The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

Later, Li Qiushui felt it wasn't good to have a daughter while traveling, so she left her young daughter in the care of Lady Wang of Suzhou, only returning occasionally...

Later, after Li Qiushui pretended to be young and became the imperial concubine of Western Xia, she stopped contacting her daughter altogether. The martial arts collection that was originally in Langhuan Paradise was moved to Langhuan Jade Cave in Mantuo Manor.

If Li Qingluo hadn't been so uninterested in martial arts, perhaps Mantuo Manor could have become a miniature Yihua Palace.

Unfortunately, those martial arts skills are now either gathering dust in the library or benefiting Murong Fu.

Li Qingluo's husband's older sister married into the Murong family. She was Murong Bo's wife and Murong Fu's mother, so the two families were related by marriage. However, Li Qingluo's relationship with her sister-in-law had always been very bad. After all, Wang Shi always accused her of having an affair, and... she was right!

This relationship is naturally not going to be good...

"My name is Chu Luren. This... the matter of the owner of the silk scroll has other secrets. May I come inside to discuss it in detail?" Chu Luren asked cautiously.

“Of course!” Li Qingluo directly invited Chu Luren into the manor.

Seeing this, Granny Yan quickly stopped her, saying, "Madam! This man's martial arts are evil; he might harm you..."

"No need for further words, Young Master Chu, please... You may leave now! I have important matters to discuss with this Young Master Chu," Li Qingluo said coldly.

Grandma Yan didn't dare to speak for a moment, but she kept glaring at Chu Luren with venom.

The old women in Mantuo Manor were originally abandoned and resentful women whom Li Qiushui "collected" after leaving Wuliang Mountain. They were used as servants, taught martial arts, and "refined" under her values.

After Li Qiushui went out to have fun, these old servants followed Li Qingluo, and usually chased down her love rivals for her.

Chu Luren was no longer afraid of her, a loud-voiced old woman, and followed Li Qinglu directly behind her. Li Qinglu felt that the front hall was not private enough, so she specially led him to the study.

After dismissing the servants, he asked Chu Luren about the previous matter: "Has something happened to my mother?"

"She's living a life of luxury now, even wielding considerable power, so there's nothing she can do," Chu Luren said truthfully.

However, this information was not obtained from "Langhuan Paradise," but rather Chu Luren learned about the identity of the Western Xia Empress Dowager from the original work and drew a conclusion based on the current situation in Western Xia.

Upon hearing this, Li Qingluo first breathed a sigh of relief, but then her expression darkened: "Yes, with her high level of martial arts, who could possibly harm her? But... she's still so ruthless!"

Yes, Li Qingluo originally thought her mother was probably dead, and was just waiting for confirmation of her death.

But if she didn't die, thinking about how her mother hadn't contacted her for so many years, Li Qingluo didn't know whether to be happy or sad!

"Are you her disciple?" Li Qingluo asked wearily.

Judging from their attitude, it seems they are already preparing to send Chu Luren to Langhuan Jade Cave—after all, it is written here that the "successor" should go to Langhuan Jade Cave to learn martial arts.

As for those secret manuals, Li Qingluo didn't really care much about them, otherwise she wouldn't have lent them to her cousin from the Murong family, with whom she didn't have a very good relationship.

"No, I didn't formally become your disciple. However... I also learned something else. Senior Li Qiushui's husband is still alive, but he is paralyzed on one side and forced to fake his death. He dares not leave the secret chamber inside the mountain." Chu Luren did not admit to any master-disciple relationship, but instead revealed the matter of Wu Yazi.

"What? My father is still alive?" Li Qingluo exclaimed in surprise.

"Most likely." Chu Luren didn't say anything too definitive.

“How could this be… how could this be… his martial arts are unparalleled, how could he be harmed by his enemy?” Li Qingluo stood up and walked around twice, then looked at Chu Luren with a hint of doubt.

"Ahem, as far as I know, that enemy is his personal disciple, Ding Chunqiu!" Chu Luren said, while carefully observing Li Qingluo.

After all, the revised edition of the original work contains many mind-blowing settings, such as Ding Chunqiu being Li Qingluo's adoptive father...

However, judging from Li Qingluo's reaction, it seems that the revised version is just something to take with a grain of salt.

"The Starry Constellation Old Monster? That villain is actually my father's disciple?" Li Qingluo had heard of the Starry Constellation Old Monster's name, but she didn't have much of an impression of him. She also seemed unaware of Ding Chunqiu's private affairs with her mother.

"Outrageous... Where is my father? I'll gather my men right now, bring him back first, and then chop that old monster of the Star Constellation into pieces to use as fertilizer!" Li Qingluo said to Long Jiaotian.

Chu Luren: ? ? ?

Ding Chunqiu, Madam Li is calling you to be the flower fertilizer!

"Cough cough cough, Madam, calm down... Ding Chunqiu is probably not someone like Granny Yan who can handle him." Chu Luren remembered that the highest level of martial arts at Mantuo Manor was just a few old women trained by Li Qingluo using the secret manual in the Jade Cave.

Chasing down a love rival is one thing, but going after Ding Chunqiu?

Although Mantuo Manor usually acts domineeringly, it focuses on secrecy. Outsiders are unaware of the Langhuan Jade Cave, and with Murong Manor protecting it, no one dares to provoke them.

Li Qingluo truly believed that Mantuo Manor was incredibly powerful in the martial arts world; she was clearly lacking in self-awareness…

Well, considering her resemblance to Li Qiushui, Ding Chunqiu probably wouldn't dare to do anything to her. However, thinking of using Ding Chunqiu as fertilizer is just wishful thinking.

Understanding Chu Luren's meaning, Li Qingluo wasn't annoyed. Instead, she frowned and thought for a moment before saying, "If that's really the case... do I really have to swallow my pride and beg that brat Murong Fu?"

This is why Li Qingluo suddenly realized that she had a living father; otherwise, she would never have even considered asking the Murong family for help.

Aside from that, perhaps only something like "having Duan Zhengchun all to herself" would make her risk her pride.

“That’s right. Although my nephew is useless, he is still the seventh-ranked expert on the Heavenly Ranking. Moreover, his eight older sisters and eight brothers-in-law are all famous figures in the martial arts world. Destroying the Xingxiu Sect is no problem for him!” Li Qingluo made up her mind and decided to ask for help from the Murong family, with whom she had always had a bad relationship.

As for the eight older sisters and eight brother-in-laws, Chu Luren didn't even want to talk about it anymore...

Indeed, Chu Luren had long known that Murong Fu in this vast martial arts world was not only "Southern Murong," but also strangely possessed some of the characteristics of "Murong Jiu" from the Legendary Twins.

In this way, it makes sense that Murong Fu could be as famous as Qiao Feng or rank seventh on the Heavenly Ranking—his eight older sisters were all renowned female knights-errant in the martial arts world, and his eight brothers-in-law were all disciples of major sects or heirs of martial arts families...

If they really unite, their influence will be considerable!

Moreover, thinking about it this way, Murong Bo seemed to be doing something very important; it was clear that his daughter was going to marry someone who would be doing great things.

"Murong Fu? Madam should know what the Murong family's background is and what their plans are. Would Murong Fu really make an enemy of a martial arts giant just because of a word from Madam?" Chu Luren knew that in the original work, Murong Fu was always the one who took the opposite side.

"This..." Li Qingluo hesitated for a moment upon hearing this, presumably having noticed this point as well.

But just then, a sound came from outside the study.

"You are so rude! Why are you slandering my cousin? Mom! Don't believe him!"

A young girl, who bore a striking resemblance to Li Qingluo but appeared much younger, pushed open the door and entered...

Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Jade Cave of Langhuan

Wang Yuyan had previously heard from Grandma Yan that dangerous individuals were trying to deceive and approach her mother.

Originally, Wang Yuyan lacked trust in Granny Yan, who was always gloomy and didn't even care much about her. She just thought she was gossiping. After all, Granny Yan usually treated Murong Fu very badly!

However, for her mother's safety, Wang Yuyan decided to go to the study to check, and as a result... she overheard Chu Luren "criticizing" Murong Fu behind her back!

How could Wang Yuyan possibly hold back anymore?

It's confirmed, this guy is definitely a bad person!

Chu Luren: LOL.

"Yan'er, don't be rude!" Li Qingluo coldly rebuked her with a fierce look.

Wang Yuyan, who was always afraid of her mother, naturally did not dare to contradict Li Qingluo for Murong Fu's sake. However, while lowering her head, she did not forget to glare angrily at the treacherous person.

"Young Master Chu, you flatter me. My daughter is usually bewitched by the Murong family." After realizing that the Murong family would not help her, Li Qingluo's attitude towards them naturally became even worse.

Wang Yuyan continued to secretly glance at the scheming villain...

"The 'disciple of the Free and Unfettered Sect' mentioned here refers to that person, right? Don't worry, Young Master Chu, I'll have someone clean up the Langhuan Jade Cave right away. You're welcome to come in and appreciate the martial arts tomorrow!" Li Qingluo subtly thought that Li Qiushui's "kill all the disciples of the Free and Unfettered Sect" meant that she wanted to avenge Wuyazi.

Chu Luren did not specifically correct this point.

Wang Yuyan, standing to the side, was even more convinced that this guy was slandering her cousin behind her back and trying to win her mother's favor just to get into the Langhuan Jade Cave!

"Thank you for your kindness, Madam. Also... I am actually from Dali. Uncle Duan... the Prince Duan of Dali asked me, whom he is not very familiar with, to deliver a letter for you. I will take my leave now!" Chu Luren said, quickly putting down the letter.

Although there is a possibility of unforeseen complications, if this letter really angers Li Qingluo, then taking it out after going to the Jade Cave would seem particularly insincere and would be more likely to make Li Qingluo hold a grudge.

However, Chu Luren noticed that when he mentioned Dali, Li Qingluo's originally icy and somewhat wicked gaze immediately softened, and when she spoke of "Prince Duan," her eyes became much younger, as if she had returned to the age of first love...

Chu Luren guessed that Li Qingluo didn't want anyone else present, so he quickly took his leave.

Seeing Chu Luren leave, Wang Yuyan hurriedly wanted to explain a few words for Murong Fu and expose Chu Luren's tricks, but she had only just opened her mouth...

"Okay, okay... Yan'er, go outside and close the door." Li Qingluo's mind was full of Duan Lang's letter, and she clearly wasn't paying attention.

Not to mention Wang Yuyan's aggrieved departure, Chu Luren, after being arranged to stay in a guest room, also didn't sleep all night. According to Chu Luren's understanding, if Madam Li suddenly received a letter from that scumbag, eight hundred executioners might rush in that night and chop her up to use as fertilizer.

Therefore, filled with anticipation and nervousness, I spent the whole night practicing my breathing exercises.

What I'm really looking forward to is tomorrow's trip to the Jade Cave!

By morning, Chu Luren felt a mixture of anticipation and admiration—nothing had happened overnight? Uncle Duan truly lived up to his reputation as a notorious scumbag who rose to eighth place on the Heavenly Ranking through sheer scumbag behavior; how could he be so unharmed?

Early in the morning, Liu'er, whom he had met yesterday, came to deliver breakfast to Chu Luren and took him to the Langhuan Jade Cave.

On the way, Chu Luren also saw that Granny Yan was watching him with a sinister smile. After she was discovered, she even hid for a while... but he didn't take it to heart.

"Madam instructed that only Young Master Chu can go in by himself." When they arrived at the door, Liu'er did not follow.

"Thank you for leading the way, Miss Liu." Chu Luren now knew her name.

Upon arriving at Langhuan Jade Cave, Chu Luren realized that it was actually an underwater cave that was half natural and half man-made!

Chu Luren entered alone and found that the room was indeed filled with bookshelves upon books of various schools of thought.

Presumably for the purpose of preventing moisture and insects, most books were still written on bamboo slips.

Despite its omissions, it can still be considered a treasure trove of martial arts knowledge.

For example, on the bookshelf with "Shaolin" written on it, all seventy-two Shaolin skills are included, but it is only marked "Missing Yi Jin Jing"!

Chu Luren had even imagined that after he went out, he would transform into an invincible dragon and become an overlord.

However, it wasn't long before Chu Luren realized that he... had been thinking too much!

First, I read book after book at Shaolin Temple, and then I went to Wudang, Emei, Kunlun...

Chu Luren flipped through the pages more and more frantically, as if something was bothering him, his brows furrowed. After a long while, he finally let out a frustrated sigh—it was all "fake."

None of them could form a badge, and the Chu Lu people had already figured out why!

These so-called martial arts classics are not actually collected from various schools and sects, but rather... bootleg versions?

To be precise, Chu Luren suspected that these were martial arts techniques from various schools that the founders of the Xiaoyao Sect had independently deduced.

Ultimately, these are not cultivation methods, but rather methods of simulating cultivation using the "Xiao Wu Xiang Gong"!

If the real secrets are textbooks, then these are just supplementary books, specifically designed to teach exam techniques rather than theoretical knowledge.

If Chu Luren truly knew techniques like the "Xiao Wuxiang Gong" or the Murong Clan's "Dou Zhuan Xing Yi" or the Ming Cult's "Qian Kun Da Nuo Yi," then these "tutorial books" would be quite valuable.

If this kind of force-dissipating martial art can achieve 70% effectiveness when facing unfamiliar martial arts, then it can achieve 120% effectiveness when facing familiar martial arts!

This is probably why Murong Fu often came to borrow books—the Huanshi Water Pavilion in Murong Manor is likely of the same nature, and... the treasures of the Xiaoyao Sect probably include many that the Huanshi Water Pavilion does not have.

However, for Chu Luren, the "tutorial book" was rather disappointing. Others might not be able to learn so many martial arts, but looking at the tutorial book and understanding the advantages and disadvantages of various martial arts would be just right. This is probably why Wang Yuyan can casually comment on most of the martial arts in the world... But for Chu Luren, it was not the same.