The air on the Shaolin fighting arena hung heavy, thick with the coppery scent of blood and the stench of death. Mu Dishi stood amidst the grotesquely mutilated corpses of Suo Baojing, Peng Boqin, Fu Susu, and Zu Minsheng, a solitary, chilling figure. His light-green robes were stained, his dagger dripped red, yet his eyes, cold as distant stars, swept over the surrounding martial artists. Horror was etched on many faces, but beneath the shock and fear, a palpable current of greed pulsed through the crowd. These were the opportunistic souls, the leaders of smaller Sects and clans, the lone wolves who had flocked to Shaolin not for honor or competition, but for the rumored Mu treasure map.
Their gazes, drawn by the carnage, now flickered between the terrifying figure on the stage and the unspoken prize he possessed. The brutal display of Mu Dishi's power had instilled terror, but the whispers of unimaginable wealth buried within the cave were a powerful counter to fear.
After he had collected his bloody debts, Mu Dishi looked directly at the four Sects' disciples and the throng of onlookers, and his voice cold and clear, cutting through the stunned silence, said, his voice unshaken, a steel edge beneath the calm, "If any of you wants to avenge them, you can come to me. If any one of you decides to avenge these four dogs, I will undoubtedly end your life.
The disciples of the three Sects could only watch, frozen by fear and shock, as Mu Dishi began to walk off the fighting arena.
"Mu Dishi," one man said, his voice trembling but laced with greed, "you can walk out of here unharmed, but you must leave the treasure map behind."
"He is right," Man two added, stepping forward cautiously. "You may be very skilled, but we believe that if we attack you, you will not be able to defeat all of us."
"Mu Dishi," the Shark Clan Leader called out, his eyes fixed on the treasure map, "if you give me the map, I will guarantee your safety!"
"Is anyone of you related to the Mu?" Mu Dishi said indifferently, stopping his steps and turning back to face them. The men looked at each other, uncertain how to answer this strange question. He continued, his voice cold, "If you are not related to the Mu family, then what right do you have to touch any of the treasure?"
"It doesn't matter!" the Shark Clan leader shouted, his voice growing bolder. "Leave the map and live or die trying to protect it!"
"I am afraid your threats don't worry me," Mu Dishi said, a hint of contempt in his voice. He looked at the men, his gaze sweeping over their eager faces. "If any of you want the map, then come and claim it. I have no problem adding your corpses to the treasure cave corpse collection."
Ma Jingguo, who had been tending to his wounds on the sidelines, opened his eyes. Seeing Mu Dishi challenged and surrounded by greedy eyes, he rushed to Mu Dishi's side. He stood in front, shielding Mu Dishi behind him, and said, his voice clear and unwavering despite his pain, "If any of you want to harm xiao shushu... you will have to go through me first."
"You are hurt," Mu Dishi said, looking at him, his voice sharp with concern disguised as coldness. "Stay behind."
"Xiao shushu, I am not afraid to live and die with you today," Ma Jingguo said, standing firm.
"This is not your fight," Mu Dishi insisted.
Ma Jingguo turned to Mu Dishi and smiled at him, a painful but resolute expression. "I am willing to live and die with xiao shushu."
From the sidelines, the Kuo group watched, stunned.
"Ah Chen knows him?" Kuo Changchang said, her voice filled with disbelief.
"Ah Chen had told me before that they didn't know each other," Kuo Changchang replied, recalling their previous conversation.
"This Ah Chen knows Mu Dishi for sure," Kuo Ju said, a thoughtful look on her face.
"We don't know that," Kuo Changchang said, worried. "Let's wait for Ah Chen to get off the fighting arena."
"By the way they talked to each other, they knew one another," Yong Caixia said, confirming their closeness.
Kuo Changchang looked at Ma Jingguo, still worried about his injury. "Ah Chen, but you are injured!"
"Shijie, my name is Ma Jingguo," Ma Jingguo said, turning slightly towards her, his voice gentle but firm.
"Ma Jingguo... then you are the son of the Ma couple," Kuo Changchang said, the realization dawning on her. "He..." She pointed at Mu Dishi, her voice filled with shock. "He is your enemy!"
"Shijie, no matter what other people say," Ma Jingguo said, turning back to face the crowd, his stance protective of Mu Dishi. "Xiao shushu will always be my xiao shushu and not my enemy."
Kuo Ju looked at Kuo Jin Song, her expression grim. "He has finished seeking revenge. Now everyone here knows he has the treasure map. They will not let him leave."
"Ju'er, I am going to take the map and destroy it," Kuo Jin Song said, his voice resolute.
"Jin Song..." Kuo Ju said, a note of worry in her voice.
"I do not want any other people to die because of that map again," Kuo Jin Song said, his gaze fixed on the chaotic scene. "There are already enough deaths." Kuo Jin Song flew onto the stage, his arrival immediately drawing attention.
"If Kuo shifu fights against Mu Dishi, he will definitely win," a Man in the crowd said, his voice filled with hope.
"Who will be better than Kuo shifu?" a Woman added, relief spreading through the onlookers.
"Father!" Kuo Changchang cried out, watching him go onto the dangerous arena.
Mu Dishi turned to Kuo Jin Song, a flicker of surprise in his cold eyes. "Oh, I didn't know that Kuo shifu wanted to be part of the corpse collection cave."
"Mu Dishi, it seems like today's fight with you is unavoidable," Kuo Jin Song said, his voice calm and steady.
"I've chosen not to fight you because I don't want to kill the only righteous man in Central Plains," Mu Dishi said, his voice sharp, acknowledging Kuo Jin Song's standing, "but if you stand in my way, I have no problem ending your life."
"Let us duel," Kuo Jin Song proposed, his voice clear. "If I win, you destroy that treasure map."
"If you lose?" Mu Dishi asked, a cold smile playing on his lips.
"You do what you want," Kuo Jin Song replied, accepting the risk.
Mu Dishi smiled, a chilling expression. "If you lose, you are forbidden to set foot into the Martial Arts World for the course of ten years."
"Agreed," Kuo Jin Song said, accepting the terms.
Kuo Jin Song sent his palm strikes at Mu Dishi, powerful and righteous. Mu Dishi used his right palm and counterattacked Kuo Jin Song, meeting force with cold precision. The two men started trading fists on the fighting arena, a whirlwind of internal energy.
From the sidelines, the Kuo family watched anxiously.
"Mother, is father going to win?" Kuo Wenqian asked, her voice tight.
"It's still early to say," Kuo Ju replied, her eyes glued to the duel.
"Father better win," Kuo Changchang said, her voice urgent. "If father loses, father cannot set foot inside the Martial Arts World for ten years."
"Last time when your father fought against Mu Dishi," Kuo Ju said, recalling the past, "your father exiled him out of Central Plains for ten years."
Mu Dishi sent out two power rays at Kuo Jin Song, sharp and unexpected, which caused Kuo Jin Song to step back several steps, momentarily caught off guard.
"Uh... Kuo shifu is losing," a Man gasped from the crowd, disbelief in his voice.
"Unbelievable," a Woman whispered, eyes wide.
Seeing Kuo Jin Song seemingly faltering, Nun Chingmei's face hardened. "Mu Dishi! How dare you hurt Kuo shifu?" she cried out, her voice sharp with indignation. She unleashed her horsewhip at Mu Dishi, the leather whistling through the air.
Mu Dishi sent four guzheng strings at Nun Chingmei, catching her whip mid-arc. With a swift pull, he wrapped her whip around her, pulled her forward, hitting her chest hard, and sending her flying twenty feet away to crash onto the arena floor.
"Amitabha... please calm your murderous frenzy," Monk Ling said, flying onto the fighting arena, his voice filled with compassion and a plea for peace.
Mu Dishi scoffed, his voice filled with bitter contempt. "This is just like ten years ago, when you dogs gathered to kill me." He looked at the three masters who had now intervened angrily. "Well, come then," he challenged, his voice rising. "Today, either I die, or everyone here dies!"
Tang Jianyu also flew onto the fighting arena, joining Monk Ling. "Mu Dishi, please listen to Monk Ling," he urged, his voice calm.
"Your heart is full of anger," Monk Ling said, addressing Mu Dishi directly. "How about staying in Shaolin and studying the 'Buddha manual' to calm yourself and reduce your anger?"
Mu Dishi sneered, his face a mask of cold derision. "Stupid old monk. I would rather die than become your prisoner." He looked at the four masters and laughed, a harsh, humorless sound. "Hypocrites... a whole bunch of hypocrites!"
Mu Dishi sent out five guzheng strings at Monk Ling, swift and deadly. Monk Ling used his internal energy and stopped the guzheng strings from entwining him, the air around him shimmering with defensive energy. Tang Jianyu went behind Monk Ling and helped him by passing his internal energy to him, reinforcing his defense. He then unsheathed Honglei and flew straight toward Monk Ling and Tang Jianyu, his sword thirsty for blood. Nun Chingmei and Kuo Jin Song, having recovered, also rejoined the fight against him.
Everyone watched, breathless, as the four highly skilled masters fought with Mu Dishi, their combined strength a formidable force against his terrifying mastery of the Killer String techniques.
As the fight raged, Ma Jingguo watched as Mo Ehuang, Leung Xiaoli, Wen Zen, Shui Cong, Shui Jinhai, and Suo Dongmei, the younger generation of the massacre participants, flew onto the fighting arena and started attacking Mu Dishi, seeing an opportunity to join the fray and avenge their families.
Yong Taihua unsheathed his sword, his face set in determination, but Yong Gui stopped him, grabbing his arm. "Hua'er... you cannot get on that fighting arena."
"Father," Yong Taihua protested, his voice tight with frustrated vengeance. "I want to cut off Mu Dishi's arm."
"Before you can cut off his arm, you might lose your head," Yong Gui said, his voice firm. "Your da ye already made it clear. No revenge." Yong Taihua had no choice but to sheath his sword, watching the fight with burning eyes.
Ma Jingguo, seeing Mu Dishi now facing both the powerful masters and the vengeful younger generation, grabbed his sword and flew onto the fighting arena once again to help Mu Dishi, his loyalty overriding his injury and the danger.
"How dare you help that monster?" Mo Ehuang shouted at Ma Jingguo, her face contorted with rage. She looked at the other five from the younger group. "Kill him or capture him. It seems like Mu Dishi cares for this man."
Ma Jingguo grabbed Mo Ehuang's sword arm, stopping her attack, and fought with the six using 'Wuming Skill', protecting Mu Dishi's flank.
Mu Dishi, seeing Ma Jingguo now fighting alongside him against a growing number of opponents, did several backflips toward the younger group that was fighting with Ma Jingguo, drawing their attention. He sent out a powerful ray at the six young people, a blast of internal energy, sending them crashing in front of the four masters.
Mu Dishi was beyond mad. He didn't come here to kill anyone other than those who owed him, but these people were forcing his hand, escalating the conflict, drawing in innocents and those he didn't wish to harm, like Ma Jingguo. He waved Honglei at the entire group on the fighting arena, and Honglei, charged with his furious energy, released a powerful ray at the group, a blast of devastating force that caught them off guard. Except for Kuo Jin Song, everyone vomited a mouthful of blood as they crashed onto the fighting arena floor, injured by the sheer power.
Mu Dishi said frantically, his voice raw with rage and desperation, "Everyone wants to die? I will fulfill that wish for everyone!" He sheathed Honglei and took out his two golden bells, the ones holding the Killer String. He used his inner strength and pulled the two golden bells apart, and a golden, shiny guzheng string appeared, shimmering with deadly power, floating waist high in front of him. The air around him crackled with energy, radiating a palpable aura of destruction.
"Everyone gets out of here!" Yong Gui shouted out from the sidelines, his voice sharp with fear, recognizing the technique.
Kuo Ju turned to her two daughters, her face pale. "Get out of here now! It's an order!"
People chattering around, the fear spreading through the crowd. "What is going on?"
"Out! Get the Hell Out!" Yong Gui shouted, his voice booming with urgency. He grabbed his son and daughter and rushed out of the fighting arena, fleeing the impending doom.
"Wenqian, take your sister and juniors out of here now," Kuo Ju said, her voice strained. "It's an order."
"He is using 'Together in Hell'!" Yong Gui shouted, his voice echoing the chilling name of the technique.
As soon as the people heard the word 'Together in Hell', a wave of pure terror washed over the crowd. Everyone, regardless of their earlier bravery or greed, started backing away, pushing and shoving to get off the arena and away from the center of destruction.
Ma Jingguo, seeing the golden string and understanding the danger, grabbed Mu Dishi's arm, his voice desperate. "Xiao shushu, please don't use it."
"Get out of here and let go of my arm!" Mu Dishi said angrily, his eyes burning with the power building within him.
"Xiao shushu, using 'Together in Hell', you will die too," Ma Jingguo pleaded, his voice trembling.
"I will not," Mu Dishi replied, his voice strained, focused on the technique.
"They will die," Ma Jingguo said, his voice filled with sorrow for the innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire.
"They've asked for it!" Mu Dishi snapped, the rage overwhelming him.
Ma Jingguo closed his eyes, and he breathed gently, accepting the risk. He walked in front of Mu Dishi, positioning himself directly between Mu Dishi and the deadly golden string. He reached into his inner robe, and took out the jade hairpin that five years ago, Mu Dishi had struck him on the shoulder using. With trembling fingers, he pinned the jade hairpin onto Mu Dishi's tied hair, a simple, intimate gesture amidst the impending apocalypse.
Ma Jingguo gave Mu Dishi a big smile, a wide, heartbreaking expression of love and trust. "You are always very beautiful," he whispered, looking at the hairpin. He slowly backed toward the injured people scattered on the arena, turning his back on Mu Dishi, opening his arms wide apart and awaited death, his face serene. He knew that Mu Dishi was in the midst of a murderous rampage, the power of 'Together in Hell' coiled and ready, but he was still willing to seize this opportunity by putting his life on the line and forcing Mu Dishi's hand. Maybe the next thing would be his body being torn in half, but still, he was willing to take a chance. Ma Jingguo gambled with himself: if Mu Dishi cared for him just a little bit, Mu Dishi would not release the guzheng string.
Mu Dishi's eyes widened in shock at Ma Jingguo's action, the intimate gesture, the unwavering trust in his smile. He felt the connection to the jade hairpin, a memory of a different time, a different kind of pain. He pulled the guzheng string back, using all of his internal energy, struggling against the built-up power. He stared at Ma Jingguo, who smiled at him with wide-open arms, completely vulnerable. He knew that Ma Jingguo stood in front of these people in hope that he would not release 'Together in Hell'. As he stood there, the golden string humming with destructive power, deciding whether he should release the guzheng strings or not, he recalled Ma Jingguo's big, innocent smile from their time in the cave.
He slowly withdrew his inner energy and let go of the golden guzheng string, the immense power dissipating slightly, which still sent enough force to the group, causing them to vomit blood, a lesser injury compared to the annihilation they faced. He took his golden bells and tied them back onto his belt sash. He took out the sheepskin treasure map, the object of so much greed, and took one last look at the five butterflies drawn upon it. With a final, decisive motion, he tore the treasure map into five pieces, then threw them to various Sects and clans scrambling below the stage.
When the five pieces of the treasure map were floating in the air, the scene erupted into renewed chaos. Everyone began fighting, the five pieces of the map exchanged hands between the dead and the living, trampled underfoot, snatched, and fought over. While everyone competed for the treasure map pieces, no one cared about anyone else except the five pieces of the treasure map.
Mu Dishi stood on the fighting arena, amidst the renewed brawl, and smiled, a bitter, victorious expression. And he uttered, his voice carrying over the sounds of combat, "Hypocrites... a whole bunch of Hypocrites!" Then he laughed, a harsh, mocking sound. "Ha...ha...ha..." He turned his back on the greedy chaos and walked off the fighting arena, leaving the martial world to fight over nothing.
Ma Jingguo, who was seriously injured, watched Mu Dishi leave, his vision blurring. "Xiao shushu, wait for me!" he called out weakly, reaching a hand towards the retreating figure. He walked forward four steps, stumbling, and he felt dizzy, then he fell onto the fighting arena floor, collapsing amidst the fighting. He saw Mu Dishi's back gradually disappear from the fighting arena, a solitary figure walking away once more, leaving him behind.