The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

"What are your plans after this, Master? Will you return to Tibet to cultivate in peace?" Chu Luren asked after a moment's thought.

"I am going back to where I came from, but not necessarily to Tibet," Kumārajīva said philosophically.

He then turned his attention to the present and said, "Of course, I will first go back to Kublai Khan's camp and send the body of the Golden Wheel Monk back."

Chu Luren glanced at Jinlun, showing no intention of making things difficult for a corpse, but still asked, "Master, you have seen what happened with Zhao Wushi. How do you plan to deal with it?"

"I will tell Kublai Khan the truth about what happened today." Kumārajīva was just telling the truth. After a pause, he said, "I knew before that the Iron-Blooded Marquis had great ambitions, but I did not expect... if we let him run rampant, the Song Kingdom will probably face a calamity."

His face was full of compassion, but he didn't intend to do anything—after all, there was nothing he could do!

He couldn't very well go and pay homage to the Song emperor and tell him that Zhao Wushi was planning a rebellion, could he? Kumārajīva would probably be beheaded first…

Well, even if the young emperor believed it, what help would it bring?

As for armed resistance, that's even more impossible...

Although Kumārajīva was deeply influenced by Mahayana Buddhism, he still had the foundation of Tantric Buddhism. He would save as many sentient beings as he could, but if he couldn't... well, I haven't become a Buddha, so it's normal that I can't save them!

"Jinlun is dead. From now on, Master will be the only Dharma King of Tibet. I wonder if Master has thought about where Tibet will go from here?" Chu Luren asked.

“The Tibetan king can only control the tribes around Lhasa now, and he has already lost the Western Sea. In the future, he may either submit to the Mongols or remain scattered and disorganized.” Kumārajīva became very rational.

Unlike before, he did not place his hopes on assisting the "Zanpu," the emperor of Tibet, to regain the lost territories and restore the strength of Tibet during the Tang Dynasty, nor did he go any further, nor did he devote himself wholeheartedly to "religious victory" like Jinlun.

In this way, Kumārajīva's understanding was relatively accurate.

After all, the real Tubo (Tibetan) kingdom fell even earlier than the Tang Dynasty—it was now just a scattered tribe, and in the vast world, only Lhasa, or what is now known as Lhasa, remained within the sphere of influence of the Zanpu (Tibetan king).

Although the capital of Tibet was Lhasa in the past, the foundation upon which Tibet made the Tang Dynasty feel like it was a thorn in its side was the Western Sea, which was acquired after the destruction of Tuyuhun. This area, which is the Qinghai region in later times, was close to the Central Plains and bordered the Longyou region, the heartland of the Tang Dynasty.

As for Lhasa, although it was the nominal capital, it was located on a plateau and lacked resources.

The rapid decline of Tibet was precisely due to this influence—the ethnic groups within the Tibetan kingdom already wielded immense power, a consequence of the Tang Dynasty's Jiedushi (military governor) system. Coupled with the geographical conditions of a weak central government and powerful surrounding regions, the eventual fragmentation was inevitable.

But now the Western Sea has long been no longer of any interest to the Tibetans; it is mostly under the control of the Western Xia...

When Kumārajīva was not thinking clearly, he sent a message to the Tibetan king, telling the young prince to prepare to participate in the Western Xia Empress's marriage recruitment the following year.

However, all those thoughts have now faded away.

Seeing Kumārajīva's Buddhist-like demeanor, Chu Luren merely offered a word of advice: "The tree may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease. Now that the Golden Wheel Dharma King has passed away, the Mongol Yuan dynasty will likely no longer recognize this National Preceptor. If the Mongol army were to first pacify Tibet, then enter Dali from Tibet, and from Dali into Sichuan, how could you, Master, bear to see that?"

Kumārajīva, having already overcome his inner demons and seen the Tathagata, was not affected in terms of intelligence and could naturally understand the hidden meaning in Chu Luren's words.

“If a holy ruler were to be born, or if he were to submit to another… we may not be able to see it,” Kumārajīva said, and then stopped talking about worldly matters.

Finally, Kumārajīva laboriously carried the body of the Golden Wheel away, while Chu Luren recuperated for a while, allowing his ribs to be slightly reattached.

Although it hasn't fully recovered, it shouldn't break at the slightest touch.

Only then did they return to Xiangyang!

Meanwhile, in the mountain villa outside Xiangyang City, as it was getting late, torches and lanterns were being lit all around. The final match, a best-of-five series, was between Sangjie and Zhou Botong, who had arrived not long ago and had been urged to take the stage by Wang Chongyang...

Chapter 931 Victory or Defeat

Sangjie's martial arts skills are quite good, but compared with Zhou Botong, the Old Urchin, there is obviously still a considerable gap!

Once Zhou Botong "realized" that his ambidextrous fighting technique could be applied to actual combat, he had already firmly reached the pinnacle of first-class skill and was on the verge of becoming unparalleled.

Moreover, he had already comprehended the first part of the Nine Yin Manual at that time, but because he lacked the General Principles of the Nine Yin Manual, he deliberately refrained from cultivating or using it, which in turn limited his strength...

After Chu Luren taught him the "Nine Yin Manual", enabling him to use the "Nine Yin Manual", he was already a peerless master.

Zhou Botong has been back in the martial arts world for several years now. Although he has been playing around, he has also gained new insights. Now, even if he were to face Jinlun Fawang, the outcome would be evenly matched!

Even though Zhou Botong wasn't serious at all, and was only playing around, after seventy or eighty moves, he still managed to knock Sangjie off the stage with a thud from his rear end...

At this moment, Yin Kexi, a wealthy merchant from the Western Regions, had his Golden Dragon Whip broken and lay to the side, his face not looking too good—he and Nemo Xing had just lost as well.

Nemo was in a terrible state; his clothes, which were wrapped in a white cloth, were still stained with fresh blood, and he sat cross-legged on the ground, trying to calm himself.

It was originally agreed that it would be a best-of-five series, but because Jinlun Fawang and Kumozhi were directly "lured away," Yin Kexi and Nimoxing also made sarcastic remarks, saying that the martial arts world of the Central Plains was going to cheat.

Ultimately, this best-of-five series became a three-person battle between two teams, with one side losing all their remaining players!

Nemo Xing was the first to come up, but the Xiangyang side immediately sent out Hong Qigong!

Originally, everyone advised against using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, especially given the rules, suggesting that it would be better to have Hong Qigong oversee things. However, Hong Qigong had a fiery temper, and Madam Guo also felt that this was a safer approach, so Hong Qigong's "sledgehammer" was wielded directly...

However, Nemo Xing could be considered "honorable in defeat" - as a rare Buddhist in India, Nemo Xing practiced the "Shakyamuni Elephant Throwing Skill", which not only made him extremely strong, but also made him particularly good at throwing.

The bluestone slabs that served as the arena were eventually overturned by him and hurled at Hong Qigong...

Although Hong Qigong used his palm force to break and resolve the attack, he also injured Nemo Xing. However... according to the prior agreement, Hong Qigong's actions could be considered as "going out of bounds"!

Of course, in the mouths of the heroes of the Central Plains, this is called "shameless"!

However, Nemo Xing and Yin Kexi had a valid reason—the rules were agreed upon by everyone, so who said they couldn't just lift the ring up? That's how people from India fight, so don't be surprised…

After Yin Kexi took the stage, Qiu Chuji, Li Zhenghao and other masters all wanted to fight, but in the end Duan Tianya was the one who successfully volunteered.

Duan Tianya and Shangguan Haitang also sensed that Madam Guo harbored immense resentment towards them...

Shangguan Haitang thought that someone's conspiracy had succeeded, causing Madam Guo to have some misunderstanding about the Dragon Guard Manor. Duan Tianya, however, had already vaguely realized something, but he was still not sure and there were still many things he didn't understand.

Therefore, he didn't say much; at the moment, he simply wanted to do his part.

As for why Madam Guo specifically chose Duan Tianya...

Besides the fact that his martial arts skills were indeed superior to those of Qiu Chuji, Li Zhenghao, and others, it was also because Yin Kexi was superior!

While defending Xiangyang with her husband, Madam Guo, who always prioritized the greater good, couldn't help but think that it would be best if Yin Kexi and the people of the Dragon Guard Manor perished together...

He even thought that it would be great if Yin Kexi could win and kill Zhao Wushi's adopted son!

Unfortunately, it didn't work out...

Duan Tianya's martial arts skills were indeed weaker than Yin Kexi's. However, Yin Kexi was, after all, a merchant. Although he had a series of fortuitous encounters that allowed him to develop his martial arts skills through business and obtain many treasures to nourish himself, making his skills no less than those of Nemo Xing, he was still a merchant at heart. He was inevitably greedy, unable to resist temptations, and unable to control his desires...

In other words, it is subject to the restraint of spiritual guidance methods!

In the end, Duan Tianya took a risky gamble, risking serious injury from the Golden Dragon Whip, to use "Illusion Sword" to pull him into a brief illusion, and then severed his left wrist with a sword...

If it weren't for the excruciating pain that woke him up and allowed him to jump off the stage in time, he might have lost his right hand or even his life.

If it were Nemo, it certainly wouldn't be so easy.

Of course, this also left Duan Tianya severely injured, forcing him to retreat...

Although the Central Plains would have won both times if we were to be serious, the result was that each side lost two players.

Finally, Sangjie, the Grand Protector of the Mongol Yuan side, took the stage, and Madam Guo... ordered that they eat first.

The elders of the Central Plains martial arts world went inside for a banquet and discussed the upcoming battle. Outside, ordinary martial artists had also prepared wine and meat. Only a dozen or so people from the Mongol Yuan dynasty were outside, starving.

Just then, Zhou Botong arrived. At first, he teased everyone and tried to cause trouble, but when he saw Wang Chongyang, he was so surprised that he exclaimed, saying strange things like, "As expected, Senior Brother, you are not dead!" and "I didn't expect that after awakening the wisdom of my past life, my appearance would also change!"

Finally, after being reprimanded by Wang Chongyang, he obediently took the stage as the third person from the Central Plains—after all, Wang Chongyang estimated that if Zhou Botong hadn't come, he would have to consider having his wife, Lin Chaoying, compete on stage later…

Zhou Botong's arrival saved a lot of trouble. Although it wasn't a quick and efficient solution, he resolved the Sangjie issue in a leisurely manner.

Meanwhile, Chu Luren returned to the manor...

Upon seeing Chu Luren return alone, and noticing the bloodstains on his clothes... it seemed he was injured?

The martial arts practitioners present immediately began asking questions about Guo Juxia, and Yin Kexi also shouted, "Where is the Golden Wheel Monk? Could he have been harmed by you Southerners?"

Upon hearing this, the assembled heroes engaged in another round of heated debate with him...

Yin Kexi and Nimo Xing changed the rules earlier simply to try and gain credit—by betting the outcome of all three matches together. In other words, if it was a best-of-five series, the outcome would be in their hands regardless of Jinlun and Kumārajīva's results...

Neither of them were completely convinced of the authority of the Golden Wheel Monk as their "national teacher."

Jinlun is indeed stronger than them, but not to the point of being convincingly strong!

However, now that they have all lost, they can't help but look forward to the arrival of the Golden Wheel Monk and Kumārajīva.

but……

"The Golden Wheel Dharma King is dead. The Great Wheel Bright King, Master Kumārajīva, has taken his body and is about to go to the Mongol army to confess this matter! As for the death of the Golden Wheel Dharma King... Heh, you will naturally know what happened after you go back!" Chu Luren said directly.

Yes, not only did the Golden Wheel Monk die, but Kumārajīva was also rendered useless.

I started a war with Zhao Wushi, but unexpectedly, it was two Tibetan monks who ended up getting hurt...

When Yin Kexi heard that Jinlun was dead, his heart sank – they knew perfectly well how skilled Jinlun was in martial arts.

As for the questions about Master Guo, Chu Luren did not answer immediately. Madam Guo also stopped everyone from asking further questions and instead invited Chu Luren into the hall alone, wanting to get the information privately. At this time, Chu Luren could also see that Madam Guo's steps were somewhat disordered due to nervousness, but she had to maintain the composure in front of other martial arts figures...

Chapter 932 Madam Guo's Decision

“So… my husband has certainly been murdered, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s dead?” Madam Guo’s expression softened slightly.

However, this statement is somewhat self-comforting...

If someone is completely drained by the "Absorption Technique," they are basically in a state of utter exhaustion, like an ordinary person. No extra action is needed, and if no one comes to their aid, they are destined to die.

At least for now, Chu Luren cannot see that Zhao Wushi would have a reason to save Guo Juxia's life!

The only chance of survival is probably...

"What are Madam Guo's plans?" Chu Luren neither confirmed nor refuted Madam Guo's statement.

There is indeed still hope, and there is no need to force Madam Guo to accept it now.

Upon hearing this, Madam Guo also showed a thoughtful expression. However, Chu Luren could sense that Madam Guo was in turmoil at the moment, and that her thinking was probably just a forced effort.

Therefore, Chu Luren took the initiative to suggest: "Either we take advantage of Lü Wende's presence in the manor and detain him directly, then I will rush back to Xiangyang tonight to capture Lü Wenhuan, and then publicly expose Zhao Wushi's crimes, and defend Xiangfan; or we can appease the people externally, while sending someone to Lin'an to file a complaint with the emperor internally; or... Madam Guo can take her children and quickly leave this place of trouble."

Although Chu Luren didn't think he was particularly clever, after much thought, he could only come up with these three paths.

It's hard to say which one is better, or rather... neither of them is particularly good!

Whether capturing the two Lü brothers and taking over Xiangyang would be so easy is another matter. Even if everything went smoothly, holding Xiangyang and Fancheng would be a joke. At that time, the Song court would not even need to launch a campaign. Just the lack of reinforcements would be enough to make the more than 100,000 troops defending Xiangyang unable to hold out. In the end, it would only benefit the Mongol Yuan.

To appease the people and secretly communicate with Lin'an was merely self-consolation. Regardless of the difficulties of "sending the message," even if the emperor and the officials in the court knew what Zhao Wushi had done, what could they do?

Hoping they can redress Guo Juxia's grievances will have to wait until the Song court needs martial arts figures to lend a hand again, but who knows if that will be a year or two, or even ten or twenty years from now...

Chu Luren preferred the third option, which was to ask Madam Guo to leave with her children as soon as possible. Before Zhao Wushi attacked Guo Juxia, the Guo family was only under pressure because the enemy was strong and they were weak, but now they were attacked from both sides!

The defenders of Xiangyang could turn on their own at any moment; a stray arrow could come from anywhere, and they couldn't be stopped by mere bravado.