During the descent, al-Asura let out a low roar and unleashed a wild flurry of punches and kicks, madly attacking Xu Qi’an.
Thud thud thud… His fists, elbows, knees, and other parts transformed into the sharpest weapons, shattering many of Xu Qi’an’s bones and spraying flesh and blood everywhere, now that the latter had lost his Vajra Divine Art.
But soon, al-Asura’s strength began to wane. His breath flowed as normal, but every attempt to gather force and attack caused stabbing pain in his chest, left his limbs weak, and made his head spin and his vision blur.
The vital energy that had previously circulated unimpeded in his meridians now placed an enormous strain on his body.
“How’s that? The taste of the Demon-Sealing Nail isn’t so bad, is it?”
Xu Qi’an spat out a mouthful of blood and grinned savagely.
“The heart is the highest of the five organs. Without it, how will your refined asura blood circulate?”
He laughed arrogantly and delivered a brutal headbutt to al-Asura’s forehead, making his eyes spin with stars and roll back white.
When martial artists fought, their refined blood was driven entirely by the heart. When it stopped pumping, the brain lacked oxygen, blood stagnated, and the limbs turned feeble.
Xu Qi’an knew such suffering all too well. The powerful vitality of a beyond-mortal martial artist would not allow death, but the pain was constant.
Fortunately, when he reached Refining Spirit, he had refined his spirit to be incredibly strong and developed iron willpower, ensuring he did not collapse under agony.
Every beyond-mortal martial artist possessed terrifying resilience.
Taking a deep breath, the penetrating wound in his chest and the injuries all over his body rapidly healed. Xu Qi’an launched his counterattack. Fists, feet, elbows, knees, every hard part of his body became a weapon. He hit back at al-Asura just as he had been hit.
Bang bang bang…
In the crackling explosions like firecrackers, blood sprayed continuously from al-Asura.
The youngest son of the Asura King’s eyes were blood-red, and he issued beast-like roars as he fought back desperately, but could not stem his decline.
On the other side, Sun Xuanji lightly landed atop the tower, a circular formation lit under his feet, drawing down in layers. Twelve circular arrays divided the stupa evenly into twelve segments.
Then, the upper six arrays spun clockwise, the lower six counterclockwise.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The golden Buddhist script covering the outer layer of the sealing tower burst apart one by one, not through brute force, but a more sophisticated method of breaking the array, dissolving the Buddhist script that underpinned the sealing formation at its core.
Monks watching the battle from afar looked on in utter daze and confusion, as before, they could not comprehend this unpredictable beyond-mortal combat.
These two foreign intruders had forced the Venerable al-Asura to awaken his bloodline power, which was an achievement worthy of honour even in death.
Indeed, facing the Venerable al-Asura with his bloodline awakened, that mysterious Vajra had been beaten back step by step and had fled in panic.
The arcanist in the sky only dared to snipe from afar.
Yet, after the Venerable al-Asura stormed the artillery platform, the situation suddenly reversed. The mysterious foreign Vajra seized the upper hand and battered the Venerable al-Asura, leaving him helpless.
It was no stroke of luck, either, they could clearly sense the Venerable al-Asura’s aura plummeting rapidly.
“Form— form the array…”
The old monk’s lips trembled as he howled in the Western Regions’ tongue,
“Quickly, form the array and assist the Venerable al-Asura in slaying this foreign foe and protect the tower!”
“Courting death!”
Xu Qi’an kicked al-Asura’s chest with both feet and flung out the Taiping Sabre.
Whoosh~
The Taiping Sabre whistled as it flew, turning into a streak of dark gold light darting through the monks like a nimble fish.
Wherever it passed, monks fell one after another, either decapitated, severed at the waist, or having their kneecaps sliced clean through.
Only a handful of fourth-rank monks managed, at the crucial moment, to marshal their Buddhist arts and block the blade with a protective nimbus of Buddha-light.
In past beyond-mortal battles, the Taiping Sabre’s performance had been underwhelming, far from living up to its name, but that did not mean it was weak.
It was mostly that its wielder had always confronted extremely high-level enemies, and the sabre itself was only a newly-awakened blade, not yet able to make a decisive difference.
However, after time spent nourishing itself in Dragon Qi, its edge had become ever more piercing.
It had gradually grown, now able to make a major impact at the beyond-mortal level.
Against these zen monks, it could not be said to cut through flesh like cutting melons, it was more like slicing tofu.
“Form the array on the spot!”
An old monk roared.
The monks immediately responded: several, or a dozen at a time, sat cross-legged on the spot and formed a zen array.
Indeed, they managed to stop this unstoppable divine weapon, and its blade could not penetrate the layers of protective Buddha-light. But as a result, the monks could offer no aid to al-Asura or prevent Sun Xuanji from breaking the array.
With the crunch of splintering beams and the crash of falling bricks, the sealing tower could hold no longer and finally collapsed.
In that moment, Sun Xuanji caught a clear glimpse of the scene inside the tower.
In the centre of the first floor, a golden octagonal pedestal stood, cast entirely from gold, and upon it rested a lotus seat, likewise golden.
Both pedestal and lotus were covered with densely-packed Buddhist script, part of the sealing array. But now these Buddhist words were dull and lifeless, reduced to mere carving, no longer possessing supernatural effect.
Atop the lotus seat was a pair of powerful, slender legs, their muscles gracefully defined.
After five hundred years sealed here, the legs had not withered or decayed, but were as vibrant as that of a living person.
The sealing tower had three storeys, each with groups of monks sitting cross-legged.
With the collapse of the tower, these monks all remained frozen in a sitting posture as they fell, even plummeting from great height, never awakening nor resisting.
Sun Xuanji opened his scented pouch and aimed it at those legs.
An air current swept out, easily drawing the legs into the pouch. He then glanced at the fallen, sculpture-like monks, hesitated, but decided not to slaughter them all.
Since they had not fought him directly, in Sun Xuanji’s eyes they remained innocent.
He could not bring himself to kill the innocent.
Even if, in the future, these monks would be his enemies, that was a matter for the future. When that day came, he would strike without mercy.
“Good!”
Sun Xuanji let out a terse shout, pure light soared up at his feet, and he teleported back to the artillery platform.
The platform flashed with clear light and instantly vanished into the deep night.
Seeing this, Xu Qi’an did not hesitate, he promptly abandoned his assault on al-Asura, fixed his gaze on the stupa tower, and soared upwards, shouting:
“Taiping!”
The Taiping Sabre returned with a howl, and its master landed on its spine. Man and blade flew off, breaking through the night sky.
It was not out of mercy. Having been impaled by a Demon-Sealing Nail, al-Asura’s aura was plunging, but it did not mean the Asura King’s son was ruined, he was still beyond-mortal.
Martial artists were notoriously hard to kill. The limbs of Shenshu had already been recovered, there was no need to linger here, lest the situation change.
…
The Nanfa Temple, after a fierce battle, was now in disarray. The main damage was concentrated in the western courtyard. In other areas, apart from that single sabre strike from Xu Qi’an which had cut through most of the temple, there was little further impact.
Al-Asura was sitting cross-legged on the plaza, which no longer had a single intact brick, with the ruined, collapsed stupa as his backdrop.
His skin was no longer pitch-black, nor was it the dark gold unique to Vajra, and the ring of fire behind his head had been extinguished. At this moment, he looked more like an ordinary monk.
At most, a handsomely-ugly monk.
The dark gold coloured nail lay quietly in front of him.
As the Venerable al-Asura, he naturally knew the secret method to unseal the Demon-Sealing Nails, and had the ability to do so.
Fortunately, it was only a single Nail that had pierced his body. Although it had weakened him, it had not crippled him, and he still had the strength to remove it himself.
Had all nine Demon-Sealing Nails been driven into his body, he could only have returned to Ananda for help from the Bodhisattvas and the Arhats.
An elderly monk, leading more than a dozen disciples, entered the western courtyard. The disciples stopped where they were, and the old monk stepped forward slowly, putting his palms together in greeting.
“Venerable al-Asura, the demon monk’s severed limbs have been taken. What should we do?”
This old monk’s face was covered with wrinkles, and his body was withered as a stick. He was Master Pannian, the abbot of Nanfa Temple.
He was already one hundred and nine years old.
Currently in the Buddhist Sect, those held in great esteem by ordinary disciples mostly had the generation name “Pan”. The generation before them were given the character “Du.” Among the “Du” generation, monks had either achieved the beyond-mortal realm, or had returned to dust long ago.
As for the beyond-mortal experts, simply “held in high esteem” was not enough to describe them.
“We shall inform Samantabhadra Bodhisattva.”
Al-Asura sat there with awe-inspiring composure, neither joyful nor sorrowful.
Abbot Pannian nodded and said in a hoarse, aged voice,
“Should the temple’s disciples be sent out to hunt for the Yao within the Hundred Thousand Mountains?”
The Buddhist sect had operated in the Southern Marches for many years. They had a mighty force, with many experts, far stronger than the Yao. Otherwise, they could not have ruled the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
Al-Asura shook his head.
“Send orders to all cities to stockpile grain and medicine, fortify the city walls, fell trees and clear roads.”
Abbot Pannian was startled.
“What you mean is…”
Each of these orders was for times of famine or war. The Hundred Thousand Mountains were rich in resources, inexhaustible and abundant, famine was not a problem here.
There was only one answer.
al-Asura’s expression was solemn, maintaining the posture of pressed palms.
“The southern Yao have endured for five hundred years, building up strength in secret. Now their time to rise again has come. On this matter, I shall also liaise with Ananda.
“The Hundred Thousand Mountains are part of the Buddhist domain now, and that will never change. This time, we shall scatter the southern Yao’s fortune for good.”
Abbot Pannian exhaled and asked the question still troubling him,
“The Vajra who fought you just now, who was he?”
Al-Asura countered, “Who else could it be, a Great Feng beyond-mortal martial artist practising the Vajra technique and involved with the Sitianjian?”
A name sprang to Abbot Pannian’s mind, Xu Qi’an!
“It’s him…”
Abbot Pannian’s expression grew complicated, and he spoke bitterly,
“That youngster has already reached such a height. We failed to bring him into the Buddhist order, missed the opportunity, missed a heaven-sent opportunity indeed.”
His tone was both resentful and regretful.
…
Within the valley, the campfire blazed high.
Miao Youfang and Protector Hongying, Protector Qingmu, Protector White Ape, along with a dozen or so Yao, drank and sang merrily, celebrating the complete success of their mission.
“The gunpowder of Great Feng is indeed worthy of its reputation. That explosion was so satisfying!”
A horse Yao patted his chest in excitement, “If only we could sweep away all the Westerners in one go and rescue our kinsfolk from their suffering.”
Protector Hongying quickly raised his cup, “This successful mission owes much to Silver Gong Xu and Hero Miao. Let us raise a toast together to our distinguished guests from afar.”
In just a few words, Miao Youfang was pushed to the centre of attention, becoming the focus of all the Yao.
Hearing the cry of “Hero Miao” over and over, Miao Youfang felt his head was still clear, but his heart was already intoxicated.
“You flatter me!”
Miao Youfang cupped his fist and said loudly,
“When you see injustice on the road, it is natural for us Central Plains folk to draw our sabres and help. Although you are Yao, your enthusiasm and sincerity, in my view, make you far worthier companions than most of the human race.”
“Allow me to toast you all.”
As he raised his head to drink, he glanced at a few female Yao nearby, bosoms high, waists slim, looks enticing.
I wonder if the Yao are open when it comes to matters of men and women? After risking my life all over the city planting explosives, surely having a few Yao maidens to keep me company for the night is not too much to ask. It really is great following Silver Gong Xu… Miao Youfang’s thoughts ran wild.
At that moment, he noticed the Protector White Ape not far away, those pure azure eyes were fixed on him in an intense stare.
Oh no!
Miao Youfang’s heart skipped a beat, and adrenaline surged. If this monkey Yao were to speak out his inner thoughts just now, then, well, he would become the next Li Lingsu.
He would only be able to leave the Hundred Thousand Mountains in tears, covering his face.
At this critical moment, Protector Hongying dropped his wine bowl and leaped towards the Protector White Ape, tackling him to the ground and firmly covering his thick lips.
“Don’t kill the mood!” warned Protector Hongying.
The Protector White Ape looked at him stubbornly and shook his head slightly.
His ability had already gone beyond the fourth rank, and he could not always control it at will.
Seeing this, the Protector Qingmu silently picked up a vine staff.
Protector White Ape glanced at the staff and nodded quietly.
Only then did Protector Hongying release his grip.
Protector White Ape tore off a strip of cloth from his robes, covered his eyes, and turned his back to everyone.
This way, he could still hear the thoughts of those present, but would no longer be able to distinguish who was thinking what.
Miao Youfang breathed a sigh of relief, and warmly clasped Protector Hongying’s hand, saying with heartfelt sincerity,
“Protector Hongying, a friend for life.”
…
Inside the cave.
After taking the medicine given by Sun Xuanji and adjusting his breathing for a while, Xu Qi’an’s energy surged back to its peak.
“Al-Asura is terrifying. He’s not someone a third rank can contend with,” Xu Qi’an said with lingering fear.
“It’s good that you’re safe,” Yeji said. She busied herself by his side serving tea and bringing water, her face full of concern. After Xu Qi’an finished drinking, she said,
“This piece of Master Shenshu’s severed body can help you pull out two more Demon-Sealing Nails. That would leave only one Nail in your body.”
“Congratulations.” Baiji raised her tiny paws and cupped them in salute.
Sun Xuanji nodded slightly on hearing this.
“Very…”
Yeji glanced at him hopefully, waiting and waiting, but hearing nothing more, she looked back at her beloved, a little lost.
Only then did Sun Xuanji say, “Good!”
Very good… Yeji gazed at Xu Qi’an eagerly and suddenly understood why he had previously asked Protector White Ape to speak on Sun Xuanji’s behalf.
“You’ll get used to it,” Xu Qi’an transmitted mentally, then looked at Sun Xuanji. “Senior Brother Sun, please take out Master Shenshu’s severed limbs.”
Sun Xuanji untied the pouch at his waist, opened it, and gave it a little shake.
Plop!
Two legs dropped out.
Xu Qi’an examined the muscular, well-shaped legs, then turned to Fuxiang.
“No remnant soul?”
He could sense no trace of primordial spirit in these thighs.
Yeji explained,
“They’ve been sealed for five hundred years. The master would be in deep slumber, and only fresh blood could awaken him, not much, just a single drop. It doesn’t have to be yours, Xu Lang. Mine will do.”
Sun Xuanji looked around the cave, found ink and paper, and wrote,
“Torso, arms, and legs are accounted for. But what about the head?”
“The head must be in Ananda, suppressed personally by the Buddha,” Xu Qi’an recalled the words of that sinister left arm inside the Stupa tower.
Now, Master Shenshu really is like Xingtian. Hmm, we need to get him an axe and a shield… he mused inwardly.
“Xu Lang, it’s not yet clear whether the soul inside this part of the body is good or evil. Allow me to report to Mistress first,” said Fuxiang, always so steady and meticulous in her work, Xu Qi’an noted approvingly.
Yeji immediately took out a fox-shaped incense burner and lit the black incense, inhaling the rising blue smoke deeply.
A moment later, a powerful will awakened in her body, and her left eye emitted a misty azure light.
The Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox said nothing, but her gaze was locked firmly on the two legs on the table.
Xingtian: a chinese mythological figure. He was decapitated by the Yellow Emperor, and has a face on his torso.
Comments for this chapter. You will need a GitHub account. Please follow all terms and conditions of GitHub issues and maintain etiquette in the comments. Cookies are required for this functionality.
If you want to talk with other readers about Nightwatchers (or other cultivation type books) you can join our cultivation groupreading discord server!
I also have a Kofi, which for legal reasons is definitely for supporting my digital art only (promise!): ko-fi.com/yanxin ... plus I guess server space isn't free, and I don't want to put ads/trackers... ever, so thank you if you do!