Chapter 235: with translation of chapter title

Upon saying this, everyone was startled, all thinking that the "Gusu Murong" had great fame; Shaolin Temple had originally sent out heroic invitations, calling the heroes to arrive on the eighth day of the twelfth month at Shaolin Temple to meet the Gusu Murong clan—this remark was not bad either.

Ah Zhu was both startled and delighted; upon hearing, she knew it was "Not so, not so" Pak Buk's third brother Pak Buk arriving; she wanted to speak up, but out of consideration for Xiao Feng, she could only stay silent.

Only saw four people walk into the main hall side by side—namely Deng Bai Chuan, Gong Ye Qian, Pak Buk, and Feng Po E.

Pak Buk chuckled and asked, "Which one is the Shaolin abbot Master Xuanci?" then strode out through the crowd.

Although Abbot Xuanci today acted as host, treating guests politely regardless of good or evil, his tone was blunt, causing the heroes to feel dissatisfied, thinking: "Even if Murong Fu himself came, with Abbot Xuanci's martial reputation, he should not be so rude!"

Only saw an old monk step sideways to block Pak Buk; it was the Xuan-generation monk Xuan Kui, who placed his palms together and said, "Stop, benefactor!"

Pak Buk only felt a strong internal force pushing him; his qi and blood surged, but fortunately his martial skill was not weak; upon realizing something was wrong, he immediately retreated three steps, thus leaving the range of Xuan Kui's palm strike.

Pak Buk secretly thought, "My goodness," these Shaolin old monks are indeed formidable; he clasped his hands and said, "Please trouble the master to summon Abbot Xuanci."

Having witnessed Xuan Kui's methods, he realized that any Xuan-generation high monk of Shaolin Temple was beyond his match, so he dared not speak as lightly as before.

Abbot Xuanci stepped forward, palms together, recited a Buddhist chant, and asked, "This humble monk is Xuanci; I do not know what advice the four of you have?"

Deng Bai Chuan stepped forward and said, "I am Deng Bai Chuan, Gong Ye Qian, Pak Buk, and Feng Po E, disciples of Young Master Murong; I have long admired your temple's fame, and in response to your invitation, acting on the Young Master's orders, I have specially come to present a calling card." He respectfully presented a visiting card.

Ah Zi gave a puffed laugh and said, "Murong Fu sure puts on airs; does he really expect Shaolin Temple to personally receive him?"

The heroes also understood that Murong Fu was merely putting on airs; the pretense of sending a visiting card was actually a hope that Shaolin Temple would personally receive him, but no one voiced this for fear of offending the Murong clan.

Everyone glanced over and saw a young girl.

Those from the Murong sect recognized Ah Zi, knowing her martial arts were superb and that she had Feng Yi backing her, so they acted lawlessly and remained silent.

Although the heroes knew Shaolin Temple's rule of not receiving female guests, they all thought: "There will surely be many heroines coming today; the rule against receiving female guests is just a trifle—why would Shaolin Temple stir up trouble over it?"

Feng Po E suddenly cried out in surprise: "Ah Zhu, younger sister!"

It turned out Ah Zhu and Ah Zi were standing together; when several people saw Ah Zi, they also saw Ah Zhu.

Pak Buk happily said, "Ah Zhu, younger sister, come quickly, come quickly—we all miss you!"

Ah Zhu laughed, "Elder Brother Deng, Second Brother Gong Ye, Third Brother Pak, Fourth Brother Feng." She took Xiao Feng's hand and went over, then whispered to Pak Buk: "Third Brother Pak, you two met in Wuxi. This person is someone I will follow for the rest of my life—you are not allowed to say 'not so, not so' about this!"

Pak Buk glanced at Xiao Feng, out of respect for Ah Zhu's face, and said, "Not so, not so to the utmost! But if the Beggars' Gang's Qiao Feng becomes my brother-in-law, would he deem the Murong family worthy?"

Ah Zhu said, "Third brother, the Murong family has treated me and Ah Bi very well, raising us since childhood as their own daughters, and treating you as well, like brothers. I ought to repay them well, but I have already devoted my life to Elder Brother Xiao; whether he lives or dies, my heart will never have another man."

Pak Buk smiled slightly and said, "Chief Qiao's martial prowess is formidable, you can keep up! Will you not even think of the Young Master in the future, nor of me?"

Ah Zhu made a chopping motion at her own neck with her palm and declared firmly, "No!"

Pak Buk thrust his right thumb forward in front of her nose, indicating, "Excellent!"

At this time Abbot Xuanci had already looked over the visiting card, handed it to the nearby Xuan Nan, placed his palms together, and said, "Young Master Murong is a person of great affairs; it is rare for him to come here—I should personally receive him."

Abbot Xuanci also said to the heroes, "Elder brothers, friends, since Young Master Murong has arrived, I expect the Beggars' Gang's Zhuang Juxian will also come; let's all go take a look, how about that?"

"The Gusu Murong name resounds under heaven, while the Shaolin Temple's Master Xuansi died after being struck in the chest by the 'Great Vajra Pestle'."

"The Great Vajra Pestle is one of the Shaolin Temple's seventy-two supreme skills, precisely the art that Master Xuansi painstakingly trained for decades."

The heroes all believed it was the Gusu Murong clan using "his own method against him" to strike a poisonous hand; seeing his grand display today, upon hearing this, the younger, lower-ranking, hot-tempered heroes rushed out in a swarm.

Xiao Feng, the Duan clan of Dali, various heroes, and high monks of various temples, curious to see Murong's bearing, quickened their steps. The Shaolin monks of the Xuan Hui, Xu Kong, and four generations each took up weapons and formed ranks to leave the temple.

Feng Yi and Ah Zi, however, followed slowly at the rear.

As Abbot Xuanci and his party just reached the mountain gate, a monk stationed on the mountainside to keep watch ran forward to report: "Young Master Murong is waiting in the mountain pavilion."

Abbot Xuanci nodded, walked onto the stone path and looked down the mountain, when suddenly he heard Jumomo Zhi loudly say: "Young Master Murong, having already ascended Shaoshi Mountain, why do you not yet enter the temple to pay respects to the Buddha?"

Only a clear voice rang out from afar: "I have long admired Shaolin Temple as a blessed land of Buddhism, its ancient temple solemn and majestic; indeed it is extraordinary. Having the fortune to arrive today, I would also like to sightsee and pay homage; I wonder if the abbot would grant this?"

Upon revealing this voice-transmission skill, everyone's hearts trembled, thinking: "Indeed, the Gusu Murong reputation is not unfounded!"

Abbot Xuanci smiled slightly and said, "The words 'to pay homage' I dare not accept; you have come from afar, and I have failed to welcome you properly—I beg your forgiveness."

Although Abbot Xuanci and his party originally suspected Murong Fu of causing Master Xuansi's death, seeing Xuan Gou and Xuan Shi follow Xiao Feng, they observed a black-clad person capable of Shaolin's supreme skills; having also just seen Jumomo Zhi's abilities, who could also perform various Shaolin supreme techniques, they considered it quite possible that he himself had dealt the Great Vajra Pestle blow, and even if someone else were involved, it would not be surprising. Therefore, in their speech toward Murong Fu, they were very respectful.

Seeing Murong Fu standing with a white-clad woman, Abbot Xuanci added, "Young Master Murong, please also bring your companion to our temple..."

Before he finished speaking, suddenly a neat tread came from the mountainside, and a group of men was seen rushing swiftly up the mountain.

Having run up the cliff, their feet suddenly planted, standing straight as flagpoles, without uttering a word.

Murong Fu had been expecting Abbot Xuanci to personally receive him, but this group of uninvited guests swept away his face; a displeased expression flashed across his face and then vanished.

Then the two leaders shook the flagpoles they carried, and two large flags fluttered vigorously, mighty and imposing, bearing two apricot-yellow characters: "Zhuang".

The heroes saw that these people were dressed as Beggars' Gang members; behind them were over a hundred six-bag disciples, then thirty to forty seven-bag disciples and over ten eight-bag disciples; after a moment came five elders carrying nine-bag packs, namely the Beggars' Gang's transmission elder Lu Zhang, together with the four elders Song Xi, Chen, and Wu, all standing silently in two rows.

The heroes were also awed by this solemn and imposing aura; Xiao Feng nodded secretly, thinking: "The Beggars' Gang coming to Shaolin Temple does not disgrace its style—excellent!"

As it turned out, the Beggars' Gang has a rule that disciples may not ride horses unless there is an urgent matter; if they must ride, they must wear clothes without patches to conceal their identity, so these people came running on foot, thereby displaying the gang's strict discipline and imposing might.

The heroes all understood that this entourage must mean the Beggars' Gang chief had arrived, though they did not know exactly who Zhuang Juxian was.

Some even thought that Zhuang Juxian might be Qiao Feng himself, who had reclaimed the chief position and was using an alias.

But then a voice rang out loudly: "I have been rude, arriving uninvited; please forgive me, Abbot Xuanci."

These words were spoken very slowly, one character at a time; though initially he was still over a hundred zhang away, with each syllable he drew nearer, and by the time he uttered the word "sin," a figure had already emerged from the mountain corner.

He wore a patched brocade robe, seeming to glide up the mountain without touching the ground; he appeared of medium build, about eighteen or nineteen years old, with a thin, elongated face and a pointed chin, looking frail, yet his eyes shone like torches, piercing and intense.

Everyone was startled.

The leader who shakes the four seas, the number one gang chief in the world, turned out to be such a young person. Even though Xiao Feng had once assumed the chief position at twenty-three, this person's martial arts were nonetheless extraordinary.

Feng Yi's eyes flashed as he examined the newcomer from head to toe, inwardly sighing, "Truly uncanny."

Abbot Xuanci gave him a brief look and said, "This humble monk did not know the Beggars' Gang chief had graced Shaoshi Mountain; my welcome was delayed—please do not take offense!"

Shaolin Temple and the Beggars' Gang have long stood side by side in the Central Plains; now that the gang's chief has arrived, we naturally dare not be negligent.

In the past, when Xiao Feng led the Beggars' Gang, he spent years away from home precisely for this reason.

The chief of the world's number one gang, wherever he goes, inevitably causes a stir; Shaolin Temple must prepare a solemn reception for him, so he can only stay away from home, merely sending word to his parents through his disciples.

Only then did the Beggars' Gang's transmission elder Lu Zhang say, "No, no, Abbot Xuanci and I of the Beggars' Gang are fellow martial artists; why stand on ceremony? This is our gang's chief, Zhuang Juxian!"

As his words fell, suddenly Zhuang Juxian, face filled with grief and indignation, stepped forward two steps, pointed at Xiao Feng, and shouted: "Qiao Feng, you wicked scoundrel! You killed my uncle, you killed my mother, you killed my father; today I will tear out your tendons, strip your skin, and crush your body into ten thousand fragments!"

His shout, with deep inner power, made the valley echo, and the heroes all stirred at once.

At this moment, on Mount Shaoshi, heroes from all places kept arriving one after another; Qiao Feng's fame was great, everyone knew it, yet few had seen him; now, with a shout from Zhuang Juxian, gazes from all over the mountains and fields turned toward the Shaolin Temple side.

Xiao Feng gazed at Zhuang Juxian, showing a hint of curiosity, and said, "Who are you? How did I kill your uncle, father, and mother?"

Zhuang Juxian shouted, "I am You Tanzi, son of You Ju of Zhuang Xian Manor; you wicked scoundrel killed my father and uncle with your fists, and even my mother, who knew no martial arts, was cut down with a single blade; today, before all the heroes of the world, do you still dare to deny it?"

The crowd immediately erupted in an uproar.

Some of the heroes, upon hearing the three characters "Zhuang Juxian", thought of Zhuang Xian Manor, but from that they only inferred Qiao Feng; the brothers You of Zhuang Xian Manor had not only all died, but even the manor was burned to bare ground—who, then, is this Zhuang Juxian?

Who would have thought he was actually You Ju's son, You Tanzi.

Xiao Feng was even more stunned upon hearing it.

Only heard the Beggars' Sect skill-transmission elder Lü Zhang say: "Qiao Feng, you said before you wouldn't seek revenge against Zhu Xian Manor, Protector Feng also stood up for you, who knew you'd go back on your word, turning around and destroying Zhu Xian Manor—who do you think you can face?"

Saying, his gaze shifted: "Protector Feng, we've all been deceived by that villain Qiao Feng. He not only destroyed Zhu Xian Manor, dragged you into injustice, after killing people he went utterly berserk—such a faithless, unrighteous wretch simply acts on his own." Feng Yi frowned slightly: "Manor Chief, did you personally see your family killed by Qiao Feng? And how exactly did he go utterly berserk?"

You Tanzhi glanced at Lü Zhang, saw him nod, then said: "At the Zhu Xian Manor gathering that day, I was secretly watching from the side; I saw you, and I also saw Qiao Feng."

You two personally promised not to take revenge on the manor, but who knew that after just a few days, someone appeared at the manor killing anyone they saw—my uncle and father, their disciples, and my mother were all killed by him; I saw it clearly, the killer was Qiao Feng.

Saying, his eye sockets red, tears streaming: "I went to fight him with my life, but he kicked me down, laughing 'Good kid, you still have some courage—I'll spare your life; if you have the ability, come seek revenge on me, Qiao Feng!' Then he set fire to my family manor. Qiao Feng, you say, isn't that how it was?"

Feng Yi and Xiao Feng exchanged a glance,

They both understood, the killer must be Xiao Yuanshan, who looks exactly like Xiao Feng; they kept You Tanzhi alive, partly to let him spread Xiao Feng's crimes, so that Xiao Feng would become a public enemy of the martial world, and they could take revenge together.

Perhaps it was also a move of compassion, thinking of Xiao Feng, so they did not kill this You Tanzhi who dared to risk his life for his parents' death.

Xiao Feng sighed: "Back when I was in trouble, only Elder Feng and Miss Ah Zhu believed in me; Elder Feng even passed on his divine skill to save Ah Zhu without hesitation. I, Xiao, keep this favor in my heart, thinking daily of how to repay it."

Not to mention that I, Xiao, know full well that the You brothers convened the heroes' assembly at your manor that day out of misunderstanding, acting from a sense of chivalry; even though he bears a deep blood feud with me, Xiao Feng, out of respect for Elder Feng, I, Xiao, would not visit upon him…

Saying this, he shook his head: "Alas, how they died makes no difference."

"Young Manor Chief You, the lives of everyone in your manor are all mine to take—including my master Monk Xuanku, my adoptive parents, Tan Gong, Tan Po, Zhao Qian Sun, and the grudge of Monk Zhiguang—all count on me, and it is not in vain!"

He swept his gaze over the crowd: "Esteemed martial brothers and sisters, hatred or revenge, come if you will—I, Xiao, will bear it all alone!"

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Upon saying this, everyone certainly admired his heroic spirit, yet also felt their chests explode with anger.

In the world there actually exists such a heartless, ungrateful person, still utterly berserk.

In an instant, someone in the crowd shouted loudly: "Abbot Xuanci, Qiao Feng this dog thief, won't your Shaolin Temple clean up its own doors?"

"This Qiao Feng is a Khitan barbarian; everyone can and should kill him—today we cannot allow him to leave Mount Shaoshi alive."

But the shouts rose as one, some cursing Xiao Feng as vile and shameless, some saying he lacks integrity, some condemning the Shaolin Temple for improper precepts.

Lü Zhang drew breath from his dantian and shouted loudly: "Protector Feng, Abbot Xuanci, this Qiao Feng lacks integrity and harbors nefarious intentions; years ago he aided the Khitan Emperor Yelü Hongji in suppressing rebellion, and now he holds office as the Liao Kingdom's Southern Court Grand King, commanding half of Liao's troops."

"The Khitan people's desire to destroy our Great Song is undying; if we let him escape today, would that not leave endless future trouble?"

His inner strength was profound, his words even more shocking; for a moment, all the shouting and cursing died down.

Xiao Feng let out an "oh", then said: "Elder Lü, you know I became the Liao Kingdom's Southern Court Grand King, that's why you pushed this Young Manor Chief You to be chief, and even assumed the name Zhu Xian Manor—you feared I would get the news, so you prepared in advance?"

Lü Zhang said: "Qiao Brother, the Khitan and Great Song cannot coexist—you know that."

"But Young Manor Chief You taking over as chief of our sect was based on his strong martial arts; at the Beggars' Sect Mount Qian assembly he defeated dozens of our experts in a row, and everyone publicly supported him—yet it was not the opinion of just this old man; as for assuming the name Zhu Xian Manor, it is indeed we who feared the Great King would get the news and cause some change."

Only heard the Beggars' Sect Elder Wu Changfeng shout loudly: "Qiao Brother, old brother, I still want to ask you one thing—are you really the Liao Kingdom's Southern Court Grand King?"

Xiao Feng sighed inwardly, then spoke loudly: "Not bad!"

The heroes immediately erupted; the news that Xiao Feng held the post of Liao Kingdom's Southern Court Grand King was not widely known in the jianghu, but the Beggars' Sect, well-informed, constantly monitored the military affairs of Liao and Western Xia, and had already received the news of Qiao Feng's appointment as Southern Court Grand King—only Elder Wu Changfeng, being close to Qiao Feng, refused to believe it.

At this moment, hearing him admit it personally, he stamped his foot hard and let out a long sigh.

"Kill this Liao dog!"

The heroes' shouts grew louder and louder.

Everyone knows Qiao Feng's martial arts are superb, yet he is a Khitan; once fighting begins, with Feng Yi assisting, all the heroes, Shaolin monks, plus the Beggars' Sect members—even if Feng Yi and Xiao Feng truly had heavenly abilities, they would surely find it hard to break out of the encirclement.

As the momentum grew, everyone's courage increased, yet no one dared to step forward first to challenge.

Because everyone knows that although they could eventually kill him after a prolonged fight, dozens of people above would inevitably die.

As for who would die first, that was open to negotiation.

After all, using Xiao Feng's head to gain fame and fortune is what everyone desires, and it requires no courage.

But if one uses one's own head to help another gain fame, that requires great courage.

Of course, this situation is like a powder keg; just a tiny spark would set it off.

All that's needed is a person of stature to step forward and rally.

Feng Yi looked toward Abbot Xuanci and said: "Abbot, do you really want to watch the famous mountain suffer calamity, your fellow Daoists come to harm?"

Abbot Xuanci showed a faint bitter smile,

This situation is also a dilemma for him.

The Shaolin Temple can protect a Khitan like Xiao Feng, but to uphold the Liao Kingdom's Southern Court Grand King would involve stakes too great.

While Abbot Xuanci pondered, suddenly You Tanzhi shouted: "Qiao Feng, take your life!" His body flickered, shooting like an arrow toward Xiao Feng; his movement was extremely swift, he darted out more than ten zhang, then leapt up and brought down a punch.

Feng Yi's gaze narrowed, he murmured: "Great Subduing Demon Fist!"

In an instant, Xiao Feng felt a tremendously strong force surging toward him; his expression turned solemn: "Good!" He tapped his toe, floated forward, and unleashed a palm.

Only heard a "peng" as their fist and palm forces collided, a fierce gust suddenly erupted.

You Tanzhi tumbled in a somersault, flipped out three zhang, and landed lightly.

Xiao Feng let out a muffled groan, a surge of blood rose to his face, he stepped back three paces, immediately feeling a warm current rush straight to his heart, his body swayed unsteadily, he felt utterly weak, staggered, and nearly fell seated.

Given Xiao Feng's world-shaking divine skill, Duan Yu and Ah Zhu were greatly startled, rushed forward; Xiao Feng shook his head, indicating he was fine.

The heroes also trembled and were moved; Qiao Feng is famed worldwide for his Dragon Subduing Palm, yet this young You Tanzhi could actually knock him into such a state with a single palm—no wonder the Beggars' Sect chose him as chief.

Feng Yi was also secretly astonished.

His eyesight was keen, and he saw that Xiao Feng had not used his full strength in his move.

However, You Tan Zhi's punch was not only the Great Subdue Demon Fist from the Nine Yin True Classic; its internal energy also contained the Divine Illumination Skill and the Blood Blade Classic.

Even though You Tan Zhi had just appeared, Feng Yi had already guessed something about his background, but seeing it with his own eyes, he still felt it was too unbelievable—at most two years of training—and thus said, "Chief Zhuang, your internal energy is formidable; who is the high master who taught you?"

You Tan Zhi said proudly, "My master is none other than the Wind God, renowned as invincible under heaven!"

"Wind God?"

The crowd immediately began to whisper and discuss; they had never heard this name before. Some thought, they had never even heard of Feng Yi before, yet once he debuted his name spread throughout the martial world, and hearing he also had a master, it showed that the martial world hides hidden talents, with reclusive masters inevitably present.

Upon hearing this, Feng Yi felt reassured in his heart—no one had guided him—and seeing You Tan Zhi's arrogant demeanor, he could not help but chuckle, letting out a hehe laugh.

You Tan Zhi asked, "What are you laughing at?"

Feng Yi's smile faded slightly, he waved his hand and said, "Nothing much? I just feel that your so-called Wind God might be mere bragging. Although you have learned supreme martial arts, your skill is grand in breadth but lacking in subtlety; it seems you lack guidance from a true master."

Against ordinary opponents you can naturally win easily, but against Brother Xiao, all they need is to exploit your weaknesses and you will surely lose.

Earlier he merely held back out of guilt toward you, not using his full strength; your recklessness—is it really wise?

The more You Tan Zhi listened, the paler his face became, and he stammered, "Don't think your martial arts are so great that you can freely judge my master; when he became renowned across the world, you didn't even know where you were!"

Having said that, he glanced at Xiao Feng, furrowed his brows, and said, "You didn't kill me back then; I thank you for that."

But the grudge between our parents is irreconcilable; today only one of us can leave Shaoshi Mountain alive. Even if you show mercy, don't think I will spare you!"

"Good! Kill him!"

"What Young Master Zhuang said is correct! Xiao Feng, a Khitan barbarian, anyone who supports him is our great enemy as Han people!"

The heroes clamored, you speaking one word after another, and the shouts of killing shook the heavens.

Those present also had various thoughts.

(End of chapter)