“You bastard!” The disciple of the East Sea Dragon Palace roared in anger, grabbing Li Lingsu by the neck, ready to strike.
“Mercy, great sir, mercy,” Li Lingsu raised his hands to defend himself, pleading in a hoarse voice while inwardly cursing Xu Qian for his lack of chivalry.
The pleading had no effect. The East Sea Dragon Palace disciple knocked him down with a punch. Li Lingsu immediately curled up, protecting his head, assuming a posture of silent endurance.
Another disciple joined in the beating, teaching this fellow a lesson for daring to disrupt their procession.
The commotion only caused Dong Fang Wanrong and Dong Fang Wanqing to glance over briefly before turning away, neither stopping the disciples nor adding fuel to the fire.
After beating him for a while, the two disciples cursed and caught up with their group, leaving behind a dust-covered, curled-up Li Lingsu… and Xu Qi’an, who stood by holding his horse, watching the scene unfold.
“That was close, so close…” Li Lingsu groaned as he got up, rubbing his waist and dusting himself off. His lips twitched as he asked, “Senior, why did you set me up just now?”
Xu Qi’an replied expressionlessly, “I wanted to test the effectiveness of the disguise. It seems to work quite well.”
Li Lingsu gave him a suspicious look. As the Holy Son of the Celestial Sect, he possessed extraordinary wisdom and wouldn’t lose his judgment just because of Xu Qian’s identity. He suspected Xu Qian had done it intentionally, but he had no proof.
It didn’t make sense though; I haven’t offended him… Li Lingsu seemed to recall something and had a look of sudden realization.
He must know that his wife often steals glances at me like a young girl with a budding crush. Oh, my cursed charm…
I’m satisfied! Xu Qi’an inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, believing himself to be a righteous man who despised scoundrels.
As they walked for a while, a sparrow flew over and landed on Xu Qi’an’s shoulder. It chirped for a moment before flying away.
Li Lingsu noticed the old monster Xu Qian’s expression darkening slightly.
“The Dong Fang sisters have entered the Three Flower Temple,” he said.
Immediately, Li Lingsu understood why the mood of this centuries-old monster had suddenly dropped.
The Three Flower Temple was closed to visitors, and no one was allowed in. How could the East Sea Dragon Palace, being part of the Shaman God Cult, enter?
This was enough to indicate that there was some unspeakable deal between the two parties.
“This ruins my plan to secretly create conflict and benefit as a third party…” Xu Qi’an thought.
Li Lingsu stroked his chin and said, “I haven’t heard Sister Rong mention any collusion between the Shaman God Cult and the Buddhist sect.”
Xu Qi’an ignored him, lost in thought as he led the horse alone.
…
Inside the Three Flower Temple, in a meditation room.
Dong Fang Wanrong and Dong Fang Wanqing, guided by a monk, entered the room.
Inside sat a Vajra, bare-chested with a tiger skin wrapped around his lower body. His skin was pale gold, without beard or eyebrows, like a statue cast from molten gold.
He was ten feet tall, not burly but exuding strength, with a ring of fire burning behind his head.
As soon as they entered, the Dong Fang sisters felt a wave of heat, as if they had suddenly returned to the scorching summer from early winter.
The Third-Grade Vajra’s aura was extremely masculine and yang. His mere presence made the meditation room impervious to all evil.
To the right of this Dharma Protector Vajra stood a warrior monk. Young and muscular, his robes stretched tight, with thick eyebrows and eyes like bronze bells, piercing and intense, seeming to glare at whoever he looked at.
“Greetings, Dharma Protector Vajra!” The Dong Fang sisters bowed their heads, respectful and obedient.
The Vajra, his eyes half-open, spoke slowly:
“Is it Elder Yierbu or Wuda Baota who has come?”
Though he tried to speak as gently as possible, to the Dong Fang sisters, it still sounded like thunder, making their ears buzz.
This was a manifestation of the profound state of the Buddhist Lion’s Roar cultivation.
If ordinary people heard it, they would immediately become mentally shaken and fearful.
Great villains who heard it would tremble in terror as if facing their final judgment.
Dong Fang Wanrong lowered her head: “It is Elder Yierbu.”
After a pause, she added, “On his way here, Elder Yierbu encountered Sun Xuanji from the Ministry of Celestial Observation, who tried to stop him. They fought, and both were injured.”
The Dharma Protector Vajra said in a deep voice, “So the Ministry of Celestial Observation indeed intervened. The methods of their Ceremonial Officers are unpredictable and hard to guard against. Shamans are the predecessors of Ceremonial Officers. With Spiritual Wisdom Master assisting and this seat guarding outside the tower, things should be secure.”
Dong Fang Wanrong said, “The Shaman God Cult comes with sincerity. We hope the Buddhist sect will also keep its promise and release our Master’s soul.”
“Monks do not lie, and the Buddhist sect is not like Great Zhou, speaking without credibility. We will take the dragon qi, and you will take Nalan’s soul. However, how will you prove your trustworthiness? How will you prove Nalan’s trustworthiness?”
The Dharma Protector Vajra opened his eyes. His molten gold pupils were accompanied by the sudden flaring of the fire ring behind his head.
The Dong Fang sisters trembled, their faces suddenly paling. The elder sister, Dong Fang Wanrong, steadied herself and said:
“Master’s soul has been suppressed for twenty years, greatly weakening his essence. Even if he wanted to break his word, he likely wouldn’t have the ability. As for Elder Yierbu, he promises to follow the arrangements.”
The Dharma Protector Vajra closed his eyes again.
Dong Fang Wanrong slowly exhaled, relieved, and said:
“Elder Yierbu says that although those above the Fourth Grade cannot enter the Pagoda, the masters should not forget that if Sun Xuanji from the Ministry of Celestial Observation and Xu Qi’an join forces…”
She hesitated, then chose to speak plainly: “Although Xu Qi’an is a rising star, he is more powerful and formidable than the Northern Border King.”
The implication was that they might not be a match for Xu Qi’an.
But since she was addressing a Buddhist Dharma Protector Vajra, she dared not speak too bluntly, lest he think she was disrespecting the Buddhist sect.
The Dharma Protector Vajra, deep in meditation, said: “Xu Qi’an has been incapacitated. There’s no need to worry about him.”
Ah! Xu Qi’an is incapacitated?
The Dong Fang sisters were both shocked and delighted, joy evident on their faces.
Xu Qi’an’s reputation was well-known to them. As part of the Shaman God Cult’s affiliated forces, such a powerful enemy truly made them uneasy.
In the past, that fickle and faithless man often praised Xu Qi’an in front of them, making them develop some admiration and appreciation for Great Zhou’s Constable Xu.
But after Xu Qi’an single-handedly held off eighty thousand rebel troops at Yuyang Pass, beheaded Emperor Yuan Jing in the capital, and thwarted the Great Shaman’s plans, the two women could no longer admire him. They only felt that Xu Qi’an was a hair-raising enemy, incomparable in terms of danger.
The Dharma Protector Vajra closed his eyes and said no more.
The Dong Fang sisters bowed and retreated from the meditation room. As the cold air hit their faces, their spirits lifted, and they took several deep breaths, feeling refreshed all over.
…
After they left, the Dharma Protector Vajra said, “Jing Yuan, summon Jing Xin to see me.”
The muscular young man at his side put his palms together, bowed, and left the meditation room.
Soon after, he returned with Jing Xin, who bowed with palms together: “Uncle Master Du Nan.”
Du Nan Vajra, eyes closed, spoke in a resonant voice:
“Jing Xin, you are of Bodhisattva Faji’s lineage and compatible with his treasure. Eight days from now, you must ascend to the third level and communicate with the spirit of the pagoda, taking control of it as a member of Bodhisattva Faji’s lineage.
“Nalan Tianlu is sealed on the second level, his power permeating that space. Without the pagoda’s assistance, the only way to pass through is if he ‘leaves a way open.’ Therefore, you must first cooperate with the Shaman God Cult people to break Nalan Tianlu’s seal.”
“To prevent the Shaman God Cult from going back on their word, take the Mirror Beast’s tear into the tower so I can see what’s happening inside. Jing Yuan, you’ll enter the tower with Jing Xin.”
“Understood!”
Jing Yuan and Jing Xin put their palms together, and the latter asked, “Is there still no news of Ancestral Master Faji?”
Vajra Du Nan slowly shook his head.
The Floating Pagoda was ranked among the divine treasures, a level above supreme divine weapons. Its owner was Bodhisattva Faji, one of the four great Bodhisattvas of Buddhism.
Three hundred and sixty years ago, Bodhisattva Faji went out to travel the world and was never heard from again.
The Buddhist Vairocana Bodhisattva would go out to search once every sixty years. Over the past three hundred and sixty years, they had searched six times in total, to no avail.
Because of this, Buddhism faced an awkward situation. The dragon qi was attached to the Floating Pagoda, but the pagoda only recognized its master and no one else, unless they could reach the third level and communicate with the pagoda spirit.
Under these circumstances, there were only two ways to extract the dragon qi. One was to destroy the pagoda, leaving the dragon qi with nothing to depend on, naturally separating from it. Buddhism couldn’t directly manipulate the dragon qi, but they could lure it to choose a new host on the spot.
They would choose a host they could control, and then bring that fortunate individual back to the Western Regions.
However, divine treasures were difficult to damage, requiring at least two First Grade cultivators to do so. Secondly, destroying a divine treasure was a loss Buddhism was unwilling to bear. Lastly, destroying the Floating Pagoda would be equivalent to releasing Shensu’s severed arm.
If the Myriad Demon Kingdom found out, they would laugh in their sleep.
The second method was to reach the third level through the other two levels, allowing Jing Xin to temporarily control the pagoda as a descendant of Bodhisattva Faji’s lineage, making the pagoda release the dragon qi.
As a divine treasure, the pagoda could actively release the dragon qi because this dispersed dragon qi didn’t belong to it; there was no karmic relationship between them.
Unlike human emperors, who were deeply entangled with their fate, unable to escape the bonds of destiny for all eternity unless their country was destroyed.
But this way, they couldn’t bypass Nalan Tianlu, the Rain Master.
If the dragon qi wasn’t attached to the Floating Pagoda, no one would ascend to the second level permeated by the Rain Master’s power. He would never be able to escape until his primordial spirit was completely worn away.
Jing Xin sighed, “Compared to the Shaman God Cult, I’m more worried about the Chief Supervisor. Will he tolerate Buddhism stealing this crucial dragon qi?”
Du Nan said, “You are the chosen one of great fortune selected by Buddhism. After the pagoda releases the dragon qi, it cannot leave the pagoda and can only choose to reside in you. The Chief Supervisor once swore an oath to the Heavenly Dao, not to enter the pagoda or destroy the formations inside. Once you obtain the dragon qi, stay inside the pagoda.
“When the tense atmosphere in Arantha eases slightly, a Bodhisattva will come to escort you out of the pagoda.”
Jing Xin finally understood.
Vajra Du Nan continued, “There was a disturbance outside the temple earlier.”
Jing Xin replied, “It was people from the Leishi government. The sudden closure of the Three Flower Temple must have drawn the government’s attention, prompting them to send people to investigate secretly. But don’t worry, Uncle Master. Eight days will pass in the blink of an eye. By the time the martial artists of Great Zhou react, everything will be settled.”
Vajra Du Nan nodded.
…
As the East Sea Dragon Palace procession slowly departed with their sedan chairs, Dong Fang Wanqing spoke softly in the spacious sedan:
“Will the Buddhist sect keep their word?”
“I don’t know,” Dong Fang Wanrong shook her head, paused for a few seconds, then added, “But for them, keeping their word is the best choice.”
“Why?”
“Heh, can’t you see? The dragon qi is crucial. The Buddhist sect, like our Shaman God Cult, wants to extend its influence to the Central Plains. The dragon qi is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But they only sent one Dharma Protector Vajra, no Arhats or Bodhisattvas. Do you know why?” Dong Fang Wanrong said with a smile.
Dong Fang Wanqing frowned in thought, then her eyes suddenly lit up: “Arantha is in turmoil.”
Dong Fang Wanrong giggled, her ample bosom quivering, and said:
“That’s right, those stinky monks are in internal strife. The dispute between Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhism has reached a boiling point. No one dares to leave Arantha or the Western Regions, fearing that once they leave, the other side will seize the opportunity to label them as heretics.
“The reason they haven’t completely split is probably because the Buddha is still there. With the Buddha presiding, even the Bodhisattvas don’t dare to cause a schism.”
A faint smile appeared on Dong Fang Wanqing’s cold face: “Why is the Buddha watching coldly from the sidelines?”
“How would I know?” Her charming and alluring older sister rolled her eyes.
She then sighed, “The Buddhist confrontation at the beginning of the year was the start of the Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhist conflict. Ah, that Constable Xu is truly a heaven-sent talent, a rare exceptional man in this world.”
Dong Fang Wanqing said coolly, “Such a man is too far beyond our reach. Let’s focus on catching that unfaithful man soon. Fortunately, we were prepared and drained his energy, otherwise, after his trip outside, we would have countless more sisters.”
Hearing this, her older sister Dong Fang Wanrong gritted her teeth.
…
Xu Qi’an and Li Lingsu rode hard, returning to Leishi City on the second day. After changing clothes, he took Li Lingsu to meet Wenren Qianrou.
In Wenren Qianrou’s study, Xu Qi’an held a cup, pondering as he spoke:
“Miss Wenren, I have a favor to ask of you.”
“Please, speak your mind, Brother Xu.”
Wenren Qianrou said.
Li Lingsu beside them grimaced. He hadn’t had the chance to tell his lover that the man before them was a centuries-old monster, and addressing him as a brother would shorten one’s lifespan.
“I’d like you to spread a rumor that the Three Flower Temple has a rare treasure that will emerge in seven days. Whoever obtains this treasure will have the opportunity to transcend mortality. Also, I hope you can have a good talk with the Leishi government, encouraging them to get involved in this matter.”
This was the plan he had settled on during their journey, just as the Earthly Sect’s demon cultivators had deliberately spread rumors to attract martial artists and the Martial Arts Alliance to participate in the fight for the lotus seeds.
He could use the same trick to muddy the waters.
“This… Leishi borders the Western Regions, and the government is likely unwilling to get too involved. The emperor is far away, but the Buddhist sect is right before our eyes. Moreover, to spread such news, without a reliable and prestigious person to verify it, few would believe it. I’m afraid it would only attract small fry.”
Wenren Qianrou, with her keen intellect, pointed out the issues succinctly.
“As for the government, we don’t need them to oppose the Buddhist sect. Regarding the second issue…”
Xu Qi’an looked Li Lingsu up and down, smiling mysteriously.
Li Lingsu felt uneasy under his gaze, frowning: “I don’t have any status in the martial arts world.”
Xu Qi’an smiled and said, “But you have a junior sister who’s famous in the martial arts world.”
“…”
Li Lingsu looked at him in disbelief.
…
That afternoon, dressed in Daoist robes, the renowned and long-rumored Flying Swallow Heroine, covered in blood, stumbled into Leishi City.
She happened to be encountered by the young miss of the Leishi Merchants’ Association, who, in full view of everyone, embraced the Flying Swallow Heroine and helped her into a carriage.
Soon after, news spread from the Leishi Merchants’ Association that a rare treasure would emerge from the Three Flower Temple, and whoever obtained it could transcend mortality.
The Flying Swallow Heroine had been injured by the monks of the Three Flower Temple while trying to compete for this treasure.
Under the promotion of the Leishi Merchants’ Association, the entire Leishi City was in an uproar.
“Have you heard? There’s a treasure emerging from the Three Flower Temple?”
“Yes, I asked the soldiers guarding the city. They indeed saw a beautiful female Daoist covered in blood fleeing into the city.”
“No wonder the Three Flower Temple suddenly closed its doors to visitors. The pagoda is clearly about to open, but they won’t let anyone in to seek their fortune.”
“That’s the Buddhist sect for you. They’re not one of us. They talk a good game, but when it comes to real treasures, they immediately close their doors and hoard it for themselves.”
“Ah, the Flying Swallow Heroine, I think I’ve heard that name before.”
“Brother, you’re really out of touch. You don’t look like a scholar who’s ignorant of worldly affairs.”
Some people were skeptical, especially prominent figures in the martial arts world. That very day, they visited the Wenren mansion under the pretext of checking on the Flying Swallow Heroine.
They got to see the Flying Swallow Heroine as they wished and obtained the answers they wanted.
Then, armed with the correct information, they acted as messengers, spreading the news from one to ten, and ten to a hundred.
Of course, some people kept quiet about it, even denying the truth of the news when asked, but secretly left Leishi City for the Three Flower Temple.
…
Late at night.
Xu Qi’an sat at the table, leaning back in his chair, contemplating how to fish in troubled waters, how to infiltrate the Floating Pagoda, and how to withdraw successfully or unsuccessfully.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the window, “tap tap,” twice.
He got up and walked to the window, opened the latch, and the window swung open. A fluffy white fox was crouching on the windowsill, its eyes as bright as black pearls looking at him. Its throat vibrated the air, producing a childish, silver bell-like girl’s voice:
“Ah, I’ve finally met the legendary Constable Xu!”