Although the Beggars' Sect had many disciples, they were all good-for-nothings and had no chance of winning against Abbot Xuanci and his group.
Moreover, the manual for freedom and ease is not here, so they have no conflict of interest and there seems to be no need for them to fight.
The atmosphere was awkward, and the two sides remained deadlocked for a long time.
Until a little beggar timidly raised his hand and asked, "I heard that a heroes' gathering is being held in the Jianghu (martial arts world) of the Southern Song Dynasty. Could it be... that Lin Bufan is on his way to Jiangnan?"
Um?
Everyone looked at the little beggar and stroked their chins: "That makes sense. We have nothing else to do, so let's go to the Heroes' Gathering and join in the fun."
"Let's go to Jiangnan to attend the Heroes' Gathering."
Quan Guanqing led the way in leaving.
Bai Shijing also left with his men.
Although the Beggars' Sect disciples came together, they were actually divided into factions.
Bai Shijing's people and Quan Guanqing's people don't get along and ignore each other.
"Let's go too." Abbot Xuanci led the three Tan brothers and set off with the Beggars' Clan.
On the way, they encountered the Four Villains who came to investigate the situation—Duan Yanqing, Ye Erniang, Yue Laosan, and Yun Zhonghe.
Abbot Xuanci and Ye Erniang looked at each other, speechless.
Silence may be the best way to get along.
"What's going on?"
Yue Laosan brandished a strangely shaped weapon and asked the Beggars' Sect members, "Why are you all turning back? Where are Ding Chunqiu and Lin Bufan?"
Quan Guanqing said, "Ding Chunqiu is dead, and all the disciples of the Xingxiu Sect are dead. If you want to find Ding Chunqiu, go ahead and collect his body. If you want to find Lin Bufan, you'll probably have to travel with us to the Southern Song Jianghu to participate in the Heroes' Gathering."
"The Heroes' Gathering?" Duan Yanqing said in ventriloquism, "It's a major event in the martial arts world of the Southern Song Dynasty. I might as well go."
At this moment, another group of people arrived.
Murong Fu of Gusu, along with his several retainers, Wang Yuyan, and Duan Yu.
Without a doubt, they were also there for the martial arts of the Free and Unfettered Sect, searching for Lin Bufan.
They might befriend the thieves, or they might kill and plunder.
"Where is Lin Bufan?" Murong Fu asked the others.
Yue Laosan shouted, "They've gone to the Southern Song Dynasty's martial arts world to attend the Heroes' Gathering. What, are you going too?"
Murong Fu coldly replied, "What's it to you? I didn't ask you."
Yue Laosan shouted angrily, "I wasn't talking to you, I was talking to my master. Master, come over here, the eldest brother and I will protect you."
Yue Laosan's master, needless to say, is Duan Yu.
He lost to Duan Yu in three moves in a previous contest, and out of respect for his defeat, he acknowledged Duan Yu as his master.
He truly regarded Duan Yu as his master and family.
However, Duan Yu wanted to stand with Wang Yuyan and was unwilling to be with Yue Laosan, and was especially afraid of Duan Yanqing.
Duan Yanqing kidnapped him and Wanmei, almost causing a major disaster.
"No, no, my good disciple, I'm quite happy with Miss Wang. You two go on your way."
Duan Yu evaded Yue Laosan's entanglement and moved closer to Wang Yuyan.
Wang Yuyan frowned, slightly disgusted with Duan Yu. She quickly distanced herself from Duan Yu and took Murong Fu's hand, hoping to make Duan Yu back down.
Murong Fu shook off Wang Yuyan's hand and went to talk to Abbot Xuanci.
Abbot Xuanci had half his face covered, so Murong Fu couldn't recognize him and didn't know he was the abbot of Shaolin Temple.
He felt that this person was mysterious and unpredictable, with extremely high martial arts skills. Perhaps he could be recruited to his side and become an important force in the revival of the Great Yan Kingdom.
Abbot Xuanci ignored Murong Fu and kept gazing deeply into Ye Erniang's eyes.
After a brief tense standoff, the various groups reached a consensus and set off together to find Lin Bufan in Jiangnan...
Two weeks later.
In Jiangnan, at Guiyun Manor, the Heroes' Gathering was held as scheduled.
Lu Guanying is the son of Lu Chengfeng and the owner of Guiyun Manor. He has a very good relationship with Guo Jing and Huang Rong.
Guo Jing wants to hold a gathering of heroes and temporarily borrows Lu Guanying's auspicious location.
On this day, Guiyun Manor was packed with people, bustling with activity as heroes from all walks of life came from afar.
The Seven Masters of Quanzhen also brought Yin Zhiping, Zhao Zhijing, and a group of disciples to make a scene.
Master Yideng's disciple, Zhu Ziliu, also came to join in the fun.
The gathering of heroes and distinguished guests should have been a joyous and harmonious occasion, but Guo Jing was so angry that he slapped his thigh.
Because her daughter, Guo Fu, ran away with someone a month ago and has not returned yet.
"That brat, does she even respect me as her father?" Guo Jing complained to Huang Rong.
Huang Rong coaxed him, "Fu'er loves to play, you know that. She'll come back when she's had her fill of playing."
"By the time she's had enough of the Hero Tournament, it will probably be over."
Guo Jing then scolded Da Wu and Xiao Wu: "You two are also responsible. You knew that Fu'er loved to play and cause trouble, so why didn't you stop her?"
"We can't stop him," Da Wu said. "That Lin Bufan is highly skilled in martial arts; we can't beat him."
Xiao Wu added, "Yes, Master, Young Master Yelü was there too. You can ask him if you don't believe me."
Yelü Qi and Yelü Yan, siblings, along with Da Wu and Xiao Wu, came to Jiangnan to participate in the Heroes' Gathering.
Hearing Xiao Wu shift the blame, he quickly stepped forward as well.
However, he did not speak up for Xiao Wu, but simply said, "This junior believes that Miss Guo Fu will definitely return on time."
As soon as she finished speaking, Guo Fu's melodious voice came from afar: "Dad, Mom, I'm back."
"Fu'er?" Upon hearing her daughter's voice, Huang Rong felt a weight lift from her heart.
She rushed over, grabbed her daughter's hand, and asked her all sorts of questions, such as whether she had encountered any danger or been injured while traveling to other places.
Guo Fu said angrily, "Mother, you're worrying too much. I'm fine with Brother Lin protecting me. Brother Lin, come here quickly, this is my mother."
He then pulled Lin Bufan to his side and introduced him to Huang Rong.
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