The First Sword of the Universe

Chapter 458 Xu Xingchen: Murong Fu's Rebellion is a Bit Difficult
Time flies like an arrow; seven or eight days have passed in the blink of an eye.

The continuous rain had stopped two days ago, and the land in the mountain resort was thoroughly moistened. Even though the weather was a bit cold, the flowers, plants and trees were growing vigorously.

From the backyard of the manor, near the mountain wall, came the clanging and banging sounds again. The heroes of the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands were still unable to break free from the restraints within their bodies and could only continue to follow Xu Xingchen's instructions and continue working.

In the central courtyard.

Xu Xingchen, Murong Fu, Kumārajīva, and Duan Yu were still sitting in the pavilion in the bamboo forest, discussing martial arts.

When Xu Xing finished explaining another martial arts manual, he won the admiration and respect of Murong Fu and Kumārajīva. Even Duan Yu nodded repeatedly, looking like he had gained a lot.

Xu Xingchen picked up his teacup, took a sip of tea, and said slowly, "Master Kumārajīva, Young Master Murong, this discussion is over. Please leave the manor early tomorrow morning!"

Murong Fu and Kumārajīva, who were still deep in thought, looked up in surprise upon hearing this, their eyes shifting from astonishment to understanding, and then to clarity.
Half a day later.

Kumārajīva clasped his hands together, his dignified face filled with regret and remorse: "Amitabha, I have been discussing the Dao with Master Xu, and I have been so engrossed in the knowledge of the ultimate principles of martial arts that I did not expect that seven or eight days have already passed. I am very grateful to Master Xu for his kindness in imparting knowledge, teaching skills, and resolving my doubts. If there is anything I may need in the future, please just say the word, Master Xu."

A hint of reluctance flashed in Murong Fu's eyes, but he quickly composed himself and clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I have benefited greatly from discussing martial arts with Master Xu. In the future, as long as I do not violate the code of the martial world, I will do my best to fulfill any request."

Duan Yu thought for a moment and then added, "After listening to Brother Xu explain the principles of martial arts for seven or eight days, I've come to realize that there's a lot to learn about martial arts, and it's also quite interesting. Duan Yu thanks Brother Xu here."

Xu Xingchen put down his teacup, smiled and nodded, saying, "In the path of martial arts, to reach the pinnacle and forge new paths, one needs extensive knowledge, a strong memory, and diligent study. After discussing the Dao with the three of you for so long, I have also gained something."

Murong Fu and Kumārajīva's admiration for Xu Xingchen was like a surging river, endless and unstoppable; like the Yellow River overflowing its banks, it was unstoppable.

Listen to their wording: reaching the pinnacle, pioneering new paths, possessing extensive knowledge and a strong memory, and diligently studying.
This is the wisdom and courage of a grandmaster of martial arts.

The two of them only know how to learn the martial arts created by their predecessors, following the rules and sticking to conventions. They are nowhere near as good as Master Xu.

Murong Fu and Kumārajīva came to the manor with the intention of probing Xu Xingchen's abilities and seeing just how skilled he was in martial arts.

After seven or eight days of discussions, the two were completely convinced and at the same time felt that Xu Xingchen was unfathomable and immeasurable.

Kumārajīva could not suppress his curiosity any longer and asked, "May I ask, Master Xu, how much strength did you use when the three of us fought a few days ago?"

Upon hearing this question, Murong Fu's expression turned serious, and he also looked at Xu Xingchen, as he had the same question in his mind.

To everyone's surprise, Xu Xingchen chuckled and said, "I've done my best! I've done my best! If we keep fighting, I won't be able to hold on any longer."

Such a perfunctory answer was crystal clear to not only Murong Fu and Kumārajīva, but even to Duan Yu, a novice in the martial arts world.

Murong Fu and Kumārajīva exchanged glances, and neither of them pressed the matter further, because they felt that if they continued to ask, the answer might not be one they wanted.

Since Master Xu has already shown us some respect, we should be sensible and do the same.

Leaving that topic aside, Murong Fu pondered for a moment and then raised another question: "May I ask, Master Xu, what is your view on the current situation of the world?"

Upon hearing this question, Kumārajīva and Duan Yu assumed that Murong Fu was concerned about the current predicament of the Song Dynasty and dismissed it entirely.

Because these two individuals, one the national preceptor of Tibet and the other the crown prince of Dali, had no connection with the Song Dynasty, they were not particularly interested in this issue.

Only Xu Xingchen knew that the reason Murong Fu asked this question was related to a wish that had been passed down through generations of the Murong family: to restore their kingdom.

When discussing the issue of the Murong family's restoration of their kingdom, Xu Xingchen couldn't help but think of the world in the book and the ending of Murong Fu.

During the Song Dynasty, there were several waves of uprisings and rebellions, the most famous of which was the Fang La Rebellion. However, all of them were suppressed by the Song Dynasty court, and none of them succeeded.

In her first life, Xu Xingchen read the book simply for fun. Although she felt that the rebellion of Murong Bo and his son Murong Fu was too naive, too childish, and too weak, she just laughed it off.

Now that he has truly transmigrated into this world of Tianlong and is facing the Murong family's plan to restore their kingdom, he feels that Murong Bo and Murong Fu's ideas are highly problematic.

Rebellion is not child's play. Even if this world values ​​martial prowess, and your Murong family's martial arts are not the best in the world, how can you think that once a conflict breaks out between the Song and Liao dynasties, your Murong family can seize the opportunity to rise up and restore the Yan Kingdom?!

Besides your four main generals, do you have any other core members or other talented individuals under your command?
Even the source of funding? The source of manpower?

Your Murong family has nothing, yet you dare to defy the world and provoke a conflict between the Song and Liao dynasties based on just one idea.
They're treating rebellion like a child's game!
The reason Murong Fu asked this question now is probably because he is somewhat confused and lost, and influenced by Xu Xingchen's seemingly omniscient martial arts teaching these past few days, he subconsciously wants to seek an answer from Xu Xingchen.

Xu Xingchen's mind was filled with countless thoughts. After pondering for a while, he carefully said, "The Song Dynasty is located in the Central Plains, the Liao Dynasty in the north, the Western Xia Dynasty in the northwest, the Dali Kingdom in the southwest, and the Tibetan Empire in the west."

"Currently, although the Liao and Western Xia dynasties frequently clash with the Song dynasty and there are occasional border disputes, the overall situation is stable."

"The Song Dynasty is vast and rich in resources, and now it is in a golden age. We should sit firmly on our platform and watch the Liao and Western Xia dynasties rise and fall, endure all the storms, and remain steadfast and unmoved."

"Therefore, there is no need to worry about the situation of the Song Dynasty. Even if the Liao and Western Xia dynasties are destroyed, the Song Dynasty will still exist."

Finally, Xu Xingchen added meaningfully, "For at least a hundred years, the Great Song Dynasty will be safe and sound, and the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty will remain firmly on the throne without any change." After listening to Xu Xingchen's analysis, Murong Fu's expression seemed unchanged, and his eyes were lowered as if he was pondering Xu Xingchen's words. In reality, his fists were clenched tightly under his sleeves, and the veins on the back of his hands were bulging.

After a while.

Murong Fu wanted to say something, opened his mouth, but ultimately didn't say anything.

By the next morning, when he and Kumārajīva left, his eyes had returned to calm.

Xu Xingchen and Duan Yu stood at the courtyard gate, watching the two figures depart. Xu Xingchen thought to himself, "Murong Fu was instilled with the idea of ​​restoring his kingdom by his father from a young age. As an adult, he has devoted his entire life to this cause. It's probably difficult to extinguish his thoughts with just a few casual words of analysis from yesterday."

"Speaking of which, his father hid in the Shaolin Temple's Sutra Pavilion for so long, not only passing on the courage to restore the country to his own son, but also later, under the persuasion of the Sweeper Monk, letting go of his obsession and becoming a monk."

"Tsk tsk tsk, from beginning to end, it was Murong Fu who fought alone for the Murong family's wishes, and in the end he even went mad. It's pathetic."

"I just hope he'll hit a wall and turn back!"

Back at the manor, Xu Xingchen spoke with the Bamboo Sword Envoy again, and then the next day, he took Duan Yu down the mountain.

On the way.

Duan Yu and Xu Xingchen exchanged questions and answers.

"Brother Xu, where are we going now?"

"We're going to Wuxi."

What are you going to Wuxi for?

"Let's go to the Beggars' Sect assembly!"

"The Beggars' Sect Assembly, what's that?"

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Suzhou is only a little over 100 li away from Wuxi. The closer the two got to Wuxi, the more beggars they encountered on the road.

They were dressed in tattered clothes, their hair was unkempt, they held dog-beating sticks in their hands, and they had more or less pockets hanging on their bodies.

When we entered Wuxi, it was already afternoon.

Xu Xingchen and Duan Yu found an inn to stay at, and then went out together to find a place to eat.

Although there were many beggars attending the Beggars' Guild meeting, they ate, wore blankets, and slept outdoors, so the inns in Wuxi were not full and the restaurants did not do any different business as usual.

As dusk fell, Xu Xingchen led Duan Yu on a long search through the streets and finally found a restaurant called Songhelou.

Songhelou covers a vast area and stands prominently in the center of the street.

Perhaps because the signboard had been hanging on the lintel for too long, and was often covered in smoke and fire, it was somewhat old and dark. Only the three large characters "Songhelou" shone brightly and caught people's attention.

Before even reaching the restaurant entrance, one could hear the bustling noise and lively atmosphere inside.

The clanging of the cooks' woks, the shouts of the waiters, and the aroma of meat and wine filled the air with the warmth of everyday life.

The two crossed the threshold and, led by the waiter's loud calls, went up to the second floor, ordered four dishes, a jar of wine, and a pot of tea.

Duan Yu drank the wine, and Xu Xingchen drank the tea; the two ate and chatted.

During this time, Xu Xingchen's gaze swept across the restaurant, but he didn't see a single burly and strong man, and he couldn't help but shake his head inwardly.

After finishing their meal, the two strolled around Wuxi city for a while before returning to the inn to rest.

The next day, I strolled around Wuxi again, and then went to Songhe Restaurant for dinner.

The same itinerary on the third day.
However, in the past two or three days, the number of beggars in the city has increased dramatically, which has made the city officials and the guards at the city gates nervous.

On the fourth day, all the beggars in the city suddenly poured out of the city gates and disappeared, leaving the officials and officers looking at each other in bewilderment, only to realize that it was a false alarm.

Xu Xingchen and Duan Yu ate at Songhe Restaurant every day, and finally got to see the person she wanted to meet.

(End of this chapter)