The Cycle of Reincarnation in the Four-Courtyard House: A Journey Through the Heavens

Bao Butong saw that the three of them were severely injured in an instant. Shocked and angry, they threw punches like madmen, their moves completely out of control.

Li Xiao kept his footwork unchanged, easily dodging Bao Butong's fist. He gathered sword energy in his palm, and with a light tap, sent the sword energy into Bao Butong's dantian.

Bao Butong felt a sudden heat in his dantian, his internal energy instantly became disordered, he lost all strength and collapsed to the ground, staring at Li Xiao with disbelief in his eyes.

Within a few breaths, all four retainers of the Murong clan fell to the ground, some injured, some paralyzed, and no longer able to fight.

Li Xiao extinguished the flames in his palm, and his figure, which had been invisible to everyone before, became clear again. He stood there calmly, as if the fierce battle just now was nothing more than a leisurely stroll.

The apricot grove fell into a deathly silence. Everyone in the martial arts world was shocked by this amazing battle. No one could have imagined that this unfamiliar young man would possess such astonishing fighting power.

Li Xiao glanced down at the four people, his gaze finally settling on Master Zhiguang, and continued his previous words.

His voice, steady yet carrying immense power, pierced the silence of the forest: "Continue with what I was about to say—thirty years ago outside Yanmen Pass, the leader who, instigated by Murong Bo, gathered a group of heroes to besiege and kill Xiao Yuanshan's family, is none other than Abbot Xuanci, who now heads Shaolin and enjoys a prestigious reputation in the martial arts world!"

"What?!"

Li Xiao's words shocked all the Beggars' Sect disciples and the four retainers who had just stood up from the ground. They never expected Li Xiao's revelation to be so explosive.

"How could it be Abbot Xuanci? He is the head of Shaolin Temple, a highly respected figure. How could he do such a thing?"

"This young hero's martial arts are superb, and what he said may not be unfounded. There is probably more to this story."

Master Zhiguang was struck as if by lightning. His body swayed violently, his previously drooping eyelids suddenly widened, his pupils shrank to pinpoints, and the color drained from his face in an instant, leaving only extreme astonishment and panic.

His clasped hands trembled violently, his throat tightened, and his mind was in turmoil: "This secret has been buried for thirty years. Those who participated back then are either dead or in hiding, and the survivors all swore a solemn oath to protect it to the death. How did this young man know it?"

"He even knows Abbot Xuanci's identity perfectly. Could it be that the net of heaven is truly all-encompassing, and there are still eyewitnesses to what happened back then?"

The old monk probably never imagined that the young man in front of him was someone who had read the original novel and watched the TV series.

"No...it's impossible..."

Qiao Feng forced out a hoarse whisper, his voice trembling uncontrollably: "Abbot Xuanci is a leader of the righteous sects, how could he be the leader from back then? Brother Li, you...you're not mistaken, are you!"

He still held a sliver of hope that it was all a misunderstanding, but the certainty in Li Xiao's eyes and Master Zhiguang's panic shattered his hopes like a hammer blow.

At this moment, Qiao Feng's tiger-like eyes suddenly widened, and his true energy surged unconsciously, causing some of the Beggar Clan elders who were close to him to take two steps back.

He stared intently at Master Zhiguang, his voice hoarse as he asked, "Master, is what Brother Li said true?"

Zhiguang opened his mouth, wanting to explain, but found his throat tight and he couldn't say a word.

At that moment, he felt a mix of guilt and shock, and he felt dizzy and almost lost his balance.

Back then, in order to protect Xuan Ci's identity and cover up the stain on the martial arts world, he deliberately altered part of the truth. Now, however, Li Xiao has exposed him in public. All those years of concealment and torment have finally vanished like a bubble.

Master Zhiguang, gazing at Qiao Feng's sorrowful expression, his eyes filled with remorse, clasped his hands together and bowed deeply to Qiao Feng: "Amitabha, Benefactor Qiao, this young benefactor... is right!"

"Whoosh—"

This caused an uproar among the crowd. They never expected that the ringleader who murdered Qiao Feng's mother and drove Xiao Yuanshan to jump off the cliff was actually Abbot Xuanci.

Master Zhiguang continued, "For the past thirty years, Abbot Xuanci and I have been tormented by our consciences day and night, fearing that if this matter were exposed, not only would Shaolin's reputation be damaged, but it would also trigger another catastrophe in the martial arts world. Therefore, we have kept it hidden. Now that this young benefactor has exposed it, I can no longer conceal it!"

He raised his head, gazing at the setting sun in the west, his eyes filled with regret.

The image of Xiao Yuanshan's wife's tragic death and Xiao Yuanshan's desperate roar outside Yanmen Pass is still vivid in my mind.

After learning the truth, in order to alleviate his guilt, he traveled overseas to collect medicinal herbs to treat people suffering from the plague. In doing so, he lost all his martial arts skills, but he could never erase the bloodstain in his heart. Now that the truth has come out, he has no face to live in this world anymore.

"Master Zhiguang!"

Qiao Feng stepped forward, wanting to ask for more details, but saw Master Zhiguang take out a black pill from his pocket and smile bitterly: "This old monk has deceived the world and stolen a reputation, and has condoned sins. I can only atone for my sins with my death, to comfort the spirits of Xiao Yuanshan and his wife in heaven, and also to ask Chief Qiao not to let hatred cloud his mind in the future."

He swallowed the pill as soon as he finished speaking.

The crowd gasped in surprise. Qiao Feng rushed forward to try and stop them, but it was too late.

The pill was extremely toxic; within moments, Master Zhiguang's face turned black, and black blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

Master Zhiguang sat cross-legged on the ground, looked at Qiao Feng, and gently shook his head, as if advising him to let go. Then his head suddenly tilted to the side, and he died.

The apricot grove was deathly silent, with only the rustling of apricot leaves in the wind.

Li Xiao gazed at Zhi Guang's body, a complex look flashing in his eyes. He revealed the truth not to show off, but to give the deceased justice.

Qiao Feng knelt before Zhiguang, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He felt resentment towards Zhiguang for his cowardice and concealment, and also sighed at his willingness to atone for his sins with his death. His hatred for Master Xuanci spread like wildfire.

The four elders of the Beggars' Sect and Kang Min and the others stood there dumbfounded. The two shocking events of the day had already exceeded their expectations.

The silence beside Zhiguang's body did not last long. Li Xiao's gaze suddenly shifted, passing over the group of beggars and landing precisely on Kang Min at the back of the crowd.

His gaze was sharp as a cold blade, devoid of any warmth, seemingly able to pierce through the deepest, most hidden filth in people's hearts.

Kang Min was already standing in the shadows, secretly calculating the situation, when she was locked in by that gaze, she felt as if her blood had frozen, her fingertips went cold, and she subconsciously shrank back behind Quan Guanqing, a trace of barely perceptible panic flashing across her forced calm face.

"Kang Min!"

Li Xiao's voice broke the silence, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable air of authority, "Master Zhiguang has already atoned with his death. Now, it's time to talk about your matter!"