The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

At this moment, the Golden Wheel Dharma King clasped his hands together, extended his index fingers upwards, and intertwined his thumbs, forming an "Immovable Fundamental Mudra"—instantly, all his immense power transformed into a colorless protective aura.

It looked as if the Buddha's light from all directions blocked the Golden Wheel Dharma King's body by a distance of three feet after he formed the hand seal!

After another head-on clash, the two sides tacitly dismantled each other's defenses...

At this moment, Chu Luren and the Golden Wheel Monk probably both felt that they were not afraid to continue the fight!

Although Chu Luren did not use the "Three-Part Return to Origin Qi," it was not without consumption. However, with the combined effects of various techniques, his internal energy recovery speed was extremely fast.

As for the Golden Wheel Monk...

He consumed very little internal energy; his strength came from his physical stamina, and his recovery speed was much faster than that of ordinary internal energy practitioners.

However, the two of them stopped fighting at this point...

Having confidence is one thing, but taking a gamble is another!

For the Chu Lu people, losing the bet with Master Zhang meant risking their lives; for Jin Lun, losing the bet meant the southern expedition had to be put on hold for the time being.

At this time, within the Mongol Yuan dynasty, there was also a faction led by the Prince of Ruyang, which opposed Jinlun. Once the southern expedition was put on hold, the Prince of Ruyang would certainly do its utmost to influence the situation and persuade Kublai Khan to turn to an eastern expedition.

Rather than gambling...

"Alliance Leader Chu's martial arts are superb; this old monk admires him."

"The Imperial Preceptor's martial arts skills have also broadened my horizons. I'm afraid it will be difficult to determine a winner today!"

Both men spoke as if they wanted to end the fight, but neither was willing to be the first to discuss the terms of the bet, and they remained silent for a moment.

Finally, Jinlun spoke first: "Since we can't determine a winner, it's a real pity. Let's meet on the battlefield!" After saying that, he turned to leave.

Jinlun seemed quite unruly—then Wudang need not close its mountains, and the Yuan Dynasty will not retreat; let them fight on the battlefield!

As for the special location of Wudang...

It was destined that the Mongols would destroy Wudang first, and even if Guo Jing wanted to rescue them, Xiangyang would not be able to send troops.

“Amitabha Buddha, National Preceptor, all sentient beings suffer, but Master Zhang and Alliance Leader Chu are both highly accomplished. Why not seek a way to achieve the best of both worlds?” Kumārajīva advised at this moment.

Even though he wore the skin of Zen Buddhism, Kumārajīva was still a follower of Tantric Buddhism and did not preach the equality of all sentient beings.

“Your Majesty, there’s no need for further persuasion. This old monk also wishes to have the best of both worlds. It’s a pity that Master Zhang and Alliance Leader Chu are blinded by their own limited perspective.” Jinlun Xiu spoke in Chinese, even using idioms.

Chu Luren and the Wudang people initially viewed this "double act" with indifference, but unexpectedly, Kumārajīva said, "In my humble opinion, we might as well do this... Xiangyang is an important town, and even the Yuan army cannot conquer it in one or two years. Let's slow down for now and wait until next year to launch our attack."

As for the heroes of Xiangyang, there are many who admire each other. They could follow the example of Wudang and arrange a duel next year. If they could persuade the heroes of the martial arts world in the south to welcome the heavenly army, wouldn't that be wonderful?

With the Yuan Dynasty having withdrawn its troops a year ago, Master Zhang should be content, right? Before I discuss the Dao with the Imperial Preceptor and the heroes of the South this year, Wudang Mountain should be closed to the public...

Master Zhang, Alliance Leader Chu... Imperial Advisor, what do you all think of this arrangement?

Chu Luren glanced at Kumārajīva with slight surprise. He had originally thought that this fellow was just putting on an act with Jinlun, but he didn't expect that he was actually... trying to smooth things over?

While his words seemed to favor the Mongol Yuan, they did not actually secure any more benefits for the Mongol Yuan—Wudang Mountain closed its gates for a year, refusing to participate in the competition between the Yuan court and the martial arts world in the south the following year, and the Mongol Yuan also suspended its military operations for a year.

The expression on Jinlun's face as he looked at Kumārajīva, now that he had "compressed" back, clearly showed his dissatisfaction.

Chu Luren felt that if this was planned, then the acting was simply too good.

It seems...

Kumārajīva and Jinlun were not of one mind?

Of course, this was not particularly advantageous to the Song court either; it was merely neutral – what day is next year? In the twelfth lunar month next year, many people will be going out to sea to drink Laba porridge. If the military campaign is postponed until next year, the resistance of the martial arts world in the south will be much weaker.

Moreover, there's the matter of Guo Juxia. If the Mongol Yuan forces were to withdraw now, without external pressure, the Song court might work overtime to drive the heroes of Xiangyang to the brink of collapse before the Mongol Yuan's southern expedition!

After giving Kumārajīva a deep look, Jinlun turned to Chu Luren and Zhang Zhenren and said, "If the Righteous Alliance does not interfere in the Xiangyang matter, I can accept this matter on behalf of King Kublai Khan, and... the promise I made to Alliance Leader Chu remains unchanged."

"Haha, Grand Preceptor, you are too kind... The outcome of our battle is still undecided, how could I possibly miss the trip to Xiangyang?" Chu Luren refused directly.

"Hmph, then this old monk will wait and see if I can learn from your superior skills again next year in Xiangyang!"

The two sides couldn't reach an agreement, and Jinlun finally acquiesced to Kumārajīva's suggestion and left in a huff.

Before leaving, Kumārajīva smiled and clasped his hands together at Chu Luren, appearing quite familiar with him. He even moved his lips slightly before departing, which went unnoticed by others, but Chu Luren clearly heard something and nodded subtly.

After the esoteric Buddhists left, the Wudang disciples felt a little relieved.

Song Yuanqiao also said with embarrassment, "Fortunately, Brother Chu intervened, otherwise they might have really succeeded today!"

Having witnessed the battle between Chu Luren and Jinlun, Song Yuanqiao was quite clear that he himself would have no chance of resisting. His previous expectations... had overestimated himself and underestimated the Golden Wheel National Preceptor.

"However, this only provides a one-year period, and... next year will also be a turbulent time, with a formidable enemy approaching, and the Song court is far from peaceful. It is unknown what the Dragon Guard Manor will be thinking at that time." Chu Luren frantically implied to Zhang Zhenren that Zhao Tiedan was no good.

The actions of the Xiangyang heroes suggest that the Protectorate of Dragon Mountain Villa are indeed highly suspicious.

Although he maintained his impartiality and publicly declared that he would "definitely investigate the truth" and "definitely give Guo Juxia justice," and indeed withstood pressure from some in the court, outwardly protecting Guo Juxia and not immediately punishing him, however...

From beginning to end, looking at the whole picture, isn't this all due to the actions of the Dragon Guard Villa that led to Xiangyang's current predicament?

Especially since Chu Luren knew that Li Tianhao of the Giant Whale Gang was originally a member of the Divine Marquis's faction, the conspiracy became even more obvious.

Chu Luren still doesn't understand why Zhao Tiedan did this.

Worried that Guo Juxia will steal their thunder? Dissatisfied that the Dragon Guard Manor doesn't have much influence over the heroes of Xiangyang? Want to recruit Guo Juxia for their own use?

Is now the time to consider these things?

This guy often does things that the Chu Lu people find hard to understand.

Chapter 673 A Tumultuous Time

The eighth year of the Tiansheng era was a turbulent time.

After the battle between Jinlun and Chu Luren ended in a draw, the Mongol army did not withdraw from Wudang, but continued to set up cannons and surround the foot of the mountain. However, they did not send any more troops to Xiangyang.

Chu Luren and Xiao Zhao agreed to set sail from Jiaxing in July to Ling She Island to find the Lion King and bring him back.

Originally, Chu Luren planned to return to Lin'an on the way after consulting with Master Zhang, cultivate for a few months, and then head to Jiaxing, which was not far away.

However, after only two days on Wudang Mountain, Chu Luren learned of the recent series of changes in Lin'an and temporarily abandoned his trip to Lin'an...

In fact, Chu Luren had heard these rumors before, but the news from Qunyu Academy was just hearsay—after the incident with the sect leader's sister, Huang Rong insisted on not trusting Qunyu Academy and did not pass on any inside information.

The one bringing the news now is none other than... Huang Rong, who should be in Lin'an!

Before the New Year, Huang Rong, having discovered Haitang's disguise as a man, secretly befriended her. Entrusted by Haitang, she assisted the imperial secret agents in investigating the Giant Whale Gang, discovering that Li Tianhao had colluded with Japanese pirates to seize power. Huang Rong then killed Li Tianhao to eliminate the traitors from the Giant Whale Gang.

However, during this period, because Huang Rong was not around, Yunluo was repeatedly tricked. Relying solely on her willfulness was not enough to get her far in Lin'an, and she was eventually forced into an arranged marriage with the Ryukyu prince.

To the astonishment of many, the Ryukyu prince was none other than the renowned Murong Fu of the martial arts world.

Indeed, the Ryukyu Kingdom itself acknowledges that the Murong clan of Jiangnan is a descendant of the Ryukyu royal family, and due to recent internal strife, they have even been traced back to become the legitimate heirs to the throne.

It is clear that Shenhou has indeed been secretly controlling Ryukyu...

Princess Yunluo was initially very unhappy about marrying the Ryukyu prince, and even tried to escape from Lin'an again, but failed.

This is the perspective of someone from the martial arts world!

From a more confidential perspective, the fact that the Ryukyu prince was an imposter within the Dragon Guard Manor was also emphasized, with the intention of placing Murong Fu in the palace to protect the royal family.

However, Princess Yunluo still refused to cooperate; Murong Fu was simply continuing to seduce her...

After separating Huang Rong and Yun Luo, it became easier for Murong Fu to "seduce" Yun Luo. With his superior intelligence and some behind-the-scenes arrangements such as rescuing the damsel in distress, he managed to make Yun Luo's attempt to escape the marriage fail, and their relationship actually improved.

When Huang Rong returned to Lin'an, she was wary of the people of the Dragon Guard Manor, especially of Murong Fu, which led to a conflict with Princess Yunluo.

After several "coincidences," the misunderstanding between the two deepened, while Yunluo and Murong Fu became closer. As a result, Huang Rong left Lin'an and prepared to come to Wudang to wait for Chu Luren. However, when she arrived at Wudang, Chu Luren had already arrived first.

Even though the affair between Chu Taisui and Princess Yunluo was merely gossip in the martial arts world, Nan Murong, as Chu Taisui's good brother, actually...

This led many people to look down on Murong Nan.

Of course, Chu Luren was not worried about this at all; on the contrary, he felt a little... like laughing.

Yunluo wasn't unaware of Murong Jiu's true gender; she was simply playing along!

Zhao Tiedan's actions became more and more frequent, and Chu Luren, who was already distrustful of Yunluo and Huang Rong, continued to stir up trouble in Lin'an.

Just then, Huang Rong was able to withdraw under some pretext, and Yun Luo, having been seduced by Murong Jiu, was able to temporarily hide from Zhao Tiedan's sight.

However, this would make it difficult for Chu Luren to return to Lin'an. Otherwise, would he fight Murong Jiu?

Chu Luren specifically used "Little Red to deliver a message" to discuss with Murong Jiu—afterwards, Chu Luren would pass through Lin'an without entering, and Murong Jiu and Yunluo would take the initiative to come to Chu Luren to explain...

During this time, Chu Luren and Yun Luo also had a big argument!

Chu Luren was responsible for portraying himself as someone who had "lost face and substance, and whose relationship with the royal family had become distant."

Murong Jiu was responsible for establishing the persona of a "scheming man who had already joined the Dragon Guard Manor, seduced Princess Yunluo for power, but then pretended to come to his good brother to explain himself."

Moreover, Yunluo, who will be disappointed with Chu Luren, will be completely "conquered" by Murong Jiu. In this way, Chu Luren will naturally turn against Murong Jiu.

This will make Zhao Tiedan trust Murong Jiu even more, and see what he's really up to!

……

Therefore, Chu Luren was in no hurry to head east and chose to stay in Wudang to cultivate.

Whether it's going to Xia Ke Island for congee, fighting Jin Lun again next year, or facing Zhao Tiedan's conspiracy...

Having high martial arts skills is the only shortcut!

Chu Luren's previous idea about the Four Swords Box was whether he could place the "Dao Embryo Avatar" inside it.

Theoretically, since it's possible to infuse the Dao Embryo clone into other people's bodies to collect calamity energy, and considering the previous successful experience of helping Xiao Zhao practice... it seems possible to leave it in the sword box!

After all, one's "state of mind" can remain externally, just like the jade statue of the master's sister-in-law and the intricate chess game...

Could it be that the remnants of "state of mind" allow the Dao embryo to remain in external objects, rather than being limited to humans?

Even if one cannot control the Dao Embryo with the same ease as a flying sword in immortal cultivation, one can at least significantly reduce the time required for "man and sword to become one".

Master Zhang did not completely reject Chu Luren's idea, but he also did not immediately affirm it, since it was an area that Master Zhang was not familiar with.

Firstly, the Dao Embryo Avatar was a product of Chu Luren's high starting point, which led to its natural rejection when he reached a bottleneck in cultivating the "Dao Embryo Relief Scripture".

Because he absorbed enough calamity energy from Master Dugu, the "Dao Embryo Releasing Calamity Scripture" is not only progressing faster, but also, when breaking through the bottleneck, the Dao Embryo clone without a mission can be used for other purposes. That is why he planted the Dao Embryo in Xiao Zhao's body!

But ultimately, Chu Luren did not possess the method to split his Dao Embryo on his own...

Normally, it would take at least four more breakthroughs to gather four Dao Embryo clones—by then Chu Luren would have already broken through the "Seven Calamities," not to mention how long it would take, and with the improvement of his cultivation level, it would become more and more in line with Chu Luren's own strength, so it's uncertain whether Dao Embryo clones would even naturally appear!

The tribulation energy absorbed from Master Dugu might not be enough until then...