The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, becoming a disciple of Yue Buqun.

Ren Woxing didn't speak, but nodded after a while.

"Yes, pass the word down and tell the brothers to withdraw from Luoyang."

Upon hearing Ren Woxing's order, everyone withdrew to prepare, Liu Zhengfeng also withdrew, and Qu Yang also went out.

"Brother Liu."

Hearing someone call his name from behind, Liu Zhengfeng stopped and turned to look at Qu Yang.

Qu Yang looked at Liu Zhengfeng, hesitating to speak: "Brother Liu, you..."

Before he could finish speaking, Liu Zhengfeng turned and left.

Chapter 575: The Mission Accomplished

……

By the time Jiang Ning and Fang Zheng arrived at the Golden Saber Sect, the battle had already ended.

Wang Yuanba was organizing the members of the Golden Saber Sect to collect the corpses on the ground. Others, including Fang Sheng, were doing the same thing.

They were all cleaning up the bodies on the ground. Some people were crying when they saw a body on the ground; it must have been their brother or family member.

The streets outside the Golden Saber Gate were littered with corpses, a testament to the ferocity of the battle.

The arrival of Linghu Chong and Fang Zheng from Jiangning also drew attention.

"Nephew Jiang."

Upon seeing Jiang Ning, Wang Yuanba immediately put down his work and came over to ask with concern, "Nephew Jiang, I heard that many members of the Demonic Sect attacked you. How are you? Are you injured?"

Jiang Ning nodded slightly and said, "Thank you for your concern, Sect Leader Wang. I am fine."

Wang Yuanba breathed a sigh of relief, then looked at Fang Zheng and cupped his hands, saying, "The entire Golden Saber Sect thanks Abbot Fang for leading your temple to provide support. The Golden Saber Sect is deeply grateful."

"Amitabha."

Fang Zheng put his hands together and said, "Sect Leader Wang, there is no need for such formalities. Upholding the righteous path is the responsibility of Shaolin. In fact, this is Shaolin's fault. If it weren't for Young Hero Linghu rushing to Shaolin in the middle of the night yesterday, I would not have known that such a big change had occurred in Luoyang. If Ren Woxing had succeeded, it would have been Shaolin's fault."

Wang Yuanba was taken aback, then said, "To be honest, Abbot, after the people from the Demonic Sect left yesterday, I sent members of the Wang family to Shaolin to ask for help. Did your temple not see any members of my Wang family?"

Fang Zheng was also surprised: "Shaolin has never seen any of Master Wang's disciples before."

Having said that, Wang Yuanba understood that either the people he sent had escaped or had been killed by the Demonic Sect.

Thinking of this, Wang Yuanba couldn't help but feel a chill of fear. If Jiang Ning hadn't arrived, his Golden Saber Sect would probably still be foolishly waiting for Shaolin's support, and would have been wiped out long ago.

Wang Yuanba couldn't help but look at Jiang Ning, wanting to express his gratitude again, but upon seeing Linghu Chong next to Jiang Ning, he said, "This must be Young Hero Linghu."

Although Wang Yuanba had never met Linghu Chong, Linghu Chong was still easy to recognize. After all, among so many people, only Jiang Ning and Linghu Chong had hair, while the others were all bald.

Linghu Chong bowed and said, "Junior Linghu Chong greets Sect Leader Wang."

Wang Yuanba said repeatedly, "Nephew Linghu, there's no need for such formalities. If it weren't for you, my Golden Saber Sect would have been destroyed. I will always remember your kindness to my Wang family."

Linghu Chong replied that it was only right.

Watching the two talk like this, Fang Zheng's deeply lined face showed little expression.

Jiang Ning then asked, "Sect Leader Wang, what is your casualty situation?"

Wang Yuanba said, "The Demonic Sect came with great force, and we suffered many casualties, but in the end, the result was good. With everyone's concerted efforts, the Demonic Sect was finally defeated."

Wang Yuanba didn't go into details, but one could imagine that many people must have died.

At this moment, Fang Sheng also came over, along with others. These were all local forces from Luoyang who had come to help after receiving Wang Yuanba's request for assistance.

Upon seeing Jiang Ning and Fang Zheng, these people hurriedly came over to greet them, exchanged greetings, and introduce themselves, hoping to gain some recognition.

However, they mostly surrounded Fang Zheng.

After all, given Fang Zheng's status, these forces usually had no opportunity or qualification to see him, so they all gathered around him now.

But no one dared to underestimate Jiang Ning, not only because Jiang Ning represented the Huashan Sect, but also because Jiang Ning himself had a prestigious reputation.

"Everyone, now that the Demonic Sect has been defeated, what should we do?"

At this moment, someone asked.

For a moment, no one spoke. They looked at each other, unsure who would speak first.

Wang Yuanba looked at Jiang Ning and Fang Zheng: "Nephew Jiang, Abbot, what do you two think?"

Although they all came to help his Golden Saber Sect this time, he won't be able to decide what to do next. Jiang Ning and Fang Zheng were the ones who helped him a lot this time, so the decision should be made by the Huashan Sect and Shaolin Temple.

Before Jiang Ning and Fang Zheng could speak, Linghu Chong interjected, "Ren Woxing is currently in Luoyang. Now that the Demonic Sect has been defeated, we should press our advantage and wipe them out in one fell swoop!"

Upon hearing Linghu Chong's words, none of the others spoke immediately; they all looked at Fang Zheng.

Fang Zheng nodded: "Young Master Linghu is right."

"In that case, let's go as soon as possible. My junior brother knows their hideout."

Linghu Chong drew his sword with a whoosh.

Seeing that they were really going to attack Ren Woxing's stronghold, Wang Yuanba did not hesitate and said, "I will organize the manpower right away."

Without much delay, those who were still alive and capable of fighting after the great battle regrouped. Together with the monks and lay disciples of Shaolin Temple, nearly two thousand people headed straight for Green Bamboo Lane under Jiang Ning's leadership.

However, when the crowd arrived, Green Bamboo Lane was already deserted.

"We're late."

Wang Yuanba sent men inside to search the area, only to find that Green Bamboo Lane was empty. After inquiring with nearby residents, he learned that Ren Woxing had left with his men some time ago and was now presumably gone from Luoyang City to who knows where.

"Amitabha."

At this moment, Fang Zheng said, "Since Ren Woxing has disappeared without a trace, it will take a lot of time to find him. In my opinion, the most urgent task is to deal with the aftermath as soon as possible."

“The abbot is right.”

The others nodded in agreement; those who came to help had also lost many people and needed to handle their funeral arrangements.

Since everyone thought the same way, Wang Yuanba had no objections; for him, things were already as they were.

"What do you two nephews think?"

Wang Yuanba looked at Jiang Ning and the other man to gauge their attitude.

Linghu Chong glanced at Jiang Ning, indicating that Jiang Ning should make the decision.

Jiang Ning smiled and said, "Then let's do it this way."

If it were someone from the Weiyi Alliance present now, Jiang Ning would have chosen to continue the pursuit without hesitation, since Ren Woxing's power is currently at its lowest, making it the best time to kill him. The Emei and Taishan sects would also have continued the pursuit without hesitation.

However, besides Shaolin, the Golden Saber Sect and other forces were present, and their thoughts differed. Shaolin didn't even need to think about it; Fang Zheng definitely didn't want to continue the pursuit, and most of the others felt the same way, otherwise Ren Woxing wouldn't have run away.

Even Shaolin didn't want to continue fighting, so the other forces were even less likely to, which is why Jiang Ning didn't say anything to express his opinion later on.

"I am deeply grateful to everyone for your willingness to help my Golden Saber Sect."

Wang Yuanba cupped his hands in thanks to everyone present.

"Sect Leader Wang, you're too kind. We've known each other for many years. If the Demonic Sect wants to harm the Golden Saber Sect, how can we stand idly by?"

After exchanging pleasantries, Wang Yuanba invited everyone to the Golden Saber Sect, saying he would treat them well. Everyone readily agreed and set off for the Golden Saber Sect.

"It's a pity I couldn't kill Ren Woxing."

On the way, Linghu Chong whispered something to Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning smiled but didn't say anything.

……

Beijing.

The Imperial Palace.

"His Majesty."

A eunuch hurriedly walked to the imperial study and knelt down in front of Zhu Houzhao.

"Master Chongxu of Wudang Mountain is already waiting outside the hall."

Chapter 576: Discussion of the Martial World in the Imperial Palace

Zhu Houzhao kept his head down, his hand holding a pen, writing rapidly on the imperial table, seemingly engrossed in something. Upon hearing the eunuch's report, he paused, looked up at the kneeling eunuch, and hummed in response.

"Xuan."

"Yes."

The eunuch withdrew, and Zhu Houzhao glanced at the paper on the imperial table but did not put it away; he simply left it there.

A short while later, Chongxu walked in.

"This humble Taoist priest, Chongxu, pays his respects to Your Majesty."

Chongxu bowed to Zhu Houzhao.

Zhu Houzhao said with a smile, "Please rise, Daoist Master."

After Chongxu straightened up, Zhu Houzhao smiled and said, "In principle, I should have summoned the Daoist immediately after ascending the throne. However, I have been busy with many matters since my ascension and have not had the time. So it has been delayed until now, and I hope the Daoist will not be offended by the long wait."

Chongxu quickly replied, "This humble Taoist wouldn't dare. Your Majesty is busy with state affairs and naturally prioritizes national matters."

Zhu Houzhao smiled and nodded, saying, "I have been sitting at my desk for a long time today and my back is aching. I wonder if you would be willing to come outside with me for a walk?"

Chongxu nodded demurely: "This humble Taoist has no objection."

Zhu Houzhao chuckled, then got up and stretched, looking quite casual.

Chongxu ignored it.

"what."

Zhu Houzhao was about to walk around the imperial table when he suddenly remembered something and said to Chongxu.

"Master Chongxu, I have heard that your calligraphy is superb. Please take a look at this piece of calligraphy I have written and see how it is."