Chapter 77

Hero Assembly!

As the name suggests, those who come are all heroes.

Unfortunately, this is just a beautiful imagination. Even among the righteous, how many can truly be called heroes? Not to mention the group of people led by the Golden Wheel Dharma King who came to cause trouble.

Even Yue Yuan himself did not consider himself a hero.

Because heroes never have a good end!

Lu Family Manor.

Thieves do not enter through the front gate.

But Yue Yuan was different. Holding the hero invitation he had just obtained from a passing martial artist, Yue Yuan and Lu Wushuang entered the manor. Suddenly, they found themselves in a large square-like area. In the center was a huge round wooden platform, with colorful flags fluttering, creating a unique atmosphere.

Around the platform, countless martial artists had already gathered.

Unlike the ostentatious group led by the Golden Wheel Dharma King, Yue Yuan and Lu Wushuang entered almost silently. Even though Yue Yuan was now wearing a golden Daoist robe, everyone's attention was focused elsewhere, and few noticed the newcomers.

Yue Yuan found the Hero Assembly somewhat amusing. In essence, it was a coronation ceremony for Huang Rong's husband, Guo Jing, to take the position of the leader of the anti-Mongol alliance.

To be honest, in the martial world, only Guo Jing truly deserved this position.

Even Hong Qigong, though highly respected, did not have as much influence in the fight against the Mongols as Guo Jing. However, you cannot deny Hong Qigong's contributions.

After all, Guo Jing's Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms were passed down from Hong Qigong.

Therefore, under Huang Rong's arrangement, this position was already predetermined for Guo Jing.

The Hero Assembly was merely to silence the world. After all, some people like to talk, and only when things become reality will the curtain fall.

Unfortunately...

Huang Rong's plan, though good, could not keep up with the changes. Not to mention the sudden arrival of the Golden Wheel Dharma King and his group, there were also the conflicts between Yang Guo and the Quanzhen Sect, the relationship between Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü, and Yue Yuan's observation from the sidelines. These series of unexpected events made the direction of the Hero Assembly completely unpredictable.

Even Yue Yuan, who was familiar with the plot, could not be sure what the Hero Assembly would look like.

At the moment, the martial artists were nominating their preferred candidates. Among them, Guo Jing and Huang Rong, the leader of the Quanzhen Sect, Ma Yu, one of the Seven Quanzhen, Qiu Chuji, and Hong Qigong were all nominated by many martial artists.

The scene was chaotic, like a bustling evening market.

In a corner of the hall, Yue Yuan even spotted Yang Guo. At that moment, Yang Guo was secretly clashing with the Wu brothers. Unfortunately, the Wu brothers' martial arts were too weak, and they were no match for Yang Guo, who toyed with them.

Following his gaze, Yue Yuan also saw Guo Fu standing nearby. Guo Fu was pouting, clearly dissatisfied.

Obviously, if he guessed correctly, Yang Guo must have arrived early, and Guo Jing and Huang Rong might have already decided to marry Guo Fu to Yang Guo. Thinking of Guo Fu's temper and Yang Guo's personality, Yue Yuan smiled.

Then, Yue Yuan quietly watched as the Wu brothers, following Guo Fu's instructions, placed Yang Guo's seat in a remote corner.

"Hmm?"

Noticing Lu Wushuang's expression from the corner of his eye, Yue Yuan glanced at the Wu brothers and said, "Wushuang, go ahead!"

In Lu Wushuang's life, apart from her cousin Cheng Ying, the only other relatives were the Wu family. The Wu brothers were naturally related to Lu Wushuang. However, to Yue Yuan's surprise, Lu Wushuang just shook her head and pursed her lips, making no move.

"..."

Yue Yuan sighed, not saying anything about Lu Wushuang's decision.

Though they were relatives, the time had been too long, and the current Lu Wushuang was a lame girl. Who knew what the result would be if she approached them. If Guo Fu's temper were to flare up, the two girls might end up fighting.

It was better for Lu Wushuang to stay where she was.

Apart from Yang Guo, Yue Yuan also saw other familiar faces, such as two of the Seven Quanzhen—Sun Bu'er, the Pure and Tranquil Immortal, and Hao Datong, the Ancient Immortal, as well as Yin Zhiping and Zhao Zhijin. However, the distance between the Quanzhen and Yang Guo clearly indicated the open conflict between them.

But since it was the Hero Assembly, both sides maintained restraint and did not engage in major conflicts.

While observing, Yue Yuan continued to search for Xiaolongnü.

If there were no surprises, Xiaolongnü was already in the Lu Family Manor.

"Noble guests have arrived!"

Just as Guo Jing was discussing something with Hao Datong, the Golden Wheel Dharma King and his disciples rudely entered the hall.

"Hmm?"

Beside him, Lu Wushuang was taken aback and said, "Weren't these Mongols ahead of us?"

"Though they are barbarians, they are also somewhat knowledgeable in military strategy!"

Yue Yuan smiled faintly and said. Although he joked about the Golden Wheel Dharma King and his group entering the Lu Family Manor before them but appearing later in the hall, Yue Yuan was actually quite surprised.

As the imperial preceptor, and with his young disciple Huo Du being a Mongol prince, the two clearly had some experience in military strategy. In a place that could be considered a tiger's den for them, they did not rush in but first surveyed the surroundings before entering, showing that they were well-prepared.

Prepared for any unexpected situations, they were willing to sacrifice some subordinates to ensure their own safety!

Truly a cunning imperial preceptor!

If they had directly rushed into the Lu Family Manor, the Golden Wheel Dharma King would have been easier to deal with. Otherwise, he would not have been the main antagonist in "The Return of the Condor Heroes."

The appearance of the Golden Wheel Dharma King and his group was completely unexpected by Guo Jing and Huang Rong. While everyone was discussing the fight against the Mongols, the sudden appearance of the Mongol imperial preceptor and his group listening quietly created a strange and eerie atmosphere.

After a few rounds of drinks, Prince Huo Du stood up, unfolded his fan, revealing a blooming peony, and said loudly, "We, master and disciples, did not receive a hero invitation but have come to the Hero Assembly. We have come uninvited, but the opportunity to meet so many heroes is too rare to miss. A grand assembly like this is hard to come by, and the right time will not come again. In my opinion, we should elect a leader for all the heroes, a leader of the martial world, to be the chief of all the heroes. What do you think?"

The mention of a martial leader finally broke the awkward atmosphere, and the mood became intense.

With a smile, Yue Yuan sipped the wine from the Lu Family Manor, observing the changes before him.

At the same time.

Lu Family Manor, outside the main gate.

Two grayish-white donkeys stopped with a tinkling of bells.

On the donkeys, Li Mochou, the Red Fire Immortal, squinted her eyes and gazed at the sign of the Lu Family Manor. The "Lu" character made her feel disgusted.

Suppressing the urge to tear the sign to pieces, Li Mochou clenched her fists and said, "Lingbo, let's go in!"

"Ah!"

"Master!!!"

Hong Lingbo's face turned pale. The Lu Family Manor was not the one that had been destroyed, but the one hosting the Hero Assembly. Inside were countless heroes. Would they be like lambs entering a tiger's den?

Hong Lingbo always thought she was brave, even helping her younger sister Lu Wushuang hide from their master, but now she felt her courage was too small.

The current Lu Family Manor was truly a dragon's lair and a tiger's den!

However, the Red Fire Immortal paid no heed to her disciple's worries. With a light flick of her duster, her sleeves fluttered, and she gracefully entered the manor.