“The Heavenly Teachings was founded long ago, over thirty years now. Originally formed when landless and dispossessed refugees from Jiangnan gathered in the mountain forests, they specialized in opposing the government. Known in the jianghu as the ‘Great Unity Society,’ they amounted to little. Until the Sect Leader, that venerable elder, passed through this place and transformed them through the Dao. He preached in the mountains for over ten days, and the assembly all believed a celestial immortal had descended, electing him as their leader. Afterward, he changed the ‘Great Unity Society’ to ‘Heavenly Teachings,’ saying we were no longer bandits of the greenwood, but a new sect on par with Buddhism and Daoism. First, this avoided suspicion of rebellion; second, preaching and spreading the faith across the five lakes and four seas attracted many believers to join. Branch altars were widely established in each province, making it truly convenient for brothers to look after one another in case of trouble.”

Inside Tongzhou City, Huang Qian walked while laughing and pointing ahead.

“Zhang Daren, look—ahead is the Tongzhou branch altar. Following tradition from decades ago, it’s built inside a Daoist temple. The brothers have long been waiting respectfully in the back mountain.”

Zhang Zhe raised his eyes to look. It was indeed a Daoist temple.

The western part of Tongzhou City backed against mountains, forming a natural barrier. Though the mountain’s elevation wasn’t high, it possessed some scenic beauty.

Old winter-enduring pines were planted there.

At the mountain’s foot stood a gate with three characters “Shangqing Temple” written on top. Both the plaque and architecture appeared somewhat aged and worn from the years. Even the exterior looked quite dilapidated, suggesting it rarely received any incense offerings.

Since watching Xiao Bao drive the carriage to take Jiang Xuening to Yongding Apothecary for treatment, Zhang Zhe had been somewhat distracted, his bland face bearing a slight gravity.

Seeing the temple, he only nodded.

The Heavenly Teachings’ origins were spread among the common folk as fantastical and mystical, but in the eyes of court officials like him who knew the details, there was nothing particularly strange or mysterious about it.

What Huang Qian said was roughly accurate.

In early years, the Heavenly Teachings was the “Great Unity Society” formed by landless refugees, aimed at resisting local gentry or robbing passing merchants to secure a place of survival. But about fifteen years after the former Emperor ascended the throne—that is, in the fifteenth year of Dezheng—something of moderate significance occurred within Buddhism and Daoism.

Daoism was a native sect, long flourishing in the Central Plains.

Unfortunately, Buddhism had transmitted from the west over two hundred years ago. Arriving during turbulent times, it gained countless believers north and south of the great river, rivaling Daoism in influence. Both sects built temples and erected shrines, frequently competing for religious territory and domains, with intermittent friction.

By the time the former Emperor ascended the throne, Buddhism had become a powerful force.

At that time, Buddhism was led by White Horse Temple. The former Emperor had even personally visited White Horse Temple to pray for blessings and offer incense. The abbot was the current dynasty’s Imperial Preceptor, Monk Yuanji. Daoism revered Sanqing Temple, reportedly having a thousand-year Daoist lineage. The temple master’s Daoist name was “Zhenyi,” and people respectfully called him “Daoist Zhenyi,” who was also proficient in Daoist arts.

Unexpectedly that year, the two sects clashed spectacularly.

Both sects wished to compete for status. Monk Yuanji and Daoist Zhenyi arranged to debate doctrine at the foot of Mount Tai, each displaying their Buddhist and Daoist true methods to determine superiority. For a time, cultivators and believers gathered en masse to hear the two preach.

Due to the passage of time, only fragments remained of that grand occasion, but the final result was widely circulated—

Daoist Zhenyi of the Daoist side suffered a crushing defeat.

Street rumors said that after Monk Yuanji debated doctrine with Daoist Zhenyi for several days, he publicly exposed how many Daoist temples abducted common women, harboring filth and vice like brothels. He further declared that Daoist Zhenyi was a demon descended to bring chaos to the world—a “demon Daoist”—and performed a ritual to make him reveal his true form.

Everyone was shocked.

Sanqing Temple was thoroughly destroyed by people. Daoist Zhenyi fled in disgrace and disappeared from then on, vanishing without a trace. Monk Yuanji’s reputation soared after this battle, and White Horse Temple’s incense offerings grew increasingly prosperous.

However, few people knew that Daoist Zhenyi didn’t truly disappear.

He transformed himself, adopting a secular name taking the meaning “all things cease”—calling himself “Wanxiuzi.” Seizing a perfect opportunity when people’s lives were unbearable, he preached and spread teachings at the “Great Unity Society,” scorning Buddhism and abandoning Daoism to create his own “Heavenly Teachings,” making a comeback.

Its doctrine centered on “Great Unity Under Heaven,” mutual assistance within the realm, all being brothers—thus it was widely celebrated.

The world mostly consisted of impoverished common people, and hearing this doctrine brought them great joy.

Therefore, within a few years it gained momentum. Twenty years ago, when Prince Pingnan staged his rebellion, he received the sect’s assistance, enabling him to strike directly at the capital, nearly toppling the Great Qian Emperor’s dragon throne.

As for the true nature of that doctrinal debate back then, Zhang Zhe naturally had no way of knowing.

But by common reasoning, one could deduce that this person now called “Wanxiuzi,” currently serving as Sect Leader of the Heavenly Teachings—this “Daoist Zhenyi”—must still harbor resentment over that past grievance. Four years ago, Monk Yuanji assisted Shen Lang in ascending to the throne, his merit even surpassing Xie Wei’s. Being held in high esteem within Buddhism, he was granted the title of Imperial Preceptor—likely making this Sect Leader Wan view him as a thorn in his side.

Since the Heavenly Teachings compared itself to Buddhism and Daoism, with branch altars occupying magpie nests hidden in temples and Daoist shrines, this was hardly surprising.

Only unknown was how much danger lay within, waiting for people to step inside.

The Heavenly Teachings members currently traveling with them had almost all come from the Tongzhou branch altar. Walking toward this Shangqing Temple, they all knew the way well.

The prison escapees followed behind, faces showing apprehension.

In the dead of winter, Xiao Dingfei held a flashy gold-dusted folding fan in his hand, looking around everywhere. Though his features were handsome and romantic, his expression carried a somewhat restless feeling.

He looked at the temple entrance.

Several acolytes stood guard outside, all appearing clever. Seeing them approach from afar, they went inside to announce their arrival.

Xiao Dingfei felt his feet grow heavy as if filled with lead.

Just as they were about to reach the temple steps, his eyes rolled cunningly. Suddenly crying “Aiya,” he raised his hand to cover his left ribs, claiming his lungs hurt and that he also needed to see a doctor. But Feng Mingyu had long known his character. Though not understanding why he’d put on this act right before reaching the branch altar, he remembered the Sect Leader’s instruction to watch him carefully. Not buying it at all, he said: “Helmsman Wu is inside the temple. Since Young Master is so unwell, let’s go in first and this old man will examine you. If that won’t do, then we’ll find you a doctor. How about it?”

Xiao Dingfei’s face immediately turned green.

Looking left and right, he saw only Heavenly Teachings members. To leave was truly impossible.

In the end, he could only pinch his nose and enter the temple with everyone else.

This “Shangqing Temple” was a local Tongzhou Daoist temple. After the Buddhist-Daoist debate years ago when Daoism declined, the Daoists inside gradually fled, conveniently allowing the Heavenly Teachings to occupy it as their lair. With a low mountain at its back, it was truly blessed with ideal conditions.

The acolytes welcomed them at the entrance, addressing them as “Incense Master Huang” upon meeting.

With a wave of hand and movement of feet, they led everyone inside.

Though it appeared deserted outside, beyond a single door came the clamor of voices and loud laughter. Zhang Zhe followed Huang and Feng through this doorway to see a wide stretch of open ground outside the great hall, densely packed with people in various clothing, all similarly robust and rough. Over ten large vats of strong liquor were arranged beneath the corridor. In the dead of winter, the wine’s aroma dispersed, seeming about to set the entire temple ablaze, filled with pungent spiciness!

The acolyte who’d led them in shouted loudly: “Incense Master Huang and Left Minister Feng have returned!”

Inside the gate, silence fell immediately.

Then came a hearty laugh that shook eardrums, emanating from within that great hall. A person emerged with his voice—a middle-aged man of medium build with a black beard on his chin, wearing a dark blue outer robe. His steps were steady and vigorous, his eyes flashing with spirit. He came directly to greet Feng Mingyu and the others: “Hahaha, Master Feng and Incense Master Huang have finally returned in triumph. Congratulations, congratulations!”

This was Wu Feng, the helmsman of the Heavenly Teachings’ Tongzhou branch altar.

Feng Mingyu and Huang Qian immediately became modest: “It was all thanks to the brothers at the branch altar exerting effort. We two dare not claim the credit.”

Wu Feng’s gaze swept over and immediately saw the “extra” people, very satisfied: “This time not only did we rescue our teaching’s brothers, but also brought so many righteous men from the prison, adding more strength to our teaching’s forces. When this merit is reported up, the Sect Leader will surely reward you handsomely!”

Led by Meng Yang, this group from the prison had indeed been freed from jail thanks to the Heavenly Teachings’ favor. Following the Heavenly Teachings to Tongzhou, they indeed had intentions of joining.

But now, without a single word of greeting or asking them, he was already saying they were “adding strength to the Heavenly Teachings’ forces,” making it sound as if they’d come to pledge allegiance.

This made many people privately furrow their brows.

This gang of desperados were truly not good people. On the journey here, they’d already had some quarrels with the Heavenly Teachings members. Now hearing Wu Feng’s words truly made them uncomfortable.

Meng Yang stood at the back, a smile floating at the corners of his lips.

His gaze swept over the Heavenly Teachings group before landing on Zhang Zhe.

Zhang Zhe, being in a den of thieves, showed not a trace of panic. Turning his eyes, he also looked at Meng Yang. After a moment, he calmly lowered his eyelids, making no particular reaction for now.

Feng Mingyu took this opportunity to shift the topic to Zhang Zhe, saying with a smile: “We dare not claim credit for this either. The helmsman has likely already heard—besides our Tongzhou branch altar this time, Master Du Jun also sent strong reinforcements from the capital. Without this Zhang Daren’s aid and assistance, we wouldn’t have rescued people so smoothly. We might have even fallen into the court’s sinister ambush!”

Wu Feng then said “Oh.”

His gaze turned toward Zhang Zhe, eyes flashing with spirit, concealing some scrutiny. His face showed a forthright appearance as he cupped his hands: “I’ve long heard Master Du Jun’s name but never had the fortune to meet him. Seeing Your Honor today is like seeing that venerable elder himself. Zhang Daren, being in the court yet willing to bow down and serve the Heavenly Teachings—this truly demonstrates profound righteousness and bears humiliation with heavy burdens! This Wu admires you!”

Jianghu people had their jianghu ways, but Zhang Zhe wasn’t very accustomed to it. Not being skilled with words, after perfunctorily exchanging modest phrases, he had nothing more to say.

Wu Feng didn’t feel awkward either, only calling for wine to be poured.

The temple full of people squeezed together all raised their rough pottery bowls, shouting “Respect Heaven, respect Earth, respect Great Unity!” Tilting back their necks, they gulped down three bowls, presenting an appearance of heroic spirit reaching the clouds.

Zhang Zhe wasn’t accustomed to drinking either.

But under these circumstances, he couldn’t refuse. Tilting his head back, he drank three bowls with everyone, feeling the strong liquor cut his throat, burning to his heart and lungs, choking him to the point of coughing. Yet his heart grew increasingly calm, showing not the slightest trace of timidity.

Seeing this, everyone applauded and cheered for him.

But once the wine was finished, Feng Mingyu’s face showed difficulty as he said: “Helmsman, this old man has something here—I don’t know whether I should say it or not…”

After speaking, he looked around.

Wu Feng understood and smiled: “Then let’s go inside to speak. Please!”

With a wave of his hand, he invited everyone into the hall.

Inside the great hall stood images of the Three Pure Ones. Two chairs occupied the seats of honor. Wu Feng sat in the left chair, while the right chair was surprisingly left for Xiao Dingfei.

The remaining decision-makers took their seats in order.

Presumably because of “Du Jun the Mountain Man,” Feng Mingyu and others invited Zhang Zhe to sit in the first position below left. Other people with seniority in the teaching remained to cluster behind everyone or stand outside the hall entrance. Meng Yang had no seat. With his long arms and legs, he folded his arms and stood in a corner, lips bearing a strange smile as he watched.

It had been fine outside earlier, but entering the hall brought an inexplicable quiet.

This place was built against the mountain, naturally cold and gloomy.

Growing quiet made it even more weirdly tense and ominous. Looking around in all directions, the atmosphere had subtly changed.

Wu Feng then asked Feng Mingyu: “What difficulty does the Left Minister have?”

Feng Mingyu then produced a rolled-up page of paper from his sleeve. Small characters were written on it, marked with an extremely distinctive distant mountain emblem. He handed it to Wu Feng, stroking his beard: “This is a secret letter this old man received outside Tongzhou City last night. Helmsman Wu is also an old member of the teaching—surely you can recognize at a glance where this emblem comes from.”

Seeing that emblem, Wu Feng immediately trembled.

His voice even shook slightly: “This is actually a secret letter personally written by Master Du Jun!”

Feng Mingyu smiled, but his gaze shifted. He also glanced at Zhang Zhe in a seemingly casual manner: “Precisely. Everyone in the teaching knows Master Du Jun and Master Gongyi jointly serve as the Sect Leader’s left and right arms, with divine calculations and ingenious strategies leaving nothing unconsidered. But this secret letter—this old man cannot quite fathom it.”

Zhang Zhe sensed Feng Mingyu’s gaze. Eyes lowered, he said nothing.

Wu Feng read that secret letter carefully, his expression changing three times.

Since sitting in the upper right seat, Xiao Dingfei had been like sitting on pins and needles, his backside restless, wishing he could leap away. He’d been secretly watching everyone’s expressions. Seeing Wu Feng like this, his heart jumped.

He asked: “What does it say?”

Wu Feng’s face thoroughly turned cold. His slightly chilly gaze actually swept across every face in this hall before saying: “Master’s secret letter indicates that this prison raid operation was leaked in advance due to a mole’s sabotage. Moreover, this mole returned with the teaching members, intending harm to our teaching!”

“A mole!”

With a “boom,” as soon as Wu Feng spoke these words, the entire hall immediately erupted with clamorous voices, exploding!

Especially those who’d returned from the capital were full of shock, examining each other, eyes filled with suspicion and vigilance. Only Zhang Zhe remained unmoved, while Meng Yang observed coldly from the side.

Feng Mingyu had traveled with everyone along the way. Though he’d repeatedly tested Zhang Zhe, the suspicion in his heart had never been dispelled. Therefore, he first challenged Zhang Zhe, smiling in a seemingly kind manner: “Since Zhang Daren serves under Master, and specifically came for this prison raid, do you know who this ‘mole’ is?”

Zhang Zhe had drunk three bowls of wine, his temples throbbing.

His face cold and expression solemn, sitting upright, he said: “Zhang received orders to assist with the prison raid several days ago and had already left the capital. The secret letter only arrived last night. For the Left Minister to come ask me is truly difficult.”

Feng Mingyu seemed to have anticipated this response, saying again: “Then since Zhang Daren is Master’s capable retainer, why does Master’s secret letter not mention Your Honor even once?”

Zhang Zhe lowered his eyes: “With matters grave and urgent, what does insignificant Zhang matter?”

Feng Mingyu chuckled: “Zhang Daren should think carefully before speaking. Your sister is ill, and our teaching, appreciating Your Honor’s rescue efforts, carefully dispatched people to care for her. If Your Honor doesn’t treat us with sincerity, it truly disappoints!”

His words clearly used Jiang Xuening as a threat!

One must know that the two people accompanying Jiang Xuening to see a doctor were both Heavenly Teachings members. Feng Mingyu, fearing young Xiao Bao couldn’t keep his mouth shut and would let it slip, had only secretly instructed those two skilled fighters to control Jiang Xuening no matter what, making her an important chip in their hands.

Sure enough, as soon as he said this, Zhang Zhe’s expression changed slightly!

He wore dark-colored robes, one hand resting on the chair’s armrest, the other lightly placed on his knee. The lines of his curved long fingers were hard and cold. In an instant, his brows and eyes were stained with condensed chill.

He raised his eyes to meet Feng Mingyu’s gaze.

At this moment, Feng Mingyu somehow felt his entire spine tremble, as if struck by a boning knife. A wave of alarm passed through him. Then he actually heard this person say coldly: “Originally along the way I didn’t dare be certain. After all, the Left Minister is常 at the Jinling headquarters, claiming to have come on the Sect Leader’s orders to coordinate the prison raid. However, Tongzhou already has Helmsman Wu stationed here—there’s no lack of someone to preside over the overall situation. But after the Left Minister received the letter, he rushed to clear himself and smear me, finally exposing his fox tail.”

Feng Mingyu never expected he would turn the tables on him. Shocked, he stood up directly, his face flushed red as a pig’s liver, furiously angry: “How dare you, scoundrel, make such malicious accusations!”

People in the hall couldn’t help exchanging glances.

But Zhang Zhe remained very calm, only gently smoothing out a crease in his robe’s hem: “Zhang is a court official. If I hadn’t pledged myself to Master and served this teaching, why would I personally risk danger and abandon profit and honor to wade through these troubled waters? Both emotionally and rationally, it’s absurd.”

“You!”

Feng Mingyu was completely stunned, utterly unable to believe that Zhang Zhe, who’d been reticent and taciturn along the way, now spoke sentence after sentence like spitting knives and swords! Seemingly calm, yet actually concealing myriad dangers!

Indeed—to gather intelligence, the court could send a small fry. Why would they dispatch such a court official known for his godlike case-solving and established clean reputation?

Feng Mingyu’s heart had already fallen into some chaos.

He wanted to defend himself, but for a moment couldn’t organize his thoughts clearly. His body half-buried in earth trembled, only saying: “Everyone at the Jinling headquarters knows this old man. That Zhang Zhe is quite good at inverting right and wrong! Helmsman Wu, listen to this old man—first arrest this Zhang Zhe, then please have the teaching send a letter to Master Du Jun to inquire about this matter. This person will surely reveal his true form!”

Feng Mingyu was indeed a significant figure in Jinling.

He thought that having spoken, Wu Feng would comply.

Who would have thought that after waiting a long time with no movement, turning his head to look, Wu Feng’s hesitant gaze shifted from him to Zhang Zhe, then from Zhang Zhe back to him, showing a difficult expression.

Feng Mingyu’s heart immediately cried out.

Wonderful.

Everyone had their own calculations!

The headquarters was far away in Jinling—one south, one north from Tongzhou. Though the Tongzhou branch altar obeyed headquarters’ commands, secretly monitoring movements in the capital, they were ultimately too far apart. “When the general is abroad, he need not accept all commands.” Moreover, Tongzhou was truly too close to the capital. Wu Feng, while having to obey headquarters’ orders, probably also had to be wary of Du Jun the Mountain Man’s side. If Zhang Zhe truly was under Du Jun the Mountain Man, binding Zhang Zhe first before sending a letter to inquire might anger Du Jun’s side.

Wu Feng had his own concerns.

Seeing the atmosphere in the hall had become tense with drawn swords, everyone looking at him, he couldn’t help weighing things repeatedly, trying to ease the atmosphere: “Many people returned from the prison raid. We shouldn’t hastily draw conclusions, lest we fail to catch the real mole and instead hurt feelings—not worthwhile.”

Zhang Zhe lowered his eyelids without speaking. To outsiders, he showed not a trace of guilt, truly not seeming like the court’s mole.

How could Feng Mingyu be willing to heed Wu Feng’s words?

In terms of position within the teaching, he actually ranked somewhat higher than Wu Feng. The other’s words had now angered him. He immediately reached for the token at his waist, about to explode.

However, at this critical moment, a somewhat uncertain voice spoke up from the side.

It was actually Xiao Dingfei, who’d been playing with his fan in the upper right seat for quite a while.

That gold-dusted folding fan had already been put away. Lightly tapping the fan handle against his distinctly outlined chin, lips seemingly bearing a smile, he coughed once, looking somewhat embarrassed: “That, well, Helmsman Wu, Master Du, Du Jun’s secret letter—may I borrow it for a look?”

Everyone was stunned.

Along the entire journey back, who hadn’t regarded this young master treating escape as a mountain excursion as an embroidered pillow stuffed with straw?

No one expected he would speak up at such an occasion.

Now he was interjecting to ask to borrow Master Du Jun’s secret letter for a look?

Zhang Zhe suddenly recalled that strange gaze Xiao Dingfei had given him when they first met outside the ruined temple.

He inconspicuously glanced at Meng Yang in the corner.

Meng Yang stood without moving, his gaze sweeping past Zhang Zhe but focusing intently on everyone’s expressions and movements in the hall.

Wu Feng had heard of this Young Master Dingfei within the teaching. After hesitating a moment, he said: “You see, this…”

Xiao Dingfei’s romantic peach blossom eyes narrowed: “Show me the secret letter, and I’ll tell you who the mole is.”

The temple grew quiet for a moment, then private whispers arose.

Feng Mingyu was also stunned briefly. He didn’t know what this Xiao Dingfei could see in the secret letter that neither he nor Wu Feng had discerned.

But ultimately, Xiao Dingfei’s status was different.

Wu Feng thought about it and handed over the secret letter.

Xiao Dingfei took it and examined it carefully.

At this moment, the temple suddenly became so quiet one could hear a pin drop. Everyone’s gaze fell on this dissolute young master’s face, wishing they could see some clue from the cracks of his eyes.

That secret letter was merely a thin half page, yet Xiao Dingfei looked at it for a long time.

Wu Feng, Feng Mingyu, and others felt their heartbeats quicken.

After a while, unable to bear it, they asked: “Young Master, how is it?”

Xiao Dingfei raised his head, lightly folding the paper. But he looked at Zhang Zhe, pulling one corner of his lips at him, actually saying: “Zhang Daren, on the road I forgot to tell you—not only have I met Du Jun, but I also know that Master never lives in the mountains.”

The instant his words landed, Zhang Zhe’s eyes already twitched.

Feng Mingyu suddenly burst into loud laughter: “Excellent, it really is you!”

Wu Feng shouted even louder: “Seize him!”

People around had already gripped their blades and swords. Hearing the command, they slashed toward Zhang Zhe.

Zhang Zhe frowned.

Seeing the blades approach, he didn’t move. But from an angle, a white shadow violently burst forth, actually three degrees faster than anyone else! From who knows where he’d seized a blade, he chopped down the teaching member closest to Zhang Zhe!

A sharp, ruthless slash from face through chest—a cascade of blood gushed forth!

The blade-wielder seemed bathed entirely in blood.

Feng Mingyu and others, seeing this, couldn’t help crying out in alarm: “Meng Yang!”