The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

Chapter 606 Sharp Gold

Despite some setbacks, the Righteous and Chivalrous Alliance finally managed to unite the forces of the Sun Moon Sect.

However, due to internal issues within the Sun Moon Cult, the assembled team suffered significant losses...

Furthermore, due to the Sun Moon Sect, the alliance has temporarily lost one more member – Island Master Sima is recovering from his injuries and is unable to fight.

As they approached Bright Summit, they had already encountered some people from various factions who were trying to take advantage of the chaos.

"Alliance Leader Chu, the western city that guards Bright Peak is just ahead. If we just move forward like this, the Ming Cult will probably make a move. Should we first openly communicate with them to avoid any misunderstandings?" Tong Baixiong suggested to Chu Luren.

Although Tong Baixiong still addresses Chu as "Alliance Leader" instead of "Alliance Leader" because the Sun Moon Sect did not join the alliance, it can be seen that Tong Baixiong still respects Chu Luren.

If Dongfang Bubai decides to join the alliance later, he will at least not stop him.

“Alright, then Hall Master Tong, come with me to take a look.” Chu Luren said, inviting Tong Baixiong to go forward together.

The reason for waiting for the Sun Moon Cult members was not only to bolster their prestige, but also because some of the "old guard" among them were familiar with Bright Peak. Dongfang Bubai had also specially sent Tong Baixiong, a "veteran minister of three dynasties," to guide them.

After walking less than two miles, they saw this so-called West City—which was actually just a stronghold surrounded by a small earthen wall.

“There are guard cities on all four sides of Bright Peak. When Master Yang Dingtian was alive, these guard cities were where the Five Elements Flags guarded Bright Peak. However, back then… Yang Xiao was unable to win over the people. Not only did the Eagle King and the Bat King leave, but our Sun Moon Divine Sect split off, and the Five Elements Flags also left Bright Peak. I don’t know what the situation is now,” Tong Baixiong explained.

Back when the Sun Moon Cult and the Ming Cult separated, Tong Baixiong was just a lowly junior officer in the Ruijin Banner. Disappointed with Yang Xiao, he also led his brothers to join Ren Woxing when Ren Woxing broke away from the Persian Holy Fire Cult headquarters.

He also followed Ren Woxing in reducing the power of those Persians who wanted to act as tools for others, and bringing the Sun Moon Cult back under their control.

Later, he gradually came to understand Ren Woxing and began to grow closer to Dongfang Bubai, the Left Envoy at the time...

Dongfang Bubai was not originally from the Ming Cult. He was invited by Ren Woxing to join the Sun Moon Cult. He was much younger than Tong Baixiong. Therefore, after Dongfang Bubai took over as leader, the true nature of the Ming Cult was almost gone, and all the Persian pawns were kicked out.

"This is a sacred ground of the Ming Cult. Unauthorized personnel, please leave!" A loud shout came from the earthen wall. A burly man holding a spiked club shouted this out.

Because only Chu Luren and Tong Baixiong approached, this person guessed that they were not on the same side as the major sects, so instead of bringing people to ambush them, he directly showed up and stopped them.

"Huh?" Tong Baixiong recognized the man and moved closer, then called out, "Is this Brother Zhuang? Don't you remember our old acquaintance from back in the banner?"

This person is Zhuang Zheng, the current flag bearer of the Ruijin Banner. Although back then, the Eagle King, Yang Xiao, and the Five Elements Banner fought for the right to lead the sect, and in the end, none of them would submit to the other, and they all broke up, now that Bright Peak is in trouble, the Five Elements Banner has returned to protect the holy land...

Zhuang Zheng recognized the big man—back then, he and Tong Baixiong were both junior officers of the Ruijin Banner, but... more than 30 years have passed, and the two haven't seen each other in that time, so the changes are too great!

Tong Baixiong was able to recognize him at a glance, mostly because there are very few martial artists in the world who use spiked clubs.

However, reminded of this, Zhuang Zheng recognized him and frowned, saying, "So it's... Brother Tong. Why aren't you enjoying yourself at Blackwood Cliff? What are you doing in this desolate desert?"

Unlike the Eagle Sect, Yin Tianzheng also established his own sect, but nominally he still regarded Bright Peak as a holy site. The relationship between the two was like that of two Zen sects that established different temples.

However, back then, the Sun Moon Sect, through the instigation of the Persian pawns, completely split off, reinterpreted its doctrines, took Blackwood Cliff as its holy site, and directly challenged Bright Peak for orthodoxy!

Therefore, Zhuang Zheng couldn't help but feel angry when he saw Tong Baixiong.

"Brother Zhuang, why speak such angry words? Whether it's Bright Peak or Blackwood Cliff, we should be of one mind and one heart. Besides... even if we brothers were to turn against each other and fight to the death, it would be a matter between us. How could we allow outsiders to bully us?" Tong Baixiong said loudly.

Hearing Tong Baixiong's words, Zhuang Zheng was slightly moved, so he asked, "Is this person next to you... the Eastern Cult Leader?"

He had never met Dongfang Bubai, but... he vaguely felt that Dongfang Bubai was too young?

However, before Tong Baixiong spoke, he was always half a body length behind this person, so he couldn't guess who it was except for Dongfang Bubai.

After all, the Chu Lu people's salted fish are now hanging on the horses of the Four Swordsmen...

"Greetings, Flag Master Zhuang. I, Chu, was once just a wanderer in the martial world. Recently, feeling the chaos and upheaval in the martial world, I established the Righteous and Righteous Alliance in the hope of ending the war in the martial world." Chu Luren then cupped his hands and said.

Zhuang Zheng: ? ? ?

He understood what was said earlier; it turned out that this person was none other than Chu Luren, the second-ranked figure on the Heavenly Ranking and the Red and White Grand Duke, who had gained great fame in recent years!

But what was said next?

"What alliance?" Zhuang Zheng felt it might be because the wind was too strong in the desert.

"It can also be called the Righteous Alliance or the Heroic Alliance! This time, our alliance is here for the sake of the Ming Cult." Chu Luren didn't expect that Zhuang Zheng, who seemed to have considerable martial arts skills, would be hard of hearing. So he used his internal energy to accurately send his voice into Zhuang Zheng's ears.

Zhuang Zheng: ...

"What does the Ming Cult have to do with... well, the Righteous Alliance?" Zhuang Zheng asked somewhat reluctantly.

It's not that I dislike the name, but I suspect they want to take advantage of our misfortune and annex the Ming Cult—dream on!

"The Ming Cult is the largest martial arts sect in the Central Plains and the Western Regions, and the spiritual leader of many anti-Yuan righteous armies. The Emei Sect is acting against the natural order, disrupting the martial arts world, and instigating conflicts. Our Righteous Alliance naturally cannot stand idly by!"

Moreover… I, Chu, also hope that everyone in the Ming Cult can join our alliance and work with us to uphold the righteous path of the martial world. We must not only resolve the current crisis at Bright Peak, but also work together to resolve other acts like those committed by Emei today! Chu Luren extended an invitation.

Unlike the Yihua Palace, Lingjiu Palace, and Sun Moon Sect, the Ming Cult needs the consent of "everyone"—because the Ming Cult currently has no one who can make decisions.

"The Sun Moon Cult has already joined... the Righteous Alliance? Who else is in the alliance?" Zhuang Zheng was quite resistant to this, but still asked one more question.

"The sect leader ordered me to lead this trip under the command of Alliance Leader Chu," Tong Baixiong said vaguely.

Chu Luren then replied, "To be honest, I am now also the master of Lingjiu Palace, so we can be considered neighbors..."

Most martial arts practitioners don't know about Lingjiu Palace, but the Ming Cult, which is also in the Western Regions, certainly does. The two are quite far apart in a straight line, but considering the vastness and sparse population of the Western Regions desert, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that they are neighbors, since there aren't many habitable places in between.

"The Starry Sky Sect has already joined, and I also have some connections with the Moon Palace Master of the Flower Palace..." Chu Luren said, still a little embarrassed. After all, Moon Palace Master had a crush on me.

"In addition..." Chu Luren casually listed some of the more famous ones from the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands, then said, "Of course, if the Ming Cult joins, it will be just like my Lingjiu Palace, Yihua Palace, and Xingxiu Sect, all founding sects of our alliance! Our alliance prioritizes chivalry and takes it upon itself to uphold the righteous path of the martial world, and will never interfere in the affairs of other sects without authorization..."

Zhuang Zheng wasn't at the point of considering joining; instead, he asked somewhat absentmindedly, "What... kind of alliance are you?"

Chu Luren: ? ? ?

How come the leader of this Ruijin Banner is not only hard of hearing but also forgetful?

Chapter 607 A Loose Sand

Zhuang Zheng finally sorted out his thoughts. Although he didn't understand why it was called the "Righteous Alliance" or the "Chivalrous Alliance," he at least understood what kind of alliance it was...

However, Zhuang Zheng did not agree to join the alliance!

Among the flag leaders of the Five Elements Flag, Zhuang Zheng can be considered to have some seniority – among the Five Elements Flag, Zhuang Zheng has the highest martial arts skills!

In the original work, Zhuang Zheng even gained the upper hand and even won against Miejue, who was only using an ordinary longsword. However, he was later killed by Miejue, who was now wielding the Heaven-Slaying Sword.

From the time of Fang La to the time of Yang Dingtian, the Five Elements Flags were always the guards of Bright Peak and the personal soldiers of the leader. However, Yang Xiao was unable to win over the people, so he ordered the Five Elements Flags to leave Bright Peak.

The Five Elements Banner had a large number of followers, so they were stationed directly in the Western Regions and were considered warlords. The Silk Road alone was enough for them to make a living until the Mongols swept through the country, at which point their lives became more difficult.

In theory, the flag leaders of the Five Elements Flags are all of equal rank, and their only direct superior is the sect leader.

However, since there is no leader now, the Five Elements Flags still need someone to lead them if they want to stick together as a team.

Although it wasn't explicitly stated, Zhuang Zheng is currently the most prestigious and influential of the five banner leaders.

Zhuang Zheng arrived with inherent resistance—if the Five Elements Flag didn't even submit to Yang Xiao, how could they possibly submit to Chu Luren? Although Chu Luren emphasized that within the Righteous Alliance, he, as the leader, and the sects that joined the alliance were not in a subordinate relationship, Zhuang Zheng still harbored reservations…

Secondly, the Five Elements Flag still has a strong sense of belonging to the Ming Cult, but they lack a leader they can respect. Therefore, even if they were to join the alliance, the Five Elements Flag would stand with Bright Peak.

"Thank you for your kindness, Alliance Leader Chu, but... Zhuang Zheng is still Zhuang Zheng of the Sharp Gold Banner, Zhuang Zheng of the Five Elements Banner, and Zhuang Zheng of the Ming Cult. You really shouldn't be asking me to join the alliance." Zhuang Zheng politely declined.

Chu Luren understood Zhuang Zheng's meaning and asked, "Does that require the approval of... Leader Yang?"

"Who does Yang Xiao think he is?" Zhuang Zheng retorted immediately, sticking out his neck.

He was clearly very dissatisfied with Yang Xiao!

"That... the White-browed Eagle King?"

"He can only be the leader of his Sky Eagle Cult, hmph!"

"Blue Winged Bat King?"

"A sickly person..."

"The Five Wanderers?"

"Them? They're good for rebelling, but they want to interfere in the affairs of the headquarters?"

Chu Luren: ...

"Ahem, Commander Zhuang, our alliance truly doesn't understand the affairs of the Ming Cult. Why don't you name someone, and I'll go find him?" Chu Luren asked directly.

Zhuang Zheng opened his mouth, but then said nothing—it seemed that he wouldn't be convinced by anyone who agreed.

This is probably why the Ming Cult is now being bullied – everyone still feels a sense of belonging to the Ming Cult, but... no one is willing to submit to anyone else!

"Alas, it's a pity that our sect leader Yang Dingtian suddenly disappeared back then, otherwise our sect would not have... Alas!" Zhuang Zheng sighed.

In the early years, whether it was the Five Elements Flag, the Dharma King who left Bright Peak, or the wandering people, they all wondered if Yang Dingtian would suddenly jump out one day.

However, now that more than 30 years have passed, people have basically accepted the fact that Master Yang is dead.

"Commander Zhuang, we still need to look forward... As an outsider, I shouldn't say too much, but given the current situation, since both the Five Elements Banner and the Sky Eagle Sect are determined to protect Bright Peak, even if we don't consider who becomes the leader, shouldn't we come up with a plan?" Chu Luren suggested frankly.

After a moment of uncertainty, Zhuang Zheng calmly said, "Please excuse my poor performance, Alliance Leader Chu..."

Just as Chu Luren was about to be polite, Zhuang Zheng decided, "In that case, I'll trouble your alliance to rest outside the West City first. If you lack wine or meat, you can tell the brothers in the city. As for whether to take action when the enemy comes, that's up to you... Alliance Leader Chu can come with me to Bright Peak first. No matter who becomes the leader, we still need to... talk to them!"

Zhuang Zheng was still unconvinced by Yang Xiao and the other Dharma Kings, but he was willing to go to Bright Peak with Chu Luren first. At least... if Yang Xiao and the others agreed to join the alliance, they could join first and then slowly discuss who should be the leader.

However, before that, Zhuang Zheng would not allow "outsiders" to enter the area of ​​Bright Peak, that is, they must not cross the West City. He also made it clear to Chu Luren that since they had not yet joined the alliance, the brothers in the alliance could not participate in the siege of Bright Peak, and no one would owe anyone anything.

“That’s excellent. I also want to meet the heroes of the Ming Cult,” Chu Luren nodded.

Tong Baixiong also wanted to go, but Zhuang Zheng reminded him that others might not be friendly to the Sun Moon Cult members, and it could have a negative effect.

Therefore, Chu Luren didn't bring anyone with him, but instead left Lianxing to oversee the overall situation.

If Li Qiushui were to harm Tong Lao at this moment, Lian Xing would be the main fighting force.

Chu Luren, on the other hand, went to Bright Peak alone with Zhuang Zheng!

Firstly, his skill was exceptional and his courage was boundless; secondly... Chu Luren couldn't fathom what reason the Ming Cult would have to make things difficult for him at this time.

Bright Peak is located in a dangerous area, but unlike Blackwood Cliff and Lingjiu Palace, it is not completely isolated from ordinary people.

There is indeed a path to the summit, but it is narrow, with many easily defensible and difficult-to-attack sections, and requires traversing hidden tunnels along the way. It would be impossible to encircle and annihilate it with a large army.

At this moment, Bright Peak was in chaos. Although Zhuang Zheng, the leader of the Sharp Gold Banner, was leading the way, they were blocked at one checkpoint after another. After all, Zhuang Zheng had not returned to Bright Peak for a long time. However, they all knew that the Five Elements Banner had come back to help. Moreover, there were only Zhuang Zheng and Chu Luren. So, they were only delayed for a while and were not stopped.

During this time, Chu Luren noticed Zhuang Zheng looking around with a wistful expression, and guessed...

After the Five Elements Banners returned, they probably just formed a battle formation on the spot and took their positions in several garrison cities, without ever returning to Bright Peak!

Even in this dire situation, within the Ming Cult, no one was willing to submit to anyone else, and everyone harbored resentment.

Upon reaching the mountaintop, the guards at the mountain gate asked in surprise, "Are you... the Banner Master?"