Narration System for the Journey of Martial Arts

"I even dare to say that if Murong Fu wanted to rebel, those aristocratic families might be more than happy to do so, since it would be a direct gift of merit! If they wanted to get promoted and make a fortune, wouldn't they be counting on Murong Fu's rebellion?"

"This...this..." Wang Yuyan and Qiao Feng looked at each other, hardly believing that there were so many intricacies involved.

Su Yuchen also sighed...

"The problem is that the court is currently unstable, with the pro-war and pro-peace factions arguing fiercely, even putting border wars on hold. To those people in the Tokyo court, the Murong family's matter is just a trivial matter."

"Anyone who can get by in the Tokyo court is a cunning old fox. Just one of those two from the Murong family could easily outmaneuver them if they came down from the court."

After a long silence, Qiao Feng brought the conversation back to the main topic: "Brother Su just said that there might be two people who killed Master Xuanbei, one is Murong Bo, and the other is someone I am connected to?"

Su Yuchen glanced at the merchants and pedestrians passing by, then pointed to the woods and said, “Brother Qiao, this is related to the scandal I just mentioned. However, I can confirm that Xuanbei’s death was either the work of Murong Bo or someone connected to you. If you want to know, we can go aside and discuss it in detail.”

Qiao Feng carefully observed Su Yuchen's expression and sensed that Su was about to reveal a secret. He nodded and said, "Alright! Brother Su, please."

Chapter 320 Qiao Feng's Background

The three of them came to the depths of the forest and found a place to rest. They each sat on a rock.

"Brother Qiao, to talk about this shameful matter concerning Shaolin, we must first discuss your background, but this matter..."

Qiao Feng frowned and asked, "My background? Could there be some secret about my background?"

Su Yuchen sighed and said, "Brother Qiao, do you know that you are not a Han Chinese, nor are you surnamed Qiao? The Qiao Sanhuai couple from Shaoshi Mountain are not your biological parents."

With a "whoosh," Qiao Feng suddenly stood up, and a wave of energy rolled out in all directions, causing the leaves in the forest to rustle. It was because he was excited and could not control his true energy: "Brother Su, do you know what you are saying?"

Su Yuchen looked at him quietly without flinching. The two stared at each other for a long time before Qiao Feng finally loosened his fists and slumped down.

"Brother Qiao, do you still want to hear it?" Su Yuchen asked casually.

Having traveled the martial world with him for so long, Wang Yuyan was no longer the naive girl she once was, and naturally understood the significance of 'Northern Qiao Feng' in the martial world.

Hearing this news suddenly, he couldn't believe it. Seeing Qiao Feng so agitated and Su Yuchen so calmly rubbing salt into the wound, he couldn't help but scold this person for being so heartless and cold.

………………

After a long while, Qiao Feng looked up and said, "I know Brother Su is not one to speak recklessly. Please tell me the truth about my background."

Su Yuchen looked at his tightly clenched hands, nodded, and began to explain...

"This matter involves a grudge that has lasted for more than 20 years!"

"More than 20 years ago, in order to restore his country, Murong Bo informed Abbot Xuanci of Shaolin Temple that a group of Liao people intended to enter the pass and seize the Shaolin Temple's unique skills in order to train an army to attack the Song Dynasty."

"The Shaolin abbot Xuanci was greatly alarmed and sent people to Yanmen Pass to investigate. They learned that a group of Liao people were indeed about to enter the pass."

"Later, in order to prevent the Shaolin martial arts manuals from being taken away by the Liao people, Xuan Ci gathered a large number of martial arts figures from the Central Plains. Among them were Tan Gong and Tan Po, Zhi Shan from Wutai Mountain, Wang Jiantong from the Beggar Clan, and others, and went to ambush outside Yanmen Pass."

"In that battle, both sides fought fiercely outside Yanmen Pass. The Liao people were suddenly attacked and, outnumbered, suffered heavy casualties. The leader of the Liao people was surnamed Xiao, and was a relative of Empress Dowager Xiao of the Liao Kingdom."

"That man was determined to die rather than surrender. Seeing his family and wife being killed by these martial arts practitioners from the Central Plains, and with nowhere to escape, he chose to jump off the cliff."

"Just before jumping off the cliff, the Liao man surnamed Xiao carved a Liao script on a boulder outside Yanmen Pass, using his hand as a pen and his blood as ink. He then jumped off the cliff, but afterwards he threw the baby in his arms up onto it."

"When they saw that all the Liao people were dead, Xuanci and the others could not be happy. By then, they had realized that something was wrong. Who would go to Shaolin Temple to steal the secret manual and bring a one-month-old baby with them?"

"But since things had come to this, Xuanci could only use his monk's robe to make a rubbing of the Liao script on the stone wall, and together with the others, he took the child and searched everywhere for someone who understood Liao script to translate that passage."

"After the translation, they learned that the Liao man's surname was Xiao, his name was Xiao Yuanshan, he was a member of Empress Xiao's clan, and he was also the chief instructor of the Liao army. Moreover, he had studied martial arts under a Han Chinese since childhood and had always been committed to maintaining peace between the Han and Liao dynasties. His purpose in entering the pass this time was to take his wife and children to meet his master."

"By the time Xuanci and the others learned the whole story, a terrible mistake had already been made. If this matter were to spread, not only would Xuanci bear eternal infamy, but it could also trigger a war between Song and Liao, leaving behind countless bones."

"In short, the survivors of that battle, including Tan Gong and Tan Po, Zhi Shan, Wang Jiantong, and others, all chose to cover up this shameful affair for Xuan Ci."

"After Xuanci returned to Shaolin with the child, he entrusted the child to a couple surnamed Qiao at the foot of the mountain to raise."

"Ah..." Wang Yuyan exclaimed, looking up at Qiao Feng who was standing silently to the side.

Su Yuchen nodded and said...

"After that battle, Tan Gong and Tan Po were half-mad and half-crazy. Zhi Shan devoted himself to copying Buddhist scriptures and never went down Wutai Mountain again. Wang Jiantong was seriously injured and never recovered."

"After returning to Shaolin, Xuanci sent his junior brothers Xuanbei and Xuancheng to Yanziwu to question Murong Bo."

"Murong Bo did not expect that the battle would not have drawn the Yanmen Pass garrison out of the city, nor would it have attracted the Liao cavalry, so there were even survivors. When he received the news, he knew that if he had not died, Shaolin would definitely not have let him go."

"For the sake of the so-called restoration of the country, Murong Bo chose to fake his death to escape. Before Xuan Bei and Xuan Cheng arrived at Yanziwu, he took a secret medicine and used the Turtle Breathing Technique to fake his death. Moreover, in order to make it convincing, he did not even tell his wife and children."

"When Xuanbei and Xuancheng arrived at Yanziwu, they were extremely surprised to learn that Murong Bo had died from serious injuries. The two secretly examined Murong Bo's body but found nothing amiss."

"Later, Murong Bo was buried hastily. Although Xuan Bei felt something was amiss, he could not ask to open the coffin for inspection. He could only let it go and return to Shaolin to report to Xuan Ci."

"When Xuan Ci learned of this, he could only let it go. The matter was over. Little did he know that Murong Bo would break out of his coffin seven days later and then fake his death and disappear into the martial world."

"After the child from the foot of Shaoshi Mountain grew up, Xuan Ci secretly went down the mountain to take the child as his disciple and teach him martial arts. When the child had mastered his skills, Wang Jiantong took the child away, and later he became the leader of the Beggars' Sect."

"After Murong Bo's death, his wife taught Murong Fu to take the cause of restoring the country as his own responsibility. However, Murong Fu was mediocre and unworthy of being cultivated. Until his wife's death, he did not achieve anything significant."

"The stone inscription outside Yanmen Pass should still be there. Brother Qiao can go and take a look. If you find someone to translate it, you'll know whether what I said is true or false."

"Brother Qiao can also confront Xuan Ci; he would have no face to deny it. If Brother Qiao is unwilling to go to Xuan Ci, he can also go back to the Beggars' Sect and find Ma Dayuan. Before Wang Jiantong died, he left a secret letter for Ma Dayuan, which recorded this matter."

"According to Wang Jiantong, if you ever do anything to offend the Song Dynasty, Ma Dayuan will issue a secret letter to remove you from your position as leader of the Beggars' Sect."

………………

After Su Yuchen finished speaking, there was silence in the woods for a long time. Qiao Feng remained silent, and a trace of worry flashed in Wang Yuyan's eyes.

His mentor was his father's killer; what he thought was for the country and its people turned out to be the killing of his own clan; the position of Beggar Clan leader he thought he held was actually a trap set by someone who never trusted him.

"I believe what Brother Su said. So my surname is Xiao, and I'm not Han Chinese. Hahahaha..."

Seeing Qiao Feng's crazed expression and his increasingly chaotic aura, Su Yuchen sighed helplessly. He formed a hand seal and shouted, "Roar..." Instantly, it was like the sound of a morning bell and evening drum, or the roar of a divine lion, echoing endlessly in the forest and calming people's minds.

Wang Yuyan and Qiao Feng felt momentarily stunned, their heads buzzing, their minds blank, and a lion surrounded by golden light appeared in their minds, roaring to the sky.

Chapter 321 Revealing the Hidden Monk, Kang Min

"Thank you so much, Brother Su, for saving me!"

After regaining his senses, Qiao Feng broke out in a cold sweat. He had lost his composure and caused his aura to surge violently. If Su Yuchen hadn't intervened, he might have suffered a qi deviation.

Su Yuchen waved his hand and said, "This matter arose because of me. I hope Brother Qiao won't blame me for revealing this past event."

Qiao Feng cupped his hands and shook his head, saying...

"In any case, Brother Su has solved the mystery of my background and let me know who my closest relatives are. He has done me a great favor."

"Brother Su, you previously said that the other person who killed Xuan Bei was related to me. Now that I think about it, I don't know who you are talking about, Brother Su?"

Su Yuchen sighed and said, "The other person is very likely Xiao Yuanshan."

"Xiao Yuanshan? Didn't he jump off the cliff? He didn't die?"

"My father? What... Brother Su, do you mean my father isn't dead?"

Wang Yuyan and Qiao Feng asked the question at the same time.

Su Yuchen nodded and said...

"When Xiao Yuanshan jumped off the cliff that day, he was caught by an ancient tree growing on the cliff, so he only lost consciousness and did not die."

"At that time, Xuanci and the others probably realized that they had killed the wrong person. After making a copy of the stone inscription, they left in a hurry without going down the mountain to search."

"After Xiao Yuanshan woke up, he believed that this was an opportunity given to him by God to help him take revenge. So he did not seek death again, but instead climbed up the cliff."

"But by then you had already been taken away by Xuanci and the others, so he couldn't find you. After he recovered from his injuries, he sneaked into Shaolin Temple several times to look for you. Unfortunately, he didn't know that Xuanci hadn't brought you into Shaolin, but instead sent you to a farmer down the mountain to be raised, which is why he missed you."

"However, this also led him to discover a big secret about Xuan Ci."

“Xiao Yuanshan has been hiding in Shaolin Temple all these years. He learned some of the martial arts in the Sutra Pavilion. The ‘Weituo Pestle’ is kept in the Sutra Pavilion, so it’s very likely that he learned it.”

Wang Yuyan frowned and said, "You said earlier that there was a sweeping monk in Shaolin Temple whose martial arts were second only to yours. Didn't he discover Xiao Yuanshan?"

Su Yuchen scoffed...

"How can it be!"

"Actually, not only Xiao Yuanshan was in Shaolin, but Murong Bo was also hiding there. The two of them even ran into each other when they went to the Sutra Pavilion to secretly learn martial arts. It's just that they didn't know each other's identities."

"As for that old monk, hehe, he has other plans! As I said before, Shaolin's unique skills require understanding the corresponding Buddhist scriptures to decipher the hidden meanings. Just think, what will happen if Xiao Yuanshan and Murong Bo, who don't understand Buddhism or the scriptures, learn those martial arts?"

Wang Yuyan immediately said, "Their health will definitely suffer."

Su Yuchen nodded and said...

"If they learn those martial arts, they will suffer from hidden injuries. To heal these injuries, they must stay at Shaolin Temple and study Buddhism."

"The old monk wanted to wait until their internal injuries could not heal on their own before helping them alleviate their pain, so that they could stay in Shaolin Temple and become the temple's guardian monks."

“Xiao Yuanshan and Murong Bo’s martial arts skills are no less than Brother Qiao’s. In this way, Shaolin will gain two more masters for nothing. Isn’t that a good thing? Moreover, he saved the two with Buddhist teachings, which is a great deed. At that time, Brother Qiao will probably have to do Shaolin Temple a big favor.”

Wang Yuyan exclaimed in surprise, "No wonder! No wonder you don't like monks! So they're quite cunning. If you hadn't told me, Chief Qiao might have really been grateful to the Shaolin Temple, just like you said."

Su Yuchen shook his head and said...

"Even if they knew, it would be too late. Xiao Yuanshan has secretly learned countless martial arts techniques in the Scripture Pavilion over the years, and his injuries have been compounded, leaving him with hidden internal injuries."

"Unless Brother Qiao can disregard the daily torment of his hidden injuries, the only way to save him is to have him become a disciple of Shaolin. Heh! In that case, Brother Qiao will not only be unable to seek revenge against Xuanci, but will also have to kneel down and beg him to save him."

"Ah...this old monk is so cunning!" Wang Yuyan's beautiful eyes widened, and she gained a new understanding of the Shaolin Temple's ruthlessness and viciousness.

"Brother Qiao, now that you know, what do you want to do?" Su Yuchen asked Qiao Feng.

Qiao Feng shook his head with a wry smile: "It's fine if I don't know, but if I knew and my biological father still had to suffer like this, wouldn't I be unworthy to be a son!"

Su Yuchen sighed and said, "This is exactly what Shaolin wants! A petty person lures you with profit, while a gentleman deceives you with principles. Shaolin plays the game perfectly."

He then smiled dismissively and said, "Brother Qiao, if you find your father in the future, you might as well bring him to Chaotian Temple by West Lake. I don't want anything else, as long as he carves a stone sculpture in my temple, I will heal his hidden injury."

"This... Brother Su, this..." Qiao Feng said excitedly.

Su Yuchen explained...

"Given our relationship, this wouldn't have been necessary. However, given what your father went through back then, I'm afraid his actions have become extreme. If this isn't corrected, the consequences could be dire."

“As long as he can carve a stone carving that satisfies me, it will only take two or three years before I let him go down the mountain. If Brother Qiao is willing, he can live with your father at my place.”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Qiao Feng repeatedly thanked Su Yuchen for his kindness. Su Yuchen simply shook his head: "I'm just glad Brother Qiao doesn't blame me for meddling."

………………

After a long while, Su Yuchen looked at the sky and asked, "Brother Qiao, what are your plans for the future?"

Qiao Feng shook his head and said, "Since I am not a Han Chinese, I can no longer serve as the leader of the Beggars' Sect. I plan to return to Junshan and pass the leadership to Vice Leader Ma. After that, I will go to Shaolin Temple."

Su Yuchen shook his head and said, "Ma Dayuan has strategic talent, but lacks decisiveness. Although he is not capable of great things, he is enough to maintain the foundation."

Kang Min has colluded with Bai Shijing, Shan Zheng, Quan Guanqing, and others to murder Ma Dayuan and frame Qiao Feng.

The sudden narration startled Su Yuchen slightly, and he then said, "There's something I didn't want to say, but it's better to say it now than to be used by others. It's good for Brother Qiao to be prepared."

"Oh? What do you mean by this, Brother Su?" Qiao Feng asked.

Su Yuchen smiled and asked, "Brother Qiao, do you know Kang Min?"

Qiao Feng was slightly taken aback, and couldn't help but ask, "Brother Su, are you referring to Vice Chief Ma's wife?"

Su Yuchen nodded, and said with a disdainful smile...

"Brother Qiao, I'm afraid you don't know that this Madam Ma married Ma Dayuan originally for the position of the gang leader's wife. It's just a pity that Wang Jiantong passed the gang leadership to you, which shattered her dream."

"Originally, this Madam Ma wanted to seduce you, but unfortunately you don't know how to cherish a beautiful woman. Madam Ma, with the mentality of destroying what she can't have, already harbors deep hatred for you."

"Brother Qiao, you don't need to doubt what I'm saying. If you don't believe me, you can go to Dali and ask Duan Zhengchun, the Prince of Zhennan. He has been to the Central Plains many times, and on several occasions he had a one-night stand with this Madam Ma."

"This Madam Ma's lips have been tasted by thousands. Bai Shijing, the law enforcement elder of the Beggars' Sect, Shan Zheng, the previous elder, and Quan Guanqing, a disciple of the Beggars' Sect, have all become her devoted followers."

"As far as I know, Kang Min has already decided to kill Ma Dayuan. Once Ma Dayuan is dead, she can frame you and force you to step down. Then, with the support of Bai Shijing and others, she can take over as the leader of the Beggars' Sect. After all, what's better than being the leader's wife?"

"It's a pity that she has this idea. Shan Zheng and Quan Guanqing might also want it! These people are full of wicked thoughts. After all, who wouldn't want to sit in the seat of the leader of the number one gang in the world?"

Seeing Qiao Feng's face turn red, Su Yuchen said, "This place isn't far from Dali. Brother Qiao can go and ask Duan Zhengchun. Or, with your current prestige, you can go back to the Beggars' Sect and try to trick Bai Shijing. I don't believe he won't confess."

"But you also need to be careful. If Ma Dayuan is dead and you have no witnesses, you may have to take the blame for the murder yourself."

Chapter 322 Duan Yanqing's Doubts

Now that things have come to this, Qiao Feng is no longer concerned about Xuan Bei's death. Therefore, he decides to immediately return to Junshan to rescue Ma Dayuan, and he must not let the Beggars' Clan be taken advantage of because of this.

Yes, he was such a chivalrous and righteous hero. Although he could no longer be the leader of the Beggars' Sect, he still wanted to do something for the sect.