316: Chapter 96 Various Parties in Motion

That day, Meng Li and the several women, including Wang Yuyan, were listening to A Bi play the zither and sing at Qin Yun Cottage.

When the song ended, Mei Jian and Zhu Jian came to report some surprising news: the Beggars Sect would hold a Grand Assembly of Heroes early next month to discuss important matters, inviting all heroes of the Jianghu to participate. The location was set at the Shaolin Monastery.

After Zhu Jian and Mei Jian finished relaying the news, Mu Wanqing asked in confusion, "Why would the Beggars Sect choose Shaolin as the location for the assembly they are calling?"

A Zhu smiled and said, "It's quite obvious. The assembly the Beggars Sect is calling is aimed at Shaolin, we just don't know what it's about."

A Zi giggled, "We'll know if we go and see."

With that, she looked towards Meng Li, "Young Master Master."

Meng Li frowned in thought and didn't respond for a moment.

In the original story, the Beggars Sect going to Shaolin to cause trouble with the Grand Assembly of Heroes was because Quan Guanqing, after gaining control of the Beggars Sect's power by supporting You Tanzhi, got carried away and wanted to challenge Shaolin to boost his reputation. Now that Quan Guanqing was the Sect Leader of the Beggars Sect, he was likely even more arrogant, so the purpose of this Grand Assembly of Heroes should be similar to the original plot.

However, that wasn't the main point. The key was that according to the original plot's development, many truths of Tian Long would be revealed at this Grand Assembly of Heroes due to a confluence of events.

The one involving Meng Li was the Yanmen Pass incident from years ago.

Abbot Xuan Ci's identity as the leader of the attack would be exposed, further implicating Murong Bo as the instigator. Currently, Murong Bo was in seclusion near Lingjiu Palace, so he couldn't be exposed publicly by Abbot Xuan Ci as in the original story. But it was possible Abbot Xuan Ci would use this Opportunity to drag the Murong Family down with him.

When that happened, Qiao Feng and Xiao Yuanshan would surely show up.

Rather than wait for that, it was better to take the initiative and find a way to pin the blame squarely on Abbot Xuan Ci, while also seeing if Duan Zhengchun's infamous scene regarding his reputation would occur.

Thinking of this, Meng Li smiled, "Then let's go take a look together."

...

Dali Royal Palace.

Duan Yu, who had become the ruler of the Dali Kingdom, heard the news of the Grand Assembly of Heroes, and his mind began to stir. He summoned the Chancellor, Gao Shengtai.

"Your Majesty, may I ask why you summoned this minister?" After paying his respects, Gao Shengtai asked respectfully.

Duan Yu said, "I heard the Beggars Sect invited heroes from all over the world to Shaolin for a Grand Assembly of Heroes. Although I don't know the specific reason, with so many elites gathered, there might be a renowned physician from the medical field present. I wish to take the Town South King with me to seek medical advice. Before leaving, I want to temporarily entrust the state affairs to you, Chancellor Gao."

"This..." Gao Shengtai showed hesitation.

It wasn't that he was unwilling to handle affairs, but Duan Yu had only recently ascended the throne, and leaving the capital to travel at this time would not look good.

Furthermore, although he was the Chancellor of Dali and could handle political affairs, there were some things he couldn't make decisions on.

If he was constantly made to handle state affairs on behalf of the King, some matters would be difficult, and it would easily lead others to accuse him of being a powerful minister.

"Chancellor Gao, I entrust this to you."

"When I return, I will choose a day to welcome Gao Mei into the palace."

"This subject obeys the decree."

...

At an Inn in a Market Town on the road to Shaolin.

Qiao Feng, wearing a straw hat, learned about the Beggars Sect holding the Grand Assembly of Heroes at Shaolin from the conversations of other Jianghu members.

He couldn't figure out why the Beggars Sect was doing this, but he felt this was an Opportunity for him.

Questioning Abbot Xuan Ci in front of all the heroes, the probability of the latter lying would be extremely low. Moreover, once the matter was brought up, he wouldn't need to explain much in the future.

As for whether he would fall into danger due to his identity being exposed...

Qiao Feng had considered it, but compared to his own safety, he wanted to know the truth more.

With that thought, he tidied up slightly and continued heading towards Shaolin.

At the same time, Xiao Yuanshan, hiding in the shadows, also felt this Grand Assembly of Heroes was an excellent Opportunity.

He wanted to expose Abbot Xuan Ci's hypocritical face in front of the many Jianghu figures of the Great Song martial world, causing him to be disgraced and bring shame upon Shaolin, and then put him to death. Only then could he avenge his tragically deceased wife and vent the resentment that had accumulated in his heart for many years.

...

On the other side, Jiumozhi also felt this Grand Assembly of Heroes was a golden Opportunity for him.

After retreating from the battle at Xiao Jing Lake, feeling unwilling to accept defeat, he found Duan Yanqing and explained the reality of Duan Yu being strong in appearance but weak inside. He then rejoined forces with the Four Evils to pursue Duan Zhengchun and his group.

Unexpectedly, Ba Tianshi fought to the death, creating an Opportunity for Qiao Feng, which resulted in both him and Duan Yanqing being seriously injured.

Having no choice, Jiumozhi had to abandon the idea and find a place to recuperate.

By the time his injuries healed, Duan Zhengchun's group had already returned to Dali, and Duan Yu had become the ruler of the Dali Kingdom.

Now, even if Jiumozhi still desired the Six Veins Divine Sword, he had to temporarily give up.

Otherwise, what he would face would be an organized army.

Although Jiumozhi had the record of destroying an entire Sect single-handedly, he understood that the strength of a Jianghu Sect and a formal army could not be compared.

However, since Duan Yu was unattainable—his ambition to acquire superior martial arts had not been extinguished—and he had the support of the army in Dali, and there was Meng Li at Huanshi Shuige, Jiumozhi was certain he couldn't win.

Jiumozhi could only shift his target to Shaolin, but Shaolin was equally not to be trifled with.

He was originally worrying about this when he heard the Beggars Sect was calling a Grand Assembly of Heroes and setting the location at Shaolin. He immediately realized the Beggars Sect harbored ill intentions toward Shaolin.

This, however, was beneficial to him.

Once the Beggars Sect and the heroes gathered at Shaolin, Shaolin's attention would inevitably be diverted to them.

This way, he could take the Opportunity to fish in troubled waters and get a glimpse of Shaolin's martial arts.

Jiumozhi secretly rejoiced, and immediately set off towards Shaolin.

But what he didn't expect was that the aspects beneficial to him didn't stop there.

That day, Jiumozhi was halfway on his journey when he felt thirsty. He stopped at a roadside tea stall for a drink and a rest.

A tall, thin man suddenly walked over: "Great Master, long time no see. I hope you have been well."

Jiumozhi glanced over and recognized the person. It was Crane in the Clouds, nicknamed 'Utterly Vicious,' one of the Four Evils.

To be honest, Jiumozhi didn't think highly of the Four Evils.

He was the State Preceptor of Tubo, the Abbot of the Great Wheel Temple, and a great monk of his generation, nicknamed 'Great Wheel Blazing King.' His status and position were worlds apart from the Four Evils. His previous cooperation with them was merely a temporary measure to better seize the Six Veins Divine Sword.

Under normal circumstances, Jiumozhi would never associate with them.

However, out of habit cultivated over many years of maintaining the persona of a great monk, he showed no sign of it outwardly. Instead, he put on a benevolent smile, humble and polite: "It is Crane in the Clouds Benefactor. May I ask what business you have with this humble monk?"

Crane in the Clouds said, "It's not me looking for you, it's General Helian of our Yipintang who is looking for you."

Jiumozhi was stunned: "General Helian?"

"That's right."

Jiumozhi wondered, "This humble monk has never met General Helian before. I wonder why he is looking for me?"

Crane in the Clouds replied, "This is not the place to talk. Follow me and you will know. In short, for you, Great Master, this is definitely good news."

With that, he turned and walked out.

Jiumozhi considered for a moment, left money for the tea, and got up to follow.