The moment Xu Qi’an saw a figure in white standing in the darkness, his heart seemed to skip several beats. His scalp tingled instantly, and every goosebump on his body stood out.
It was not just because he was caught in a private moment and startled by an outsider. After Xu Pingfeng’s sudden attack, Xu Qi’an had developed a severe stress reaction to white-robed people appearing without warning.
He combined the ability of Poison Gu with his saliva and spat a pitch-black, all-corroding venom from his mouth.
Then, he threw himself onto Mu Nanzhi’s soft, voluptuous body, attempting to take her away with shadow-jumping.
The white-robed arcanist tilted his head to avoid the venom and quickly said the word, “Don’t.”
Hmm?
Xu Qi’an was taken aback. This voice sounded inexplicably familiar and was clearly not Xu Pingfeng’s. He halted his shadow jump.
“Ah!!”
Mu Nanzhi’s scream echoed through the room. She still had not noticed the presence of the white-robed arcanist, assuming that Xu Qi’an was about to use violence against her.
Covered by the quilt and pinned beneath him, she was naturally restrained and unable to struggle, so she could only keep twisting, like a plump and juicy maggot.
As the saying goes, even the finest archer cannot hit a rapidly moving target.
Just then, she heard Xu Qi’an’s voice by her ear: “Are you Second Senior Brother, Sun Xuanji?”
Mu Nanzhi immediately settled down and, lifting her head, looked toward the bedhead. Sure enough, a white-robed figure stood there, his features blurred by the darkness.
The white-robed arcanist looked down at the man and woman on the bed and said gravely, “Afraid…”
Afraid? Afraid of what, what was he afraid of… The same question flashed through both Xu Qi’an and Mu Nanzhi’s minds.
Wait, he had just said another word before, seemed like “Don’t”. Xu Qi’an seemed to understand something.
“He is the Jianzheng’s second disciple, Senior Brother Sun Xuanji.”
Xu Qi’an lowered his head, looked into Mu Nanzhi’s moist, beautiful eyes, and explained.
He then got up from the princess consort’s tender and curvaceous body, put on his robe, walked to the table, and lit a candle.
The warm halo of firelight dispelled the darkness, bringing a dusky glow.
Xu Qi’an used the candlelight to take in his first proper look at Second Senior Brother, whom he had never met. He was about one metre seventy tall, rather ordinary. His facial features were well-proportioned, but “handsome” wasn’t a word that could be applied to him, equally ordinary.
Among the Jianzheng’s disciples, this Second Senior Brother was the most unremarkable. Even compared to king of posturing Yang Qianhuan… oh, Xu Qi’an had never seen what he looked like either.
But the alchemy madman, Song Qing, was actually a rather handsome man.
As for Chu Caiwei and Zhong Li, the former was a lively and adorable big-eyed beauty, and though the latter was dishevelled, whenever a glimpse of her features could be seen she was clearly a stunning beauty.
The princess consort curled up in the thick cotton quilt, only poking out half of her head, her bright, lively eyes quietly observing the two men, mainly sizing up Sun Xuanji.
Sun Xuanji said, “Mas… ter… sent… me… to… look… for… you…”
A quarter of an hour passed by the time the sentence was finished.
The princess consort had drifted back to sleep, letting out soft snores.
… Xu Qi’an stared woodenly at the white-robed arcanist. “Senior Brother Sun, what is this?”
A speech impediment?
Sun Xuanji nodded solemnly and explained, “I… can’t…”
Xu Qi’an quickly interrupted, “Never mind, you needn’t explain.”
If you did, it would take another quarter of an hour. He grumbled inwardly.
“The Jianzheng sent you to find me?”
Xu Qi’an flipped over an overturned teacup, poured two cups of hot tea, and frowned. “What are his instructions? Hmm, if possible, can you please speak a little faster?”
“Teacher…”, “said…”, “stupa treasure…”, “is open…”, “now…”
“He wants…”, “you to…”, “go there…”
With these words, Sun Xuanji finally finished.
The tea in Xu Qi’an’s hand had gone fully cold.
Mu Nanzhi rolled over and murmured a few words in her sleep, sleeping soundly.
I really want to hit him, or I shall never feel at peace… Xu Qi’an’s face twitched fiercely, feeling an uncontrollable urge to beat his chest and roar.
Patiently listening to Second Senior Brother talk was a painful experience, no less so than fingernails scraping on a blackboard or two pieces of foam rubbing together.
If Brother Chun were here, he would either strike him down, or commit seppuku… Xu Qi’an thought in agony.
Sun Xuanji took a deep breath and continued, “Tea… cher…”
“Wait!”
Xu Qi’an interrupted, quickly poured water and ground ink, spread out paper, picked up a brush and dipped it in the ink-stone. He held it out with both hands and earnestly said,
“Second Senior Brother, if we can use our hands, let’s certainly not waste time talking, alright?”
Sun Xuanji frowned slightly, clearly preferring to converse, but reluctantly took the brush and sat at the desk to write.
Phew… Xu Qi’an let out a long breath. The smooth writing rhythm, the unimpeded brush strokes, and the silent burning candle… the world was suddenly a beautiful place.
None of the Jianzheng’s disciples was remotely normal. Compared to king of posturing Yang Qianhuan, the alchemy madman Song Qing, gloomy Zhong Li, and brainless Chu Caiwei, Sun Xuanji was the truly terrifying one.
Only second to that unfilial bastard Xu Pingfeng.
“Second Senior Brother, if you were coming, why not give a warning?” Xu Qi’an complained.
If this birdman hadn’t shown up, he might have let the princess consort experience first-hand the meaning of “M” and “1”.1
“I… did… but… you…”
Before long, Sun Xuanji finished writing, but had not finished speaking.
He looked at Xu Qi’an and said, “Paid… no… att… ention… to me.”
”…”
Xu Qi’an cupped his hands to him and took the paper to read.
The more he read, the more serious he became, mixed with excitement.
The stupa tower was the greatest treasure of the Buddhist sect, used specifically for suppressing and refining evil beings. Five hundred years ago, Buddhism came to the Central Plains and brought with them the two arms of Shenshu.
The right arm was suppressed at Sangpo lake, the left arm in the pagoda of Leizhou Sanhua Temple.
Two hundred years ago, the Great Feng “broke faith” by enacting policies to eradicate Buddhism, and drove Buddhism back to the Western Regions, leaving only a handful of Buddhist temples struggling to survive in the Central Plains.
Like Qinglong Temple in the capital, Sanhua Temple in Leizhou had not completely retreated, leaving their legacy behind.
Qinglong Temple’s task was to monitor the sealed object beneath Sangpo.
It was the same for Sanhua Temple.
As to why the Buddhists had not taken away the stupa tower, Sun Xuanji explained that the seal at Leizhou Sanhua Temple was the same as the one under Sangpo, both were reinforced by arrays set up with the Jianzheng’s help.
When the Buddhist Sect and the Great Feng were on good terms, this was not a problem. The moment relations soured, though, the Jianzheng’s formations became an obstacle.
Also, at the time, the Buddhist Sect sent Shenshu’s residual body to be sealed by the Great Feng because they themselves could no longer seal those remains.
The severed arm sealed in the pagoda must also contain a trace of residual soul. If the two souls combine, Shenshu will be able to recall even more…
Xu Qi’an suppressed his excitement and asked, “Why wasn’t I told about this in advance?”
Sun Xuanji picked up the brush and wrote, “Teacher is the chess player.”
That meant, as a chess piece, he was not qualified to receive advance notice? Xu Qi’an grumbled inwardly.
“I heard the Church of the Warlock God has also sent people to Leizhou.”
Sun Xuanji frowned, a look of sudden realisation on his face. He picked up the brush and wrote:
“There are two ways to open the Buddha’s stupa tower: First, the Buddhists and the Teacher open it together. Second, it opens by itself every sixty years. The latter’s time limit is almost up.”
Xu Qi’an immediately understood:
“So, back then, it was the Jianzheng and the Buddhist sect who joined forces to send that second-rank Master of Rain into the Pagoda?”
Hmm, during the Battle of Shanhai Pass, the relationship between the Buddhist sect and the Great Feng was rather close.
Sun Xuanji wrote, “I’m not too sure, I was still a youth at the time. You must do two things, stop the Church of the Warlock God from rescuing Nalan Tianlu’s soul, and bring out the severed arm of Shenshu. I will help you.”
“Why does the Jianzheng not act himself?”
“When they set up the formation years ago, the teacher and the Buddhist sect swore an oath by Heaven’s Dao, agreeing not to do anything that would damage the seal.”
“I understand.”
Xu Qi’an smiled. The Dongfang sisters might be peak fourth rank, but Sun Xuanji was a third-rank Master of Heaven’s Secrets. With his own assistance, dealing with them would be easy.
Well, there might also be experts from Sanhua Temple, but that shouldn’t be a major issue.
This progress is decent, materials, Dragon Qi, and Shenshu’s severed arm were all being collected steadily… When the Jianzheng gave me the conch that day, I thought he wanted Sun Xuanji to help me search for Dragon Qi. I didn’t expect that was a hint for this.
Sun Xuanji glanced at him with a serious expression and wrote:
“Don’t be careless. After Wei Yuan captured Mount Jing City, the Church of the Warlock God was severely weakened, which is why they took this desperate step and targeted the Pagoda. They are likely to send a Master of Wisdom.”
A Master of Wisdom… Xu Qi’an’s pupils shrank.
Before he could speak, Sun Xuanji wrote again:
“A few days ago, I went to Leizhou and, using the Qi-watching technique, observed a Vajra Protector.”
Xu Qi’an’s mouth dropped open: “Sanhua Temple has a Vajra Protector in residence?”
How am I supposed to handle that?
Sun Xuanji shook his head and wrote, “Back then after the eradication of Buddhism, all Buddhist disciples above fourth rank withdrew from the Central Plains. There is no Vajra stationed at Sanhua Temple. The reason this Vajra is here, I suspect, is for the dragon ley spirit.”
For the dragon ley spirit… Xu Qi’an’s heart sank. This was not good news. It meant that if he continued collecting Dragon Qi, he would inevitably confront this Vajra.
“What does the Buddhist sect want with Dragon Qi?” Xu Qi’an’s expression darkened.
“If the Central Plains lose their Dragon Qi, chaos is inevitable. With it, there is the possibility of seizing control of the Central Plains. In this regard, the Buddhist sect is no different from the Church of the Warlock God.”
Sun Xuanji glanced at him, continuing to write, “One strand Dragon Qi has attached itself inside the Pagoda and is in fact one of the nine most crucial Dragon Qi.”
A bolt from the blue!
Xu Qi’an’s expression went blank. He gaped slightly, stonily staring at Sun Xuanji.
The latter looked at him calmly.
Now there’s no way to avoid this. If only Shenshu’s severed arm was in the Pagoda, I could have put it off, gathered Dragon Qi first, or tried to find another way to retrieve the other fallen body parts.
But now, as one of the nine Dragon Qi is attached to Sanhua Temple, attracting a third-rank Vajra, and combined with Shenshu’s severed arm, this is an irreconcilable dilemma for me.
Perhaps negotiation is possible?
Didn’t the Buddhist sect want to invite me to the Western Regions as the Buddha child?
No, I can’t think that way. Renunciation of worldly desires is worse than death.
Why does the Buddhist sect want to collect Dragon Qi? Do they also desire to annex the Central Plains? Maybe they intend to use it for blackmail, to once again spread their teachings across the Central Plains. But that seems unlikely, the Buddhist sect has suffered losses on this front before and would not repeat the same mistake… Xu Qi’an pinched the bridge of his nose.
In the deep of night, he felt a chill.
“Both the Vajra Protector and the Master of Wisdom are third rank. What should I do? Perhaps at my peak, I might have stood a chance,” Xu Qi’an asked worriedly.
“No one above fourth rank can enter the stupa tower. This is due both to the artifact’s own restrictions and the teacher’s formation suppressing it. Otherwise, the Nine-tailed Fox would already have broken in and retrieved Shenshu’s arm.”
Sun Xuanji wrote.
Staring at the paper, Xu Qi’an’s eyes slowly lit up, a hopeful glow emerging.
Suddenly, countless ideas flashed through his mind, but they were all too fragmented to be pieced together into a workable plan.
“If that’s the case, I have much more room to manoeuvre. I’ll need to take some time to formulate a plan…”
Xu Qi’an drank a mouthful of icy tea and said, “Is there anything else?”
Sun Xuanji wrote, “I need some time to prepare. Tomorrow, you’ll set out for Leizhou. Get in touch with the conch when necessary to firm up the plan. I can’t enter the stupa, but I can help deal with external pressure.”
Xu Qi’an nodded, “Can you bring Senior Brother Yang as well? He’d definitely enjoy this kind of thing.”
Sun Xuanji’s expression suddenly became odd as he wrote, “Junior Brother Yang has been suppressed again by the teacher.”
“Why did you use the word ‘again’?”
“Not long after you left the capital, he surfaced from underground and secretly began investigating the Crown Prince.”
“Investigating the Crown Prince?”
“According to him, he has already gathered evidence of the Crown Prince’s corruption, collusion with court ministers, and abuse of palace maids. He’s just waiting for the Crown Prince to ascend the throne…”
The room fell silent, only the steady sound of Mu Nanzhi’s breathing could be heard.
A long time later, Xu Qi’an said sincerely:
“Send my regards to the Jianzheng, and remind him to take good care of his health. Open-mindedness is the secret to longevity.”
Sun Xuanji grunted in response.
He stood up, ready to teleport away, when Xu Qi’an quickly added, “Write down what I said to be sure.”
One mustn’t rub salt in the Jianzheng’s wound.
… Sun Xuanji gave him a look, runes shimmered at his feet, and he vanished.
Xu Qi’an waited a bit, made sure he was gone for good, then blew out the candle, crawled into bed, and went to sleep.
…
The next morning.
Xu Qi’an and Mu Nanzhi got up to wash and went to the inn’s dining hall for breakfast, where they happened to see Li Lingsu, dressed in expensive black robes, returning to the inn.
He was carrying a large parcel of medicinal herbs wrapped in oiled paper.
Li Lingsu quietly hid the parcel behind his back and displayed a dazzling smile. “Good morning you two.”
Princess Consort Mu ignored him and sipped her porridge.
Xu Qi’an took a breath and said coolly, “Deer antler, cynomorium, polygonatum, pyrola root, black sesame…”
All were medicinal tonics for male vigour and kidney function.
Mu Nanzhi looked up, scrutinising Li Lingsu in surprise.
The Holy Son of Heaven Sect flushed crimson, glanced around sheepishly, and blurted, “D-don’t say it out loud!”
Seeing there weren’t many customers in the hall and the innkeeper and waiter hadn’t heard, he sighed with relief, sat at their table, and said seriously:
“I need to explain, it’s not that I have over-indulged. It’s Sister Qing and Sister Rong who are too demanding…”
At this, the Holy Son showed a pained expression:
“They insist on bedding me every day, taking turns, not letting me rest for a single day. Their whole aim is to make sure I don’t have the energy to flirt with the pretty maids around us.”
The Holy Son lamented, “I have never taken the initiative with a maid; it’s always them trying to seduce me. It’s this damned charm of mine…”
Xu Qi’an said expressionlessly, “Go run upstairs. In a quarter of an hour, we’re leaving.”
When Li Lingsu had returned to his room, Xu Qi’an tossed aside his porcelain spoon and exclaimed angrily, “Utterly tasteless.”
The princess consort laid her head on the table, clutching her stomach, and laughed until she cried.
…
Fifteen minutes later, three people left the little town on horseback. Li Lingsu chewed on the vigour increasing medicine, and at the same time asked loudly:
“Senior, where are we going?”
Xu Qi’an looked into the distance, saying solemnly: “West.”
1 and 0 are slang for top and bottom respectively, possibly relevant ↩
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