But since Wudang had invoked Master Zhang, she didn’t dare say much more. At this moment she glanced at Master Kong Wen and said, "Master Kong Wen, Shaolin stands shoulder to shoulder with Wudang as the Taishan Beidou of the Martial Arts world. How do you view this matter?"

With one sentence, she pushed the matter directly onto Master Kong Wen’s shoulders.

Master Kong Wen’s expression grew somewhat grave. Even though he was a high monk of Shaolin, in the face of the Martial Arts legend that was Master Zhang, he still felt a lingering fear. Although Wudang had only brought out Master Zhang’s name and Master Zhang himself was not present, it was still a form of intimidation to Master Kong Wen.

Master Kong Wen remained silent for a long time, then said, "Fifth Hero Zhang is a gifted disciple of Wudang. Whomever he falls in love with, naturally there are elders in his Sect to keep watch. Since even Master Zhang has not opposed this marriage, it would be inappropriate for us to oppose it."

"Moreover, if I am not mistaken, this Miss Fang should be of the Divine Dragon Sect. Although the Divine Dragon Sect’s former Dharma King came from the Demon Sect, later he could be said to have returned from the path of error. He betrayed the Sect and set up on his own more than twenty years ago, which counts as a complete severing from the Demon Sect. We naturally cannot view him through the identity of the Demon Sect, so I believe Miss Fang cannot be considered a person of the Demon Sect!"

"What do you all think?"

Once these words were spoken, everyone present exchanged glances and all nodded lightly. At another time they would certainly not compromise so easily, but now that this matter involved Master Zhang, resolving it in this way could be considered prudent.

As for the Divine Dragon Sect, these years it could be said to be neither entirely righteous nor outright evil. The Righteous Sects did not welcome them, and as for Evil Cults, the Zoroastrian Sect did not accept them either; they existed as an independent force.

Putting it this way preserved everyone’s face; most importantly, it did not embarrass Master Zhang.

If they truly enraged Master Zhang and he really came knocking to question right and wrong, none of these Sects would be able to bear it.

Thus, what Master Kong Wen proposed was in fact a compromise.

At this moment the people around all chimed in, "Indeed, the Divine Dragon Sect no longer belongs to the Zoroastrian Sect and can’t be considered part of the Demon Sect."

"Yes, I’ve heard that in these past years the Divine Dragon Sect has also been fighting the court out on the East Sea as a rebel army, so they can’t be counted as the Demon Sect."

As the crowd spoke, Lei Ming and the others felt slightly relieved at heart. So long as they were not completely lumped together with the Demon Sect, the matters to follow would be easier to handle.

But he had, unavoidably, thought too much.

Just then, having finished what he’d said earlier, Master Kong Wen pondered a moment and then continued, "However, though Miss Fang cannot be considered a person of the Demon Sect, the Little Ming King most certainly is. We did not come here to capture people of the Divine Dragon Sect. As long as you hand the Little Ming King over to us, you may go down the mountain as you please, and we will absolutely not interfere!"

The Great Monk’s objective was still extremely clear: indeed, we are not here to arrest people of the Divine Dragon Sect—we are here to seize the Little Ming King.

As for Wudang’s wish to marry into the Divine Dragon Sect, that has nothing to do with us; of course we wouldn’t dare have any opinion. After all, your master is Master Zhang, isn’t he?

We cannot afford to offend him, so we have decided not to.

But!

The Little Ming King is the Demon Sect Hierarch; capturing him is acceptable. This is not only an order from the court, it is also the result of deliberations among the Six Great Sects and has received Master Zhang’s nod of approval. Do you still intend to make an issue of this matter?

After hearing Kong Wen’s words, everyone nodded as well. "Indeed, whom Fifth Hero Zhang marries and has children with is his own business. We won’t meddle, but the Little Ming King must be handed over to us!"

"Right, hand the Little Ming King over to us, and we won’t concern ourselves with anything else!"

At this point, everyone’s target was squarely the Little Ming King. Hearing this, the three from the Divine Dragon Sect all looked very unsightly, and Han Lin’er was so terrified he could not stop trembling.

Confronted with so many fierce and murderous faces, the Little Ming King was on the verge of tears. When had he ever faced such a perilous scene?

Lei Ming now frowned deeply. When they had set out, they had received a death order from the Dragon King: they must rescue the Little Ming King. Moreover, having once held the position of one of the Twelve Elders of the Zoroastrian Sect and benefited from Han Shantong’s favor, he did not wish to see Han Shantong’s line cut off!

Yet the current situation clearly could not end peacefully.

If the Six Great Sects failed to seize the Little Ming King, they would never let the matter rest. For their part, failing to protect the Little Ming King was absolutely impossible. Thus the conflict had sharpened.

Lei Ming’s face was extremely grim, while those in the arena exchanged glances. Master Jue Mie spoke up, "Enough. We will not pursue the affair of the Divine Dragon Sect any further. Just hand over the Little Ming King."

For Master Jue Mie, who had always believed in eradicating evil roots and branch, to say such a thing was already a concession.

Thus she felt she had already done her utmost in both benevolence and righteousness, but she hadn’t expected these people of the Divine Dragon Sect to be so ungrateful!

At that moment Lei Ming stepped forward, cupped his fists, and said, "Honored Sect Leaders, Heroes, I know that you have come today to capture the Little Ming King, while we, under the Dragon King’s command, have come to protect the Little Ming King."

Everyone’s brows knit!

What did Lei Ming’s words mean?

Lei Ming then said, "If you fail to capture the Little Ming King, you naturally will not let the matter go. If we allow you to take the Little Ming King away just like this, we will have no way to answer to the Dragon King."

"This truly is a dilemma. In that case, I have an idea: let us settle this according to Jianghu rules and decide the outcome by martial contest. If we lose, you may take the Little Ming King away. But if we are fortunate enough to defeat the various Sects, then I must ask you, Heroes, to show mercy and let us go."

Upon hearing this, the people of the Six Great Sects all frowned, and Master Kong Wen said gravely, "Very well, we will not bully you. Each Sect will send one person to face you. If we lose, we will leave. If we win, you will hand the Little Ming King over to us."