Narration System for the Journey of Martial Arts

Someone in the crowd retorted indignantly, "You could have just said your older brother was in seclusion there!"

Someone chimed in, "That's right, your elder brother isn't at Famous Sword Manor, so why would he go into seclusion in the wilderness? It's clearly a lie."

Another gruff voice said, "Let us in and take a look."

Upon hearing this, countless people clamored, "That's right, we want to go in and take a look!"

Zhang Junbao stepped forward and said, "Everyone, everyone, please listen to me, it really is Brother Yi in seclusion here!"

Someone in the crowd shouted, "Bullshit! I think you're all just trying to take General Yue's treasure for yourselves!"

Yi Jifeng's eyes flashed, and he said, "The friend who spoke just now, please step forward. It seems like you've been leading the way all along!"

The crowd fell silent. Everyone looked around, but no one knew who the person was. Someone asked him to step forward, but he remained silent.

At this moment, another person said, "What, does your Famous Sword Manor want revenge?"

"That's right, I think Mingjian Manor has ulterior motives and wants to take revenge on us in the future," someone encouraged.

Upon hearing this, some people nodded in agreement, finding it quite reasonable.

Yi Jifeng was furious; he hadn't expected these people to be so lacking in judgment.

Thinking back to when I was learning from Yi Liang, he once said that if someone gathered to cause trouble, the crowd must not be allowed to become chaotic, because if it becomes chaotic, it will be exploited by those with ulterior motives.

"Therefore, we must first intimidate them so that they dare not act. As long as they are afraid in their hearts, there is still room for negotiation."

Remembering what Yi Liang had said, Yi Jifeng gave Zhang Junbao and Qin Sirong a wink, signaling them to cover their ears.

The next moment, he circulated his true energy, raised his head, and let out a deafening roar.

The voice was deep and terrifying, like the coldest month of winter, like the arrival of hell, carrying a sinister and chilling feeling. The sound waves exploded like a ripple, instantly resounding in the ears of the crowd.

As his true energy surged, a deep and terrifying sound wave radiated out in a fan shape, echoing for five miles around him.

At this moment, the true energy he had accumulated over nearly eighty years erupted with all his might, and his voice echoed endlessly, sweeping back and forth within this space.

Soon, those martial arts heroes could no longer hold on. One by one, they covered their ears and rolled on the ground. Even those who were confident in their skills had blood trickling from their mouths and were meditating to resist the sound waves.

Seeing that the desired effect had been achieved, Yi Jifeng silenced himself and looked at the wailing crowd on the ground, gaining a new understanding of how to govern these undisciplined martial arts practitioners.

As he gained new insights into the sword techniques taught by Yi Yuchen, he developed a new understanding of the way of kingship, and the Purple Cloud Qi Sword within his body circulated even more smoothly.

However, this is not the time to think about these things; there are still a lot of people in the martial arts world to deal with.

………………

Zhang Junbao lowered his hand, shook his head to calm himself down, and whispered, "You actually know this move? You'd better be careful, don't go too far!"

Yi Jifeng scanned the crowd with his eyes, and said without turning his head, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

He scanned the crowd, some of whom had recovered and were looking at him with a hint of fear, while others looked away guiltily.

Yi Jifeng knew that it was impossible to determine who among these people was a spy and who was trying to take advantage of the situation. However, he had already recalled how Yi Liang had handled affairs in the manor in the past.

"Although this is the first time I've encountered this situation, I can just follow the example," Yi Jifeng thought to himself.

……

P.S.: Don't say that I've changed people. This is my own path, not the path of ruthlessness.

Besides, writing is too tedious. This is clearly not my job, so why should I keep updating?

Chapter 215 Witness

As the martial arts practitioners gradually recovered, although they did not disperse, they were clearly hesitant.

After all, their initial motivation for wanting benefits was to stay alive! They couldn't possibly die before they even spent the money; that would be too unjust.

Seeing that most of the people had woken up, Yi Jifeng took a step forward, and the heroes of the martial arts world instinctively shuddered and took a step back.

Yi Jifeng didn't mind, cupped his hands, channeled his inner energy, and said in a loud voice...

"Gentlemen, the Famous Sword Manor is by no means unreasonable!"

"Now that everyone has calmed down, I have a solution."

“It’s not a solution for everyone to gather here; but if you all go over there, it will disturb my elder brother’s seclusion. So, why don’t you all choose ten representatives to go and take a look on your behalf?”

"As for who to choose? You can decide for yourselves. You're the ones who made the selection, so I think you can trust them. After you've seen it, you'll all know what to expect."

"Whether you disperse or continue to wait here, it's fine. But if you deliberately disturb my elder brother's seclusion at that time, then it will be a fight to the death with Mingjian Manor."

Upon hearing this, many people nodded in agreement, thinking it was a good idea.

However, everyone hesitated to choose, because the person who went to visit needed to be someone they could trust, and someone who could also reassure others.

Even if someone wanted to take the opportunity to cause trouble, they couldn't help but hesitate. After all, deliberately provoking trouble at this time would be too conspicuous, and they might be used as a scapegoat.

Soon, everyone decided to select the five most prestigious factions and five most independent players in Jiangnan as representatives.

The five major forces include: Xie Zheng, the young master of Baimazhuang; Fayuan Luohan of Jinshan Temple; Qingmeizi, the sword-making master of Wanbingfang; Murong Xue of Qingfeng Temple of Emei; and Yipingzi of the South China Sea Sword Sect.

The five wandering martial arts masters are: Mu Yijin, the Green Wood Taoist; Song Yuan, the White Tiger Blade Master; Bai Jinfeng, the Thousand-Handed Bodhisattva; Yang Zaitian, the Hundred-Step Piercing Yang; and Si Kongliang, the Divine Traveler.

These people were either wealthy and powerful, benevolent and kind-hearted gentlemen of the martial arts world; or they were chivalrous outlaws with friends all over the world, valuing loyalty and righteousness above all else. Each of them could win the hearts and minds of everyone.

Facing the ten people, Yi Jifeng cupped his hands and said, "I want to make it clear that you are all welcome to go over there and take a look, but you must not deliberately disturb them."

Upon hearing his words, no one wanted to offend Mingjian Manor, so they all nodded in agreement, while also having their own guesses.

Sure enough, after receiving everyone's assurances, Yi Jifeng led the group directly towards the deep pit. When they reached the edge of the pit, everyone craned their necks to look.

At the bottom of the pit sat a figure dressed in tattered blue clothes, with disheveled hair, and occasionally a streak of lightning flashing across its body.

Each time the lightning flashed, everyone felt their weapons tremble, as if they were about to leave them.

At this moment, Yi Jifeng stared intently at the crowd. Upon closer inspection, all they saw were figures and scorched earth, nothing worth seeing, so they all retreated.

Seeing that no one was deliberately causing trouble, Yi Jifeng breathed a sigh of relief once everyone had retreated more than ten meters away.

At this moment, the ten people returned to the outside of the circle and recounted what they had seen. When these martial arts practitioners heard that there was only a figure and a patch of scorched earth, they couldn't help but show disappointment.

"Everyone, this is what we see. If you still don't believe it, you can wait here. When Young Master Dayi emerges from seclusion, you will all be able to see clearly," Xie Zheng, the young master of Baima Manor, said, looking around.

Qingmeizi also said, "Mingjian Manor is giving everyone face, so let's not go too far. If we disturb Young Master Dayi's seclusion, even a grudge will turn into a deadly one."

Having said that, Qingmeizi didn't say anything more. Wanbingfang was biased towards the imperial court and was the largest supplier of foundries to the Ministry of War's foundry workshop, thus belonging to a neutral force.

The other eight people also assured everyone that everything they saw and said was true.

Hearing their chosen representatives say this, many people whispered among themselves for a moment before wanting to leave. After all, there was no benefit to be gained, and they might offend the Famous Sword Manor, so why bother?

………………

Seeing that the time was ripe, Zhang Junbao's eyes lit up. He clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention, and then shouted loudly...

"Everyone! Everyone! Please be quiet!"

"As you all probably know, I took General Yue's belongings."

“I know everyone wants General Yue’s belongings, but… I must say that although General Yue’s belongings are on me, I, Zhang Junbao, have never opened them.”

"You might be wondering why I haven't seen it! The reason is simple: General Yue's belongings were not given to me, Zhang Junbao, but to General Feilong."

“I, Zhang Junbao, do not know who General Feilong is. If anyone knows, please have General Feilong come to me, and I will definitely return the item in its original form.”

Upon hearing this, the crowd erupted once again, shouting...

"General Flying Dragon? Who is General Flying Dragon?"

"Do you know General Flying Dragon?"

"Judging from this title, it sounds like he's a general in the imperial court?"

"Could it really be a military general from the imperial court?"

“Who knows?”

After a moment of discussion, everyone looked at the people from Wanbingfang, since they were the ones who had the most dealings with the imperial court among those present.

Moreover, their main business was in the Ministry of War, so they were most likely to know military officers.

Qingmeizi hesitated for a moment, then frowned and pondered, "Currently, there is no military general in the court named General Flying Dragon. However..."

"But what?"

"That's right, hurry up and say it!"

Seeing that everyone was getting excited again, Qingmeizi no longer hesitated, after all, these people were acting like madmen.

After pondering for a moment, Qingmeizi said, "As far as I know, during the Jingkang Incident, there was a general guarding the imperial city named Feilong. However, he died in an accident while escorting the royal family."

"Dead!!!" Upon hearing this, the crowd erupted in uproar and looked at Zhang Junbao, wondering if he was lying.

Standing beside Yi Jifeng, Zhang Junbao was not afraid. He raised his hand and said, "I, Zhang Junbao, swear here and now that if I have told a single lie, may I die a violent death."

The ancients had a great deal of faith in oaths and matters of spirits and gods, and seeing him say this, they couldn't help but believe most of it.

The thought that Yue Fei's belongings were given to a dead man is just too much... Could it be that he burned them for him?

At this moment, the ten people chosen by the crowd gathered together and discussed for a while, until Qingmeizi stepped forward and spoke...

"Everyone, please listen to me."

"We ten of us just discussed that since General Yue's belongings were intended for General Feilong, then General Feilong is very likely not dead."

"Otherwise, General Yue would not have specifically named him and handed over the relics. Now, all we need to do is find General Feilong."

"As for the relics, the ten of us discussed it and decided that Zhang Junbao should keep them. He will then personally hand them over to General Feilong in front of everyone. What do you all think?"

Everyone nodded in agreement, thinking it was a good idea, but someone asked, "What if Zhang Junbao switched the body?"

Yi Jifeng stepped forward and said, "My Mingjian Manor is willing to vouch for Junbao. As long as we can find General Feilong, he will naturally know whether the relics are real or fake."

Upon hearing this, everyone agreed. It was impossible for General Feilong not to know what General Yue's belongings were; or perhaps, General Feilong would know at a glance if there had been some kind of agreement between them.

Although it was already late, everyone's enthusiasm had been aroused, and instead of dispersing, they gathered together and discussed the matter animatedly.

Chapter 216 Yi Yuchen Awakens

Just as everyone was discussing it, a strange thing happened.

First, some people noticed the vibrations in their weapons. At first, they thought their companions were playing a joke on them.

But as time went by, everyone noticed something was wrong; the weapons in their hands were shaking violently and they couldn't hold them anymore.

The next moment, a series of 'whoosh' sounds were heard, and all the martial artists who held swords and sabers automatically unsheathed their weapons and flew into the air.

"Look!" someone exclaimed.

Following his finger, everyone saw that the deep pit surrounded by the Famous Sword Manor in the center was constantly emitting a purple-blue light, like a bright pearl shining on the ground.

Before the crowd could discuss it, a figure sitting cross-legged slowly rose from the bottom of the pit, hovering three zhang in the air, and sat there in the void.

The purplish-blue light was a strange phenomenon caused by his protective true energy automatically protecting its master!

"Hiss! True Qi, four feet away from the body, transforms into a protective Qi wall. How profound must one's internal strength be to achieve that?" A knowledgeable person immediately exclaimed in surprise.

Xie Zheng patted the folding fan in his hand and said, "When the true energy is four feet away from the body, it takes at least a hundred years of true energy to solidify."

Upon hearing this, everyone gasped in astonishment.

"Young Master Da Yi is a genius. He was able to defeat the top disciple of Mount Hua when he was just a teenager. Today, we have finally witnessed it." Someone exclaimed.

Someone chimed in, "Young Master Da Yi has not left Mingjian Manor for several years. Now that he has emerged, his unparalleled internal strength alone is enough to make him the number one in the world."

While some were happy, others were unhappy. The Arhat Fayuan of Jinshan Temple remained silent.

The group exchanged glances. Although the sordid affair between Shaolin and Mingjian Villa back then was not explicitly stated, the rumors had already spread throughout the land.

Over the years, Mingjian Villa has suppressed Buddhism in every way, both openly and covertly. Even Jinshan Temple has been suppressed by Mingjian Villa and cannot leave West Lake.

Moreover, the fact that Shaolin monks have avoided the Jiangzhe region in recent years, and rarely even set foot in the territory of Mingjian Villa when begging for alms, speaks volumes.

However, neither Shaolin nor Mingjian Villa are people that ordinary people can afford to offend. One is the leader of Buddhism, and the other is the leader of the Jiangnan martial arts alliance!

………………

While everyone was lost in their own thoughts, streaks of deep blue lightning danced up and down on the figure sitting cross-legged in the void, moving like dragons, constantly shifting and changing.

The instant the lightning appeared, the swords floating in mid-air lined up on their own, like two long dragons of swords, enveloping the figure in the center.

As the figure's palms appeared, a dark yet bright ball of true energy emerged, resembling a gem the size of a pigeon's egg.