The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

However, seeing that her brother Wuji was bewitched, she wanted to first immobilize his acupoints, kill the spy, and then explain. But Zhang Wuji had now completed the Nine Yang Technique, and when she exerted her strength, she was instead countered by Zhang Wuji's protective true energy!

Moreover, as she stumbled, she lost her grip on the sword in her other hand, which was caught by the ugly girl, who pointed at her and said, "Miss, you see, I can kill you now without breaking a sweat..." Then she sheathed the sword and said, "It's clear I have no intention of harming you!"

Seeing this, Zhang Wuji nodded repeatedly and said, "That's right, Sister Bu Hui, I wasn't wrong, was I?"

Chu Luren: ...

Chu Luren rolled his eyes – what kind of logic is this?

What the hell? So it was effortless? Does that mean you, Zhang Wuji, are dead? If she really wanted to kill your sister Bu Hui, would you just pretend you didn't see it?

"Ah, my mother was right. Indeed, the more beautiful a woman is, the more likely she is to deceive. Sister Bu Hui, you actually secretly acupunctured me." Zhang Wuji pretended to be sad and changed the subject.

Chu Luren muttered to himself: But your mother didn't say that being ugly means you can't lie, right?

Yang Buhui pouted slightly, a little petulant, but seeing that Zhang Wuji had already said so, she didn't pursue the matter of the ugly girl for the time being. Instead, she chuckled and said, "Who would have thought that Brother Wuji's martial arts are so high now? I can't even hit you! By the way, how have you been all these years... Xiao Zhao! What are you still doing here?"

Yang Buhui wanted to catch up with Zhang Wuji, which made Xiao Zhao seem a bit of an eyesore.

"Of course Xiao Zhao will serve Miss," Xiao Zhao said, feeling wronged.

Her disguise was really simple; she didn't need to consider any changes in expression at all—once the disfigurement makeup was applied, her entire face looked lifeless!

"Who is he?" Yang Buhui looked at Chu Luren in his feathered outfit. He was dressed so ostentatiously, he couldn't possibly be an enemy who had sneaked up here, could he?

"This is Brother Chu... the leader of the Righteous and Heroic Alliance," Zhang Wuji immediately said to Yang Buhui.

Having been trapped in a cave for years, he had no idea who Chu Luren was, nor had he ever heard of Lingjiu Palace. He had seen Chu Luren save the Ming Cult members and act very reliable, and Zhuang Zhangqi had mentioned Chu Luren's identity as the leader of the alliance, so he thought... no, he quickly accepted Chu Luren's identity as a "righteous hero".

"Brother Chu? Is there such an alliance? Could it be the people who are besieging us?" Yang Buhui was clearly caught off guard.

“Miss Yang, you are mistaken. Why do you think that the Righteous Alliance is here to oppose the Ming Cult? Wouldn’t that be handing over a handle to the enemy and giving them the word ‘chivalry’? The Ming Cult not only upholds justice but also organizes righteous armies. They are the backbone of our Han people. We should believe that victory will be on the side of justice when those wicked and sycophantic people besiege the Ming Cult!” Chu Luren said with a hint of criticism amid his dissatisfaction.

Yang Buhui: ? ? ?

So... you're trying to steal the word "chivalry" from me?

This was quite unfamiliar to the members of the Ming Cult—in the past, even if the Ming Cult members had done nothing wrong, they would only say that they were upright and honest and would not associate with hypocritical people...

Anyone who dared to "act chivalrously" against the Ming Cult would be ridiculed by the Ming Cult as a hypocrite or a false righteous person, but they never thought of presenting themselves as the righteous path.

"That……"

"By the way, the Bat King also calls Brother Chu...Chu Tai Sui." Zhang Wuji was also a little puzzled. Why would someone as good as Brother Chu be called Tai Sui?

Yang Buhui: !!!

"Brother Chu, I'm so sorry, my identity is sensitive, and I didn't tell you the truth before. Actually, my surname is Zhang," Zhang Wuji said apologetically.

"Haha, it's alright. I suppose... Brother Zhang is also concerned about the Lion King, right? Alas, Master Zhang is still deeply saddened by the matter of honoring our parents back then. It's fine for you to conceal your identity, but don't forget to visit Wudang Mountain and meet Master Zhang in the future."

Upon hearing that Chu Luren was also acquainted with his grandmaster, Zhang Wuji became even more convinced that Brother Chu must be a leader of the righteous path who disagreed with Extinction, and at the same time, he missed Wudang even more.

Yang Buhui then turned his attention to something and said, "Xiao Zhao, go and serve Alliance Leader Chu...! We don't need you here."

Chapter 612 They Apostasy

When Yang Buhui realized that the person before her was none other than Chu Taisui, her heart skipped a beat—she had been on Bright Peak for a long time and was very well-informed; she certainly didn't want to hear too much about the legends of "Chu Taisui"...

However, their knowledge of "legends" is limited, and most of it is just hearsay—gossip, after all! They rarely spread positive energy!

They won't talk about how upright and chivalrous Chu Luren is; they'll only say things like "a little devil pushing a boat" or "ashes mixed with salted fish"...

Therefore, it's easy to imagine what image Chu Luren would have in Yang Buhui's mind, so...

Yang Buhui planned to kill two birds with one stone: to have Xiao Zhao take care of Chu Taisui. If she did anything wrong, Chu Taisui would probably just throw her away without her getting in the way.

"Yes," Xiao Zhao said, feeling wronged.

Chu Luren always felt that Yang Buhui seemed to have some misunderstanding about him—"I've clearly been considering the bigger picture and haven't disciplined your father yet..."

This was promised to Island Master Huang, it's just... temporarily postponed!

Afterwards, Xiao Zhao led Chu Luren to the place where guests were staying. Chu Luren thought for a moment and realized that he did have something to say to Xiao Zhao, so he did not refuse.

While guiding Chu Luren, Xiao Zhao was also thinking about the immediate situation.

With all the major sects poised to storm Bright Peak, and he still unable to find the secret passage to open it, what was he to do...?

As for Chu Tai Sui, Xiao Zhao didn't pay much attention to him.

She'd drop him off at his destination later, then make an excuse to leave. No matter what kind of reputation Chu Luren had on Bright Peak, she knew exactly what she was doing with her disfigured makeup!

What could he possibly think of himself?

However, they hadn't gone far when Chu Luren suddenly said to Xiao Zhao, "Xiao Zhao, let's go get the 'Great Shift of Heaven and Earth'!"

"Hmm... Ah?" Xiao Zhao instinctively wanted to agree, no matter what she was given, she had to serve Chu Luren first.

However, after realizing what he said... she completely lost it!

"Young Master Chu, what did you mean by Great Shift?" Xiao Zhao asked cautiously, trying to explain herself.

"You've been in the Ming Cult for so long, haven't you found a single clue? The Ming Cult's Sacred Flame Token has already been found by the Persian headquarters, and they want to exchange it!" Chu Luren frowned upon hearing this.

Xiao Zhao's heart was in turmoil; she couldn't understand why Chu Luren knew about such a secret...

They even specifically mentioned the Persian headquarters, could it be...?

"Does Young Master Chu recognize my mother?" Xiao Zhao asked cautiously.

"Your mother wants to use the 'Great Shift of Heaven and Earth' to atone for her crimes? I, Chu, don't think it's necessary." Chu Luren didn't give a direct answer.

Xiao Zhao was now certain that Chu Tai Sui recognized her mother!

Could it be a helper that Mom found?

"Then... what does Young Master Chu want the 'Great Shift of Heaven and Earth' for?" Xiao Zhao's guard was down considerably, but she still had some concerns.

Before Chu Luren could answer, Xiao Zhao said, "Young Master Chu, you can do whatever you want, but if you really can obtain the 'Great Shift of Heaven and Earth,' could Xiao Zhao make a copy and give it to my mother?"

Chu Luren shook his head upon hearing this. Xiao Zhao felt a chill in her heart, and at the same time, she wondered to herself, could this person not be the helper her mother had found? Then how did he know all this...?

Could it be the Persian headquarters...? But he's clearly a Han Chinese!

"You can certainly copy the 'Great Shift of the Universe,' but to take it back to Persia to atone for your sins? I, Chu, cannot agree! The Persian headquarters has already submitted to the Mongols, yet they still want to make a fuss about the Ming Cult in the Central Plains? We'll just take the 'Great Shift of the Universe' and reclaim the Sacred Flame Token, and then we'll ignore the Persian headquarters," Chu Luren said directly.

Dai Qisi, the Purple-Robed Dragon King, originally came to the Central Plains from the Ming Cult's headquarters in order to obtain the "Great Shift of the Universe" technique. Before that, the Persian headquarters was divided into two factions, one resisting the Mongols and the other surrendering to them, due to the Mongol invasion. Although the latter won by taking advantage of the Mongols' power, they lost the sect's supreme divine skill, the "Great Shift of the Universe".

Therefore, he has always wanted to retrieve the version that was transmitted to the Central Plains from Bright Peak.

However, they couldn't say it outright, so they sent Dai Qisi. At that time, although the Ming Cult did not respect the orders of the Persian headquarters, the Mongols had not yet invaded the Central Plains, and the relationship between the two sides was not too strained. They couldn't treat them as transparent, so they appointed Dai Qisi as the Purple-Robed Dragon King, nominally the head of the Four Great Dharma Kings.

However, later, because Dai Qisi fell in love with Han Qianye, she disregarded the rule that a holy maiden must not lose her chastity and married Han Qianye.

After the deaths of Han Qianye and Yang Dingtian, Dai Qisi's goal became to find the "Great Shift of Heaven and Earth" and bring it back to Persia to atone for her sins.

However, in Chu Luren's view, this was naturally unnecessary...

Since the people of the Persian headquarters are already on the Mongol side, there may be another battle in the future. Dai Qisi might as well be determined to stand on the side of the Ming Cult. The Persians can burn their own Holy Maiden, but can they burn the Purple-Robed Dragon King of the Ming Cult?

"Ah? This... how can this be!" Xiao Zhao exclaimed in surprise.

From a young age, she was instilled with the belief by her mother that the Persian headquarters was invincible, and even... because she was the daughter of her mother and Han Qianye, and a symbol of the loss of chastity of the saintess, she had some "original sin" ideas. Therefore, she never complained when she was hiding on Bright Peak, searching for the "Great Shift of Heaven and Earth".

Chu Luren thought for a moment and said, "The Persians have even lost the 'Great Shift of the Universe' manual, which shows that the Holy Fire has abandoned them. Xiao Zhao, you can have the 'Great Shift of the Universe' if you want it, but... if you send the 'Great Shift of the Universe' back to Persia, your mother Dai Qisi will only be a sinner, at most she will be spared death."

But if you master the "Great Shift of Heaven and Earth" and reclaim the Sacred Flame Token, you will be the leader of the Ming Cult. The Ming Cult at Bright Peak will then be the true orthodox sect of the Sacred Flame Cult. You can issue a decree to summon the Persians; if they dare to disobey, they will be considered traitors!

Xiao Zhao could somewhat understand Yang Buhui's feelings just now...

Originally, Dai Qisi and her daughter Xiao Zhao had always been thinking about how to atone for their sin of betraying their religion.

How did it become... in Chu Tai Sui's mouth?

The Persian headquarters... no, it was the Persian branch that was abandoned by the Holy Flame. They dared to disobey the decree; they... they betrayed the religion?

It's no wonder that Dai Qisi was short-sighted. After all, she was a Persian and a saint, and had long been brainwashed. Although she temporarily ignored the religious rules under the power of love, she felt from the bottom of her heart that she was deeply sinful. This thought would naturally affect Xiao Zhao as well.

In contrast, the Han people, from their cultural roots, do not accept the doctrine of original sin. Even the Ming Cult—which is called a sect, not only does it ignore the main altar, but also... has monks and Taoists under its command. The sacred flame has long become a spirit rather than a belief.

Xiao Zhao was also half Han Chinese, and grew up in the culture of Central China...

Chu Luren noticed that she was somewhat persuaded, so he continued to encourage her: "It's settled then. After we find the 'Great Shift of Heaven and Earth,' I will teach you how to practice it and see if there's any way to master it quickly. We'll practice until we get a basic understanding, and then you can become the sect leader!"

Chu Luren was, after all, an outsider. Zhang Wuji was, after all, the grandson of the Eagle King. Chu Luren figured that even if he saved the Ming Cult after learning the "Great Shift of the Universe," Yang Xiao and the others would probably just ignore the fact that he had learned the sect's most powerful skill and at most call him "benefactor."

In contrast, if Xiao Zhao could master it, she would be of impeccable lineage—the daughter of the Purple-Robed Dragon King and the Holy Maiden of the main altar. In the original work, those fools in the Persian Holy Fire Cult who believed in bloodlines would all want her to be their leader. As long as she could master the "Great Shift of the Universe" and obtain the "Holy Fire Token," she would naturally be able to become the leader of the Ming Cult!

Chapter 613 This place must be where the sect leader is in seclusion

"How... how can that be... but the sacred flame..." Xiao Zhao said absentmindedly.

Clearly, Chu Luren's words had a significant impact on her—they were completely different from the education she had received from Dai Qisi.

“Why not? Your mother is the Purple-Robed Dragon King of the Ming Cult and also the Holy Maiden of the Persian Holy Fire Cult. If you can master the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth, I think you will be the chosen one of Heaven… the Holy Fire will belong to you, and you will be the Holy Fire!” Chu Luren said in a serious tone.

"Pfft... Young Master Chu, you really know how to talk nonsense." Xiao Zhao was amused by Chu Luren's serious expression as he said these inexplicable things.

Then Xiao Zhao's expression darkened and she said, "However, cultivating the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth is extremely difficult. The previous leader, Yang Dingtian, cultivated to the fourth level. Even compared with the leaders of the Persian headquarters in the place of origin, he was a rare genius. Most of them only cultivated to the second or third level. For example, Yang Zuoshi has profound internal strength and extraordinary talent, but he only cultivated to the second level... My mother said that the leader Yang should have passed on the first three levels to him back then."

Indeed, normally speaking, the "Great Shift of the Universe" requires not only high comprehension to comprehend, but even mastering just the first level requires seven years of dedicated practice—this is the upper limit. If one cannot master it in seven years, it means that with the cultivator's comprehension, even the first level is unsuitable for cultivation.

Even if Yang Xiao only started cultivating after Yang Dingtian died, it had already been thirty years. If he broke through to the second level ten years ago, perhaps he would have a chance to break through to the third level in another twenty years. If he broke through in recent years, it means that with his talent, he would only ever reach the second level.

Moreover... even when Yang Xiao cultivated to the second level, weren't others still unconvinced?

After thinking for a moment, Chu Luren said, "You are different from Yang Xiao. That old scumbag is arrogant and always hurts people with his arrogance. Of course, others will not respect him. Xiao Zhao, your words... may have a 'miraculous effect'."

Chu Luren wasn't just making things up. Even when Yang Xiao mastered the second level of the "Great Shift of the Universe," no one was convinced because he was "Yang Xiao." If it were Xiao Zhao, it might not be the case.

The reason why members of the Ming Cult are not convinced of each other is simply because they feel that others are not qualified to be their leader or their superior.

As for Xiao Zhao, she is a girl who is usually weak and timid. If she is made the nominal leader, and then the left and right envoys and the four Dharma Kings are added, important matters of the sect can be discussed and decided by everyone. Others may not be dissatisfied.

Sometimes, a "weakness" can actually be a "strength"...

Seeing that Chu Luren had already come to this point, and since the other party already knew her identity, there was no point in hiding it anymore. So Xiao Zhao whispered to Chu Luren, "The secret passage is in Miss's room. We need to hurry while she is with that Young Master Zhang. It would be terrible if we got stuck inside."

After saying that, Xiao Zhao led Chu Luren through various secret passages...

There are many secret passages on Bright Peak. Dai Qisi knew some of them, and Xiao Zhao had also explored some of them herself—no wonder Yang Buhui found her suspicious.

Anyone's maid would be suspicious if she appeared and disappeared mysteriously all the time!