The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

It's been said, it's the suona, so who else could it be!

Since Alliance Leader Chu has arrived, why not show yourself? — Haitang said this regardless of whether others could hear her.

Anyway, Chu Taisui, who plays the suona, should be able to hear it!

The suona music stopped, and the door to the private room was pushed open, and Chu Luren walked in.

"Hahaha, I heard that Boss Wan has rushed to invite all the well-known musicians from within a three-thousand-mile radius, but why didn't he invite me? How is my suona playing? Isn't it... very festive?" Chu Luren laughed loudly as soon as he entered.

Looking at the table for the two, although there weren't many dishes, each one was a rare delicacy, from East China Sea grouper to Changbai Mountain black bear paw, and all were prepared by renowned chefs who were hard to find anywhere in the world and couldn't even be invited to the imperial kitchen!

"Look, we've hired so many cooks. In the countryside, if you hire so many cooks, you're bound to get this too," Chu Luren said, placing the suona on the table.

Wan Sanqian, however, had cultivated composure. Upon hearing this, he still smiled and said, "I merely have some spare money and occasionally help friends, which is why everyone gives me some face. Alliance Leader Chu is extremely busy, how could I dare to disturb him?"

"Good! Brother Wan, you speak well. I'm too embarrassed to mention how Wanqian Merchant Guild spread the news of my whereabouts all over the world before! Hahaha..." Chu Luren laughed.

He wanted to pat Wan Sanqian on the shoulder, but when he raised his hand slightly, he already felt his aura locked on, about to be unleashed, so he controlled himself and avoided any physical contact.

Otherwise, the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi would have taken action on the spot, right?

After all, Wan Sanqian didn't know martial arts. If Chu Luren made any physical contact with him, killing him silently would be too easy, and wouldn't even leave a trace.

"Oh? Is that so? It must be that the people below don't know the rules. Don't worry, Alliance Leader Chu, I will definitely have a good talk with them when I get back," Wan Sanqian said without any annoyance.

"Speaking of which, Brother Wan, you look different now than before..." Chu Luren said, examining him carefully before adding, "...subtle changes? Aren't your eyes a little smaller?"

Seeing that Chu Luren seemed oblivious to his handsome face, Wan Sanqian was displeased, but he simply shook his head and said, "It's just a little disguise. I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Alliance Leader Chu. I'm just making a little money. I'm not as skilled as a chivalrous hero like Alliance Leader Chu in other aspects."

This has a sarcastic tone, as if to say, "You guys know the most about these low-class things!"

"Brother Wan, you're too modest! To have achieved this level of business success, it's not enough to just make money, is it? Rumor has it that you were acquainted with the Divine Marquis in your early years? Back when the Jiang family patriarch was killed and the family fell apart, with the help of some unknown force, you took a big bite out of the Jiang family's foundation. You're far more capable than any of us in the martial arts world..."

We who roam the martial world live on the edge, risking our lives, neither our own nor others'. But we would never do something like preying on someone's family's ruin.

Chu Luren made a few sarcastic remarks.

When Chu Luren was investigating Jiang Biehe's resume, he also took the opportunity to investigate the Jiang family's assets—their collection of gold and silver jewelry had disappeared, but much of their real family property had been embezzled.

Later, some of the relatives and cousins ​​died in a dispute over property. A few years ago, some of them were involved in other cases and were also executed. Basically, the family has been wiped out.

Twenty years ago, the Wan family already had a considerable business, but at that time, the richest man in Jiangnan was Jiang Feng!

Of course, back then, Jiang Feng's family fortune was probably less than one-tenth of Wan Sanqian's. Starting from the foundation of the Jiang family, Wan Sanqian, with the secret assistance of Zhao Tiedan, gradually became the undisputed richest man in Jiangnan and even the Song court!

Jiang Feng died a few years earlier than the orphan of the Song Dynasty royal family who moved south and became king. Zhao Tiedan's power at that time was far less than it is now. The chivalry ranking was still relying on comparisons and attacks to maintain its popularity. Jiangnan was not as wealthy as it is now. It was the two of them who made arrangements in advance, which led to the situation we have today.

"Alliance Leader Chu, you didn't come along just to play a tune on the suona, did you?" Shangguan Haitang interrupted Chu Luren and changed the subject.

Although Wan Sanqian's "sudden attack" made Shangguan Haitang very uncomfortable—I treat you like a brother, and you actually want to sleep with me?—Chu Luren's repeated attacks on "Brother Shen" still made Haitang subtly unhappy.

Moreover, while Chu Luren was talking about "unknown power," he was actually about to reveal that it was her godfather by name!

When Wan Sanqian heard Chu Luren say this, he showed no sign of guilt or anger—it was indeed a "collusion" with the Dragon Guard Manor, but this was part of the strategy, and Master Wan did not find it shameful.

"Where is Murong Fu?" Chu Luren asked, not keeping Shangguan Haitang in suspense.

"Secret Agent Murong has his own important business," Shangguan Haitang said calmly, naturally not revealing Murong Fu's whereabouts to him.

"Guihai Yidao isn't here either... Could he have been sent back to Shaolin again?" Chu Luren sneered.

Shangguan Haitang: !!!

How could the people of Chulu know about this?

“I saw him when I visited Master Sao at the Sutra Repository before. It’s just strange that Luo Jusheng was able to pull people out of Shaolin.” Chu Luren shook his head as he spoke.

Chu Luren guessed that the Sweeping Monk had made a mistake because he was treating Yuanshan and Murong Bo. It seemed that this explained why the Sweeping Monk selectively helped people. This was a matter of acting within his capacity. Otherwise, if there were more people, he would not be able to take care of everyone.

Chu Luren was half right, partly due to the Sweeper Monk's oversight and partly due to Wei Xiaobao's cooperation.

"I see... Then I must thank Alliance Leader Chu for keeping this a secret." Shangguan Haitang said helplessly, but she was also worried that Chu Luren would spread the news.

Meanwhile, Shangguan Haitang also secretly took notice of "Master Sweeper"—was he the master sweeper? Did Chu Taisui know him? Was he really called "Master Sweeper"?

"The Marquis of Shenhou is quite bold. If someone dies from the Nameless Blade Technique now, wouldn't he be the one to take the blame? If any officials of the court are killed... hehe, Cao Zhengchun will definitely take the opportunity to crush him!" Chu Luren said, shaking his head.

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Haitang couldn't help but feel worried. Just as she was about to ask Chu Luren for his opinion, she saw Chu Luren already smiling: "It would be good if the eunuchs and the Dragon Guard Manor fought each other. At least that way, the court wouldn't cause trouble for Xiangyang."

Seeing his reaction, Shangguan Haitang felt a surge of frustration.

"By the way, the Marquis has something to attend to and begged me to come to the capital on June 15th. If I go with you, will it be in time? Don't worry about it. If you want to slack off as usual after you finish your mission, I'll go ahead first and won't report you... It's for the court, after all! I understand, I understand." Chu Luren asked this question specifically.

There are still more than ten days left. If we travel slowly, we might miss our chance.

"Of course we'll make it! As royal spies, we'll do our best to get back!" Shangguan Haitang decided that she must travel even faster than usual so that this person wouldn't underestimate her.

Wan Sanqian was a little resentful now. He had indeed planned to take Haitang back slowly, sightseeing and enjoying the scenery.

Chapter 815 Substituting One Thing for Another

Although Shangguan Haitang decided to hurry back to Lin'an, she did not leave that day, since there was a turtle-killing ceremony that night.

As an official, Shangguan Haitang would naturally not attend such a gathering. However, there would be spies from the Dragon Guard Manor infiltrating the area. Shangguan Haitang and Murong Fu would stay in Xinghua Prefecture for the night so that they could react immediately should anything happen.

That evening, Gou Zazhong came to see Chu Luren, saying that they would be separated for a while, but when Chu Luren asked him if he was going to the Snow Mountain Sect, Gou Zazhong hesitated and remained silent...

Seeing this, Chu Luren had a vague idea in his mind and couldn't help but frown and say, "You're not trying to substitute one thing for another, are you?"

"Huh?" The bastard looked at his second brother in confusion.

"It means to die in someone else's place," Chu Luren said, rolling his eyes.

"Ah! This... how did Second Brother know? But... I won't die." The bastard was shocked to hear this, thinking that his Second Brother was simply a god.

That's easy to guess—if he's not going to the Snow Mountain Sect, he doesn't have anywhere else to go. He just reunited with his parents, so it's quite possible he'd accompany them to the Snow Mountain Sect. However, if that bastard is going to the Snow Mountain Sect, then there's no reason to hesitate, unless… he's up to no good!

Upon hearing this, Chu Luren angrily retorted, "Whose idea was this? Was it that Ding Dang? I don't think she's a decent person. I'll go and make a mark to identify her right now!"

Whose brother are you taking advantage of?

Outrageous!

"No... Second Brother, it wasn't Dingdingdangdang... it was her... Oh no... Second Brother, listen to me... Dingdingdangdang and he had a big fight, and that's how I overheard it. After that... after that, I volunteered to go in his place! Dingdingdangdang even stormed off because of this..."

The bastard quickly stopped Chu Luren and began to explain.

This time it really wasn't Ding Dang's doing, but that little thief Shi Zhongyu's own idea!

During the Lion-Slaying Assembly, he saw his younger brother actually beat up a very powerful old monk from Shaolin. He was both surprised and delighted, and then... he felt a little resentful.

So my younger brother is really that amazing?

He seems no weaker than a ruthless man like Chu Taisui. So... if he sincerely wants to protect me, what can the Snow Mountain Sect do?

His parents are no longer a reliable source of support. Firstly, although Shi Qing is sometimes indecisive, he has no intention of covering up or protecting his son's serious mistakes. Even if he can't bring himself to punish them, he only wants to make amends as much as possible and ask Old Master Bai for forgiveness. Secondly, even if Shi Qing wants to act recklessly, the Snow Mountain Sect is not afraid of him. Shi Qing's martial arts skills are only about the same as Bai Wanjian's, not much stronger, let alone compared to Bai Zizai.

However, Shi Zhongyu felt that his younger brother was probably capable of beating that old, dead sect leader to a pulp!

Unfortunately, they had no intention of helping me at all...

And just then, Shi Zhongyu noticed that Dingdingdang's gaze towards his younger brother was sometimes full of excitement and sometimes very conflicted. Shi Zhongyu was overjoyed!

After the massacre, Shi Zhongyu took the opportunity of meeting Ding Dang alone to ask her to ask "Shi Zhongjian" to go to Lingxiao City on his behalf.

In order to persuade Ding Dang, Shi Zhongyu not only emphasized that with Shi Zhongjian's unparalleled martial arts skills, Old Man Bai could not do anything to him, but also, after pleading bitterly and being rejected, he took the initiative to say that he knew she had changed her mind. He said that as long as she helped him beg Shi Zhongjian, he would not blame her and would never talk about the two of them again.

In a fit of anger, Ding Dang slapped him. The two argued and were discovered by Gou Zazhong. Shi Zhongyu shamelessly went to him again to beg. Ding Dang was both ashamed and angry at Shi Zhongyu's behavior. But Gou Zazhong actually fell for it and agreed to go to Lingxiao City for him. Ding Dang exposed Shi Zhongyu's intentions, but was met with a few sarcastic remarks from Shi Zhongyu. In addition, she was dissatisfied with how easily Gou Zazhong was fooled, so she left in a huff.

However, the bastard had already made up his mind...

"Are you stupid? If Shi Zhongyu loses his life, Shi Qing and Min Rou will be heartbroken. If you lose your life, won't they be heartbroken too? Besides, if he dies and you live, they will have some solace. If you die and he lives, won't they be furious? They are both getting old, and it's too late for them to have a third child!" Chu Luren immediately tried to persuade them.

“This… I wanted me to atone for his sins, so he could reflect on his actions,” the bastard said matter-of-factly.

"You'd better not even think about it, just cancel it now!" Chu Luren said firmly.

"I've already released him quietly; Master Bai will find out soon," the bastard whispered.

"You!" Chu Luren's expression shifted slightly upon hearing him mention "Master Bai," also known as Bai Wanjian. He said, "Very well, then you can go. But remember two things..."

"Please speak, Second Brother," the bastard said hastily, looking worried that his second brother might disagree.

"First, if anything happens to the Snow Mountain Sect, if you encounter your master, you must listen to your master; if you don't encounter your master, you must stand on Master Bai's side. Second... no matter the reason, don't let anyone hurt you, otherwise I will definitely kill Shi Zhongyu and destroy the Snow Mountain Sect!"

Chu Luren patted the dog bastard on the shoulder as he spoke.

"What? How can you do this? I'm on my way to rescue people..."

"I don't care. Your second brother keeps his word. You can decide for yourself." Chu Luren said, kicking him out of the room.

Otherwise, if Bai Wanjian really finds out that the little beast has been released, then the bastard's father-in-law's initial impression of him will plummet.

As for how that bastard plans to deceive Shi Qing and Min Rou, that's his own business.

……

Meanwhile, Master Jiunan, whom Chu Luren had not seen before, arrived in Xinghua with two disciples.

On the way, she encountered Zheng Keshuang, the second son of the Zheng family who occupied Zhouhu. As expected, Ake's beauty attracted many suitors.

Moreover, the person they attracted was a young, wealthy, and well-mannered gentleman like Zheng Keshuang, so Ake's mood wasn't so bad.

In an attempt to get closer to her, Zheng Keshuang, upon learning that Master Jiunan was also very dissatisfied with the Qing court, "unintentionally" revealed his identity and even offered to take her and her disciples to the "Turtle-Killing Assembly".

Throughout the journey, Zheng Keshuang would intentionally or unintentionally portray himself as the master of the Heaven and Earth Society, while Chen Jinnan was nothing more than a servant—a servant who was not very obedient and had a better relationship with his elder brother.

It was as if the Zheng family would become the emperor the moment something happened in the Central Plains or Hebei...

Not only did Jiu Nan frown repeatedly upon hearing this, but A Ke also secretly felt that this young master was... somewhat flamboyant, unlike Alliance Leader Chu who was so pragmatic—Alliance Leader Chu never kept mentioning "Righteous Alliance"!

Chapter 816 On Ren Woxing's Retirement Issues

"Master, Old Master Ren has woken up and is cursing." Mei Jian came to inform Chu Luren before dinner time.

On Leigu Mountain, people from Lingjiu Palace took over, so the Four Sword Attendants, as Chu Luren's personal maids, although they had never been truly close, still came over to fulfill their duties on the surface.

As for why Lingjiu Palace is located at Leigu Mountain...

Chu Luren guessed that it was his master and uncle's trip to Wuliang Mountain that had indeed alarmed Tongtong!

Of course, even though the people from Lingjiu Palace went there, they didn't dare to become kings of the mountain. Or rather... if they wanted to become kings of the mountain, they would have to wait for Yaoyue and Dongfang Bubai to leave.

After Ren Woxing was sucked by Duan Yu yesterday, he has been unconscious, but his pulse is completely normal, which is relatively good for an elderly person of his age.