The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

"Duolong, this Chu Lu man, relying on his past help to get rid of Ao Bai, has become arrogant and disregards the court. What do you think we should do?" Kangxi asked Duolong specifically.

“This scoundrel is unruly and difficult to tame. I believe we should immediately issue an arrest warrant, apprehend him, and punish him severely as a warning to others!” Doron said without hesitation.

Anyway, he was just a nobody. The emperor appointed him as the commander of the imperial guards because he was the best of a bad bunch and because he was extremely loyal. So he had to carry out his loyalty to the end.

As for who can capture Chu Luren... what does that have to do with him?

Kangxi nodded in satisfaction, but still said, "Forget it, let bygones be bygones. This matter... shall be reported to the Imperial City Guard as normal."

"Ah? Your Majesty, Prince Feng and this scoundrel have always been on good terms, perhaps..."

"Shut up! Prince Feng is loyal and there is no doubt about it."

After being reprimanded, Duolong vaguely understood what was going on, but he didn't think about it too deeply and just retreated in fear.

The Imperial City Guard was named after the previous dynasty. During the Song Dynasty, the Imperial City Guard was responsible for overseeing the martial arts world. After the Qing army marched south, the Song Dynasty was destroyed and the royal family was forced to flee. One branch of the royal family went south and, with the support of the ministers and generals, established the current Song Dynasty.

Because of the Dragon Guard Villa, no Imperial City Guard was ever established; instead, the name was taken by Emperor Kangxi.

The one now in charge of the Imperial City Guard is none other than Prince Feng, a former important figure in the "Jianghu" (江湖, the martial arts world)!

Fukang'an, a close relative of the imperial family, served as his deputy, while Zhang Zhaozhong, the most capable Han Chinese who had defected to the Qing court, was his leader...

After Prince Feng took over the Imperial City Guard, his main task was to "suppress" Fukang'an!

It wasn't about vying for power, money, or fame; it was because Fukang'an genuinely wanted to reform the various factions in the martial arts world. Today he was going to wipe out the Funiu Sect, tomorrow he was going to bomb the Hengshan Sect, and the day after tomorrow he was going to lure and kill Hong Qigong...

Prince Feng was responsible for saying things like, "Give me some face," "I think we should forget about it," and "I think this is unacceptable."

Incidentally, Fukang'an captured some martial arts figures, among whom those who were not particularly evil were all released by Prince Feng for various reasons. On one occasion, Fukang'an went to argue with him, dissatisfied, and Qiao Feng immediately declared that he would use the Beggars' Sect's rules, and with a "plop," he cut two holes in himself...

From then on, Fukang'an never dared to go to his door to argue with him again!

Fukang'an, who genuinely wanted to make a name for himself, had no choice but to seek common ground with Prince Feng and set his sights on the evil martial arts practitioners who deserved their fate and had a terrible reputation in the martial arts world.

Therefore, Prince Feng's reputation in the northern martial arts world began to become "ambiguous".

Because he was a Manchu prince, it was impossible to be close to him; after all, not everyone is like the tyrant Chu Tai Sui…

However, because the Imperial City Guard often showed leniency towards fellow martial artists, sometimes even after Fukang'an arrested someone, Qiao Feng would go and drink with them, sometimes taking on dozens of them at once, and after getting drunk himself, he would order them all released!

Therefore, some people still remember his kindness and will say when mentioning the Imperial City Guard, "Qiao Feng was still very generous."

However, many people in the court regarded Prince Feng as an outsider because of this, and only the nobles of the Plain White Banner who drank with Qiao Feng on weekdays regarded him as one of their own.

Firstly, it was Qiao Feng's own affability; secondly... because the Plain White Banner had been purged due to Huang Taiji's affair and had been oppressed for a long time, causing it to become somewhat alienated from other noble families.

The case files of Zhang Kangnian and Zhao Qixian's dismissal were placed on the desk of the Imperial City Guard. Fukang'an was naturally furious. Two first-class guards, dismissed just like that? Do they have no respect for the court?

Huh? Chu Luren?

Does having high martial arts skills give you the right to do whatever you want?

If I can't catch you... can't I at least issue a warrant for your arrest?

As soon as Qiao Feng saw the name, he threw the file aside, clearly intending to discard it.

Seeing this, Fukang'an's brows twitched, and he said with a mixture of anger and helplessness, "Prince Feng, what do you mean by this? Zhang Kangnian and Zhao Qixian led the Xiaoji Battalion to Songshan to protect the Imperial Envoy, not to wipe out any sect or faction. To be ambushed without cause, could it be..."

“My second brother has never harmed an innocent person! It must be Zhang Kangnian and Zhao Qixian who have acted improperly. Steward Duolong should investigate further! But since they have already been crippled, let’s just let it go.” Qiao Feng said with great certainty.

Fukang'an then waved his hand, dismissing the clerk in the room, and then spoke to Qiao Feng alone: ​​"Prince Feng also said that this is your second brother, and His Majesty is probably aware of this as well. Moreover... First-class guards are people His Majesty is close to, so there is no need for them to make a trip to the Imperial City Guard."

Qiao Feng was a man of boldness yet meticulousness, "unconcerned with trifles" rather than "unconcerned with details." He understood Fukang'an's meaning, but still shook his head and said, "Since Your Highness has sent the dossier to the Imperial City Guard, it means you trust us. We..."

"How about this, Prince Feng should simply avoid any appearance of impropriety in this matter. I'll have Zhang Zhaozhong handle it; Prince Feng is well aware of his capabilities," Fukang'an offered another suggestion.

Fukang'an was referring to both Zhang Zhaozhong and the Chu Lu people—Zhang Zhaozhong going to deal with the Chu Lu people? It would be a miracle if he could even manage it!

It's just stating an opinion...

"Thank you for your kind offer, Brother Fu! But it's no need, my mind is made up." Qiao Feng looked deeply at Fukang'an and said with some gratitude, adding before finishing, "I'll treat you to a drink after I'm off duty!"

"Ahem, we're too far apart in terms of seniority... so let's skip the drinking! You'd better watch yourself!" Fukang'an said disdainfully.

Prince Feng smiled and didn't blame him for his rudeness.

He was indeed well-intentioned just now. Although he had been so angry with Qiao Feng that he smashed the table many times, the young Fukang'an was grateful for Qiao Feng's magnanimity. Moreover... what others didn't know was that Qiao Feng had actually taken the blame for him once in private.

Meanwhile, Chu Luren had already made arrangements for Yingying to go south to Shaolin Temple to see if she could find clues about the Sweeper Monk, the truth about the Bodhidharma Cave, and rescue the Lion King.

Chapter 749 Settlement

Originally, Chu Luren wanted to send Ren Yingying to Prince Manjingfeng's mansion and ask his elder brother and sister-in-law to take care of her.

After all, the journey to the Southern Shaolin Temple is long and arduous, and it would be difficult for the unconscious Yingying to accompany them...

As for Ren Yingying's coma, there might be clues at the Southern Shaolin Temple. After investigating, they can be more effective in waking her up. There's no rush to keep her in a coma for several months.

However, because two first-class guards were dismissed in Dengfeng Market, Chu Luren felt that it might not be appropriate to leave the capital. With his elder brother protecting him, he was naturally safe, but... if he were to provoke the Qing court at this time, his elder brother would likely be targeted by the young emperor.

So Chu Luren changed his mind and thought about where he could go...

The first place that came to mind was Juxian Manor—it's nearby. I haven't been back to the manor in a long time. Given my relationship with the You brothers, it shouldn't be a problem for him to take care of Yingying, who is in a coma, right?

With the Six Immortals of Peach Valley around, there's no need to worry about safety unless a true master intentionally tries to assassinate them.

Of course, given her status as the "Holy Maiden," the probability of her being assassinated by a master assassin once it is known that she is unconscious and in Juxian Manor is not small.

Thus, Chu Luren thought of Blackwood Cliff—Yingying was still the "Holy Maiden" of the Sun Moon Sect. Sending her to Blackwood Cliff would theoretically be no problem. As long as Sister Dongfang still acknowledged her as the Holy Maiden, Blackwood Cliff would definitely protect her.

Even the most skilled martial artist couldn't possibly assassinate Ren Yingying at Blackwood Cliff...

However, there is also a drawback: Sister Dongfang is not currently at Blackwood Cliff, and in the eyes of Sister Dongfang's confidants, Ren Yingying is a traitor.

At this moment, Chu Luren slapped his thigh—isn't this a ready-made place?

Send them to Leigushan!

Anyway, Yaoyue doesn't need to enter meditation and seclusion, so sending Ren Yingying there will be the same thing, and Leigu Mountain isn't far from Songshan...

How clever of me!

Before leaving Dengfeng, Chu Luren bid farewell to his fellow disciples Ake and Aqi: "That kid has already been accepted into the Shaolin Temple. Although Kong Wen and the others accepted him on behalf of their master, and he is of a high seniority, the more senior he is, the less Shaolin will allow him to disgrace the temple. I think he wouldn't dare to do anything more."

I also saw my friend off first. I truly regret not being able to meet Master Jiunan this time. Please remember to give my regards to the Venerable Master when you see her.

"Ah...ah! I'll definitely bring it, I'll definitely bring it." Ake seemed a bit tongue-tied, clearly lacking experience in the ways of the world.

"Thank you for your protection, Alliance Leader Chu and the three goddesses. In the future, if any of us sisters are ever needed, we will go through fire and water without hesitation..." Aqi was slightly better, but she had overdone it a bit.

Seeing this, Chu Luren sighed inwardly, but didn't say anything more.

In retrospect, Ake's background is quite tragic...

Although the exact identity of Jiu Nan in this world is unknown, it is likely that he is a descendant of the former Song Dynasty royal family.

She took Ake as her disciple because she thought Ake was Wu Sangui's daughter. So she stole her when she was a child and taught her martial arts only to instruct her to kill her own father in the future.

Of course, in the original work, Ake's true identity was eventually revealed to be not Wu Sangui's daughter, but Li Zicheng's daughter... Well, for Jiunan, it wasn't entirely unfair.

However, no matter what, Ake is truly tragic. The master she always admired never properly taught her martial arts, which not only made her martial arts skills weak, but also left her with great deficiencies in her understanding of her own martial arts, etiquette in the martial arts world, and even her personal character.

After Chu Luren left Dengfeng, Azi teased him, "Brother Chu, you didn't see it. That pretty girl didn't dare to look at you when you were facing her, but after you left, she kept staring at your back, her face all red."

"Hmph, didn't he see? He's probably secretly pleased with himself for attracting so many admirers." Mu Wanqing scoffed from the side.

Ah Zi, in a rather old-fashioned manner, said, "Well, although her martial arts skills are lacking and she's not very well-mannered, her face is really pretty. If she comes to beg for a concubine, Brother Chu, I'll just let her be a concubine for now!"

"Don't talk nonsense. We people of the martial world..." Chu Luren paused, then noticed that Wang Yuyan and Mu Wanqing were looking at him. He turned and said as if possessed, "We people of the martial world don't distinguish between wives and concubines."

After saying that, he spurred his horse and hurried ahead.

Mu Wanqing and Wang Yuyan were taken aback at first, not quite understanding his twist, but then their faces turned red: "How can there be such a shameless person?"

"Hmm? What does Brother Chu mean? I'll go after him and ask." Azi said deliberately.

However, she was immediately subdued by Wang Yuyan and Mu Wanqing working together...

Meanwhile, Aqi, who remained in Dengfeng, teased Ake, "Alright, everyone's gone! Time to come back to your senses!"

"W-what do you mean by 'returning to life'? Senior Sister, don't talk nonsense. I only feel gratitude towards Alliance Leader Chu!" Ake's face, which was originally somewhat pale, quickly turned red again.

She had initially felt a pang of self-pity when she realized that Alliance Leader Chu had shown no interest in her at all. Then, thinking of the Goddess Taiwei who could make a group of dogs fall to the ground and scream with a wave of her hand, she felt a little ashamed. However, when her senior sister teased her, she immediately became embarrassed.

"Did I mention the Alliance Leader Chu?" Aqi feigned confusion until Ake was so embarrassed that she begged for mercy before she stopped.

At the same time, Aqi sighed inwardly. Her junior sister was naturally beautiful, but... in other aspects, she was far inferior. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so easily captivated at first glance.

and……

Master, so you really didn't treat us as your disciples, did you?

Aqi was more thoughtful than Ake. After traveling alone with her junior sister for several months, she became increasingly aware of some things!

……

When they arrived at the foot of Leigu Mountain, the Chu deer people specially dismissed the six immortals of Peach Valley—letting them go wherever they wanted to play.

"No, no, we have to protect the Holy Maiden."

“That’s right, we’ve always protected the Holy Maiden!”

"Anyone who dares to disturb us, we'll tear them to pieces!"

……

The Six Immortals of Peach Valley were all unconvinced, but Chu Luren shook his head and said, "My friend has a bad temper, and you guys are noisy and don't like to bathe, so it's inevitable..."

"Little Chu! You've made friends and forgotten about us brothers!"

"That's right, that's right, don't forget, you're still half a Peach Kernel Immortal..."

"Why can't we go up just because we're afraid of upsetting your friend?"

Chu Luren didn't bother with their explanations about "Peach Kernel Immortal." Who could argue with such unreasonable arguments? Instead, he explained directly, "It won't cause any unpleasantness. Palace Master Yaoyue usually just kills those she doesn't like and forgets about them in a couple of words. It won't cause any unpleasantness."

Six Immortals of Peach Valley:......

"What happened to Palace Mistress Yaoyue?"

"That's right, does having high martial arts skills make you great?"

"Two Palace Masters of Yihua Palace, we, the Six Immortals of Peach Valley, have six!"

"If a real fight breaks out, we'll definitely have a better chance of winning..."