https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-653-The-Arrival-of-the-Stone-Bodhisattva/12811287/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-655-Jin-Banhua-Startles-Everyone-Chu-Liuxiang-Appears/12811291/
Chapter 654: The Stone Guanyin Exits the Stage
Chapter 654: The Stone Guanyin Exits the Stage
The queen's face was still pale, clearly not fully recovered from her illness.
The King of Kucha hurriedly stepped forward to support her, guiding her to a nearby seat with a look of deep concern, clearly very devoted to his queen.
The queen softly thanked him and then sat down on one side.
After everyone had taken their seats, the King of Kucha raised his cup in a toast, "I usually stay within the Western Regions and rarely meet the great masters of the Central Plains. Today, to have so many esteemed guests from the Central Plains gathered here, I am overjoyed. Let me drink first as a sign of respect!"
Everyone raised their cups and drank in one go.
Wu Qingtian glanced around, frowning slightly, and asked, "I just went to invite Brother Wang, but he has a peculiar temper and refused to come. Why are Master Du and Master Situ also absent?"
The King of Kucha put down his cup and sighed, "Master Du seemed rather disheartened. Despite my repeated attempts to persuade him, he insisted on leaving in the middle of the night. Shortly after Master Du left, Master Situ also disappeared suddenly."
He quickly regained his cheerful expression, "Fortunately, we still have the illustrious Young Master Jin and the renowned Three Heroes of the Central Plains—Chu Liuxiang, Ji Bingyan, and Hu Tiehua. I am truly honored!"
Chu Liuxiang smiled without a word. Ji Bingyan looked at Jin Banhua, while Hu Tiehua took a large gulp of wine.
Jin Banhua raised an eyebrow at Princess Pipa and laughed aloud, "So what if Du Huan left? Situ Liuxing is just a nimble thief. He’s not much use!"
The King of Kucha nodded repeatedly and gave Princess Pipa a meaningful look, "As long as Young Master Jin is here, I am at ease."
Hu Tiehua found the scene amusing, thinking to himself that this Western Region king must be unfamiliar with the true prowess of Central Plains martial artists, allowing himself to be intimidated by a spoiled rich kid while ignoring the three genuine masters sitting right there.
The queen's gaze, which had been lingering on Chu Liuxiang, now shifted to Jin Banhua.
Jin Banhua, feeling quite pleased with himself, said, "I have been practicing martial arts since childhood, having studied under dozens of renowned masters from the capital. I have a broad knowledge of both Northern and Southern martial arts. Whether it’s the Shaolin Divine Fist, the Flowing Cloud Sleeve, the Swirling Willow Sword, or the Thirteen Gentle Breezes, I know them all!"
The King of Kucha’s face lit up with joy, finally feeling reassured.
Chu Liuxiang remained silent, while Ji Bingyan began to doubt himself. Hu Tiehua couldn’t help but take another sip of wine.
Even the queen turned her gaze away, suspecting that Du Huan might not be as skilled as he seemed.
"Perhaps this young master has some martial arts skills, but given his character, his abilities can’t be very high. Du Huan must have been too careless at the time, performing far below his usual standard."
"Having been famous for many years, he has become complacent and lacks the drive. After the incident, he was even too scared to seek revenge," the queen thought to herself, "He is indeed a waste."
Without seeing Jin Banhua in action, the Stone Guanyin could not believe that this boastful rich kid from the capital was a true master.
No way!
The Shaolin Divine Fist may sound common, but it is only taught to elite Shaolin disciples. The Wu Dang Flowing Cloud Sleeve is even more difficult, requiring exceptional insight to master.
The Swirling Willow Sword is a secret technique passed down by the Ba Mountain lineage. While some martial artists from Mount Emei and the Xiang River region have some knowledge of it, they are all Southern martial arts experts and would never teach it in the capital.
As for the Thirteen Gentle Breezes… there has never been a report of anyone outside the Huashan sect’s direct lineage mastering it.
The Stone Guanyin had personally taken out all the swordsmen representing the outer hall of Huashan, and not one of them used the Thirteen Gentle Breezes.
The queen, sitting in front of the tent, shifted her gaze from Jin Banhua to the elegant Chu Liuxiang, the aloof Ji Bingyan, and the boisterous Hu Tiehua, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Taking a light sip of the light wine, the Princess gracefully rose, "But I hope you all enjoy yourselves, as I am feeling a bit weak and need to retire early."
King Kucha kindly escorted the Princess out of the tent, then returned to his seat and urged the guests to drink again.
After a few rounds of toasting, the night grew deeper.
King Kucha set down his cup, nodded to Jin Banhua, then thanked Hu Tiehua, "Great Hero Hu, you already know of my plight and are willing to help. I am truly grateful."
"Since we are speaking openly, I have a few words from the heart that I can no longer hide," King Kucha sighed.
Hu Tiehua, unable to contain his curiosity, immediately asked, "Is it about the Star of Bliss?"
King Kucha was taken aback by the question and asked in shock, "How did you know, Great Hero Hu?"
Hu Tiehua smiled, "Your servant's voice was low, but it couldn't escape our notice."
"Truly, Great Hero Hu's martial arts are formidable. I am in awe!"
King Kucha praised and then explained his situation.
A false king had rebelled, and he had fled the capital, nearly exiled, and was now being pursued by six hired experts from the Central Plains.
He knew only two of them: "Invincible Divine Blade" and "Eight-Armed Nezha." A few of them had recently appeared, but one mysterious expert remained unknown.
However, now he had his own experts, and the focus shifted to the Star of Bliss.
King Kucha entrusted the Star of Bliss to the Five Tigers Escort Agency, but now all five tigers were dead, and the Star of Bliss was in someone else's hands.
The captor sent a message demanding five thousand taels of gold, five hundred pearls, and fifty jade discs.
Everyone thought King Kucha would ask for their help to reclaim the Star of Bliss, but instead, he wanted them to take the riches and safely exchange the gem.
"I am not saying I don't trust your strength to recover the treasure. I fear that once they know, they will immediately flee with the treasure. the world is vast, where would I find them again?"
King Kucha laughed bitterly, "Therefore, I am willing to sacrifice some wealth, just to get the 'Star of Bliss' back. But I also fear that if they receive this wealth, they might break their word. So I must trouble you with this task."
In King Kucha's eyes, the 'Star of Bliss' was invaluable, though if it remained in their hands, it would be worth no more than five thousand taels of gold. They already have five hundred pearls and fifty jade discs, so why would they change their minds?"
The Wu brothers exchanged glances.
Chu Liuxiang frowned in thought.
Ji Bingyan, however, asked directly, "Why does the king place such importance on the 'Star of Bliss'?"
King Kucha looked at Ji Bingyan, then averted his gaze, "This is naturally a secret... a secret that only I in all the world know, and I am unwilling to reveal it. I hope Great Hero Ji will understand."
Even without his words, everyone could guess that the Star of Bliss was crucial to his plans to restore the kingdom, perhaps a key to the Kucha treasure, whose value far exceeded the riches offered.
But since King Kucha wouldn't say, no one else could press the matter.
Jin Banhua patted his chest, "A small matter, I will handle it!"
As soon as the words fell, the tent was filled with the sound of camels and horses neighing.
(End of Chapter)
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