Shaolin.
Just as in Wen Xishu's previous life, Shaolin was still called Shaolin, and Mount Shaoshi was still Mount Shaoshi.
This place embodied many people's dreams of the Martial Arts World. As the saying went, all martial arts originated from Shaolin.
But its corruption had come much sooner than in Wen Xishu's previous life.
In Wen Xishu's previous life, Shaolin had at least waited until modern times to become corrupt and degenerate. Here, in what seemed to correspond to the Song dynasty, its greed was already insatiable.
The Four Heavenly Kings and the Eighteen Arhats all sported enormous potbellies.
The staff monks and boxing monks clearly possessed considerable skill, but every last one of them was fat and bloated.
Once these monks grew too fat, even their kindly smiles took on a vaguely sleazy air.
The scent of pine incense pervaded Mount Shaoshi, suggesting that the temple enjoyed thriving patronage. Yet there were only so many worshippers coming and going.
When a restaurant had hardly any customers, yet its decor, ambience, and ingredients were all top of the line... it probably wasn't making its money from ordinary diners.
Heroes from across the martial world soon arrived at Mount Shaoshi.
With the Beggar Gang, formerly the greatest gang under heaven, taking the lead, many other groups that still cherished chivalry and sought to oppose the Martial Alliance prepared to go as well.
They included Wudang, Emei, Kongtong, Huashan, Hengshan...
After Ye Jianxin retired into seclusion, these familiar martial heroes had all managed their sects cautiously, avoiding conflict with the Martial Alliance wherever possible.
But now, the young hero Liu Jianxin and Beggar Gang leader Xiao Jianglong had given them hope that order could be restored to the Rivers and Lakes.
As long as hope remained, these once-great sects were willing to