Chapter 10: Assassination

Yang Guo observed the expressions of the crowd and understood their sentiments. He quickly said, "The assassination of Guo Jing was purely for personal revenge; I do not dare to accept this title. Please bestow it upon someone from Mongolia who has made significant contributions instead"

Guo Jing nodded; in fact, he had long wished to spar with Xiao Yue Sheng. With his martial arts skills having reached such a level, it was truly difficult to find an opponent. Spending all day practicing alone had become rather monotonous.

Xiao Yue felt admiration in her heart; this is truly the wisdom that appears foolish. Guo Jing's achievements today are certainly not merely a result of luck.

Xiao Yue responded lightly and said to the Little Dragon Girl in a gentle manner, "Miss Long, please come in and have a seat"

Little Dragon Girl was overjoyed and hurriedly asked, "Guo'er, has it been resolved already?"

Yang Guo was also delighted, joyfully holding Xiao Longnu's hand, and said with a smile: "Indeed, Auntie, it is all right now. We no longer need to pay any attention to that old witch Qiu Qianchi."

Yang Guo felt somewhat awkward as he noticed that Brother Xiao was indifferent towards him, standing there with his hands hanging down.

At the banquet, Kublai Khan maintained a calm demeanor, continuously urging everyone to drink.

One month later, the Mongol Khan Möngke died in his tent in Sichuan, and the Golden Wheel Dharma King also perished there, suspected to be one of the culprits. From that point on, the Mongols became deeply wary of the martial arts masters who came to seek refuge, and the number of those seeking asylum gradually diminished

Suddenly, he felt a sense of worry. Although with Xiao Shao-xia's lightness of foot it was not difficult to approach the Mongolian tent, escaping unscathed would be exceedingly difficult. The Mongolians were exceptionally brave and showed no fear of death. Even with his agility, if he were to be ensnared amidst the throngs of soldiers, it would be hard for him to ensure his own safety

Yang Guo was greatly astonished and said, "Elder brother, you actually intend to assassinate Kublai Khan?"

Yang Guo saw that they had almost finished drinking, stood up, and bowed to Kublai Khan, saying: "Your Highness, I am eager for revenge and wish to set out tonight to infiltrate Xiangyang City and wait for an opportunity to assassinate Guo Jing"

Xiao Yue Sheng placed his left hand on Yang Guo's right acupoint, and a surge of internal energy flowed in. He nodded slightly and smiled, saying, "It is not a problem; I have a spiritual pill that can resolve this. However, there is only one left at the moment. If you are poisoned again, I will need some time to concoct another one."

As the two entered the Guo residence, a family member guided them to a study. Just as they stood still, the door opened, and Xiao Yuesheng stood quietly there.

Xiao Yue stood up, lifted the hem of his long robe, tucked it at his waist, and said with a smile: "Come, come, Guo the Hero, let us exchange a few moves and spar a bit"

"Young Hero Xiao, you are up so early?" Guo Jing asked with a smile as he adjusted his clothes

Yang Guo remained speechless.

The four assailants were taken aback, still unable to react, when they saw Kublai Khan, seated at the desk, suddenly spurt a jet of hot blood from between his brows, creating a gaping wound. His expression was one of astonishment, disbelief, and unwillingness, as his gaze gradually lost its luster, yet his body remained still and upright.

Xiao Yue Sheng smiled and said, "You all go out first; I need to meditate for a day. Go and see the couple, Guo Daxia and his wife. They are facing a calamity these days, so please lend them a hand."

Yang Guo shook his head, bowed to bid farewell with Xiao Longnv, and, under the guidance of a guard beside Kublai Khan, exited the main tent and left the Mongolian camp

Little Dragon Girl said, "Indeed, Guo'er has fallen victim to the poison of the Love Flower in the Valley of No Feelings. I wonder if Brother Xiao can provide a remedy"

Before long, the Golden Wheel Dharma King and his entourage entered the grand tent, with Yang Guo and Xiao Longnu among them

The King of the Golden Wheel's complexion was slightly flushed, yet it was difficult to discern beneath his somewhat darkened visage. He bowed slightly and said, "This person possesses exceptional lightness of foot; with one skill, he compensates for a hundred shortcomings. In my encounter with him, I could barely manage to win."

Xiao Yue Sheng turned around and smiled, saying: "Hero Guo need not be surprised; the reason will be known in due time. I have been cultivating in the deep mountains since childhood, practicing for over twenty years. I regard worldly matters as trivial and only wish to see how far my cultivation has progressed, which is why I stepped into the mundane world. However, the experiences of these past few years have left me weary; I long for stillness after much activity. I wish to rest for a while, to enjoy a few years of tranquility. Hehe, perhaps one day, when I feel the urge to move again, I will come to find you."

In the back garden, Guo Jing, dressed in simple attire, was focused intently on his training, while Xiao Yuesheng slowly walked over and sat on the long bench in front of the flowers

Xiao Yue stood firmly in a Wuji stance, his feet slightly apart, and smiled as he said, "Hero Gu, you overestimate me. Among my skills, only my lightness skill is somewhat commendable; the rest are quite ordinary. I have long admired your martial arts, and this time I must witness it for myself."

Yang Guo swallowed it in one gulp and immediately ran to the restroom. Upon returning, he felt refreshed and full of vigor.

This mental technique was created by Xiao Yuesheng based on the principles of Tai Chi's mental methods, and its power surpasses that of others. It shares a similar essence with the Murong family's principle of using the opponent's own methods against them; however, the Murong family's mental techniques are grounded in the comprehensive study of various martial arts schools. In comparison to the shifting of stars and the movement of the cosmos, their power is significantly inferior.

Guo Jing hurriedly placed his index finger to his lips, signaling for silence

Huang Yaoshi had already seen Guo Jing's situation on the city wall and hurried out of the city to assist him

Little Dragon Girl also felt a sense of repression in her heart. She gently helped Yang Guo up and said softly, "Guo'er, do not cry"

Outside the city of Xiangyang, they encountered a perilous situation. Guo Jing was surrounded by elite Mongolian soldiers and found himself trapped. However, with his profound internal strength and the assistance of the Douzhuan Xingyi heart method, he displayed remarkable prowess before thousands of onlookers, leaping unarmed onto the city wall, evoking both admiration and hatred from Kublai Khan, who was within the formation.

Guo Jing saw that the camp was calm and knew that the major event had been settled. If Xiao Shao Xia had not escaped, he was likely in grave danger. Realizing that there was nothing to gain by going forward, he intended to turn back. Unexpectedly, just as he was about to turn his horse around, the sound of thundering hooves echoed, startling him. He quickly turned his horse's head and leaped back.

As night falls, the moon shines brightly and the stars are few, the sky is clear and the atmosphere is serene. Inside the Mongolian yurt, Kublai Khan sits at his desk, holding a scroll, deeply engrossed in reading it

Seeing him take action, the other three quickly joined the attack, surrounding Xiao Yuesheng's figure

Yang Guo felt a surge of suspicion; could it be that Guo Jing already knew of his intention to assassinate him? Yet, upon further reflection, that seemed unlikely. It must be Xiao Dage, for only he was aware that Yang Guo would be returning tonight

Kublai Khan's furious red eyes fixed intently on the person kneeling before him, a surge of murderous intent rising within him. However, recalling that person's enigmatic lightness of foot, a chill crept into his heart. Indeed, his guards were of little use against those high-ranking masters of the martial world. Sighing inwardly, he waved his hand and said, "You may leave now and invite the Dharma King and the others to come."

He no longer lingered, invoking the Golden Wheel Dharma King, and headed west. He was already aware that the Mongolian Khan, Mongke, was currently in Sichuan.

Xiao Yue's figure flickered lightly, remaining calm amidst the attacks of the crowd. With a slight lift of his left hand, he pointed towards King Jinlun.

Xiao Yue nodded slightly and said, "Certainly, let me first explain this mental technique."

Yang Guo was not accustomed to such strong liquor, and moreover, he had matters on his mind. After only a few sips, by the end of several rounds, only he and his master remained sober

Kublai Khan appeared calm, yet his heart was far from tranquil. He had no confidence in whether he could capture Xiao Yuesheng, but ensuring his own safety seemed not too difficult, thus he felt relatively unafraid. His gaze lingered on the scroll before him, deeply contemplating how to seize this person and persuade him to join his ranks. Suddenly, he heard a cold laugh, and upon looking up, he saw Xiao Yuesheng standing in the tent with his hands clasped behind his back. Dressed in a blue robe, he wore a cold smile, his eyes sharp as lightning, making the few oil lamps in the tent seem dim in comparison.

Xiao Yue Sheng shook his head, let out a long sigh, and walked out through the door

Xiaoxiangzi let out a loud cry: "My lord!"

Guo Jing forced a smile and said, "I am naturally very pleased that you have come to find me. Even if you wish to retire from the world, when you have leisure, you might as well come here more often to alleviate the longing my wife and I feel for you"

Yin Kexi was skeptical and was about to scold, but suddenly saw Nimo Xing being struck by a stick from Ma Guangzuo, spitting blood and collapsing to the ground. Only then did he begin to believe, feeling a sense of dread at such sorcery.

He turned his head sharply and glared fiercely at Xiao Yuesheng, his gaze as fierce as a bloodthirsty beast. Then, as if driven mad, he lunged forward, every move aimed at mutual destruction. Deep down, he understood that once Kublai Khan was dead, their fate would be the same. It was better to escape from Mongolia; if that was not possible, then rather than live in obscurity, it was preferable to perish together.

Xiao Yuesheng remained calm and unhurried, his right hand drawing a circle in front of him, entangling the double palms that Guo Jing was striking towards him. Guo Jing felt as if his palm had not yet reached Xiao Yuesheng, and in mid-air, there seemed to be a ball of cotton blocking his right palm. The internal energy in his palm was completely absorbed by this ball of cotton, prompting him to withdraw the force from his right palm. His left palm followed suit, striking out with the move "Seeing the Dragon in the Field." He then realized that his right palm was involuntarily meeting his left palm. When the two palms collided, there was a loud "bang." The internal energy of "Seeing the Dragon in the Field" was thick and indestructible, causing Guo Jing to feel a shock from his own internal energy, and a wave of blood surged within him, resulting in a slight internal injury.

Kublai Khan, already half-drunk, was greatly pleased upon hearing this and said, "Very good, very good. If you can assassinate Guo Jing, I shall appoint you as the foremost warrior of Mongolia"

Kublai Khan, in a fit of rage, violently smashed the milk tea bowl on the table onto the felt, shouting: "Come here! Come here!"

Outside Xiangyang City, the Mongolian troops withdrew. Although Guo Jing advocated for an offensive, he was helpless against the cowardice of the defending general, Lü Wende, who firmly opposed any military pursuit, leaving Guo Jing to watch helplessly as the Mongolian army retreated safely.

King of the Golden Wheel, Xiao Xiangzi, Nimo Xing, and Ma Guangzuo held their weapons, standing before the table with expressions of vigilance. Kublai Khan, aware that Xiao Yuesheng would arrive tonight, summoned his top experts, while over thirty other first-rate experts surrounded the tent outside, employing a strategy of overwhelming numbers to deal with him

Yang Guo was taken aback, stopping in his tracks. After a moment of thought, he realized the significance of the situation. Brother Xiao, with his unparalleled wisdom, seemed to know everything. However, he soon felt a surge of joy; having been poisoned by the love flower, with Brother Xiao present, there would surely be a way to counteract the poison

Yang Guo, still filled with joy, bid farewell upon hearing these words

Xiao Yuesheng waved his hand and smiled, saying: "We are brothers, there is no need to say such things. Oh, have you been poisoned?"

Xiao Yuesheng returned to the monastery and saw that Yang Guo and Xiao Longnv had already calmed down. He smiled slightly and said, "Brother Yang, do you feel more at ease now?"

Xiao Yuesheng did not delay any longer. He slightly raised his left hand, as if plucking a pipa, and with a flick of his four fingers, four individuals—either at their chests or between their brows—sprayed forth four jets of hot blood. This sight made him, standing in the center, feel somewhat nauseated. Although he had killed before, it had not been many times, and he was still somewhat unaccustomed to it.

Yang Guo, with a conflicted expression, trembled as he said: "Isn't the revenge for my father's murder to be taken?"

King Jinlun felt a sense of unease in his heart, knowing that he would undoubtedly be facing Xiao Yuesheng tonight. The thought of Xiao's unpredictable lightness skill and his silent, effortless finger snap technique sent chills down his back. The martial arts employed by Xiao Yuesheng could not be classified as conventional martial arts; they should be referred to as demonic techniques.

On the second day, before dawn, Guo Jing sent out scouts to gather information about the Mongolian camp. They learned that the camp was heavily guarded, with everyone wearing a serious expression and the atmosphere being oppressive

On this day, Yang Guo and Guo Jing left Xiangyang City and paid their respects at the Du Gong Memorial Hall. This experience deeply moved Yang Guo, as he came to understand the essence of righteousness and the true spirit of chivalry, which is to serve the country and the people. He etched this lesson into his heart

Xiao Yue Sheng smiled and said, "Hero Guo is also up this early."

Throw the corpse of Xiao Xiang Zi into the emerging pit, then cover it with soil, gently patting it with the right palm, restoring the ground to its original state

Guo Jing was anxiously rubbing his hands in the hall, while Huang Rong, heavily pregnant, held a green bamboo stick. It was no longer the Dog-Beatting Stick of the Beggar's Sect, but out of habit over the years, she still carried the bamboo stick. She also wore an anxious expression. Last night, Guo Jing had conveyed the words from the day to Huang Rong. Upon hearing them, Huang Rong immediately understood what Xiao Yuesheng intended to do. However, this matter was too perilous; even if successful, escape would be difficult. Although Xiao Yuesheng possessed remarkable lightness of foot, it was of little use amidst a sea of soldiers.

Kublai Khan was greatly pleased and said, "The martial arts of that national master must be far superior to his"

Guo Jing smiled and said: "The stars shift and the world changes, the name matches the reality. Indeed, there is an effect of the stars shifting and the world changing. Young Hero Xiao is able to create such a miraculous mental technique, I, Guo, am immensely impressed."

Xiaoxiangzi exchanged a few glances with Nemo Star and shook his head. King Jinlun was taken aback and said: "Your Highness truly possesses great powers; you have even heard of this person. When I traveled to the Central Plains, I encountered him. His lightness skill is exceptionally high, but his other abilities are not particularly remarkable."

Yang Guo's legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground, sobbing in pain

Yang Guo felt a stir in his heart. Last night, while he was sleeping in the tent, Brother Xiao suddenly entered and woke him up. Still immersed in the joy of their reunion, he stopped himself from speaking and communicated through thought transmission, urging him to leave the Mongolian camp quickly, or else a great disaster would befall him. Could it be that he actually encountered Kublai Khan?

Having spoken, without waiting for him to respond, he lightly tapped the air with a finger. The Golden Wheel Dharma King remained motionless, yet he had been struck at a pressure point, falling unconscious.

However, Huang Rong said anxiously, Guo Jing waved his hand and replied, "Rong'er, there is no need to say more. My mind is made up. I will set off immediately. You should rest assured and take care of yourself, especially the child within you."

Xiao Yue shot him a cold glare and said, "What, is he not to be killed?"

Xiao Yue Sheng smiled and said, "You need not worry about this; I have my own methods. The way of imparting knowledge is somewhat unique, and I will teach you through the method of initiation."

Guo Jing said softly: "Esteemed father-in-law, Young Hero Xiao does not wish for others to know that he has been here. I hope you can understand, esteemed father-in-law"

Xiao Yuesheng paid no attention to their attacks, merely sneering coldly twice. As he activated the Douzhuan Xingyi mental technique, he flicked his Soul Summoning Banner from a distance, redirecting it towards Yin Kexi. Yin Kexi, fully focused on attacking Xiao Yuesheng, did not expect the attack to be directed at him. Caught off guard, despite his best efforts to evade, he was still struck on the thigh by the Soul Summoning Banner, letting out a cry of pain as he fell to the ground, shouting: "Xiaoxiangzi, what are you doing?!"

Xiao Yuesheng held a deep affection for this pure and graceful woman. Upon hearing her words, he withdrew the pressure he had been exerting and said to Yang Guo, "Brother Yang, why are you in the Mongolian camp?"

The King of the Golden Wheel was deeply apprehensive of his finger snap supernatural power. Upon witnessing his movements, he hurriedly placed the Golden Wheel in front of himself, shielding himself from Kublai Khan.

As the discussion progressed, the tone gradually became more impassioned

The five of them were extremely wary of Huang Yaoshi's martial arts, and could only return on horseback with reluctance

Xiao Yue sighed and said, "I do not kill Bo Ren, but Bo Ren dies because of me. At that time, you will suffer from lifelong guilt. Yang Guo, do you really want that?"

Yang Guo has a proud and extreme temperament, being more receptive to gentle approaches than to forceful ones. Although he holds great respect for Xiao Yuesheng, such cold words still provoke his displeasure and ignite his temper. He straightens his neck and says: "Indeed! Guo Jing is my father's enemy. The enmity of my father cannot coexist with him. If I cannot kill him myself, I can only rely on others to do so"

Xiaolongnv also sensed this pressure. Seeing Yang Guo standing there, his face flushed and veins bulging, she hurriedly said to Xiao Yuesheng: "Brother Xiao, may I ask what brings you to us?"

Xiao Yuesheng smiled and said: "This is a unique mental technique I have created, called 'Douzhuan Xingyi'. It can redirect the internal energy directed towards oneself, or use the force of the opponent against them. It is highly effective for defense"

Over the years, Guo Jing had become astute and experienced. Upon hearing the words of Xiao Yuesheng, he couldn't help but be taken aback, feeling fatigued: "Young Hero Xiao, are you really planning to assassinate ... ... "

Not far from the large camp, King Jinlun discarded the stiff body of Xiaoxiangzi, placing it beside him. With his right hand, he gently pressed down on the ground and quickly drew a circle. With a light lift, he raised a large clod of earth measuring three feet on each side. If anyone had seen this, they would surely have been extremely astonished.

Huang Yaoshi, displeased, said: "What are you sneaking around for?"

The process of imparting was exceedingly simple. Xiao Yuesheng merely pressed his left palm lightly against Guo Jing's Baihui point. Guo Jing, being open and upright, did not worry about any harm from Xiao Yuesheng and accepted it calmly. If Huang Rong were present, she would certainly not agree.

He glanced at the few people around him, and his heart felt somewhat more at ease. Although these individuals were not in harmony with him and were engaged in both open and covert struggles, their martial skills were only slightly inferior to his own. Even if they combined their efforts, no matter how high their martial prowess, it would still be difficult for them to withstand him.

Xiao Yuesheng ignored him and gently said to Xiaolongnv, "Miss Long, as the master of this rascal, you should understand the greater principles. Do you know that if Guo Jing were to die, Xiangyang City would surely fall? At that time, the long-standing anger from their failed siege would lead to a massacre, and how many common people of the Song Dynasty would suffer? I believe you must have witnessed the brutality of the Mongols, haven't you?"

The King of the Golden Wheel hurriedly leaped up, jumping to Kublai Khan's table, holding the Golden Wheel to protect Kublai Khan

Huang Rong saw her husband's expression and knew it would be difficult to dissuade him, so she hurriedly said: "Then you should take more people with you"

Guo Jing hurriedly waved his hand and smiled, saying: "How can my mediocre skills compare to those of Young Hero Xiao? I would rather not embarrass myself."

Xiao Yue Sheng said: "I, Xiao, have a matter to entrust to the great hero Guo, and I kindly ask that you do not decline, Hero Guo"

Xiao Yuansheng shook his head and said: "No, recording it on paper is too risky; it is inevitable that it will fall into the hands of treacherous individuals. This method of mental cultivation must be passed down orally and cannot be seen in written form"

He recounted in detail the experiences of Yang Kang and Guo Jing, and by the time he finished, the sky had begun to show a faint light

Xiao Yuesheng sighed and said, "Last night, I intended to assassinate Kublai Khan. Just as I was about to act, I suddenly realized that you were in the camp. It was then that I forcibly held back; otherwise, you would have already met your end!"

The two stood ready, and Guo Jing said: "I will use the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms, so be careful."

Xiao Yue stood up, lowered the hem of his long robe, lightly brushed his clothing, and said solemnly: "I have come here, and it is best that no one knows. Today, I wish to meditate in peace for a day, and I will leave tonight. If there are any movements from the Mongolian army tomorrow, Master Guo must act decisively. Haha, that is all I have to say; we shall meet again!"

Xiao Yue sneered and said: "You just want to use him to take revenge for your father's grievances, right?"

Xiaoxiangzi opened his mouth to argue, saying: "It is not me, it is him. He possesses magical powers and will draw my banner to you."

"No, I must go and take a look. In case Young Hero Xiao is caught in the military, I can still lend him a helping hand," Guo Jing said firmly, stamping his foot.

Yang Guo's face flushed with embarrassment as he said, "Brother Xiao, please do not take offense."

As the city of Xiangyang came into view, the five pursuers drew ever closer, their faces becoming visible. If he were to be caught by these five, the large group behind him would surround him, making escape impossible. Anxious, he urged his steed with a sharp kick, and the little red horse surged forward with renewed vigor, accelerating rapidly. However, the distance between him and the five continued to diminish.

Xiao Xiangzi, Nimo Xing, Yin Kexi, and Ma Guangzu formed a four-element formation to encircle Xiao Yuesheng. The four of them were unaware of Xiao Yuesheng's formidable abilities, but upon seeing him enter silently without their notice, they realized the situation was quite tricky. Thus, they all moved together to surround him.

Yang Guo let out a cold laugh in his heart, not expecting this great monk to be so base as to utter such words

Xiao Yue placed her left hand gently on the back of his right hand, and a surge of pure internal energy flowed into his body, healing the injuries.

Suddenly, a figure in a green shirt floated towards him, and he was overjoyed, for it was his father-in-law, the Eastern Heretic, Huang Yaoshi. Huang Rong, unable to dissuade her husband, knowing the dangers ahead, hurried to find her father, asking him to wait by the city to provide assistance in case her husband needed to retreat.

Xiao Yue let out a long sigh, gazing at the morning star in the east, and said with a smile: "After tonight, I shall retreat to the mountains and no longer involve myself in the affairs of the martial world. As for my heart method, I would like to ask Hero Guo to pass it on, so that my efforts will not be in vain."

As the wine flowed and spirits lifted, he suddenly inquired, "Is there anyone among you who has heard of a person named Xiao Yuesheng?"

Kublai Khan nodded and said, "In that case, I shall follow your advice, but I wonder what further assistance the valiant Yang requires"

Guo Jing was greatly astonished, suddenly rising to his feet, and said: "What is the reason that Young Hero Xiao, at the peak of his youth and vigor, suddenly wishes to retreat to the mountains?"

Guo Jing had heard of the method of "Guan Ding," which is said to be taught by highly accomplished monks in the Buddhist tradition to their disciples. He did not expect that the young hero Xiao would actually understand this skill. Xiao's seemingly endless abilities filled Guo Jing with great admiration

The transmission of the Star Shifting Heart Method by Xiao Yuesheng was actually meant for Guo Jing, providing him with an additional layer of self-defense skills. He understood well that Guo Jing was not articulate and would not be able to teach a disciple. If he did not phrase it this way, Guo Jing would naturally not accept this heart method, which can be seen as Xiao Yuesheng's heartfelt consideration.

Guo Jing felt a verse of incantation emerge in his mind, remarkably clear, and he was greatly astonished by it

He let out a long sigh, realizing in an instant the power of life and death he held in his hands. It is no wonder that people in the world pursue power; the thrill of manipulating the fates of others is indeed highly addictive. Last night, I made my presence known, intending to gather all the elites of the Mongolian Academy today and capture them all at once. However, as fate would have it, I only managed to kill over thirty people. I can only blame Kublai Khan for underestimating me.

Kublai Khan set his mind at ease, and when the time comes, he will have everyone gather, making it easy to achieve his goals. Xiao Yuesheng is indeed a talented individual; I wonder if he can be recruited under my banner.

Guo Jing let out a long sigh and said, "What kind of skill is this, that it is so miraculous?"

Little Dragon Girl nodded and said, "I wonder what brings you, Brother Xiao? Could it be that he knows you intend to kill your Uncle Guo and is here to stop you?"

The suppressed feelings of depression within him began to unfold, and in a state of cheerful mood, he drank heartily, frequently urging others to join him in toasting.

Guo Jing recalled Xiao Yuesheng's earlier demeanor, which clearly conveyed a sense of finality. He understood that Xiao had made up his mind; perhaps his purpose in coming this time was to assassinate the Mongolian chieftain. Otherwise, why would he insist on confidentiality as soon as he entered the Guo residence, forbidding others from knowing of his arrival

Ma Guangzuo, a rough man with a violent temper, upon hearing these words, let out a great roar: "Take this stick!" He swung the iron rod down at Xiao Yuesheng with the force of splitting Mount Hua.

Guo Jing chuckled softly and said, "I, Guo, am of dull wit and can only make progress in martial arts through hard work."

Upon arriving at the gates of Xiangyang City, he announced his name. A nearby soldier hurriedly let him in, saying that the great hero Guo was aware of his arrival tonight and requested him to proceed.

He glanced at the blood-soaked ground, feeling somewhat nauseous. He hung the golden wheel back on the back of the Golden Wheel King, lifted him along with Xiao Xiangzi, and floated like a ghost, walking on the wind. The Mongolian elite soldiers only saw a flash, and with a gust of wind passing by, they could see nothing, only shaking their heads and focusing on their patrol. In the blink of an eye, he left the Mongolian camp, as if in a land devoid of people

Guo Jing understood that Xiao Yue Sheng did not want anyone to know what he was doing, so this honest man began to feign deafness and silence, refusing to respond

Guo Jing sat down on the bench with him and asked, "I wonder what matter requires Guo's assistance. If it is within my capabilities, I will certainly do my utmost to help."

Xiao Yuesheng let out a faint cold laugh. The King of the Golden Wheel only heard a loud bang, as a surge of energy rushed into his body from the Golden Wheel. His body moved involuntarily, lifted into the air by this immense force. The Golden Wheel had long since slipped from his grasp. Suspended in mid-air, he shouted hoarsely, "Protect the King... Grandfather..." Struggling to utter the words, blood surged from his mouth, rendering him speechless. With a thud, he fell to the ground behind Kublai Khan, his entire being feeling as if his internal organs were being violently churned, the pain excruciating.

The expressions of the remaining onlookers changed dramatically; martial artists are particularly fond of reputation. To achieve fame across the world is the greatest honor for a warrior. The title of the first warrior of Mongolia is of utmost prestige, indeed making one extremely envious.

Yang Guo threw himself into her warm embrace and cried out loud

Guo Jing saw him, stopped, and walked over with a restrained demeanor

Yang Guo exclaimed joyfully, "Elder Brother!"

Yang Guo stood there with his hands hanging down, suddenly feeling a surge of pressure in his heart. Brother Xiao sat quietly, emanating an increasingly strong aura of dominance, making it difficult for him to breathe. His heartbeat quickened, and the blood coursed through his body rapidly, as if it were about to burst through his veins

He does not want to; his little red horse is a Dawan blood-sweating steed. Among the Mongolians, there is no shortage of divine steeds. The mounts of the five captains are all thousand-mile divine steeds, no less than the little red horse. They run all day long, their stamina is exceptional, while the little red horse has been carefully nurtured over the years, and its stamina has somewhat declined, gradually being caught up by these five horses

His lightness of foot was extraordinary, and in the blink of an eye, he arrived beside Guo Jing, a hundred meters away from the five men. He flicked a stone from his hand, and five sharp whistles rang out. The five horses neighed loudly, rearing up on their hind legs. The five captains, all skilled horsemen, were caught off guard, their legs tightly clamped against the horses' bellies, remaining motionless in their saddles. However, this delay allowed Guo Jing to escape far away, reaching the city gate. The gate opened a small crack, allowing the two of them to enter.

"I don't believe it, I don't believe it, my father is not that kind of person—" Yang Guo suddenly shouted, his expression one of unbearable pain

Xiao Yue raised his left hand lightly, using his true energy to bind him, and said, "I know you have always thought of your father as a hero. Life is like this; a single misstep can lead to irreparable mistakes. Death is significant, and for now, there is no need to discuss whether he was right or wrong. You want to seek revenge on Guo Jing, but there is indeed no justification for it. Moreover, you have put personal grievances above public duty, and you should truly reflect on that"

Huang Yaoshi snorted and said, "He always likes to be so mysterious, let him be! Why did you run to the Mongolian camp? You made Rong'er anxious, her little face turned pale with fright"

Guo Jing stood there, his heart surging with tumultuous waves and raging tides

As Xiao Yuesheng was about to leave, he had already released the acupoints of several guards. In a state of confusion, he heard the prince calling from within the tent. Suddenly, more than a dozen guards surged in, kneeling on the ground, and exclaimed: "Your Highness!"

Yang Guo shook his head and said: "No, it's just—"

Looking at the two who were stunned by his words, he continued: "Your name is Yang Guo, with the courtesy name of Gai Zhi, which was given by your Uncle Guo, precisely to prevent you from following in your father's footsteps. However, your mother had a fiery temperament; before she gave birth to you, she secretly hid away, making it impossible for the heroic couple, Guo Daxia and his wife, to find you, which is why you have suffered so much."

He no longer looked at the lifeless faces, walked over to the Golden Wheel Dharma King lying on the ground, and said with a smile: "Golden Wheel Dharma King, I shall spare your life for the time being"

Guo Jing shook his head and said, "No need, it makes no difference whether there are many or few people. I will go alone; it will be easier to escape that way"

Having said that, he took out a jade bottle from his bosom, poured a red elixir from the bottle, and handed it to Yang Guo

Turning to Xiaolongnv, he said: "Aunt, it must be Brother Xiao who has summoned us. Let us go to the Guo residence."

Guo Jing was taken aback and said, "Why, if you wish to pass it on to me, do you not write the heart method down on paper? I can carry it with me and pass it on to someone suitable when the time comes"

Yesterday, Guo Jing displayed his extraordinary prowess on the battlefield, and most of the Mongolian warriors recognized him. Upon seeing him lingering not far from the main camp, they hurriedly reported this within. The five commanders in the Mongolian tent wore grave expressions, for the prince had been assassinated inside the tent, and they had been completely unaware. The consequences of this report could even lead to the extermination of their families. Hearing that Guo Jing was outside, they felt a glimmer of hope; if they could kill Guo Jing, it would be considered a remarkable achievement, somewhat mitigating their failure to protect the prince. They quickly dispatched troops to encircle Guo Jing.

Xiao Yuesheng's expression was calm, as if he did not see the four people surrounding him. He coldly gazed at Kublai Khan and said: "Heaven's sins can still be forgiven, but the sins of man cannot be tolerated! I originally pitied Your Highness's generation of heroes and was reluctant to take action, intending to resolve this peacefully. However, Your Highness has sought a swift death for yourself. Now that the masters have gathered in this tent, with all the elites present, it has saved me a lot of effort."

Xiao Yue Sheng lightly waved his left hand, closing the door, entered the room, sat on the couch, and closed his eyes in silence

Xiao Yue Sheng hurriedly raised his hand to stop, smiled slightly, and turned to leave gracefully.

He looked up towards the direction of the Mongolian army, feeling a surge of excitement in his heart. He had contemplated assassination several times, but before he could approach the main camp, he realized it would be difficult to proceed and turned back. Kublai Khan was well aware that the martial arts masters of the Central Plains were numerous, and there would undoubtedly be no shortage of assassins. The level of vigilance was so high that it could be described as a copper wall and iron bastion. Only Xiao Yuesheng's lightness skill surpassed the realm of martial arts, belonging to the category of Daoist techniques, allowing him to treat the situation as if it were a leisurely stroll.

Huang Yaoshi secretly wiped away his cold sweat, knowing that without his intervention today, his son-in-law would be in grave danger. Could this be the minor calamity that Xiao Yuesheng mentioned? He turned to Guo Jing, who was holding the horse, and asked, "Where is Brother Xiao?"

Xiao Yuansheng looked at him, contemplated for a moment, and said: "Originally, I did not wish to inform you about your father's matters, to spare you the pain in your heart. However, at this point, it is time for you to know the truth. Your grandfather, Yang Tiexin, was a direct descendant of the Yang family, and the father of the great hero Guo, Guo Xiaotian, was his sworn brother..."

Xiao Yuesheng raised his hand, took out a jade pendant from his bosom, and handed it to Guo Jing, saying: "Hero Guo, this jade pendant is from my personal belongings. In the future, if you have any matters to discuss with me, you may send someone to wait for me at Nanhu in Jiaxing, and you will certainly see me there"

Having spoken, he drew a half arc in front of him with his left hand, and with a sudden strike of his right palm, he executed his most proud move, the "Angry Dragon Regrets." He had practiced this move for twenty to thirty years, to the point of being thoroughly familiar with it. The palm carried a fierce internal force, embodying the utmost rigidity and yang energy. When it struck a person, it could cause tendons to snap and bones to break, demonstrating immense power

He was appointed as the first national master of Mongolia by Kublai Khan. To admit that he was defeated by Xiao Yuesheng would be tantamount to slapping himself in the face

He smiled at the Little Dragon Girl and said, "With Brother Xiao here, there is no need to fear the poison on me. Brother Xiao possesses great abilities and will surely find a way to cure this poison of mine"

Guo Jing, with a troubled expression, said: "But my memory is not very good, and I fear I won't be able to learn this miraculous mental technique."

Having spoken, without waiting for Huang Rong to respond, he strode out. Upon exiting the hall, he went to the stable, mounted the little red horse, and galloped towards the city outskirts

Little Dragon Girl was overjoyed; she had been worried about this for days. Now that she heard there was a way to detoxify, the joy in her heart was beyond words. However, having practiced the ancient tomb's heart method since childhood, she was devoid of emotions and desires. The joy in her heart only briefly flickered across her face as she smiled and said, "Then let us go quickly"

Guo Jing did not decline, but solemnly accepted the jade pendant, fully aware of its significance