely oblivious to the implication, and his tone even sounded like he was saying, "Please get up quickly."

Shenhou stared at him without speaking, and Chu Luren's expression also turned serious as he said, "Does Shenhou already know about the matter in Wuxi?"

"Yes, I trust Master Guo. This matter will be thoroughly investigated, and Master Guo's innocence will be restored." The Divine Marquis nodded slightly in agreement.

"Hmph, is this something that can be solved by innocence? Divine Marquis, don't forget Qin Hui's infamy!" Chu Luren said sarcastically.

That alone wouldn't be enough for Shenhou to think that Chu Luren knew he was the mastermind.

On the contrary, if Chu Luren had argued with Shangguan Haitang beforehand but didn't mention it when he met Shenhou, it would raise suspicion—this was something Huang Rong had specifically reminded Chu Luren of beforehand.

"No need for you to worry about that, Master Chu!" Shenhou became even more impolite when he heard the unfriendly tone in his voice.

Yunluo interrupted the argument that was about to erupt between the two, saying, "Uncle, it must have been done by that eunuch Cao. You must find out the truth!"

"Princess, rest assured, this is what the Dragon Guard Manor should do... and you should also do what you are supposed to do as a princess, and not do anything that would bring shame to the royal family," the Divine Marquis said meaningfully.

Upon hearing this, Chu Luren became even more enthusiastic and said, "The Divine Marquis is not worth worrying about. If we're talking about bringing shame to the royal family, what could be more shameful than a bastard child returning to the ancestral line and seducing another man's wife?"

"Hey..." Yunluo was so startled that she quickly pulled Chu Luren away.

Yunluo felt a chill in her heart, as if a mountain-like aura and a knife-like killing intent were surging towards her—or rather, towards Chu Luren; she was merely caught in the blast.