[Wuxia] Chasing After the Beauties of Jin Yong's Novels (Tianlong Fengliu) (Complete) - 32

page views:1 Publication date:2023-03-24

Chapter 134 of the Fallen Dragon World: Returning to the Heavenly Dragon, Encountering Xu Zhu 1

Chapter 134:

Wu Long, seeing injustice, intended to rescue Xiao Longnu, but unwittingly, they ended up sharing a passionate encounter. The moonlight was gentle, the fragrance of flowers intoxicating. When Wu Long awoke, it was already dawn. The beautiful woman in his arms nestled like a lamb, her breasts rising and falling with her even breathing. A blush rose on her fair cheeks, revealing a satisfied, post-storm allure. Her entire body seemed enveloped in an ethereal aura, her fragrant breath landing on Wu Long's face, warm and ticklish.

Wu Long was captivated, thinking: "Heavens! Last night I actually had relations with Xiao Longnu! Aren't I just like that despicable guy? Sigh… Looking at her pure, elegant, and ethereal beauty, I couldn't help but feel ashamed. What should I do?" Should he wake her and tell her he loved her? He gently rose, dressed, and wrapped Xiaolongnu's delicate body tightly. With a sigh, he reluctantly kissed her forehead before turning and leaving.

Returning to the ancient tomb, Wu Long activated the time-travel ring. His main purpose in traveling to this world was to test the ring's function and find the Nine Yin Manual to improve his martial arts. Unexpectedly, he had inadvertently taken Xiaolongnu's virginity. His original intention was to change her fate, and he greatly admired the love between Xiaolongnu and Yang Guo, not intending to interfere. However, his willpower towards women was weak; Wu Long felt no pleasure from a one-night stand, but rather a sense of guilt.

"Forget it, I'll go back to the Tianlong world first. I'll come back to the Condor Heroes world after the story there is over. Let fate decide."

He had come with excitement, but was returning with a sense of guilt—something Wu Long hadn't anticipated. The wheel of time and space started turning again, and the space around Wu Long distorted once more. The next moment, Wu Long's body disappeared by the lake.

Luoyang, perched on the south bank of the Yellow River, is bordered by the Mangshan Mountains to the north, the Luo River to the south, Hulao Pass to the east, and Hangu Pass to the west. Surrounded by mountains, with the Luoyang Plain in the center, and traversed by the Yi, Luo, Chan, and Jian rivers, it boasts both strategic importance and scenic beauty. Its fertile soil, moderate climate, and convenient water transport have earned it the reputation of being "surrounded by mountains on all sides, with six rivers flowing through it, a capital city at eight passes, and a thoroughfare connecting ten provinces." Located in the Central Plains, Luoyang is crisscrossed by mountains and rivers. To the west lies the Qinling Mountains, beyond which lies the Guanzhong Plain; to the east, the Songyue Mountains; to the north, the Taihang Mountains and the Yellow River; and to the south, the Funiu Mountains and the fertile lands of Wan and Ye. "Surrounded by mountains and rivers, its strategic location is unparalleled under heaven.

" Because it is "located in the center of the world," it has long been known as the "heartland of the nine provinces." The Xia, Shang, Zhou, Western Han, Eastern Han, Cao Wei, Western Jin, Northern Wei, Sui, Tang, Later Liang, Later Tang, and Later Jin dynasties all established their capitals here, earning it the title of "Capital of Nine Dynasties." The "nine" here refers to a large number; in reality, there were more than nine—thirteen dynasties. At this time, Luoyang was the Western Capital of the Song Dynasty. (The four capitals of the Northern Song Dynasty were Kaifeng (Tokyo), Luoyang (West Capital), Guide (Nanjing), and Daming (Beijing).) It was the largest city besides the capital, Kaifeng.

Wu Long was currently leading his horse leisurely through Luoyang. Having been in the Tianlong World for a long time, he hadn't had much opportunity to visit Luoyang, the ancient capital of this era. His previous visit to Shaolin Temple was very close to Luoyang, and he had originally planned to visit Luoyang after descending Mount Song. However, because the Xiao father and son were in a hurry to go to Yanziwu in Suzhou to seek revenge on the Murong family, he couldn't stop them from abandoning their business to accompany him on a tour of Luoyang, so he couldn't go. Now that he had nothing else to do, he decided to take a stroll. He had been in the Condor Heroes world for several months, but in this world, only half a month had passed, yet the martial arts world had been greatly shaken. The most shocking news was Murong Fu's faked death and Qiao Feng and his son's revenge. There are no secrets in the world, and news spreads in the martial arts world almost as fast as the internet in the 21st century.

Wu Long had been back for three days, bought a horse, and planned to go to Shaolin Temple and then return to Wuyou Valley in Dali to visit the women. It was only a little past 9 AM, still early. He asked a passerby for directions to a famous inn in Luoyang, then led his horse to find lodging. After settling in, he washed his face, drank a cup of tea, and then left the inn to wander around Luoyang alone. He had no particular destination, just wandering aimlessly, haphazardly traversing the streets and alleys. Luoyang at this time had transformed from the separate ward and market system of the Sui and Tang dynasties into a unified system, with residents living in wards facing the streets, forming markets along the streets, making every place bustling. However, there were also particularly quiet and secluded streets and alleys, which he wouldn't linger in. He would either return the way he came or pass by to another lively area. Around noon, feeling somewhat hungry, he returned to the main street, intending to find a large restaurant for a hearty meal.

He strolled along the main street. Looking ahead, he saw a gray-robed monk a dozen steps ahead. Judging from his figure and the bald head that gleamed slightly in the sunlight, he should be a young monk. Luoyang was very close to Shaolin Temple, and most monks here would likely be from Shaolin. Because of the name Shaolin, he paid closer attention. Judging from the monk's gait, he had practiced martial arts, though by his judgment, not very high. However, his steady steps suggested a solid lower body, likely due to extensive practice of the horse stance.

The monk walked ahead, occasionally glancing left and right. His gaze seemed to be fixed on the same destination as Wu Long's—a place to eat. But the monk didn't turn his head much, so Wu Long, following behind, could only see half of his face. Wanting to get a better look, Wu Long moved to the other side of the street, following the monk diagonally. This way, when the monk turned his head, he could get a glimpse of what he looked like.

Shortly after turning to this side of the street, the monk's bald head turned towards him. Wu Long stared intently, not seeing his face clearly, but immediately noticing the monk's upturned nose with its nostrils flaring outwards. Just as he was about to turn around to examine the monk's face, the monk turned away again. However, the monk's upturned nose, with its flared nostrils, left a deep impression on him, reminding him of an important character from the original story. A thought struck him, and he followed the monk. After walking a hundred or two steps, he followed him into a small restaurant at the corner of an alley.

When he entered, the monk was already seated. He chose a table diagonally facing the monk and carefully observed his face. The monk appeared to be around twenty years old, and apart from his nose, his features were fairly regular. The only flaw was the upturned nose, which marred his appearance. As he sighed inwardly, the waiter came to serve tea. Judging from

the restaurant's appearance, Wu Long figured it couldn't be anything special, so without waiting for the waiter to name the dishes, he directly ordered the best. The best is usually the most expensive, and the waiter readily agreed and went off happily. At this moment, the monk turned and glanced in their direction. Wu Long, after watching the waiter leave, also turned and looked elsewhere. They exchanged a glance, the monk smiled slightly, and nodded in greeting.

Wu Long smiled back and said, "May I ask you to come and chat, young master?"

The monk paused slightly, then murmured, "Amitabha!" and got up to walk over. Wu Long had already pulled out a stool for him. The monk nodded his thanks, sat down, and asked, "May I ask what brings you here, benefactor?"

Wu Long poured him a bowl of tea and asked, "Are you a monk from Shaolin Temple, young master?"

The monk chuckled and said, "I am indeed a monk from Shaolin Temple, a third-generation disciple, my Dharma name is Xuzhu! May I ask how you are addressed, benefactor?"

"It really is him!" Wu Long thought to himself, while also wondering why. It seemed he hadn't recognized Ye Erniang. Why? Had Erniang encountered some trouble? Although he didn't have much affection for Ye Erniang, Wu Long always treated all his women equally, and secretly resolved to find her as soon as possible. He then changed the subject, saying, "I've heard that Shaolin monks must pass through the Eighteen Arhats Formation and the Eighteen Bronze Men Formation before descending the mountain. Since you were able to come down, young master, you must be a highly skilled martial artist. To be so powerful at such a young age is truly admirable; I admire you greatly!" He then bowed to Xu Zhu, expressing his deepest admiration. While he expressed his admiration, he secretly chuckled to himself, observing Xu Zhu's embarrassed expression at his misunderstanding.

Xu Zhu looked embarrassed. As soon as Wu Long finished speaking, he hurriedly waved his hand, saying, "Benefactor, you are unaware that this humble monk's descent from the mountain was not due to any breakthrough in martial arts. It's just that the temple has been sending disciples to various places to deliver messages, and there isn't enough manpower, so I was ordered to fill in. I carried over a dozen invitations to martial artists in the Luoyang area. I only arrived in Luoyang this morning from Shaolin,

and I haven't delivered a single invitation yet." "Oh?" Wu Long couldn't help but find Xu Zhu's words strange. In the original story, Shaolin Temple issued invitations because many people in the martial arts world had died from the "an eye for an eye" technique of the Murong clan of Gusu. Shaolin Temple invited heroes from all over the world to join forces with the Murong clan, hoping that the Murong clan would give an explanation before the heroes. But now, because of his arrival, the Murong clan's schemes and plans have been exposed, and the entire martial arts world knows about them. Those disciples and relatives who died from the "an eye for an eye" technique would naturally assume it was the Murong family's doing because of their schemes. There was no need to explain; even if there were, no one would believe them. Many who seemingly died from this Murong technique were implicated, and they had no way to defend themselves. Therefore, he didn't understand why Shaolin Temple was issuing invitations to heroes. He gave a soft "oh," quickly thinking for a moment, and then asked Xu Zhu, "I wonder what Shaolin Temple's purpose is in issuing these invitations?"

Just as Xu Zhu was about to speak, the waiter brought out a large bowl of vegetarian noodles he had just ordered. Turning around, he saw Xu Zhu at Wu Long's table and chuckled, "Little Master, what brings you here!" He then turned and placed the bowl of noodles in front of Xu Zhu.

Xu Zhu thanked the waiter and watched him leave before turning back to Wu Long, bowing respectfully with his palms together. He said, "I see you are also a member of the martial arts world. I will give you the first of these dozen or so invitations. You will know why after reading them!" He then took out an oilcloth bundle from his robes, opened it, and presented a large red invitation, saying respectfully, "Please tell me your esteemed name so I can inform my master!"

Wu Long did not reply, but simply took the invitation and examined it closely. The invitation read: "Abbot Xuan Ci of Shaolin Temple respectfully invites heroes from all over the world to visit Shaolin Temple on Mount Song on the Double Ninth Festival (September 9th) to celebrate, forge goodwill, and discuss the matter of the Murong clan of Gusu, descendants of the Great Yan Kingdom." After reading it, he nodded, thinking to himself that it was still about the Murong clan. Only now, the invitation had changed from an invitation to explain to a discussion. He didn't know whether the word "discussion" meant "to discuss and negotiate" or "to discuss and punish." However, he figured it was most likely the latter. In that case, the Murong family would become the public enemy of the martial arts world. And it wouldn't even take until then; once the Shaolin Temple's notice was spread throughout the martial arts world, the Murong family would be doomed. Everyone might want to kill them. Or, some greedy people might spare their lives and hand them over to the authorities for a reward. Alas, the Murong family is truly plagued by bad luck! He thought to himself, completely unaware that the Murong family's misfortune was entirely due to him.

"The ninth day of the ninth month, exactly the same date as in the original book!" he thought to himself, shook his head, then closed the letter, looked up at Xu Zhu and smiled before replying, "I am Wu Long!"

"So it's Benefactor Wu Long! This humble monk has truly been rude!" Xu Zhu exclaimed in surprise upon hearing Wu Long's name, and bowed again with his palms together. Wu Long was indeed renowned in the martial arts world. Even junior disciples like Xu Zhu, who had never ventured into the martial arts world, had heard of him. Qiao Feng and his son had both personally said that Wu Long was undoubtedly the number one martial artist in the world. Given their high level of martial arts, Wu Long's skills were undoubtedly exceptional, bringing his reputation to its peak. However, there are advantages and disadvantages. In literature, there is no first place, but in martial arts, there is no second. The title of number one in the world is something worth abandoning everything to pursue in the martial arts world. Even Ouyang Feng, one of the Five Greats, went insane for this title, as did the others.

However, for Wu Long now, even if Bodhidharma were to be reborn or Dugu Qiubai were to come looking for him, he would be fearless. Wu Long smiled and agreed, pointing to the bowl of noodles in front of Xu Zhu and saying, "Little Master, if you don't eat soon, this bowl of noodles will get cold!"

Xu Zhu, reminded by Wu Long, noticed that the steam in the bowl had indeed dissipated considerably. He was already hungry, having forgotten about it while talking to Wu Long. Now, seeing the noodles and smelling their aroma, his mouth watered. He clasped his hands in apology to Wu Long, saying, "This humble monk won't stand on ceremony!" He then took a pair of bamboo chopsticks from the chopstick holder on the table, picked at the food in the bowl, and began to eat with slurping. Soon after, the food Wu Long had ordered was brought out. Because the shop was small, Wu Long was afraid the wine wasn't very good, so he didn't order any wine, only a wine cup, which he poured himself from the gourd at his waist.

Seeing the table laden with meat dishes and smelling the aroma of wine filling the room after Wu Long opened the wine gourd, Xu Zhu couldn't help but exclaim, "Amitabha!" He kept his head down, eating his noodles. However, for over twenty years he had been a vegetarian at Shaolin Temple and had never left the temple. Therefore, he had never even seen these meat dishes before. Although he warned himself not to look, he couldn't resist stealing glances from time to time.

Wu Long, observing his behavior, couldn't help but think that Xu Zhu was rather endearingly naive and simple-minded.

"Little Master Xu Zhu, why don't we have some wine and food together?" Wu Long smiled and gestured to Xu Zhu, pointing with his chopsticks to a braised fish.

"Amitabha, forgive me, forgive me!" Xu Zhu chanted a Buddhist prayer, lowering his head and refusing to look at the dishes on the table again. He said, “Buddhism has a precept against alcohol and meat. As a monk, I cannot break this precept. Please, Mr. Wu Long, do as you please!”

Wu Long smiled nonchalantly, picked up the eye of the fish from the plate, put it in his mouth and swallowed it. He said to Xu Zhu, “As the saying goes, ‘Wine and meat pass through the intestines, but Buddha sits in the heart.’ As long as you are devoted to Buddhism, drinking some wine and eating some meat is not a big deal!”

Xu Zhu only said, “Buddhist precepts cannot be broken!” He recited a few Buddhist chants, said “I’m sorry” a few times, and then lowered his head to pick at his bowl of vegetarian noodles, not looking up again to steal a glance.

Wu Long shook his head and smiled, picked up a slice of beef, ate it, and praised it. He then said to Xu Zhu, “You have never eaten meat before, so you don’t know how delicious it is. If you don’t know the deliciousness of chicken, duck, fish and meat in your life, then you have lived in vain. And this wine!” He poured himself a cup of wine, and immediately a rich aroma filled the air. He filled the cup, raised it to his nose, and took a deep breath. He continued, “Just the aroma alone is enough to make one’s mouth water. The taste is different once it enters the throat; and it’s yet another flavor in the stomach. ‘Let us drink and sing, for life is short!’ If one cannot drink and sing at least once in a lifetime, then that life has been wasted!”

Having said this, he offered the cup of wine to Xuzhu, saying, “Little Master, feel free to taste this fine wine, so that you may have no regrets in this life. Rest assured, as long as you don’t tell, and I don’t tell, no one in Shaolin Temple will know that you have ever drunk wine!”

"Amitabha!" Xu Zhu shouted a Buddhist chant, then looked up and said, "As a monk, I should consciously abide by the Buddhist precepts. How can I break them just because no one is watching me? Moreover, the Buddha is all-powerful. Even if I drank this cup of wine and you and I don't say anything, the Buddha will know. And if the Buddha knows that I have broken the precepts and deceived the monks in the temple, committing the sin of deception, he will not allow me to ascend to the Pure Land after my death! Perhaps, he will even send me to the eighteenth level of hell as punishment!"

"Buddha is compassionate and magnanimous; how could he care about such a small sin as yours? Don't you Buddhists have a saying, 'Lay down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot'? Even a butcher who has slaughtered countless lives can be forgiven by Buddha and become a Buddha on the spot as long as he lays down his knife. Do you think Buddha will send you to hell just because you drank a small cup of wine? The important thing is a sincere heart towards Buddha. As long as your heart is sincere enough, Buddha will forgive you no matter how great your sins. If, as you say, Buddha will send you to hell just because you drank a cup of wine, then your Buddha is far too petty. What's the point of believing in such a Buddha? It's truly laughable!" Wu Long finished speaking and laughed mockingly a few times, then took the cup of wine back and drank it himself. ( Chapter 135

of *The Fallen Heavenly Dragon World* )

Although Xu Zhu had studied Buddhist scriptures since childhood, he was stunned and couldn't think of any good rebuttal after hearing Wu Long's words. Wu Long poured another cup of wine, glanced at Xu Zhu, and continued, "Don't you Buddhists advocate the salvation of all beings? Whether you break the precepts or not, you are still a human being. Why didn't the Buddha save you? I've also heard that when Amitabha Buddha, whom you monks often chant, attained Buddhahood, he made forty-eight great vows. One of these vows was that if a dying person recited 'Amitabha Buddha'—his Buddha name—before death, someone would come to guide that person's soul to his Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. You chant 'Amitabha Buddha' every day, I don't know how many thousands or hundreds of times you've chanted it. Amitabha Buddha must have already remembered your name. As soon as you die, he will immediately guide you to his Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. So, drinking such a small cup of wine is not a problem. Besides, this wine is brewed from grains and cereals, so there is no guilt involved in killing." After he finished speaking, he handed the full cup of wine to Xu Zhu. These were things he had heard Kumārajīva mention before when they were together, but Kumārajīva had misinterpreted Amitabha Buddha's vow.

However, Xuzhu understood the misinterpretation and quickly chanted a Buddhist prayer, arguing, "Benefactor Wu's interpretation of Amitabha Buddha's vow is incorrect. 'When I become a Buddha, all sentient beings in the ten directions, upon hearing my name, will sincerely believe and rejoice. All their good roots will be dedicated to being reborn in my land. Even with ten recitations, if they are not reborn, I will not attain perfect enlightenment. Except for those who commit the five heinous crimes and slander the Dharma.' Although it is said that all people can become Buddhas, they must have a clear and repentant heart. The phrase 'sincerely believe and rejoice' is the most important in this vow. The person must have this realization before death and then chant Amitabha Buddha's name again, only then can Amitabha Buddha come to guide them to the Pure Land!"

Wu Long laughed, "That's fine then, as long as you repent immediately after drinking it, it's the same!"

"Amitabha!" Xu Zhu clasped his hands together and chanted the Buddha's name again, then looked up and said, "Please, Benefactor Wu, don't make things difficult for this humble monk any longer!" Having said that, he picked up his bowl of vegetarian noodles, put one hand to his chest in an apology to Wu Long, and returned to the table where he had been sitting. He even turned his back to Wu Long and lowered his head to eat his noodles.

Wu Long watched his retreating figure, shook his head, and chuckled, asking, "Little Master, do you prefer to be a monk, spending your life with a solitary lamp and ancient Buddha, chanting scriptures and reciting mantras, eating only vegetables and tofu every day?"

Xu Zhu didn't turn around, but simply straightened up and chanted the Buddha's name again, saying, "All these are external things; even the human body is just a stinking bag of skin. My lifelong wish is to read Buddhist scriptures, do good deeds, accumulate good karma, and be reborn in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss after a hundred years!"

Wu Long smiled upon hearing this, said nothing more, turned to the waiter, whispered a few words in his ear, and slipped some things into his hand. Then he turned back to face the table full of dishes, focusing on drinking and eating, no longer paying attention to Xu Zhu.

Xu Zhu had already eaten half a bowl of noodles. Since Wu Long didn't disturb him, he quickly finished his. After drinking a few sips of broth, he got up and called over the waiter, asking, "Waiter, how much is this bowl of vegetarian noodles for me?"

"Only ten coins!" the waiter replied, then turned to Wu Long and said, "But that young master has already paid for you, Master!" He then walked away, ignoring Xu Zhu's slight surprise.

Xu Zhu was taken aback, turned to Wu Long, and bowed respectfully, saying, "I appreciate Benefactor Wu's kindness, but I still wish to pay for the meal myself. Since Benefactor Wu has already paid, I will pass on these ten coins to you!" He then took out ten coins from his pocket and placed them on Wu Long's table.

"He won't even accept a free bargain; Xu Zhu is truly stubborn and inflexible!" Wu Long shook his head slightly upon hearing this, sighed, and cupped his hands to Xu Zhu, saying, "I was quite rude earlier. Please accept this bowl of noodles as an apology. Please take back these ten coins, otherwise you will refuse my apology!"

"This..." Xu Zhu looked troubled, unsure of what to do. Wu Long, seeing his expression, added, "If you don't want to accept my apology, please put down the money and turn around and leave!"

"Amitabha!" Xu Zhu sighed, bowed his head, chanted a Buddhist prayer, and took back the ten coins from the table. Then he clasped his hands in prayer, thanked Wu Long, and said, "Please enjoy your meal, Benefactor Wu. I shall take my leave now!"

Wu Long stood up and said, "Please, young master, have a seat!"

Xu Zhu stopped turning around, but did not sit down. He asked curiously, "Does Benefactor Wu have any further instructions?"

Wu Long smiled and said, "I have heard that Shaolin Temple possesses four volumes of the Lankavatara Sutra, personally written by Bodhidharma, which he brought with him when he crossed the sea to the west. Its Buddhist teachings are profound and subtle. I wonder if you have studied them, young master?"

Xu Zhu was puzzled as to why he had brought up the Lankavatara Sutra again. He looked slightly doubtful, but still replied, "The four volumes of the Lankavatara Sutra personally written by Bodhidharma are in Sanskrit. My knowledge is limited, and I have not read them. However, I have read the translation."

"Oh!" Wu Long nodded, then said seriously, "The original Buddhist teachings are truly profound. Translations and the originals inevitably differ, so young master, you must carefully study the original!"

Xu Zhu nodded in agreement, "What you say is very true, benefactor. After returning to the temple, I will definitely study the original text personally written by Bodhidharma!"

"Hmm!" Wu Long nodded again, smiling mysteriously, "The Buddhist teachings in Bodhidharma's handwritten *Lankavatara Sutra* are profound and cannot be read in the ordinary way. Young master, you can try reading it backwards, skipping around, reading it horizontally, and so on. Try every method you can think of; you will surely gain a more profound understanding of Buddhist teachings!"

Xu Zhu frowned, looking even more puzzled, but in his heart, he felt that what Wu Long said made some sense. The Buddhist scriptures handwritten by Bodhidharma were indeed not to be taken lightly. He would have to try it when he returned and see what the effect would be. Thinking of this, he bowed to Wu Long with his palms together and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Benefactor Wu. I will definitely try it after returning to the temple!"

"Hmm!" Wu Long nodded again, then cupped his hands and said, "Then I will not disturb you any longer, young master. Farewell, until we meet again!"

"Amitabha!" Xu Zhu bowed to Wu Long with his palms together again, chanted a Buddhist prayer, and said, "Until we meet again," before turning and leaving the shop.

"Xu Zhu, Xu Zhu, whether you can obtain the 'Nine Yang Divine Skill' hidden in those four volumes of the *Lankavatara Sutra* depends on your fate and destiny!" Watching Xu Zhu's figure disappear outside the shop door, Wu Long sighed, sat down, and drank a cup of wine.

Xu Zhu was one of the three main characters in the original book, but because of his arrival, he no longer had the chance to become a main character, nor the legendary figure he was in the original book. The reason Xu Zhu was able to escape from the original story was because he broke the "Precious Chess Game" set up by Wu Ya Zi. He became Wu Yazi's last disciple, inheriting over seventy years of Wu Yazi's internal energy, and even became the leader of the Xiaoyao Sect, which transformed his life. His ability to break the "Zhenlong Chess Game" was due to a blind, reckless move he made to save the notorious Duan Yanqing, resulting in the destruction of a group of pieces. Only with Duan Yanqing's secret guidance through ventriloquism was he able to break the game. Now, because of my arrival and interference, he can no longer attend the Zhenlong Chess Game. Therefore, the scene of Xu Zhu blindly making a move to save Duan Yanqing will never happen again.

Even if he were to make a reckless move to save someone else, without Duan Yanqing's chess expertise and unique ventriloquism guidance, he still wouldn't be able to break the "Zhenlong Chess Game."

Furthermore, it's uncertain whether Xu Zhu will even have the chance to attend the Zhenlong Chess Game at Leigu Mountain again, let alone anything else. Furthermore, in the original novel, Xu Zhu didn't originally intend to accept Wu Yazi's seventy-plus years of internal energy to become the leader of the Xiaoyao Sect. It can be said that everything was forced upon him and happened by chance, ultimately leading him to take over the Tianshan Lingjiu Palace. His original intention was to be a monk at Shaolin Temple, and even after taking over the Tianshan Lingjiu Palace, he shaved his head and returned to Shaolin Temple to become a novice monk, which can be described as incredibly pedantic. When Wu Long saw this part, he cursed Xu Zhu as a fool on television, and he couldn't help but curse him again while reading the book. Now, because of his arrival, Xu Zhu no longer has that opportunity. If he likes to be a monk, then he can be a monk for life. Of the three main characters in the original novel, Xu Zhu is the one he dislikes the most.

However, because he ruined someone's plans, preventing them from obtaining unparalleled martial arts skills, and also taking away their mother, he felt somewhat indebted to Xu Zhu. He had thought of finding an opportunity to help Xu Zhu back then. Today, this opportunity arose by chance in Luoyang, which was perfect. He had already subtly pointed out the secrets in the four volumes of the *Lankavatara Sutra*. As for whether Xu Zhu would be fortunate enough to obtain them, that depended on Xu Zhu's fate.

His previous tests of Xu Zhu, and his many seemingly plausible but ultimately flawed interpretations, were to see if Xu Zhu was determined to pursue the hopeless profession of becoming a monk. If the answer was no, then he would lead Xu Zhu further astray. Then he would teach him a powerful skill, give him three wives and four concubines, and provide him with plenty of money, allowing him to enjoy all the pleasures of the world. If it was yes, then this was the outcome.

"If that fool Xu Zhu couldn't even figure this out, then he can only be called stupid!" Wu Long pondered for a moment, then shook his head and sighed. If he doesn't obtain the Nine Yang Divine Skill, it means I haven't helped him at all. I'll have to find another way to make amends, but there's plenty of time; I'll think about it when the opportunity arises. Besides, judging from Xu Zhu's good fortune in the original story, he should have a very good chance of mastering the Nine Yang Divine Skill.

Let fate decide; some things are beyond my control. Although I know some things that will happen and have happened in this world, and I know many secrets, sometimes things develop in ways I can't predict. Like the Murong family—who could have imagined that stealing wine from the palace would bring such a huge disaster upon them? And my own feelings are the same; they're not something I can control.

Why worry about it so much? Things will work out in the end. Take it one step at a time. If one has to calculate ten or even twenty steps before taking one, wouldn't that make life too tiring?

“‘Enjoy life while you can, for tomorrow you may die.’ Life is meant to be enjoyed, not wasted on worrying and fretting,” Wu Long thought to himself, then laughed heartily and tilted his head back to drink.

The ingredients at this small shop were quite ordinary, and the cooking wasn't as elaborate as in a grand restaurant, but fortunately, the taste was quite good, and Wu Long was satisfied with his meal. After settling the bill, he continued to stroll around Luoyang. This time, however, he wasn't wandering aimlessly. Instead, he exited the city directly through the east gate. After traveling for less than half an hour, he heard the urgent thumping of horses behind him, and someone shouted, "Uncle-Master Wu! Uncle-Master Wu!"

Wu Long recognized the voice as that of the divine physician Xue Muhua. He immediately stopped, and soon a chestnut horse halted in front of the carriage. Xue Muhua dismounted, approached Wu Long, bowed respectfully, and took out a letter from his robes, handing it to him, saying, "Finally, we've caught up with Uncle-Master Wu!" Wu Long

was surprised and asked, "Muhua, what's this?" He took it and read the letter: "To Junior Brother Wu Long." It was signed: "Su Xinghe of Leigu Mountain." Opening it, he read: "Junior Brother Wu Long: I am delighted to hear of your exceptional talent and your rising star in the martial arts world. Your unworthy senior brother also feels that the revival of our Xiaoyao Sect is promising, and I eagerly await an audience." "I hope you will grace Leigu Mountain in Henan with your presence before August 13th, and set up a chess game to welcome talented individuals from all over the world...

" Xue Muhua said, "Now that my master's reputation is soaring, I have dared to go to Leigu Mountain to inform our master of everything. By his grace, he has reinstated several of us fellow disciples, allowing us to return to our sect. This is all thanks to my master's help."

Wu Long read the letter and roughly understood Su Xinghe's purpose. It seemed he also wanted to see his self-proclaimed junior brother from the Xiaoyao Sect. And it was even more likely that Wu Yazi had heard what Su Xinghe said. He was probably wary of a trap, and had set up the Zhenlong Chess Game, hoping someone could solve it so he could pass on his skills. Wu Long laughed inwardly, "Let him see me then, what are you afraid of?" To be honest, he also wanted to see this "master uncle," Wu Yazi. Waving his hand, he said, "That's your good fortune, I can't say I helped you at all! It's just that I have to go to Shaolin now, and I'm afraid I won't have enough time!"

Wu Long put away the letter and said calmly, "It seems I'll have to disappoint Senior Brother Su. Mu Hua, go back and tell Senior Brother Su that I'll visit him after the Shaolin matter is settled."

Xue Mu Hua was very anxious. He didn't know what connection Wu Long had with Shaolin, and he didn't have time to care. He said, "My master has repeatedly instructed that you, Uncle, should go to Leigu Mountain before August 13th. It's a matter of great importance, please grant my request!"

Wu Long thought to himself: Is Wu Ya Zi about to collapse? He said, "What's so urgent? Is Senior Brother Su unwell?"

Xue Mu Hua said, "No, it's just that my master repeatedly instructed me, and I don't know the details." A month ago, Su Xinghe learned of Wu Long's name and was overjoyed. He quickly reported it to Wu Ya Zi. Wu Yazi was also very curious about Wu Long, and felt extremely relieved. He immediately intended to pass on all his skills to Wu Long. However, fearing a trap, he instructed Su Xinghe to distribute invitations widely, inviting chess masters from all over the martial arts world to come to Leigu Mountain to solve the Zhenlong Chess Game.

Wu Yazi was extremely knowledgeable throughout his life, proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Besides extraordinary talent, one must also have a keen interest in various disciplines to achieve great success. The Zhenlong Chess Game was an incomplete puzzle from an ancestor that Wu Yazi had accidentally obtained, which he then evolved, but unexpectedly, even he himself could not solve it. He was confident in his chess skills and had been

pondering this matter with Wu Long, saying, "Very well, there's still time for the trip to Shaolin."

Xue Muhua was overjoyed. Wu Long remembered something and asked, "Muhua, do you know which other people from the martial world Senior Brother Su invited to this chess tournament?"

Xue Muhua replied, "I don't know. The invitations were all handled by the deaf-mute men under my master's command. I only know that the chess game was left by my grandmaster, who hoped that a talented person could solve it and fulfill his wish." After saying this, he thought of how his master had been forced to expel him and his fellow disciples from the Xiaoyao Sect because he couldn't bear to harm them. He was filled with gratitude.

Wu Long then asked, "You've come from afar, have you heard any news of my sworn brother, Xiao Feng?" Xue Muhua replied, "Rumors in the martial world say that the Murong family of Gusu was the mastermind behind the Yanmen Pass massacre thirty years ago. To avenge his mother's death, Xiao Feng stormed Yanziwu in Gusu a month ago. However, the Murong family received the news early, and Yanziwu was deserted, not even a servant was to be seen. Currently, the martial world is abuzz with discussion about this, but no one knows where the Murong family has moved to." He was unaware that Wu Long had revealed the Yanmen Pass incident.

Wu Long secretly pondered that the Murong family of Yanziwu alone was insufficient to deal with Brother Xiao and Senior Xiao. Murong Bo must also know this; he is cautious by nature and never fights a battle he cannot win. Presumably, his hidden forces are not in the Jiangnan region, which is why he moved his entire family. But where would he go? He naturally didn't understand the relationship between Fang Youlong and Murong Bo, and suddenly asked, "Mu Hua, why did you and the You brothers hold that Heroes' Gathering to deal with my sworn brother?"

Wu Long had never understood. Xue Mu Hua was definitely not the kind of person who prioritized public welfare in the martial arts world. Just looking at how he demanded martial arts skills from everyone he treated as a reward was enough to tell him this.

Although Xue Mu Hua was on horseback, he had been looking at Wu Long to answer his questions. Now, seeing his gaze, he felt uneasy and dared not look at him. Wu Long pressed, "It's alright, it's all over now, I won't blame you."

Xue Muhua then said, "Uncle-Master knows I sent out a traitorous disciple, Ding Chunqiu. He betrayed his master and ancestors, committing all sorts of evil deeds in the martial world. Unfortunately, my master... his martial arts were inferior to his, and we

,

his incompetent disciples, were powerless to help him. At the time, I thought Xiao Feng's infamy was so great that if I could eliminate him, the heroes of the Central Plains would surely be grateful for my kindness..." (Chapter 136, Leigu Mountain, Part 1 of the Fallen Heavenly Dragon World)

Wu Long continued, "Do you think this will make the people of the Central Plains get rid of that scoundrel Ding Chunqiu for us?" Seeing that Xue Muhua dared not answer, he continued, "You are truly confused. Ding Chunqiu has been a scourge on the world for more than just a few years, yet no one has gone to settle accounts with him. Do we, the Xiaoyao Sect, need to rely on outsiders for our affairs?" Lately, he had been increasingly identifying himself as a member of the Xiaoyao Sect, considering himself a true part of it.

Xue Muhua broke out in a sweat, nodding in agreement, not daring to utter a single word in response. Seeing this, Wu Long felt a little guilty and said, "I know your intentions are good, and thankfully my sworn brother is alright. Speaking of which, I should thank you!"

Xue Muhua exclaimed in surprise, "Thank me? Oh, nephew, you wouldn't dare!" He thought Wu Long was being sarcastic, and his heart pounded with fear, afraid that Wu Long would say something to Su Xinghe.

Wu Long smiled and said, "Don't worry, I said the matter is over, I won't blame you." Only then did Xue Muhua feel somewhat relieved.

Leigu Mountain is located near Qu Yuan Gang in Song County, Henan Province. The two traveled day and night without encountering any trouble along the way, arriving at the foot of Leigu Mountain after about three days. It was only August 12th, one day before their appointed meeting. Due to the steep terrain, Leigu Mountain is said to have been a place where drums were beaten to boost morale during ancient battles, but which dynasty it belonged to is difficult to ascertain. At this time, it was still summer or autumn, and the mountains were covered with lush and verdant forests, with occasional towering peaks and craggy rocks. Wu Long thought to himself:

The original book of "Tian Long Ba Bu" doesn't seem to mention the location of the Xiaoyao Sect. It only says that after Wu Yazi was ambushed and injured by Ding Chunqiu, he hid here. The Leigu Mountain chess game was a "precious chess game" set up by Wu Yazi to select a disciple to pass on his skills to. Anyone who could solve it would be accepted as a disciple.

In the original book, Xu Zhu solved the game with his eyes closed, and Duan Yanqing secretly helped him to break the precious chess game. Now, Xu Zhu no longer has such an opportunity. He had considered Wu Yazi's seventy-odd years of internal energy and the position of leader of the Xiaoyao Sect. However, although he knew how to break the pattern, he couldn't even play Go. Even if he could make a blind move like Xu Zhu, sacrificing a group of enemies to find a chance to win, he wouldn't know how to follow up, so he couldn't break the pattern. Moreover, with his over a hundred years of internal energy as the Northern Darkness God, he didn't care much about Wu Yazi's seventy-odd years of internal energy. He actually hoped that Duan Yu would break the Zhenlong Chess Game set up by Wu Yazi.

In the original book, apart from Xu Zhu's lucky but wrong move, Duan Yu had the best chance of breaking the Zhenlong Chess Game. Besides Duan Yu's own superior Go skills, he had also seen a Zhenlong Chess Game set up by Wu Yazi in the stone chamber at the bottom of Wuliang Mountain Sword Lake. He was extremely familiar with this game, and if he could give him some pointers on how to sacrifice a group of enemies to escape, he would have a very good chance of breaking the Zhenlong Chess Game. In the original novel, although Duan Yu absorbed the internal energy of many people while in Dali, his own internal energy was already profound, but his Six Meridian Divine Sword technique was still inconsistent. It wasn't until he absorbed the internal energy of Kumārajīva in a dry well in the Western Xia Kingdom that he could finally use the Six Meridian Divine Sword effectively. If Duan Yu were to break the Zhenlong sword, it would be to replace Kumārajīva's power with Wuyazi's, allowing Duan Yu to absorb Wuyazi's power and thus also be able to use the Six Meridian Divine Sword freely. Furthermore, he felt that Duan Yu's temperament was quite similar to Wuyazi's, and the two would be a very suitable master and disciple. It's likely that Wuyazi would be extremely pleased to have Duan Yu, this handsome and refined young man, as his disciple.

Halfway up the mountain, Wu Long said, "Someone's coming from down the mountain. They must be martial artists from the Jianghu attending the chess tournament."

Xue Muhua listened intently, hearing only the rustling of the mountain wind through the trees, but no human voices. He already knew Wu Long's martial arts had greatly improved, so he didn't doubt his words. He just secretly admired his profound skill, silently reciting, "Uncle's skill is profound; it's truly a great fortune for our Xiaoyao Sect."

After a while, they heard a long chant coming from afar. As the person approached, they could even hear the chant: "I built my hut in the midst of human habitation, yet there is no noise of carriages and horses. You ask me how this can be? My heart is far away, and the place is naturally secluded. I pick chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, and leisurely gaze at the Southern Mountain. The mountain air is beautiful at sunset, and the birds fly back together."

Xue Muhua knew that these were famous lines from Tao Yuanming's "Drinking Wine," which originally conveyed a sense of transcending the mundane world and staying away from worldly affairs. But when the person recited them, there was a sense of melancholy, a bitterness in the tone of the poem that was unable to transcend reality.

"What a coincidence! Speak of the devil, and he appears!"

Before long, a group of five people strolled in. The first, dressed in a blue scholar's robe, was handsome—it was Duan Yu. Behind him were four guards.

Duan Yu possessed profound internal energy, and his senses were greatly heightened. He glanced at Wu Long, slightly startled, then exclaimed with delight, "Second Brother, it's you!" He rose and walked over.

Wu Long looked at Duan Yu and noticed he looked much more haggard and sorrowful than when they parted, and seemed thinner. He knew it was due to Duan Zhengchun's death and sighed inwardly. He smiled, though, and said, "Why couldn't it be me?"

"I just didn't expect it!" Duan Yu smiled. Wu Long noticed that Duan Yu's internal energy seemed to have deepened considerably, no less than his own. Although not as refined, it was still among the best in the martial world. Although his Six Meridians Divine Sword was unreliable, with his Lingbo Weibu (a martial arts technique) and powerful internal energy, very few in the world dared to kill him head-on.

Wu Long didn't know how to comfort him. Although Duan Zhengchun's fate was largely due to his arrival, even if he didn't change history, Duan Zhengchun would still die eventually, just a year earlier. Duan Yudao didn't think too much about it and introduced the four warriors behind him to Wu Long. They were the families of the four deceased guards, reformed and serving the Duan family for generations—fishing, farming, woodcutting, and studying—all the way up to Master Yideng.

They talked along the way, and after half an hour, they arrived at a mountain stream. Xue Muhua took out firecrackers from his robes and lit them. With a bang, the firecracker shot into the sky, exploding three times in succession. He said, "The road ahead is becoming increasingly difficult. My master doesn't want to neglect our distinguished guests; someone will come to greet us shortly." Everyone praised the Congbian Master's hospitality.

Soon, more than ten people came running from the front, mostly dressed as country folk, half of them carrying long bamboo poles. Upon approaching, Xue Muhua stepped forward and said, "Eldest Brother, Third Brother, Fourth Brother, come and greet Uncle Liu." Following his gaze, the others saw an old man, a middle-aged strongman, and a scholar-like figure among the newcomers, their attire varied, yet they stood out among the villagers.

The old man asked, "Fifth Brother, which one is Uncle Liu?" His gaze swept between Wu Long and Duan Yu. He had only heard that Wu Long was a young master, and seeing that the two were of similar age, he couldn't be certain. Wu Long, seeing his gaze, thought to himself: This man's skill is quite impressive. He must be the leader of the Eight Friends of Hangu Pass.

Xue Muhua pointed at Wu Long and said, "This is Uncle Liu." Upon hearing this, the old man, the scholar, and the middle-aged strong man rushed to Wu Long and bowed deeply, saying, "Junior nephews Kang Guangling, Gou Du, and Commander Wu greet Uncle Liu."

Wu Long was surprised by their immediate respect. Just as their knees were about to touch the ground, he lifted them up with a gentle force, saying, "No need for such a grand ceremony!" Commander Wu's face was expressionless, showing no reaction. Kang Guangling, however, was the leader of the Eight Friends of Hangu Pass, and his martial arts far surpassed those of his fellow disciples. He naturally understood that Wu Long's martial arts were extremely high. Being a naive person by nature, he spoke without reservation and laughed, "Uncle Liu's martial arts are superb. Now Ding Chunqiu will have someone to subdue him!"

Gou Du, however, recited, "Uncle Liu's martial arts are superb, but there is a distinction between superiors and inferiors. This is the fundamental principle of our sect, which we must uphold and never dare to break." As he spoke, he was about to bow again.

Wu Long, whose head was as big as a bucket, had never heard of such pretentious words before. He found Wu Long's pedantry rather endearing, and was caught in a dilemma—whether to stop him or not. Xue Muhua, having known Wu Long for a long time, knew he didn't value traditional etiquette. He stopped Gou Du, saying, "Third Senior Brother, Uncle is a humble man who dislikes excessive formalities. Too much formality is actually disliked by him."

Gou Du continued to struggle, saying, "In the Analects, in the chapter 'Wei Zi,' Zilu said: 'The proper order between elders and juniors should not be abandoned. A gentleman serves in office to uphold righteousness; if the Way is not practiced, he already knows it.' I have read the books of sages; how can I not understand the profound meaning of the ancients' words?"

Wu Long was nearly driven mad by his erudition; even five- or six-year-old schoolchildren in the world could outdo him in pedantry. Duan Yu interjected, "Sir, haven't you heard Confucius say: 'A gentleman takes righteousness as his essence, practices it with propriety, expresses it with humility, and perfects it with trustworthiness.' Such is the essence of a gentleman!" This means that a gentleman prioritizes benevolence and righteousness over propriety; formalities are merely formalities. Gou Du

exclaimed, "What you say is absolutely right, young master. 'Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me.' The sage truly did not deceive me!" Only then did he stop insisting on performing the kneeling ceremony for Wu Long.

Xue Muhua said, "Uncle-Master, please don't be offended. My third senior brother is fond of reading and has studied all the schools of thought. Therefore, he has developed a habit of using classical Chinese phrases in his speech; in reality, he is a learned scholar." He then introduced Duan Yu and the others to Kang Guangling and the others. Each person bowed respectfully.

Wu Long smiled wryly, "No problem, lead the way." Turning to Duan Yu, he said, "Thank you, Third Brother. If it weren't for your help, I really wouldn't know what to do." He disliked those who were long-winded and argumentative, which was why he was so disgusted by Bao Butong's unreasonable behavior in the Apricot Grove and had directly rebuked him. But Gou Du was sincere, so he couldn't very well rebuke him as well.

Xue Muhua and the others gestured to the villagers, who then paired up, separated the bamboo poles, and tied a rope net in the middle. Kang Guangling said, "Please, Uncle-Master and all the distinguished guests, take a seat. The mountain path is difficult to traverse, and my master is unable to personally greet us. Please forgive him."

Everyone was surprised, never expecting Su Xinghe to be so sincere in his hospitality. Wu Long looked at the men and saw that they were only agile, their martial arts skills were only average. He thought: If they can walk, why can't I! He said, "We are healthy and without pain, so this rugged mountain path should not be difficult for us. We appreciate Senior Brother Su's kindness. Mu Hua, please lead the way!"

The four guards of Dali also thought to themselves: This Mr. Congbian is very kind, but he is making a mountain out of a molehill. Do we martial artists have anything to fear

from these mountain paths? They all chimed in with their agreement. Duan Yu naturally had no objections. Xue Mu Hua did not insist and said, "Uncle-Master, please." He leaped forward. Wu Long followed behind. His clothes fluttered, and he walked leisurely and freely on the steep mountain path. He seemed like a celestial being, riding the wind. Everyone watched with admiration.

Gou Du couldn't help but recite: "The gentleman is dignified, holding a reed in his left hand, beckoning me to his room with his right, how joyful! The gentleman is carefree, holding a banner in his left hand, beckoning me to his room with his right, how joyful!" The others had little knowledge of ancient books and thought he was just being bookish and didn't pay any attention. This is actually a poem from the "Wang Feng" section of the Book of Songs, describing the boundless joy of lovers strolling together in the countryside.

Soon they entered a valley filled with pine trees; the mountain wind rustled through the pines like waves, and the terrain gradually leveled out. After walking about a mile, they came to three wooden houses. Under a large tree in front of the houses, two people sat facing each other, with a chessboard on a flat rock between them, playing a game. To their left was a short, thin old man with a wrinkled face, his age impossible to discern. Behind him stood four men and one woman, each with a different appearance. Kang Guangling and the other two rushed over, but remained silent, watching the game quietly. Everyone knew this was the wise and eloquent Su Xinghe.

The man playing against Su Xinghe was a young gentleman, about twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, quite handsome, and exuding an air of nobility. Behind him stood eight people, the youngest in his thirties and the oldest nearing sixty, all full of energy, their temples prominent, indicating considerable skill.

Upon closer inspection, they discovered the chessboard was carved directly into the large rock, its intricate lines neatly arranged and embedded three-tenths of an inch into the stone. The black and white pieces shimmered and gleamed, and each side had already placed over a hundred pieces. Duan Yu, from an imperial family, knew it was made of the finest Shoushan stone, and the chessboard alone was priceless.

Su Xinghe merely glanced at the group and nodded slightly in acknowledgment. The young master, however, seemed oblivious to the newcomers, his eyes fixed on the chessboard, still contemplating his next move. After about half a cup of tea's time, the white piece was finally placed on the board. The two then each placed a few more pieces. Duan Yu, skilled in chess, could see that the white pieces were at a disadvantage, but stubbornly refused to concede, relentlessly engaging the black pieces.

In the utter silence, Su Xinghe placed a black piece on the chessboard with a click, sighing softly, "Young Master Li's style is tenacious and unyielding, but unfortunately, he has too much domineering power and lacks the kingly way. What a pity, what a pity!" Everyone was astonished to hear the wise and eloquent Mr. Congbian speak. Duan Yu didn't pay any attention, glancing at the chessboard. His black piece had blocked a large area of white pieces in the center, and the middle game was lost; there was no way to recover.

Young Master Li stood up abruptly, saying, "This game is extremely strange. After making one move, it seems to be drawing people in more and more. I can't solve this game!" Everyone shook their heads inwardly, sensing his refusal to admit defeat. Young Master Li didn't care, stepping aside, but when his gaze swept over Wu Long, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

No one saw the sharp glint in his eyes, assuming he was also captivated by Wu Long's beauty, and didn't take it to heart. At this moment, Xue Muhua introduced Wu Long and the others to Su Xinghe. Su Xinghe stared intently at Wu Long for a long time before

finally saying, "Very good, very good."

Wu Long, seeing his rather condescending tone, felt a slight displeasure, but still clasped his hands and said, "Wu Long greets Senior Brother Su." The other five of the Eight Friends of Hangu also bowed to Wu Long.

Su Xinghe said, "Having heard of Junior Brother's many exploits in the martial world, I only now realize that our sect has produced a young hero. It is truly a blessing for our sect!"

Wu Long said, "Junior Brother has also long admired Senior Brother's name. Meeting you today fulfills a long-held wish." He was increasingly considering himself a member of the Free and Unfettered Sect.

Su Xinghe sighed, "I am unworthy, having huddled in this Leigu Mountain for decades. I have failed my master's nurturing grace and have also failed my disciples." The Eight Friends of Hangu, listening nearby, were deeply moved, but without their master's permission, they dared not speak.

Wu Long sighed inwardly at Liu's life over the past few decades, but not wanting to linger, he said, "I wonder what urgent matter you summoned me for, Senior Brother? To be honest, my knowledge of Go is quite limited, and I'm afraid it won't meet your standards."

Su Xinghe hadn't expected him to be so direct. A thought flashed through his mind: He'd heard from Mu Hua that Junior Brother Liu was a disciple of Uncle Li, so he must have only learned martial arts. Otherwise, how could he have made such a name for himself in the martial world at such a young age? Anyway, he didn't necessarily need to solve this intricate Go puzzle. He said, "We'll discuss this later. Let me finish this game first." He turned and picked up more than ten black and white pieces from the board, placing them in the Go box.

Seeing

his passion for Go, everyone was secretly amazed, thinking: No wonder he set up a Go game and invited all the Go masters in the world to play. Only Wu Long knew that he didn't want to discuss the Xiaoyao Sect in front of everyone. As for this intricate chess game, he didn't care much. His skill had already reached its peak, and given his magnanimous nature, he didn't particularly care about Wu Yazi's seventy years of accumulated power. Moreover, he had never liked Wu Yazi; aside from his infidelity, which had caused several women lifelong heartbreak, even after being framed by Ding Chunqiu, Wu Yazi stubbornly clung to his pride, refusing to pass on his power to Su Xinghe or seek help from his two fellow disciples, causing Su Xinghe and his disciples decades of hardship. This was something he couldn't stand.

Su Xinghe said to Duan Yu, "This must be Young Master Duan of Dali. I've long heard of Young Master Duan's exceptional chess skills, and I hope you can solve this game." ( Chapter 137

of Fallen Dragon World 2: Leigu Mountain) Duan Yu gazed at the chessboard, thinking: This wise and eloquent gentleman is from the Xiaoyao Sect, but why is the chess game he's set up exactly the same as the one in the Wuliang Jade Cave? But what connection is there between the fairy sister leaving a letter to kill all the members of the Free and Unfettered Sect and this? Lost in thought, Zhengzheng heard Su Xinghe's call and pulled him back to reality, saying, "My chess skills are mediocre, but since you have given the order, sir, I will humbly offer to play a game." Su Xinghe seemed extremely polite to him, smiling and saying, "Young Master Duan is too modest, please." He placed a black piece first. He had already mentally analyzed this intricate chess game countless times, and was intimately familiar with all its variations, making his moves extremely fast.

After Duan Yu sat down, he pondered for a moment and then made a move. The two exchanged moves for several more rounds, with Su Xinghe making moves incredibly quickly each time, always with a smile on his face, greatly admiring Duan Yu's chess skills. However, as time went on, Duan Yu's moves became increasingly hesitant, as if every move by the black pieces was intricately connected. There were ko fights within ko fights, both shared lives and long lives, counterattacks and loss of liberties, a complex web of moves. On his side, the white pieces seemed to be able to live, but to break through the encirclement of the black pieces on the side, it involved many complexities, and each move required calculations several moves ahead.

Among the four guards, only the guard from the Zhu family had some knowledge of chess and could see that Duan Yu's chances of winning this game were slim, but he knew the principle of observing chess without speaking, and could only anxiously watch from the sidelines. Suddenly, he heard Duan Yu say, "Alright, let's play like this." With that, he abandoned the middle game struggle and placed a white piece on the edge of the board. Su Xinghe nodded, his face showing approval, and immediately returned a move.

Duan Yu, who had been deep in thought, had already figured out the next ten or so moves, but unexpectedly, the two exchanged several more moves, with the white pieces still at a disadvantage. Finally, after Su Xinghe placed a black piece, completely blocking his path on the edge, Duan Yu sighed and shook his head, saying, "The ingenious chess puzzle set up by the old gentleman is exceptionally clever, and I cannot solve it. I have disappointed the old gentleman!"

Su Xinghe sighed again, saying, "Young Master Duan's chess thinking is steady and quick, and these ten or so moves have reached an extremely high level. It is a pity that you could not think one step deeper. What a pity, what a pity." As he spoke, he and Duan Yu each put away the dozen or so pieces they had just played and placed them in the box, restoring the original chessboard layout.

Su Xinghe laughed, "This game is the culmination of my master's years of painstaking effort. I sincerely invited all the masters in the world to this gathering, hoping someone could solve it and fulfill my master's wish. I am overjoyed that you have come!" He then made the first move, but it was different from the first move he made when playing against Duan Yu.

Suddenly, a faint voice came from afar: "Senior brother, all these years you have wasted your efforts, and you still haven't given up? You've set up this lousy game again. Since you want to die, don't blame your junior brother!" The voice was intermittent, but although it drifted from a distance, it was clear to the ear, indicating that the person calling out had profound internal strength and had reached the level of a master.

Upon hearing this, the Eight Friends of Hangu Pass all changed their expressions drastically, showing great fear. Everyone knew that a master had come, obviously to deal with Su Xinghe, but they did not know that the person would address him as "senior brother," and they did not understand the meaning. Wu Long already knew that the person who came was Ding Chunqiu, and nodded slightly to Su Xinghe, indicating that he understood. Su Xinghe and his disciples felt relieved and somewhat at ease.

Wu Long said,

"Nephew Xinghe, Duan Yu is my third brother. His martial arts and character are extremely strong, and he also has a deep connection with our Xiaoyao Sect. Let's give him some time. By the way, did you invite Murong Fu this time? I think they probably won't come."

"Haha, the Murong family has become a pack of dogs, why would they come?"

These words were not spoken by Wu Long, but by Ding Chunqiu. As soon as he finished speaking, a clear voice rang out, "My Murong family has been framed by despicable villains, but the day will come when the clouds part and the blue sky is revealed. On the contrary, Mr. Wu's infamy is not afraid that his lifelong reputation will be ruined in the Central Plains." As he

spoke, an old man appeared at the head of the forest, holding a goose feather fan. His hair and beard were all white, his chin had a six-inch long beard, and his face was ruddy. He truly had the appearance of a child with white hair, like a god. A few steps away, a young gentleman, dressed in a light yellow robe, with a long sword at his waist, handsome and elegant, gracefully appeared.

Behind him, another person called out, "Young Master!" Four men and one woman emerged from the pine forest. Who else could it be but Wang Yuyan and the four great generals of the Murong family? Wu Long wasn't surprised by Wang Yuyan's appearance. He had already informed Madam Wang that this silly girl was worried about Murong Fu and had followed him, which greatly displeased him. If it weren't for his connections, Qiao Feng and his son wouldn't have attacked the Wang family, Murong's cousins. It was also because of his communication with the emperor's disciple that the court was able to investigate the Murong family's rebellion and implicate the Wang family. Although displeased, Dan Wu Long didn't show it.

Truly, a person's reputation precedes them. Murong Fu was also a renowned figure in the martial arts world, known as "Qiao Feng in the North, Murong in the South." Although most people hadn't seen him, they knew him as a handsome and refined young master. Ding Chunqiu was infamous in the martial arts world, and those who hadn't met him never imagined he was such an ethereal figure.

Ding Chunqiu glanced around, seeing mostly a group of young people, before finally fixing his gaze on the chessboard. He sneered, "This game of chess is a trap set by my master, Master Gui, meant to confuse and torment people. It's laughable that so many people have fallen for it!"

Hearing him address his master in such a way, everyone gasped, thinking to themselves: This man is indeed vicious by nature! Su Xinghe angrily asked, "What did you call your master?" Ding Chunqiu laughed, "He's an old thief, so what if I call him a dead old thief?" Su Xinghe glanced at him and said, "Today, the deaf-mute old man is neither deaf nor mute. Do you know why?" Ding Chunqiu sneered, "You broke your oath; you're deliberately courting death. What more is there to say!"

Wu Long, standing nearby, wanted to interject, but then thought, since Murong Fu dared to come here, he must have something to do. Given his current situation, why would he risk showing himself, especially with the martial arts-illiterate Wang Yuyan, if he weren't fully prepared? Before knowing his intentions, they couldn't act rashly, so they kept observing Murong Fu and the others.

Bao Butong and Feng Bo'e had both seen Wu Long before; upon seeing him, they only showed a moment of surprise before regaining their composure. Wu Long, however, remained secretly wary. Bao Butong whispered a few words in Murong Fu's ear, and Murong Fu followed his gaze, a venomous glint in his eyes.

Su Xinghe, unaware of their past grievances, asked, "Young Master Murong, are you here to play chess?" Murong Fu smiled and replied, "Indeed. But before we begin, let me greet all my fellow martial artists!" He then walked over to Duan Yu and said, "Brother Duan, I've long admired your name."

He bowed deeply. Duan Yu, completely unprepared for such a grand gesture, quickly returned the bow, saying, "I dare not accept such a gesture."

Murong Fu smiled and bowed again. Wu Long stepped forward and blocked his way, saying, "Young Master Murong, I am Wu Long, you must have heard of me."

Because it was Qiao Feng and his son who exposed the Murong family's plot, they hadn't implicated Wu Long, so most people in the martial arts world didn't know that he was the one who truly exposed the Murong family's scheme. At this moment, everyone could hear the hostility in his tone towards Murong Fu. Everyone knew he and Xiao Feng were sworn brothers, and assumed he was simply extending his hatred to the Murong family. Little did they know that he and the Murong family had long been sworn enemies.

Just then, a group of people emerged from the pine forest in a chaotic commotion. They were dressed in strange clothes, some carrying gongs and drums, others holding long banners and brocade flags, embroidered with phrases like "Starry Sky Immortal" and "Extremely Powerful." Needless to say, they were Ding Chunqiu's disciples and followers. The martial arts skills of the Starry Sky Sect members were mostly ordinary, which was why they had only now arrived at the wooden hut.

Murong Fu ignored them and sneered, "Brother Wu Long, is it? I'd like to ask you, what has the Murong family done to offend you that you would falsely accuse my family of plotting a rebellion? Yes, Xiao Feng is your sworn brother. You truly are Xiao Feng's good brother, doing such a despicable thing for your sworn brother. Brother Wu Long, please produce some evidence, otherwise, today Murong Fu will have to experience Brother Wu Long's superior skills!"

The crowd was shocked, pondering his words, finding them quite reasonable. Rebellion is no small matter. Qiao Feng and his son merely stated to the world that Murong Bo was the mastermind behind the Yanmen Pass incident, but they failed to produce any evidence whatsoever that the Murong family had started the rebellion. Furthermore, few in the martial arts world knew about the Yanmen Pass incident. The reason people believed the Murong family was involved in a rebellion was simply because the Shaolin and Beggars' Sects were the most powerful factions in the martial arts world; they wouldn't make baseless accusations, especially not about such a significant matter.

Ding Chunqiu was inwardly startled: So this kid is Wu Long. I must be careful. He had also heard of Wu Long's current reputation and dared not underestimate him. He merely watched coldly, noticing the rift between him and Murong Fu, and seemed to gloat, hoping they would fight to the death.

Upon hearing this, Wu Long's heart skipped a beat. Indeed, he had no evidence whatsoever that the Murong family had started the uprising. He said, "There's no smoke without fire. If your Murong family wasn't guilty, why would you abandon your old nest in Gusu Yanziwu and hastily disperse?"

Murong Fu, suppressing his anger, said, "Isn't this all thanks to you? My Gusu Murong clan has always maintained friendly relations with people in the martial arts world, and we certainly don't want to make enemies with those who don't know the truth. That's why we reluctantly moved away from our home. Is this the evidence you're talking about? Do you really think everyone in the world is so easily fooled?" This was a particularly clever move, a strategic retreat that presented their escape as an attempt to avoid unnecessary conflict with the heroes of the martial arts world, further highlighting the Murong family's reputation for being benevolent. He shifted all the blame onto Wu Long. Everyone's eyes involuntarily turned to Wu Long, waiting to see his response.

Wu Long knew that he was certain Murong Fu couldn't produce any evidence, and that every word he uttered implied he had no proof, only slander. "So, Qiao Feng and his son were unjustly killed, and your Murong family was wrongly accused?"

Murong Fu retorted. "Hmph, if it weren't for your silver tongue, if there were any evidence that my Murong family intended to rebel, not only would my friends in the martial world not tolerate us, but even the Song Dynasty government wouldn't allow us to remain here." He pressed on relentlessly, certain that Wu Long couldn't produce any evidence of their family's rebellion.

Wu Long's mind raced as he quickly devised a reply. He knew that if he ran out of words, it would appear as a sign of weakness to others. He let out a long laugh, the sound carrying far and wide, mingling with the sound of the pine trees, like the cry of a phoenix on Kunlun Mountain, deeply moving. Murong Fu's expression changed slightly. He thought to himself: "Father was right. This little thief is indeed highly skilled and not to be underestimated." He shouted, "What, are you speechless now that you're out of arguments?"

Wu Long, having already devised a plan while laughing, suddenly stopped and said, "You say the Murong family is innocent, then dare you answer a few questions for me?"

Murong Fu stared directly at him and said, "Fine, I'll let all the heroes here see your true colors. Ask away!"

Wu Long asked, "Is your father Murong Bo?" Murong Fu retorted, "How dare you casually call my father's name? You're disgracing his reputation." Wu Long continued, "Is your father still alive?" Murong Fu was taken aback, then shouted sharply, "Nonsense! My father is in good health; he could easily live another fifty or sixty years." But his mind was racing: What did he mean by asking that? Hmph, whatever tricks you play, I'll settle the score with you today.

Wu Long said, "It's good you didn't dare curse your own father. Let me ask you again, your father, Murong Bo, was said to have passed away thirty years ago, how come he's still alive?" Murong Fu coldly retorted, "That's just a rumor. My father has been in seclusion for decades, diligently practicing martial arts. His friends outside didn't know, so the rumor spread. You're asking such irrelevant questions, are you trying to spread rumors again?" Wu Long laughed, "So you've been in seclusion, diligently practicing martial arts? Did your father go to Shaolin Temple to practice?"

Murong Fu angrily said, "Nonsense! Although Shaolin is a major martial arts sect in the Central Plains, my Murong family's martial arts are no less advanced. Shaolin has countless masters. If my father had been hiding in Shaolin for thirty years, how could he not have been discovered? Aren't you looking down on Shaolin? It's a wonder that the Shaolin monks actually believed your nonsense."

Wu Long laughed, "You really never miss an opportunity to stir up trouble. Do you really think that this will allow your Murong family to profit from this?" "Did you profit from it?" Murong Fu shouted, "Nonsense! Even now you're still spreading rumors!" Wu Long roared, "Fine, so what about the matter that Abbot Xuanci of Shaolin Temple announced to the world? Thirty years ago, your father told him that a large number of Khitan warriors were coming to Shaolin Temple to steal martial arts manuals, which later led to the tragedy outside Yanmen Pass. This is true, isn't it? Don't forget that Abbot Xuanci is still alive. With his reputation and prestige, he wouldn't wrong the Murong family, would he? It's just that your Murong family are descendants of the Five Barbarian Yan Dynasty, and you never forget to restore the former Great Yan Dynasty. Back then, the world was at peace, and your Murong family had no opportunity to take advantage of it, so you wanted to instigate a feud between the Song and Liao dynasties so that your Murong family could take the opportunity to start a rebellion. Don't tell me you're not a Xianbei, someone who doesn't even dare to acknowledge his ancestors. Then I have nothing to say to him!" He spoke the last sentence with even more sternness, sending his inner force straight to Murong Fu's forehead.

Murong Fu had been on guard for some time, but Wu Long's skill far surpassed his own, and he was even more surprised that Wu Long would use sonic techniques. His expression changed; he was an extremely arrogant person who even disliked reading Chinese books. Long before Wu Long came to Leigu Mountain, his Murong family's secret spies, trained for many years, had discovered his purpose. He had made many preparations for this trip before coming up the mountain. In a state of agitation, unwilling to conceal his identity, he shouted, "That's right, I'm a Xianbei, so what? Does that mean I, a Xianbei, am inferior to you Han people?"

Wu Long laughed heartily, "Don't you dare admit that your father did indeed spread falsehoods back then? That's right, all ethnic groups in the world are the same, whether Han, Khitan, Western Xia, Dali, or Korean. Even you Xianbei, though you have lost your country and home, are all the same, without distinction of high or low, noble or lowly." Almost every ethnic group was present, and upon hearing this, their expressions varied. Duan Yu and the others nodded in agreement, their faces showing a sense of understanding. Xue Muhua was even more agitated. He was originally a Yellow-Headed Uyghur, but his homeland had been destroyed by Li Yuanhao of Western Xia decades ago, which led him to the Central Plains. Although he was a renowned figure in the martial arts world, the thought of his country always brought him immense sorrow.

Murong Fu retorted sharply, "Your words are well-spoken, but what good are they?" Wu Long followed up, "That's right, in your eyes, you are a descendant of the Xianbei emperor, so naturally you look down on those of ordinary status! Murong Fu, do you know how I knew about your Murong family's schemes?"

Provoked, Murong Fu nearly blurted out, "How did you know?" He thought to himself, "I almost fell for this little thief's provocation." He said, "Those are all baseless slanders; who cares how you knew them?"

Seeing that he wasn't taking the bait, Wu Long chuckled, "If your Murong family is innocent, why not gather a group of heroes from the martial world and confront them at the Shaolin Temple? What's the use of arguing with me here? This is my senior brother, Mr. Congbian's, chess tournament. If you're not here to play chess, then we can arrange a time."

Murong Fu glared at him fiercely, his gaze like a sharp sword. Afterwards, he ignored him and turned to Su Xinghe, saying, "Please forgive me, Mr. Congbian. Due to the great changes in Murong Fu's home and the sudden encounter with the culprit, I was in a state of unease and may have acted recklessly."

Su Xinghe was anxious as he watched the two of them arguing fiercely, and seeing Murong Fu's humble attitude, he felt quite favorable towards him. He said, "I am not aware of the grudges between Young Master Murong and my junior brother, and I am merely a chess enthusiast with no intention of interfering." He was telling the truth; in his heart, Ding Chunqiu was always his number one enemy, and he simply could not afford to be distracted at this moment.

Wu Long whispered to Wang Yuyan, "I know you're upset, but today Murong Fu has completely absolved himself of all responsibility. Since he dared to come here today, he must have been fully prepared. I wonder what kind of conspiracy he's plotting! Things today will likely not end well. I'm afraid I'll be distracted and unable to take care of you later, so you must be careful!"

Wang Yuyan looked at Wu Long with a complicated expression. Suddenly, Ding Chunqiu shouted, "How laughable! Young Master Murong's entire family has been wronged, yet he doesn't think of revenge and still has the leisure to play chess. The name 'Southern Murong' is nothing but empty words!" He was extremely unwilling to see the conflict end like this, hence his sarcastic remarks, which offended both sides.

Upon hearing Ding Chunqiu speak, the Xingxiu Sect members, who had been silent for some time, finally began to clamor loudly. Some shouted, "You cowards of the Central Plains, merely enjoying a great reputation..." Before they could finish, another interrupted, "Bullshit! What great reputation? With our master, the Xingxiu Immortal, here, who has a more renowned reputation than him?" Other Xingxiu Sect disciples chimed in, afraid of being left behind.

Everyone was dumbfounded; how could there be such a shameless person in the world? Ding Chunqiu, on the other hand, simply waved his feather fan, enjoying himself immensely. Murong Fu frowned, ignoring Ding Chunqiu's provocations, and focused on his game of chess with Su Xinghe. Strangely enough, even Bao Butong, who was always fond of arguing with others, only twitched his lips but ultimately remained silent. It turned out that Murong Fu knew of Bao Butong's tendency to argue, and given the current turmoil within the Murong family, it was truly detrimental to them. Therefore, he had specifically instructed Bao Butong to restrain his temper. Bao Butong was utterly loyal to the Murong family. For the sake of the family's great cause, he had restrained his old habits, becoming completely different from his former self.

Seeing that no one was paying attention to them, the Xingxiu Sect members, after calling out for a long time, gradually lost interest and soon fell silent. Everyone's attention returned to the two players engaged in their game of chess.

URL 1:https://www.sexlove5.com/htmlBlog/11049.html

URL 2:/Blog.aspx?id=11049&aspx=1

Last access time:

Previous Page : [Wuxia] Chasing After the Beauties of Jin Yong's Novels (The Romantic Swordsman) (Complete) - 26

Next Page : [Wuxia] Chasing After the Beauties of Jin Yong's Novels (Tianlong Fengliu) (Complete) - 33

增加

comment Open a new window to view comments

Contact Information

[Wuxia] Chasing After the Beauties of Jin Yong's Novels (Tianlong Fengliu) (Complete) - 32

comment Open a new window to view comments