Seeing the soldiers meandering down the mountain path, Xin Tiecheng knew that today's matter would be troublesome.
Around the Green Wood Stronghold, the Lu Liang bandits from all over gathered. Large and small individuals with a certain level of strength also gathered after hearing the news. These people were not too clear about the specifics of what had happened, but since such a large number of people had gathered, something would definitely happen. Similar cases had happened before. Once a bandit stronghold in the Lu Liang Mountain began to grow, it would arouse everyone's vigilance. Usually, it would not end well. People would gather to tear apart the stronghold, and the individual investors would swarm over like hyenas. No matter what, they would be able to get some benefits.
The prosperity of the Green Wood Stronghold had long made the surrounding people of the Lu Liang Mountain jealous. This time, everyone had the same expectations. In the end, a few of the largest bandit groups sent out envoys and selected a few more famous individuals from the individual investors to follow them to negotiate with the Blood Bodhisattva of the Green Wood Stronghold. Xin Tiecheng was one of them.
As a somewhat famous hero in the Lu Liang Mountain, Xin Tiecheng had a good impression of the Green Wood Stronghold. His martial arts skills were only above average in the Lu Liang Mountain, but he knew many friends. After the Green Wood Stronghold developed, he would occasionally go there to sell some things to supplement his living expenses. This time, he hoped that the Green Wood Stronghold would be able to pass, and it would be best if he could pass safely as well. However, in the evening, when he saw the soldiers rushing down from the mountainside of the Green Wood Stronghold, he knew that things were going to be bad.
What followed was a heart-wrenching laughter. The abundant power in the laughter surpassed all the experts of the Lu Liang Mountain that he knew.
It was the Leader of the Great Radiant Church, Lin Zongwu, who was rumored to be on par with the world's number one person, Zhou Dong …
As a hero who came after hearing the news, Xin Tiecheng did not have a clear understanding of the ins and outs of the Green Wood Stronghold. The King of Chaotic Mountains, the Black Skeleton King, and the others said that the Green Wood Stronghold wanted to monopolize the benefits of the imperial court. After going up the mountain, He Zhong, another swordsman in the group, roughly explained the situation to him.
The imperial court's enlistment order and the large number of foreign guests gathered were all more powerful than the previous. They had seen the benefits here and wanted to cooperate. The King of Chaotic Mountains and the others also noticed this, and gathered people to come over to force an abdication. In the end, the slightly developed Green Wood Stronghold was surrounded by people from both inside and outside. Such a lineup was not something that a single Green Wood Stronghold or a single Blood Bodhisattva could handle.
If the Green Wood Stronghold knew what was good for them, then perhaps they would be divided a little slower. If they didn't, then perhaps they would be faced with a disaster. However, the envoys sent by the King of Chaotic Mountains and the others were actually worried about these big interests. Or, even they were not qualified to worry about these big interests. What was really related to the interests of this team of envoys was not how many things they could get, but whether they could survive the battle tonight. If there were so many big shots present, they would all be crushed as if they were caught in a storm.
His friend, He Zhong, had his reasons for worrying. After going up the mountain, Xin Tiecheng felt this kind of pressure. In the evening, when he saw those soldiers coming down from the mountain, his heart sank. There were about 1,200 soldiers gathered in the public square in front of the Green Wood Stronghold. However, their formation was swift and orderly. The horses and soldiers were mostly wearing rattan armor and had sharp swords and spears. Their morale was high, and they were completely different from the ordinary Lu Liang bandits. Xin Tiecheng did not expect the Green Wood Stronghold to already have this kind of power. However, now that they had come out, the signal it represented was especially clear: This banquet would not be delicious.
The 1,200 people formed a square formation, and after a few shouts filled with killing intent, the horses took the lead and quickly left the stronghold. Xin Tiecheng then saw some big shots coming over, including the Great Radiant Cult's Leader. This person was tall and big, and his figure was like the Maitreya Buddha. Amidst his amiable smile, his steps were as steady as a mountain, and his aura was one with the surroundings. Xin Tiecheng estimated that with the cultivation of inner energy that the Great Radiant Cult had displayed earlier, if he were to rush up, the Great Radiant Cult's Leader would only need to punch him once and he would fall down, unable to get up again. With the huge power that the Great Radiant Cult's Leader could unleash, even if he used all of his skills, he would probably not be able to withstand it.
As for the Blood Bodhisattva — he had seen him once before — even if he had made a name for himself in the Lu Liang Mountains, how could he go against a grandmaster who was one of the best in the world?
With these thoughts in mind, he followed the crowd into the gathering hall. In front of him was a spacious courtyard, followed by a corridor, a hall, and a high eaves. The surroundings were brightly lit. The moment he stepped into the hall, Xin Tiecheng felt that the surrounding flames swayed. Lin Zongwu's originally amiable figure suddenly seemed to have expanded. The flames shone on his body, and the black shadows that were pouncing towards the surroundings became more intense. The back view of a demonic god … This impression disappeared in the blink of an eye. Xin Tiecheng glanced at He Zhong, who was beside him. He understood that this was a grandmaster expert using his aura to capture people's souls.
Then, they heard the Blood Bodhisattva say from the other end of the hall, "Distinguished guests have come from afar. I, Lu, have been neglecting you. Please take your seats." Although the words were simple, they vaguely diluted the oppressive feeling that Lin Zongwu had just caused.
Immediately, Lin Zongwu also smiled and said, "Blood Bodhisattva of Lu Liang, I have heard a lot about you. And … Ning Rentu, long time no see."
In the simple laughter, it was the greetings of those powerful figures. He Zhong and Xin Tiecheng were arranged to sit at the round table below. Above the hall, there were many single tables and chairs. In the process of seating, He Zhong also pointed out each of them and introduced him to the people who had come this time. For example, there were officials who owned many properties in both the Hedong and Hebei Roads. There was also the deputy general who guarded the eastern side of Yanmen Pass. There was also the envoy sent by Marshal Dong Pang'er. The two most powerful people were undoubtedly Sect Leader Lin and the young man sitting opposite him.
Although he looked to be in his early twenties, this scholarly man did not seem to be at a disadvantage when he sat directly opposite Lin Zongwu. According to He Zhong's introduction, this man was one of the most important leaders in the Secret Investigation Office of the imperial court. His immediate superior was the current Prime Minister. In the martial arts world outside of Lu Liang Mountain, countless people from the Green Forest would turn pale at the mention of his name. Some people called him the Inner Demon, but he also had an even more ferocious nickname, the Bloody Hand Butcher. It was also said that during the famine in the south last year, he single-handedly fought against the countless merchants of half of the Wu dynasty. Officials like He Zhong could only be considered as one of them. In the end, he was still beaten to a pulp by him.
With these people seated, people like Chen Jiu, the envoy sent by the King of the Chaotic Mountains, and Luan Ku 'er, the envoy sent by the Black Skeleton King, might have some reputation in Lu Liang Mountain, but in front of them, they were really insignificant shrimps.
And at the end of the hall, there was the Blood Bodhisattva, who had won such a big battle as a woman. There were also the two leaders of the Green Wood Stronghold, and the old man with the crutch. Relatively speaking, they naturally could not compare to these people. However, to be able to sit here with them as Lu Liang's people, Xin Tiecheng actually felt a little proud in his heart. Unfortunately, if they could not come to an agreement today, everything would be over.
After that, the banquet began. Everyone exchanged greetings and talked about some serious matters. Xin Tiecheng did not really understand most of it, but he felt that they were talking about something very important.
"… I didn't expect that Leader Lin and Ning Rentu actually knew each other in the past?"
"… We fought once before, and the flood washed up the temple of the Dragon King. Leader Lin, do you still remember …"
"This is only a small matter, but I will never forget Ning Rentu's elegance."
"Me too."
"If not for Minister Qi, I would have gone to the capital to visit Ning Rentu long ago …"
"Don't tell me you want to have a duel with me … Leader Lin, your habit of dueling with anyone you meet is really bad …"
"Between martial artists, it's good to have a duel with each other …"
"I heard that you are looking for Zhou Dong. I saw him not long ago. Look at Senior Zhou, although he is an old man, he has been running around for disaster relief and saving people. He has no habit of dueling with others … A great chivalrous man should work for the country and the people …"
"Oh, where is he?"
"The Peach Pavilion."
"Peach Pavilion … Ning Rentu killed more than a hundred people and captured more than a hundred people indiscriminately. Many of them were famous swordsmen in the Lulin World. Is this also for the sake of the common people?"
"Chivalrous men use martial arts to break the law. They rely on their martial arts to fight and kill everywhere. They are the ones who do not distinguish between right and wrong … They have all come to the capital to cause trouble. Of course, I am killing them for the common people …"
"This time, I am also doing this for the common people … I want to set up a few temples in Lu Liang and give medicine to them."
"Welcome!"
"However, looking at the current situation in Lu Liang, someone asked me to bring a few words to help persuade them …"
"It seems that Leader Lin has also become a businessman?"
"Everyone in the world comes for benefits. If you can be at peace with benefits, your heart will be at peace too. If your heart is not at peace, it is inevitable that the people will be in misery. I am here to spread the doctrine of Great Light and teach people to do good and avoid evil. However, after coming here, I have some thoughts that I would like to share with the Blood Bodhisattva … "
"Leader Lin, please speak your mind."
The conversation in the hall was buzzing. Sometimes it was sharp, sometimes it was peaceful. However, no one mentioned the thousand soldiers who went down the mountain earlier. They must have confronted the King of Chaotic Mountains and the others. No one knew what the situation was now. Xin Tiecheng and He Zhong whispered, "Say, if the Blood Bodhisattva and Leader Lin really fight, what do you think are the chances of them winning?"
He Zhong shook his head. Xin Tiecheng said, "Why not Ning Rentu and Lin Zongwu fight?"
He Zhong said, "Ning Rentu's martial arts is probably not good. Besides, there are many reasons … "
"His martial arts is not good, but he can make people so afraid …"
As Xin Tiecheng said this, he had mixed feelings. The banquet had been going on for a while. Suddenly, Lin Zongwu said, "… Of course, other things can be put aside for now. After all, I am an idle person. I am only here to preach. On the other hand, I heard that the Blood Bodhisattva of Lu Liang has great martial arts. Although she is a woman, she is not inferior to men. She is indeed a master of her generation. I love martial arts so much that I would like to ask Miss Lu to teach me a thing or two. In martial arts, we should not overdo it. What do you think, Miss Lu? "
Xin Tiecheng was shocked. He knew that the real show was coming. Lu Hongti smiled and nodded. Just when she was about to speak, Ning Yi said, "I was just talking about Leader Lin looking for people to spar with. This is not a good habit. At this time … I don't think it is necessary. "
Lin Zongwu laughed and said, "People who love martial arts should spar with each other. This is to cherish and test their skills. Ning Rentu's ambition is not here, so I did not refute him just now. The invitation now, forgive me for saying it, is a private matter between me and Miss Lu. It has nothing to do with Ning Rentu. "
Lu Hongti said, "What Ning Rentu said can also be taken as my intention."
Ning Yi smiled and said, "Actually, Leader Lin's words are reasonable. Since it is a battle between masters, it is rare to see it in a hundred years. Leader Lin, I suggest that the battle be held half a month later. What do you think? "
The lights in the hall flickered, illuminating the expressions on everyone's faces. Although it seemed that they were mentally prepared and had a tacit understanding with each other, the man who was holding the line was still unwilling to let the battle begin. On the other side, Lin Zongwu raised his wine cup and put it down with a smile. His smile had changed.
"Half a month later, Ning Rentu, are you toying with me?!" Following this shout, the surrounding torches swayed a little.
Ning Yi looked at him. After a while, he said slowly, "Leader Lin … why do you say that?"
"Forgive me for being blunt." Lin Zongwu said slowly, "Everyone knows the situation at the foot of the mountain and on the mountain. I am not talented, but I want to have an opportunity for everyone to talk openly … Half a month later! It is still uncertain whether Miss Lu will be here or not. By then, I will not be able to find an opponent. Ning Rentu, you will be the one to make up for the loss! "
"Alright." Ning Yi smiled and leaned back in his chair. "I will make up for it."
"You can't make up for it."
As the two of them argued, Hongti, who was sitting in front, frowned and then laughed. He Shuyuan stood up and said with a smile, "Aiya, aiya, it is fate that we can gather together. Everything can be discussed. Leader Lin, Mister Ning, don't be angry, don't be angry …"
"Alright, then let's talk openly." Ning Yi looked at Hong Ti. He still did not want to accept Hong Ti's insistence on a duel with Lin Yechan, but after a while, he sighed and smiled. "Sect Master Lin said that a duel is only for the sake of skills, but with the current situation in Green Wood Stronghold, Miss Lu still has a lot of things to do. Aren't you taking advantage of her when she is in a precarious situation by mentioning a duel now?"
"Absolutely not." Lin Zongwu's answer was resolute and decisive. "I have said that I am here to spread the doctrine of the Great Light Sect and to form a good relationship with everyone. As long as Miss Lu is willing to duel with me, I will treat Miss Lu as a friend, win or lose. It is not a problem for me to withdraw from this matter or to lobby for Green Wood Village. So, Ning Rentu, are you satisfied? "
"So, you are putting the safety of Green Wood Village in the hands of a woman. Is that good?"
As Ning Yi said this, Green Wood Village's fourth chief, Peng Yue, stood up. "Mister Ning is right. Why don't I take a few blows from Leader Lin?"
Someone on Lin Zongwu's side immediately stood up. "Who do you think you are? How dare you spar with Leader Lin!"
He Shuyuan stood up and said, "Hey hey hey, don't hurt the harmony, don't hurt the harmony …"
As they spoke, someone at the round table outside the hall also stood up tentatively. "Actually … I feel that today's discussion seems to be about Lu Liangshan's affairs. It is indeed somewhat inappropriate to decide on a duel …" It was Xin Tiecheng, who had a good impression of the Blood Bodhisattva.
Amidst the clamor of the crowd, Lin Zongwu, who was sitting there, suddenly laughed again. His voice was like a loud bell. "Actually … there is something that I do not understand!"
As soon as he spoke, the crowd stopped. Ning Yi and the rest looked at him, but no one asked what it was. Lin Zongwu tapped the table with his finger and stood up.
"The matter of Green Wood Village! The matter of Lu Liangshan! Even the matter between me and Miss Lu as martial artists! Why is it always you, Ning Rentu, speaking today? Are the people of Green Wood Village all mute? "
As soon as he asked this question, Liang Bingfu, who was beside Hongti, knocked on his walking stick and said in an old voice, "Mister Ning is not only an honored guest of Green Wood Village, but also a partner. His subordinates are in charge of the accounts of Green Wood Village and organize the income and expenditure. Therefore, in this era, it is not inappropriate for Green Wood Village to speak."
When the old man spoke, no one dared to ignore him. On the other side, Lin Zongwu laughed again. "Oh? I think it is more than that. " He looked around. "I heard that Ning Rentu and Miss Lu are actually a couple and are about to get married. Is this the reason why he spoke?"
As soon as he said this, the crowd immediately started whispering. Xin Tiecheng and the rest looked at Ning Yi and Lu Hongti, and suddenly understood why Ning Yi would forcefully help Green Wood Village at this time. However, after knowing that Green Wood Village was actually controlled by outsiders, their feelings became complicated again. Ning Yi also stood up. "Where did you hear this, Chief Lin? You are so well-informed."
"If this is true, I would like to congratulate the two of you first for tying the knot and growing old together." Lin Zongwu smiled kindly.
Ning Yi just looked at him and also smiled. "Then, Chief Lin, are you trying to say that I will be fighting on behalf of the Blood Bodhisattva?"
"It is common for a man to fight on behalf of his beloved woman, but I have no such intention. However, there is one thing that I am quite concerned about."
"Oh? I would like to hear the details. "
"At the end of the summer of the year before last, Ning Rentu defeated Song Jiang and the rest in Liangshan. He killed half of the Liangshan bandits and chased the rest until they fled in all directions. At the beginning of July, a woman appeared. During this period, she killed several first-class martial artists in the Jianghu. I have investigated carefully. During that time, the martial artists who died in her hands included 'Devil Incarnate' Fan Rui, 'Eight-armed Nezha' Xiang Tong, 'Golden-eyed Tiger' Shi En, 'Quick Sword' Lin Qi, 'Flowery Monk' Lu Zhishen …"
As Lin Zongwu smiled and listed in detail, Ning Yi's heart sank slightly. He suddenly realized something. As for the others, they were only surprised by Lin Zongwu's list.
"… To be able to kill so many people in a short period of a few days, this woman's skills are very powerful and admirable. However, the title that the woman left behind was not Blood Bodhisattva, but River and Mountain Iron Sword …" Lin Zongwu paused between each word and looked at Hongti. "Lu! Hongti! Ti! "
"Also … the message that she left behind was that she was Bloody Hand Butcher Ning Liheng … your master. You actually want to marry your master? "
Cold air and shadows surged out of the hall …
In the next moment, there was an uproar. Ning Yi smiled and said, "Of course not!"
"Human relations between heaven and earth!" Lin Zongwu pointed at Ning Yi and said with a loud voice, "You actually want to do something improper with your master?!"
Lou Shuwan stood up slightly further away. "Is she really your master?"
"How could such a thing happen …"
"Heaven forbid it …"
"You're slandering me …"
"Human relations are five virtues. You're a Confucian. If the Prime Minister in the capital knew that you did such a thing, how do you think he would look at you?!"
"Lin Zongwu, aren't you afraid of shortening your life by lying?!"
"You're here to deliberately cause trouble! Guards! "
"Shut up —"
"Don't be angry, don't be angry. Let's all talk …"
Countless voices rang out at once. Ning Yi's expression was calm, but his words could no longer conceal the commotion. The fourth chief of Green Wood Stronghold, Peng Yue, seemed to be a calm person, but he had acted impulsively just now. At this moment, he had already jumped up and was about to call people in to fight. Zheng Ashuan stopped this, but the entire hall was already in an uproar. As Lin Zongwu spoke each word, the people led by Lou Shuwan began to buzz. More people began to discuss in private. Xin Tiecheng and He Zhong watched all of this. On one hand, they were shocked and astonished. On the other hand, they were on guard against the possibility of a fight about to break out. In the innermost part of the hall, Liang Bingfu frowned and asked something to Red in a low voice.
"Enough!"
It was like a drop of dew dripping into the water. Then, there was a buzzing sound that continued to rise. Everyone looked towards the hall. Lu Hong, who was dressed in a black dress, placed her hand on the table. The ancient sword beside her was trembling as if it was alive. Almost everyone stopped talking.
"Don't talk about things that have nothing to do with it. But Chief Lin is right. Problems can be solved with a fight. Why beat around the bush? After all, sometimes, justice is not in people's hearts. Right and wrong all depend on strength. " The last sentence was actually told to her by Ning Yi. However, when he said it now, it sounded especially cold. No one spoke. She smiled. "Chief Lin, I accept your challenge."
"Hahahaha, that's great. But, things that have nothing to do with it. Does it mean that you have no intention of getting married, or that you are not her master? Hahahaha … Hahahahaha … "
Lin Zongwu's laughter shook the entire night sky. With his hands behind his back, he turned and walked toward the courtyard outside the hall. His steps seemed slow, but he walked past Xin Tiecheng and the others in an instant.
"Life is like the sea of bitterness. The flesh is a raft. The path of martial arts is like a long journey in the night. I have not seen anyone who has traveled with me for a long time. To be able to fight with an expert like the Blood Bodhisattva tonight and prove the supremacy of martial arts, it is truly delightful, delightful … "
Hongti held her sword and stood up. She did not speak, but when she passed by Ning Yi, a sweet smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. In the middle of the spacious courtyard, Lin Zongwu stood beside a pine tree that was as tall as him. With his hands behind his back, he looked up at the night sky. Everyone could only hear a soft sigh. "What beautiful stars …"
Xin Tiecheng and the others watched as Hongti walked over and walked past them. They sighed in their hearts. At the same time, the woman's body started to speed up!
Due to the previous atmosphere and disturbance, this duel had already been ignited. There was actually no room for pleasantries between them. Amidst the flickering lights, she strode across the hall and over the threshold. With just a few steps, she turned into a black afterimage. At the other end of her field of vision, Lin Zongwu's loose robe suddenly fluttered. With a flip of his hand, he uprooted the pine tree beside him. His entire body seemed to suddenly expand as he took two steps forward to meet Lu Hongti.
"Haa …"
The huge figure waved the pine tree. In the blink of an eye, it was like the Buddha's Vajrapani and Wisdom King showing his anger! The two figures suddenly collided with each other!
The light flickered, and the pressure and energy rushed towards the hall like a tidal wave. The sword light danced in the sky. In the instant that the light suddenly turned dark, the pine tree flew into the sky, and soil flew everywhere. The two figures stopped at the point of collision. Lin Zongwu suddenly swung his fist!
No one had expected that the battle between the two Grandmasters would be so intense. Xin Tiecheng and the others could not see what was happening at all. The ancient sword cut through the air, and the sound of Lin Zongwu's fist swinging was like the roar of the ocean. There were a few bangs in the air. According to a normal understanding, this was a high-speed exchange of blows in a short distance, the momentum of a head-on collision.
The ancient sword also flew back with the wind of the fist, and the beams of the hall seemed to have been smashed away. Only a portion of the people present could see this scene clearly. But in the next moment, everyone saw it clearly.
It was a loud "boom" sound.
In the air, Lin Zongwu's huge figure paused for a moment. A huge ripple spread out along with his robe, body, and the flying needles in the air. The black figure that was a head shorter than Lin Zongwu and more than half his size kicked Lin Zongwu's body.
Not many people could understand the power of this kick. After the loud sound that shook the air, Lin Zongwu's mountain-like figure stepped back violently. He seemed to be frightened by this. And on this side in the darkness, Hong Ti had already used the counterforce of this kick to disappear from where she was. In the next moment, she flew in the air, her whole body in the direction of Lin Zongwu!
The entire situation was only a breath's time from the start of the battle. Everyone's eyes were wide open. No one had thought that such a scene would appear in front of them.
Both sides rushed over. Lin Zongwu swung the tree fiercely, and then actually exchanged blows like a storm. The pine tree danced, the ancient sword danced, and the moment the strong wind spread out, the woman who did not retreat at all kicked Lin Zongwu's body. Then she flew back to the roof beam, pulled out her sword, and stomped hard. The entire roof beam was shaking, and the only sound that rang in everyone's ears was the roar of the crazy exchange.
In the martial arts competition in the Greenwood Forest, the power came from the ground. In order to adapt, people usually would not let their bodies be in the air. But there were some extreme martial arts that would choose extreme fighting methods. What appeared in front of everyone now was a very common but extremely dangerous move in the Jianghu, the Eagle Snake Life and Death Struggle!
But the previous attack had a shocking penetrative force, and even ripples appeared in the air. As Lin Zongwu retreated, he almost could not react. Hong Ti used the force to climb up the roof beam, then pulled out her sword and leaped. In the darkness, the sword light cut through countless needles, and a ripple appeared in the night!
Regardless of whether Lin Zongwu thought that angering Hong Ti was a good or bad thing, or whether this fight was deliberately planned or random. In this short moment, everyone could already understand why the woman was called "Blood Bodhisattva", and Lin Zongwu would also face the woman's piercing killing intent after she was truly angry, as if she wanted to cut through everything —
The woman in the black dress swooped towards the enemy.
The battle only started for a breath's time.
Soaring in the air, tearing silk.
Seeing blood!
"Roar … Ah — —"
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