The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

As he spoke, Chu Luren glanced at Huang Rong, as if to say, "I'm speaking up for you."

Huang Rong... didn't really pay him any attention.

"Well... that's fine. In short, I'm relieved to have Nianci in your care," Yang Tiexin said meaningfully.

Guo Jing was fine, but Mu Nianci seemed to sense that her adoptive father was in a bad mood and quickly said, "Adoptive father! Nianci has grown up and doesn't need anyone to take care of her. In the future, it should be me who takes care of you in your old age!"

“That’s right, that’s right, you need to be open-minded. Your daughter can take care of you in your old age!” Chu Luren always flatters people when she talks to them.

But... for some reason, Yang Tiexin and Mu Nianci, father and daughter, both gave him a speechless look—why else would you be playing the suona? Why are you in such a hurry to "send off the dead" so quickly?

Yes, they just stood up for us, so let's not argue with them!

Yang Tiexin realized that he had been too obvious, so he quickly covered it up and laughed dryly, "Haha, yes, Godfather is confused. Maybe he's just too happy to see Jing'er, hahaha."

Mu Nianci still felt that her adoptive father was not in a good mood, but she didn't say anything at this time.

The conversation then returned to the matter of the "young prince," and Guo Jing, being straightforward, insisted that he come and apologize to Mu Nianci.

Huang Rong then curled her lip and said, "Look, Uncle Yang and Miss Mu, you'd better leave quickly! That Prince Pingxi only kept quiet because of various concerns, especially with the Princess Consort by his side. If you really want to scheme against him later, do you think people in Luoyang will treat you like food?"

That may sound harsh, but the reasoning behind it is correct!

In the original story, the father and daughter were also kidnapped by the Prince's mansion as soon as they were separated from Prince Wang...

However, Huang Rong is just a young girl, and saying such things is bound to provoke people more. Yang Tiexin was distracted and absent-minded the whole time, while Wang Chuyi found the words even more offensive—Wu Kang is still his senior brother Qiu's disciple, and he is so inferior... He has no face to lose!

However, Wang Chuyi, being a man of great character, wouldn't argue that "Wu Kang isn't that kind of person." Instead, he was more angry with Wu Kang than with him...

“This man is my senior brother Qiu’s disciple, and in a way, my nephew. Brother Yang, rest assured, I will definitely give you an explanation for this matter! Young hero Chu, how about we go to his residence together as guests later?” Wang Chuyi said excitedly.

In response, Chu Luren cupped his hands in a gesture of respect: "I won't go!"

Chapter 179 Night Walk

Wang Chuyi was taken aback by Chu Luren's decisive refusal. He had originally thought that Chu Luren was a very impulsive and somewhat reckless person.

“I think Miss Huang is right. The two of you should leave Luoyang as soon as possible. Daoist Wang should not come to our door rashly,” Chu Luren said truthfully.

That's right, Chu Luren can be quite bold at times, but he's always aware of his own limitations!

Should I accompany you to the Prince's Mansion?

If we happen to run into someone who does embroidery, even if we both go together, we'll still get embroidered all over our faces...

Wang Chuyi originally thought that the Chu Lu people had some other difficulties, but now it seems... this is just blatant cowardice?

It's not that we should underestimate Chu Luren. After all, if the Prince of Pingxi's mansion really wanted to ambush any martial arts practitioners, once they entered the mansion, not to mention the many skilled warriors, just a few thousand armored soldiers would surround them, and no one would be able to escape!

What made Wang Chuyi frown was that Chu Luren actually judged that the young prince of the Pingxi Prince's Mansion would disregard all the rules of the martial arts world and attack his own martial uncle.

Or perhaps, there are other masters in the Prince's mansion whom he doesn't know about?

"Does Young Master Chu know something?" Wang Chuyi asked, his senses heightened.

"It's nothing, but... it's very dangerous." Chu Luren didn't tell him the details.

After all, he had just promised Ren Yingying to help her rescue Ren Woxing. Although the preparations before going to Lin'an had nothing to do with him, he couldn't cause any trouble—if he angered Dongfang Bubai now, Ren Yingying might be suspected!

Moreover, Chu Luren had no intention of provoking Dongfang Bubai at all...

Although he was interested in Liang Ziweng's precious snake, Chu Luren dared not risk his life unless he was certain that Dongfang Bubai would not interfere.

If it were any other worshipper, even Yu Zhenzi, it wouldn't be easy to defeat Wang Chuyi without a serious confrontation.

Just like in the original work, when Wang Chuyi competed with the various elders—as long as they didn't all rush at him, it wasn't considered a complete falling out.

However, if Dongfang Bubai were present, he would probably have been killed in a single move.

Chu Luren had clearly tried to persuade him, but Wang Chuyi was obviously not swayed. He couldn't bring himself to visit his nephew!

So Wang Chuyi went to persuade Guo Jing, not expecting him to be of any help, but simply wanting to mentor the younger generation.

Guo Jing, that simple-minded fellow, didn't know what "fear" meant. He readily agreed and promised Yang Tiexin and Mu Nianci that he would make Wu Kang apologize.

"Young Master Chu, my friend Guo and I are going to a banquet tonight. We'd like to ask you to look after Elder Yang and his daughter for the night. If that wicked disciple dares to lure us away from our mountain and cause trouble, Young Master Chu, you need not show any mercy!" Wang Chuyi pleaded.

“Well… alright! But I still suggest you two leave immediately. If needed, I can send you east to Hebei or west into the pass by fast horse.” Chu Luren hesitated for a moment, then agreed.

This attitude just seems a bit cowardly...

Especially Yang Tiexin, who didn't know Chu Luren before and had only heard some rumors about him, couldn't help but feel that this young man was somewhat unworthy of being called "Tai Sui". On the surface, his behavior of disregarding etiquette and law was very evil, but in reality... he was suspected of bullying the weak and fearing the strong!

However, Yang Tiexin did not show it. Instead, he cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Young Hero Chu. We... will leave tomorrow."

Chu Luren was taken aback when he heard this, not expecting Yang Tiexin to agree. Then he seemed to understand something, gave him a deep look, and said nothing.

Although Guo Jing was injured, Yang Tiexin still kept him company, making him drink tea instead of wine for half a day. They reminisced about many things from when "Brother Guo" was still alive and chatted happily.

As dusk fell, Yang Tiexin was already drunk and was helped back to his room by Mu Nianci. Wang Chuyi had also booked two rooms for the father and daughter at the inn so that Chu Luren could keep an eye on them.

Wang Chuyi and Guo Jing, on the other hand, went to keep their appointment in a very casual manner...

Chu Luren didn't try to persuade him any further. After all, Dongfang Bubai and Wu Sangui were probably in a cooperative relationship. Even Yu Zhenzi didn't know that Dongfang Bubai was in Luoyang at the moment, so he probably wouldn't appear at Wu Kang's banquet... right?

Of course, Chu Luren himself didn't want to take that risk!

There were some suspicious people, possibly from the Prince of Pingxi's mansion, loitering around the inn, but after Chu Luren sang "Meng Jiangnu," they all disappeared, and the other guests in the inn also checked out.

In the dead of night, in one of the few guest rooms at the inn, a figure dressed in black emerged...

However, he had only run a few steps when he was startled by two loud thuds behind him. He quickly turned around and saw Mu Nianci and Huang Rong jumping out as well.

"Godfather! What...what are you going to do?" Mu Nianci asked hurriedly.

Indeed, the man in black came out of Yang Tiexin's room, and his physique did match Yang Tiexin's characteristics.

Seeing that he had been recognized, Yang Tiexin gave a wry smile, pulled down his mask and said, "I... I'm worried about Master Wang and Jing'er, so I'm going to the Prince of Pingxi's mansion to check on them."

“If the young prince has no hostility, then the old man and the silly boy are just having a feast. If he really has hostility, what use is it for Master Yang to go?” Huang Rong is now at the age when her edges are most distinct and she is most like her father’s wickedness. In particular, she is also secretly dissatisfied with Yang Tiexin, so her words are also barbed.

However, the reasoning is always sound, and it's also to stop him from "feeding himself to death."

"Then I'm even more determined to go!" Yang Tiexin said angrily.

"Godfather, then I'll go with you..."

"Nonsense! You stay here!"

"Stop arguing, none of you can go." Chu Luren's voice came directly to their ears, but he did not appear.

Yang Tiexin clearly understood that, unlike this little girl, Chu Luren could stop him without even showing himself—although this person was cowardly, his martial arts skills were definitely superior to his own, and Yang Tiexin was aware of that.

"Thank you for your previous protection, Young Hero Chu. However, I do have a reason to go. I would be grateful if you could look after the child for the night and not worry about me..."

"You wouldn't actually have taken a fancy to that princess, would you? Uncle, you're so old, don't be like this..." Huang Rong looked disgusted, clearly having noticed the details of Yang Tiexin's earlier distraught state.

“Of course not!” Yang Tiexin interrupted.

Yang Tiexin had indeed come because he was excited to see Guo Jing, and also to lower Mu Nianci's guard so that he could go alone. He had drunk quite a bit of wine, and now, provoked by Huang Rong, he immediately became intoxicated.

Furthermore, Yang Tiexin understood that Chu Luren wouldn't let him leave without revealing some details, so he reluctantly confessed the truth, recounting how he and his wife had been separated, and how he had seen a princess during the day who bore a striking resemblance to his wife...

Chapter 180 Exploring the Mansion

It was rumored that the Princess Consort of Pingxi might actually be Bao Xiruo, Yang Tiexin's missing wife. Furthermore, considering their ages, Wu Kang's true identity might very well be Yang Tiexin's son. Mu Nianci and Huang Rong were both shocked.

Huang Rong's first reaction was that this big man had developed hysteria, but upon closer inspection, it seemed to make sense, especially Wu Kang's appearance. If one were to make a comparison... tsk tsk!

"So what are you planning to do? Persuade the princess to leave with you?" Chu Luren's figure floated down from the second floor at this moment.

“I… no matter what, I want to ask her in person, even if…” Yang Tiexin didn’t finish his sentence. He had entrusted Mu Nianci with the task earlier because he was prepared to never return.

That alone was not enough to convince Chu Luren. But just then, a series of hurried, heavy footsteps came from the corner of the alley. It was Guo Jing carrying Wang Chuyi back!

"What happened? Wu Kangzhen is attacking Master Wang so recklessly?" Chu Luren hurriedly stepped forward and asked.

Guo Jing's face was flushed and his breathing was rapid, clearly indicating that he had been running all the way.

"When Master Wang was competing with the evil spirits of the Wang Mansion, Yu Zhenzi suddenly attacked and injured Master Wang!" Guo Jing said angrily.

Chu Luren didn't quite understand. If it was a "competition," why the sudden and ruthless attack? Was it a sneak attack?

"Alas, it was my carelessness. I did not expect that Yu Zhenzi had combined the Tantric martial arts with the Iron Sword Sect's teachings to such an extent. It is not a clever trick, but simply that my skills are inferior..." Wang Chuyi said weakly.

Chu Luren helped him down and examined him before discovering that Wang Chuyi had been severely injured by internal martial arts palm strikes, and... there was poison on his palm!

Previously, Wang Chuyi and Yu Zhenzi had a fierce exchange of blows, which appeared to be evenly matched, causing the servants of the Prince's Mansion to hesitate to make any rash moves. In reality, Wang Chuyi was seriously injured and was only putting on a brave face. After leaving the Prince's Mansion, he immediately had Guo Jing carry him away.

At this moment, Chu Luren pulled open Wang Chuyi's Taoist robe, revealing a jet-black palm print on his chest. Not only were the five fingers clearly defined, but even the palm lines and fingerprints were clearly visible...

"Huh? Back then, Master Wang was exchanging palm strikes with that Taoist priest, yet a palm print appeared on his chest... This looks somewhat like the Poison Sand Palm of the Western Regions Tantric sect!" Huang Rong was the first to react upon seeing this.

However, it is indeed a bit awkward to curse a Taoist priest as a "bull-nose" in front of him.

"Indeed, cough cough cough... I didn't expect that what seemed like a gentle Taoist palm technique actually concealed such fierce and wicked palm power. I was careless for a moment... Alas..." Wang Chuyi was already very weak.

"Daoist, please don't speak yet. Go back to your room and meditate! Since Wu Kang didn't chase after us but chose to hold a banquet, he probably can't mobilize troops to search the city," Chu Luren interrupted.

At this time, many people were watching Wu Sangui closely. Wu Kang's "mischief" was most likely kept from his father, and it was just a few servants praising him as a young prince.

"It's difficult. When practicing the Poison Sand Palm, one must temper the palm with poison. After being struck by the palm, a palm print will appear on the chest. As the poison spreads, it will grow larger and larger. When it covers the entire chest, even a god cannot save you. Fortunately, Yu Zhenzi must have only been practicing for a short time. He relied entirely on his original Taoist Cotton Palm technique to channel his energy. Otherwise, with such a severe injury, he would probably have been directly attacked by the poison." Huang Rong was quite knowledgeable.

"What? How can we rescue them?" Guo Jing asked hurriedly.

"There are many schools of Poison Sand Palm, who knows which one Yu Zhenzi practiced?" Huang Rong shook her head and said.

Poison Sand Palm is a very general term, just like "Tiger Subduing Fist." Shaolin has its own Tiger Subduing Fist, Wudang has its own Tiger Subduing Fist, Qingliang Temple has its own Tiger Subduing Fist of Mount Wutai...

Moreover, when using poison to temper palm power, people often try to mutate it. Therefore, to detoxify, one either needs strong internal strength or some universal antidote. It is very difficult to prepare an antidote unless one knows the formula of the opponent's poison palm or has a famous doctor who carefully diagnoses and treats the symptoms. Otherwise, it is very difficult to solve the problem.

“Life and death are unpredictable, cough cough... Jing’er, you don’t need to worry about me. But... cough cough... I’ll trouble you, Young Hero Chu, to tell the Quanzhen Sect about today’s events when you return to Zhongnan Mountain.” Wang Chuyi had already taken life and death lightly.

However, upon hearing this, Chu Luren fell silent for a while, glancing at Wang Chuyi, then at Yang Tiexin... The image of the bald man he had seen during the day flashed through his mind...

Finally, Chu Luren sighed and asked, "Master Wang, did you see any other experts from the Prince of Pingxi's mansion at Wu Kang's banquet?"

"No! They must have realized what's going on by now, cough cough... and guessed my injuries. If we go to investigate now, it would be like walking into a trap!" Wang Chuyi quickly stopped him, which aggravated his injuries.

"Does it exist or not?" Chu Luren interrupted, frowning.

Guo Jing then replied, "Besides the three we saw during the day, there was another young master who claimed to be... the young master of White Camel Mountain. Are you going to force Yu Zhenzi to give you the antidote, Hero Chu? I'll go with you!"

Chu Luren grinned upon hearing this: "Boo? You're overthinking it. I just saw that Yu Zhenzi hadn't fully mastered the Poison Sand Palm, so he should at least have prepared some poison for cultivation. I was just seeing if I could steal some."