The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

"Go and have fun by yourself first! I'll go arrange accommodations for the two older sisters," Chu Luren said, putting Tong Lao down.

"Okay, I'm going to take a dump then." Granny Tong nodded.

Chu Luren: ...

The road to the child's regeneration is long and arduous!

Afterwards, Chu Luren took "Nongyue" and Liusheng Piaoxu to the prepared guest room—right next to Chu Luren's previous residence.

In reality, Chu Luren hasn't moved to the main peak yet. After all, Chu Luren sees herself as just a figurehead, and there's no need for the sisters of Lingjiu Palace to feel like their past lives have been disrupted.

Everything on Misty Peak will remain as usual, except that after the New Year, Chu Luren will take them to Bright Peak to see their "neighbors" in the Kunlun Mountains of the Western Regions, and also to have them help him save face...

Otherwise, if he goes up alone, he's afraid no one will pay attention to him.

Along the way, compared to Lianxing, Liusheng Piaoxu was completely shocked - just the strength shown by this unknown Lingjiu Palace was already greater than that of Xin Yinliu without her father!

While Yagyu Tajima-no-kami is certainly not weak, is the unseen Chu Luren's senior master weak? And if Chu Luren is considered the new lord, then Lingjiu Palace is definitely above the Shin-Kage-ryu.

You should know that the Shinkage-ryu school is now the largest sect in Japan...

Chapter 593 The Feast at Hongmen

Chu Luren had tried his best to keep a low profile and hadn't even gone to the main peak, but when Lianxing saw the four sword attendants, Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum, sleeping in Chu Luren's outer room, she still had a look that said, "I can do that too!"

Liu Sheng Piaoxu wanted to use Tongtong as a breakthrough point to extract more information about Lingjiu Palace so that she could pass it on to her father.

After all, the current situation seems to indicate that Chu Luren has suddenly transformed from a lone wolf into a "leader" with his own Jianghu (江湖, the martial arts world) power.

Moreover, this force was previously quite secretive...

That day, Mei Jian and Zhu Jian went to fetch breakfast for Chu Luren and the other two. Liu Sheng Piaoxu watched their backs as they walked away and asked in a coaxing tone, "Tongtong, can you tell which one of them is the older sister?" She started by probing with these trivial questions!

"The one in red is my older sister," said Granny Tong, who also wanted to rediscover her original aspirations in order to pursue a higher level of martial arts.

After all, there's no chance to curry favor with the other people from the Nine Heavens and Nine Departments.

"Tongtong is so amazing! So who is the younger sister?" Liu Sheng Piaoxu had studied in Japan and knew that children of this age love to hear praise, which can quickly shorten the distance between them.

Tongtong gave Piaoxu a strange look, then said disdainfully, "Are you an idiot?"

There are only two sisters here. I've already told you who the older sister is, and you still want to ask me who the younger sister is?

Liu Shengpiaoxu:......

"Ah! It's all your fault!" Tongtong suddenly remembered that she was in a challenge not to swear, and couldn't help but glare at Piaoxu.

Piaoxu felt a sudden chill for no reason when Tongtong glared at her.

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Chu Luren happened to see the two of them and asked curiously.

"I'm teaching Sister Piaoxu to recognize plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums!" Tongtong said, while secretly glaring at Piaoxu, as if warning her to immediately forget her recent transgression.

"Yes, yes." Piaoxu's worldview had not yet fully recovered.

"Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, Tongtong, let's try to hold out until the seventh day of the new year... no, the third day!" What Chu Luren meant was "to hold out against swearing."

"Piaoxu, is this your first time celebrating the New Year outside of Japan?" Chu Luren asked Piaoxu with concern, "Did you also celebrate New Year's Eve in Japan?"

“Yes, my father and sister were there too. On New Year’s Eve, my father would give my sister and me jade pendants and we would eat cold food together for three days. I remember when I was little, before my mother passed away, she would add all sorts of beautiful carved decorations to each dish. My sister and brother would help out and practice their swordsmanship as well.” Liu Sheng Piaoxu said, a look of nostalgia on her face.

Chu Luren guessed that this wasn't entirely an act—her father was still alive, but her sister was really dead, and... with Lianxing as a contrast, she must miss her sister a lot now, right?

Meanwhile, Yagyu Tajima-no-kami was indeed organizing the Shinkage-ryu disciples hidden near Lin'an, instructing them, just like ten years ago, to carve patterns on food, both as a way to practice swordsmanship and to create a festive atmosphere for the New Year.

Firstly, his eldest son and eldest daughter had both passed away, and his youngest daughter was now an undercover agent for Chu Luren. Yagyu Tajima-no-kami outwardly didn't say anything, and even placed his children's lives after fame and fortune. However, during the New Year, he still felt a little sentimental. Secondly... the main decoration was red and white radishes cut into shreds, cut them up really hard!

According to Japanese custom, one should not disturb the Kitchen God for three days after New Year's Eve, and eat cold food for three consecutive days. However, some decorative plates will be made for the festive occasion.

It was after Yagyu Tajima-no-kami that the Japanese began to have the custom of using red and white radishes to decorate plates, and they had to be cut as finely as possible... It is said that this was for two reasons: first, to celebrate, and second, to ward off bad luck and plague.

Another New Year has arrived—this year was a relatively peaceful one for the Chu Lu people, who even held a special celebration at the Lingjiu Palace.

Although I don't know why, for several days in a row, Chu Luren felt like he was being talked about, but at least he was able to have a relatively peaceful New Year after years of being busy!

However, it was only the New Year, because Emei had planned to besiege Bright Peak in the spring. Therefore, on the fifth day of the New Year, Chu Luren led the Nine Heavens and Nine Divisions, each with fifty people, down Misty Peak and headed towards the valley where the people from various caves and islands, whom Wu Laoda had previously notified, were staying.

We plan to gather those demons and monsters first, and then head to Bright Peak...

Besides the Nine Heavens and Nine Departments, there were also Lianxing, Piaoxu, and Chu Luren brought four sword attendants and Tongtong—after all, it wouldn't be very safe for Tongtong to stay in Lingjiu Palace.

As for bringing along the four sword attendants, ostensibly to serve Chu Luren, their real purpose was to have them look after Tongtong.

Upon reaching the valley entrance, Chu Luren frowned slightly—instinctively sensing that the atmosphere in the valley was somewhat tense.

Although he hadn't seen anything, Chu Luren still had great faith in his intuition...

"These lackeys! The Lord has arrived, and no one even came to greet him?"

"My lord, why not kill half of them first, lest these scoundrels forget their master!"

"The sisters who came to inform them of the Lord's impending arrival have disappeared... Lord, should we set up an array to block this place?"

"Huh? Boss Wu is here..."

The four sword attendants and the leaders of various departments made some very bloody suggestions to Chu Luren, but Chu Luren stopped them by raising his hand.

At this moment, Wu Laoda also ran over, but this only made the women of Lingjiu Palace even more dissatisfied—was there only one person to greet them?

"Wu Kaishan pays respects to the Venerable One!" Upon seeing Chu Luren, Elder Wu immediately knelt down and said.

The two sides had corresponded before, so they were already aware that Chu Luren had become the new ruler.

"Little Wu, have you heard that I, the Lord, have ascended to the throne and are preparing... a surprise for me?" Chu Luren leaned forward on his horse.

"Your subordinates wouldn't dare! It's just... it's just..." Boss Wu immediately broke out in a cold sweat, cursing the guys who had asked him to come out and invite people in his mind.

"Hahaha, that's perfect! I'd like to see what surprises you've prepared!" Chu Luren said, dismounting directly from his horse.

"Lord..." Mei Jian couldn't help but call out.

"Wait for me here." Chu Luren stopped the four sword servants who were about to follow, then gave Lianxing a look.

The latter, understanding the situation perfectly, stayed outside to oversee the situation.

"Lead the way," Chu Luren said to Boss Wu in a condescending manner, showing no sign of nervousness and appearing as if he were going to the meeting alone.

"Yes, yes!" Old Wu breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that he hadn't been killed first.

After walking a few steps, Chu Luren asked casually, "Are there any other friends in the valley?"

Old Master Wu hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and replied, "And there's Sword God Zhuo Bufan, Flood Dragon King Buping Daoist, and Hibiscus Fairy Cui Lühua! A couple of days ago, the brothers and I had some disagreements with another group, and we were planning a fight. However… these three came to visit today under the guise of mediation, and as they talked, the conversation turned to the new Venerable Master. Some of the brothers don't know your abilities, so they're a bit… unconvinced, especially… about that Life and Death Talisman…"

Chu Luren understood that someone had indeed instigated the situation, but ultimately it was because he had not yet gained the support of the people—after all, many of the caves and islands were also isolated from the news.

Even if they knew that their martial arts skills were very high, they couldn't immediately equate them with the Tong Lao who had long cast a shadow over them.

As for having a grudge with another group, Chu Luren didn't care too much.

At this time, the Western Regions were a mixed bag, with countless people who had come to join the alliance with Emei Sect and wanted to take advantage of the situation. It was only natural that there would be some friction...

Chapter 594 Taking the Initiative

"Mr. Zhuo, if that Chu Taisui refuses to hand over the antidote, we hope you will keep your promise and uphold justice!"

"But... I'm worried, what if Chu Tai Sui doesn't have an antidote either, or doesn't have a complete antidote?"

"Hmph! No? Even if they don't have it, it doesn't mean they can have it easy. They finally outlived Granny Tong, are they going to be ridden around by a Chu Tai Sui and his bunch of little wenches, defecating and pissing on their necks?"

"This person is especially cunning. He even told me before that he has a grudge against the Child Granny..."

"Hehe, maybe he really did kill Granny Tong, and then 'persuaded' those young girls to become his servants?"

"Whether he's cunning or not, if he's sensible this time, let him be the king of Misty Peak and live a carefree life. But if he's not sensible... we'll have to experience being the lord ourselves!"

"Hahaha, everyone, rest assured. Since I, Zhuo, have come with Daoist Buping and Fairy Cui, it is naturally for justice. As you all know, my hatred for that Granny Tong is no less than yours..."

The people of the thirty-six caves and seventy-two islands in the valley are plotting... or rather, encouraging each other to keep their spirits up!

Zhuo Bufan, Buping Daoren, and Cui Lühua also made a strong guarantee that they would stand together with everyone today.

Actually, the three of them were getting a little annoyed—these demons and monsters, seemingly shouting, were actually... shouting repeatedly, which was clearly because they were guilty!

Among them were some figures who could be considered local heroes, yet they were so afraid of Lingjiu Palace...

However, even with just the three of them, they wouldn't dare to provoke Lingjiu Palace, even if Tonglao left and was replaced by Chu Taisui.

The three were driven by a desire for revenge and also by a desire for the treasures and collections in Lingjiu Palace. They patiently reassured everyone, and then made up their minds that they must not let Chu Luren reconcile with them!

Just as they had finished discussing how to fight the vile maids outside, Zhuo Bufan's words were interrupted by...

Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tick-tock—

A high-pitched suona sound seemed to rise from all directions, and the sound waves swept into the valley one after another!

It wasn't the "Swordsman Song," nor the "Pure Heart and Universal Benevolence Mantra," nor the "Azure Sea Tide Song," but rather "Sunrise at Emei," a song that Chu Luren had specially practiced to prepare for the event organized by Emei and to bring good luck—well, it was roughly like copying the "Infinite Life Sutra" during a birthday celebration, a kind of good luck without any real reason.

At this moment, Chu Luren's sonic skills could be described as having reached a state of perfection. In terms of palm techniques, sword techniques, and internal energy, there are many people in the martial arts world who are more skilled than Chu Luren, but in terms of sonic skills, he can be said to be unparalleled!

Although Chu Luren often used sound skills, he mostly used them to intimidate people, unlike the Golden Lion King back then who used them as a harmful move to cause a lot of casualties. Therefore, many people subconsciously overlooked Chu Luren's sound skills.

Moreover, Chu Luren's skill level is now comparable to that of other peerless masters. At this moment, he uses his sonic power to play a tune, causing the demons and monsters in the valley to tremble with fear.

I felt this "demonic sound" penetrating my body and rising to my brain from every pore of my limbs!

The melody of "Sunrise over Mount Emei" is initially grand and sweeping, followed by a stirring and unforgettable feeling. However, to the ears of the monsters, it only feels that this domineering and majestic aura belongs to others. They feel like ants facing an opponent as imposing as mountains, and even the thought of resistance is gradually eroded away.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Zhuo Bufan quickly tried to change the subject by exchanging pleasantries with Chu Luren...

However, no matter how Zhuo Bufan tried to speak, all that others saw was his "comical" appearance of only moving his mouth without making a sound, so "comical" that no one could laugh.

It was a melody that overwhelmed all other sounds; under the suona music played by the Chu Lu people, no other sound could be uttered!

Even Zhuo Bufan and Buping Daoren could barely hear their own voices, but the cave masters and island masters below them could not hear their own voices no matter how they spoke or how they screamed in fear—even bone conduction had been blocked!

This wasn't just a matter of superior power; it was also due to a vast difference in sonic techniques.

If Zhuo Bufan possessed Huang Yaoshi's mastery of sound manipulation, with his skill, he might have been able to emit some faint sounds that could be heard...

Chu Luren still didn't make the music aggressive. Instead, these people, because of their eagerness and restlessness, tried to make a sound by randomly channeling their energy, resulting in some of them getting their breath mixed up and suffering minor injuries.

Halfway through the song, a Chu Luren, draped in a rooster and goose feather cloak and looking as if he had stepped out of a third-rate mobile game, walked over majestically—Shui Sheng's cloak finally came in handy.

The delayed melody, like the background music of the Chu Lu people, walked over step by step. Wherever they passed, the island lords and cave lords made way for them, and unconsciously lowered their heads and bent their backs, completely losing the energy they had just had to comfort and shout at each other.