This is like a dream!
Although Li Yao was based in Wudang, he controlled the Ming Cult and the Beggars' Sect. Every day, a lot of intelligence was transmitted to the Ming Cult and the Beggars' Sect's branches in Xiangyang, and then to Wudang Mountain.
Therefore, Li Yao was very well-informed and knew the movements of various sects in the martial arts world.
Through this intelligence, Li Yao learned that various sects in the martial arts world, under the call of the Ming Cult, had been heading to Shaolin Temple to participate in the martial arts tournament.
However, the Prince of Ruyang's residence has shown no signs of sending troops.
This made Wei Yixiao very anxious, and he asked the sect leader with some worry:
"Master, all the sects in the martial arts world have already set off for Shaolin Temple, so why hasn't the Prince of Ruyang's Mansion made a move yet? Has the Prince of Ruyang's Mansion discovered something amiss?"
Li Yao smiled and said:
“The Prince of Ruyang is a formidable figure; he certainly won’t send troops out easily.”
"However, this is a great opportunity to wipe out the Jianghu forces in one fell swoop, and he certainly won't let it go easily."
"Tell the brothers in the sect and the Beggars' Sect to be alert and keep a close eye on the movements of the Prince of Ruyang's mansion."
"Send the message over immediately if there is any unusual activity."
Wei Yixiao nodded with some doubt.
A few days later, Li Yao was practicing Tai Chi in the courtyard where he was temporarily staying.
Wei Yixiao suddenly burst in excitedly, shouting, "Master, the Ruyang Prince's Mansion has finally made a move!"
Li Yao smiled slightly.
A few days later, Li Yao and Wei Yixiao appeared at Shaolin Temple again.
Today, Shaolin Temple has become the focus of attention worldwide.
Almost every sect and faction in the martial arts world arrived at Shaolin Temple to participate in the martial arts conference and discuss how to rescue the elites of the six major sects.
Leaders of the Ming Cult, including Yang Xiao and Yin Tianzheng, also arrived at Shaolin Temple.
Although this martial arts tournament was held at Shaolin Temple, it was actually led by the Ming Cult.
The entire preparation work for the conference was done by the Ming Cult.
For example, matters such as contacting various sects and factions were all handled by the Ming Cult.
Many of the sects were forced to send representatives to this conference because they were intimidated by the power of the Ming Cult.
Of course, many unknown small sects also took the initiative to participate in the conference.
Firstly, it would allow them to show their faces in front of major sects.
Secondly, this martial arts tournament is a grand event, a once-in-a-century occasion. Being able to participate in this grand event will allow one to show off in front of younger disciples or others in the future.
Anyway, it's just attending the conference, there shouldn't be any danger.
As for the important task of rescuing the elites of the six major sects, it's not their place to get involved.
Unbeknownst to them, the army of the Prince of Ruyang had already quietly surrounded the entire Shaoshi Mountain.
Due to the large number of attendees at the conference, Shaolin Temple faced a severe shortage of accommodation.
Therefore, many small sects could only set up temporary sheds in the square of Shaolin Temple.
Even the open spaces around the temple have been filled with sheds.
Fortunately, there is plenty of open space around Shaolin Temple, enough to accommodate these martial arts figures.
Of course, as the organizer of this conference, the leaders of the Ming Cult were temporarily residing in the best guest rooms at the Shaolin Temple.
That night, the leaders of the Ming Cult gathered in the room of their leader, Li Yao, to discuss important matters.
Members of the Ming Cult guarded both the outside and the roof, preventing any outsiders from approaching.
Li Yao asked Yang Xiao, "Tomorrow is the day of the martial arts conference, Left Envoy Yang, have all our righteous troops been laid in ambush?"
Yang Xiao said with great enthusiasm, "Master, don't worry. We have four righteous armies that have already hidden around Shaoshi Mountain. Once the army of Prince Ruyang attacks Shaolin Temple, our righteous armies will surround them and wipe them out in one fell swoop."
Li Yao nodded and said, "The Prince of Ruyang is a formidable character. We must not let him discover any clues."
Yang Xiao said, "You don't need to worry about that, Master. Our Ming Cult army is often besieged by the Tartars. The reason why our army has been able to survive until now is because we are very good at ambushes and concealment."
Li Yao nodded in satisfaction.
At this moment, Yin Tianzheng spoke up: "This Prince of Ruyang actually mobilized 50,000 elite troops in order to wipe out our Jianghu forces in one fell swoop. It seems he has invested a lot of resources."
Zhou Dian mocked, "It's just a pity that this old guy is going to lose all his capital this time."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Afterwards, everyone reviewed the operation for tomorrow once again to ensure that it would go perfectly.
After discussing the matter, Li Yao asked Yang Xiao, "Left Envoy Yang, I asked you to secretly send people to find Icefire Island and bring back the Golden-haired Lion King. Has this matter been completed?"
Yang Xiao quickly replied, "Master, please rest assured. I have already sent Tie Guan Dao Ren with the brothers of Hong Shui Qi to search for Ice and Fire Island. If the Ice and Fire Island you mentioned does exist, they will definitely be able to find it and bring Xie Fa Wang back."
Previously, Li Yao had already told Yang Xiao, Yin Tianzheng, and others about Xie Xun's whereabouts, and they were all extremely excited.
They were overjoyed to finally hear news from their old comrades-in-arms!
In fact, Li Yao was not sure whether the Iron-Crowned Taoist could find Icefire Island.
He could only describe the approximate location of Icefire Island to Yang Xiao and the others based on his memory.
If the Iron-Crowned Taoist can find Icefire Island, that would be wonderful.
If he can't find it, then it can only be said that he is destined to never have the Dragon-Slaying Saber.
In the original novel, Granny Jin Hua, also known as the Purple-Robed Dragon King, learned the approximate location of Ice and Fire Island by interrogating Wu Lie and his daughter, and then found Xie Xun.
But now, Wu Lie and his daughter have been killed by Li Yao.
Therefore, Granny Jin Hua probably still doesn't know Xie Xun's whereabouts.
The following day, the square of Shaolin Temple was filled with martial arts figures from various schools and sects, a truly spectacular sight.
Li Yao had Yang Xiao recount to everyone the story of the six major sects being kidnapped by the Prince of Ruyang's mansion.
After listening to Yang Xiao's account, most people were filled with righteous indignation and condemned the Mongol Yuan dynasty for being despicable and shameless, listing their various crimes such as extortion and tyranny.
Under the deliberate instigation of the Ming Cult, everyone expressed their determination to unite, overthrow the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, and restore the Han people's rule.
Of course, some genuinely wanted to overthrow the Mongol Yuan dynasty, some were simply going with the flow, and some were forced by the power of the Ming Cult...
Just as everyone was brainstorming and discussing how to rescue the elites of the six major sects, the sound of cannons booming suddenly came from down the mountain.
Li Yao was overjoyed: The Prince of Ruyang has finally arrived!
Chapter 118 The Lion's Roar Unleashed, the Founding of the Ming Dynasty
What was that sound?
Who's setting off firecrackers outside?
"..."
The martial arts practitioners present were all puzzled when they suddenly heard a rumbling sound coming from down the mountain.
Many people believe that someone was setting off firecrackers.
However, the seasoned veterans of the martial world recognized the sound and exclaimed, "It's the sound of cannons!"
Sure enough, a Ming Cult member, feigning panic, ran up to Li Yao and reported: "It's bad, Master! There are many Tartars down the mountain, attacking us!"
"Ah? The Tartars are here?"
"Why are the Tartars here?"
"What...what should we do?"
"Let's run!"
"I thought that participating in this martial arts tournament would be safe and I could show off and brag about it when I got back. But now the Tartars have suddenly attacked, and my life is probably in danger."
"..."
Upon learning that the Mongol Tartars were attacking the mountain, chaos erupted at the scene.
Previously, some people had solemnly declared that they were determined to fight the Tartars to the death.
At this moment, they all chickened out, only thinking about how to leave this place of trouble.
Seeing that the time was ripe, Li Yao stood up, looked around, and raised his voice:
"As you all have seen, the Tartars first kidnapped the elites of the six major sects, and now they are attacking Shaolin."
"It's obvious that they want to wipe out all of us in the martial arts world."
"How can we sit idly by and wait to die, letting ourselves be preyed upon?"
"If you don't want to be bullied by the Tartars anymore, you have no choice but to take up your weapons, kill all the Tartars, and restore our Han Chinese land."
Its sound was like a booming bell, resounding through the heavens.
Many martial arts practitioners were inspired to come out.
Everyone shouted in unison: "Kill all the Tartars and restore the Han people's land..."
Subsequently, Li Yao led the members of the Ming Cult and a group of martial arts practitioners, surging down the mountain like a tide.
At this moment, the booming sound of cannons from the foot of the mountain grew louder and louder.
Soon, Li Yao and his group saw a large group of Tartar soldiers at the foot of the mountain.
Li Yao gave Yang Xiao a wink, and Yang Xiao nodded.
Immediately, Yang Xiao shouted loudly to the martial arts practitioners behind him: "Heroes, our leader is about to use his divine skill to intimidate the Tartars. Please tear strips of cloth from your clothes and stuff them into your ears to avoid being accidentally injured by our leader's divine skill."
"What kind of divine skill is this? So powerful that we need to plug our ears?"
"I think they're just making a fuss. I've never heard of any kung fu that can cause harm through the ears."
"But I've heard that the leader of the Ming Cult has unfathomable martial arts skills. Perhaps he really does possess such divine abilities!"
"..."