Chapter 119

Gu Gu Hanyuan’s words left everyone in the field looking at each other; most of them were Jianghu people who had also not realized the serious consequences.

At this moment, they were already burning with anger toward that leader, and instead, they were not so concerned about Qiao Feng’s Khitan identity.

Especially Huang Rong; although she was good at adapting, her overall perspective was limited, and she had also failed to notice that the Battle of Yan Sect Pass had triggered such serious consequences.

It could even be said that her following Guo Jing to defend Xiangyang in desperation was all thanks to that.

Master Master Zhiguang’s face was pale, but out of concern for that person’s reputation, he still hesitated:

"After the great mistake was made thirty years ago, we went to investigate the truth and found that it came from the mouth of a delusional person. This person intended to tease the leader, and I do not know what his intentions were. When the leader understood the truth, he was very angry. But unfortunately, this delusional person escaped and disappeared, and it is said that he had long since died."

"A delusional person? Master Master Zhiguang, do you still want to protect the identity of that leader? Fine, then let me deduce who this leader really is."

Gu Gu Hanyuan looked at Master Master Zhiguang, who still did not know how to repent even when the time came, and smiled contemptuously.

Seeing this, Qiao Feng knelt before Gu Gu Hanyuan and pleaded:

"Please, Young Master Gu, clarify the truth for me."

Gu Gu Hanyuan helped Qiao Feng up and said:

"Sect Master Qiao, there is no need for this. I am only acting on someone’s behalf, and I do not deserve such a great gift from you."

Huang Rong naturally heard who Gu Gu Hanyuan was talking about, and her mood suddenly became subtle.

Gu Gu Hanyuan ignored everyone’s thoughts and continued:

"Thirty years ago, there were only two people in the Song Jianghu with the prestige to command people including the Northern Beggar Sect Master and Master Master Zhiguang. One was Wang Wang Chongyang, and the other was the Abbot of Southern North Shaolin, Abbot Sikuang Xuan Ci."

Master Master Zhiguang and the others changed expressions when they heard Gu Gu Hanyuan mention Abbot Sikuang Xuan Ci.

"Wang Wang Chongyang spent his life committed to resisting the Jin, and I have never heard of him having any conflict with the Liao Kingdom, let alone being stupid enough to destroy Song-Liao diplomacy and let the Jin Kingdom benefit. And Abbot Sikuang Xuan Ci happened to have just taken over as Abbot of Southern North Shaolin thirty years ago. Besides Abbot Sikuang Xuan Ci, Fangzheng was also expected to become Abbot, so his position was actually not stable. What better way to secure his position as Abbot of Southern North Shaolin than to pull off a major event that shocked the Jianghu? And this major event should be the Battle of Yan Sect Pass, right? Am I right, Master Master Zhiguang?"

Gu Gu Hanyuan revealed the truth, his momentum pressing down on Master Master Zhiguang.

Seeing that things had reached this point, Master Master Zhiguang felt there was no point in hiding it anymore.

"Young Master Gu is extremely clever; you deduced the truth from mere scattered information. The leader was indeed the Abbot of Southern North Shaolin, Abbot Sikuang Xuan Ci."

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole field was in an uproar.

Since becoming the Abbot of Southern North Shaolin, Abbot Sikuang Xuan Ci had been very active, and he had even made a name for himself in the Jianghu as the "Tiger-Subduing Arhat."

Everyone felt it was unbelievable.

Qiao Feng was even more furious, his hair standing on end, and he roared at the sky:

"Abbot Sikuang Xuan Ci! If I, Qiao Feng, do not kill you to avenge my parents, I swear I am not a man."

"Sect Master Qiao, wait."

Gu Gu Hanyuan pressed Qiao Feng’s shoulder, signaling him to calm down.

Qiao Feng wouldn't give face to anyone now, but he couldn't ignore Gu Gu Hanyuan, who had told him who his enemy was. Seeing this, he said respectfully:

"Does Young Master Gu have any further instructions?"

Seeing that even the heroic Qiao Feng was so obedient to Gu Gu Hanyuan, A'zhu was filled with admiration, transferring all her respect for Qiao Feng to Gu Gu Hanyuan.

"Instructions are not necessary. But truth is not clear without debate; some truths are better pursued to the end. What does Master Master Zhiguang think?"

"What does Young Master Gu mean?"

A flash of inspiration struck Master Master Zhiguang, as if he understood his meaning.

"Abbot Sikuang Xuan Ci is certainly at fault, and after the Battle of Yan Sect Pass, he triggered extremely serious consequences yet still did not speak up, allowing the Song and Liao to go to war, and even let Master Master Zhiguang and the others hide the truth for him; clearly, he is just a fame-seeking villain. But that so-called delusional person is even more vicious. I once said that the person who caused all this is either an ambitious man intending to overthrow the Song Kingdom or a traitor to the Han people. If the Yan Sect Pass affair was Abbot Sikuang Xuan Ci’s own doing, he would naturally be guilty beyond redemption. But since Master Master Zhiguang says it was caused by a delusional person teasing them, then the intentions of this delusional person are worth pondering. Perhaps he is the mastermind behind the scenes? Even if he is said to be dead, Master Master Zhiguang should still reveal his identity."

Gu Gu Hanyuan’s eyes were deep.

He had no intention of helping Southern Murong Bo hide his identity; if there were too many masterminds behind the scenes, it would be too competitive, so let him slowly expose these people one by one.

Sure enough, Master Master Zhiguang did not equivocate this time; compared to Abbot Sikuang Xuan Ci bearing all the blame, it was of course better to dump the pot on Southern Murong Bo.

"That person is Southern Murong Bo..."

"How can that be! The Master has been dead for nearly thirty years."

When A'bi said this, her voice faltered; this was almost no different from a confession.

Everyone looked at her.

However, surprisingly, Gu Gu Hanyuan stood in front of A'bi at this moment, blocking those fierce, questioning eyes.

"Heh, do you intend to take action against a little girl?"

Everyone felt a bit sheepish under his cold, sharp gaze.

It was not just because it was beneath them for a group of grown men to attack a woman, but also because they feared Gu Gu Hanyuan’s power.

A'bi’s heart raced as she looked at Gu Gu Hanyuan’s heroic back.

Like A'zhu, as a small maid, it was hard not to be moved when defended by such a handsome, heroic youth like Gu Gu Hanyuan.

Even Wang Wang Yuyan couldn't help but look at Gu Gu Hanyuan twice more.

Of course, Guo Fu was definitely pouting and jealous at this moment.

And Huang Rong rolled her eyes in a familiar, charming way, thinking: Sure enough, this little bastard is attracting ignorant little girls again.

Master Master Zhiguang hesitated and said:

"But back then, Abbot Abbot Sikuang Xuan Ci and I and others all attended Southern Murong Bo’s funeral and confirmed his body."

Gu Gu Hanyuan directly poked a hole in his words.

"At that time, you only confirmed that Southern Murong Bo had stopped breathing, right? Although the art of feigned death is not common in the Jianghu, it is not unheard of. I can easily hold my breath for half an hour, let alone Southern Murong Bo, who is rumored to know the martial arts of a hundred schools. You should not have gone to check again after Southern Murong Bo’s funeral, right?"

Master Master Zhiguang nodded, put his hands together, and said:

"Death is a major matter; how could we lightly open the coffin? We indeed did not go to confirm it afterward."

In fact, by now, Master Master Zhiguang already had a suspicion that Southern Murong Bo might only be feigning death.

"So, as long as you go and confirm whether Southern Murong Bo’s body is normal, you will know if he is the mastermind behind the scenes. If he is not feigning death, then after thirty years, there must only be bones left. But the bones of a martial artist will retain a lot of information, which can also verify his identity."

Gu Gu Hanyuan turned to suggest to Qiao Feng:

"Sect Master Qiao, the truth is now clear. Given the status of Southern North Shaolin in the Jianghu and Abbot Sikuang Xuan Ci’s current prestige, I am afraid it will not be easy to find trouble with him. Why not go and confirm Southern Murong Bo’s life or death first?"