Chapter 105: Past Events at Hengshan
His words lacked vigor, conveying a profound sense of worldly concerns in just a few words. Although he was a man of advanced age, it was still quite surprising to hear him say such things.
Xie Huailing carefully observed his expression. In his sharp eyes, there was a hint of worry, more like a sail unfurled, a prelude to a dramatic turn of events, impossible to discern without close observation. She immediately understood, realizing that staying behind was truly the right decision.
Xie Huailing extended his hand, making a "please" gesture, and said directly, "Young Master Shen, please speak frankly."
Shen Lang sighed a second time. Fortunately, he wasn't one to wallow in self-pity. He quickly put the matter aside, straightened his expression, and asked, "Miss Xie, how much do you know now?"
"The border region is isolated from news, and since I'm not in the main building of the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion, I don't know much," Xie Huailing said calmly. "It's just that the communication between the border and the Central Plains has gone wrong. Given Qi Qi's personality, it's surprising that she didn't know about the trouble between me and Shi Guanyin."
Shen Lang nodded and smiled slightly: "That's right, Miss Xie is very insightful."
Talking to him was extremely comfortable. Aside from the slight hesitation in expressing his feelings, Shen Lang was quick-witted, always tolerant and forgiving, and never held back in praising others. It seemed he saw only the good in everyone. He continued, "On my third day at the border, I discovered this matter. Although the border region is difficult to govern and the court doesn't seem to value it much, the fact that news traveled more than half a month behind the Central Plains is unacceptable. So, while apprehending the culprit, I also investigated and made some progress."
"Seven Seven must have spoken to Miss Xie about the 'King of Pleasure', right?"
Xie Huailing silently recited it in her heart. Given the current state of the martial arts world, this was a very bold title. She took a sip of fragrant tea, her eyes flashing in the misty steam, and said, "Qiqi told me the first two characters of this person's title, but I never expected that the last character would be 'Wang' (王, meaning king)."
Even the renowned martial arts master Fang Geyin, whose prestige was unparalleled, was only known as "a subject to the north and a king to the south." The Wen family had deep roots and extensive influence in Luoyang, which is why Wen Wan was able to claim the title of "King of Luoyang." Who would dare to proclaim themselves the "King of Pleasure" when they were still unknown?
How confident is he in his abilities, and how deep is his foundation?
Without needing to think, Xie Huailing spoke again: "I suppose this 'King of Pleasure' will not be residing within the territory of the Great Song Dynasty for long."
“Exactly,” Shen Lang replied. Only if he had not been in the territory of the Great Song for long could his rash boasting in the border area make sense. “After hearing his name, I was quite suspicious, so I spent some time inquiring about his background. This ‘King of Joy’ comes from the Jin territory. He is generous and highly skilled in martial arts. His martial arts encompass the styles of Shaolin, Wudang, Emei and other great schools. However, I had never heard of him in the border area before. I’m afraid he came prepared.”
Xie Huailing lowered his eyes and blew away the steam from the tea: "His martial arts are very extensive, so he must have come from the Central Plains, or he must have been raised in the Central Plains before fleeing to the Jin Dynasty. The reason for his escape is inseparable from his martial arts. How many people in the world can master the martial arts of various schools? He must have used some tricks."
The admiration flashed across Shen Lang's face, and he echoed, "Each sect and school would rather keep its unique martial arts secret from the world than let the same person learn them. What Miss Xie said about using tricks must be true. Not only did he use them, but Miss Xie has also heard of these tricks."
With his heart brimming with emotion and his cup half empty, Xie Huailing uttered a place name: "Hengshan."
Shen Lang's smile faded, his gaze hardening, and he said, "Hengshan."
The stillness of the wind was more powerful than any wind, flowing boldly across the pavilion and unearthing another old story. The bloodshed of nine years was not merely a fleeting memory; the sorrow of wasted heroic spirit turned to dust along with the vicissitudes of life. Whose flesh and blood felt cold, whose bones felt chilled?
Hengshan. This was the second time Xie Huailing had heard this place name.
Nine years ago, a shocking piece of news suddenly spread throughout the martial arts world: the martial arts technique that the "Invincible Monk" relied on to make him famous a hundred years ago was hidden on the summit of Huiyan Peak in Hengshan. As a result, countless heroes were moved by it and rushed to Hengshan. For that martial arts technique, they even killed people they had no grudges against.
It is said that in that year on Mount Heng, there were more corpses than stones on the road, and the innocent people who died unjustly were piled up higher than the pine and cypress trees on the mountain.
This perilous battle lasted for a full nineteen days on Huiyan Peak. Of the hundreds of heroes, only eleven survived. Exhausted, they arrived at the hiding place of the martial arts manual, only to find five large characters: "You've all been tricked."
It turns out that the martial arts technique that caused all this trouble was a complete lie from beginning to end, and so many martial arts figures lost their lives and destroyed their skills because of this lie. If it weren't for the fact that not everyone in the martial arts world yearned for that technique, and many heroes didn't even bother with it, the spirit of chivalry in the martial arts world would probably have been ruined by this lie.
Shen Lang said softly, "In the calamity of Hengshan back then, countless heroes died. After these heroes went up the mountain, they knew that their chances of survival were slim. Each of them wrote down all the martial arts they had learned in their lives and entrusted them to one person for safekeeping, hoping that their martial arts would not die out after their death. This person was named Chai Yuguan, who was known as the 'Living Buddha of Ten Thousand Families'. He was righteous and sincere."
Xie Huailing naturally knew this person as well. Although she loved to slack off at the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion, it would be a mistake to think that she was wasting her days: "I've heard of him. During his trip to Hengshan, he was entrusted with the duties of several great heroes, but in the end, he didn't leave Hengshan. He was hit by the hidden weapon 'Heavenly Cloud Five-Flower Cotton,' and died with his face unrecognizable. The martial arts he was entrusted with also disappeared. The only thing buried there was the phrase 'You've all been tricked.' Quite interesting."
She recalled a dish of pickled fish and told Shen Lang, "In the martial arts world, another person I know who is known as 'righteous and chivalrous' is called Long Xiaoyun. Young Master Shen should know him."
Shen Lang had, of course, heard the story of Li Tanhua being betrayed by his best friend, and said, "These two are indeed similar. Perhaps the title of 'righteous and loyal to the heavens' is always easily given to the wrong person."
With a somber expression, he said, "Chai Yuguan is not dead. 'King of Joy' is very likely Chai Yuguan. I have found out that their appearances are very similar."
These were words that would have been deafening and somewhat disorienting to anyone who heard them: the resurrection of someone who had disappeared for many years would only bring forth a conspiracy that would stir up unrest in the martial arts world. Yet Xie Huailing's fingers traced his chin, his gaze unfocused.
A few spring flowers bloomed, oblivious and unaware, without worry or fear. She looked at them, then turned away.
"Of course he didn't die. 'Heavenly Cloud Five-Flower Cotton' is the signature skill of 'Fairy Yunmeng'. If 'Fairy Yunmeng' didn't die, how could Chai Yuguan have died?"
Xie Huailing spoke casually, as if chatting about everyday matters, saying, "Back then, the 'Yunmeng Fairy' who killed Chai Yuguan died at the hands of 'Chentianjun,' and with no way to verify the truth, people in the martial arts world believed that Chai Yuguan's death had nothing to do with the disappearance of martial arts. Now that the 'Yunmeng Fairy' is not dead, all of this should be overturned."
Shen Lang was even more shocked than Xie Huailing. His eyes widened in surprise. He never expected Xie Huailing to be so powerful. Whether it was her fate or the fate of Jin Feng Xi Yu Lou, he had not made a mistake in telling her the truth: "If that's the case, then Chai Yu Guan is not dead, nor is 'Yunmeng Fairy.' The disaster at Hengshan was due to another conspiracy. We can now conclude that there was no other reason for it."
But neither of them had any other clues about this, so they had to skip it and return to Chai Yuguan. Shen Lang continued, "After faking his death, Chai Yuguan took many martial arts manuals and fled far beyond the Great Wall. He studied martial arts in Jin territory and mastered the strengths of many schools. He only returned to the border a month ago, intending to make a name for himself. From this, we can see that he still has ulterior motives regarding the power of the Central Plains martial arts world. Besides that, there's something even stranger."
"To be honest, Miss Xie, it took me quite a bit of effort to find this information. Only half a month has passed since Chai Yuguan made his name by acting like the 'King of Pleasure,' and I already had to go to such lengths to find it. If I wanted to follow the clues further, I wouldn't be able to find anything else."
Shen Lang paused for a moment and said, "Chai Yuguan seems to have vanished into thin air. His title of 'King of Pleasure' was only known for half a month before he disappeared without a trace, no longer known by name. However, his subordinate 'Wonderful Gentleman' is still collecting beauties for him, proving that he did not leave, but may have already entered the pass. But why is his style of doing things so drastically different?"
Nine years ago, he risked exposure to leave two notes, mocking the world and the many dead; nine years later, he's using the surname Chai to establish himself as the "King of Pleasure." How could such a person, on the eve of his impending downfall, become wary of attracting attention and choose to remain silent?
Putting aside the changes, isn't this contradictory to his actions in making a name for himself?
Shen Lang didn't quite understand. It would take him more time to decipher it, but since there was someone smarter and more skilled in this area, he might as well tell him.
Xie Huailing took another sip of tea, trying to sort out the threads of thought in her mind. She reminded him, "Young Master Shen, don't forget the sudden half-month information gap between the border and the Central Plains. Isn't it perfect to use this to erase news of the 'King of Pleasure' and hide him away?"
"In this story, perhaps after the 'King of Joy' appeared, a second person came on stage."
She propped herself up on her arm, supporting her face, as if trying to pierce through the endless fog and bring the truth to her eyes: "However, how the story was written before and how it will be written in the future remains to be explored."
Shen Lang let out his third sigh of the day. He wasn't usually one to sigh, but being caught up in this situation, he couldn't help but feel emotional.
Yes, trapped.
Xie Huailing stared at him and asked a question she already knew the answer to: "Young Master Shen, are you planning to continue investigating?"
"Yes." Shen Lang didn't hesitate for a moment.
He understood that Xie Huailing knew about his background, and there was no point in hiding it. After all, among smart people, there was never any pointless revelation.
"It seems we'll need to cooperate for a while longer," Xie Huailing said casually.
She looked at this person, and he did indeed resemble another person from the rumors who had once used the title of "King." Nine years ago, there was a great hero, "King of the Nine Provinces," also known as "Lord Chentian," who died on Mount Heng, sacrificing his life to quell the chaos. His only son, who was only ten years old, even donated a vast fortune to quell the remaining turmoil.
And this child, now, after all these years, is sitting right in front of her.
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