The Villain's Counterattack

The dispute between Liao and Song has a long history. Although Abbot Xuanci accidentally killed Qiao Feng's mother, it was understandable. However, he forced the pro-Song Xiao Yuanshan to jump off a cliff and commit suicide, thus changing the entire situation in the Liao court, which made him feel uneasy.

If, as Murong Fu and himself believed, Xiao Yuanshan was indeed the peace ambassador painstakingly cultivated by his master, Master Lingmen, then his crime was truly unforgivable. If Xiao Yuanshan hadn't died, the Liao Kingdom's pro-war and pro-peace factions might have been entangled in a fierce battle, with invading the Song Dynasty becoming a pipe dream. However, with Xiao Yuanshan's death, the pro-peace faction lost its core and pillar, and quickly collapsed. The pro-war faction became the dominant force, exacerbating the friction between the Liao Kingdom and the Song Dynasty and causing even greater sacrifices for the Shaolin Temple and the Beggars' Sect.

The Song Dynasty's neighboring states, with the exception of the Dali Kingdom, which enjoyed relatively peaceful relations, were not to be trifled with. The Liao Kingdom, the Western Xia Dynasty, and the Tibetans were no pushovers; they were, one might say, a pack of hungry wolves, constantly seeking to tear a piece of flesh from the Song. The Beggars' Sect, with its large membership, needed to juggle multiple concerns, and Shaolin primarily targeted the Liao warriors.

Abbot Xuanci was now filled with regret. He had been a bit rash, acting without thorough investigation and making a grave mistake. However, the Jianghu warriors were not as capable as the imperial army. While intelligence was equally important, their priorities were different. In other words, the Jianghu warriors were often hot-blooded and easily impulsive.

He immediately made three agreements with Qiao Feng. Qiao Feng would kill Yelu Chongyuan to avenge his father's death. After the Liao Kingdom incident was resolved, he would resign from his position as abbot of Shaolin Temple and go to Yanmen Pass to die in order to repay his blood debt.

Qiao Feng has complicated feelings towards Abbot Xuanci. This man was mistakenly killed by a villain in the past, but he took good care of himself, a Khitan orphan, which is why he has all these martial arts skills. He has hatred for him, but he has also done him a lot of favors.

People in the underworld value the satisfaction of settling grudges, but the entanglement of grudges and love and hatred does make it difficult for him to make a decision.

In the end, Murong Fu mediated the situation. After the Liao Kingdom incident was resolved, Abbot Xuanci retreated to the second line and lived in seclusion outside Yanmen Pass, chanting scriptures in the wild mountains and repenting for the rest of his life. While atonement, he chanted scriptures and prayed for Qiao Feng's parents.

Qiao Feng thought to himself, "Brother Murong, this is a better way than killing him. But isn't it a bit too much to let an old monk live out his days in the barren wilderness? After all, he has done me a favor."

Abbot Xuanci: "Donor Murong is truly merciful. Despite my grave sins, he still refuses to see me repay them with my life, wanting to save my own. Death is the only hardship in this world, so why fear danger while I'm still alive? And hiding outside Yanmen Pass, perhaps I'll encounter someone like Xiao Yuanshan in his youth, and repeat the story of my master, Master Lingmen, to atone for my sins."

"Mr. Murong, in the tragedy outside Yanmen Pass, Gang Leader Qiao was the victim, Yelu Chongyuan was the mastermind behind the scenes, and although Master Xuanbei was the perpetrator, he was misled. It was the Murong family who spread the false information. Don't you have any explanation?" Ma Dayuan suddenly looked at Murong Fu with a smile, and attracted the attention of many people as soon as he opened his mouth.

Murong Fu shrugged slightly and sighed helplessly, "As the saying goes, the business world is like a battlefield. On a battlefield, all means are used, but intelligence comes first. Distinguishing true from false intelligence has always been a major challenge. This sowing of dissent has existed since ancient times, and once you fall for it, you will pay a heavy price. Deputy Gang Leader Ma asked, could it be that he wants to share the Murong family's intelligence network?"

Ma Dayuan chuckled but did not deny it. He just listed the benefits of cooperation one by one. Murong Fu did not refuse either. He just said that he had close cooperation with Shaolin and Beggars' Sect before, but more often he had direct contact with Abbot Xuanci and Gang Leader Qiao Feng to share intelligence, and all the information was sorted and organized.

The Beggars' Sect uses intelligence from both Liao and Xixia, with Xixia being the main source and Liao being relatively less, while Shaolin only provides intelligence to Liao. Now that Ma Dayuan has made a request, he is actually trying to gain benefits for himself.

"The cooperation with the Beggars' Sect has always been valued by the Murong family. Now that Brother Qiao has resigned from the position of leader, it is reasonable for you to take over. However, if the next leader does not get my approval, the relationship will really be cut off. I leave a message here. If the next leader of the Beggars' Sect is really unworthy, don't blame me for not telling you in advance." Murong Fu's words made Ma Dayuan agree readily. He was not the real Ma Dayuan. He only needed to use the Murong family's intelligence network to find Lin Bufan. What did it have to do with him if the next leader of the Beggars' Sect was in trouble?

Murong Fu turned his gaze to Qiao Feng and continued, "Brother Qiao is now considered a member of the Murong family. The martial arts manuals I received were merely a gift. The Murong family's intelligence network and the resources of the Murong Trading Company are Brother Qiao's support and power. I would like to invite Brother Qiao to the Liao Kingdom to take charge of the overall situation. What do you think?"

Then Murong Fu only talked about how many shops and caravans the Murong family had in Liao State, as well as how many spies from all walks of life, including monks, Taoists and laymen. He also mentioned the tribes and horse thieves they controlled, but he didn't say a word about the spies among the wealthy and powerful families.

Even so, the Murong family's infiltration into the Liao Kingdom made everyone present terrified. If these people were used well, they would be able to turn the tide at the critical moment.

It's a shame that neither Shaolin nor the Beggars' Sect could produce such a wide variety of spies. Only the Murong family, backed by Gusu Academy, could possibly have such widespread spies across all walks of life. So, intelligence spies could be played this way? This is something I've learned a lot about.

"I wonder if I can join you in the Liao Kingdom?" Ma Dayuan panicked when his best friend actually tried to run away. He knew it was impossible the moment he opened his mouth. Meeting the gazes of Murong Fu, Qiao Feng, and the others, he helplessly spread his hands and said, "I'm not very skilled in martial arts, and I'm not very knowledgeable. I can be a deputy gang leader and provide assistance, but I'm not up to the task of managing the overall situation and being the leader of a gang. It really is..."

Abbot Xuanci and Master Xuanbei looked at each other in bewilderment, but they had a better understanding of Ma Dayuan. It was just that this kind of Beggar Gang leader might be what they wanted to see, but this kind of Beggar Gang leader might not be able to withstand the offensive of Xixia Yipintang.

"Donor Murong, Tubo is located in a remote area of ​​the plateau. The military fortress west of Yazhou Prefecture is guarded by General Cao, assisted by the students of Suzhou College. It should be safe. I wonder if Donor Murong can spare some energy to take care of Xixia?" Abbot Xuanci was not prepared to take both sides into consideration. He still focused on the Liao Kingdom and set his sights on the Murong family.

Just as he said, the Murong family supported Cao Yi in resisting the Tubo invasion, but they didn't actually need too many experts to help. The same was true in resisting the Liao invasion. General Feng Bo'e was the most representative figure.

However, the situation on the Western Xia side was different. The Murong family could not get involved at all. The Beggar Gang only played an auxiliary role as a martial arts master to resist the assassination of the Western Xia Yipintang. It was a battle between soldiers and generals, and between people of the martial arts world and Western Xia warriors. The Murong family was the most suitable person to send out masters.

When Murong Fu heard this, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly. Among the countries surrounding the Song Dynasty, the one ranked first in martial arts power was definitely not the Liao Dynasty, nor was it the Tubo with the Great Wheel King Jiumozhi, but rather the Western Xia. Not to mention the Lingjiu Palace with the thirty-six island masters, seventy-two cave masters, and the nine heavens and nine divisions, even Li Qiushui, the master of the Western Xia Yipintang, was an outstanding master among the outstanding masters in the martial arts world.

"Do you really understand the Xixia martial arts forces?" Murong Fu's question stunned everyone, making them look at each other in confusion. Could it be that the Xixia martial arts world still has secrets that they don't know about?

"When you think of the Western Xia martial arts world, what's the first thing that comes to mind?" Murong Fu looked around. Abbot Xuanci and Master Xuannan were silent. Qiao Feng was also lost in thought. Ma Dayuan tentatively asked, "Western Xia Yipintang?"

"and then?"

"Well, the old monster from the Xingxiu Sect."

"In your opinion, which one is stronger?"

"The overall strength of Xixia Yipintang is even greater, while the Xingxiu Old Monster of the Xingxiu Sect is feared throughout the northwest. They each have their own strengths, but they are of different natures. One is an official faction, the other a purely underworld force. They have always lived in peace and harmony, keeping to themselves. That Xingxiu Old Monster has never troubled the martial artists of the Central Plains. I guess..."

Murong Fu chuckled and suddenly said, "In the eyes of the people behind Xixia's Yipintang, Xingxiu Old Monster of the Xingxiu Sect is nothing more than a clown's plaything. Even Yipintang, which has gathered most of Xixia's military power, is nothing but a defeated opponent in front of Lingjiu Palace."

"Have you ever heard of the name Tianshan Tonglao?" Murong Fu spoke the four words Tianshan Tonglao with emphasis, attracting everyone's attention. Then Murong Fu told everyone the information he had learned from Sikong Xuan one by one, and finally shared the fact that Wuliang Sect was changed to Wuliang Cave. Everyone was stunned and could not believe their ears.

There is no need for a second move to kill someone, even when facing a top-notch master.

A life and death talisman that makes you unable to live or die.

It's a huge force that no one knows how big it is all over the world.

There is a Lingjiu Palace on Piaomiao Peak of Tianshan Mountain which is only populated by women, and there is a top master named Tianshan Tonglao whose strength is unknown.

"The name of Lingjiu Palace on Piaomiao Peak was mentioned briefly by my master when he was alive. He only said that the owner of this place must not be provoked, but he didn't say much about other things." Abbot Xuanci was shocked, and suddenly remembered that his master seemed to be actively promoting Shaolin to fight against the Liao Kingdom and handing over Xixia to the Beggar Gang to deal with. Could this factor be involved?

Is this a martial arts master who can scare his master into changing his strategy?

"Don't look at me like that. The master of Lingjiu Palace, Tianshan Tonglao, has unfathomable martial arts skills. Even I am not sure how to deal with her, but I think I can still save my life and escape. That old monster from Xingxiu chased my concubine to the Central Plains, intending to rob her of the treasure. After I get rid of him, I will go to Xixia to find out." Murong Fu's words made Ma Dayuan and Abbot Xuanci overjoyed.

"Wait, I suddenly thought of something. My wife and concubine at home are pregnant and may be about to give birth. I'm afraid that the spy mission to Xixia will have to be postponed for three to five months." As soon as Murong Fu finished speaking, Ma Dayuan thanked him profusely and said that there was no rush. Three to five months is not three to five years, and the Beggars' Sect can still hold on.