"Young Hero Huang, Shaolin is just ahead. Why not come to the temple with this humble monk and rest for a few days?" Master Kongming pointed toward Mount Song, already visible in the distance.
Since they had entered Great Song territory three days earlier, the others had each headed back to their own sects. Huang Xiao, however, needed to hurry to the capital, Kaifeng, so he had traveled with Master Kongming and his companions all this way.
Shaolin Temple stood on Shaoshi Mountain, deep within Mount Song. From here, another two or three hundred li east would bring him to Kaifeng.
Now that Huang Xiao and the others had reached the vicinity of Mount Song, Kongming naturally extended an invitation.
There was no denying that Huang Xiao stood out among the younger generation. A young expert like him was naturally worth befriending. Quite apart from having saved him, Huang Xiao had contributed considerably this time as well, raising him in Master Kongming's estimation. Liaochen was the most outstanding of Shaolin's younger generation, and naturally, Kongming also meant to compare the two. Once they reached Shaolin, these young men could exchange pointers and grow closer.
Shaolin had its reasons for becoming the Mount Tai and the Big Dipper of the Jianghu. Provided nothing happened to Huang Xiao, he would certainly become a figure of considerable influence in Poison God Valley several decades from now. Having someone like that on friendly terms with Shaolin would benefit the temple too. Of course, the same held true for other Jianghu sects. Regardless of their sect, most sect leaders would show these young experts some consideration. After all, several decades later, they would either lead a sect or hold an elder's standing. It was easy to cultivate ties while they were young and weak; once