The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

“Brother Qiao went to the border to herd horses. He sent you a letter at the beginning of the year when you were still on Xia Ke Island. After you came back, I wrote a reply for you… The young emperor was always worried about you, so he promoted you in name only but demoted you all the way back to guard our ancestral lands outside the border,” Huang Rong explained.

Because he rushed to Turtle Mountain after returning from Xia Ke Island, Chu Luren missed a lot of things.

"Alright..." Chu Luren breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

Let him go beyond the Great Wall; it might be more comfortable for him.

This also shows that Kangxi was very confident. Unlike other Manchu nobles in the early days of the Qing Dynasty, he did not think "at worst, I can make a fortune and then go back to my hometown outside the pass". Instead, he had already regarded the Central Plains as his base. Guarding the ancestral land was just a matter of having a high position but little power, and it might even allow Prince Feng to stay far away...

"Who is the envoy who escorted the bride?" Chu Luren guessed that it was likely an old acquaintance of his.

"Wei Xiaobao." Huang Rong's answer was not unexpected by Chu Luren.

Chu Luren wasn't sure if his grand-nephew was currently being cuckolded.

In the original work, she definitely wore it, but now... with Chu Luren's help, she might not be wearing it.

After leaving a Dao Embryo clone on Wei Xiaobao, the Dao Embryo clone, acting as Chu Luren's "demon thought battery," will store all desires with evil intentions—including lust!

If it is consensual, intimate, or purely driven by desire, without any ulterior motives, then it will not be affected in any way.

As for Jianning and Wei Xiaobao...

Chu Luren estimated that his grand-nephew hadn't been cuckolded yet. Wei Xiaobao was initially unwilling to provoke Jianning, but Jianning took the initiative to seduce him. However, if he "couldn't perform," Jianning couldn't do anything about it.

Moreover, Chu Luren was not unaware of Wei Xiaobao's frequent contributions of demonic energy.

Well, Chu Luren felt that his grand-nephew should thank him properly.

"It seems we have no choice but to make this trip!" Chu Luren said with a determined expression.

Chu Luren hasn't settled accounts with Wu Sangui and the Divine Dragon Sect yet; Wu Kang has done quite a bit in recent years, but it's unknown what his final choice will be; Wei Xiaobao, the one who framed him in front of the Mu family, is probably him; and... the third Heavenly Fragrance Cardamom is very likely in Jianning's hands!

Almost everything was related to the Chu Lu people, so there was absolutely no reason not to go.

"Where is the wedding envoy now... Never mind, I'll head over there first." Chu Luren realized he had asked a stupid question.

They're in the Western Regions now, and Huang Rong can't tell fortunes, so who knows where the marriage envoy has gone...

However, since the journey was from Manchuria to Luoyang, Chu Luren decided to go to Wu Sangui's headquarters first and then investigate slowly.

The procession of the wedding envoys was quite large, and since it concerned the reputation of the Qing court, it was impossible for them to travel secretly.

Chu Luren originally thought that Sister Dongfang might go along as well, after all, she also had scores to settle with Wu Sangui and the Divine Dragon Sect, but unexpectedly...

"You're going to seek revenge on Wu Sangui? You're such a good brother. I'm entrusting the task of avenging your sister to you!" Dongfang Bubai clearly had his own matters to attend to.

Chu Luren remembered that Huang Rong had told him before that Yagyu Tajima-no-kami originally wanted to contact the Righteous Alliance, but was intercepted by the Sun Moon Sect. Just thinking that the meat was rotten in the pot, Chu Luren didn't react much.

Thus, the Chu Lu people escaped from Guishan and, after resting for only a few days, set off again, traveling through Hexi and Longyou, entering Guanzhong, and heading towards Luoyang...

Chapter 998 Return to Luoyang

Chu Luren traveled all the way to Luoyang, hearing many rumors along the way, such as...

Rumors are circulating that Chu Taisui has died in Turtle Mountain!

Even more extreme, some described their deaths alongside Wei Wuyuan in vivid detail, as if they were Wei Wuyuan's wheelchair...

Of course, many sects in the Righteous Alliance are also actively refuting the rumors—the Alliance Leader is not dead, so his fate is unknown!

Because the news of Chu Luren's escape spread faster than his light-footed speed, the attempts to refute the rumors seemed ineffective wherever he went.

"How could such a... great hero like Chu Taisui just disappear like that?"

"Hmph, if you always walk by the river, you're bound to get your shoes wet."

"What are you saying? Chu Taisui only entered Turtle Mountain to rid the martial arts world of evil..."

"Huh? I thought he went in because of his old flame."

"Hey, be careful, what if word gets to the Flower Palace..."

"What's there to be afraid of? Both of the female palace masters are already dead."

"Alright, alright, everyone, say less! Waiter... bring the wine! Today we're going to properly pay homage to Lord Chu! Eat and drink well!"

……

Chu Luren curled his lip upon hearing this—in short, regarding his "death," some were saddened, some felt nostalgic, some took it as an ideal and goal, and of course, some gloated.

Thinking back to what Chu Luren saw and heard on the way to Emei when Miejue passed away, he felt that... he was quite popular, even more so than Miejue.

That's just how the world is; if you make too much noise, not everyone will like you. Chu Luren didn't take it to heart.

The Chu people also heard about the wedding procession's itinerary and that they would be able to enter Luoyang City tomorrow!

The emperor marrying off his sister and the Prince of Pingxi taking a daughter-in-law were not shameful events, so they were naturally celebrated with great fanfare.

Wu Sangui probably hadn't completed the final preparations for his uprising. He accepted the emperor's bestowed marriage, and nominally it was a joyous occasion. The entire city of Luoyang, all the way to the outskirts of the city, along the direction from which the princess was about to arrive, was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations...

This made many people in the martial arts world even more eager to devour his flesh... Consequently, the Divine Dragon Sect captured many martial arts people who had come to assassinate Wu Sangui!

Chu Luren didn't figure out their strategy either—unable to find an opportunity to assassinate Wu Sangui, they went around destroying all the wedding decorations.

The very night Wu Sangui finished building the wedding platform, he arrested three groups of people, just like rats lured into a cage by the promise of profit...

After arriving in Luoyang, Chu Luren did nothing. He carried a sword and a knife and did not try to hide his identity as a member of the martial arts world.

The Chu Lu people had no interest in causing minor disruptions.

The main objective of this trip is to find the mermaid pearl that Jianning carries... which contains "Heavenly Fragrance Cardamom".

Apart from that, only Wu Sangui himself and that long-headed guy from the Divine Dragon Sect are worth Chu Luren's attention!

Since the wedding procession would arrive the next day, Chu Luren didn't rush to greet them. Instead, he planned to wait in Luoyang and take the opportunity to see his grand-nephew.

"Keep the change, please!"

Chu Luren stood up as he uttered the first word, and by the time he uttered the fourth, he had already immobilized the guy at the next table who had just said something about how it was a pity the Star Goddess was a widow...

The group of people at the table had just placed their hands on the swords on the table when, in a flash of light, both the swords and the scabbards were cut in half!

"Friend...which way are you going? I wonder what grudge you have with Green Wolf Village?" A burly man wearing a leather hat decisively put down his weapon, clasped his hands, and asked.

"Waiter, did you hear that? The bounty at the city gate includes this third leader of the Green Wolf Stronghold, right? Use him to pay for the food and drinks, keep the change!" Chu Luren said with a wave of his hand.

The martial arts practitioners at the same table and the next table remained silent. They could tell that the guy with the sword was deliberately provoking them, but... considering his high level of martial arts, the gentlemen decided not to argue with him or disturb their own business.

"Have a good trip, sir, and come again next time!" the waiter greeted him with a smile.

Of course, this restaurant has a lot of experience in entertaining people from the martial arts world, so it won't actually send them to the authorities. But because it has experience, it won't provoke the Chu Lu people.

Only after Chu Luren left did the group dare to discuss the matter...

"Damn! What incredible speed!"

"Did you guys notice his sword just now? He actually cut the Du brothers' weapons off the table in half..."

"That can't be done with just a sword. Look at the old wooden tabletop below... there's not even a white mark on the lacquer! It just cut through the blade and scabbard without touching the table at all. Can a sword do that?"

"Could this person be a supporter of Chu Tai Sui?"

"Shh, keep your voice down... You'll have to be careful what you say in Luoyang too..."

……

Chu Luren didn't deliberately hide himself. Firstly, it's best to keep things under your nose; the more arrogant he is, the less likely he is to be deliberately investigated. Secondly... the current Chu Luren isn't so afraid of trouble.

First, he returned to the inn, then circled around before emerging. Chu Luren concealed his tracks and made his way to the Prince of Pingxi's residence.

Wu Kang was already an older single man, but because he was not yet married, he still lived in the Prince of Pingxi's mansion and did not have his own residence.

Chu Luren had previously taken a stroll through Luoyang and heard that some people were saying that Wu Kang had been keeping a low profile in recent years, a stark contrast to his previous flamboyant demeanor.

Chu Luren didn't know the specifics, because the Qunyu Courtyard under Wu Sangui's rule had been completely sealed off—his cooperation with Dongfang Bubai had broken down, and he had even tricked Dongfang Bubai, so he dared not keep these things any longer.

Therefore, Chu Luren had no sources of information in Luoyang and had to rely entirely on hearsay...

However, Chu Luren knew that his "seclusion" was definitely just a pretense, because Chu Luren had seen Wu Kang appear at the "Turtle Killing Conference".

It is evident that he frequently left Luoyang and wandered the Jianghu (江湖, a term referring to the world of martial arts and outlaws

It's unclear whether this was his own plan or something Wu Sangui instructed him to do...

When Chu Luren arrived at Wu Kang's courtyard, he was very pleased—this grand-nephew was still diligently practicing martial arts, and with Chu Luren's keen eye, he could tell from the depth of Wu Kang's meditation that his temperament had indeed become much more composed.

At this moment, Wu Kang was practicing internal energy cultivation, using the authentic "Nine Yin Manual" that Chu Luren had taught him... the kind with a general outline!

Don't be fooled by the fact that Chu Luren often uses the "Nine Yin Manual" to do favors. In Chu Luren's eyes, it's at most a Tier 1 skill, not even Tier 0. But in the martial arts world, it's an extraordinary skill that can definitely stir up a storm of bloodshed.

Wu Kang was no fool. After many changes, although his state of mind was not completely in line with the Dao of Heaven and Man in the Nine Yin Manual, he was good at adapting. After several years of cultivation, he is now showing signs of having achieved considerable skill.

Putting everything else aside, even if Mei Chaofeng regained her sight, she wouldn't be a match for this disciple...

Chapter 999 Growth

After Wu Kang finished his practice, he returned his energy to his dantian, slowly exhaled, and opened his eyes, only to suddenly find someone in front of him!

Wu Kang was initially startled, but quickly forced himself to calm down. Then, his eyes gradually filled with doubt, and finally...

“Master…Grandmaster Uncle?” Wu Kang gradually recognized Chu Luren.

Wu Kang naturally recognized Chu Luren's appearance, but... not only were there rumors that Chu Luren had died, but his appearance had also undergone an inexplicable change, which made Wu Kang pause in surprise.

"Not bad, your Nine Yin Manual has already reached a high level," Chu Luren said, adopting the air of an elder.

"Your disciple is dull-witted and relies entirely on the guidance of your grandmaster!" Wu Kang immediately got off the bed and bowed deeply to Chu Luren.

"I heard you're getting married?" Chu Luren asked knowingly.

Upon hearing this, Wu Kang's face fell: "It is true. The Qing Emperor and my father... the Prince of Pingxi, were unwilling to start a war immediately, so they facilitated my marriage to Princess Jianning."

"No one wants to go to war? Aren't you ready yet?" Chu Luren asked.

"The Qing emperor has just sent the banner lord of the Plain White Banner back to the ancestral land outside the Great Wall. Many of the original Dorgon lineage members have also moved away. Now is the critical time when the manpower is scarce and we want to form the Han Eight Banners."

My father… cough, the Prince of Pingxi listened to the advice of the Holy Maiden of the Divine Dragon Sect and wanted to first find the Manchu's dragon vein outside the Great Wall, cut it off, and then take advantage of the situation to conquer the Central Plains, so as to prevent others from taking advantage of the situation…

For this reason, the Prince of Pingxi also said that it would be best to wait until the Mongol Yuan and the Song court went to war in Xiangyang before the Western Army raised the banner of righteousness. Wu Kang explained the reason why both sides were somewhat hesitant.

However, by comparison, it seems that the Qing Emperor is in a weaker position—because now it is Princess Jianning who has been sent over!

If Wu Kang doesn't go to the capital afterward, then it's like throwing good money after bad...