Fight’s about to break out soon!

Previously, Tang Xuan hadn’t felt particularly confident about accumulating merit or dealing with the likes of the Mongol Golden Wheel Dharma King. But ever since he’d received the Dog Beating Staff Technique from Hong Qigong himself, his confidence soared. This was, after all, a fifth-rank martial art—perfectly mastered!

Just then, from outside the gates of the Lu Family Manor, the mournful sound of horns echoed, soon followed by intermittent drumming. In no time, dozens of Mongols marched into the manor. At their head walked a Mongol youth of refined appearance, noble as a prince, and a thin, sharp-featured Mongol monk. After these two entered the main hall, they stepped to the sides.

Then a tall, gaunt monk draped in a crimson robe appeared, his figure as slender as a bamboo stalk. His forehead was slightly sunken, resembling an inverted dish. The rest of the Mongols filed in behind, playing their instruments as they went.

Among the gathered heroes, those with some experience recognized the peculiar martial arts of the Mongol Esoteric Sect. It was said that when trained to the highest level, one’s crown would become slightly concave—yet this man’s was deeply sunken. Could his skill have reached unfathomable depths?

Although the land north of Dasheng Pass was occupied by Mongol forces, there was still a considerable distance from their encampments to here. Otherwise, such a prosperous estate as the Lu Manor would have long since been looted by Mongol soldiers. These Mongols had indeed come a long way; for merely a few dozen of them to barge into a gathering of thousands of martial heroes, they must not be ordinary men.

Everyone was on their guard. Some hot-blooded men had already reached for their weapons, ready to hack these Mongols to pieces at the first sign of trouble.

As the host of this martial assembly, Guo Jing stepped forward, cupped his fists, and said, “Honored guests from afar, may I ask what brings you here?”

He recognized the noble-looking young man as Prince Huo Du of Mongolia, and the thin monk as Huo Du’s senior, Da’erba. Judging by their deferential manner toward the crimson-robed monk, could this be their master?

Sure enough, Prince Huo Du turned to introduce the crimson-robed monk: “Master, allow me to present to you a hero renowned throughout the land.”

The monk nodded, his eyes half-closed, half-open.

Huo Du announced, “This is Guo Jing, the great hero who once served as Commander of the Right Army during the Mongol western campaign!”

At the mention of “Commander of the Right Army on the Mongol Western Campaign,” the crimson-robed monk’s eyes snapped open, two beams of light shooting forth as he scrutinized Guo Jing.

Huo Du then proclaimed, “I, Prince Huo Du, present to you my master—the Mongol Holy Monk, whom all revere as the Golden Wheel National Preceptor! He is now the First Defender of the Nation, appointed by the Great Mongol Empire!”

He paused, flourished his folding fan, and continued loudly, “Today, my master and I come uninvited to this grand assembly, shamelessly imposing ourselves as unbidden guests. But in the hope of meeting the illustrious heroes gathered here, we could not let this opportunity slip by.”

“Such a grand occasion is rare indeed—time waits for no one.”

“With all the heroes of the realm assembled here, in my humble opinion, it is fitting to elect a leader among us, a chief to unite the martial world. What say you all?”

His proposal echoed the heroes’ own earlier idea of forming an Alliance to Defend the Nation—though their aims were quite different. Theirs was to resist Mongol invasion for the Song, while Huo Du’s was to subdue the martial world on behalf of Mongolia.

Huang Rong sneered, “Your suggestion is not without merit, but we have already chosen Senior Hong Qigong as our leader. At present, we are selecting a deputy. What do you think of that?”

Huo Du returned a mocking smile. “Hong Qigong has long since passed away! To elect a ghost as your leader—is this an assembly of the dead?”

At this, an uproar swept through the crowd. The Beggars’ Sect members were especially incensed; if not for Huang Rong’s warning glance, they would have launched into violence then and there.

Tang Xuan, his master Xuan Zhi, and Yang Guo were all momentarily stunned. They’d thought Huo Du must have heard of Hong Qigong’s death, but upon reflection, it was clear he was simply making baseless claims.

Huo Du laughed, “Very well, if Hong Qigong still lives, let him come out and meet us!”

Huang Rong replied coolly, “Senior Seven wanders the world, his whereabouts unknown. Do you imagine you can see him whenever you wish?”

Huo Du sneered, “Never mind whether he’s alive or dead—even if he were sitting here in perfect health, could his martial skill and reputation possibly rival my master, the Golden Wheel National Preceptor? Heroes, listen well! None but my master is fit to be leader!”

The crowd erupted in anger. All eyes turned to Guo Jing and Huang Rong, awaiting their response.

Guo Jing instinctively looked to Huang Rong; in matters of importance, it was always she who made the decisions.

Huang Rong knew that if they didn’t fight today, things would not end well. A brawl would guarantee victory, but it would hardly convince their opponents. In normal times, perhaps it wouldn’t matter, but with the Alliance to Defend the Nation newly formed, how could they act with such overwhelming force and diminish their own prestige?

Such a move would only give the Mongols ammunition to insult them for ganging up, leaving the alliance’s members ashamed and weakening morale—hardly advantageous for the greater cause.

With this in mind, Huang Rong declared in a ringing voice, “We have chosen Senior Seven as our leader, and you have nominated the Golden Wheel National Preceptor. If Senior Seven were here, he and the Preceptor could each display their skills and determine the victor.”

“But since he travels the world, slaying Mongol invaders and stamping out traitors wherever he goes, it is only unfortunate that he could not await your arrival today. When he hears of this in the future, he’ll surely regret missing the occasion.”

She paused, then continued, “Fortunately, both Chief Hong and the Golden Wheel Preceptor have disciples. Why not let their disciples compete on their behalf?”

At this, the assembly burst out laughing. Hong Qigong’s disciple, Guo Jing, was famed for his unrivaled martial skill; even if Hong Qigong himself were present, he might not surpass his own pupil. As for the Preceptor, though he looked formidable, how could his disciples possibly match Guo Jing?

By now, every inch of the main hall and even the rafters above were packed with martial artists. Hundreds of tables filled the manor, with thousands more crowding outside, passing updates from mouth to mouth—a scene of boisterous excitement.

The Golden Wheel Preceptor spoke: “Very well. Huo Du, step forward and test your skills against Hong Qigong’s disciple.”

Huo Du’s face turned green at these words. He whispered, “Master, Hong Qigong’s disciples are Guo Jing and Huang Rong—I fear I cannot win. Please, do not let your name be tarnished.”

The Golden Wheel Preceptor’s own expression changed subtly. Hong Qigong’s disciples were Guo Jing and Huang Rong? Why didn’t you say so earlier!

“It’s about to start!” Tang Xuan, who’d been watching the spectacle all along, was delighted to see the contest about to begin. At last, the chance to perform a great deed had come!