Chapter 64

When Zhao Hao spoke, it was like a bolt of lightning on a clear day, echoing throughout the Guiyun Manor.

Ma Yu had long been out of the江湖 (jianghu, the world of martial arts), and he was already advanced in age. However, he was the leader of the Quanzhen Sect and the foremost among the Seven Quanzhen Disciples. Even Guo Jing would show him the utmost respect.

In the world of martial arts, there were indeed few who would not give Ma Yu face.

And those who dared to speak disrespectfully to Ma Yu were even fewer.

"Who is the scoundrel spreading rumors?" Sun Buer slammed the table and said angrily.

"It seems that our Quanzhen Sect has been out of the jianghu for too long. Now, some cowards who dare not show their faces are pointing fingers at our Quanzhen Sect." Hao Datong looked around and said coldly.

In fact, Zhao Zijing's words were his own attempt to curry favor with Ma Yu, without the consent of Hao Datong and Sun Buer. The Quanzhen Sect had no intention of getting involved.

But since Zhao Zijing had already spoken, given Sun Buer and Hao Datong's status in the jianghu, they could not just sit by and let others humiliate Ma Yu.

This was no longer just Zhao Zijing's issue or Ma Yu's issue; it concerned the reputation of the Quanzhen Sect in the jianghu.

Reputation was burdensome, but no matter how burdensome, it still had to be maintained.

Many people spent their entire lives for the sake of their reputation.

After Sun Buer and Hao Datong spoke, no one dared to say a word.

Even those who were not afraid of the Quanzhen Sect did not want to offend them in this situation.

Silence returned to the Guiyun Manor.

Hao Datong and Sun Buer looked around and, seeing that no one stood up, returned to their seats.

Just as they sat down and Guo Jing was about to speak to smooth things over, a loud voice came from outside the gates of the Guiyun Manor:

"The leader and deputy leader of the Power Sect, the abbot of Shaolin Temple, have arrived with the members of the Power Sect."

Although the voice was loud, it carried a noticeable tremor.

However, no one in the Guiyun Manor cared about this anymore.

In the hall, almost everyone subconsciously stood up from their seats.

Outside the hall, the crowd was in an uproar, and everyone subconsciously looked back.

"Did I hear that right? The leader and deputy leader of the Power Sect? The abbot of Shaolin Temple?"

"Aren't they going to Xiangyang?"

"How could these legendary figures come to the Heroes' Assembly?"

Many people looked at each other, and they all knew something in their hearts but did not say it out loud: with the status of the leader and deputy leader of the Power Sect, they should not be interested in the Heroes' Assembly.

The Heroes' Assembly was indeed grand, but even if a true martial arts alliance leader was selected, the power that these people could unite would still not compare to the Power Sect.

The Power Sect's command and discipline were such that they dared to confront the invincible Mongol army, causing tens of thousands of casualties.

Such power and strength were far beyond what any martial arts sect could match.

In the eyes of many in the jianghu, the Power Sect and other martial arts sects were never in the same world.

In fact, the Power Sect had never expanded its territory.

If the Power Sect showed even the slightest desire to expand, what would the Quanzhen Sect be?

Not only were they puzzled, but everyone in the Guiyun Manor was puzzled.

Guo Jing's face was filled with shock, a shadow of gloom flashed in Huang Rong's eyes, and Hao Datong and Sun Buer felt a strange unease.

They had long heard of the Power Sect, but apart from Guo Jing and Zhao Hao, no one had truly seen members of the Power Sect or knew their style of operation.

The impact of the Power Sect's sudden appearance at this Heroes' Assembly was hard to predict.

Guo Jing was usually very reserved, and to outsiders, it seemed that Huang Rong made all the decisions.

But at this moment, Guo Jing was the first to regain his composure and said loudly, "Quickly invite them in, no, I will go to welcome them personally."

"There's no need for you to trouble yourself, Sir Guo. I came uninvited, and I hope you will forgive me." Zhao Hao said calmly.

As he spoke, Zhao Hao and his group appeared in the Guiyun Manor.

The people in the courtyard of the Guiyun Manor subconsciously formed two rows.

No one dared to block Zhao Hao and his group.

Guo Jing immediately saw Zhao Hao, who had not changed much compared to a few years ago.

If there was any change, it was that Zhao Hao's demeanor had become even more indifferent, and his eyes were filled with a brilliance that they did not have a few years ago.

In Guo Jing's eyes, the current Zhao Hao was exceptionally contradictory.

Zhao Hao stood shoulder to shoulder with Zhao Ling'er, and the others followed behind them.

Zhao Ling'er did not wear a veil, and her stunning beauty was exposed to the public.

Many people were directly stunned, and when they came to their senses, they forcibly restrained their eyes, not daring to be disrespectful.

There might be some people driven by lust, but there were not many fools in the crowd.

Although Zhao Hao and Zhao Ling'er looked young, they were most likely the leader and deputy leader of the Power Sect.

They were among the most formidable figures in the world today.

"Sir Guo, we meet again." Zhao Hao stopped in the courtyard and did not enter the hall.

He certainly had the right to enter, but the traces of Lu Youjiao's recent appointment as the leader of the Beggar Sect at the hall entrance were still visible, which Zhao Hao found disgusting, let alone Zhao Ling'er and the others.

Moreover, Zhao Hao had come to disrupt the event, not to support it.

"I dare not, I dare not. Your Highness, you are like a dragon, showing your head but not your tail. I never expected that Your Highness would actually come here today." Guo Jing hurriedly came to Zhao Hao and bowed.

Unlike others, Guo Jing knew Zhao Hao's true identity.

Because of this, he was even more anxious.

"Ha ha, Sir Guo, you are hosting the Heroes' Assembly but did not send an invitation to my brothers in the Power Sect. I could only come uninvited." Zhao Hao said lightly.

Hearing Zhao Hao's words, Guo Jing felt a burning pain in his face.

"Your Highness, please forgive me. The heroes of the Power Sect are all heading to Xiangyang. At this time, I really dare not delay their important matters." Guo Jing said.

Zhao Hao did not comment, and at this moment, Huang Rong, Sun Buer, Hao Datong, and others had already come to stand behind Guo Jing.

Given Zhao Hao's status, they could not and dared not continue to sit calmly in the hall.

"Sir Guo, Lady Guo, let me introduce an old friend to you." Zhao Hao's lips curled into a mysterious smile.

Behind Zhao Hao, Yang Guo, dressed in silver armor and blue clothes, appeared before Guo Jing, his heroic figure exuding a commanding presence.

Although Yang Guo had changed a lot compared to a few years ago, having grown from a child into a handsome young man, those who truly knew him could still recognize him at first glance.

The moment they saw Yang Guo, Guo Jing, Huang Rong, and the Quanzhen Sect's Hao Datong and his group were all stunned.

Heaven and hell sometimes lie just a hair's breadth apart.