Travel through the heavens

Xiao Yuanshan's palm strike was meant to force Murong Bo to show up, so he would not really take the picture.

His thick palm stopped a few inches above Murong Fu's head, and his eyes shot towards the person who spoke.

All the heroes looked over and saw that the one who shouted "Wait a minute" was Zhou Tong, while the other one who shouted "Stop" was a subordinate of Gusu Murong clan, a middle-aged man wearing a loose robe and with an ugly face standing behind Deng Baichuan. His age was far from as old as his voice, which was quite strange.

It was normal for the subordinates of Gusu Murong clan to call out to Xiao Yuanshan, but most of the heroes were puzzled as to why Zhou Tong also called out to Xiao Yuanshan.

Xiao Yuanshan stared at the ugly middle-aged man for a moment with fierce eyes, then looked at Zhou Tong and asked calmly, "Excuse me, who are you?"

Zhou Tong answered loudly: "I am Zhou Tong from the Imperial Boxing Gym in the Capital."

Fang Muye's eyes sparkled when he heard this. He immediately turned his gaze from the middle-aged man to Zhou Tong, taking a good look at him. He exclaimed in his heart: "Zhou Tong! Yue Fei's master! I didn't expect that the court would send this person to Sanjian Mountain."

From the capture of Murong Fu to the appointment today, during the two months or so in between, although Fang Muye and others hid in the mountains and did not go out, the Beggar Gang disciples would often report relevant news in the martial arts world, including matters where the court sent officials to the Beggar Gang headquarters to inquire.

At that time, Fang Muye and Xiao Feng had already anticipated that the imperial court might send someone to Sanjian Mountain, but they did not expect that the person who came would be Zhou Tong.

In Fang Muye's opinion, the Shaanxi hero Iron-Armed Zhou Tong is a renowned master who became famous through his disciples.

His most famous disciple is of course Yue Wumu. In addition, Lu Junyi, Lin Chong, Shi Wengong, Luan Tingyu and Sun Li in "Water Margin" also learned from him. It is said that even Wu Song was his unnamed disciple.

Xiao Yuanshan had never heard of Zhou Tong's name, so he could not help but frown. However, Xiao Feng beside him immediately bowed to Zhou Tong and said with a smile, "It turns out that it is Senior Zhou who has come. I have long heard of your great name. I am honored to meet you in person today. Xiao Feng is here to pay his respects."

Zhou Tong clasped his fists in return and said, "I've always heard that 'Northern Qiao Feng' is a great hero. Today I finally get to meet him. But I didn't expect that you are a Khitan, not a man of the Great Song Dynasty. What a pity, what a pity!" As he spoke, a look of regret appeared on his face.

Xiao Feng smiled and said, "My origin is not something I can decide, but a hero should not be judged by his origin. Whether he is a Song or a Khitan, Xiao Feng only wants to be worthy of the heavens, the earth, and his heart."

He spoke these words generously and openly. Although the heroes were wary of his Khitan identity, they could not help but be impressed by his magnanimity. Everyone could not help but cheer inwardly.

Xuan Nan put his hands together and said a stanza: "Everything that exists is false! Whoever clings to something will suffer! The body is false, and birth is also false. Donor Xiao does not cling to the falseness of all things, but only seeks to understand his original mind. He has seen the great wisdom of my Buddha Tathagata."

Xiao Feng clasped his hands together in greeting towards Xuan Nan, and said modestly, "Master Xuan Nan, thank you for your compliment."

Then he turned to Zhou Tong and asked, "Senior Zhou called my father just now. May I ask why?"

Zhou Tong said in a deep voice, "Recently, rumors have been circulated in the martial arts world, and the court has also heard that your father and son are looking for trouble with the Gusu Murong clan. They are intentionally provoking a war between the Song and Liao warriors, causing chaos in the Central Plains, and creating an opportunity for the Khitan Kingdom to invade our Song Dynasty. Is this true?"

Xiao Feng said in a clear voice: "Thirty years ago, Murong Bo's conspiracy caused my mother's tragic death. My father and I were separated from each other. We have a deep hatred for each other. This time, my father and I are only seeking revenge. We have no other intentions. The rumor of provoking a fight between Song and Liao warriors is actually fabricated by the enemy to confuse people and achieve their ulterior motives, just like thirty years ago."

Then, Xiao Feng recounted the entire incident at Yanmen Pass thirty years ago, but in order not to damage the reputation of Abbot Xuanci, his mentor Wang Jiantong and others, he did not mention them explicitly.

But I heard the heroes' faces constantly changing, with mixed feelings in their hearts, each of them was so different that it was hard to describe.

By the time Xiao Feng had finished speaking, the crowd on top of the main peak of Sanjian Mountain had become completely silent, with only the whistling of the mountain wind and the chirping of birds remaining.

After a long time, Zhou Tong solemnly clasped his fists and bowed to Xiao Yuanshan, and said: "So you are Mr. Xiao Yuanshan. I'm so sorry, so sorry! In the past, Mr. Xiao advised the Liao ruler to cease hostilities and make peace with our Song Dynasty, so that the two countries did not have wars and saved millions of lives. I also heard about it and admired him very much. But later Mr. Xiao disappeared, and I thought that Mr. Xiao died young because of God's envy of his talent. But it turns out that this is what happened." After saying that, he bowed to Xiao Yuanshan again.

Although Zhou Tong advocated resistance against the Liao, he still respected Xiao Yuanshan, a great man who was kind to both countries and whose virtues benefited all the people.

Xiao Yuanshan bowed in return and said in a sad voice, "My father, son and I were reunited as a family. How happy we were! But it was that despicable Murong Bo who harmed me. I will never stop until I have my revenge!" When he said the last eight words, his voice had become extremely cold and stern.

Suddenly, a sarcastic voice came from the crowd and said, "This is just one side of the story. It cannot be trusted."

When the heroes heard this, they all looked towards the person who spoke.

Facing the gazes of the crowd, especially the fierce gazes of Xiao Yuanshan, Xiao Feng and others, Xiang Wanghai could not help but feel timid. His eyes inadvertently passed by the Gusu Murong clan's subordinates. He gritted his teeth secretly, forced himself to be brave, and said again: "The Khitan barbarians were vicious and cruel. The things you and your son said thirty years ago were so long ago. Who can testify whether they are true or false?"

The heroes looked at each other and felt that what Xiang Wanghai said made a lot of sense.

At this time, a deep voice sounded: "I can testify!"

When Zhao Qiansun reached the top of the mountain, he saw the figure beside Xiao Feng, whom he would never forget even if a hundred years passed. He could not help but feel terrified, ashamed and remorseful. He was immediately out of his mind and stood there like a zombie. Until a moment ago, he suddenly heard Xiao Yuanshan say "I will never give up until this hatred is avenged", and he was awakened by the sound.

After Zhao Qiansun finished speaking, under the gazes of the crowd, he walked out of the crowd with heavy steps with a complicated expression, and walked towards Xiao Yuanshan. At this time, it seemed that there was only Xiao Yuanshan in his eyes.

Xiang Wanghai only glanced at Zhao Qiansun and then said, "Who are you? Your background is unclear. What qualifications do you have to testify?"

Although it was not stated explicitly, the implication was that he suspected that Zhao Qiansun was arranged in advance by Xiao Feng and his son.

Zhao Qiansun did not respond, but Granny Tan in the crowd looked frosty and angrily said, "Who the hell are you? How dare you question my senior brother?"

Xiang Wanghai was insulted in public and felt very ashamed and angry, but after looking at the tall and strong Mrs. Tan and Mr. Tan beside her, he did not respond in dissatisfaction.

Most of the heroes did not know Zhao Qiansun and had no idea what kind of person he was. After hearing Xiang Wanghai's story, they couldn't help but become suspicious. But when they heard Tan Po say that he was her senior brother, they felt that he must be extraordinary and would not be lying.

At this moment, Xuan Nan and Xuan Ku put their hands together, prayed "Amitabha", and said loudly: "Shaolin Temple can also testify for Mr. Xiao that the disaster outside Yanmen Pass thirty years ago was indeed true."

The heroes were all moved when they heard this. Shaolin Temple was a famous and upright sect, a leader in the martial arts world, so their testimony was extremely credible.

Shan Zheng stepped out again and said in a loud voice: "Shan Zheng was entrusted by Master Zhiguang of Tiantai Mountain and is willing to testify for Hero Xiao!"