Over the past few days, under the careful medical attention of the miraculous physician Xue Muhua, Ahu's injuries gradually improved.
That day, according to reports from his subordinates, martial arts masters from all directions were continuously rushing to the vicinity of Julianzhuang to attend a gathering. As it turned out, this gathering had been jointly initiated by high-ranking Shaolin monks and the You brothers, with the sole purpose of eliminating the Khitans who were disrupting the Central Plains martial arts world.
Ever since the incident at Apricot Forest, the claim that Qiao Feng was a Khitan had spread like wildfire across the entire Central Plains martial arts community. Some malicious individuals even seized the opportunity to fan the flames, claiming that Qiao Feng was actually a spy sent by the Khitans to infiltrate the Central Plains martial arts world with the intent of subverting the Great Song regime.
Qiao Feng and Jilin arrived before the gates of Julianzhuang, raising their heads to gaze at the high-hanging plaque while the chaotic clamor of voices from inside reached their ears. The two men then stepped into the estate, and the previously boisterous place instantly fell so dead silent that one could hear a pin drop.
"Qiao Feng, as a lackey of the Khitans, you actually dare to come to this Hero Gathering!" One man stood up and shouted aloud.
Hearing this, Qiao Feng let out a cold laugh. "Why can't I come? If I don't come, how can you people kill me?" A look of determination and fearlessness was revealed in his eyes.
At this, the entire scene fell into a profound silence. Everyone knew of Qiao Feng's formidable prowess, yet they still firmly believed they could defeat this former leader of the Beggar Gang.
Qiao Feng slowly raised his head, sweeping his gaze across the crowd surrounding him. He took a deep breath and said, "Today, all of you gathered here have shared past ties with me, Qiao Feng. Here and now, I, Qiao Feng, am willing to drain this cup of wine with you all, and from this moment on, we break all ties." With that, he picked up the bowl of wine on the table and downed it in a single gulp.
"My killing you is not ingratitude, nor is your killing me a betrayal of righteousness." With a solemn expression, Qiao Feng held the wine bowl from the table and said in a deep voice.
Seeing this scene, Jilin could not help a wave of emotion rising within his heart. Without the slightest hesitation, he stepped forward and likewise took a bowl of wine.
"Brother Qiao, I, Jilin, have always judged people by their character rather than the situation. After spending this period together, I wish to swear a bond of brotherhood with Brother Qiao. I wonder what Brother Qiao thinks?" Jilin looked at Qiao Feng, speaking with sincerity. His gaze was filled with trust and respect.
Qiao Feng was slightly startled; he had not expected Jilin to make such a request on an occasion like this. However, he quickly recovered, a flash of deep touched emotion crossing his eyes.
"Brother Ji, although our acquaintance has been brief, I already know you are a man who cherishes deep affections and righteousness. Today, since you are willing to swear brotherhood with me, I, Qiao Feng, am naturally more than happy to do so." Qiao Feng replied with a smile, then raised the wine bowl in his hand and clinked it against Jilin's.
Both men threw back their heads and drained their wine in one go. At that moment, the bond between them seemed to grow even deeper. The people present watched this scene with expressions of utter astonishment. They had never imagined that in such a tense atmosphere, someone would actually dare to step forward and forge ties with Qiao Feng.
Seeing Jilin act thus, Qiao Feng initially intended to dissuade him, but Jilin hurriedly turned to the many heroes and gallants present and spoke: "I believe everyone here holds their own judgment regarding Brother Qiao's true character."
"Whether he is a Khitan or a man of Great Song, those rumors and slanders about him in the martial arts world are nothing more than attempts to smear Brother Qiao. As for right and wrong, I trust every one of you can see it clearly." Having said this, Jilin cast his gaze toward the surrounding martial arts heroes, his eyes filled with anticipation and trust.
"Today, I put my words right here: whoever wants to act against Brother Qiao must first get past me!" Jilin's tone was firm and resolute, resembling an unshakeable mountain that none could move.
Seeing Jilin hold him in such high regard, Qiao Feng could not help being deeply moved. He knew full well that Jilin's choice was by no means driven by a moment of impulse, but rather stemmed from a deep-seated respect and trust for him.
Faced with this sincere camaraderie, Qiao Feng finally laid aside all misgivings and readily accepted Jilin's goodwill.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Qiao Feng and Jilin raised their cups to swear their brotherhood. With solemn expressions and utmost gravity, they proclaimed: "High Heaven above, Thick Earth below."
"Today, I, Qiao Feng—" Qiao Feng's voice was steady, powerful, and filled with heroic aspiration.
"I, Jilin—" Jilin did not show the slightest weakness, his eyes flashing with a steadfast light.
"—here swear a bond of brotherhood: not seeking to be born on the same day, month, and year, but willing to die on the same day, month, and year." The two spoke the oath in unison, shocking every single person present.
The oath-taking concluded, and the scene lapsed into silence. The first to stand and drink the severance wine were the elders of the Beggar Gang. Each of their faces was grim, their eyes revealing complex emotions.
Qiao Feng and Jilin also silently raised their cups; both sides remained wordless as they drained them to the bottom.
Yet when the wine bowls crashed heavily onto the ground, the crisp sound of shattering broke the stillness, seeming to portend that a fierce battle was about to erupt.
At that moment, the entire scene grew tense, the heavy atmosphere suffocating. The martial arts heroes frantically gripped their weapons, ready at any moment to meet the impending conflict.
In a split second, a blur of swords and sabers crossed, and battle cries rose one after another. Qiao Feng's palm force was immensely powerful, resembling a blood-crazed giant beast; every single move carried boundless might that chilled the marrow.
His figure darted through the crowd as swiftly as a phantom, and wherever he passed, blood splattered and corpses lay strewn. His eyes revealed a determination and resolution that seemed to have forgotten life and death.
Jilin's finger techniques were nimble, his posture agile and as evasive as a ghost moving unpredictably across the field. With light flicks of his fingers, piercing sword qi shot out from his fingertips, instantly piercing his enemies' chests.
His movements were light and graceful, yet fraught with lethal peril. A trace of cold indifference and disdain hung on his face, as if he paid no heed whatsoever to the encirclement of these martial artists.
The other martial artists also displayed their various skills. For a time, fists whistled, shadows of legs flew, and internal energy surged, locking them in an inextricable and brutal melee. Some unleashed immensely fierce fist techniques, every punch carrying the force to split mountains and shatter rocks; others wielded bizarre and unpredictable sword styles, flashing lights dazzling the eye; still others utilized lightness skills, as light as swallows, leaping and shifting in mid-air to evade enemy attacks. The entire scene was utter chaos, the stench of blood permeating the air and suffocating the senses.
Yet, relying on their extraordinary martial arts and unyielding fighting spirit, Qiao Feng and Jilin gradually seized the upper hand. Their figures stood tall and unfallen amidst the pool of blood like gods of war, inspiring awe in everyone's hearts. Though they had sustained numerous injuries across their bodies, they still gritted their teeth and pressed on, refusing to retreat a single half-step.
In no time at all, Julianzhuang flowed with rivers of blood, as if every corner of the courtyard had buried a living soul. The ground was dyed crimson, broken limbs hung from the walls, and the entire spectacle was too horrific to behold.
In the end, Qiao Feng and Jilin awed the crowd with their astounding strength. Their eyes radiated a majesty and dominance that struck terror into the hearts of those martial artists who still wanted to press the attack, causing them to halt their steps one by one. Their figures looked exceptionally towering amidst the bloodbath, like invincible existences.
Having undergone such an intense battle, Jilin and Qiao Feng also recovered a modicum of rationality. They swept their gazes around, looking at the corpses covering the ground and the terrified martial artists, a wave of desolate sorrow surging in their hearts. They knew this fight could no longer continue; otherwise, it would only cause even more casualties. Thus, they decided to leave this bloody place, parting with backs that filled the onlookers with dread.
They turned and walked away, their steps steady and resolute. Not a single person dared to block them, nor even to draw a full breath. Their figures gradually receded until they finally vanished from everyone's sight. Dead silence filled Julianzhuang, with only the pungent scent of blood reminding people of what had just transpired.
Upon returning to his quarters, Jilin exchanged no idle pleasantries with Qiao Feng. Instead, he hurried back to his own room, composed his breath, focused his mind, and began to channel his internal energy.
Amidst the thrilling battle that had just taken place, Jilin had suddenly spotted an enemy on the verge of death. Moved by a sudden thought, he had flashed behind the man without the slightest hesitation, then immediately executed the North-Myriad Technique, instantly absorbing every last shred of the opponent's internal energy cleanly away.
Through accumulation after accumulation in this manner, an incomparably formidable surge of internal energy had now gathered within Jilin's body. This internal energy surged like a violent, turbulent flood, constantly roaming through his meridians and making him feel both excited and nervous.
After all, if such a massive force were not controlled and guided, it could very well cause him severe harm. Therefore, Jilin had to concentrate with all his might to circulate his technique, gradually digesting this internal energy and transforming it into his own strength.
Night fell, the bright moon hung high, and moonlight like water spilled across the earth.
As Jilin was intently practicing his cultivation in his room, the gentle voice of Wang Yuyan suddenly drifted in from outside the door, calling him to dinner. Hearing the voice, Jilin looked out the window, a smile crossing his face. He immediately halted his movements and followed Wang Yuyan to the dining table.
At the table, Qiao Feng sat alone, silently drinking, a trace of loneliness and sorrow revealing itself in his gaze. Ahu sat quietly by Qiao Feng's side, keeping him company and offering words of comfort from time to time, but Qiao Feng merely nodded slightly without speaking.
Watching Qiao Feng, a wave of sympathy welled up in Jilin's heart. He stepped forward, patted Qiao Feng on the shoulder, and said softly, "Big Brother, how boring is it to drink alone? I've come to drink with you." Hearing this, Qiao Feng raised his head to glance at Jilin, forced a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, and nodded.
The two men raised their wine cups, clinked them gently, and downed them in one go. As the alcohol slid down his throat, Qiao Feng felt a wave of warmth surge into his heart; he looked at Jilin with gratitude, a flash of touched emotion crossing his eyes.
After three rounds of drinks, Jilin put down his wine cup and, after a moment of silence, decided to speak the truth to Qiao Feng. He told Qiao Feng about his family background and the various events of the past.
Hearing this, Qiao Feng's complexion instantly turned as pale as paper, his eyes filled with disbelief and shock. He had never imagined that he possessed such a complicated heritage, while at the same time feeling glad that his biological father was still alive in this world.
After a long while, Qiao Feng slowly recovered his wits, took a deep breath, and let a flash of determination gleam in his eyes: "Brother, I plan to find my father first, and then we can discuss our next steps."
Jilin raised his head, casting his gaze toward the window. "Uncle Xiao, Big Brother knows the truth of the matter now—aren't you planning to show yourself?"
Wang Yuyan, Ahu, and Qiao Feng all stared around in astonishment.
"How did you know I was here?" Xiao Yuanshan stared at Jilin with a sharp gaze, then stepped out before the group.
Jilin let out a cold laugh. "I guessed. I was bluffing you."
"And look at that, it flushed you right out."
Xiao Yuanshan paused for a moment, looked at Qiao Feng, and said, "Feng'er..."
Jilin then stood up and addressed Xiao Yuanshan, "Since Uncle has come out, then I shall tell you the true murderer. The one who harmed your Xiao family is Murong Bo."
"Murong Bo?" A trace of doubt laced Xiao Yuanshan's voice.
"Precisely, it is him. The battle at Yanmen Pass back then was deliberately stirred up by him, with the sole purpose of instigating a war between Song and Liao so he could profit from it," Jilin said in a calm tone.
"Didn't he die? How could it be him?" Qiao Feng asked, puzzled.
"Murong Bo faked his death, and furthermore, he has frequently met with Uncle Xiao."
Xiao Yuanshan clenched his fists and said through gritted teeth, "So that other man in black at Shaolin Temple was him! Where did you get this information?"
Jilin slowly spoke, "My Xiaoyao Sect is a secluded, major sect; naturally, we have our own intelligence network. There is nothing in this world I do not know!"
Then Jilin stood up, tightly grasped Wang Yuyan's hand, and led her away together. They slowly walked out of the place, leaving the entire arena entirely to the father-and-son pair of Qiao Feng and Xiao Yuanshan.
Upon returning to her room, Wang Yuyan wore an expression of sheer disbelief. She could not believe Murong Bo was still alive!
"Yuyan, I plan to make a trip to Tianshan next. We have experienced far too many things during this period, and I'm afraid we no longer have the leisure to worry about searching for your cousin," Jilin's voice was gentle yet firm.
Wang Yuyan nodded slightly in understanding. "It doesn't matter, Brother Ji. Since you've decided to go to Tianshan, I am willing to accompany you. Besides, once you finish handling these matters, it won't be too late to look for my cousin then."
"Very well, it's settled then. Get a good rest tonight, and at dawn tomorrow we will set off for Tianshan," Jilin said with a smile.
When Jilin escorted Wang Yuyan to the doorway of her room and bid her farewell, he turned back to his own quarters. Just as he was preparing to rest for a moment, a knock suddenly sounded at the door. Curious, Jilin opened it, only to be astonished to find Ahu standing outside.
"Miss Ahu, is there something you need?" Jilin asked in confusion.
Ahu smiled softly and said, "Brother Ji, Big Brother Qiao and the others were just discussing leaving this place tomorrow to search for Murong Bo. And I am preparing to leave with them as well."
Jilin nodded slightly in understanding. After all, Qiao Feng had always wanted to find the person responsible for ruining his family back then so he could exact revenge.
"Brother Ji, actually there is one more thing I came to tell you today," Ahu paused, then continued, "To thank you for your help to us during this period, I am prepared to give this item to you. I believe it will certainly be of help to you."
With that, Ahu drew a yellowed book from her bosom and handed it to Jilin. Taking the book, Jilin lowered his head and looked at it, only to see three flying, calligraphic characters written on the cover: *Sinew-Changing Classic*!
"The *Sinew-Changing Classic*..." Jilin muttered to himself, a wave of pleasant surprise welling up in his heart.
This *Sinew-Changing Classic* was none other than an unrivaled martial arts manual in the pugilistic world, renowned as the ultimate treasure guarding the Shaolin Temple. It contained profound martial arts mysteries capable of drastically increasing a person's internal energy and elevating their strength to new heights.
Jilin opened the pages and began to read carefully. The contents recorded within were profound and vast, every single page brimming with hidden marvels. He became immersed in it, as though transported to an entirely new world.
Yet, just as he was about to open his mouth to express his gratitude to Ahu, he raised his head only to discover that Ahu had already quietly departed. Looking at the *Sinew-Changing Classic* in his hands, Jilin was filled with a myriad of conflicting emotions.
"I never imagined Ahu would be so generous, presenting such a precious manual to me. It seems she truly is grateful for the care I showed her," Jilin thought to himself, pondering in secret.
Jilin thereupon closed the door, preparing to properly study this *Sinew-Changing Classic*.
Seated at the table, Jilin absorbedly flipped through every page of the *Sinew-Changing Classic*. As he studied, he comprehended its essence. Unawares, night fell, yet he remained immersed in the ocean of martial arts, completely oblivious to the passage of time.