Sword drawn from the constellations, poison as its edge.

Chapter 215 Old Xiao's Plan

Jiang Mingzhe slept incredibly well!

He didn't sleep in Xiao Yuanshan's cave. This old Khitan had been sleeping in that cave for who knows how many years; the smell inside was truly indescribable.

With his current internal strength, he was impervious to heat and cold, so he simply used the sky as his blanket and the ground as his bed, sleeping on the grass outside.

When I woke up, the sun was already setting.

Xiao Yuanshan squatted to the side, staring intently at him.

Jiang Mingzhe was startled and quickly jumped up: "Uncle, why are you looking at me like that?"

Xiao Yuanshan said expectantly, "You little rascal, you're finally awake! Hurry up, eat your food, and change into these clothes!"

Jiang Mingzhe looked to the side and saw several large leaves on the grass, with three steamed buns on top and a ladle of water next to them.

There was also a robe, a fur-lined hat, and a pair of leather boots, all of which were washed clean, but looked quite old.

The robe was made of black satin with a thick fur lining, and it didn't look like a style from the Song Dynasty.

Jiang Mingzhe also felt hungry, so he grabbed a steamed bun and started eating. He then saw Xiao Yuanshan carefully unfold the leather robe, his eyes filled with nostalgia.

Jiang Mingzhe looked at the large patchwork stitches on the front of the clothes and suddenly realized something. He whispered, "Uncle, were you wearing this outfit outside Yanmen Pass that day?"

Xiao Yuanshan nodded, his eyes slightly red, and sighed, "This robe was sewn by my mother for me to see Feng'er's maternal grandparents. It was the first time I ever wore it that day..."

He held the garment tightly, gently rubbing it against his aged face before finally letting go. The tenderness in his eyes gradually turned into ferocity: "Later, wear this and go smash his main hall for me. Don't linger. Once you're done, leave. Use your Thunderous Divine Might skill. As long as you're careful not to get surrounded, no one can stop you. Kill any other monks you can, except for that old bald monk Xuanci!"

At this point, Old Xiao grinned maliciously and gritted his teeth, saying, "While you're distracting them, I'll set the Scripture Pavilion on fire!"

Jiang Mingzhe was slightly shocked when he heard this. He thought to himself, "So this is how Lao Xiao is going to use this as a warning. He's really ruthless!"

Back then, Xuanci was afraid that he would come to steal Shaolin's secret techniques, so he gathered people to kill his wife. Now, he's gone all out, not only stealing all the secret techniques, but also planning to give him a final blow to ensure his offspring's survival!

However, seeing that Lao Xiao was determined to go to extremes, Jiang Mingzhe hesitated for a moment.

Seeing his expression, Xiao Yuanshan assumed he was unwilling and immediately became anxious, saying, "Don't worry, I know you are also a Song person and are afraid that the Shaolin skills will be spread to the Liao Kingdom. I can swear that I will say that I will spread the skills to the Liao Kingdom to anger those bald monks, but I will not do it. I also do not want to see war break out between the two countries."

Jiang Mingzhe shook his head and said, "It's not about that. The outcome of a battle between nations cannot be determined by the mere difference in martial arts skills. The Song Kingdom has countless masters, yet they still suffer repeated defeats. I'm worried that... it will put Brother Xiao in a difficult position."

After all, Xiao Feng had received ten years of instruction from Xuan Ku and had been a great hero of the Song Dynasty for many years. If Xiao Feng were to confront Shaolin Temple head-on, he probably wouldn't be willing.

What Jiang Mingzhe didn't say was that he had no grudges against the Shaolin monks. It wouldn't hurt to compete for superiority, but to really go on a killing spree seemed a bit excessive.

Xiao Yuanshan said urgently, "That's right, precisely because we don't want to put Feng'er in a difficult position, we'll do this big thing ourselves! And you don't need to reveal your true face; I'll take full responsibility for all the crimes." Jiang Mingzhe was still somewhat hesitant, but seeing the anxiety on Old Xiao's face, and remembering the secret technique he had passed down to him…

Finally, he steeled himself and gritted his teeth: Fine, the kung fu that Lao Xiao taught me is even more advanced than Lingbo Weibu and Chuiyun Sword Technique. Compared with Beiming Divine Skill, it is also superior in its own way. I have done him a great favor, so I might as well give him a good fight as a small way of repaying him.

So he nodded gently: "Very well! Uncle, you bear a deep-seated blood feud. Since you've acknowledged me as your nephew, I should at least share some of the burden for you."

Xiao Yuanshan was overjoyed. He put down his fur coat, put his hands on Jiang Mingzhe's shoulders and said, "Good child, from now on you and Feng'er are the only family I, Xiao Yuanshan, have left in this world!"

He looked excited and took two steps back, saying, "I'll teach you a few more moves. Time is of the essence, so learn as much as you can. If you can use one or two of these moves later, that would be the best!"

As he spoke, he began to demonstrate several sets of kung fu, including grappling techniques and fist and foot techniques. His moves were skillful and sharp, all of which were formidable skills that were no less than those of Shaolin.

Jiang Mingzhe memorized them carefully. Now, with his high level of internal strength and extensive knowledge of various martial arts techniques, although he couldn't master them all at once, he diligently memorized a few moves. He used them with seemingly unrelated skill, yet without any difficulty.

After finishing his steamed bun and drinking a few sips of water, Jiang Mingzhe got up, took off his clothes, and changed into the clothes that Xiao Yuanshan had kept for thirty years.

Xiao Yuanshan exclaimed happily, "Good! You're tall and have long legs, just like I was back in my day! It's just that I'm not as handsome as you. If you went to the Liao Kingdom, you would definitely be chosen as the prince consort!"

As he spoke, he took out a piece of charcoal and used it to draw thick, bushy eyebrows on Jiang Mingzhe's face. Then he handed over a black cloth and covered Jiang Mingzhe's face.

After getting ready, the two used their lightness skills to arrive at the woods next to the Shaolin Temple gate.

Old Xiao trembled slightly with excitement, grabbed Jiang Mingzhe's hand and shook it vigorously: "Good lad, be careful, don't get trapped by his Arhat Formation and overturn the Great Buddha Hall, then leave immediately! Go to my place and wait for me!"

Jiang Mingzhe also said solemnly, "I once heard an elder say that there is a great master in the Scripture Pavilion who suppresses the luck of the world. His martial arts are incredibly high. Uncle, you must not be careless. If you want to start a fire, start it and run. Do not linger in the fight. Remember, Brother Xiao may be nearby at this time. You and your son have been separated for thirty years. Your reunion is imminent. Please be careful!"

His words were sincere, and his concern was evident in his expression.

Hearing this, Old Xiao was also moved. He stepped forward and hugged Jiang Mingzhe tightly, whispering, "Good child, we must all be careful! When we go to pay respects to Feng'er's mother later, you should come with my son and me!"

After saying that, she patted his shoulder, turned around, and ran into the depths of the forest.

After Jiang Mingzhe waited until he was far away, his face darkened. He took a deep breath, and his muscles and bones made a series of firecracker-like sounds. Then he circulated his internal energy, which flowed through his meridians and blood, through his internal organs and muscles and bones. After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the surrounding noise seemed to slow down. Only then did he leap out and look up at the gate of Shaolin Temple.

Although it was getting late, the area inside and outside the mountain gate was still bustling with activity.

When the Beggars' Sect issued its invitation to heroes, many martial arts figures allied with Shaolin Temple rushed to the temple and sought lodging. Jiang Mingzhe glanced around and saw no fewer than a hundred people, many of whom were speaking loudly and boisterously, saying things like, "Why hasn't that Khitan dog arrived yet? Is he scared?" and "I bet he's scared. With so many heroes here, even a single spit from each of them could drown him eight times over. How could he not be afraid?"

As these people were talking animatedly, an indescribable sense of oppression suddenly arose, and everyone fell silent in unison. The previous hustle and bustle instantly turned into tranquility.

Everyone instinctively turned their heads and saw a tall man wearing a leather robe and a leather hat, his face covered with a black cloth, revealing only his thick eyebrows and a pair of very bright eyes. He looked up and stared steadily at the gate of Shaolin Temple, and then walked forward unhurriedly.

(End of this chapter)