A million curses raced through Xu Qi’an’s mind. If this dream had appeared on a television, he would have rushed over to block it and prevented anyone from watching.
What did it mean to have his identity exposed inside the Stupa tower?
The Church of the Warlock God would stop at nothing to kill him, while the Buddhist sect would do everything possible to convert him.
At that point, let alone unsealing Shenshu and recovering the Dragon Qi, he would not even be able to keep himself safe.
Upon witnessing this scene, everyone present, whether locals from Leizhou, Buddhist monks, or the Dongfang Sisters, had their attention completely drawn by the “dream.”
“What, what is this?”
“That’s Buddha Mountain, and the Nightwatcher’s uniform… It looks familiar.”
Everyone felt puzzled and curious, momentarily unable to react, as Leizhou was too far from the capital. Most people present had never seen the Buddhist contest, nor had they met Xu Qi’an in person.
“It’s the Buddhist contest. That’s Silver Gong Xu.”
Master Tang Yuanwu of the Shuangdao Sect declared loudly.
He had been in the capital during the Buddhist contest, initially aiming to witness the Conflict of Heaven and Man, only for it to be postponed for over a month. By chance, though, he had witnessed the grand spectacle of the Buddhist contest.
A wave of voices burst out as the heroes of Leizhou pointed and discussed the images.
“So this is Silver Gong Xu! He’s much more handsome than the portraits, just a glance at his features and one can tell he is a true dragon among men.”
“I missed the Buddhist contest that day, never thought I’d be able to witness it like this today. Hahahaha…”
The Dongfang Sisters also widened their beautiful eyes, staring unblinkingly at the young man in the Nightwatcher’s uniform.
They had long heard his name but never met him. To see him now like this wasn’t bad, after all, the capital was the Great Feng’s stronghold, and they couldn’t go there.
The Nightwatchers had spies all over Jiuzhou, thoroughly investigating every force. A minor matter like the East Sea Dragon Palace being affiliated with the Church of the Warlock God would never escape their notice.
Going to the capital would be suicide.
So they never expected to see the legendary Silver Gong Xu.
“He is indeed remarkably handsome, but not as handsome as our dear Li,” Dongfang Wanrong judged as she scrutinised Silver Gong Xu.
To think even such a trivial formation made him clutch his head and scream! At that moment, Silver Gong Xu showed none of the heroic bearing described in the legends, Dongfang Wanqing thought.
Elsewhere, the warrior monk Jingyuan glanced at the Zen master Jingxin and quietly asked, “Is this the Buddha Son whom the Arhats and Bodhisattvas are so eager to bring into our sect?”
Jingxin replied “Mm,” fixing his gaze intently on Silver Gong Xu.
Jingyuan then asked, “What do you think of the Mahayana teachings?”
Jingxin was silent for a long while, before replying slowly:
“It is like a door, to something mad, dangerous, but incredibly alluring. The Arhat Du’e wishes to open it, yet fears to do so. Agaruka has no wish to open it, yet cannot help but peek inside.
“The stalemate between Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhism has lasted until today. Apart from the Buddha remaining asleep and unable to make a clear judgement, the hesitation of the Bodhisattvas and Arhats is also a crucial reason.”
Warrior monks did not cultivate Zen. For them, knowing a little of the Buddhist teachings sufficed, they didn’t need to be experts. In their eyes, Mahayana or Hinayana made no difference.
Of course, if he had to choose, the warrior monks preferred the Hinayana, which focused on personal cultivation. After all, their paths were similar.
As the two monks whispered, Silver Gong Xu, trapped in the formation, suddenly went berserk, gripped his sabre, and unleashed a dazzling strike, a strike so fearsome that all the fourth ranks present felt their hearts pound.
The Eight Sufferings Formation was instantly shattered.
Then, Silver Gong Xu cleaved through the Buddhist Vajra Divine Art with a single blow, debated the Dao with an old monk beneath the Bodhi tree, converted the old monk, ascended to the summit of the Buddhist sect, and, under the pressure of a giant dharma aspect, refused to kneel.
He then summoned the Confucian Sage’s carving knife and shattered the Buddhist domain.
“He’s so strong! So Silver Gong Xu was already this powerful during the Buddhist contest!”
“That’s right. At that time, he’d just returned from Yunzhou. So the tales of him standing alone against eight thousand rebels in Yunzhou weren’t exaggerated.”
“Eight thousand? Wasn’t it twenty thousand?”
“No wonder, it’s Silver Gong Xu! No wonder he later suppressed both Heaven and Man single-handedly, no wonder he slew two hundred thousand Church of the Warlock God enemies with his sabre in the defence of Yuyang Pass.”
“That’s right, Silver Gong Xu only trained in martial arts for a decade or two, yet he’s far outstripped us useless folk who’ve cultivated for decades and never reached fourth rank. He’s truly a prodigy.”
The people of Leizhou were excited beyond words. Leizhou was far from the capital, so tales of Silver Gong Xu were inevitably exaggerated and inconsistent with the truth.
But today, after witnessing the strength Silver Gong Xu displayed in the contest, the heroes of Leizhou were completely convinced that he had truly withstood eight thousand, or rather, twenty thousand, rebels in Yunzhou alone.
They also believed in the miracle at Yuyang Pass, where a single person annihilated two hundred thousand enemies.
The Dongfang Sisters exchanged a glance and tacitly withdrew their earlier remarks.
Compared with Silver Gong Xu, their beloved Li Lang paled in comparison.
The dream slowly faded away, leaving everyone savouring the memories.
Suddenly, Hengyin, the abbot of Sanhua Temple, cried out,
“Why has the scene of the Buddhist contest appeared here?”
His words startled everyone to their senses or made them realise something was amiss.
Indeed, why would the Buddhist contest be showing up here?
Everything before their eyes was a dream, so, whose dream was it?
…
“Eh? Why are they all standing still?”
Mu Nanzhi narrowed her big Carslan-blue eyes, peering from a distance at the precious pearl in the Du’nan Vajra’s hand, the Mirror Beast’s tear. She discovered that the scene reflected in the pearl was motionless.
“How strange, it’s as if they have fallen under a certain illusion.”
The fourth-rank guest expert of the Leizhou Merchants’ Association spoke in a low voice.
“Li Lang, what do you think?”
Wenren Qianrou turned to ask her lover’s opinion.
Li Lingsu frowned deeply:
“No wonder, no wonder Rong… let me think for a moment.1
“No wonder the Buddhist sect wanted to cooperate with the Church of the Warlock God. It turns out that the second level of the Stupa tower has been corrupted by Nalan Tianlu’s power. As soon as they set foot on the second level, they were immediately drawn into Nalan Tianlu’s dream, which is why they remain motionless.
“To safely pass through the dream, they must have Nalan Tianlu’s cooperation. Otherwise, these people would never be able to leave the second level and would remain in the dream until their physical bodies in the outside world died.”
Wenren Qianrou frowned slightly and said worriedly, “It seems that Senior Xu hasn’t managed to escape from the dream either…”
Li Lingsu’s expression turned odd. He found it increasingly difficult to understand this old man. Though he clearly possessed an extraordinary identity and cultivation, he always showed a mediocre level, matching his unremarkable appearance.
Was this deliberate, or was there some reason he could not display his full strength?
“Whatever his plan, let’s set it aside for now. Actually, breaking Nalan Tianlu’s dream isn’t so difficult. Regardless of the rank, a Warlock of Dreams’ technique must use the dream as its medium, that’s the rule.”
Li Lingsu explained confidently, “So there are two methods. First: awaken Nalan Tianlu within the tower, and you can break free from the dream. Second: search for and communicate with Nalan Tianlu’s consciousness inside the dream, ask him to help leave the dream.”
As the lover of Dongfang Wanrong, a fourth-rank Warlock of Dreams, and as a Daoist expert who specialised in cultivating the primordial spirit, Li Lingsu was well versed in the methods of Warlocks of Dreams.
“Consciousness within the dream?”
Mu Nanzhi asked back. The little white fox in her arms poked out its head, its big dark eyes curiously watching Li Lingsu.
Li Lingsu replied, “Without consciousness, there can be no dream; naturally there must be someone’s consciousness present in a dream.”
He paused and sighed, “Dongfang Wanrong is at the peak of the fourth rank among Warlocks of Dreams. It would be all too easy for her to find the thread of Nalan Tianlu’s consciousness. But why is she keeping quiet, lingering in the dream world?”
Calling Sister Rong by her full name feels so satisfying… The Holy Son of the Heaven Sect thought to himself in secret.
The sisters, one cold, one charming. At first glance, the younger sister Dongfang Wanqing seemed more domineering and proactive. But actually, in bed, it was often the seemingly charming elder sister who was more forceful and overbearing, like a queen.
As he thought of this, Li Lingsu could not help rubbing his lower back.
Ever since he was confined by the Dongfang sisters for half a year, working tirelessly night after night, he had gradually lost interest in women and felt as if he were beginning to touch upon the true essence of ‘supreme detachment from emotion’.
He had indeed chosen the right path.
Junior Sister, when we descended the mountain together, now you have become Lady Flying Swallow, and I am gradually ‘forgetting love’. When the three-year period ends, your longing will make your eyes water with envy.
Ha! The dignified Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect has actually become an enthusiastic heroine. You have truly taken the wrong path.
Thinking of this, Li Lingsu felt highly satisfied.
…
“What’s this, is no one going to answer?”
Monk Hengyin raised his voice and asked again. At the same time, his sharp eyes swept through the crowd.
Jingxin and Jingyuan seemed to have thought of something. Their expressions changed slightly, and they too scanned the crowd with sharp eyes, as if searching for something.
“Big sister, can you use your Warlock of Dreams methods to trace whose dream this is?”
Dongfang Wanqing’s cold face appeared even more serious and unsympathetic.
“I know what you mean…”
Dongfang Wanrong nodded slowly.
Seeing the Buddhist monks’ expressions, the local Leizhou people were no fools. They immediately understood and began retreating and looking around, keeping a close eye on the people next to them.
Xu Qi’an saw this and his heart sank.
“Sir Tang, as I recall, your Shuangdao Sect once travelled to the capital to witness the contest, didn’t you?”
Someone called out in a loud voice.
At once, all eyes turned to Tang Yuanwu.
Tang Yuanwu nodded slowly. “I had the fortune to witness Silver Gong Xu’s triumph.”
Dongfang Wanrong said, “But for someone to just happen to dream about the contestling scene, unless it was deeply engraved in their memory, it would be impossible. Just like Sir Tang always remembers those two battles, after all, he experienced them first-hand.”
She put extra emphasis on the words “first-hand experience.”
Not good, they have already begun to suspect that I am hiding in the crowd. The Buddhist monks present, as well as people from the East Sea Dragon Palace and local Leizhou people, all had companions who could be each other’s alibis. Only I, a stranger, could easily be singled out…
Xu Qi’an frowned, anxiety welling up in his heart.
If he was exposed here, all his schemes would fail, and he would fall into danger himself.
Indeed, life is ever-changing and full of surprises. His plan had not even begun and yet Nalan Tianlu’s dream had forced him to show his true face.
Just then, Liu Yun from the Shuangdao Sect spoke calmly:
“This is my dream.”
Head Monk Hengyin looked at her, scrutinising, and asked with some doubt, “You?”
Tang Yuanwu was stunned at first, then understood, giving his valued disciple a complex glance before saying,
“Yes, Yun’er was also in the capital at the time and witnessed the entire contest.”
The crowd burst into ambiguous chuckles and whistles.
A woman who could not forget the Buddhist contest involving Silver Gong Xu, and often dreamt of it, what did this mean?
Four words explained it: a young girl’s crush.
A Jianghu fellow grinned slyly:
“That makes sense. We were overthinking. Silver Gong Xu has countless achievements, not just his resurrection in Yunzhou, or his single-handed resistance at Yuyang Pass, either of which was far more perilous than the Buddhist contest.
“If Silver Gong Xu were here, he certainly wouldn’t be dreaming of the contest with the Buddhists.”
It was well said, and everyone present thought the same.
Dongfang Wanrong nodded silently. Young girls having a crush, after watching such a contest, falling for Silver Gong Xu was perfectly natural.
As a woman herself, she could understand. If her heart was not already taken, she too might fancy a man like Silver Gong Xu.
Head Monk Hengyin looked to Jingxin, and, seeing the latter nod, finally put aside his doubts.
Xu Qi’an could not help but cast a few more glances at the Leizhou heroine, Liu Yun. He had not expected to meet another heroine who admired him here, but then again… it was not surprising.
In today’s Great Feng, there were plenty of women who admired Silver Gong Xu.
At that moment, a new dream scene appeared, red candles burning high, curtains hanging low; it was someone’s wedding night, though whose, they did not know.
The crowd of Jianghu folks burst into laughter, some whistled, others teased, and once again the atmosphere became lively.
Li Shaoyun was stunned at first, then his expression shifted slightly.
Have these bastards forgotten why they had entered the Stupa tower in the first place?
Xu Qi’an complained inwardly. While keeping an eye on the Buddhist monks and the Dongfang sisters, he finally saw Dongfang Wanrong slowly retreating, step by step. After putting some distance between them, she turned and quickly left.
Dongfang Wanqing and the Buddhist monks followed close behind.
Not good! As soon as they moved, several figures immediately gave chase, Xu Qi’an, Tang Yuanwu, Li Shaoyun, and Yuan Yi.
“Keep close to them!”
Yuan Yi shouted.
The Jianghu crowd hesitated for a moment, but realising the situation, they rushed after them, ignoring the dream scene.
Dongfang Wanrong stopped, turned around, and blew a breath towards Xu Qi’an and the others.
In an instant, thick fog rolled in from nowhere, shrouding everything, as if they were standing in a dense, misty morning.
“They’re gone!”
Li Shaoyun spun around, looking in all directions, both shocked and angry.
Damn, they still let them ‘escape’… Xu Qi’an let out a slightly impatient and helpless sigh.
“Sir!”
Liu Yun dashed out of the dense fog.
“That woman just now is a high-rank Warlock, she can also manipulate dreams…”
Tang Yuanwu judged gravely, then nodded to Liu Yun.
Li Shaoyun grew anxious: “So what do we do now? How do we get out of this dream?”
Yuan Yi slowly shook his head: “If it were the dream of an ordinary Warlock of Dreams, with the strength of our primordial spirits, it would not be hard to break free. But this is the dream of a second rank Master of Rain, even if she is not targeting us, I’m afraid we would still not be able to escape.”
Tang Yuanwu said solemnly, “Also, that woman is a high-rank Warlock; this is her dream. If she wants to leave, we can’t stop her. From the beginning, we were already at a disadvantage.”
Upon hearing this, Xu Qi’an said calmly, “This is also why Vajra Du’nan agreed to let us in. The Buddhist sect and the Church of the Warlock God are certain of victory.”
The attention of the several fourth ranks was instantly drawn to him. Yuan Yi gave a slight nod.
Xu Qi’an continued:
“Even for a Warlock of Dreams, leaving a Master of Rain’s dream isn’t that easy. Otherwise, why would she bother talking with us for so long? She could have left the dream and reached the third floor right away. I suspect she is still in the dream right now.”
“But with all this fog, how do we find her?”
Li Shaoyun frowned.
Such a crude martial artist, can’t you use your head a little… Xu Qi’an said:
“Her actions just now at least told us two things. First, she chose to conjure this fog to obscure our vision, rather than confront us head-on. This suggests that the power she can draw from the dream is limited and she cannot take on so many fourth ranks at once. Or perhaps there are rules in the dream that prevent her from attacking those inside the tower.
“Second, this is Nalan Tianlu’s dream. If she wants to leave it, she should need Nalan Tianlu’s permission. She did not leave immediately, but chose to observe the dream instead, that’s proof enough. Most likely, she found a way to communicate with Nalan Tianlu during this time.”
Commander Yuan Yi pondered, “So now, she’s gone to find Nalan Tianlu?”
Liu Yun whispered, “Why isn’t it possible that she’s already left the dream?”
Xu Qi’an shook his head, “Were she already out of the dream, she would not have used this fog to distract us, but would’ve vanished straight away. But you’re right about one thing, she could leave the dream at any moment now.”
At this, the three fourth-rank martial artists frowned deeply.
Xu Qi’an swept his gaze across their faces and said:
“Don’t worry, we still have a chance. If she’s gone to find Nalan Tianlu, where would she look?”
Yuan Yi’s eyes lit up: “Nalan Tianlu’s dream!”
Li Shaoyun was puzzled: “But isn’t this already a dream?”
“No!”
Xu Qi’an shook his head slowly: “This is a dream woven by all of us together, it’s no longer simply Nalan Tianlu’s dream alone.”
Li Shaoyun stared at him, then grinned: “Brother, you see right through things, impressive!”
Get to know the Great Feng’s famous case-solving genius Xu Qi’an sometime… Xu Qi’an put on an unconcerned smile, maintaining his calm and easygoing image.
…
Elsewhere, Dongfang Wanrong led the Buddhist monks and disciples of the East Sea Dragon Palace through the mist. Her eyes seemed able to pierce it, and she walked steadily, showing not a hint of confusion.
“Benefactor Dongfang, where are we going now?” Zen Master Jingxin pressed his palms together, hurrying after her as he spoke.
Without turning her head, Dongfang Wanrong replied, “Naturally, we’re going to seek my master’s consciousness.”
“And where is he?” asked First Seat Hengyin.
“Where his obsession is deepest,” Dongfang Wanrong paused and said quietly, “the place where Wei Yuan beheaded him.”
The monks suddenly understood. Warrior-monk Jingyuan, however, was confused: “Why not communicate with him earlier?”
Dongfang Wanrong giggled: “That was only my master’s dream at first, with everyone else standing by, how could I speak with him? I deliberately waited until everyone’s dreams and my master’s dream became entangled.
“When all our dreams entwined, it became like a maze, cutting everyone off from each other. Only then could I go to my master without drawing attention.”
…
Xu Qi’an, Li Shaoyun, Yuan Yi, Tang Yuanwu, and Liu Yun made their way through the mist. After a while, a vision appeared before them: red candles burning high, a vivid display of wedding red everywhere.
It was the dream from earlier, now progressed to the wedding chamber.
Damn, of all the dreams to encounter in Nalan Tianlu’s dreamscape… it had to be these farcical ones… Xu Qi’an could not help but frown. He had intended to walk past quickly, but the conversation of the newlyweds on the bed caused them all to slow down.
“Rong” as in Dongfang Wan_rong_, “Sister Rong” will be pronounced as “Rong-jie” in Chinese. “Rong” (容, different character), also means “permit” or “let”. This pun only works in Chinese. ↩
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