Who is spreading rumors that my filial piety towards them has changed?

This is just a small token of my appreciation; I hope Your Excellency will accept it with a smile!

"Do you want me to abstain and hand over the position of city lord to Young Master Xiao?" Chu Mingkong asked.

Xiao Fengnan's cultivation level had greatly improved, and he had even won him over. Xiao Chengren was brimming with confidence, even worried that Fengnan might not have stopped and might have injured Lord Zuo! However, he didn't want to show it too obviously, so Xiao Chengren said tactfully:

"Yes, from now on, the Xiao family will treat Lord Zuo with the respect due to a city lord, and the Princess Consort of Chu will become one of your concubines. My Xiao family only has one outstanding talent, Feng Nan, and we are really worried that Lord Zuo might harm him."

I will never forget the kindness of Your Excellency Zuo in gifting me a pair of white jade lotus flowers with sap-like stems from the Xiao family. However, I am unable to repay this kindness in the present moment. Therefore, I can only offer Your Excellency a pair of beautiful twin lotus flowers in return. I hope Your Excellency will be lenient and generous.

From now on, the Xiao family will surely provide Your Excellency with the ultimate pleasures of wine, women, and food!

The Chu Princess alone was enough to make this "Zuo Gege" generously gift a thousand-year-old ancient spiritual herb. Now, with the addition of Consort Wan, Xiao Chengren is certain that he simply cannot refuse!

However, such people have a sense of pride and may not show it too obviously at first. So Xiao Chengren had to be sensible and act in a way that made it hard for the other party to refuse his hospitality, and that he was the one who forced the other party to accept.

In this way, the deal will be foolproof. Perhaps this Minister Zuo will be pleased and give the Xiao family more support in the future!

Chu Mingkong felt a chill run down his spine under the enthusiastic gaze of his adoptive maternal grandfather, Xiao Chengren. Although he didn't consider the Princess Consort of Chu as his mother, Consort Wan certainly did!

You're giving me people who were originally mine, and you expect me to be grateful... Bah! You're giving me my mother as a concubine, and you expect me to thank you? Do you think I'm that kind of person? My heart is filled only with deep filial piety towards my mother!

Chu Mingkong, mimicking Xiao Chengren's tone, said tactfully:

"But now there is a small problem, and I'm not sure if I should say it."

Xiao Chengren's expression hardened: "If there's anything you shouldn't say, please speak your mind freely!"

Chu Mingkong picked up his teacup, then put it down again, pointed to the martial arts arena, and predicted:

"You might not believe it, but Young Master Xiao can't beat this monk. This monk is at least a Sword Saint, and may even be a Great Perfection Sword Saint. Moreover, he has suppressed his cultivation level."

Chu Mingkong didn't know how this monk could be older than Tianya Lou. It was hard to fake. Did the Buddhist sect have such a prodigy?

Xiao Chengren didn't quite believe what Minister Zuo said. His grandson was already exceptionally talented, and now, after being baptized by that spiritual herb, he was even more outstanding. How could he possibly lose to his peers in the martial arts competition?

"Your Excellency, please don't joke around. How could my grandson—"

He couldn't continue speaking because out of the corner of his eye he saw the monk sever his grandson Xiao Fengnan's arm with a single stroke. The scene fell silent, and the onlookers were all dumbfounded, unable to believe what they had just witnessed.

The competition had barely begun, less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, and Xiao Fengnan was completely powerless against that monk?!

Chu Mingkong also had mixed feelings. His father had been planning this decapitation operation for so long…

Xiao Fengnan had his hand chopped off beforehand!

------

P.S.: It's a bit late, but the length is immeasurable.

8============3

Chapter 223 Sword Slashes Through the Golden Body

Xiao Fengnan was still too overconfident. When the blade of that ring knife came, although he was momentarily stunned by the Vajra's wrathful gaze, his instincts still drove his body to dodge and raise his spear to block the blade.

The wrath of the Vajra was something he hadn't anticipated. If he could have created some distance and regrouped, he wouldn't be in such a passive position.

However, Xiao Fengnan's understanding of the spear was inadequate. He used the habit of wielding short swords and knives to parry with the spear, and his arm was caught by the spear handle. This flaw was only exposed for a brief moment. Under normal circumstances, he might have only suffered a minor loss or injury.

But against a true powerhouse, this could be fatal!

The moment the angry monk grabbed Xiao Fengnan's arm and awkwardly thrust his spear across the ground, he severed Xiao Fengnan's left arm with a single stroke.

The arm flew up, and the angry monk caught it, chanting incantations to seal the arm and prevent the medicine from escaping.

“I will take a piece of your arm and spare your life. What a fine offer.” Monk Nusheng raised his palms to his chest and bowed to Xiao Fengnan.

To outsiders, it was incredibly ironic.

Xiao Fengnan stared wide-eyed at everything that was happening before him. Only when the excruciating pain in his arm ripped through his nerves did he realize what had happened in that instant.

The veins on his forehead bulged, and his delicate face, which had captivated young ladies, was now disfigured by the excruciating pain. Large beads of cold sweat poured down his cheeks. This was not just physical pain; the lingering intent of the knife was still raging in the wound.

"Impossible! I'm a Grandmaster in spear techniques, how could this be? It's an illusion! It must be that Vajra's Wrathful Gaze illusion!!"

The angry monk initially didn't want to engage, but he patiently explained the situation to him anyway:

“Benefactor Xiao, you are too attached to appearances. How can the cultivation of weapons be achieved by transforming one’s martial tendons? Your martial tendons can only teach you how to better unleash a seemingly powerful spear, but they will not teach you how to defend, fight and retreat, and look for opportunities to counterattack.”

However, you consumed an ancient spiritual herb, yet you used most of its medicinal power to enhance your cultivation instead of refining your spiritual veins—what a waste!

The medicinal effects of the severed arm are less than 20% remaining. It seems that my affinity with Buddhism here is indeed shallow. I can only hope that this will not hinder the grand plan...

If Xiao Fengnan had listened to the advice of the angry monk and switched back to his preferred weapon, he wouldn't have suffered such a complete defeat.

Offstage, the Xiao family members were stunned and dumbfounded. Their minds went blank; this cruel yet shocking scene had unfolded just like that, something no one had anticipated. They had been preparing for a long time, making various arrangements in Tianya City. The moment Xiao Fengnan stepped onto the martial arts stage, they were already ready to celebrate, boasting about their achievements and how they could exchange them for official positions in Xiling.

Now the bubble has burst.

Those low-ranking servants who didn't get much of the pie rushed over to help their young master and put the pills to his lips, but Xiao Fengnan stared blankly at the sky, his eyes wide open, unable to accept what had suddenly happened, and he didn't even react when the pills were placed to his lips.

The young female fans and heiresses who had been cheering for him fell silent. It was as if the monk's knife had struck them. Everyone was silent. Their idol, whom they had praised for so long, couldn't even withstand a single blow from the Buddha. He was cut down like a stray dog.

Someone stammered, "Impossible... This is impossible! Young Master Xiao has faced so many talented people from Xiling and yet he has never met a worthy opponent. This must be fake!"

Some people were confident: "Young Master Xiao, you've only gotten back up because you were careless and took a hit. You can still turn defeat into victory! Our sisterhood supports you!"

Some people were frustrated and pessimistic: "...It's over. The future of Xiling has been ruined by this monk. The future of Xiling is bleak. Will Xiling become a Buddhist domain in the future...?"

The angry monk ignored the noise from outside the arena. He stood motionless on the martial arts platform for a long time, then turned to the elder of Tianya Tower in confusion and said:

"Can we start the next match now? This should be the last one, right?"

Elder Ding was experienced and composed, having weathered many storms, but he was still unable to recover for a long time. Tianya Tower had poured its heart and soul into the Xiao family and Xiao Fengnan, even disliking breaking the rules of the Tianya Martial Arts Competition and letting him skip so many rounds, hoping that he could be in full form and win the martial arts competition without any chance of failure.

The opponent may indeed be very strong, but Xiao Fengnan, on whom they placed such high hopes and support,

How could this be...?

Elder Ding walked up like a walking corpse, completely forgetting who the other party was, and said blankly:

"Please invite the other contestant to the stage... Hurry up... We won't wait until the deadline."

Upon hearing Elder Ding's voice, Chu Mingkong glanced at Xiao Chengren across the table. Xiao Chengren was also petrified, and Chu Mingkong wondered what he was thinking. He was probably not thinking anything at all, his mind was blank, as if he were unconscious.

Without saying much to his grandfather in this state, Chu Mingkong walked out of the restaurant, stood on the martial arts stage, and scrutinized the angry monk.

Compared to before, the commotion in the audience has returned, but this liveliness is filled with pessimistic sighs.

"So there's still one more game? I thought Xiao Fengnan's game was the last one, and there was still hope. Who is this person?!"

"It's no use. Even Young Master Xiao can't beat this monk. Who among the younger generation can beat him? This is just another loss."

"Young Master Xiao's reaction just now clearly indicates that he was ambushed using underhanded tactics. Could we try to contact this armored man and persuade him to relinquish his spot in the finals so that Young Master Xiao can rest before taking another turn? Only then will Xiling have a chance of winning!"

"Are Xiao Fengnan's supporters brainless? A big waste attracts a bunch of little wastes with his strength? Father, let's stand back so we don't get tainted by his bad luck."

Luo Xiangyang muttered curses and walked away disdainfully. He then said to his father in a deep voice:

"Father, did you see that? That man in full armor is the traitor Cao that I have discerning eyes to recognize. Only I know that he is the one who has the ability to stand to the end. He will soon wield your beloved Thunderfire Sword and win the final match!"

Upon hearing Luo Xiangyang's words, Chu Mingkong suddenly remembered that his father's lover was still with him. He had no choice but to take out the Thunderfire Heavy Sword and sighed.

"I originally wanted to use the spear to give Xiao Fengnan a lesson on both forehand and backhand techniques, but I almost forgot that someone was waiting for me to give his mother... his father's lover's sword a good beating."

I'm not talking about you, Xiao Fengnan, please don't take it personally!

The monk, Nusheng, bowed with his palms together and then introduced himself:

“The Dharma Protector under the Asura King, anger arises.”

Chu Mingkong slung the Thunderfire Heavy Sword over his shoulder, recalled his current character setting, and said:

"The traitor Cao, who only took in benevolent wives."

“Benefactor Cao, please accept my challenge. This humble monk does not wish to gain too much advantage. I will only strike once. If you are not defeated after this strike, I will concede defeat.”

Sometimes, excessive humility and courtesy are actually manifestations of arrogance and discrimination, only this arrogance appears in a more "refined" way, with a compassionate and merciful attitude, looking down at others from a superior position.

Chu Mingkong chuckled, not annoyed at all. He put down the Thunderfire Heavy Sword, stretched his back, and asked curiously:

"Master, I have a question that I don't understand. I wonder if you could answer it for me?"

"Please speak, Benefactor Cao!"

"Your cultivation aura is somewhat strange, I can't quite put my finger on it. Was your master born with such extraordinary talent?"

"Their life was not fulfilled in their previous life."

That was all the monk said; he didn't continue, a smile still playing on his lips.

Chu Ming was filled with doubt; had he not achieved fulfillment in his previous life?

The meaning behind this bald guy is that he has been reincarnated and is continuing his cultivation from his previous life, which is why he is so powerful at such a young age. However, he is afraid that it is unfair, so he has been suppressing his cultivation level.

But is that fair? Chu Mingkong found it hard to say. Realm is not just about cultivation level. Even if cultivation level is suppressed, knowledge, experience, and state of mind will not be suppressed. Just like when Zuo Qiuchi suppressed her cultivation level to hide with him in the capital, even people with higher cultivation levels could not necessarily gain an advantage from her.

"Does Benefactor Cao still have any questions? This humble monk may answer one more question for you."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony. Are you Buddhists causing trouble in the Abyss? What are you doing?"

The monk, who had not yet opened his eyes, frowned, and the tattoos on his face became even more ferocious as he frowned. He wondered how this man called Cao Zei knew about the Abyss.

He quickly regained his kind and benevolent expression and said:

"Please ask another question, Benefactor Cao."

Is this even possible? I really thought you guys were open and honest... Chu Mingkong finished warming up, grabbed the other person's lover's sword again, and asked:

"Then I'll try another one. If you still can't answer, then there's no need to say anything more, let's just start fighting. But let's change the rules. I'm afraid you'll rip my pants off with one blow, so you have to take one of my sword strikes. If you can't take it with one strike, I lose."

"As you see fit, Benefactor Cao, please ask!"

"Has King Huai of Chu converted to Buddhism?" Chu Mingkong asked this question while using a soundproof barrier to block the perception of those outside the area. He only removed the barrier after he finished speaking.

The angry monk remained silent, his doubts about the armored man deepening, but he did not answer, instead saying:

"Benefactor Cao, please draw your sword."

"I knew this would be the answer. Sigh! Master, please be careful. Xiao Fengnan's body is rather short, so naturally he doesn't know how to use his long body. Master, don't be as ungrateful as him."

"Please draw your sword."

Chu Mingkong raised his sword, effortlessly exuding the aura of a sword immortal.