The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

Fortunately, not everyone is Hua Wuque, and many people felt that Chu Luren's words made sense—if he were really a master like Qiao Feng, how could he possibly lose a fan? After drugging the homeowner and searching the house thoroughly, how could he not have noticed that his fan was missing?

"Where was Brother Qiao at that time?" Chu Luren asked expectantly.

Unfortunately, since Chen Youliang and his group used this matter to launch their attack, Qiao Feng naturally had no alibi. In fact, the leaders of the Beggars' Sects of the North and South all had the bad habit of being elusive and rarely seen...

After some back and forth, Chen Youliang, arrogant and as if he had already turned the tables, said, "Qiao Feng, in the end, you can't prove that you weren't in Luoyang at the time, can you?"

Chu Luren had no choice but to ask, "That's strange... Bao Laosan, Feng Laosi, did you offend any of the Beggars' Sect heroes? This Chen guy was so sure that Murong Fu killed someone, but now he's saying that Brother Qiao was in Luoyang at the time? Could it be that he's just targeting Murong Fu?"

"No, no, this is obviously aimed at Chief Qiao. One minute it's Chief Qiao colluding with my young master, the next it's Chief Qiao committing murder. In short, as long as it's Chief Qiao's fault, it's all negotiable!" Bao Butong didn't care about his conflict with Chu Luren at this moment and focused on the beggar.

"Young Master Chu, you are mistaken! Brother Ma ultimately died from a throat-locking grappling technique. We... merely suspect Murong Fu's motives." Elder Xu's tone turned harsh towards Chu Luren at this point, probably because he realized that Chu Luren was on Qiao Feng's side.

"Huh? So it was Brother Qiao who instigated Murong Fu? Heh, and Brother Qiao was still worried that Murong Fu would be killed by Vice Chief Ma, so he specially went to Luoyang to keep watch?" Chu Luren's words were a bit rude to Ma Dayuan, but the reasoning was correct!

What merit or ability does Ma Dayuan possess that requires the combined efforts of Murong Fu of the South and Qiao Feng of the North?

Considering that Chen Youliang previously attacked him on the grounds of protecting Murong Fu, and now he is attacking him again on the grounds that Qiao Feng is the murderer, it is simply unreasonable.

"Nonsense! My young master is no ordinary man. Does he need someone to hold him back when he kills Ma Dayuan?" Feng Bo'e immediately denied it, which naturally led to an argument with the other beggars.

"Does Mr. Chen not know how to make this up? Let me teach you. Actually, there's another possibility... that Brother Qiao and Murong Fu are close friends and sleep side by side. In the morning, they each took the wrong fan, and Murong Fu left it at Vice Chief Ma's house. Doesn't that make more sense?" Chu Luren looked at Chen Youliang, clearly being sarcastic.

Feng Bo'e retorted again, "You're the one who slept side by side with Qiao Feng!"

Chu Luren: ? ? ?

Sleeping side by side is a phrase used to describe a very close relationship, right? Are the Murong family really that gay?

"I did this for the sake of the Beggars' Sect's foundation. Young Hero Chu insists on attributing this to my personal grudge against Qiao Feng. What can I say about that?" Chen Youliang did not give a direct answer.

Chen Guyan, standing to the side, felt that Chu Luren had just glanced at him, but it was so subtle that he couldn't say anything. However, the phrase "the one surnamed Chen" sounded increasingly grating to him.

After all, he felt guilty about the fan incident...

To Chu Luren's surprise, Jiang Biehe frowned and nodded, saying, "That's right, there are indeed some doubts about this matter."

Elder Xu then said, “Master Jiang, you don’t know this! Actually… the reason why the Beggars’ Sect had such an incident today is not just because of some suspicious points, but because of the letter left by Brother Ma. This letter was written by a highly respected person to Chief Wang Jiantong!”

Because this matter is of great importance, I dared not make a decision on my own. I specially sought out Mr. and Mrs. Tan, who knew about this matter, as well as the Zhao brothers, Qian and Sun…”

Upon hearing Elder Xu's words, Granny Tan said somewhat awkwardly to Zhao Qiansun, "Senior Brother, please tell us about what happened outside Shanhaiguan thirty years ago!"

Just as Chu Luren predicted! It's the Shanhai Pass from thirty years ago... Hmm? Shanhai Pass?

Chu Luren was taken aback upon hearing this.

"Thirty years ago? What Shanhaiguan? I don't know... I don't know!" Zhao Qiansun was terrified by what happened back then. Later, his beloved junior sister married Tan Gong and became Tan Po. Heartbroken, his madness worsened. When Elder Xu asked him to recount the past, he dared not mention it at all.

However, at this moment, Master Zhiguang of Tiantai Temple also arrived... Among the people present, it was Zhiguang, who no longer possessed martial arts skills, who was the most respected.

Even Jiang Biehe, who has risen to fame in the last decade, is not as respected as Master Zhiguang in the eyes of the older generation of martial arts practitioners.

Back then, Zhiguang was a master of both internal and external martial arts. However, in order to cure a plague in southern Fujian, he tasted all kinds of poisons and went overseas to find a kind of tree bark that could counteract the plague. He saved countless lives. Although his martial arts skills were ruined as a result, he was still respected by everyone in the martial arts world.

When Qiao Feng saw Master Zhiguang arrive, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that with such a virtuous person as Master Zhiguang, he wouldn't stand by and watch anyone slander him...

Master Zhiguang had indeed attained a Buddhist heart and nature. Although he knew what Elder Xu had asked him to say, upon seeing the letter Elder Xu had given him, Zhiguang said, "This is the fault of us monks back then, and we are truly ashamed... How about we destroy this letter?"

Chapter 83 Oath

Zhiguang was ashamed to bring up what happened back then, and he understood the principle that "an eye for an eye only leads to another," so he suggested that the letter be destroyed and that no one should mention it again in the future...

However, Elder Xu advised, "Given the reason that the Beggars' Sect is currently in dire straits, I urge Zhiguang to tell the truth, lest the Beggars' Sect be remembered with infamy for eternity!"

Qiao Feng could no longer contain himself and glared angrily at Elder Xu, who was his grandmaster's generation.

"In turmoil? Heh, that's strange. When Vice Chief Ma kept this letter, the Beggars' Clan was doing very well. The Beggars' Clan of the North and South had been reunited, and everyone knew that the Beggars' Clan was thriving. But now that Vice Chief Ma is gone and the letter has fallen into the hands of others, the Beggars' Clan has immediately fallen into turmoil..."

If this letter was truly important, then Chief Wang certainly had the foresight to entrust it to the reliable Deputy Chief Ma. Otherwise, if it had been given to some old and senile fool, the Beggars' Clan would probably be in dire straits long ago!

Chu Luren was just a passerby, but he couldn't stand by and watch this happen, so his tone became increasingly harsh.

"You!" Elder Xu could naturally tell who was being referred to as "old and senile".

Indeed, when Xu Chongxiao first saw the letter, he wondered why Chief Wang hadn't given it to him.

Now that Chu Luren has exposed it, how can they possibly lose face...?

Qiao Feng was also angry and did not stop Chu Luren from mocking Xu Chongxiao.

"Young Master Chu, because of your personal friendship with Qiao Feng, you interfere in the important affairs of the Beggars' Sect. Is this the behavior of a chivalrous person?" Elder Xu rebuked.

"Whether Chu acted out of chivalry is none of Master Xu's concern. But regarding the important matters of the Beggars' Sect... shouldn't we listen to the opinions of the other elders instead of just listening to the alarmist pronouncements of a few individuals?" Chu Luren said disdainfully.

Upon hearing himself addressed as "Master Xu," Xu Chongxiao glared and bristled, clearly not considering it a respectful title, but rather that the other party regarded him as an ordinary "old man," not a Beggar Clan elder or a martial arts senior!

“That’s right! I agree too. Let’s not listen to any alarmist talk, Master Zhiguang! From now on, you can keep this letter safe!” Elder Song said at this moment.

Among the three elders, Song, Xi, and Wu, Elder Song was the oldest. When he spoke, Wu Changfeng and Xi Sanqi eagerly echoed his sentiments.

"You..." Xu Chongxiao looked at him with an expression that said, "You're not worth discussing things with."

After all, Xu Chongxiao knew that the three of them had been informed of the contents of the letter!

Upon hearing this, Zhiguang hesitated, but Qiao Feng spoke up: "No need! Brothers, I dare not say that I am so upright and selfless, but I am not a scheming and despicable person either! Just say what you have to say!"

"Alas, what a tragedy, what a tragedy!" Zhiguang also realized that many people in the Beggars' Sect already knew about this matter, and it would probably be difficult to cover it up now.

Then she began to recount the events of thirty years ago...

When Chu Luren heard about Shanhaiguan before, he had already guessed a bit about it—in this world, they were also a bunch of fools who, under the instigation of the "leader," believed the nonsense that some Manchu Tartars were going to Shaolin to steal martial arts skills and then teach them to the Eight Banners army so that they could invade the Han people in the future.

If Shaolin martial arts are really that useful, wouldn't it be better to hand them over to the Song army sooner?

As a result, the group went to Shanhaiguan and ambushed a Jurchen couple who were entering the pass. At the same time, their own family was also slaughtered by the highly skilled Jurchen man. In the end, the Jurchen man jumped off a cliff with his baby and committed suicide, but threw the baby back halfway...

Unsurprisingly, the baby was none other than Qiao Feng!

"You say I'm a Manchu Tartar? You...you're despicable! What have I, Qiao Feng, done that you would fabricate such a monstrous lie to slander me?" Upon hearing this, Qiao Feng was instantly enraged.

The anger that had been building up inside him finally erupted, but in response to his roar, Master Zhiguang simply chanted Buddhist mantras.

The previously erratic Zhao Qiansun now burst into a strange laugh: "Ridiculous, ridiculous! Hahaha... Qiao Feng, Han people are not necessarily superior, and Jurchens are not necessarily worse than pigs and dogs. Don't you even acknowledge your own parents?"

Zhao Qiansun usually spouts nonsense nine out of ten sentences, but what he said now actually hit the nail on the head, except...

"That's not your place to talk, you idiots! Master Zhiguang, what exactly did that Jurchen man write in his last letter? Why don't you tell us... You're all keeping your mouths shut now, probably because you've wronged a good person, haven't you?" Chu Luren still wanted to argue with him.

As expected, upon hearing Chu Luren's words, Master Zhiguang fell silent in shame, while Zhao Qiansun changed the subject, saying, "Qiao Feng... you do indeed resemble that person from back then by seven or eight points. I was so terrified back then that my heart was shattered, and I will never forget it even a hundred years later..."

"You!" Qiao Feng was already seven or eight parts convinced by this, but he was unwilling to accept it emotionally.

At the same time, Chen Youliang also said, "Qiao Feng, do you have an eagle tattooed on your chest?"

"So what if it is?" Qiao Feng naturally did not deny it, but instead glared at Chen Youliang.

"That is actually the gyrfalcon, the totem of the Jurchens! The Aisin Gioro clan of the Manchus had the custom of tattooing gyrfalcons on the chests of their male members! You are even a descendant of the chief villain of the Manchus!" Chen Youliang revealed something that Chu Luren didn't know.

Chu Luren: ...

So Qiao Feng should be called "Aisin Gioro Feng"?

Qiao Feng was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, and Master Zhiguang then began to recount some events that followed—such as the three trials and seven merits Qiao Feng underwent before assuming the position of leader of the Gang…

Logically speaking, no leader of the Beggars' Sect in history has ever undergone such a thorough test!

Qiao Feng originally thought that Wang Jiantong had high hopes for him and was therefore strict with him. Now it seems that... he clearly did not want him to be the leader of the gang. However, he had reached the point where he could not win the respect of the people if he did not become the leader of the gang, so he had no choice but to let him be the leader.

Upon learning all this, Qiao Feng was completely dumbfounded...

While Qiao Feng was still in a daze, Master Zhiguang once again demonstrated that "masters" are not to be trifled with. He tore off a corner of the signed letter in his hand and stuffed it into his mouth!

When Qiao Feng tried to stop him, it was too late...

Zhiguang didn't mean anything by it; he just didn't want the ringleader to be disgraced.

As the truth comes to light—Ma Dayuan's death remains unclear, but the matter of "Aisin Gioro Peak" is now confirmed.

Although the three elders, Song, Xi, and Wu, still strongly supported Qiao Feng as the leader, many members, as well as Chen Guyan and Bai Shijing, tacitly opposed it. Chen Youliang remained silent at this point; now that his goal had been achieved, he also needed to be mindful of his reputation...

However, Quan Guanqing took the lead in the charge, directly denouncing those who supported Qiao Feng as slaves and lackeys of the Manchu Tartars... For a time, the Beggars' Sect even showed signs of splitting and internal strife.

Elder Xu was trembling with anger. He had originally thought that once this matter was exposed, everyone should be united in driving Qiao Feng away. How come... are all the disciples and elders so rebellious now?

Upon seeing this, Qiao Feng took out the dog-beating stick that he had been hiding in the long bag on his lap...

"I will verify what Master Zhiguang said, but until then, I am no longer suitable to be the leader of the gang. Who among you is willing to take on this responsibility? Please come forward and receive this certificate!" Qiao Feng said, holding up the Dog-Beating Stick with both hands.

However, Elder Song and the others were all defiant and naturally no one dared to step forward and take the baton...

Seeing this, Qiao Feng said, "In that case, let the two elders, the one in charge of transmitting skills and the one in charge of enforcement, and Elder Xu jointly keep it for now, and then pass it on after we decide on the person to help." Qiao Feng had already made up his mind to step down, and was just making the final arrangements.

Just then, Lu Youjiao stepped forward and said, "Chief Qiao, if you are going to step down, please leave behind the Chief's Order."

Qiao Feng glanced at Lu Youjiao, then sighed, but still said, "That's how it should be."

However, just as Elder Xu was about to accept the leader's token, Lu Youjiao stepped forward and said, "Wait!"

"What does Elder Lu mean?" Elder Xu frowned and looked at the people from the Northern Beggars' Gang.

"What do you mean? Whether it's our old leader Hong or me, Lu Youjiao, we all wholeheartedly accept Chief Qiao as the leader of our Northern and Southern Beggars' Sects! That's why we presented the Northern Beggars' Sect's leadership order to your Southern Beggars' Sect. Now that Chief Qiao has stepped down, what merit or ability do you have to make our Northern Beggars' Sect accept it? You should return it!"

As Lu Youjiao spoke, he reached out and snatched the gang leader's token from Elder Xu's hand. The other elders instinctively tried to stop him, after all, this was the Beggars' Gang's greatest achievement in recent years, and who wouldn't be proud of it?

However, when Lu Youjiao looked around, the others who met his gaze also put out their fires...

What's the point of taking it back?

The members of the Northern Beggars' Sect admitted that it was the sect leader's order. If they forcibly took it back, it would just be a piece of scrap metal, which wouldn't be shameful enough!

Qiao Feng handed over the Dog-Beating Stick and returned the Chief's Token. Whether it was Chu Luren's imagination or not, he felt that Qiao Feng's temperament had subtly changed at this moment, as if he had lost something, or as if he had been freed from a cage...

"Brothers, I will investigate my background, and... who stole my folding fan, thoroughly!" Qiao Feng said, glancing at Kang Min, Chen Youliang, and the others. Then, looking at Master Zhiguang and the others, he added, "Whether I am Han or Jurchen, I will never harm a single Han person in this life. If I break this oath, may I be as..."

As Qiao Feng spoke, he used the Dragon Capturing Skill to take the knife from Shan Zheng's hand. But seeing that Qiao Feng was about to swear an oath, Chu Luren used a finger strike to knock the knife away halfway when he was off guard!

When Qiao Feng looked over in confusion, Chu Luren said, "Brother Qiao, this oath is ill-chosen. There are many Han people who deserve to die! Does this mean that after today, if you see those who bully the weak, those who are unjust and cruel, or even those who are aggressive and want to kill you, you will not be willing to kill them?"

Upon hearing Chu Luren's words, Qiao Feng smiled in response...

The reason Qiao Feng made this oath was because he realized that after today, what Master Zhiguang had said would be completely exposed, and he would also know about it. Those survivors of the Battle of Shanhai Pass would probably not be able to sleep soundly, so he wanted to make an oath to show that he would let the matter go.

Upon hearing Chu Luren's words, Qiao Feng changed his tune, saying, "Brother Chu is right! In my life, I would never repay kindness with enmity, but if you try to be a chivalrous hero or push me too far, then don't blame me!"

"Brother Qiao is righteous! If it were me, I would say that if what happened back then was truly for the sake of the country, then we would not mention those grudges. But if a person has killed his own parents and feels guilty, then such a villain should end his own life. He would be a hero if someone took revenge and killed him in the future. That would be the end of it all!"