The Return of the Condor Heroes: Starting with a Suicide Note and Conquering All Realms

A dark golden ring of fire burned silently at the edge of the training ground.

The air was distorted by the extreme heat. The burning wood crackled and popped incessantly.

Guo Jing stood before the wall of fire. He raised his right hand, his palm brimming with golden Dragon-Subduing True Qi. With a single strike, Guo Fu's right arm would snap instantly.

He was trembling all over.

Guo Fu collapsed onto the bluestone slab. She covered her face with her hands and wept bitterly. Tears mixed with dust, leaving two muddy streaks on her face. She dared not look at Guo Jing, much less at Lin Yuan standing in front of her.

If you hit her, your daughter will be ruined.

If he doesn't fight, the chivalry he's upheld for half his life will become a joke.

Huang Rong watched Guo Jing's painful struggle as his back receded, her nails digging deep into her palms. She knew Guo Jing wouldn't be able to bring himself to do it. She also knew that Lin Yuan would never back down now.

This gray-robed youth didn't follow the rules of the martial arts world at all.

Huang Rong took a deep breath. Suppressing her fear, she released the Dog-Beating Stick and strode to Guo Jing's side. She faced Lin Yuan directly, her eyes regaining their usual shrewdness and composure.

"Lin Yuan," Huang Rong spoke, her voice echoing within the circle of fire, "Fu'er is young and ignorant, and spoke rudely. The old score on Peach Blossom Island was also my doing. If you want an explanation, I will give you one."

Lin Yuan looked at her without saying a word.

Huang Rong turned around and pointed in the direction outside Dasheng Pass.

"There are three thousand Mongol soldiers lying in ambush in the Black Pine Forest. They're after the leader of the Central Plains martial arts world." Huang Rong spoke quickly and clearly. "Tonight, Brother Jing will lead the Beggars' Sect disciples and all the heroes present to launch a night raid on the Black Pine Forest. We'll wipe out these three thousand ambush soldiers."

Lu Guanying and Lu Youjiao suddenly raised their heads.

Huang Rong turned around and looked directly into Lin Yuan's dark gold vertical pupils.

"The lives of these three thousand elite Mongol soldiers, plus their unparalleled feat of protecting Dasheng Pass and safeguarding the people of Xiangyang," Huang Rong said, enunciating each word clearly, "are enough to atone for the old debts of Peach Blossom Island and to atone for Fu'er's sins, for this great cause for the nation."

Inside the circle of fire, the heroes gasped in shock.

This is a huge bargaining chip.

Saving countless lives from suffering and relieving the crisis in Xiangyang was considered the highest form of merit in the values ​​of the Southern Song martial arts world. Any personal grudges should unconditionally give way to such a noble cause.

Several Beggars' Sect elders nodded repeatedly. Lu Guanying also looked hopeful. They thought the suggestion was excellent, as it could both defeat the enemy and resolve their current predicament.

Guo Jing also lowered his raised right hand. He looked at Lin Yuan, a hint of expectation in his eyes.

Yang Guo gripped the hilt of his sword tightly. He turned to look at Lin Yuan. He didn't care about any grand principles; he only knew that the grievances he and Lin Yuan had suffered on Peach Blossom Island couldn't be left unresolved.

Lin Yuan lowered his head.

His shoulders trembled slightly.

A suppressed chuckle escaped from his throat.

The laughter grew louder and louder, more and more unrestrained.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Lin Yuan suddenly threw his head back and burst into wild laughter. The laughter, mixed with powerful internal energy, pierced through the wall of fire, causing a sharp pain in the eardrums of the assembled heroes. Those with weaker skills immediately covered their ears, their faces showing pain.

The laughter stopped abruptly.

Lin Yuan stepped forward. His dark golden vertical pupils were fixed on Huang Rong.

"Chief Huang, your scheme has been heard throughout the entire Dasheng Pass." Lin Yuan's eyes were cold, and his tone was full of undisguised mockery.

Huang Rong's face stiffened.

Lin Yuan raised his hand and pointed at Huang Rong's nose.

"The Mongol soldiers in the Black Pine Forest were there to kill you. You went to fight them to save your own lives." Lin Yuan shattered her logic, word by word. "You went to save yourselves, and then you turn around and tell me you're paying off your daughter's debt?"

Huang Rong's lips trembled, but she couldn't utter a single word.

"Using other people's lives to pay your dirty bills," Lin Yuan sneered. "Is this the righteousness of your prestigious sects? It's truly an eye-opener."

Guo Jing's face flushed red. He stepped forward and stood in front of Huang Rong.

"Lin Yuan! The Mongol cavalry are sweeping south, causing immense suffering and death! Resisting foreign invaders is a matter of righteousness, concerning the well-being of all people!" Guo Jing roared angrily, "How can you speak of the act of resisting the Mongols and saving the country in such a despicable way!"

"The greater good?"

Lin Yuan's voice suddenly rose, directly drowning out Guo Jing's roar.

"The Song emperor is in Lin'an, embracing women and listening to music. Civil and military officials are lining up to send tribute and cede territory to the Mongols. Corrupt officials are desperately plundering the people's wealth in the rear." Lin Yuan's gaze swept over the kneeling crowd of heroes. "You bunch of outlaws think you can save the world by holding a meeting here and shedding some blood?"

The entire room fell silent.

No one dared to respond. These words violated a major taboo in the Southern Song Dynasty, yet every word struck a nerve with everyone.

Extreme fanaticism erupted in Yang Guo's eyes. He stared at Lin Yuan's retreating figure, his blood boiling. This was the man he would follow. He didn't worship imperial power, nor did he respect ghosts or gods; he only believed in his own principles.

Lin Yuan raised his hands, his gray robe fluttering in the heat.

"What does this utterly corrupt and worthless dynasty have to do with me?" Lin Yuan's voice boomed like thunder. "I will kill the Mongols, and I will destroy the Southern Song Dynasty!"

The worldviews of the heroes within the circle of fire were completely shattered.

To destroy the Song Dynasty? Or to destroy the Mongols?

This is no longer just a feud within the martial arts world. This is about to overthrow the entire world.

"Today, I, Lin Yuan, will not only collect my debts," Lin Yuan said, his dark golden vertical pupils radiating an overwhelming aura of annihilation. "I will also wipe out the entire world. Your rules, your righteousness, are nothing but a fart in my eyes."

Guo Jing's eyes widened in shock and despair.

He understood. Lin Yuan wasn't joking. This young man with terrifying martial prowess truly intended to overthrow everything.

"You've fallen into demonic possession!" Guo Jing roared in grief and anger.

He was convinced that Lin Yuan had completely fallen into the demonic path and that keeping him alive would surely become a great threat to the world.

Guo Jing no longer suppressed his inner energy. He unleashed the full power of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms without reservation.

Two dragons emerge from the sea.

Two dazzling golden energies roared out. The unparalleled palm force instantly emptied the surrounding air, stirring up a shower of rubble, and headed straight for Lin Yuan's face.

This was the pinnacle of Guo Jing's lifelong skills.

Huang Rong cried out in surprise, and Yang Guo drew his sword to block her.

Lin Yuan stood still, not even lifting his eyelids.

He raised his right hand and casually waved it.

The dark golden flames, imbued with dragon blood essence that transcended dimensions, were drawn directly from the palm.

There was no stalemate.

There was no loud noise.

The moment the dark gold flames came into contact with the golden aura, they burned through it instantly.

The domineering true energy struck Guo Jing's chest without any hindrance.

Guo Jing's body was instantly lifted into the air.

He flew backward, crashing through two red-lacquered pillars in front of the main hall, and then smashing through the thick blue brick wall of the hall.

The brick and stone collapsed.

Smoke and dust billowed into the sky.

Guo Jing lay in the ruins. He spat out a mouthful of blood, struggled a few times, but was unable to stand up.

The renowned swordsman Guo suffered a complete and utter defeat.

The training ground was deathly silent. All the martial arts practitioners stared in horror at the gray-robed youth.

Lin Yuan withdrew his right hand. He strode past Huang Rong and walked straight to the terrified Guo Fu.

He looked down at Guo Fu.

"Now, no one can save you."