The giant palm descended from the sky, like a mountain pressing down from above, making Li Lingsu feel as if he were suffocating. He did not even have the urge to flee or dodge. All that remained in his heart was the thought of waiting for death.
Li Lingsu gazed up in despair as the sky was blotted out by the massive palm. Golden light filled his pupils, and his consciousness plunged into endless darkness.
“Amitabha!”
The sound of the Buddhist chant awakened the Holy Son from his daze. He gazed about in confusion. This was a world shrouded in auspicious clouds, with dazzling golden light streaming through the layers of cloud above.
A faint Buddhist chant drifted in his ears.
At that moment, Li Lingsu’s heart became pure and clear, without a trace of distraction, and he could not help but want to press his palms together in prayer.
“Who are you, benefactor?”
A grand and mighty voice sounded. Ahead, on the horizon, a colossal figure sat cross-legged in the sky, upon a lotus pedestal as large as a small mountain. Seated on the lotus was a white-browed Arhat who looked like a giant holding up the sky.
Li Lingsu felt all the more insignificant, even giving rise to the urge to enter Buddhism.
It was not that Li Lingsu lacked strength of mind, but in a Buddhist realm, facing an Arhat, it would be odd to remain unshaken.
Only the most rebellious martial artists could resist the innate reverence for Buddhism.
“I am Li Lingsu, Holy Son of Heaven Sect…”
He calmly confessed his identity.
The precepts of ordinary Zen masters left traces and required chanting aloud, but the precepts of an Arhat were invisible.
“Where is Xu Qian?”
“Qingxing Garden, north of Yongzhou City.” Li Lingsu gave up his comrade with a clean conscience.
“Who is with him?”
Arhat Duqing plucked a flower and smiled faintly. Without moving his lips, his grand and dignified voice echoed throughout the Buddhist realm.
“Daoist Leader Luo Yuheng of Human Sect, and the number one beauty of the Great Feng, the Zhenbei princess consort, Mu Nanzhi.”
Li Lingsu replied, not even realising his own voice had turned slightly sour.
“What was your intention today?”
“I wished to seize the Dragon Qi host, but was a step too late. Master beat me to it.” Li Lingsu said with regret.
“Why were you exposed?”
The Arhat asked again.
“I don’t know,” Li Lingsu shook his head, then suddenly cried bitterly, “Xu Qian, that scoundrel, is no son of man. All along the way, I worked hard and served him respectfully, and at the crucial moment, he betrayed me! I should have betrayed him first. Not only does he have a relationship with Luo Yuheng, even the number one beauty of the Great Feng is his wife. Master, jealousy has made me hideous.”
Like a devout believer, he answered the Arhat’s questions, while at the same time voicing his troubles.
Arhat Duqing slowly said, “Form is emptiness.”
Li Lingsu felt as though struck by lightning. His jealousy vanished without a trace, and he murmured,
“Form is emptiness, form is emptiness…”
He repeated the phrase endlessly, as if he had attained some understanding.
…
In the inn.
Daoist Xuancheng was summarising the news he had gathered that day, and said,
“I heard something. That Xu Qian has been to Yongzhou before and seems to have had in-depth dealings with the local Gongsun family. Tomorrow, I shall visit Gongsun Manor.”
He finished and glanced at Bingyi Yuanjun, waiting for her updates.
Bingyi Yuanjun said coolly,
“These days, Buddhist Vajra have often been appearing with their followers, wandering aimlessly. They should be resting in the Buddhist realm. I have found no opportunity to ambush and interrogate them.”
Li Miaozhen sat cross-legged to the side and unnecessarily summarised, “Today, both of you achieved very little.”
Bingyi Yuanjun and Daoist Xuancheng shot her a cold glance.
Bingyi Yuanjun said expressionlessly,
“Two years of travel down the mountain, and you failed to comprehend the Supreme Forgetting of Emotion, but grew quite slick with words. It seems solitary confinement and meditation are truly necessary.”
Ah, this is all Xu Qi’an’s fault… Li Miaozhen quickly shut her mouth.
One takes on the colour of one’s environment. When she was leading troops in Yunzhou, she was still a proper Holy Maiden. But after coming to the capital and mingling with that Xu scoundrel, she gradually picked up some of his bad habits.
As they were speaking, there came a “knock, knock” at the window.
All three of the Heaven Sect turned to look. Daoist Xuancheng waved his hand and the window swung open.
A sparrow flew in, perched beside the table, and spoke:
“I am Xu Qian.”
Xu Qian… Bingyi Yuanjun and Daoist Xuancheng exchanged a glance with the same indifferent expression.
For Heaven Sect disciples who lacked emotional fluctuation, this tiny detail was enough to show their inner surprise and wariness.
Xu Qi’an?!
Li Miaozhen’s eyes immediately brightened and her whole face glowed. She tried hard to suppress her uncontrollable smile and snuck a quick look at her master. Seeing that she had not noticed, she felt greatly relieved.
“Heart Gu.”
Bingyi Yuanjun observed the sparrow and, together with Daoist Xuancheng, performed a Daoist salute. “Greetings, friend.”
“Greetings, friends.”
Xu Qi’an resisted the urge to cup his wings in salute, maintaining the air of an expert as he observed the two Heaven Sect masters who were in turn scrutinising him.
Daoist Xuancheng had a long, grey beard reaching his chest, and his eyes were sharply authoritative, which reminded Xu Qi’an of the image of Lord Guan Yu.
Bingyi Yuanjun was a woman of indeterminate age, possessing stunning beauty and the voluptuous figure unique to a mature woman. Her demeanour was cold as ice, like an exquisitely carved but lifeless puppet.
Her beautiful face betrayed no hint of emotion.
As for the lovesick girl Li Miaozhen, Xu Qi’an merely glanced at her before looking away.
He then said slowly,
“Your sect’s Holy Son, Li Lingsu, has been travelling the jianghu in my company.”
Daoist Xuancheng, with an impassive face and cold tone, said,
“Where is that wayward disciple now?”
His coldness was not a sign of discontent, but simply the nature of the Heaven Sect.
Xu Qi’an said, “Li Lingsu was captured by a Buddhist Arhat.”
After speaking, he did not see anger, shock, worry or any such emotion on the faces of Bingyi Yuanjun or Daoist Xuancheng. Both remained as stony-faced as ever.
This made Xu Qi’an question his plan.
Could Li Lingsu really make these two Heaven Sect third ranks fall out with the Buddhists?
Daoist Xuancheng said indifferently,
“Then we simply take him back.
“Please, friend, tell us the full story.”
Phew, you Heaven Sect people really are… Xu Qi’an breathed a sigh of relief and tapped his bird’s head.
“If you don’t mind, I shall bring my true body here for a detailed discussion.”
Bingyi Yuanjun replied in an expressionless tone,
“We shall await you.”
The sparrow nodded, flapped its wings and flew away.
The clear pupils of Bingyi Yuanjun reflected the departing sparrow. She withdrew her gaze and sent a voice transmission to Daoist Xuancheng:
“He is using the means of the Heart Gu.”
Attaching one’s primordial spirit to an animal and controlling it with Heart Gu were different concepts.
The typical practitioner of the former was Daoist Orange Cat, when using the cat’s body, his own body would be immobile.
Heart Gu, on the other hand, was more like turning the animal into a duplicate or manipulating its will and emotions.
Daoist Xuancheng nodded and added,
“His Gu technique is only average, not as strong as we had expected. This person’s true rank should be third rank.”
Their previous assessment of Xu Qian put him at least at third rank, most likely second, first was impossible.
Now, even though this was just a projection, it was enough for experts of their level to perceive some clues.
Bingyi Yuanjun and Daoist Xuancheng had judged this through Xu Qian’s manipulation of the sparrow using Heart Gu and the fluctuations of his primordial spirit.
“Knock, knock!”
At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.
Daoist Xuancheng said resonantly, “Come in.”
The lattice door opened at his words and an azure-robed youth stepped over the threshold into the room.
Daoist Xuancheng and Bingyi Yuanjun’s pupils simultaneously turned clear, activating Heaven Sect’s “Unity of Heaven and Man” technique to analyse Xu Qi’an.
However, in the view of these two third-rank experts, Xu Qian seemed no different from an ordinary man, there was nothing unusual about him at all.
And that, in itself, was the most unusual thing.
The “Unity of Heaven and Man” of the Heaven Sect was a technique for perceiving nature and merging with the world.
Outwardly, it manifested as the ability to turn everything around oneself to one’s use.
It was also a very advanced investigative technique.
But with their third-rank cultivation, when probing Xu Qian’s details, they found themselves completely unable to sense anything.
An ordinary person?
How could Xu Qian possibly be an ordinary person?
Daoist Xuancheng and Bingyi Yuanjun inclined their heads slightly and greeted,
“Please, take a seat.”
Li Miaozhen’s bright eyes remained fixed on him.
Lady Flying Swallow tried to search Xu Qian for traces of Xu Qi’an, but to her disappointment, Xu Qian’s expression was calm and gentle, exuding the aura of a refined expert, steady and reserved.
Whereas Xu Qi’an had sharp, unrestrained features, brimming with youthful energy.
That’s a pretty good act. If I hadn’t known your identity beforehand, I would never recognise you. No wonder you ran circles around Li Lingsu… she muttered inwardly.
After Xu Qi’an sat down, facing the cold gazes of the two Heaven Sect experts, he got straight to the point,
“To my shame, it was due to me that Li Lingsu was taken by the Buddhist sect.”
He then gave a simple account of his chance encounter and journey with Li Lingsu, as well as the reason for Li’s capture by the Arhat.
On this point, he altered the details slightly, saying that Li Lingsu had acted too rashly and was lured out by the enemy using the Dragon Qi host as bait.
“At that time, the Arhat was personally present. I had no way to rescue him, and could only watch as he was seized and almost killed, truly a miserable sight.”
As Xu Qi’an spoke, he glanced at Daoist Xuancheng and Bingyi Yuanjun. As expected, both remained expressionless.
You can never see a flicker of emotion on the faces of Heaven Sect Daoists, Xu Qi’an complained inwardly, letting his gaze rest for a moment on Bingyi Yuanjun’s lovely face.
She’s just like those emotionless girls in anime from my previous life, no, an emotionless auntie.
Daoist Xuancheng pondered for a while:
“It seems, friend, you and the Buddhist sect are vying for the Dragon Qi.”
He was probing Xu Qi’an for information about the Dragon Qi.
Xu Qi’an nodded. To show his sincerity, he said,
“Dragon Qi is the spirit of the dragon ley. After the emperor of the Great Feng was executed, it dispersed due to various accidents. If the Dragon Qi is not returned, the Great Feng dynasty faces destruction.”
Daoist Xuancheng nodded in understanding.
He and Bingyi Yuanjun had discussed the matter a few times, and had pretty much guessed the truth. Now, with Xu Qian’s confirmation, they knew they had not been mistaken.
Bingyi Yuanjun remarked dispassionately,
“The Buddhists have always sought to meddle in the Central Plains.”
Following up, Xu Qi’an added, “I am here to ask for your assistance in repelling the Buddhist Arhat and Vajras and rescuing the Holy Son. Our cooperation will benefit us both.”
Xu Qi’an talks rather big these days… Li Miaozhen muttered quietly to herself.
Daoist Xuancheng did not immediately agree. After a silent pause, he said,
“According to you, the Buddhist side has an Arhat, two Vajras, the third rank strength of Tianjigong, and a group of fourth ranks. How can we defeat the Buddhists and rescue the Holy Son with just the few of us?”
Bingyi Yuanjun also said,
“This should be reported to the Heavenly Venerable for his decision.”
Heaven Sect disciples were not bound by mentor-disciple sentiments. With the difficulty of rescuing the Holy Son so great, they would unhesitatingly choose the safest route, consulting the Heavenly Venerable.
To try to stir them to action through ties of mentorship or brotherhood was near impossible.
“No rush!”
Xu Qi’an raised his hand slightly. “Please hear me out before deciding… Actually, our side also has a peak second rank expert, whom you are not unfamiliar with.”
Without further suspense, he looked towards the doorway and called out,
“National Teacher, please come in.”
Bingyi Yuanjun, Daoist Xuancheng, and Li Miaozhen all turned to the door at once.
A few seconds later, the door to the guest room opened again, and in walked a tall woman in a Daoist robe wearing a veiled hat.
With a wave of her hand, the door closed on its own, whereupon she removed her hat.
She was incomparably beautiful, with a faint sorrow gathered in her brows.
It was none other than Luo Yuheng, Daoist Leader of the Human Sect, the pinnacle of second rank, an overwhelmingly powerful expert.
Finally, some traces of emotion appeared on the faces of Daoist Xuancheng and Bingyi Yuanjun.
“Greetings, Daoist Leader.”
The three Heaven Sect disciples offered a Daoist salute in unison.
Luo Yuheng nodded and sat beside Xu Qi’an, saying softly,
“I shall deal with the Arhat. What you need to do is clear the obstacles for me, and entangle the two Vajras. There is no need to fight to the death, just keep them occupied as best you can.”
Xu Qi’an added, “At that time, Sun Xuanji from the Sitianjian will also lend his strength.”
Daoist Xuancheng and Bingyi Yuanjun raised no further objections. The former nodded slightly,
“Is there a detailed plan?”
Xu Qi’an smiled, “There isn’t. Since none know of your presence yet, speed and the element of surprise are our best plan.”
Li Miaozhen pretended not to know Xu Qian and quietly listened in.
She glanced at Xu Qi’an, then at Luo Yuheng, recalling carefully, she could not remember Xu Qi’an and the Human Sect Daoist Leader being close in any way.
…
Outside Yongzhou city.
A group of people walked along the official road. The road was muddy, with patches of snow still stained by mud on either side.
They were Ji Xuan’s seven-member team, along with monks led by Jingxin and Jingyuan from the Buddhist sect.
Miao Youfang, with no other choice, was caught up among them as the group left Yongzhou city.
“Why are we leaving the city?”
The spear-carrying young man, Xu Yuanhuai, frowned and asked.
“Because the eminent monks of Buddhism are filled with compassion and do not want to harm innocents.”
Liu Hongmian replied with a grin, her tone and expression mocking.
The handsome Jingxin explained with a gentle smile,
“Yongzhou is densely populated. If a battle broke out here, the casualties would be massive. The city of Chuzhou in the north was razed to the ground in a melee between groups of third rank experts.
“Moreover, Xu Qian is a court official. He will not fall into our trap in the city.”
Xu Yuanhuai said no more, seemingly accepting this reason.
Miao Youfang could not hold back any longer and cursed,
“If you want to kill or torture me, just get on with it! If I so much as frown, I’m no hero. But before that, at least let me die knowing why.”
He glared angrily at Ji Xuan ahead,
“You’re the boss, so you tell me, how did I offend you? You chased me from Qingzhou all the way to Yongzhou, for what?
“Did I sleep with your mother, or your wife?”
Daoist Jiaoye shook his head with a smile,
“Such a foul-mouthed brat. Were we in Qianlong City, just for that, all your family would be executed by association.
“Never mind. If you’re curious, let this old Daoist chat with you.
“Boy, you’re just at the threshold of sixth rank and one step from forging Bronze Skin and Iron Bones. Tell me, how long did it take you to progress from Refining Spirit to Bronze Skin and Iron Bones?”
Miao Youfang had no idea why he was asking such things. Annoyed, he replied,
“One month.”
Daoist Jiaoye pressed, “And from Refining Vitality to Refining Qi, how long did that take?”
Miao Youfang snorted disdainfully,
“I started martial arts at nine. I’m twenty-two now. You figure out how long it took me.”
He actually could not do the maths and put on an air of contempt to cover it up.
Daoist Jiaoye followed up,
“Whether it be Refining Qi, Refining Spirit, or Bronze Skin and Iron Bones, all sap a lot of time. Yet you, in just one month, filled your dantian and developed your spirit, now, your body even faintly emits divine light.
“Don’t you find it odd? Never wondered why?”
Miao Youfang froze for a second. He quickly guessed the reason and snorted,
“I’m just exceptionally gifted. Jealous, are you?”
Ji Xuan glanced back and chuckled,
“Speaking of talent, which one of us here isn’t better than you? I’d say, your advancement had little to do with talent, it was all down to one stroke of luck after another, wasn’t it?”
Miao Youfang gaped,
“How did you know?”
Daoist Jiaoye shook his head, “A coarse man has no blame, carrying a jade has blame. Understand?”
Miao Youfang fell silent, frowning in thought.
Suddenly, he noticed the group ahead had come to a halt, each member stopping in unison.
And all of them were staring ahead on the official road, as if facing a mighty foe.
Miao Youfang glanced at Daoist Jiaoye, Liu Hongmian and the rest around him; they all wore grave expressions. As for the spear-carrying youth, his eyes were blood-red, as if he had seen his father’s killer.
Standing by the youth was a clear-featured woman, her expression complicated. She bit her lip in a rare show of girlishness.
Miao Youfang looked ahead and saw a figure blocking the road.
Clad in a billowing azure robe, holding a narrow sabre.
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