Chapter 234

Originally, after Xiao Feng last parted ways with Feng Yi, he wandered the mountains and waters with A Zhu. Xiao Feng thought of how A Zhu had been alone and helpless since childhood; her only relatives were Lady Murong and Murong Fu, and it was Murong Bo who had taken her in and raised her.

Xiao Feng then heard from the jianghu that Tan Gong and Tan Po, Zhao, Qian, Sun, Shan Zheng and his family, and Master Zhiguang had died, and everyone said it was his doing.

Xiao Feng knew it was all his father's doing—he had killed Zhao, Qian, Sun, and Master Zhiguang only because they were accomplices in his mother's murder at Yumen Pass, while Tan Gong and Tan Po and Shan Zheng and his family were merely trying to prove he was a Khitan, which ruined his reputation.

There was nothing Xiao Feng could do about his father's actions, but fortunately A Zhu was still with him. Being a carefree person, he gradually felt that vengeance breeds vengeance, never to cease.

Moreover, Murong Bo was already dead; there was really no need to immerse himself in hatred and waste such good times. So he and A Zhu went to the frontier, intending to herd horses and sheep for the rest of his life.

After spending several happy days in the frontier, he encountered the Khitan emperor Yelü Hongji out hunting; soldiers witnessed Xiao Feng's godlike might in slaying bears and tigers and reported it to Yelü Hongji.

He came upon hearing the news, but concealed his identity, saying only that he was a Khitan nobleman. They hit it off immediately and became sworn brothers. After Yelü Hongji left, several months passed before he sent someone to invite Xiao Feng, at which point Xiao Feng learned Yelü Hongji's identity.

Yelü Hongji, knowing Xiao Feng was a descendant of the Xiao empress, was overjoyed and brought him back to the capital, Shangjing; but while Yelü Hongji was away from the capital, the Liao state underwent a drastic change.

The Imperial Uncle and Prince Chu rebelled, detaining not only Yelü Hongji's mother, concubines, and children, but also taking the Liao emperor's personal troops and the families of the palace guards as hostages, using both soft and hard tactics, causing the troops to defect.

Yelü Hongji himself knew the situation was lost and wanted to draw his sword to commit suicide, but nobody could have predicted that he now had Xiao Feng by his side.

Xiao Feng's valor was unmatched; with a resolve to die, he charged alone into the formation on horseback. Everyone thought he was like an egg striking a stone, but who would have thought that Xiao Feng shot Prince Chu, captured the Imperial Uncle alive, and awed everyone on the spot.

Yelü Hongji successfully quelled the rebellion and, to reward Xiao Feng, made him Prince of the Southern Court.

Although Xiao Feng is a Khitan, having grown up in the Central Plains since childhood, his heart truly loves the Song deeply and the Liao only slightly, so he declined the post; but everyone admired his bravery and unanimously recommended him to succeed Prince Chu as Prince of the Southern Court.

Xiao Feng also found it hard to refuse further, so he returned together to Shangjing and received an official post. At the banquet, the Empress Dowager and the Empress learned that Xiao Feng was a member of the Xiao clan, were greatly pleased, and inquired about his background.

Although Xiao Feng knew his father was Xiao Yuanshan, who had been the chief instructor of the Empress's personal guard of the Shanshan regiment, he feared that speaking of it would involve many complications, for he did not know whether any of his parents' relatives were still alive, nor whether they were close or distant to the Empress Dowager and Empress, and if the court learned that his parents had been harmed by the Song, they might send troops south to avenge him. So he claimed that he had been captured by the Song since childhood and knew nothing of his origins, giving a vague answer.

Later, Yelü Hongji and Xiao Feng talked all night, and Yelü Hongji let Xiao Feng hold Nanjing while waiting for an opportunity to invade the Central Plains. Xiao Feng knew that the Song and Liao had been fighting for a century with heavy casualties, and both sides had pacifist factions—his father Xiao Yuanshan had been one of them—so he naturally also hoped for a truce and friendly gestures.

Yelü Hongji also said that at present the Song Empress Dowager holds the court, heavily relying on Sima Guang, with clear governance and no opening to exploit, and that it is not the time for a southern campaign; he only said that southerners love wealth, and ordered Xiao Feng to command his subordinate, the Southern Bureau's military commissioner, to spare no wealth in buying southern traitors.

Xiao Feng has always made friends with heroes and stalwarts; although he has seen many deceitful schemes in the jianghu—covert calculations, harm, ambushes, and poisoning—they are all straightforward killing and arson, and he hardly ever uses gold and silver to buy off others. Moreover, although he is a Khitan, he grew up in the Southern Dynasty since childhood, and the emperor wants him to have the mission of annexing the Song, which he is extremely unwilling to do.

But thinking of his brother bestowing the title of Prince of the Southern Court upon him, it is all good intentions; if I were to resign now, I would hardly fail to repay his great kindness and would hurt brotherly loyalty. When I reach Nanjing, I will serve him for a year or so, then resign; if then he does not agree, I will hang up my cap and seal, slip away, and he will surely be unable to stop me.

Thinking thus, Xiao Feng brought A Zhu to Nanjing.

After a few years had passed, suddenly one day Xiao Yuanshan appeared at the prince's residence and said that Shaolin Temple would hold a heroes' gathering on the eighth day of the twelfth month, at which time heroes from all under heaven would assemble in one hall.

He wants to make Shaolin Temple and Master Xuanci lose their reputation and status, and let everyone under heaven know that Shaolin Temple is merely a filthy, corrupt place of vice.

Xiao Feng himself thought that Shaolin Temple and Master Xuanci had done nothing improper, but Xiao Yuanshan spoke with certainty, so Xiao Feng hurriedly rushed to Shaolin Temple without stopping; but Xiao Yuanshan said that if Xiao Feng dared to inform Shaolin Temple of his intentions, then don't blame him for not remembering father-son affection—he would kill A Zhu.

Speaking to this point, Xiao Feng felt sorrow unbearable, sighing and saying: "Brother Feng, you don't know, my adoptive parents treated me like their own child, my master taught me martial arts for ten years without cease summer or winter, yet they all died at the hands of my biological father."

As for my mother's death, the chief culprit is Murong Bo, but Ah Zhu had no parents from childhood; it was Murong Bo who brought Ah Zhu home. According to Ah Zhu, in the Murong household Ah Zhu was nominally a maid, but in reality treated like the young lady, not only having her own estate but also maidservants attending her.

My father's vengeful heart, however, never dies; thinking of all this, my heart feels as if being cut by a knife.

Feng Yi let out a long sigh and said: "Indeed, love is this cup of wine; whoever drinks it will become drunk."

Ah Zhu, when you were abandoned by all and estranged from kin, wholeheartedly followed you; how could your actions not take Ah Zhu's thoughts into account? Let alone you, this man of deep feeling and righteousness—even if it were me, this heartless sort, I would probably not know what to do.

Xiao Feng smiled and said: "Fortunately Murong Bo is already dead; heaven treats me not badly. Yet thinking that my father will again deal with the Shaolin Temple and not let me give prior notice, all I can do is arrive early; whether I can actually resolve this great crisis, I have no confidence."

But if I inform the Shaolin Temple, letting them prepare early, I would defy my father and be sorry to my mother beneath the springs; but if I keep silent, my master, if he knows in the underworld, … alas…

Feng Yi sighed and said: "Your father is more formidable than Jumozhi; he knows that for the Shaolin Temple, even if the temple is destroyed it can be rebuilt, and if a person dies his art can be passed on forever. Only the reputation and prestige accumulated over these hundreds of years, once tarnished, are hard to restore."

Xiao Feng gave a wry smile and said: "I understand this principle as well, but I and Ah Zhu have analyzed it all along and still cannot fathom what the Shaolin Temple did to make my father so certain that he could bring about the temple's downfall and loss of reputation."

Feng Yi closed his eyes in contemplation, and after a long while he sighed and said: "Why bother guessing about this? Heaven and earth are not benevolent, treating all things as straw dogs; whatever a person does, once done, will inevitably meet its retribution, whether good or bad, one must face it."

Moreover, your father has lain hidden in the Shaolin Temple for thirty years; if he really had any leverage, it would be from the past. Even if you warned the Shaolin Temple, what good would it do? Better to simply watch and see, then act accordingly.

Xiao Feng nodded: "Then there's nothing else to do."

Feng Yi again said: "Have you ever encountered Wanyan Aguda?"

Xiao Feng shook his head: "I promised you I would never forget, but I have never met any Jurchen tribespeople, let alone this Wanyan Aguda."

Feng Yi's heart gave a sudden thump, and he thought: "Could it really be that there is a heavenly mandate?"

Feng Yi well knew that in the original plot Xiao Feng rescued Wanyan Aguda's tribe from Yelü Hongji's hands, which led to their sworn brotherhood. But this time he had Xiao Feng kill Wanyan Aguda to prevent the rise of the Jin; who would have thought Xiao Feng never even encountered him, yet still became sworn brothers with Yelü Hongji—aside from saying the Jin people have a heavenly mandate to rise, how else could it be explained?

In the midst of contemplation, suddenly Ah Zhu let out a startled cry: "What?"

Xiao Feng abruptly rose, left the meditation hall, and went to Ah Zhu and Ah Zi's room, where he saw Ah Zhu wearing a strange expression, far more agitated than when Ah Zhu had just learned of her parents.

Feng Yi looked toward Ah Zi.

Ah Zi said: "I don't know what's going on either; I just said our father is the Crown Prince of Dali, Commander of the Southern Garrison, and we have a brother named Duan Yu, who is utterly useless, always hanging around that Miss Wang from the Murong household, and that's how she ended up."

Xiao Feng also started in surprise and said: "My second brother is actually the heir to the Prince of Dali, Commander of the Southern Garrison?"

Although Xiao Feng had sworn brotherhood with Duan Yu, Duan Yu never disclosed his exact identity, only saying he was of the Dali Duan clan, which is just like the imperial relatives of the Song dynasty surnamed Zhao—really too much.

Who would have thought he actually is the heir to the Dali Imperial Younger Brother; from now on, isn't he going to be the Dali emperor?

But after Xiao Feng's initial surprise, he returned to normal and laughed: "This is also great; we and my second brother are now even more closely related."

Ah Zhu's face flushed and she said: "Elder brother, you don't know; back when Jumozhi brought Master Duan to the Murong household, I deliberately acted up and made him kowtow three times to me."

Although times have changed, I am the younger sister; how could there be any reason for the elder brother to kowtow to me? If we meet again in the future, wouldn't that be awkward?

Xiao Feng laughed heartily, waved his hand, and said: "My second brother is a genuine person; besides, the ignorant are not to blame—no need to worry further."

Feng Yi couldn't help but think: from a superstitious standpoint, Ah Zhu has actually knocked away her own blessings!

Duan Yu is the future Dali emperor; making the emperor have this Dali female servant kowtow, who else would die if not her?

Ah Zi laughed and said: "Older sister, our parents say I am lax in discipline, and you are ten times more formidable; how did you get the elder brother to kowtow to you? Hurry up and tell me, so I can also be delighted."

Ah Zhu couldn't help but smile, pinching Ah Zi's bright white, perky nose, and said: "You, what's there to say about this?"

Back then I disguised myself as an old woman; our elder brother, knowing I was a little girl, still kowtowed three times to me; I was quite delighted at the time, so it seems if we meet again in the future, I ought to return the kowtow to him.

Ah Zi said: "No need for that; our heir-apparent elder brother often kowtows to people. At Mount Wuliang in Dali, he has kowtowed a thousand times to his immortal elder sister, not to mention..."

That day, for Miss Wang, under the gaze of all, he shouted from afar, 'I kowtow, I kowtow,' but please don't hurt Miss Wang—heehee, it's hilarious.

Xiao Feng and Ah Zhu both had seen Duan Yu's infatuated look toward Wang Yuyan, so they could naturally imagine the scene of that day, and they both laughed.

Suddenly a sound of footsteps came, and a female voice cried out anxiously: "My daughter, where are you?"

Feng Yi and Ah Zi recognized the voice as Ruan Xingzhu's, but upon turning around they saw a middle-aged man with a sordid appearance, who directly rushed into the "Hall of Karmic Affinity".

This is the place where Shaolin Temple receives foreign guests, and also where Ah Zhu, Ah Zi, Mei Lan Zhu Ju and the other girls reside; seeing this 'Hanzi' acting oddly, Xiao Feng steps sideways to block him.

'Amitabha!' Just then, Abbot Xuanci and a middle-aged man came together side by side.

This middle-aged man is none other than Duan Zhengchun, the Prince of Nan of Dali; hearing him say, 'Ah Xing, do not lose propriety.'

That unsightly middle-aged man is Ruan Xingzhu; when Duan Zhengchun came to Shaolin Temple, she followed him.

Knowing that Shaolin Temple forbids women from entering, she disguised herself as a man, her appearance and mannerisms were indistinguishable, only her voice was tender, not as convincing as her daughter Ah Zhu's when she pretended to be a man and spoke.

Duan Zhengchun's reputation for philandering spread throughout the jianghu; this time coming to Shaolin Temple, after hearing Ah Zi speak of her father and sharing the surname Duan, Abbot Xuanci and the others basically guessed the two girls were his daughters, so they told him Ah Zi had found her sister Ah Zhu, who was staying as a guest in the temple; upon hearing that her eldest daughter had been found, Ruan Xingzhu immediately came to look for her.

Seeing her mother dressed like this, Ah Zi said, 'Mom, what have you become?' and wiped her face.

Ruan Xingzhu anxiously asked, 'Where is your sister?'

Xiao Feng already knew his mother-in-law had arrived, and immediately stepped aside; upon seeing Ah Zhu, Ruan Xingzhu burst into tears.

After Ah Zi's recognition, upon seeing Ah Zhu herself, at this moment hardly anything more needed to be said; just Ah Zhu's pair of lively, dark, sparkling eyes alone were as expressive as Ah Zi's.

And when Xiao Feng saw Ah Zhu and Ruan Xingzhu's eyes, it seemed as if a single pair of eyes could speak; to onlookers, the mother and daughter's eyes were exactly alike.

Duan Zhengchun's body also trembled, showing his spirit was greatly agitated.

Ruan Xingzhu embraced Ah Zhu and wept, 'My poor daughter, Mother misses you, misses you so much…'

Ah Zhu recalled Ah Zi telling her why the sisters had been sent away, and how her mother and father had later searched everywhere to no avail; she then urged, 'Mom, don't cry, don't cry…'

Ah Zi said, 'What right do we have not to cry? It's all their fault; they only cared for themselves and ignored us.'

Because of them I ended up lowly serving in the Xingxiu Sect, and you became a maid serving others, while he is still the Prince of Nan of Dali; if he cannot support us, why did he go about fathering children?' Saying this, her eye sockets suddenly reddened and she began to cry as well.

Ah Zhu's being a maid of the Murong family was something she once didn't mind and even felt pleased about; but as she fell in love with Xiao Feng and learned that Murong Bo was the one who had falsely transmitted the message that caused Xiao Feng's mother's death, this became Ah Zhu's greatest lifelong wound.

However difficult and painful Xiao Feng felt, she felt even more difficult and painful!

If she had no connection to the Murong family, and Xiao Feng sought revenge against Murong Fu, she would naturally support Xiao Feng with the argument that a father's debt is repaid by his son. Thinking this, she secretly resented: 'My father is truly terrible—he fails his wife, and even harms his lover and daughter, leaving me and Brother Xiao…'

She glanced at Xiao Feng, and her heart softened again: 'If I hadn't been sent away, and had become a county princess in Dali, how could I have met Brother Xiao? Perhaps this is a case of loss and gain—maybe it was predestined.'

Duan Zhengchun looked listless, as if his spirit had vanished, leaving only a shell; he spoke bitterly: 'Ah Zi, you scold me rightly—I have failed you mother and daughter. Heaven pities us; at last we are reunited as a family…'

Ah Zi pursed her lips and said, 'What heaven pities? It's all thanks to Feng Lang; without him, you'd be dreaming to find your sister.'

Hearing this, Ruan Xingzhu quickly said, 'Yes, yes!' She twisted her waist, grabbed Duan Zhengchun's sleeve, and said half-teasing, half-smiling, 'Never mind—I've decided to take Feng Yi as my son-in-law; if you have any objections, I'll take Ah Zhu and Ah Zi and disown you.'

Duan Zhengchun was stunned.

Ah Zi stretched out a finger, scratched her face, and laughed, 'No shame, no shame—Mom, at your age, you're still acting coquettish toward Dad.'

Ruan Xingzhu's cheeks flushed slightly as she said, 'Mom is getting old; if you don't act coquettish, Dad will only know those… you dutiful daughters, who only care about yourselves, how could he still remember me?'

Seeing her mother act so strangely, Ah Zhu immediately covered her mouth and laughed; Duan Zhengchun looked embarrassed, then clasped his fists and said, 'Feng Yi, thank you for this.' Feng Yi returned the salute, saying, 'Not at all, not at all—this is what a son-in-law ought to do.'

Hearing him call himself a son-in-law, Duan Zhengchun could do nothing about it when suddenly a burly man stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said, 'The Khitan Xiao Feng pays his respects, Your Lordship!'

Duan Zhengchun promptly returned the salute, inwardly astonished; seeing the man's imposing bearing and that he was a Khitan, he wondered how he could appear in Shaolin Temple and show such respect to him, the Prince of Nan of Dali.

Then Abbot Xuanci said, 'This is the former chief of the Beggars' Sect, Qiao Feng.'

Both Duan Zhengchun and Ruan Xingzhu exclaimed in surprise; they had heard Ah Zi say her brother-in-law was Qiao Feng, but never expected to see him here.

Ruan Xingzhu looked at Qiao Feng's outstanding martial bearing, while Duan Zhengchun thought of Qiao Feng's top-tier status in the martial world; yet he wondered whether this daughter, like Ah Zi, had been turned from raw rice into cooked rice, and for a moment he did not know what identity to assume or how to address her.

Ah Zi giggled and said, 'Father, you said he was ruthless and lustful, yet the person he rescued at Zhu Xian Manor was my sister—what do you say now?'

All his life, only Ah Zi had dared to speak to him without restraint; now, teased, his face flushed red, and he only said, 'Those are jianghu rumors, not my view.'

Ruan Xingzhu spat, 'Your heart and mouth disagree!'

Xiao Feng gave a faint smile.

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Abbot Xuanci pressed his palms together and said, 'Amitabha, Prince Duan, we will not disturb your family reunion.'

Abbot Xuanci, Feng Yi, and Xiao Feng knew that after the relatives recognized each other, there would be some intimate words not meant for outsiders; moreover, to verify whether Ah Zhu was truly her daughter, Ruan Xingzhu would need to examine the 'Duan' character tattoo she herself had inked, as well as the gold lock, so they all withdrew.

Mei Lan Zhu Ju also followed Feng Yi to his left and right, but at this moment they felt somewhat depressed, as they too thought of their own birth parents.

They arrived at a pavilion; Abbot Xuanci left on his own, while Feng Yi and Xiao Feng sat down. Feng Yi asked, 'Is there any wine?' Xiao Feng liked wine, but since this is Shaolin Temple, it was inconvenient to bring alcohol when he entered.

Mei Lan Zhu Ju, however, had brought some; she promptly took out a wine pot, gave one to each of Feng Yi and Xiao Feng, and while chattering away, introduced it as the fine liquor brewed for many years by the Elder Li.

Mentioning this also dispelled all feelings of longing.

Feng Yi took a sip and praised, 'Marvelous, marvelous, marvelous, Brother Xiao—this is Tian Shan snow wine, endlessly wonderful!'

Xiao Feng's craving, already stirred by the four ladies' description, seeing Feng Yi drink happily, he no longer restrained himself and immediately drank heartily.

Xiao Feng said, 'Ah Zhu being able to find her parents is entirely thanks to you, Brother Feng; I salute you!'

Please!

After they had taken a few sips, Xiao Feng added, 'But I don't know how you came to know Ah Zhu's background.'

Feng Yi laughed, 'Brother Xiao, you forgot—we once treated Ah Zhu's injuries, and I once caught a glimpse of an ornament hanging from her neck; I didn't pay attention then, but later I met Ah Zi.'

I saw she had a gold lock on her neck, similar to Ah Zhu's, so I casually mentioned it; Ah Zi said her sister also had one, also named Ah Zhu, and thus the pieces fit together.

Although Feng Yi was bluffing, to Xiao Feng it was naturally taken as fact.

Because Feng Yi had indeed spent many days together with Ah Zhu and himself.

Xiao Feng again clasped his fists and thanked, 'This is also thanks to Brother Feng's attentiveness; otherwise Ah Zhu wouldn't have found her parents. Now we are practically family—how delightful—but, ha ha, you ought to call me brother-in-law.'

Xiao Feng is generous, yet meticulous as a hair; he had long seen that Feng Yi and Ah Zi were lovers, likely even closer than his own relationship with Ah Zhu.

In the past Feng Yi claimed he was older than Xiao Feng, which Xiao Feng had doubted; but now, judging from both wives, his status as brother-in-law is certain, making him very pleased.

Feng Yi smiled, 'Calling you brother-in-law is appropriate, but I wonder—when you see your younger brother, will you call him "younger brother" or "elder brother-in-law"?'

Xiao Feng stared, then burst out laughing; indeed, that is a question.

Before Xiao Feng's laughter faded, a voice of overwhelming joy rang in his ears: 'Big brother, big brother, I truly miss you, little brother!'

A green blur came rushing like a gust of wind; Feng Yi laughed loudly, clapped his hands, and said, 'Brother Duan, your Lotus Microsteps are indeed becoming ever more adept.'

The green-clad person was Duan Yu; seeing him, Xiao Feng was also delighted. He and Duan Yu had sworn brotherhood over drinks at a wine shop in Wuxi; though their time together had been brief, they felt as if they had known each other for years, their hearts open. Xiao Feng gripped Duan Yu's arm with both hands and laughed, 'Second brother, how did you also come here?'

Duan Yu happily said, "It's a long story; we've been apart many days, Elder Brother, your heroic bearing remains—I am very pleased."

As it turned out, Duan Yu had stayed only one night at the Spirit Vulture Palace and left on his own the next day.

The day of the Shaolin Heroes' Assembly had arrived; he also came, his internal energy profound, his hearing extraordinarily keen, hearing Xiao Feng's laughter from afar, he deployed the Lotus Microstep and rushed in.

Xiao Feng burst into laughter, let go of Duan Yu's wrist, and shouted loudly, "Your father is here—hurry and pay your respects!"

Duan Yu happily said, "Elder Brother, have you met my father?"

Feng Yi laughed and said, "Brother Duan, you could also call Brother Xiao your brother-in-law!"

Duan Yu stared, then said, "Could it be that Sister Ah Zhu is really my sister?" He had heard Ah Zi say her older sister was named Ah Zhu, and the more he thought, the more Ah Zhu seemed like Ah Zi.

Feng Yi said, "Absolutely!"

Xiao Feng also nodded and sighed, "Back then I saw your graceful and pure bearing, your character remarkably frank—we hit it off at first sight; I never expected today I would become your brother-in-law."

Duan Yu, overjoyed beyond himself, said, "Elder Brother, what are you saying? This is double joy! But I need to find Ah Zhu and ask her—on that day, when I kowtowed to her, how does that count?"

The three burst into laughter together.

Amid the laughter, Duan Zhengchun said, "Father owes an apology to the Ah Zhu and Ah Zi sisters; as their brother, having kowtowed to her, you are making up for my fault."

In the blink of an eye, Duan Zhengchun, Ruan Xingzhu, Ah Zhu and Ah Zi walked over together, Ah Zhu smiling and saying, "Young Master Duan, I have kowtowed to you."

"No, no!" Duan Yu hurriedly interjected, saying, "Ah Zhu sister—uh, Ah Zhu younger sister—although I kowtowed three times to you that day, you also rescued me from the evil monk Ximo Zhi's grasp; that is only fitting."

Suddenly Ximo Zhi laughed and said, "Young Master Duan, if not for this humble monk, how could you reunite with your sister, and how could you have met Miss Wang?"

Only Ximo Zhi slowly turned and entered.

Feng Yi and Xiao Feng both were puzzled—how did this monk return to Shaolin Temple?

Duan Zhengchun clasped his hands and said, "My son has been favored by the Prince of Ming, bringing him eastward; hearing my son's words, along the way he received much instruction and greatly benefited; I am deeply grateful, and I thank you here."

Ximo Zhi smiled and said, "Not at all! It's just a pity."

Duan Zhengchun asked, "What is there to pity?"

Ximo Zhi gave a slight smile and said, "Your son has come to the Central Plains, seen a lovely maiden, and ever since followed her at her side, all his lofty ambitions and aspirations have been utterly wasted.

Wherever that maiden goes east, he follows east; wherever she goes west, he follows west. To anyone looking, he appears a carefree idler, a dissolute young noble—is that not the utmost pity?"

Duan Yu's face flushed crimson; he increasingly felt that his pursuit of Wang Yuyan, together with his relatives, had become a laughingstock.

Only Ruan Xingzhu chuckled and said, "The little prince of the Duan family—this is a family tradition, truly a tiger cub born of a general's line—truly remarkable, truly remarkable."

Everyone couldn't help but smile.

Duan Zhengchun also laughed heartily and said to Ximo Zhi, "This unfilial child..."

Ximo Zhi shook his head and said, "Not unfilial at all—he takes after you closely, very closely!"

Feng Yi suddenly heard a clamor outside the Shaolin Temple and said, "National Teacher, you have left and returned—surely not without reason?"

Ximo Zhi looked toward Xiao Feng and said, "This humble monk left Shaolin, never expecting that heroes from all quarters and the Beggar Gang's forces would mount a massive assault on the mountain..."

Before he finished speaking, Shaolin monk Xuansheng hurried over, saying, "Benefactor Xiao, Hero Feng, Prince Duan, please come to the Mahavira Hall for a discussion."

Seeing his anxious expression, everyone felt quite surprised.

What matter could make a Shaolin high monk tense?

Upon arriving at the Mahavira Hall, they saw a large gathering of martial artists conversing; the phrase most often heard was, "Who is Zhuang Zhu Xian?" yet no one answered.

Feng Yi's heart stirred, thinking, "Zhuang Zhu Xian? Wasn't the Villa of Zhu Xian destroyed? Yu Tan Zhi is dead—how could there still be a Zhuang Zhu Xian?"

Xiao Feng's heart involuntarily tightened; the gathering at Zhu Xian Villa was known to all as being because of him, and the name Zhuang Zhu Xian is clearly related to him—could it be his father?

Only then did Abbot Xuanci join his palms and say, "Benefactor Xiao, you spent many years in the Beggar Gang—do you know this person Zhuang Zhu Xian?"

Xiao Feng shook his head and said, "The Beggar Gang has countless disciples; I cannot know them all, but among outstanding talents, there is certainly no such person."

Only then did Abbot Xuanci say, "All you heroes who have arrived early at our temple did so because this Beggar Gang chief Zhuang Zhu Xian widely sent out hero summons, inviting martial arts heroes far and near; those far away received the summons early, those near later, but each raced nonstop to arrive in time."

Although our Shaolin Temple is well known throughout the jianghu, we had utterly no prior knowledge—this shows the Beggar Gang's plan was thorough."

As it turned out, over a hundred renowned heroes from the regions of He Shuo, Shandong, and Huainan had already gathered here.

Feng Yi felt even more astonished: "Chief of the Beggar Gang? Zhuang Zhu Xian? Even if Yu Tan Zhi hadn't died, I myself had taken his fortune—how could he still be the Beggar Gang chief?"

Eight or nine months ago, Elder Chen of the Beggar Gang had specially invited Feng Yi to run for the gang chief position, which he declined; who would have thought the chief's position would fall into the hands of this person using the alias Zhuang Zhu Xian?

Xiao Feng asked, "I don't know what the Beggar Gang is up to—Abbot, do you know?"

Abbot Xuanci shook his head.

Only then did Duan Zhengchun say, "The Beggar Gang's hero summons are also anonymous, merely stating that the gang chief Zhuang Zhu Xian will personally come to Mount Shaoshi within days to receive Abbot Xuanci's teachings; the letter gave no date for the mountain visit, nor mentioned inviting heroes from all under heaven. Upon receiving this summons, fearing it might be detrimental to Shaolin, I immediately rushed here."

"Amitabha!"

The Shaolin high monks all joined their palms together.

Soon after, heroes from Lianghu and Jiangnan arrived, heroes from Chuan and Shaan arrived, heroes from Liangguang also arrived; though the heroes were separated north and south by a thousand li, they all came in a steady stream within a single day.

Ximo Zhi smiled and said, "The meeting of the chief of the world's number one gang and the abbot of the world's number one sect is the greatest event in the martial world—there will surely be great excitement; how could the heroes of the jianghu not come upon hearing the wind?"

Suddenly a strange voice from outside the hall cried, "No, no! Though the heroes of the jianghu gather at Mount Shaoshi, it is not necessarily only to watch Shaolin and the Beggar Gang, and how could we lack 'Gusu Murong'?" (End of chapter)