The world of martial arts, the immortal swordsman in the mortal realm.

Chapter 111, Section 126: Will Qiao Feng suffer another tragedy? Ding Chunqiu comes to avenge him! [Seeking monthly votes!]

Qiao Feng was quite pleased with the axe-wielding man's loyalty and righteousness. After finding out where his lord was, he was about to go to "Little Mirror Lake" on the man's behalf to deliver the message to his lord when suddenly the tavern door darkened, and a dashing young man in black robes walked in with a beautiful young woman in yellow.

After the young man in black robes and the girl in yellow entered, they went straight to the table where Qiao Feng and A'Zhu were sitting.

Seeing the black-robed youth carrying a long sword, Qiao Feng felt a pang of sadness, assuming that the youth had come for revenge—after being injured in the battle at Juxian Manor, he went berserk and killed countless people in the chaos, including many of his former friends.

Since returning to the Central Plains from Yanmen Pass with A'Zhu, he has encountered many martial arts practitioners seeking revenge for their relatives and friends.

This whole affair is a tragic tale.

Ma Dayuan was neither killed by him nor by Murong Fu. It has already been spread in the martial arts world that it was Kang Min who colluded with Bai Shijing to do it.

His adoptive parents, his mentor Xuan Ku, and even Elder Xu of the Beggars' Sect who died while he was recuperating were all killed by his biological father, Xiao Yuanshan, who impersonated him.

When Qiao Feng first heard the news, he felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

Unexpectedly, his biological father was one of the masterminds who gradually ruined his reputation and forced him into becoming a public enemy of the Central Plains martial arts world.

He had been convinced that the "ringleader" had killed his adoptive parents, his mentor, and even Elder Xu of the Beggars' Clan to cover his tracks. He had even vowed to find out the ringleader's identity and avenge his biological parents, adoptive parents, and Master Xuanku...

It turns out that the biological father was not dead at all, but had been hiding in the shadows, stirring things up all along!
If it weren't for A'Zhu by his side at the time, Qiao Feng really doesn't know what would have become of him.

His trip to Xinyang was precisely to seek confirmation from Kang Min.

However, it came to nothing.

Kang Min has already slipped away, and even Bai Shijing is nowhere to be found.

But this inadvertently confirmed the rumor.

Even though Xiao Yuanshan and Murong Bo have not yet shown up, almost no one doubts that Qiao Feng killed Ma Dayuan, Qiao Sanhuai and his wife, and Zen Master Xuanku.

Even so, Qiao Feng's identity as a Khitan has been confirmed, and the grave mistake of the bloody battle at Juxian Manor has been made.

The blood feud has already been formed. The relatives and friends of those martial arts practitioners who were killed or maimed by him will not give up their revenge just because he suffered an injustice and the battle at Juxian Manor was a misunderstanding.

now.

Qiao Feng was feeling downcast as he recalled the battle at Juxian Manor, where old friends turned against each other and fought each other.

Then the young man in black robes asked:
"Chief Qiao? Miss A'Zhu?"

Qiao Feng composed himself and said:

"I am now Xiao Feng, a Khitan, and no longer the leader of the Beggars' Sect. What brings this young man to me?"

While being questioned, he thought to himself that if he was here for revenge, then he would let him stab him. Anyway, he was strong and had an extraordinary physique. He could withstand three cuts and six holes. He survived the serious injuries he sustained at Juxian Manor. As long as it wasn't a fatal wound, taking a sword wouldn't be a big deal.

Just as he was thinking this, he saw the girl in the yellow dress bring over a long bench and sit down with the young man in the black robe.

Then the black-robed youth said:
"My name is Lu Chen, and this is my wife, Huang Rong. We were on our way to Shaolin Temple to attend the martial arts tournament when we unexpectedly ran into Chief Qiao here. It's quite a coincidence."

Sinking?

Huang Rong?

Qiao Feng's expression shifted, and his face changed slightly.

A'Zhu also looked surprised, but when she looked at Lu Chen and Huang Rong again, her eyes were full of affection and gratitude.

A'Zhu was indeed extremely grateful to Lu Chen and Huang Rong.

Not only did they reveal the truth, clear Qiao Feng's name, and prove that he was not a heartless person who killed his parents and mentor, but they also proved that those murders in the martial arts world where "an eye for an eye" were not committed by Murong Fu.

While A'Zhu admired Qiao Feng, Murong Fu was also a young master who had watched her grow up.

Although she was adopted by Murong Bo and raised in Yanziwu when she was young, Murong Bo had already faked his death and disappeared from the world when A'Zhu was still young, so A'Zhu's impression of her old master was completely blurred.

Murong Fu did not actually treat her and Abi as servants.

Both she and Abi had their own estates and maids who served them. Although they were called maids, their status was actually equivalent to that of adopted daughters, and their relationship with Murong Fu was more like that of siblings.

Given such a bond, between the old master Murong Bo and the young master Murong Fu, A'Zhu naturally favored Murong Fu.

Furthermore, Murong Bo betrayed his son, causing Murong Fu to be suspected of murdering Xuan Bei and others, which was already extremely excessive. He was also the "great villain" who spread false information thirty years ago and was the culprit who caused the tragedy of Qiao Feng's family!

If it weren't for the fact that Murong Bo had adopted A'Zhu, with A'Zhu's eloquence, she would have gone to Murong Bo's empty grave, pointed at his tombstone, and given him a good scolding before she would be satisfied.

Lu Chen and Huang Rong cleared the names of the two most important men in her life, so A Zhu was naturally grateful to them and felt close to them.

"So it's Young Master Lu and Miss Huang!"

Qiao Feng took a deep breath and stood up:
"You two have cleared my mind and helped me clear my name. I am deeply grateful for your kindness and virtue. Please accept my bow!"

Although he called himself "Xiao Feng of the Khitan", he had been "Qiao Feng" for thirty years after all, and when his emotions were running high, he would still habitually refer to himself as Qiao Feng.

As he spoke, Qiao Feng lifted the hem of his robe, about to bow deeply in thanks.

Lu Chen raised his hand, supported Qiao Feng's arm, and said calmly:
"Chief Qiao, there's no need for such a grand gesture. We were just chatting with people in a restaurant or teahouse when we had nothing else to do, and we just exchanged a few words."

Qiao Feng supported him with one hand, but he couldn't kneel down, which greatly surprised him.
Young Master Lu is so young, yet his skill is so profound. No wonder he dares to call himself "Heavenly Divine Sword" and no wonder he is still safe and sound after revealing so many secrets!
Daring to do extraordinary things, he truly possesses remarkable abilities!

If it were someone else, Qiao Feng might have been aroused by his competitive spirit and wanted to test his strength against them.

However, facing Lu Chen, who had shown him great kindness, he felt it inappropriate to insist on bowing again, so he stopped insisting on a full kneeling ceremony and instead gave a deep bow.

This time, Lu Chen did not stop him and accepted Qiao Feng's greeting.

A'Zhu also stood up, bowed gracefully to the two of them, and thanked Young Master Lu and Young Master Huang for clearing Brother Xiao and Young Master Murong's names.

Huang Rong smiled sweetly and took out a letter, handing it to A'Zhu:
"Young Master Murong will not be coming to Shaolin for the martial arts tournament. Before we set off from Suzhou, he entrusted us to give this letter to A'Zhu if we saw her. We thought we would have to go to Shaolin to see A'Zhu, but we didn't expect to run into you here."

"A letter from the young master?"

A'Zhu was pleasantly surprised and quickly took the thick envelope. She thanked Lu Chen and Huang Rong, apologized, and sat down to the side. She opened the envelope and found that it contained not only handwritten letters from Murong Fu and A'Bi, but also a letter from Bao Butong on behalf of the four great retainers, a land deed, and several large banknotes.

Looking at the letters from the young master, Abi, and the four retainers, Azhu's eyes reddened slightly, tears welled up, but a smile appeared on her lips.

The young master and his companions have found the path to restoring their kingdom and are about to embark on an expedition. They also wish her and Qiao Feng a happy and fulfilling life together, and have prepared a generous dowry for her...

Abi, who grew up with him since childhood, and the young master, Brother Deng, Brother Gongye, Brother Bao, and Brother Feng who watched her grow up—these relatives may be hard to see again in the future, but now that they all have a direction, what about the future...?

Will they all find happiness?
The young master and he will do the same, and I, who have received their blessings, will too.

Seeing A'Zhu's tearful smile and hopeful expression, Qiao Feng, this rough and tough man, fell silent for a moment.

Lu Chen and Huang Rong remained quiet, smiling as they looked at A Zhu.

The man with the axe had already fallen asleep on the table.

Realizing the change in atmosphere, Azhu finally snapped out of it, quickly wiped away her tears, and said with a flushed face:
"I haven't been in touch with my family for a long time. When I suddenly saw the letter, I lost my composure. Please forgive me, Young Master Lu and Young Master Huang."

Huang Rong chuckled softly:
"When war raged for three months, a letter from home was worth a fortune. Although Miss A'Zhu had not experienced battle, she had been seriously wounded and had a brush with death. She survived by a hair's breadth and saw the letter from home. We can understand her feelings."

Lu Chen then said:
"It seemed Chief Qiao was just about to go out on business?" Qiao Feng nodded, pointing to the burly man with the axe:

“That’s right. This brother’s lord is at Little Mirror Lake and is being hunted down by a great villain. I see that he is loyal and brave, and I want to go to Little Mirror Lake to deliver the message on his behalf.”

"In that case, we won't delay Chief Qiao's business any longer."

Lu Chen had only come to meet Qiao Feng and A Zhu after recognizing them, and to deliver the letter that Murong Fu had asked them to pass on to A Zhu. He had no intention of going to Little Mirror Lake to see the Prince who had forgotten his son.

Because there will be a family drama about recognizing relatives next.

The identity of the "leader" has been revealed, so the misunderstandings and tragedies of the original timeline will not happen again, and A'Zhu will most likely confess her identity to Qiao Feng.

Given that, Lu Chen naturally didn't bother getting involved in this kind of ethical drama.

Although he still wanted to spar with Qiao Feng and experience Qiao Feng's "God of War" technique, the current situation was clearly not suitable.

Anyway, the Shaolin Martial Arts Tournament is in five days, so let's see each other in five days.

At that moment, Lu Chen asked Qiao Feng:
"Will Chief Qiao attend the Shaolin Gathering in five days?"

Qiao Feng slowly nodded:

"Of course I will go."

This was his last involvement in martial arts affairs.

After that, he and A'Zhu would retire from the martial arts world and live the life he wanted.

"Then see you at the Shaolin Grand Meeting."

Lu Chen nodded to Qiao Feng and A Zhu, then turned and walked out of the tavern.

Huang Rong smiled and waved to the two of them before leaving with Lu Chen.

Seeing that Lu Chen and Huang Rong left so readily and without any hesitation, A'Zhu couldn't help but sigh softly:
"Young Master Lu and Miss Huang are both so carefree."

Qiao Feng's eyes also showed a strange expression:

"I also have a strange feeling. It's as if nothing can stop them. Especially Young Master Lu, he gives me the feeling that... no matter what confusion or bewilderment he faces, nothing can bind him, and everything will be cut down by his sword..."

He envied that feeling.

Because he is currently in a state of confusion and bewilderment.

Although his innocence has been cleared and the truth has come to light, his identity and the actions of his biological father have brought him new confusion, bewilderment, and even contradictions and pain.

If it weren't for A'Zhu by his side, he truly didn't know how he would have faced all of this.

Thank goodness for A Zhu...

Qiao Feng looked at A'Zhu, and a touch of tenderness appeared in the eyes of this burly man.

"Let's go, it's time to go to Little Mirror Lake."

"Ah."

A'Zhu responded softly and left the tavern with Qiao Feng, heading out of the city towards Little Mirror Lake.

The third floor of a restaurant not far away.

Lu Chen and Huang Rong sat by the window, watching Qiao Feng and A Zhu's figures gradually disappear into the distance.

"Brother Lu Chen, you said that Qiao Feng participated in the martial arts tournament to give the world an explanation. What kind of explanation will he give?"

What kind of explanation?
Lu Chen couldn't figure it out either.

In another timeline, could Qiao Feng's eventual death be considered a kind of explanation?
He outwardly acknowledged his Khitan identity, but in the end, he died tormented by the contradictions of his identity.

This Shaolin tournament is different from the one in the original timeline.

It's much earlier now.

A'Zhu will not die either.

The truth has come to light. Even with the moral view of this era that "a son should not speak ill of his father, and a son should pay for his father's debts," Qiao Feng should not have to atone for Xiao Yuanshan's actions with his death, right?
"Brother Lu Chen, I'm asking you a question."

"Hmm? Oh. I guess Qiao Feng would say that Xiao Yuanshan's sins can be attributed to me, Qiao Feng. Anyone who wants revenge on Xiao Yuanshan can come to me, Qiao Feng."

Huang Rong blinked:
"However, although Xiao Yuanshan killed many people, Qiao Sanhuai and his wife were Qiao Feng's adoptive parents, Xuan Ku was Qiao Feng's mentor, Elder Xu was Qiao Feng's senior in the Beggars' Clan... and those who died at Qiao Feng's hands during the Battle of Juxian Manor should also be counted as Xiao Yuanshan's share. Therefore, Qiao Feng should atone for his father's sins by fighting himself?"

"..."

Lu Chen thought for a moment, then suddenly shook his head and sighed:
"That's right, Qiao Feng really should have attacked himself!"

I spent the night in Xinyang.

The next morning, the two continued their journey north to Dengfeng.

Along the way, I saw many martial arts practitioners who had come to join in the fun, and I also heard some rumors in the taverns of the towns along the way.

For example, the Four Evils made a brief appearance in the Xinyang area, but quickly disappeared again, supposedly because they were thwarted by Qiao Feng.

For example, the Tibetan national teacher, the Great Wheel King Kumārajīva, also appeared once in the Wuyang area, seemingly to join the fun at Shaolin Temple.

Among all the news, the most eye-catching was "The Immortal of the Stars, Arriving in the Central Plains".

It is said that Ding Chunqiu, the Old Monster of Xingxiu, led a large group of Xingxiu disciples, accompanied by gongs and drums, straight to Shaolin, declaring that he would suppress Shaolin in front of all the heroes of the world and that Xingxiu would be the most respected in the martial arts world from now on.

He also specifically named Lu Chen and Huang Rong as his targets, saying it was to avenge their brutal killing of his adopted daughter, Li Qingluo.

Hearing this news, Lu Chen was not surprised.

It had been more than two months since he and Huang Rong wiped out the Mantuo Manor.

This matter had already spread throughout the Suzhou area. Given the efficiency with which martial arts figures spread gossip, it was not surprising that Ding Chunqiu received word of it after arriving in the Central Plains.

What puzzled him was that even though Ding Chunqiu had threatened to kill Lu Chen and Huang Rong to avenge them, Li Qiushui remained unmoved and had not yet sought revenge.

Logically, since the Western Xia had a powerful guild that constantly gathered information and even stirred up trouble in the Song Dynasty, Li Qiushui should have received word of it long ago.

If someone receives a tip-off but doesn't take action, that shows a cold and indifferent nature, which is astonishing.

The day before the Shaolin Conference, Lu Chen and Huang Rong arrived in Dengfeng.

When the two were looking for a restaurant to stay at in the county town.

An old man dressed in a gray robe, with a full head of white hair and a blank expression, who looked like he was wearing a human skin mask, stood at the street corner watching their backs from afar, his eyes full of gloom.

"Lu Chen and Huang Rong... those two brats have nearly made me, Murong Bo, an enemy of the martial arts world and hindered the great cause of the Murong clan's revival. They deserve to die!"

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(End of this chapter)