The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

Like the Qingcheng Sect, they came from afar seeking revenge—they were the ones whose faces turned ugly when they heard Chu Luren's name.

Unfortunately, it wasn't Yu Canghai who died, but Sima Lin's father, an elder of the Qingcheng Sect...

These sects and gangs that came from afar all sought out local "big shots" to make contact. Gangs like Qin Family Village, which were essentially outlaws, approached Guiyuan Manor. Lu Guanying's master in the Xianxia Sect was killed by his own signature move, so Lu Guanying was naturally willing to take the lead. Other factions like the Qingcheng Sect approached the Chang Le Gang.

The Chang Le Gang is a gang that has emerged in Jiangnan in recent years. It has grown very large and developed very quickly, but... its reputation is also very bad!

Compared to ordinary bandits, they had far fewer rules and acted in a very unethical manner, which was criticized by people in the martial arts world. However, they were indeed quite large and had a great influence in Jiangnan.

Under the rule of the Song Dynasty, the existence of such gangs should have been addressed by the number one manor in the world, since they also harm ordinary people, not just those involved in martial arts feuds.

However, the Divine Marquis's Mansion and the Number One Manor in the World remained silent. Some said that Situ Heng and Bei Haishi had secretly bribed Zhao Wushi, while others said that the Chang Le Gang was actually controlled by Zhao Wushi behind the scenes.

Of course... a more authoritative explanation is that Zhao Wushi would not easily use the power of the imperial court to suppress such established sects, but would instead take advantage of the opportunity of Xia Ke Dao sending out invitations once every ten years to guide the situation accordingly!

More than twenty years ago, when the Number One Manor under Heaven was first established and the Heroic Deeds Ranking had not yet been opened, Zhao Wushi visited Xia Ke Island once and made a three-point agreement with the two island masters, Long and Mu...

Several months ago, the leader of the Chang Le Gang, Situ Heng, and elder Bei Haishi reportedly had some conflict. Although it will last for several years, it is said to be related to the Xia Ke Dao's reward and punishment order.

However, it was still early. No one expected the conflict to escalate so quickly. Perhaps... Bei Haishi saw the opportunity presented by the frequent murders in the martial arts world?

In short, Situ Heng died inexplicably, "supposedly" by his own claw attacks. However, Bei Haishi dared not succeed him and was rumored to be looking for a puppet.

Chu Luren also realized that some of these people seeking revenge were not actually the fault of the Murong family!

But now that they finally have someone to take the blame, many unsolved cases in the martial arts world are starting to point to the Murong family...

The other victims were happy to have the Chang Le Gang involved, so they all saw through it but didn't say anything. However, the Murong family members obviously couldn't stand it!

"...What does this have to do with my young master?" The visitor directly exposed the sordid affairs within the Chang Le Gang.

Mi Hengye, a confidant of Bei Haishi, was naturally furious upon hearing this and said, "Who is this petty scoundrel who dares to spread rumors here! Are you trying to frame Military Advisor Bei and exonerate the traitor Murong?"

"Watch your mouth, you old fool! Killing those scoundrels from the Chang Le Gang would only dirty my young master's sword!"

Two burly men arrived at the waterside pavilion. One was ugly, but with a heroic air about him; he was thin and stubborn. The other was even uglier, but fiercely ugly and taller.

"It's Master Bao and Master Feng!" Abi exclaimed in surprise.

Although Chu Luren was a fellow traveler and had saved them before, he was not a member of the Murong family and might not care about such a feud. They breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that the real Murong family's own experts had arrived.

The newcomers were none other than two of the four great retainers of the Murong clan—Bao Butong and Feng Bo'e!

The Murong clan didn't own just one estate. Among their four major retainers, each also wielded considerable power. For example, Bao Butong was the head of Jinfeng Manor, and Feng Bo'e was the head of Xuanshuang Manor...

"Hahaha, don't worry, Sister Abi. A few demons disturbed Sister Azhu's peaceful pavilion. Fourth Brother will have them apologize!" Feng Bo'e laughed heartily, not worried at all about the number of people on the other side. In fact, he was even a little excited.

Although Abi and Azhu are addressed as "Master", they are not actually servants. Otherwise, why would they be entrusted with managing the small islands near Murong Manor, such as Tingxiang Pavilion and Qinyun Pavilion?

"Oh? Miss Wang is here too? My young master has gone to Shaolin. If you want to find him, you can come with my brother." Bao Butong also saw Wang Yuyan at this moment.

Wang Yuyan was about to speak, but hesitated for a moment and turned to look at Chu Luren. She hadn't forgotten the three rules they had agreed on before.

Seeing that Miss Bao, who was usually aloof and indifferent to others, actually cared about the opinion of a young man, Bao couldn't help but ask, "What is your esteemed surname, young hero?"

"Hmm? I'm quite happy... No, after all these years of my friends in the martial arts world suffering losses, why should I be happy? Don't ask me such questions!" Chu Luren said righteously.

Bao Butong: ...

Bao Butong was always fond of sharp tongues, but he was not on the same page as Chu Luren, and he was momentarily speechless.

Seeing this, A'Zhu quickly explained Chu Luren's identity to Bao Butong, emphasizing that he was the one who saved her and A'Bi at Mantuo Manor, so as to prevent Third Master and Fourth Master from recklessly provoking enemies.

"So you are a relative of Madam Wang's family. Thank you for saving my two sisters, and thank you for bringing Miss Biao here..." Feng Bo'e bowed to Chu Luren upon hearing this.

Chu Luren wasn't quite sure whether her situation counted as being from her maternal family, but she decided to assume it did.

"I dare not accept such praise. Madam was merely trying to scare them. As for Miss Wang... I was entrusted by Madam to take Miss Wang on a journey through the martial world. It has nothing to do with the Murong family." Chu Luren shook his head and returned the half-bow.

Of course, Bao Butong and Feng Bo'e understood that Madam Wang's words were definitely not just "a scare tactic."

Moreover, the two also sensed that Madam Wang seemed to be trying to match the young lady with an "outsider." In this regard, Bao Butong and Feng Bo'e, being men, naturally reacted differently from A Zhu and A Bi.

Firstly, in their eyes, Miss Wang was a very nice person, and she was in love with their young master. As for their young master's ambiguous relationship with Miss Wang, the two of them weren't that sensitive about it. Secondly, they were also on behalf of their young master's "domineering" nature, and they always felt that if Wang Yuyan were really with someone else, it would feel like Murong Fu had been cuckolded...

Murong Fu... absolutely cannot be cuckolded!

“No, no, Miss and my young master are deeply in love, how can you say they have no relationship? Although Young Master Chu is a member of Madam Wang’s family, one should know that distant relatives should not interfere with close ones,” Bao Butong said, shaking his head.

Mi Hengye had initially intended to retaliate after being insulted by Feng Bo, but upon seeing the Murong family members clashing with Chu Luren again, he immediately backed down. The other "victims" who had come seeking revenge also fell silent, each silently chanting in their hearts: "Let's fight, let's fight..."

"Your young master is truly affectionate; he could come and confess his feelings. As for whether we are related or not... I am now Miss Wang's guardian. If we are related, I am closer. If we are distant, the Murong family 'loses.' If anyone is 'distancing' us, it is you two who are 'cheap', isn't it?" Chu Luren said, his words dripping with sarcasm.

Why are you being sarcastic and sarcastic towards a stranger like me? Is that all?

"You brat! Stop talking nonsense. I'll give you a three-move head start because you saved Azhu and Abi! If you lose, get the hell out of here, or I'll spill your blood!"

Chapter Seventy: Get out of the way, I need to…

Bao Butong likes to fight verbally, while Feng Bo'e likes to fight physically!

He didn't say much to Chu Luren, and the provocation wasn't just directed at Chu Luren, but mainly at the other "victims" present, lest Chu Luren get splattered with blood? Whose blood could it be?

"It seems the Murong family has our backs on us?"

"Does Murong Manor truly intend to become enemies with all of you martial arts practitioners?"

"Young Master Chu, there's no need to discuss any rules of the martial world with such a heartless and insane person..."

The aggrieved parties cursed and swore, while also trying to drag Chu Luren over.

Chu Luren felt that Bao Butong and Feng Bo'e were far from enough to make him "disregard the rules of the martial world," so he naturally had no intention of joining forces with the others. He said directly, "Three moves? Very well, this is the Murong family's territory. Even if you lose, you don't have to get lost. Just put on a monkey show for this great hero!"

As he spoke, Chu Luren had already made his move. Although he was several feet away, he still extended his index finger and sent three finger strikes towards Feng Bo'e out of thin air.

Feng Bo'e initially thought Chu Luren's admission of "giving up three moves" was a sign of weakness, but he never expected that the finger strike would be so powerful. He feared that even his own young master's Canhe Finger might not be able to keep up.

In reality, it was a misjudgment by Feng Bo'e. Murong Fu's current martial arts skills are definitely superior to Chu Luren's. Is it really a matter of comparing the distance between the Canhe Finger and the Dance of Heaven and Earth? That's just wishful thinking!

Under Chu Luren's control, the three finger strikes were almost colorless and invisible. Although Feng Bo'e still sensed them and quickly drew his sword to block, the finger strikes unexpectedly turned in mid-air, circling around and hitting Feng Bo'e's waist, back, and back of the knee...

Feng Bo'e felt as if he had been punched three times with great force—it hurt, but not as powerful as he had imagined.

"Three moves have passed..." Feng Bo'e said, wielding his single-edged sword to create gusts of wind, partly to show off his martial arts skills and partly to warn his opponent to be careful, so as to show that he was not using any underhanded tricks.

Abi and Azhu tried to stop him, but Feng Bo'e was a combative person by nature, and now that he had a pretext, how could he let go?

Just when everyone was disappointed, thinking that Chu Luren's martial arts skills were only about the same as Feng Bo'e's, Chu Luren said directly, "You might as well just put on a monkey show!"

Just as Chu Luren made his move, his right hand made a feint, and Feng Bo'e, who was initially confused, suddenly felt his legs sink, followed by a chill in his waist, and involuntarily straightened up...

Chu Luren flicked his hand again, and Feng Bo'e immediately released the knife, suddenly doing an awkward somersault backward, feeling as if he had twisted his waist!

This didn't seem like the methods of the martial arts world, but rather like the methods of a Tai Chi master in the 21st century—leaving everyone present stunned and even starting to suspect that Feng Bo'e might be a plant.

However, while others might have doubts, Bao Butong could not, and simply thought that Chu Luren had used some kind of evil or unorthodox method.

Feng Bo'e was also reckless, trying to forcefully suppress the finger force within his body. As a result, he suffered internal injuries, fell to the ground, and then did a series of somersaults and rolls.

Seeing that his brothers seemed to be poisoned, Bao Butong hurriedly shouted, "Stop! Quickly get rid of the evil spirits scheming on my fourth brother!"

As he spoke, he drew his sword and attacked Chu Luren. However, in this moment of desperation, he slashed with all his might. With his inner strength poured into the sword, its light shone everywhere. Although this increased its power, it also reduced his ability to maneuver...

"Third Master Bao, wait!" A'Zhu wanted to stop her "own people" from fighting indiscriminately, but how could she be faster than Bao Butong?

Chu Luren saw Bao Butong slashing down, but he didn't move at all. He didn't even draw his sword or his suona. Just as Bao Butong's strength reached its peak and the blade was about to strike him, Chu Luren suddenly moved...

"Blooming" is a process, but "flowering" is a fleeting state!

From a timeline perspective, flowers are either in full bloom or withering. Regardless of the length of their blooming period, all flowers are "in full bloom" in the narrow sense, which is the moment when they transition from blooming to withering.

Theoretically, no one can actually pluck a flower in full bloom; at best, one can only come very close to it...

At this moment, Chu Luren's outstretched hand seemed to be a hand reaching out from the river of time, to grasp the most beautiful moment—"Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, for ye may ye have no flowers left to pluck!"

Outsiders couldn't sense such a clear change in energy, including Bao Butong himself. He only felt Chu Luren reach out his hand, and then... somehow, he touched the back of the knife, and then touched his pulse point. He first felt that his hand could not hold the hilt of the knife, and then his wrist went numb. In one move, Chu Luren took the knife away!

People who eat melons: ? ? ?

Although I knew Chu Luren was not someone to be trifled with, after all, he was rumored to be on par with Yu Canghai, but... this is too fast?

Are all the members of the Murong family this weak?

Mi Hengye narrowed his eyes and began to suspect that these two were not Bao Butong and Feng Bo'e at all, but rather shills hired by Chu Luren!

Little did they know that back in Hengshan City, the dozens of moves that Chu Luren and Yu Canghai exchanged were actually just parries; it was only because the "Peacock Spreading its Tail" move looked flashy that the scene wasn't too bad.

However, after two months, Chu Luren can now truly go toe-to-toe with Yu Canghai, and even... win more often than he loses!

People like Bao Butong and Feng Bo'e are generally better than Yun Zhonghe but slightly inferior to Yue Laosan.

Of course, if they were to actually fight, the outcome would depend on how well they performed.

In fact, whether it was Bao Butong or Feng Bo'e, if they had been really careful and attentive when facing Chu Luren, they could have exchanged dozens of moves. If they had put aside their pride and fought two against one, they might not have been unable to see the odds of winning. However, one of them was too carefree and wanted to let Chu Luren have three moves, while the other was too anxious for his brother and made a hasty move.

Unfortunately, "Dancing the Universe" only works strangely when it's used to crush weaker opponents, while "Flowers in Full Bloom" is good at seizing opportunities, which is why Chu Luren ruthlessly crushed its prestige!

"Is this the Murong family's rule? Giving others three moves, yet expecting them to give up one person?" Duan Yu said with dissatisfaction from the side.

Duan Yu initially had some goodwill towards Murong Fu because of "Yan Mei," but seeing the domineering behavior of Murong Fu's subordinates, he felt a surge of dissatisfaction—who is he being domineering towards? How come my sister is a member of the Murong family?

Bao Butong, also caught up in the moment, blushed upon hearing this and retorted sharply, "Kill me if you want!"

How could Chu Luren be polite to him?

He just swung his knife back and slashed right at the head...

"Ah! Brother Chu..." Wang Yuyan couldn't help but exclaim.

She wasn't the only one who gasped in surprise; Azhu and Abi were also terrified. But just as the knife was about to strike the top of their heads, there was a loud clanging sound. The knife still came down, but the blade was shattered into pieces by the impact!

It wasn't that Bao Butong had practiced Iron Head Kung Fu or Golden Summit Kung Fu, but rather that Chu Luren injected his finger energy, which was like dancing with the universe, into his sword strike. The sword strike looked like a downward slash, but the finger energy, which had the nature of "curving and straightening as desired," was applied horizontally, directly breaking the single sword. It was just a feint downward slash.

Bao Butong was terrified and broke out in a cold sweat, but he still held his neck straight and refused to blink even when sweat dripped into his eyes.

Meanwhile, Azhu and Abi, now free, quickly came over and pulled Bao Butong aside, fearing he might get into another argument with Chu Luren...

Chapter Seventy-One: The Arrogant Young Master Duan

Bao Butong knew in his heart that although his carelessness had played a part, Chu Luren's martial arts were indeed far superior to his own. Even if he joined forces with Feng Bo'e, he might not necessarily come out on top!

In addition, Feng Bo'e's alien finger power had been exhausted at this time, and he seemed to be fine. It seemed that he was not poisoned. So when A'Zhu came over to persuade him, Bao Butong also walked down the paved steps.

On the other hand, Abi also came over to apologize to Chu Luren, complaining that Third Master and Fourth Master were just like that.