In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

Page 193

This made Huang Rong secretly chuckle, understanding Zhang Xiaoshan's concerns.

With Zhang Xiaoshan 1.9, a glutton, around, almost every dish served is completely devoured, and it looks like there's sauce spilled everywhere.

Those who noticed this place only glanced at it briefly without suspecting anything.

What is a beggar?

It's rare to have a good meal, so with such fine wine and food, how could I not eat my fill?

Moreover, in their eyes, that seemingly discordant element was Zhang Xiaoshan bullying five thin, short beggars by taking advantage of his height and strength, and eating all the food by himself.

The martial arts practitioners at several nearby tables wanted to teach Zhang Xiaoshan a lesson.

But Zhang Xiaoshan seemed to know this beforehand, and he adjusted the five bags at his waist, inadvertently forcing them to back down.

The five-bag disciples of the Beggars' Sect were not someone a group of insignificant figures in the martial arts world could afford to offend.

Chapter 246 Retiring from the World of Crafts: A Meal of Kindness

"Young Master Zhang didn't come?"

The main hall of the Liu residence.

Knowing that Zhang Xiaoshan was in Hengshan City, everyone specially prepared a 'superior' seat for him.

But from this morning until now, we haven't seen any sign of 'Young Master Zhang'.

The Zhang family is now a top-tier family in the Nine Provinces. In terms of reputation and strength, no force in Jiangnan can compare with them, and their influence in the martial arts world is even greater than that of Shaolin and Wudang.

And that young master Zhang is also a legendary, incredibly mysterious master.

Although we don't know exactly how strong he is, he is definitely a top master in the martial arts world.

Moreover, he was protected by bronze-armored warriors and black-armored warriors.

These days, whenever Zhang Xiaoshan goes on his travels, a huge, golden or black figure, as big as a Vajra, always sits cross-legged on the three-tiered pavilion in front of his unattended carriage!

Within ten zhang (approximately 33 meters), it is a forbidden zone!

"But you weren't invited?"

“I went to invite them this morning, but the place was only protected by a huge black shadow, and there was a sign around that read ‘The master is not here. Please visit another day.’”

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions turned even more grim.

This is a direct disrespect to you.

The experts from various sects who sensed some conspiracy did not feel that anything was amiss.

Clearly, the Zhang family is planning not to get involved in what's to come. Every member of the Zhang family is shrewd; do you really think they're fools who can be manipulated at will?

That's the most ridiculous thing.

"Which Mr. Zhang did the nun have contact with? Did she notice anything amiss?"

"Is there something wrong with it?"

"This humble nun went to find her disciple, but upon learning that he was with his long-lost 19th brother, this humble nun, trusting the Zhang family's reputation, left!"

"Brother Yue, how could we not know the character of Abbess Dingyi?"

Seeing that the two were starting to argue, Daoist Tianmen quickly stepped in to smooth things over and changed the subject, saying:

"I heard that Chief Escort Lin from Fuwei Escort Agency has also arrived. Have you seen him?"

"Lin Zhennan? I heard that he was quite aggressive on the road, but after he met Young Master Zhang, he set up camp near Hengshan and did not set foot in Hengshan City."

At this time, Lin Zhennan was also a well-known master in the martial arts world.

Especially the ambush half a month ago, that battle shook most of the martial arts world.

Yu Canghai, in alliance with four other top underworld figures, attempted to destroy the Zhenyuan Escort Agency. In the end, four died and one escaped, but Yu Canghai was relentlessly pursued to this location.

But now Yu Canghai is openly present here, while Lin Zhennan is not coming.

This situation is clearly not right; there must be a master behind him giving guidance.

And who is that master? It goes without saying.

The Zhang family has never been easy to scheme against; they saw through everything from the very beginning.

Yu Canghai's expression turned grim. It was clear that Lin Zhennan was lying in wait, ready to ambush him the moment he stepped out.

···

"My name is Liu Zhengfeng. Thank you all for coming to attend my retirement ceremony!"

The time had come, and Liu Zhengfeng, short and stout, looking like a nouveau riche, walked out of the hall.

The "washing hands" ceremony was just a formality. Originally, Liu Zhengfeng only intended to invite experts from the Five Mountains Sword Sect and some familiar forces from the surrounding area to witness it.

But unexpectedly, the mysterious invitation to heroes stirred up most of the martial arts world.

Looking down, there were at least a hundred tables, with each table seating anywhere from twelve or thirteen people to nearly twenty, making it a truly crowded scene.

It seemed that most of the experts from the Three Mountains and Five Peaks had arrived, which made him feel a sense of conspiracy!

Meanwhile, inside the hall, Ding Mian, the leader of the Songshan Sect, let out a cold laugh.

Their scheme, orchestrated in conjunction with the Sun Moon Cult, has only just begun.

"Liu Moutian, as an elder of the Hengshan Sect, has failed the cultivation of his seniors and masters, and his skills are meager; he has failed the expectations of his senior brothers and junior brothers, and he is not up to the task; he has failed the respect of the Hengshan disciples, and he is without talent or virtue."

Liu felt guilty, believing he was no longer able to manage the affairs of the Hengshan Sect and act on its behalf in the martial arts world.

Therefore, this ceremony of retiring from the martial world is being held here, with all fellow martial artists as witnesses!

"Elder Liu, I heard that Sect Leader Mo forced you to retire from the martial world, is that true? And such a big matter, yet Sect Leader Mo hasn't missed a single moment of it."

Suddenly, a loud shout came from below, and someone fearlessly asked a fatal question.

This blatant provocation even caused the other masters of the Five Mountains Sword Sect to change color in shock.

"These rumors are pure nonsense."

Since joining the sect, Liu and his fellow disciples have been like brothers for decades.

If my senior brother had really forced me, why would I have only just retired from the martial arts world today? It's just that I'm tired of the fighting and killing in the martial arts world and want to retire.

Moreover, it is Liu who has wronged his senior brother, which has led to his brother's current predicament.

Over the years, it is through mutual support between Liu and his senior brother that they have built up the vast Hengshan School into what it is today, overcoming numerous hardships and trials.

But today, I, Liu, have become a coward, indulging in worldly desires, leaving my senior brother alone to struggle in the martial world. I, Liu, have failed my senior brother's expectations.

His heartfelt words, tinged with tears, were deeply moving and saddened the reader.

This is absolutely a genuine expression of emotion; otherwise, one can only say that this Mr. Liu is an exceptionally good actor.

"So, this means that Third Master Liu is colluding with the evil cult and wants to abandon the righteous path?"

With a disdainful snort, the man's voice rang out again, clearly intent on provoking trouble.

"Liu has never done anything against the righteous path, otherwise my senior brother would have already expelled him from the sect."

"So, Master Liu admitted to colluding with the evil cult?"

···

The group tried to find the source of the sound, but it seemed to come from all directions, and they couldn't pinpoint its exact location.

"If you are deliberately provoking me and framing me, then I do not welcome you!"

Liu Zhengfeng's gaze was intense, and his words carried a hint of hostility.

Liu Zhengfeng was staring at Tan Qing, the Soul-Chasing Staff, which made him dare not make any further moves.

At this moment, Tan Qing, the Soul Chaser, also looked grim, because even top experts might not be able to see through his ventriloquism, but in front of a musical master like Liu Zhengfeng, it was just child's play.

This move also stunned many people.

It should be noted that among those present, very few were able to find the person who was secretly causing trouble, but Liu Zhengfeng was able to. What does this mean?

In the martial arts world, strength has always been paramount!

Upon seeing this, Huang Rong couldn't help but show a hint of surprise and said:

"This Liu Zhengfeng is quite capable."

"Do you remember the song from The Smiling, Proud Wanderer that I mentioned last time?"

Those two martial arts masters were Liu Zhengfeng and Qu Yang, the Right Envoy of the Demonic Sect!

The two met and became friends through music, and this time they made a pact to retire from the martial arts world. Unfortunately, they couldn't be integrated into either the righteous or the demonic paths. If no one knew about it, it would be fine.

But now... this sonic technique is just a amateurish attempt to teach a fish to swim.

"It's them?"

Huang Rong looked incredulous, never expecting the reason to be like this.

"Husband!"

Upon hearing this sudden change in her sweet and coquettish voice, Zhang Xiaoshan immediately shook his head.

A principle is a principle!

This made Huang Rong, who had failed to charm him, glare angrily, while Abi, upon hearing this, also looked regretful.

Even Huang Rong couldn't change Zhang Xiaoshan's decision, let alone her.

···

The "Golden Basin Handover Ceremony" was officially held, and everything seemed to be going extremely smoothly.

Just as Liu Zhengfeng was preparing to retire from the martial arts world, a member of the Songshan Sect suddenly staggered in.

"Junior Brother Fei!"

Ding Mian, the Pagoda Bearer, looked at the person who had broken in with shock and worry, only to see that the person had many deep knife wounds that exposed bone, and looked extremely miserable.

"Senior Brother Ding, Liu Zhengfeng's family was protected by experts. All three junior brothers and other disciples were killed. Only my junior brother managed to escape at the cost of his life..."

Hiss...

Although the Songshan Sect's methods were despicable, Liu Zhengfeng's family was protected by experts, and they were able to kill so many Songshan Sect experts at once. Even Master Mo Da of Xiaoxiang Night Rain probably didn't have such strength.

Moreover, such ruthlessness is hardly the behavior of someone from a righteous path.

"Master, Master..."

At this moment, Liu Zhengfeng's disciple also rushed in, looking panicked, which made Liu Zhengfeng frown and say:

"what happened?"

"Reporting to Master, the Hengshan Sect just broke into the manor to capture Master's wife, junior sister, and junior brother, but they were rescued by a mysterious Japanese master."

With a single strike, the entire Songshan Sect fell to the ground, except for Elder Fei…

My senior apprentice escaped that blow.

Upon hearing Mi Weiyi's words, Yue Buqun quickly looked down to examine the scene:

"It is indeed a sword mark from a Japanese samurai sword, and so many swords were stabbed at the same time. It's just that Senior Brother Fei was lucky and didn't die on the spot!"

Moreover, that person's strength is so great that even the former leader of the Demonic Sect, the Old Demon, might not be as powerful!

The fact that Fei Bin survived so many attacks in an instant wasn't because his opponent was weak, but because his target wasn't Fei Bin at all, but rather all the masters of the Songshan Sect.

Such terrifying swordsmanship was far beyond what Liu Zhengfeng, who was most proficient in the Thirteen Forms of Cloud and Mist Transformation, believed himself to be able to match.

Why did that person make a move? Did they explain it clearly?

"They say that their young master ate a meal with their master, and in return, he ensured the safety of their master's family!"

Young master? A meal? Or to ensure the safety of your family?

And she's a female martial arts master from Japan?

The group exchanged glances and remained silent.

Clearly, none of the Zhang family's young masters wanted to get involved in their affairs, but they were also quite eccentric, managing to kill so many experts from the Songshan Sect over an ordinary meal.

However, considering the karmic connection between the Zhang family and the Songshan Sect, this is perfectly normal.

But that Japanese female samurai's strength is just too terrifying, isn't it?