Chapter 9

The old man led Feng Xiaoxiao to a side room, lifted the door curtain, and called out, "Feng Xiaoxiao, the young hero, has arrived!"

Hearing this title, Feng Xiaoxiao smiled wryly, thinking to himself, "This is the first time someone has called me a young hero; it feels quite strange."

Inside the room, a middle-aged scholar stood up with a beaming smile and said, "Please come in!"

Feng Xiaoxiao entered the room, and the old man said, "This is our Chief Commander Chen." Feng Xiaoxiao looked closely and saw that the man had a kind expression, but his eyes were sharp, suddenly piercing and then quickly retracted.

Feng Xiaoxiao was startled; this was a sign of great internal martial arts. It seemed that Chen Jinan's martial arts were at least two levels higher than Hai Dafu's. If he were to fight him, the best outcome would be a mutual destruction.

Feng Xiaoxiao bowed and said, "I am Feng Xiaoxiao. I have long heard of Chief Commander Chen's great name. Today, upon meeting you, I am indeed impressed."

Chen Jinan smiled and said, "Feng Xiaoxiao, with one kick, you knocked down the Manchu's first warrior, Ao Bai, making it possible for him to be captured and killed, avenging the countless Han people who died at his hands. In just a few days, your name has spread throughout the land."

Feng Xiaoxiao solemnly replied, "Since I returned from overseas to the Central Plains, all I have heard are stories of the treacherous Ao Bai's tyranny and cruelty. Later, I learned that in the Ming history case, the Zhuang family and many loyal and innocent people were killed by that dog. I had already made up my mind to eliminate him as soon as possible. Coincidentally, my brother Wei was captured and taken to the palace. By chance, we captured Ao Bai together with the Manchu emperor. I learned from him that the emperor did not want to kill Ao Bai, so I made a plan with Xiao Bao to work together inside and out. The three of us joined forces to kill Ao Bai, to comfort the spirits of those who died."

Chen Jinan bowed and said, "Feng Xiaoxiao and your two brothers are truly great heroes. Please accept my respect!"

Feng Xiaoxiao quickly stepped aside to avoid the bow, helped Chen Jinan up, and said, "I had just arrived in the Central Plains and heard of Chief Commander Chen's great name. My brother Mao never admired anyone, but he held Chief Commander Chen in the highest regard. Today, I have finally fulfilled my wish."

Chen Jinan smiled and asked, "I heard from Brother Guan that Feng Xiaoxiao is a disciple of the great hero Yuan Chengzhi?"

Feng Xiaoxiao said, "I apologize!" He took off the Golden Snake Sword from his back, placed it on the table, and untied the cloth wrapped around the sword.

Chen Jinan picked up the sword with both hands, drew it out with a "clang," and used his internal energy to shake it. The sword glowed with a golden light, emitting a cold aura, like a golden snake dancing.

Chen Jinan looked at the Golden Snake Sword with nostalgia and said, "Indeed, this is the Golden Snake Sword of the great hero Yuan Chengzhi. He used this sword to dominate the world, and his heroic image still lingers in my mind." He then looked at Feng Xiaoxiao and said slowly, "I wonder if the great hero Yuan Chengzhi is willing to come out of seclusion and lead everyone to resist the Manchus. I believe that with one command from the great hero Yuan Chengzhi, the entire martial arts world would be willing to follow his lead. I am also willing to step down as Chief Commander of the Heaven and Earth Society and serve under his command." He then returned the Golden Snake Sword to Feng Xiaoxiao.

Feng Xiaoxiao took the sword, shook his head, and sighed, "My teacher had already lost heart years ago, realizing he could not turn the tide..." He then sneered, "If the martial arts world could unite, the Manchus would not have been able to invade in the first place, let alone now."

Chen Jinan sighed helplessly. He knew Feng Xiaoxiao was right. Over the years, he had worked hard to maintain the vast Heaven and Earth Society, but he still faced suspicion from Taiwan and a variety of thoughts within the society. It was only through his tireless efforts and careful planning that he could ensure unity. But this thought lasted only a moment, and he immediately said firmly, "No matter how difficult it is, I will persist. I will not rest until I see the restoration of the Han dynasty!"

Feng Xiaoxiao looked at this greatest martyr of the era with a complex gaze and silently recited, "I know all will be empty when I die, but I grieve that I will not see the unification of the nine provinces. When the imperial army recaptures the Central Plains, do not forget to inform my father in the family sacrifice." He had been moved by him! When the Manchus had already swept across the land, when the Zheng family in Taiwan was embroiled in power struggles, and when those who wanted to restore the Ming dynasty were still fighting over which emperor to support, he struggled to hold on but was powerless to change the situation. He was killed on an unnamed island by the successor of the Zheng family, dying a tragic and meaningless death. After his death, the Zheng family was no longer able to resist and was defeated by Shizilang, sent by Emperor Kangxi, who then surrendered.

Feng Xiaoxiao looked at the resolute Chen Jinan, his heart full of sorrow, and sighed, "I have a plan. If the righteous heroes can unite, we might have a chance to overthrow the Manchus and restore the Han dynasty!"

Chen Jinan was overjoyed, grabbed Feng Xiaoxiao's shoulder, and shouted, "What is the plan?"

Feng Xiaoxiao was in pain, but he did not use his internal energy to break free. He sighed inwardly, "I'm sorry, Xiao Bao! I couldn't change your fate!" He stared into Chen Jinan's eyes and said, "My brother Wei Xiaobao has a close relationship with the current Manchu emperor. If he can incite Wu Sangui to rebel against the Manchus and make the Three Feudatories rise up, and if we can turn a few key military leaders..."

Chen Jinan was extremely excited, his body trembling uncontrollably, and he clenched his fists and continued, "Then Wu Sangui in front, and we behind. He in the open, we in the shadows. We can unite the righteous heroes from all over and rise up against the Manchus, and the restoration of the Han dynasty will be within reach!"

Feng Xiaoxiao was not excited. He shook his head and sighed, "The Russians in the north have long coveted our northeastern region, and the Mongol Dzungar leader Galdan is also eyeing it, wanting to restore the glory of Genghis Khan. We must be cautious, lest we drive away the tiger and invite a pack of wolves. If we repeat the chaos of the Five Barbarians, we will become sinners."

Chen Jinan's face turned serious, clearly also considering this possibility. After a moment of thought, he said, "As long as our plan is thorough, we can avoid this situation. But at least now we have a glimmer of hope." He then stepped back and bowed, saying, "Feng Xiaoxiao has keen insight and great wisdom. The restoration of the Han dynasty is a perilous journey, and we need your help. I would like to invite you to temporarily serve as Deputy Chief Commander of the Heaven and Earth Society. When the time is right, I will step down and let you take over." He then looked up at Feng Xiaoxiao with hope.

Feng Xiaoxiao quickly helped Chen Jinan up and said, "Chief Commander, I am unworthy of such a great honor. I came to the Central Plains to do my teacher's bidding. Without my teacher's permission, I dare not join your society. However, I am willing to serve you, even if I do not join the Heaven and Earth Society, without any title. After I finish my task, I will return to the island. If my teacher agrees, I will come back to serve under you."

Chen Jinan pondered for a moment, shook his head, and said, "That would be a great injustice to Feng Xiaoxiao. What task did the great hero Yuan Chengzhi entrust to you? The Heaven and Earth Society has many brothers who might be able to help."

Feng Xiaoxiao said happily, "If the brothers of the Heaven and Earth Society can help, that would be best. My teacher asked me to find my senior master 'Copper Pen and Iron Abacus' Huang Zhen and my second senior master 'Invincible Fist' Gui Xintree's family. I also need to find a one-armed woman, about forty years old, who may have become a nun. She was known as Lady Ajiu in the martial arts world. My senior sister is currently in the Changbai Mountains, searching for some hundred-year-old ginseng and lingzhi for my teacher."

Chen Jinan thought for a moment and said, "The great hero 'Copper Pen and Iron Abacus' Huang Zhen passed away ten years ago, and the position of Huashan Sect leader was passed to his eldest disciple, 'Eight-Faced Hero' Feng Nandi. Our Heaven and Earth Society has connections with Feng Nandi, and I will send someone to inform you when we have specific news." He then walked back and forth a few steps and continued, "The great hero 'Invincible Fist' Gui Xintree's family is elusive, and it is difficult to find them. I can only spread the word and ask everyone to keep an eye out for them. As for Lady Ajiu, I have not heard of her, and the chances of finding her are slim. However, I do have some hundred-year-old ginseng and lingzhi in stock. Since the great hero Yuan Chengzhi needs them, I will give them to your senior sister."

Feng Xiaoxiao bowed and smiled, "I will thank Chief Commander on behalf of my teacher."

Chen Jinan quickly said, "I dare not. Being able to serve the great hero Yuan Chengzhi is a fulfillment of my wish."

Feng Xiaoxiao, thinking of the mention of his senior sister, asked in surprise, "Chief Commander, do you know my senior sister?"

Chen Jinan wiped the sweat from his forehead and said with a bitter smile, "We have had dealings, we have had dealings!"

Feng Xiaoxiao, not expecting this side of Chen Jinan, could not help but laugh, thinking, "It seems my senior sister was quite formidable in the martial arts world back then!"

The two of them carefully discussed the details for nearly half an hour. Seeing the hope of restoring the Han dynasty, Chen Jinan wanted to meet Wei Xiaobao and asked Feng Xiaoxiao about his situation.

Feng Xiaoxiao smiled and said, "He is a lazy and mischievous boy, fond of women and pleasure. But he values friendship and is willing to risk his life for his brothers. He is also very intelligent and lucky." He then detailed Wei Xiaobao's experiences to Chen Jinan, including how he was captured by Hai Dafu and taken to the palace, how he befriended the emperor and captured Ao Bai, and how he was poisoned by Hai Dafu.

Chen Jinan exclaimed, "He is just a young boy, uncastrated, yet he can navigate the palace and form a close relationship with the emperor, and even capture and kill Ao Bai. He is indeed extraordinary, and the restoration of the Han dynasty is indeed hopeful." He thought for a moment and continued, "My internal martial arts can balance yin and yang, and can indeed remove toxins from the body. It seems that heaven has not abandoned the Han people, leaving a glimmer of hope. I must seize this opportunity. I want to take him as my disciple. What do you think, Feng Xiaoxiao?"

Feng Xiaoxiao laughed, "If you take him as your disciple, you will have a lot of headaches in the future!"

Chen Jinan, recalling Feng Xiaoxiao's evaluation, said with a bitter smile, "If the Han dynasty can be restored, what is a little trouble?"

After their conversation, Feng Xiaoxiao got up to leave. Chen Jinan continued to meet with Mao Shiba and Wei Xiaobao. The old man who had led him in took him to a side room to rest.

The next morning, Chen Jinan sent someone to invite Feng Xiaoxiao to the main hall. As he entered the courtyard, he saw Chen Jinan and ten others waiting for him at the entrance to the hall.

Feng Xiaoxiao was surprised and quickly walked forward, bowing and saying, "I am late, and I have kept you all waiting."

Chen Jinan smiled and said, "These are the nine incense masters of the Heaven and Earth Society. Most of them have served under the great hero Yuan Chengzhi, fighting against the Manchus. The rest also hold the great hero Yuan Chengzhi in high regard. Hearing that the great hero's disciple would come today, they all came to wait." He then invited everyone into the hall and had them sit down.

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