As the early morning sun rose, the seven Sects sat on the chairs surrounding the fighting arena. Many small Sects' and clans' leaders were also seated around the fighting arena, the air filled with anticipation. They had not opened the competition yet because they were waiting for Mu Dishi to show up. The three Sects' plan was to have Mu Dishi fight as many of those small Sects and clans who wanted the treasure map, and as Mu Dishi became tired and his energy drained, they would fight Mu Dishi head-on. The people waited for two hours, but Mu Dishi didn't show up. Since Mu Dishi didn't show up as planned, they began the competition among the Sects and clans.
Early that morning, Mu Dishi prepared himself to fight to his death. He knew that once he walked into Shaolin Sect, the chance of survival was slim, but he was still going to go. Today, would be the day that he would collect the debts that those dogs owed him. Today, was the day that he would avenge the deaths of his seventy-one family members. Leaving behind everything, including the fear of death, he looked up at the single road ahead of him, and he walked up to Shaolin Sect.
When he got to the stairs that would lead to the main arena of Shaolin Sect, standing and guarding the gate were two monks, their expressions serene.
"Benefactor, the competition had already started," Monk one said, his voice calm.
"I am not here for the competition," Mu Dishi said, his voice cold and clear. "I am here to collect debts that some of the people owed me."
"Benefactor, who are you?" Monk two asked, his brow furrowed slightly.
"Mu Dishi," Mu Dishi said coldly.
"Benefactor, please reconsider," Monk one pleaded gently. "Benefactor can still turn and walk down the mountain."
"Forgiveness is the greatest gift you can give yourself and others," Monk two added, his voice earnest.
Mu Dishi scoffed, a harsh, dismissive sound. "I will do no such thing."
"Benefactor, please don't be stubborn," Monk one urged. "Once you enter, your life will be in danger."
Mu Dishi said coldly, his eyes like chips of ice, "Either you give way or I fight my way inside. Pick one."
"Amitabha..." Monk two said, a note of resignation in his voice. "Please reconsider your action."
"I have," Mu Dishi said coldly. "Now move out of the way or fight me."
"Amitabha..." Both Monks said in unison. They stood aside, their faces somber, and let Mu Dishi walk up the stairs.
Mu Dishi stood among the many martial artists as they watched two young men fight on the fighting arena. The crowd murmured, their attention divided between the ongoing match and the striking newcomer.
Mu Dishi's eyes locked on Suo Baojing, Peng Boqin, Fu Susu, and Zu Minsheng. He knew that those who knew who he was were the people of Yong Sword Village. He watched as a young monk went up to Monk Ling.
Monk Ling stood up and said, his voice carrying across the arena, "Both young heroes are equally skilled. Let's just say this is a tie between the two young heroes of Su and Fu Clans." He looked around at everyone. "It is noon, let's continue after lunch."
The two young men walked down the fighting arena to their clans, accepting congratulations and commiserations. The people began standing up and walked toward the back of the temple as Mu Dishi flew onto the fighting arena, his black robes a stark contrast against the sunlight.
Monk Ling said, startled by his sudden appearance, "This young hero. The competition will continue after lunch."
"He is here," Yong Gui said from the sidelines, his voice grim.
Mu Dishi said coldly, his voice ringing with clear intent, "I am not here for the stupid competition. I am here to collect some debts from some dogs who owed me."
"You are?" Monk Ling asked, a flicker of understanding in his eyes.
Mo Ehuang stood up, her face pale under her mourning clothes, and pointed her finger at Mu Dishi, her voice sharp with accusation. "Monk Ling, this man is the man who killed my father and the other three Clan Leaders."
"He is the Mu offspring," a voice from the crowd whispered, the words spreading quickly.
"He is here now," another voice murmured, a mix of fear and excitement.
The people started chattering around the fighting arena, eyes fixed on the young man. They had been waiting all morning to see how the Mu offspring looked, and now they were face to face with a handsome man who looked more like a scholar than a martial artist.
"He is the Mu offspring."
"That means he has the treasure map."
"Amitabha..." Monk Ling said, a sigh in his voice.
Mu Dishi said coldly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before settling on his targets, "I want Suo Baojing, Peng Boqin, Zu Minsheng, and Fu Susu. These dogs owed me debts. I am here to collect the debts these dogs owe me. Anyone who doesn't want to die alongside these dogs, stay out of my way." He looked at the four people. "I am going to give you four dogs a choice. Stab yourselves seventy-one times and slit your own throats, or I will do it for you. It's your choice."
Suo Baojing said, his voice tight with defiance, "We do not know who you are. Why would we stab ourselves just because you say so?"
"Seventy-one stabs for the seventy-one innocent people of Mu Village," Mu Dishi stated, his voice devoid of emotion.
Zu Minsheng scoffed, a look of greedy realization crossing his face. "So, you are the last survivor of the Mu Clan. It means you have the treasure map."
"What if I do?" Mu Dishi asked, a cold challenge in his tone. "Does any of you want the treasure map and be added to the cave collection of corpses?"
Fu Susu raised his voice, shouting to the crowd, "Everyone, he has the Mu treasure map! I've heard that the cave is full of treasures. Whoever has the map will be richer than the emperor!"
Peng Boqin said, his voice calculating, "Last I've heard, the treasure map was with the Ma couple, but since you have the treasure map, it means you killed the Ma couple and their son."
Mu Dishi scoffed, the sound filled with contempt. "They were lucky they were not killed by me, otherwise their corpses would not be as good looking when they died."
Peng Boqin said, his voice pleading slightly, "Mu Dishi, you know you cannot win against the entire Martial Arts World. Leave the map and walk out of here."
Mu Dishi scoffed again, a harsh, humorless sound. "I don't need to win against the entire Martial Arts World. I just need you four dogs six feet under the ground."
Three Clan Leaders flew onto the fighting arena and unsheathed their swords, pointing at Mu Dishi.
"Mu Dishi, I would like to challenge you to a duel," Leader Fa said, his voice confident. "If you lose, you must give me the treasure map."
"Me too," Leader Tong added, stepping forward.
"If you lose to us, you leave us the map," Leader Yang said, joining them.
Mu Dishi rolled his cold eyes at the three Clan Leaders, his patience thin. "You want to be added to the corpse collection cave?" he asked, his voice flat.
"Enough talk!" Leader Fa shouted, his voice loud. He struck his sword at Mu Dishi.
Mu Dishi pulled out his black metal glove and put it on. He grabbed onto Clan Leader Fa's sword, twisted the sword, and pulled the sword closer to him, then threw a heavy punch at Leader Fa's stomach, sending Leader Fa off the stage, where he vomited a mouthful of blood on the ground.
A martial artist, eyes gleaming with greed, jumped onto the stage. The two Clan Leaders and the martial artist began to strike at Mu Dishi with their swords. Mu Dishi sent out three guzheng strings at the martial artist. The three sharp, shiny guzheng strings pierced right through the martial artist's shoulder. Mu Dishi switched the three guzheng strings in his hands and, with a chilling pull, ripped the martial artist apart. The martial artist split in half as guts and blood spilled onto the fighting arena, a gruesome, horrifying sight. Mu Dishi's action made Leaders Yang and Tong slowly step back, their faces pale.
"Killer Strings!" Suo Baojing gasped from the sidelines. He looked at the other three Sects' leaders.
"Now is our time," Peng Boqin said urgently. "We either defeat him now, or if those lower-rank clans and Sects stop attacking him, we don't have a chance."
The three Sect Leaders and Peng Boqin flew onto the fighting arena and started attacking Mu Dishi, along with Leaders Yang and Tong, who had recovered some courage.
"At this rate, Mu Dishi will lose," Yong Taihua mocked from the sidelines, a cruel smile on his face.
"Ge, we don't need to seek revenge for Hao da ye," Yong Caixia agreed, relief in her voice. "These clans and Sects are doing it for us."
Ma Jingguo watched as Mu Dishi fought the six men by himself on the fighting arena, the chaos escalating, as many other Sects and clans were getting ready to jump into the fight, their eyes fixed on the treasure map. Ma Jingguo suddenly remembered his dying mother's words, which ached his heart: 'Your shushu is a very pitiful person, just like me. In this world, we don't have anyone who will be willing to stand beside us other than our shadows'.
Ma Jingguo saw Mo Ehuang unsheathed her sword and flew straight at Mu Dishi's back, her face a mask of grief and vengeance. He flew onto the fighting arena and grabbed Mo Ehuang's right wrist to stop her sword's strike, a desperate act of intervention, but at the same time, Mu Dishi broke Leader Yang's sword and stabbed the broken sword right into Ma Jingguo's left shoulder as he used his guzheng strings and blinded Leader Yang.
Mu Dishi kicked Leader Yang onto the other side of the fighting arena. He turned around and he saw Ma Jingguo's hand holding onto Mo Ehuang's right wrist. He threw a punch at Mo Ehuang, but Ma Jingguo blocked his punch and pushed Mo Ehuang off the fighting arena. His punch landed hard on Ma Jingguo's abdomen.
"Ah Chen!" Kuo Changchang shouted from the sideline; her voice filled with panic. As she was going to walk onto the fighting arena, she was pulled back by Kuo Ju.
"You cannot enter the fighting arena," Kuo Ju said, her voice firm.
Mu Dishi asked coldly, his gaze sharp, "You want the map as well?"
Ma Jingguo shook his head as blood dripped from his left shoulder, staining his robes. "It doesn't belong to me. I don't want it."
Mu Dishi turned, facing the five men on the fighting arena, his voice cold and commanding, "Walk off the stage if you want to live."
With a smile on Ma Jingguo's face, a strange, sad, hopeful smile, he walked slowly toward Mu Dishi. He saw Mu Dishi's black silky hair floating with the wind, and how much he missed that hair. He missed the hair texture. He missed the hair fragrance. Sometimes he even dreamed about combing Mu Dishi's hair. He reached out his hand and softly stroked Mu Dishi's hair.
Mu Dishi quickly turned around, drew out the dagger, and placed it on Ma Jingguo's neck, his eyes wide with shock at the unexpected touch.
As happy tears soaked his eyes, Ma Jingguo smiled with his innocent, big eyes looking up at Mu Dishi. "Xiao shushu... I don't believe you will kill me."