The Arrival of "Virtuous Deeds"

The assembly was abuzz with voices, each person putting forward their own suggestion for the leader of the National Protection Alliance. Some nominated the Chief of the Eastern Beggars’ Clan, Qiao Feng. Others proposed the former Chief of the Western Beggars’ Clan, Hong Qigong. There were those who recommended Guo Jing, while admirers of Huang Rong nominated the current leader of the Western Beggars’ Clan. Still others suggested Master Xuan Ci, the Abbot of Northern Shaolin. Some even put forward Ma Yu, the Taoist Master from the Seven Disciples of Quanzhen, or the leader of the Quanzhen Sect itself. A number simply nominated renowned heroes present at the gathering, or exchanged nominations among themselves, making the scene even livelier.

Witnessing this, the elderly man who had first proposed the formation of the alliance suddenly burst into hearty laughter. “Let me say a word!” he called. His voice was loud and commanding, and the crowd fell silent at once. Another joked, “Since it was your idea, you should lead us! No need to nominate anyone else!” The old man laughed again. “I am but a humble old fool. There are countless martial heroes among us. Let us first speak of the Five Greats of Song!”

“Chongyang, the Divine Master, has long since passed into immortality. The ‘Eastern Heretic’ Lord Huang is solitary by nature. The ‘Western Poison’ is not one of our Han people. The ‘Southern Emperor’ is far away in Dali and is not of our Song dynasty either.”

“In my opinion, the leader of the alliance should be chosen from the Five Greats of Song. ‘Northern Beggar’ Elder Hong would be most suitable!”

He thus nominated Hong Qigong, unaware that not long ago, both ‘Western Poison’ Ouyang Feng and ‘Northern Beggar’ Hong Qigong had met their end atop Mount Hua.

As soon as the old man suggested Hong Qigong, others voiced their disagreement. “I believe Master Xuan Ci, the Abbot of Northern Shaolin, who is virtuous and respected, could also lead the alliance!”

At this, all eyes turned to Master Xuan Zhi, one of the chairmen seated in the main hall. As a respected monk of the Northern Shaolin’s Xuan generation, Master Xuan Zhi felt obliged to respond. He rose and spoke clearly, “Thank you all for your kind regard. The Abbot instructed before his departure that, as a monk, he has no interest in worldly entanglements!”

His rejection was unequivocal. It would be absurd for the Abbot to take on this role, as it would drag the entire Shaolin Temple into a vortex of turmoil. Thousands of monks and lay disciples would be involved, and the temple would know no peace. This was far more complicated than simply sending a few disciples to contribute to the alliance—it would mean staking the whole temple.

Seeing Master Xuan Zhi decline so directly, many sighed. If Shaolin Temple, with its immense strength and reputation, were to participate and the Abbot became leader, the alliance would be even more formidable.

Huang Rong silently thought, “Just as expected.” In fact, she had secretly orchestrated the suggestion to nominate the Shaolin Abbot, hoping to harness Shaolin’s power to ease the burden on ‘Brother Jing’ in resisting the Mongols. Yet this wise Shaolin monk was not to be fooled and refused.

Given this, it was best to nominate Elder Hong after all. She and Brother Jing were both Hong Qigong’s disciples. If their master led the alliance, its influence could be kept under their control, avoiding unexpected conflicts.

With a subtle look, Huang Rong signaled to the elderly man who had proposed the alliance. He spoke out again, “Since the Abbot of Shaolin declines, only Elder Hong Qigong can match Master Xuan Ci’s stature!” It turned out this man was also one of Huang Rong’s people.

Tang Xuan watched the proceedings with amusement, noticing Huang Rong’s discreet signals as the crowd deliberated over the alliance leader. “So this is a behind-the-scenes maneuver!” he thought. Still, Hong Qigong was truly fit for the role, and Tang Xuan was all in favor—after all, he had learned the Dog Beating Staff technique from Hong Qigong himself. Sadly, Hong Qigong had already passed away.

Many martial heroes began to express their agreement. Whether Quanzhen’s Ma Yu, other renowned heroes present, or Guo Jing and Huang Rong, none could match the status of the Shaolin Abbot or the legendary Nine-Fingered Beggar. Even Qiao Feng, Chief of the Eastern Beggars’ Clan, was a generation junior to Hong Qigong; only Wang Jiantong, the previous Eastern Chief, was Hong Qigong’s peer.

Moreover, Qiao Feng was busy leading the Eastern Beggars’ Clan against invasions from Western Xia, Tibet, and Liao, and could not spare attention for the Mongols.

Soon, consensus was reached: Hong Qigong would be nominated as the leader of the National Protection Alliance. Most of the heroes present were willing to join.

Yet among the crowd, someone voiced a concern: “We’ve nominated Elder Hong as leader, but he is elusive—he rarely appears even once in ten years. If, during a critical moment against the enemy, we cannot consult him, what then?”

The crowd nodded, recognizing the truth in these words.

The speaker continued, “Our actions today are all for the country, with no selfish motives! Let us nominate a deputy leader. When Elder Hong is wandering, everyone will follow his appointed deputy.”

Everyone immediately agreed. Someone called out, “Guo Jing, the great hero, and Huang Rong, the heroine, are both Elder Hong’s disciples. Either one would be suitable!”

“That’s right!”

“Huang Rong is shrewd and resourceful—I nominate her!”

“Guo Jing’s martial arts are unmatched—I nominate Guo Jing!”

“Quanzhen’s Master Ma, or Changchunzi Qiu Chuji?”

The crowd debated, but the loudest voices were for Hong Qigong’s two disciples, Guo Jing and Huang Rong. Their qualifications were beyond question. Even the supporters of Quanzhen could not compete with their popularity.

Tang Xuan found the scene amusing, suspecting another covert maneuver.

Just then, a Beggars’ Clan disciple hurried into the main hall and whispered in Guo Jing’s ear, “Enemies have come to cause trouble!”

Everyone noticed the disciple’s arrival and turned their attention, falling silent. Though his voice was low, those present were all skilled enough to hear clearly, and their expressions changed.

Guo Jing asked quietly, “Who is it? Is it Ouyang Feng?”

His mind immediately went to ‘Western Poison’ Ouyang Feng; anyone daring to stir up trouble here would need extraordinary martial arts, or face certain death. The trauma from Ouyang Feng’s persecution in the past lingered in Guo Jing’s mind.

The disciple shook his head. “No, it’s the Mongols!”

“The Mongols?” Guo Jing and the crowd were shocked. Why had the Mongols come at such a critical moment?

Only Tang Xuan was not surprised. He knew that at this Hero’s Assembly at Dasheng Pass, the Golden Wheel Monk was about to stir up trouble—a perfect opportunity to earn merit!

Tang Xuan had accompanied his master down the mountain to witness the martial world’s gathering, to see Guo Jing, Huang Rong, and the assembled heroes, but also to gain merit through good deeds.

Defeating the Golden Wheel Monk and his Mongol associates for Shaolin’s honor would be just such an opportunity.

For others, the arrival of the Mongols brought trouble. For Tang Xuan, it heralded the chance to earn merit.