The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

Chu Luren had already come up with a reason...

"Actually, when we fought before, I noticed that Right Envoy Fan was intentionally hiding his own family's style. Moreover, his moves were diverse and similar to my brother Murong. He would occasionally reveal some of his own styles, which were all martial arts from various schools in the Central Plains, and not from the Western Regions. So at that time, I already suspected Right Envoy Fan's identity."

Then, regarding the Purple-Robed Dragon King, I learned about what happened back then from her, so…” Chu Luren paused here.

In short, Chu Luren insisted that he had guessed it himself!

That's not wrong. It's hard to say that Fan Yao has any special skills. His swordsmanship is a mix of various schools, and he is good at frequently changing his moves in order to gain the upper hand.

However, the fact that the martial arts skills are so high and so diverse is itself a unique characteristic.

Chu Luren said that he guessed Fan Yao's identity from Dai Qisi's accusations, and then tested him with words, which Fan Yao could not refute.

"So that's how it is. I've long heard of Chu Taisui's vast martial arts skills, which are unparalleled in the martial arts world. Seeing him today, I can see that his reputation is well-deserved..." Fan Yao said, a desolate expression on his face.

After a pause, Fan Yao asked with some bitterness, "I wonder if Lord Chu has revealed this matter to Dai Qisi?"

"I really didn't want to cause any more conflict between the Dragon King and the Ming Cult, so I didn't mention it," Chu Luren said, shaking his head.

"Thank you, Lord Chu." Fan Yao breathed a slight sigh of relief.

"However, this matter can be kept secret for a while, but not forever. Now that 'Bitter Monk' has been discovered, as long as the Dragon King doesn't return to Persia, he will eventually..."

As Chu Luren was speaking, Fan Yao took the initiative to speak, saying, "I, Fan, have killed a fellow disciple of the sect without authorization. I should be executed by burning at the stake. There is nothing I can say to deny it."

Dai Qisi has nominally left the Ming Cult, but as the head of the Four Protectors, besides the cult leader, who has the right to say that she is no longer a member of the Ming Cult?

She herself is not qualified.

"Right Envoy Fan, you flatter me. Han Qianye is not a member of the Ming Cult. However... the Ming Cult has been leaderless for a long time. I think the Dragon King's daughter is very suitable. I wonder if Right Envoy Fan would be willing to support her?" Chu Luren said after careful consideration.

The fact that Fan Yao was infiltrating the Prince of Ruyang's mansion could not be known to ordinary followers. However, Yang Xiao, Yin Tianzheng, Wei Yixiao, Zhuang Zheng, and one or two of the Five Wanderers could inform them in advance.

With the support of the meritorious Fan Yao, they would be even less likely to object, but...

Fan Yao and Xiao Zhao have a blood feud, with Fan Yao killing Xiao Zhao's father!

"She...has another daughter?" Fan Yao was taken aback upon hearing this.

Even though Xiao Zhao has no memory of her father at all, Dai Qisi is still alive.

Fan Yao had already violated the sect rules, but if someone else were the sect leader, no one would punish him for the sake of Han Qianye, not even if the Purple-Robed Dragon King were included.

But if it were Han Qianye's daughter...

Afraid that they won't die fast enough?

So Chu Luren hesitated before deciding whether or not to speak up.

But if we really want to force Zhao Mei to become the leader, this matter is ultimately unavoidable—either pretend we don't know and directly kill Fan Yao, or get his support.

This is just like how if you want to have a good relationship with Dai Qisi, you can't avoid killing "Bitter Monk"!

Since it's all between them, Chu Luren decided... let Fan Yao make the choice himself.

For the previous thirty years, Dai Qisi had been traveling around with Han Qianye and thinking about the secret passage to Bright Peak. Fan Yao, on the other hand, had disfigured himself and pretended to be deaf and dumb while infiltrating the Mongol Prince's Palace. So, although Fan Yao was not in the right to kill Han Qianye, Chu Luren definitely cared more about Fan Yao than Dai Qisi.

If Fan Yao is also willing to support Xiao Zhao, then Chu Luren will withstand the pressure from Dai Qisi to protect him...

Of course, if Fan Yao disagrees, then it is more important for the Righteous Alliance to have Xiao Zhao as the leader!

The difference is that Fan Yao supports Xiao Zhao. If Xiao Zhao becomes the leader in the future, how to deal with Fan Yao will be the new leader's business. The Purple-Robed Dragon King... is not qualified.

Upon hearing this, Fan Yao showed a conflicted... no, more like a melancholy expression, before saying, "Very well... I, Fan Yao, will never fail the Ming Cult!"

As Fan Yao spoke, as if sulking, he immediately wrote a secret letter to Yang Xiao and the others—it contained their old code words, so he wasn't worried that they wouldn't recognize it.

Fan Yao felt no remorse for poisoning Han Qianye, nor did he have any intention of atoning for it with his death.

His support for Xiao Zhao to ascend to the position of leader undoubtedly puts Xiao Zhao in a situation where she cannot kill him; otherwise, how can the leader command the respect of the people?

Moreover, Xiao Zhao had never met her father since childhood, so she wouldn't have been very murderous. If she still wanted to kill him, there was only one possibility: Dai Qisi's murderous intent was too great, disregarding the Ming Cult and her daughter's feelings, forcing Xiao Zhao to give such an order.

Fan Yao also risked his life to "disgust" Dai Qisi...

Of course, under Chu Luren's persuasion, and especially after hearing about Yang Xiao and the others' previous infighting, Fan Yao's actions were indeed motivated by a desire to prioritize the Ming Cult.

"Good! With Right Envoy Fan's words, then take the remaining henchmen of the Prince of Ruyang's mansion who can still leave on their own back with you. I have an agreement with Princess Zhao Min to detain her three servants, and we will exchange three conditions. I have already used the first one. If anything happens later, Right Envoy Fan, if it is inconvenient to inform the Ming Cult, you can also contact me."

Chu Luren's central idea was to ignore Fan Yao and Dai Qisi's muddled case, focus on helping Xiao Zhao garner votes, and let them handle the rest themselves.

"If Dai Qisi makes any trouble later, Alliance Leader Chu... you can simply reveal my identity! Even if she has connections with the Prince of Ruyang's mansion, I have my own way of getting away with it." Fan Yao's words were somewhat boastful, but Chu Luren still agreed.

As for the Mongols who were unable to move around easily, and Zhao Min's three servants, Chu Luren detained them all, knowing they would come in handy later.

Upon learning that Chu Luren had released "Bitter Monk," Dai Qisi was naturally furious: "Well! How could there be such a person as you in this world? How did you manage to deceive Xiao Zhao with your sweet words, and then release our great enemy, who is now an orphan and a widow... Could it be because that Mongolian princess is so beautiful?"

"Aunt Dai Qisi, please calm down. Zhao Mei and I have always spoken the truth and never used any sweet words. The reason we released 'Bitter Monk' is because I discovered his true identity. He is Fan Youshi of the Ming Cult! Fan Youshi has been infiltrating the Ruyang Prince's Mansion for thirty years and has made contributions to the Ming Cult and to China."

"Regarding the grudges between Right Envoy Fan and you, this alliance cannot say much. However, since Right Envoy Fan has already agreed to support Zhao Mei as the leader, this alliance will say one more thing... We hope that if you want to take revenge, you should wait until Right Envoy Fan has finished his undercover work in the Ruyang Prince's Mansion before dealing with him yourself." Chu Luren said truthfully.

"End the undercover work in the Prince of Ruyang's mansion?" Dai Qisi repeated sarcastically—wasn't there a simple and quick way to get him to end his undercover work?

"Whether it's the Dragon King or the Holy Maiden, their desire to seek revenge against Right Envoy Fan is none of our alliance's business. I believe... Right Envoy Fan also doesn't want to have anything to do with the Ming Cult. However, if Right Envoy Fan's infiltration is exposed, neither our alliance nor the Ming Cult will let it go."

Moreover, the Dragon King had previously worried that Zhao Mei, being merely your daughter, might not be enough to command respect. Since Right Envoy Fan has already agreed to this matter, I hope the Dragon King will consider Zhao Mei's situation more, and think more about his adoptive father, who is determined to expel the Tartars, rather than… being solely focused on reclaiming the Persian Holy Fire Cult that is pursuing you.”

Chu Luren gave a casual reminder, and then, without waiting for Dai Qisi's reaction, turned to leave.

However, Lianxing stopped her specifically: "Who is Zhao-mei?"

Chapter 631 Don't Do That to Chu Taisui

Seeing Lianxing's curiosity, Chu Luren gave a brief explanation.

Later, when Lianxing was alone with Chu Luren, she told him something else...

"As expected, Li Qiushui came to our door yesterday, but after discovering Yu Yan, she tried to leave, but I stopped her halfway." Lianxing has recently taken a particular liking to calling people "little sister."

Judging from this, Li Qiushui must have approached her secretly, most likely to take advantage of Chu Luren's absence to find Tong Lao's whereabouts.

However, after discovering his granddaughter, perhaps out of guilt, not wanting to be discovered by Wang Yuyan, or perhaps because he did not want to kill someone in front of his granddaughter, he left without showing himself.

But all of this was within Lianxing's perception, so Lianxing followed after her.

"And then?" Chu Luren quickly asked.

Judging from Lianxing's appearance, the two didn't seem to have fought; at least, no one was injured.

"After that, she said she was going to the Central Plains to take a look, and it just so happened that she ran into us. I advised her to meet Sister Yu Yan, and she agreed. I introduced her to her, and after the two met alone, Sister Yu Yan said that her grandmother gave her this... which might come in handy later." Lian Xing showed Chu Luren something.

Chu Luren's eyes lit up upon seeing this, and he immediately nodded, saying, "Of course it will come in handy!"

Immediately afterwards, Chu Luren went to see Dai Qisi one last time and asked, "Would the Dragon King come back to Bright Peak with me?"

"When it's time to go back, I will naturally go back!" Dai Qisi didn't have a good attitude towards Chu Luren.

Chu Luren didn't care. By the time he returned to Bright Peak, it was already dawn. However, he had the "Secrets of the Ninja Sect" and didn't want to be discovered. No one on Bright Peak could find him either.

However... Yang Buhui came to visit Zhang Wuji early in the morning, wanting to ask him how his breakthrough went yesterday, but ended up trapping Xiao Zhao in Chu Luren's room!

"Ah! Who are you? Hmm? You are... Xiao Zhao?" Yang Buhui was also shocked when he saw Xiao Zhao.

It was from her clothes, expression, and some small gestures that he recognized her and became certain that the beauty in front of him was Xiao Zhao.

The maid who used to be notably ugly is now...

Yang Buhui was naturally surprised!

"Miss, Xiao Zhao is afraid of being bullied by evil people, so I deliberately pretend to be ugly. Please forgive me." Xiao Zhao quickly said, bowing her head.

If it had been discovered earlier, it would indeed have been irrefutable evidence that Xiao Zhao harbored ulterior motives, but now...

“You are now Chu Taisui’s person, what does this have to do with me… and you don’t need to call me Miss!” Yang Buhui pouted.

Suddenly realizing something, Yang Buhui looked at Xiao Zhao in shock and said, "Then you now... could it be..."

Then why did you immediately regain your appearance after following Chu Taisui?

Is it more likely that I will "bully" you, or is it more likely that Chu Tai Sui will "bully" you?

And why were you in Chu Taisui's room?

Upon closer inspection, Yang Buhui also noticed that Xiao Zhao's clothes showed signs of being hastily dressed!

"Brother Chu hasn't gotten up yet. If Miss wants to see him..." Xiao Zhao muttered softly, her head lowered.

"Ugh... I don't see him, I don't see him." Yang Buhui looked disgusted and hurriedly walked towards Zhang Wuji's room.

Xiao Zhao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. After all, if Chu Luren were found to be "missing" at this time, perhaps... no, the Ming Cult would definitely have something to say!

That's why she deliberately pretended to have undressed to discourage Yang Buhui from entering the room.

After taking a few steps, Yang Buhui turned to look at her and reminded her, "People from all the major sects are about to attack. Although my father said that Chu Taisui doesn't need to take action, you shouldn't... that Chu Taisui at this time."

Xiao Zhao: ……

Yang Buhui's suspicious look even made Xiao Zhao feel that she suspected that she was deliberately using some method to reduce Brother Chu's fighting power.

However, upon hearing Yang Buhui mention that Left Envoy Yang said "there is no need for Chu Taisui to take action," Xiao Zhao guessed that the Ming Cult's higher-ups were still unwilling to let the Righteous Alliance get involved, and had no intention of joining the alliance!

Xiao Zhao was also worried about being exposed, so she didn't say much and quickly closed the door.

Turning around...

They discovered that Chu Luren was already in the room!

"Brother Chu? When did you get back?" Xiao Zhao felt a little embarrassed as she recalled Yang Buhui's words.

"Just got back, what's wrong?" Chu Luren looked at Xiao Zhao with a puzzled expression, wondering what she was embarrassed about.

Did you just hide in my bed and secretly eat some salted fish? I didn't bring any!

"Nothing much... How are those Mongols? Did Brother Chu see my mother?" Xiao Zhao quickly changed the subject.

"I saw him, and I also saw another person..." Chu Luren said, gesturing for Xiao Zhao to sit down and listen to his story.

“That’s Fan Yao, the Right Envoy of the Ming Cult. Over the years, he has been lurking in the Prince of Ruyang’s mansion. And... just like you, Xiao Zhao, he pretended to be deaf and dumb and deliberately made himself ugly. But the Right Envoy was more cautious. He really ruined his face and then used a potion to corrode his hair.”

"what!"

Upon hearing Chu Luren's words, Xiao Zhao couldn't help but gasp in surprise—she could understand to some extent just how painful that was.

Moreover, he was only wearing a mask, while Fan Yao... even if he wasn't as good as Jiang Feng, he was still a handsome man of the Ming Cult who was on par with Yang Xiao.

"I explained the pros and cons to Right Envoy Fan, especially after learning about what Left Envoy Yang and his men had done. Right Envoy Fan has agreed to support you, Zhao Mei, as the leader. However... I never expected that Right Envoy Fan was also Aunt Dai Qisi's suitor back then, and out of jealousy, he did something extremely despicable!"