Great Victory at Guan Pass

Tang Xuan and his master, Grandmaster Xuan Zhi, departed from Mount Hua and made their way straight to Dasheng Pass.

Yang Guo, wandering aimlessly in search of his aunt, Little Dragon Maiden, had no definite destination. Seeing Tang Xuan and his master heading to Dasheng Pass, he simply joined them on their journey. After all, he had nowhere else to go, and the grand martial arts gathering at Dasheng Pass was drawing heroes from all over the land; perhaps he could find some news of his aunt there.

The three traveled swiftly and soon arrived at Dasheng Pass, at the Lu Family Manor. Though they had ventured to the summit of Mount Hua, they had not missed the martial arts gathering. Hundreds of ancient locust trees surrounded the sprawling manor, and many martial artists were making their way toward its gates. The manor itself was a maze of interconnected houses, layer upon layer, more than enough to accommodate thousands, even tens of thousands of guests. The immense wealth of the Lu Family was evident.

“Grandmaster Xuan Zhi of Shaolin has arrived!”
Grandmaster Xuan Zhi presented their invitation. The person in charge of receiving guests was a member of the Western Beggar Clan under Huang Rong’s command, a middle-aged beggar whose eyes lit up as he shouted the announcement. A high monk of the Shaolin order, bearing the “Xuan” character, was considered among the foremost experts of the martial world and represented the ancient Shaolin Temple itself—a matter of great significance.

Instantly, all eyes turned toward them. Grandmaster Xuan Zhi led Tang Xuan and Yang Guo into the Lu Family Manor. Yang Guo thought to himself that it was fortunate to have Grandmaster Xuan Zhi as their guide, sparing him from seeking other ways to slip into the gathering. Without an invitation, entry was impossible, for the gathering was organized by Guo Jing and Huang Rong, who had sent out invitations far and wide; ordinary folk had no access.

Yang Guo had donned a deathly pale mask, so he feared not being recognized by Guo Jing or Huang Rong. By this time, the Lu Family Manor was bustling with excitement. Hundreds of tables were set across the main hall, front hall, rear hall, side halls, and flower halls, each seating more than a dozen, with thousands of martial artists present.

Renowned heroes from all corners of the realm had come to attend.
“Welcome, Grandmaster Xuan Zhi!”
Guo Jing and Huang Rong emerged personally from the main hall to greet the Shaolin high monk. Tang Xuan observed them closely; the couple had aged from the youthful days of “The Legend of the Condor Heroes” to their mid-thirties and forties in “Return of the Condor Heroes.”

Back in “The Legend of the Condor Heroes,” Yang Guo had not yet been born, and Guo Jing and Huang Rong were still not yet twenty, merely young and innocent. Now Yang Guo was grown, and the couple had nearly reached forty years of age. The timeline of “The Grand Martial Heroes” was precise.

Guo Jing, now older, was no longer the simple-minded youth he once was, but carried himself with the calm dignity of a great hero. Huang Rong, though in her middle years, still possessed extraordinary grace—one could imagine her as a peerless beauty in her youth. Had it not been for the ruthless passage of time, even at nearly forty, Huang Rong could have stood among the most stunning beauties of “The Grand Martial Heroes.”

Of all the martial artists in “The Grand Martial Heroes,” Tang Xuan admired Guo Jing and Qiao Feng most. Both were masters of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms. What Tang Xuan admired was not their martial arts, but their character.

One was the ultimate hero, dedicated to his country and its people, leading the martial world and, with Huang Rong’s Western Beggar Clan, defending Song Dynasty at Xiangyang against the Mongol invasion.

The other, a peerless hero, loyal and passionate, led the Eastern Beggar Clan to defend Song against invasions from Western Xia, Tibet, and Liao.

“Please, Grandmaster, come inside.”
Guo Jing and Huang Rong ushered Grandmaster Xuan Zhi into the main hall. As the representative of Shaolin, he was seated at the place of highest honor, and Guo Jing treated him with utmost respect.

Huang Rong, meanwhile, discreetly observed Tang Xuan and Yang Guo, who followed behind Grandmaster Xuan Zhi. Tang Xuan appeared distinguished and heroic, with an air of deep internal strength—a promising young talent. Yang Guo, wearing the deathly mask, was not recognized by Huang Rong and did not attract her attention.

As Grandmaster Xuan Zhi, Tang Xuan, and Yang Guo took their seats, more martial artists from all over continued to arrive at the Lu Family Manor. Their timing had been fortuitous; traveling from Mount Hua’s summit, they arrived precisely on the day of the gathering.

When the hour arrived, Guo Jing and Huang Rong stopped waiting for those who had not yet come; the grand martial arts assembly and hero’s banquet officially began, with wine and dishes served.

The Lu Family’s wealth was displayed once more—hundreds of tables served simultaneously, everything in perfect order. The supply of food and drink, and the number of servants, was truly astonishing.

Tang Xuan sighed softly. At his table, representing Shaolin, all dishes were vegetarian, and there was no wine—only tea.

At this moment, at another table in the main hall, Lu Youjiao, one of the elders of the Western Beggar Clan, raised his cup and stood to address the assembled heroes:

“Our former chief, Elder Hong, once issued a command, saying that the Mongol invasion grows more urgent by the day, and ordering our clan members to give their lives to resist foreign aggression.”

“Now, the heroes of the world have gathered here, each with loyalty and righteousness in their hearts. We must devise a brilliant strategy to make the Mongols fear to invade our Song Dynasty!”

Those invited by Guo Jing and Huang Rong were naturally friends of the righteous path. On hearing the name of the Western Beggar Clan’s former chief, ‘Nine-Fingered Divine Beggar’ Hong Qigong, everyone rose, voices echoing in agreement with Lu Youjiao’s words.

Hong Qigong’s reputation was evident—he could command Grandmaster Xuan Zhi of Shaolin without objection, such was his esteem.

No one doubted Hong Qigong’s warning of the imminent Mongol invasion.

Those attending the hero’s banquet were mostly men of justice, and many were hot-blooded patriots. Seeing the nation’s troubles, with the threat of foreign invasion looming, how could they not be moved?

Now that someone had raised the issue, the loyal and righteous responded as one.

An elder stood and spoke in a booming voice: “Today, with so many heroes gathered, let us swear brotherhood and stand united against the foreign enemy! I propose we form a ‘National Defense Alliance’ to protect Song and oppose the Mongols, so they dare not invade our land!”

This “brilliant strategy” was met with enthusiastic support.

Amid cheers, another stood and declared loudly: “As the saying goes, a snake cannot move without a head! We may have loyal intentions, but without a leader, nothing can be accomplished. With all these heroes gathered, let us choose a virtuous and respected champion, one whom all admire, to lead us, and all shall follow his command!”

The crowd responded with another burst of cheers, all in agreement.

Yet to select one person of such virtue and esteem whom all would trust was no easy task. This leader would need to possess supreme martial skills, courage, status, and reputation to win the crowd’s respect.

Otherwise, the martial artists—naturally proud and independent—numbered in the thousands, with more to come. It would not be easy for them to willingly submit to one man's command.