Five giant arenas were erected atop Yunjin Mountain, and the heroes who had arrived had been fighting non-stop for three days.
Today, the three final masters to compete against Pei Junwu and Yi Chunjun will be selected. Almost everyone is here to watch, and the place is packed with people, even the trees are full of people.
Xiao Yuan sat in the specially reserved seat, his ears filled with Pei Fuchong and Gui Datong's loud chatter. Yan Minyu had accompanied them all the way and was also joining in the discussion, seemingly already having a thorough understanding of the Central Plains martial arts world.
Xiao Juyuan rarely came to watch dances, but today she dressed up specially and sat next to Pei Junwu in the main seat. Her beauty attracted countless eyes with different intentions. She lowered her eyes, but the curve of her lips revealed her pride.
Yi Chunjun and Tuoba Yuanxun sat close to Pei Junwu, and their seats were the focus of everyone's attention.
Only twenty-four people remain.
Xiao Yuan looked closely and saw that the scions of the four great families—Nangong, Murong, Hang, and Qin—were all present. Because of the special significance of this competition, sects like Wudang and Shaolin hadn't participated. The remaining dozen or so were all accomplished individuals, each a rising star capable of standing out among the crowd.
Nangong Zhan's movements were elegant, his Nangong swordsmanship displaying a free and unrestrained style that drew cheers from the crowd. Although Murong Xiao was impulsive and reckless, his attacks were ruthless and skillful, each move decisive and effective. Xiao Yuan smiled slightly; such rich fighting experience must have been honed on the families of those girls he claimed to have "stolen" their hearts, right?
"Xiao Yuan, you have to watch this match carefully!" Yan Minyu's tone of voice made Xiao Yuan take a closer look at her. She stared at Hang Yisu, who was slowly walking onto the stage, her face turning red.
Hang Yisu's swordsmanship was arrogant and ruthless; he often wounded his opponents and threw them off the stage in just a few moves. Xiao Yuan was secretly shocked; she hadn't realized that this usually taciturn man possessed such skill. In her opinion, he was even superior to Nangong Murong.
Each time he knocked an opponent off the stage, his piercing phoenix eyes would narrow slightly, and his handsome, sword-like eyebrows would rise, making him look incredibly cool and dashing. No wonder his senior sister was looking at him with the same eyes she used to look at Yi Chunjun.
Xiao Yuan looked at him. Although he was quiet and it was hard to read his mind, at least... he liked women, right? If her senior sister liked him, that wouldn't be bad. Over the past few days, he hadn't tried to get close to or curry favor with Xiao Juyuan, which made her like him a bit more.
As Hang Yisu turned his head, two bright and sharp eyes met hers. Xiao Yuan was surprised that he would look at her, and she trembled with surprise. Fortunately, he quickly turned his eyes away.
By noon, the outcome of the match was no longer in doubt; the three young masters of the Nangong, Murong, and Hang families were far superior to the others. Although the young master of the Qin family was imposing and extraordinary, he was defeated by the young master of the Hang family, who slashed his arm in two moves.
Yi Chunjun looked at Young Master Qin from afar and sneered, "No wonder the Qin family is declining, and its descendants are becoming more and more incompetent."
Pei Junwu sighed softly and fixed his gaze on Hang Yisu. This young man was much stronger than he had imagined, which was quite unexpected.
The Flower Smile, Chapter 25: Resisting the Liao Dynasty, My ass!
Just as Pei Fuchong was about to go on stage to announce which three people had won, a resounding "Amitabha" echoed through the valleys and peaks, clearly drowning out the clamor of the crowd, demonstrating the pinnacle of inner strength.
Pei Junwu snorted coldly, "So even he came?"
"Who is it?" Tuoba Yuanxun craned his neck and looked around.
“Master Yuanjing, the head of the Shaolin Disciplinary Hall.” Yi Chunjun smiled. “Could it be that he also intends to seize the Xiao family’s treasure or beauties? It seems a bit late for him to return to secular life.”
Pei Junwu couldn't help but smile slightly and glare at him.
Master Yuanjing and a burly man walked up the mountain path. The onlookers made way for them and greeted them respectfully, showing their extraordinary status in the martial arts world.
The burly man seemed to be highly respected by everyone, who greeted him warmly with clasped hands. He returned the greeting with a smug and arrogant expression.
"Who came with Yuan Jing?" Yi Chunjun frowned slightly. "Just looking at his expression makes me want to give him a good beating."
"Exactly, exactly, I especially want to slap him in the face." Tuoba Yuanxun deeply agreed.
"That looks like Wang Guanghai, the head of some kind of escort agency," Pei Junwu said uncertainly. This man was virtually unknown in the martial arts world; he only had a vague recollection of him.
As they were talking, Yuanjing led Wang Guanghai closer, and Pei Fuchong and Gui Datong also came over. Although the two old brothers were sitting at the head of the table, this was the proper seat that everyone expected.
"Greetings to the two old heroes, greetings to Young Master Pei." Yuan Jing didn't recognize Yi Chunjun and Tuoba Yuanxun, so he simply bowed slightly.
"We are here on the orders of the imperial court, hoping that Young Master Pei can lend us his full support." Wang Guanghai rolled his eyes, puffed out his chest and belly, and did not exchange pleasantries or greetings. His arrogance even made Master Yuanjing frown awkwardly.
His arrogant and ignorant attitude made everyone's faces stiffen, and Pei Fuchong and Gui Datong glared at him.
Pei Junwu looked at him, "And this is..." His half-smile was so cold it was practically contemptuous.
Wang Guanghai pursed his lips, snorting in displeasure at being slighted. Master Yuanjing, fearing the atmosphere would become tense, quickly took over, "This is Wang Guanghai, the newly appointed General of Guangsheng by the imperial court. A while ago, the Liao army pressed in and attacked the north bank of the Yellow River. It was this great hero Wang who shot and killed the Liao army commander Xiao Talin with an arrow, greatly demoralizing the Liao people. He is our national hero."
Yuan Jing spoke louder and louder until it became a speech, and he even turned around to face all the heroes of the martial arts world. After he finished speaking eloquently about "national heroes," cheers erupted from the crowd. Wang Guanghai pursed his lips smugly, his mouth downturned, making him look like a catfish with his chubby face.
In contrast to the crowd, a few people nearby all wore cold expressions and let out a cold snort of varying pitch. Tuoba Yuanxun's snort was particularly loud, causing Wang Guanghai to turn around and glare at him. Tuoba Yuanxun glared back at Wang Guanghai, with an expression that said, "If you're not satisfied, I'll fight you."
"We've come here because we know that many heroes of the martial world have gathered here, and some of them can even be described as geniuses! For example, Young Master Pei, Nangong and Murong, and Young Master Hang is currently making waves." His eyes searched the crowd for the people he had mentioned. Nangong Zhan returned his elegant smile, lowering his eyelids and nodding slightly in return. Murong Xiao was more direct, grinning at him, while Hang Yisu remained unresponsive, his eyes looking elsewhere.
Wang Guanghai, expecting Master Yuanjing to speak about him next, looked around arrogantly and nodded repeatedly. Unexpectedly, Master Yuanjing continued, "Now, the Liao army of 200,000 is approaching Kaifeng, and the situation is critical! It is time for the fine sons of our Song Dynasty to serve their country, defend the emperor, and protect the nation. As long as you heroes lend your assistance, the Emperor, Prime Minister Kou, and the entire court will not treat you unfairly; high-ranking positions and generous salaries will be within your grasp."
Although Wang Guanghai felt a little uncomfortable, he held back and shouted loudly, "Fellow heroes, I am the role model! I shot and killed Xiao Talin, and the court appointed me as a general. The war is still going on. As long as I make further contributions, I can be ranked in the court, and my ancestors will also be honored! The court, the emperor, and Prime Minister Kou will not look down on us as commoners!"
Amidst the murmurs of the crowd, Master Yuanjing turned around and whispered to Pei Junwu, "Young Master Pei, all the heroes have been persuaded by this old monk. All that's missing is for you to raise your voice. I hope you will prioritize the overall interests of the nation and contribute more to the court."
Before Pei Junwu could speak, Pei Fuchong spat and shouted disdainfully, "For the court? Why should we serve the court? What has the court ever given us? All they know is to ask us to pay taxes!"
His words aroused even more discussion among the crowd. Some thought he was short-sighted, while others thought he was right.
"Resist the Liao? Resist the Liao my ass! My third brother is a descendant of the Later Shu emperor. If you trace it back to the source, he's the ancestor of this current emperor who destroyed his ancestors. We're already being generous by not holding a grudge and not seeking revenge. Why would we help him resist the Liao? Let whoever wants to resist the Liao go ahead. No one from our Pei or Xiao families will do it!" He looked at Wang Guanghai provocatively. "Let whoever wants to be someone else's dog go ahead. We don't need to give up our status as masters and kowtow to a kid every day and think we're so great!"
Laughter erupted from the crowd, while Wang Guanghai's face turned purple, unable to vent his anger.
"General? You're only real if you have troops under your command. Is giving you a house and a few concubines that other people have already had their fun with considered wealth and honor? I live a much more comfortable life than a general!"
Another burst of laughter followed.
Yi Chunjun chuckled, "Uncle Pei, that's really something." He looked at the crowd, gathered his inner strength, and his voice was louder and more steady than Master Yuanjing's, causing everyone present to stiffen.
Although everyone knew he was Lan Yanfeng's disciple, no one expected that such a handsome and frail man would be so strong. If he were to fight Yuan Jing, Yuan Jing probably wouldn't be able to withstand even three of his moves based on his internal strength alone.
"Distinguished heroes, since Master Yuanjing and this 'national hero' have made a special trip, their patriotism is worthy of respect, no matter what." For some reason, there was an inexplicable sarcasm in his words, which startled Yuanjing. "Those willing to serve the court, hurry up and follow! The riches and honors Uncle Pei spoke of await you. Those who don't wish to go, stay here. The day after tomorrow is Uncle Pei's birthday. My junior sister will perform a Chrysanthemum Fairy Dance for everyone, and my senior brother and I will test our skills against the three young masters, Nangong and Murong Hang. With wine and food, let's have a good time all day!"
Everyone cheered, and Master Yuanjing, not wanting to insist on leading everyone away, could only reluctantly take his leave, with no one voluntarily following. Wang Guanghai, his face full of resentment, turned back and glared at Pei Fuchong and Yi Chunjun before descending the mountain.