The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

Because it was the Venerable Shenshan who mediated, Ding Mian, Lu Bai, and the others even kept their polite words to a minimum...

Chapter 169 Traveling Together

The sky cleared after the snow, and it was just getting light.

The Songshan Sect left the dilapidated temple in a dejected manner, with some members from other sects following them. Some exchanged a few pleasantries with Chu Luren before departing.

"As expected of Brother Chu, the Songshan Sect must have been badly beaten this time! Brother Chu did it all for my sake..." Lin Pingzhi said, still a little embarrassed.

"The people of Songshan have disliked me ever since Hengshan City. This is just a coincidence," Chu Luren said, waving his hand.

Previously, Lin Pingzhi and Linghu Chong were the only two who had some confidence in Chu Luren from the very beginning—they had also witnessed Chu Luren's confrontation with the Six Immortals of Peach Valley.

They weren't just watching idly; they were keeping a close eye on the three people from the Sword Sect...

At this point, Feng Buping was already disheartened, but Cong Buqi and Cheng Buyou clearly still had their own ambitions, and after realizing that regaining control of Huashan was hopeless, they were very likely to completely collude with Songshan.

"With today's battle, Brother Chu is on the verge of making the Heavenly Ranking," Linghu Chong said with emotion.

In the martial arts world, especially among young heroes, who doesn't hope to make their mark on the Heavenly Rankings?

Every time a new episode comes out, people complain and grumble, and before the next episode comes out, they're still thinking about where they'll rank. Chu Luren is definitely not the only one like that...

"Not necessarily, it depends on what Hulong Manor thinks." Chu Luren directly called out the name of the "head office" to express his dissatisfaction.

In theory, after the Divine Marquis separated "Number One Manor Under Heaven" and "Dragon Guard Manor", he claimed that no government agency, including "Dragon Guard Manor", would interfere with the ranking of chivalry.

"Since you've said that, how could the Divine Marquis not be ranked? Probably thirty-sixth on the Heavenly Ranking!" the little beggar interjected.

Chu Luren's martial arts skills astonished the people of Zhenyuan Escort Agency, as well as Yue Lingshan and Lao Denuo. Yue Lingshan even wondered if her father was a match for Chu Luren...

However, the little beggar did not seem frightened at all.

And what the little beggar said actually makes a lot of sense—that's exactly what Chu Luren was planning!

Theoretically speaking, given Chu Luren's current martial arts skills under the influence of the Dream God, and considering his reputation, it's debatable whether he should even make it onto the Heavenly Ranking. He might as well settle for being in the top three of the Earthly Ranking...

Chu Luren is still relatively young and inexperienced, and has few well-known acts of chivalry. His solo fight against the Six Great Protectors is not considered chivalrous, so it's understandable that he's ranked high on the Earthly Ranking.

However, this time Chu Luren declared his intention to climb the Heavenly Ranking in front of many people in the martial arts world, and then demonstrated his top-notch strength.

If Chu Luren's name is not on the Heavenly Ranking on the first day of the Lunar New Year, it would be quite embarrassing. Therefore, Chu Luren's words are meant to force the number one manor in the world to make a statement!

Chu Luren had even decided that if he ranked high on the Earthly Ranking, he would take the opportunity to announce that he would no longer be included on the Heroic List, as a way of venting his dissatisfaction with Qiao Feng being removed from the list while Yu Canghai was included.

This little beggar does have some insight, but... Wu the镖头 and the others look at him with new respect—they also saw through Chu Luren's purpose, but given the power Chu Luren had just displayed, this little beggar was still so "direct" in revealing his thoughts; he was quite reckless.

"Young man, do you recognize my finger technique?" Chu Luren smoothly steered the conversation from what had just happened to the little beggar's identity.

Indeed, Chu Luren could easily guess that with the little red horse, the fur coat, and most importantly, the fact that the little beggar reacted to a "finger-flicking skill," he was most likely Huang Rong!

However, the little beggar wrinkled his nose and said, "I don't recognize it. It looks like a flick on the forehead."

Seeing that she wouldn't admit it, Chu Luren didn't press her further. He simply said, "Alas, that's a pity. The senior who taught me the Finger Flicking Divine Skill also said... if I meet anyone else who knows the Finger Flicking Divine Skill, let me flick him."

Chu Luren is a public-spirited person who doesn't take his anger out on the younger generation when he's being "bullied" by the older ones, but... there's nothing wrong with telling the truth, right?

Huang Rong: ? ? ?

My father taught you the art of finger flicking, and even instructed you to flick me?

That's right, Huang Rong didn't know that Yang Xiao also possessed the Finger Flicking Divine Skill. It's obvious that Huang Yaoshi wouldn't tell his daughter, otherwise Huang Rong would definitely have guessed her father's true intentions.

Now that Chu Luren has blurred the meaning of "knowing" the Finger Flicking Divine Skill to "understanding," Huang Rong has developed an even stronger feeling of "you really are my father" towards Huang Yaoshi, with whom she was already having a conflict.

"I don't understand, I don't understand, my fingers have always been clumsy since I was little!" the little beggar said angrily.

It's easy to imagine that the next time the father and daughter meet, they'll have another topic to discuss.

"It's dawn, the snow has stopped, we should continue on our way... Young brother, we'll meet again someday!" Chu Luren, after relaying Huang Yaoshi's words, said goodbye.

Huang Rong...

Although she is kind by nature, she is too smart and her temperament is quite eccentric due to the influence of her father. She is also at the age of being rebellious and immature. To get along with her, especially to befriend her, you either need to be extremely stupid... cough, extremely naive, or you need to be as smart as her!

Chu Luren didn't consider himself as "naive" as Guo Jing, and in terms of intelligence... he was certainly no match for Huang Rong, so he didn't make a special effort to befriend her.

"Hey! Wait a minute...Are you going to Luoyang?" Huang Rong suddenly asked.

Upon hearing this, Wu, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), immediately looked over warily. The previous events made him feel that this escort mission was not simple, and it was something that required caution when someone asked him about his next destination on the way.

"How do you know?" Chu Luren asked in return.

"Didn't you say 'I can get a new one in a few days' when you gave me the salted fish, and even mentioned to your female companion that you 'hope for some sea fish'? Only a big city like Luoyang nearby could possibly sell pickled sea fish, right? Besides, since you're heading east, Luoyang is the central hub." Huang Rong seemed very observant.

"Yes, we are indeed going to Luoyang," Chu Luren replied directly.

Although Chu Luren felt that he couldn't be good brothers or friends with people who were too smart, and that Lin Pingzhi's intelligence was at its limit, he didn't think Huang Rong would have any ill intentions.

Wu, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), wanted to complain about Chu Luren leaking the escort route, but... he didn't dare to, and just looked over with a wronged expression.

"I'm also going to Luoyang, hehe, can you give me a ride?" Huang Rong chuckled.

"You don't know the way?" Chu Luren asked.

"No, what if some bad guys try to steal my horse? Wouldn't it be great to have a near-top-ranked hero traveling with me?" Huang Rong said matter-of-factly, making the people from Zhenyuan Escort Agency somewhat embarrassed.

"I'm accompanying my brother to help carry our parents' coffins, and you dare to join in?" Chu Luren didn't directly ask, "Aren't you afraid of bad luck?" but the meaning was already very clear.

"The dead are nothing to be afraid of; it's the living who can harm others," Huang Rong said, sounding quite reasonable.

"Then...why should we travel with you? Is the little red horse our reward?" Chu Luren wasn't really concerned about the reward, but rather curious about how Huang Rong would convince him.

"Little Red Horse won't do, this is a gift from my good brother... How about some salted fish?" Huang Rong blinked and said.

"You don't know how to use the salted fish I gave you before..."

"Of course not! Your salted fish is awful. When we get to Luoyang, I'll make you some salted fish!" Huang Rong said confidently.

Without much thought, Chu Luren said, "Deal."

Chapter 170 There is such a place

After the ruined temple, the journey was peaceful.

Three days later, Chu Luren and the group from Huashan and Zhenyuan Escort Agency arrived in Luoyang City.

It's easier to handle things with the Zhenyuan Escort Agency; entering the city won't be too much of a hassle...

But at this moment, Lin Pingzhi was somewhat annoyed: "Brother Chu really isn't coming with us? If my cousins ​​had any misunderstandings with Brother Chu, I could have spoken on their behalf..."

Lin Pingzhi hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "How about we find a big inn later, rent a courtyard to stay in, and I'll go to my maternal grandfather's house to pay my respects first, and then I'll go with Brother Chu..."

"No need. You haven't seen your maternal grandfather for so long. What kind of behavior is it to just pay a visit? Besides, Uncle Lin and Aunt Lin's coffins have arrived in Luoyang. How can they be left somewhere else? Go stay at the Prince's residence. We'll meet up again in a few days when we set off!" Chu Luren interrupted forcefully.

That's right. Once he arrives in Luoyang, Lin Pingzhi will definitely visit Wang Yuanba. The Wang family, known as the Golden Saber Family, is quite prestigious in Luoyang.

However, Chu Luren had a falling out with the Wang family because of the incident at Xingzilin. Although Chu Luren had saved them at Tianning Temple, the Wang family would definitely treat Chu Luren with respect if he came to their door. But... in the end, it was Chu Luren who looked down on them and was unwilling to be treated with respect!

However, Lin Pingzhi didn't need to get involved in this, and Chu Luren wouldn't let him go either.

“Then I’ll stay here with Brother Chu. In a few days, my sixth junior brother and I will also be heading north,” Linghu Chong said quickly.

Linghu Chong had been in a bad mood for the past few days. Since arriving at the dilapidated temple, in the past three days, his junior sister had spoken to Lin Pingzhi 371 times, laughing 116 of those conversations and trying to cheer up the sorrowful Lin Pingzhi 195 times. But with him... she only spoke 63 times and laughed only 3 times!

Should we send him to Lin Ping's maternal grandfather's house at this point to watch him "show off his wealth"?

I'm sorry, farewell... I, Linghu Chong, will never set foot under the roof of the Wang family!

"Brother Linghu, have you been feeling quite down lately? Would you like to confide in someone? I know a place where there are kind and beautiful women you can talk to. If you click, they might even play the zither for you. Would you like to..." Chu Luren asked very kindly.

However, Linghu Chong angrily interrupted, "I never go to places like that! Brother Chu, stop spreading rumors about me!"

Chu Luren: ? ? ?

Mu Wanqing also looked over with disdain...

Chu Luren was referring to Green Bamboo Lane in Luoyang—the place where, in the original story, the seriously injured Linghu Chong was wrongly accused of stealing the Lin family's sword manual at the Wang family's residence. Even his junior sister suspected him. It wasn't until Green Bamboo Elder authenticated the music score of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer that he was temporarily cleared of the injustice. However, in the eyes of others, it was just a matter of not having solid evidence yet. It was the place where he confided his sorrows to Ren Yingying.

Chu Luren had originally thought that he might see if the Holy Maiden was around, and introduce her to a boyfriend or something, or maybe she could let him see the whole "Star Absorbing Technique" or even the "Pure Heart and Universal Benevolence Mantra". If all else failed, he would just consider it as doing a good deed for the day.

However, Linghu Chong seemed quite resistant?

Chu Luren couldn't very well force himself on her...

After Lin Pingzhi's repeated invitations and Yue Lingshan's half-goading and half-genuine anger, Linghu Chong took Lu Dayou to stay at the Wang family's place.

Although Lin Pingzhi was definitely closer to Chu Luren in terms of personal relationships, Chu Luren had a grudge against the Wang family, and Lin Pingzhi couldn't persuade him otherwise. After all, Wang Yuanba was his elder, and he could only complain about his cousins ​​at most. He couldn't say much to his uncle and grandfather. Under Chu Luren's persuasion, he had no choice but to accept the fact that his elder brother Chu wouldn't come.

Linghu Chong, both out of friendship and out of gratitude to Lin Pingzhi, was someone Lin Pingzhi wanted to invite to his maternal grandfather's house for a meal. Knowing full well that Linghu Chong was unwilling to visit because of him, Lin Pingzhi was naturally even more "persistent" with him.

Seeing how humble Lin Pingzhi was, Linghu Chong cursed himself for being petty, and so... he still went to visit him in the end.

Only Chu Luren, Mu Wanqing, and Huang Rong remained to find an inn. Although Huang Rong was still dressed as a beggar, she had already introduced herself as "Huang Rong," but she didn't explain which "RONG" it was.

Because of Huang Rong's beggar attire, she naturally faced a lot of disdain at the inn. However, upon seeing Chu Luren dressed with a sword and a suona horn, everyone from the waiter to the innkeeper was outwardly very enthusiastic...

Although they didn't recognize Chu Luren—after all, Chu Luren isn't very prominent on the chivalry list, so it's normal for ordinary people not to recognize him—just looking at his makeup and style, he's definitely the kind of person in the martial arts world who's not to be trifled with!

Especially the jars...

Could it be...

"Book three rooms, and also please refill this one!" Xiao Er almost cried when Chu Luren put the jar into Xiao Er's hands.

Whose continuation should we use?

"Sir, this is..."

"Hey, didn't you say I'd do it for you?" Huang Rong said unhappily, as she was a person of her word!

"Oh, right. Then you guys help find the ingredients, just listen to her." Chu Luren then changed his mind.

After speaking, Chu Luren looked at Huang Rong carefully, and after a moment's thought, said, "Speaking of which... now that we're all so familiar with each other, why don't you wash up and change your makeup? It's relatively safe in Luoyang, isn't it?"

Upon hearing this, Huang Rong smiled and said, "Huh? You actually admit that you saw through my disguise as a man?"

Note that the surprising part is "acknowledging that it is seen", not "seeing".

After all, with prolonged contact, it's not hard to tell from the occasional exposure of her fair skin after getting wet, as well as some of her habits, that she's a woman disguised as a man. This is mainly to deceive people who are meeting her for the first time.

"I thought you were keeping quiet about me because you were planning to cause some misunderstanding while I was taking a bath... I didn't expect you weren't that kind of person, Brother Chu!" Huang Rong looked relieved.

Chu Luren: ? ? ?