Chapter 204 May the world be peaceful and happy!

At the foot of Mount Shaoshi, in a bustling and prosperous town.

The Sweeping Monk rarely walked out of Shaolin Temple, together with his apprentice Xuan Zhen.

Today is the day when the nearby villagers go to market, so the town is more prosperous and lively than usual.

There are bustling crowds of people and hawkers shouting their wares.

People are laughing and children are playing mischievously.

The Sweeping Monk watched this scene, and suddenly felt a great sense of peace and satisfaction in his heart. He took the initiative to suggest, "Disciple, let's go eat something!"

"Master, what do you want to eat?" Xuan Zhen asked.

"I haven't tasted meat for forty years. It's time to eat some meat." The sweeping monk said, "There's donkey meat for sale over there. Let's eat some! If the donkey meat is rolled around, even a god can't stand still!"

"Master, you..." Xuan Zhen was greatly surprised.

Although the Sweeping Monk did not object to him drinking alcohol and eating meat, he himself never ate meat or drank alcohol, and had always been a vegetarian.

Why are you acting so out of character today?
"Don't be surprised. I'm not a true monk." The sweeping monk said, "I didn't eat meat in the past. I learned it from the Shaolin monks. It's also a kind of self-discipline. But rules are determined by the heart. This is what Confucius said about following the heart but not breaking the rules."

"I see, Master. It's rare that you have such a refined taste." Xuan Zhen said happily, "Then I will treat you!"

After that, Xuanzhen led the sweeping monk to a donkey meat stall and ordered some donkey meat dishes.

The two monks actually ate meat openly at the foot of Mount Shaoshi, which caused the surrounding people to point fingers and spread rumors.

However, neither of them cared about the world's views and acted as if no one was around.

"Compared to beef, donkey meat is softer and more suitable for an old man like me." The sweeping monk picked up a piece of donkey meat and said as he ate, "It's really delicious."

"Master, if you like it, please eat more." Xuan Zhen said proudly, "I have made a small fortune recently, so it is not a problem for me to treat you to a meal for a month."

"Only eat this once." The sweeping monk smiled, "Xuan Zhen, what did you see?"

"The market!" Xuan Zhen said.

"I saw the fireworks of the human world." The sweeping monk said, "I like these fireworks of the human world."

Xuanzhen said nothing.

Although the two were chatting, outsiders could only hear them talking but could not understand what they were saying. This was because they had extremely high martial arts skills and were able to use the secret sound transmission in an invisible way.

The sweeping monk said to himself, "I am not actually a citizen of the Song Dynasty, and I have no loyalty to the Song Dynasty court, but I like this peaceful world. Although the people are burdened with heavy responsibilities and encounter some injustices, at least there is peace. And with the current situation of the Song Dynasty, this kind of peace can at least continue for a hundred years."

"As the ancients said, 'It is better to be a dog in peacetime than a man in troubled times.' During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, people were living in poverty and suffering. I don't want to see such a scene."

Xuan Zhen roughly understood what the Sweeping Monk meant and said, "So Master, you want to deal with Murong Fu because Murong Fu is bent on rebellion and will destroy this prosperous world and ruin the world?"

"That's right." The sweeping monk said, "Murong Fu is very powerful. Once he rebels, Jiuzhou will inevitably fall into war, the world will be in turmoil, and the people will be displaced. No matter what he says, what he does is just for the ambition of his Murong family, and he disregards the well-being of the people of the world. Therefore, I must stop Murong Fu!"

"This world needs peace!"

As the sweeping monk spoke, he looked at the bustling streets, the crying children, the laughing women, and the wrestling men, and a look of nostalgia flashed in his eyes.

“Master, Master, you clearly have great love for all living beings in this world, so why are you so strict with the Shaolin monks?” Xuan Zhen asked puzzledly.

He knew that his master was actually a man of boundless love, but his master was extremely ruthless in tampering with Shaolin martial arts, and was making every effort to confuse the minds of Shaolin monks and Xiao Yuanshan and Murong Bo.

This made Xuanzhen unable to understand.

"Everyone has their own difficulties, and I have mine too." The sweeping monk sighed, "In order to save some people, I have to harm some people. This is a helpless choice. But if I can subdue Murong Fu this time, I can stop these plans, and you can change the Shaolin secret book back."

"Why?" Xuan Zhen asked.

"What do you think of my martial arts?" asked the Sweeping Monk.

"Master's martial arts have reached the limits of human capabilities." Xuan Zhen said.

"Yes, it has reached its limit!" said the Sweeping Monk. "It is impossible for martial arts in this world to improve endlessly. Once it reaches its limit, it will be difficult to make any further progress. I suspect that Murong Fu is also about to reach his limit."

"How is this possible?" Xuan Zhen was stunned. "He is less than 30 years old!"

"In this world, there are always those martial arts geniuses who are outstanding and enviable." The sweeping monk said, "Murong Fu is such a genius, but he does not use his talent to benefit the people. Instead, like his father Murong Bo, he falls into vain obsession. I hope he can put down his butcher knife, become a Buddha on the spot, and help me to subdue demons and monsters."

Xuan Zhen's expression changed. He had been with his master for so many years, and he vaguely guessed that some of the things his master added to Shaolin martial arts were the highest mysteries of Taoist martial arts.

Precisely because Buddhism and Taoism are difficult to be truly compatible, today's Shaolin Kung Fu, once it reaches the stage of perfection, will be prone to the danger of going astray.

His master, on the other hand, observed the changes in these monks, and seemed to be seeking a way to completely integrate Buddhism and Taoism, and he also created a magical martial art.

With the creation of this martial art, his master's martial arts has reached the limit that mortals can achieve. Even if the ancient Bodhidharma were resurrected, he would not be able to do better than him.

"Master, I will do my best to help you subdue Murong Fu." Xuan Zhen said, "If Murong Fu can bring peace to the world, it will be worth it."

The sweeping monk said, "You don't have to take action, just hide yourself. Murong Fu is not someone that easy to deal with, and I am not sure. So, I want to teach you a martial art that I have created over the years."

"What martial arts?" Xuan Zhen asked curiously.

"Shen Zhao Jing."

As the Sweeping Monk spoke, he began to explain in detail the various effects of the Shenzhaojing.

In the Sweeping Monk's own opinion, although the Shen Zhao Jing he created did not truly integrate Buddhism and Taoism, it has surpassed the Yi Jin Jing of Bodhidharma.

The Shenzhaojing has several major benefits.

The first major benefit is that the speed of accumulating internal force is far superior to other internal skills. Moreover, the more time passes, the faster the internal force accumulates. One year of practice is equivalent to several years of practice for others.

And the internal force is extremely pure.

The second major effect is that the internal force generated by the Shenzhaojing is extremely powerful. If it is exerted with all its strength, the enemy will be crushed into a meat ball by the powerful impact force once it is defeated as long as the enemy's internal force is not as strong as yours.

In terms of the power of internal force, the Shen Zhao Jing is indeed superior to many internal skills in the world today.

The third major effect is that the Shenzhaojing has a strong self-healing ability. Even if the scapula is pierced or the meridians are broken, as long as you practice the Shenzhaojing, you can recover.

The fourth major effect is that the Shen Zhao Jing possesses a strong defensive power. If one practices the Shen Zhao Jing to the highest level, one can create a protective Qi wall. Even if the protective Qi wall cannot be renewed and one is hit hard, one will only suffer superficial injuries. Combined with the Shen Zhao Jing's powerful self-healing ability, this is not a big deal.

The fifth major effect is that the Shen Zhao Jing can greatly enhance the martial arts moves. Even ordinary palm techniques, with the blessing of the Shen Zhao Jing, can be launched into the air at a very long distance. Even shooting down a low-flying bird is not a difficult task.

The sixth major effect is that the Shenzhaojing can bring the dead back to life. As long as a person's major organs are not damaged, even if they have been dead for a while and their bodies are cold, the Shenzhaojing can bring them back to life.

The only regret is that in terms of anti-poison, the Shenzhaojing is far inferior to the Yijinjing, and can only prevent ordinary poisons, but not strange poisons. However, there is no perfect martial arts in this world, and the Shenzhaojing has not reached the stage that the Sweeping Monk wants.

"Master has created an incredible martial art, but I have my own path and I don't want to learn it!" Xuan Zhen was almost tempted, but still declined.

His talent in martial arts is also unprecedented in history. Although he is a disciple of the Sweeping Monk, he does not follow the same path as the Sweeping Monk, but has opened up his own martial arts path.

Although his current achievements are not as good as the Sweeping Monk, with time, he may be able to create his own unique martial arts.

"Even if you don't practice it, you can still refer to it. Even if you don't refer to it, you can help me pass it on." The sweeping monk said, "If I fail to subdue the demon this time, I will definitely die in Murong Fu's hands. I have to prepare for the worst."

After saying this, the Sweeping Monk took out a Buddhist scripture from his sleeve and handed it to Xuanzhen. It was the Divine Illumination Scripture.

Xuan Zhen had no choice but to put away the Shen Zhao Jing.

"Disciple, I just want you to do me a favor." said the Sweeping Monk.

"Master, please speak."

"With your martial arts skills, it would be difficult for you to enter the Imperial City of Tokyo, because there is still a loyal master in the Song Dynasty, that is Li Xian. Li Xian is a master of martial arts. But Li Xian died at the hands of Murong Fu. The Song Dynasty lost its moat, and the Imperial City of Tokyo can no longer stop you." The sweeping monk said, "I hope you can enter the Imperial City and look for the current official Zhao Xu."

"The current official?"

The sweeping monk said, "The Empress Dowager has been deceived, and she doesn't understand these things, but the current emperor, Zhao Xu, is a wise emperor. I hope you can explain the pros and cons to the emperor and obtain his imperial edict. With this imperial edict, we can gain a righteous cause, and with the reputation of Shaolin Temple for hundreds of years, we can organize the Central Plains martial arts world to eliminate demons and completely eliminate the Gusu Murong family, and there will be great hope."

"Even if we cannot subdue Murong Fu himself, we must cut off his wings and control his rebellion within a certain range. After this is done, you will hide yourself well. You don't need to care whether I live or die."

Xuan Zhen was silent for a long time, then said, "Yes, Master."

Liao.

Although Xiao Feng traveled day and night, his mentor Xuan Ku was still killed, and he inexplicably became the murderer. When he returned home, he found that someone had attacked his adoptive parents. He fought off the man, but was misunderstood by the Shaolin monks who caught up with him.

He knew that there was a big conspiracy behind this, so he followed Murong Fu's advice and brought his adoptive parents to the Liao Kingdom to investigate the whereabouts of his father Xiao Yuanshan in the past.

However, no one knows who destroyed Xiao Yuanshan’s suicide note outside Yanmen Pass. Fortunately, since we know the name Xiao Yuanshan, it is not difficult to investigate his deeds.

As a result of this investigation, Xiao Feng came into the sight of the Xiao clan of the Liao Kingdom.

As soon as the wolf head on his chest lit up, the Xiao family believed that Xiao Feng was one of their own. After all, the wolf head tattoo of their Xiao family was made with a special potion that would not deform excessively with changes in body shape.

Such a tattoo is the best proof of the male descendants of the Xiao family.

After learning that Xiao Feng was the son of Xiao Yuanshan, Xiao Feng was recommended by the elders of the Xiao family to the Queen Xiao Guanyin of the Liao Dynasty.

The Shushan Army trained by Xiao Yuanshan was nominally Xiao Guanyin's army. Xiao Guanyin valued Xiao Yuanshan very much. Later, Xiao Yuanshan's family disappeared inexplicably, which made Xiao Guanyin worried for a long time.

When Xiao Guanyin saw that Xiao Feng looked exactly like Xiao Yuanshan, she became very fond of Xiao Feng. She talked about Xiao Yuanshan's deeds in the past and introduced Xiao Feng to the Liao Emperor Yelu Hongji.

Yelu Hongji and Xiao Feng hit it off right away, and he was extremely delighted to see Xiao Feng's unparalleled martial arts skills. He said that Xiao Yuanshan was once the number one master of the Khitans, and he was heartbroken to lose such a master. Now Xiao Yuanshan is a good father and Xiao Feng is also a well-known Khitan hero, which is cause for celebration.

Yelu Hongji loved hunting and was addicted to it during the four seasons of hunting. He had little interest in governing the country and was very willful in doing things. If Xiao Feng had not refused, he would have appointed Xiao Feng as a high-ranking official of the Liao Kingdom.

However, after arriving in Liao Kingdom in person, Xiao Feng discovered that the Khitans were not wild beasts with green faces and fangs. Their customs were just slightly different from those of the Han people. They still had parents, wives and children, and possessed all human emotions.

As for oppressing the Han people
There were a large number of Han people in the Liao Kingdom. From what Xiao Feng had seen with his own eyes, the Liao Kingdom's exploitation of them was no heavier than that of the Song Dynasty, and sometimes even lighter.

The lower-class Khitans did not receive any preferential treatment just because they were of the same ethnicity as the Khitan nobles. Their treatment was similar to that of the Bohai people, Jurchens, and Han people.

This made Xiao Feng confused and his national consciousness was seriously shaken.

But now, Xiao Feng has to go to the Song Dynasty.

Because he received Xiao Yuanshan's letter, he also learned that Xuan Ci had announced to the world that he was the leader, and he also knew that the instigator might be Murong Bo.

"Could it be that Murong Bo who killed my mentor, Master Xuan Ku, and attacked my adoptive parents?"

"I must go to Central Plains to take a look!"

Thinking of this, Xiao Feng settled his adoptive parents and said goodbye to Yelu Hongji.

He explained the situation truthfully.

Yelu Hongji did not make things difficult for Xiao Feng, and said with emotion: "I never thought that there was such an ambitious man as Murong Bo who killed your father. A real man should take revenge and I cannot stop you! However, the Song Dynasty is dangerous. I will send 18 of the most elite Khitan cavalrymen, holding my letter of credence, to escort you to the Song Dynasty! The current Empress Dowager Gao of the Song Dynasty must give me some face, so that the government of the Song Dynasty will not make things difficult for you!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Xiao Feng said gratefully.

The next day, Xiao Feng led the Eighteen Riders of Yanyun and prepared to go to the Song Dynasty. However, when he called out the names, he found that the Eighteen Riders of Yanyun had become nineteen Riders.

Xiao Feng soon discovered that one of the knights was petite and did not look like a Khitan warrior, while the other Khitan warriors had strange expressions, as if they were trying to hold back a laugh.

Xiao Feng gently lifted off the knight's helmet, revealing a girl with long hair, bright eyes and white teeth. The girl was quirky and had a willful look on her face.

It was Yelu Hongji's daughter, the Princess of Yue of Liao, Yelu Tri.

"Brother Xiao Feng, I want to go to the Song Dynasty with you!" Yelu Te Li said with a smile, "You can't chase me away!"

It turned out that during this period, Xiao Feng accompanied Yelu Hongji in hunting. His bravery successfully attracted Yelu Hongji's third daughter, Yelu Teli.

According to the original plot, Xiao Feng and Yelu Hongji became sworn brothers, and Yelu Te Li naturally could not be close to Xiao Feng. But now that Xiao Feng has acknowledged his identity as the son of Xiao Yuanshan and is of the same generation as Yelu Te Li, Yelu Te Li is very interested in Xiao Feng.

"Princess, stop messing around!" Xiao Feng flatly refused, "I'll take you back!"

Unfortunately, even though Xiao Feng sent the unruly Third Princess back, she was unable to stop him from organizing her own people, entering the territory of the Song Dynasty, and catching up with Xiao Feng.

Xiao Feng had no choice but to team up with Yelu Teli and head towards Shaoshi Mountain.

Along the way, Xiao Feng also heard many discussions among people in the martial arts world.

"It turns out that Gusu Murong is a Xianbei Hu race, and has been plotting a rebellion. The Yanmen Pass Massacre was planned by Murong Bo!"

"Abbot Xuanci has called on the martial arts world to hold a demon-slaying conference to take action against Murong Fu. Many righteous martial artists have responded!"

"It doesn't necessarily mean what Xuanci said is right. Master Murong has offended the Beggars' Sect. The Beggars' Sect and Shaolin Temple have always been on good terms. This is the Shaolin Temple standing up for the Beggars' Sect!"

"Humph, Shaolin Temple is not a good place. Look at the dirty things written about Shaolin Temple in Jiangnan Daily. The monks of Shaolin Temple actually asked for the daughters of tenant farmers. They said, 'Those with good daughters and good wives can plant good fields, those with bad daughters and bad wives can plant bad fields, and those with no daughters and no wives can plant no fields.' I didn't expect the monks of Shaolin Temple to be this kind of people!"

"The Jiangnan Daily also said that there is a huge scandal in Shaolin Temple that is about to be revealed!"

"Everyone knows that the Jiangnan Daily was published by Gusu Murong. Maybe it was deliberately intended to discredit Shaolin Temple!"

Hearing these discussions, Xiao Feng realized that the Central Plains martial arts world was now on the eve of a storm.

Something big is about to happen!
(End of this chapter)