Chapter 215: Night Market Massacre
Duke Wei saw that Qin Mu had returned to his normal form and felt somewhat puzzled. He looked toward the Imperial Preceptor's residence and thought to himself: "That cold-faced Imperial Preceptor seems to have cultivated a similar technique. I once saw him manifest such a form... Strange, that old fellow the Imperial Preceptor hasn't come out to join the fun. The Emperor gifted him so many palace maids—could they have drained the old man dry?"
"Is Ban Gongcuo truly a disciple of the Loulan Golden Palace?"
Sun Nantuo hesitated. The Loulan Golden Palace was the number one sacred land beyond the Great Wall. They called themselves shamans and cultivated evil arts, refining souls and transforming their bodies into forms that were neither god, nor human, nor demon.
What Qin Mu had just displayed was a state of divine transformation.
In the Five Luminary realm, very few managed to cultivate the divine transformation state. A prodigy like the Imperial Preceptor of Yankang had complained that the Grand Academy didn't teach profound principles, but in truth it wasn't that the Grand Academy didn't want to teach—it was that even among the instructors of the Imperial Academy, few had mastered the divine transformation state of the Five Luminary realm.
Moreover, Qin Mu's divine transformation state was unique. Even the Imperial Preceptor of Yankang had been astonished that Qin Mu's transformation seemed to involve physical deification, vital energy deification, and even signs of soul deification. His aura also shifted, making it truly extraordinary.
For instance, just now Qin Mu's Fire God form had grown a third bull's eye on his forehead, from which a beam of fire shot forth and severed the head of Zen Master Yuanyue. This was a divine transformation technique formed by the unity of physical deification, vital energy deification, and soul deification.
Even ordinary martial masters of the Five Luminary realm who had achieved the divine transformation state were vastly different from Qin Mu's version—they couldn't unleash such techniques.
The Imperial Preceptor of Yankang himself couldn't fully comprehend it, so naturally Sun Nantuo, the Crown Prince of Yankang, and the others didn't recognize it either. They simply assumed it was the demonic transformation state of the Shaman Lord Lou Luo Sutra and praised the power and strangeness of that scripture.
"Lord Sun, quite a few of your disciples have been killed. Won't you take the field yourself?"
Duke Wei shook his head and said: "You should go up yourself. Only by defeating this barbarian can you salvage the illustrious reputation of your Nantuo Temple! Your disciples are utterly disgraceful—they've already used Six Harmonies realm techniques, yet they still got their heads chopped off by someone in the Five Luminary realm. That's about as embarrassing as it gets."
Sun Nantuo's eyes flickered, but he paid no attention. He knew Duke Wei's mouth could swallow the heavens—if he took that bait, the Duke would surely find a way to force him into challenging Qin Mu.
He absolutely would not challenge Qin Mu. At the same cultivation level, he had no confidence of victory. He had already refined all thousand mudras of the Spirit Treasure Unmoving Zen Skill to perfection, but he suspected that even the Spirit Treasure Unmoving Zen Skill couldn't defeat this barbarian at the same realm.
And if he used Six Harmonies realm power, Duke Wei would certainly notice. If Duke Wei started shouting about it, that would be truly humiliating.
Duke Wei would absolutely shout about it.
The Crown Prince of Yankang said in a low voice: "Grand Preceptor, I have some capable fighters here who might help you defeat this barbarian..."
Sun Nantuo shook his head: "I'm wondering where this barbarian's protector is."
"Protector?" The Crown Prince of Yankang was momentarily confused.
Sun Nantuo looked around and said: "Your Highness, you may not know this, but whenever someone challenges a sect at their gates, they always need a protector by their side to avoid being ambushed. For example, when the Daoist Sect challenged the Grand Academy, Danyangzi was the Dao Son's protector. When the Great Thunderclap Temple challenged the Grand Academy, the old monk Jingming served as the protector for the Buddha Heart and Buddha Son. This barbarian dares to be so bold—there must be a protector from the Loulan Golden Palace nearby. That person must be a Sect Master level expert! If I can find him and defeat or kill him, only then can I salvage the face of my Nantuo Temple."
He knew that because of his righteous indignation, he had offended too many court officials over the years. Combined with the improper conduct of the disciples at the Nantuo Branch Temple, many people in the capital were waiting to see him make a fool of himself.
To settle this matter, the best outcome would be to find Qin Mu's protector and kill him openly and honorably. As for whether Qin Mu lived or died, he didn't care at all.
Suddenly, Sun Nantuo strode toward Qin Mu. The monks of Nantuo Temple were both shocked and delighted, parting to make way for him.
Qin Mu stood outside the Nantuo Branch Temple. The corpses had already been dragged away. More than a dozen monks had died by his hand, and the monks of the branch temple were filled with righteous indignation, yet none dared to make a move.
Now seeing Sun Nantuo approach in person, hope rose in their hearts.
Sun Nantuo looked up at the Thousand Canopy Pagoda, his eyes gleaming, and said: "The Loulan Golden Palace stole my Nantuo Temple's temple treasure several hundred years ago, and now you bring it here to block our gates. Who gave you such audacity?"
Qin Mu shook his head: "I came only to sell this treasure to someone fated to receive it, not to block your Nantuo Temple's gates. If anyone else wishes to obtain this Thousand Canopy Pagoda, they may also come and challenge me. As long as they are fated, I don't mind giving it to them. Great monk, if you have the ability, defeat me and take the pagoda. If you lack such skill, then don't disturb my business."
The Crown Prince of Yankang stepped forward with a smile: "You said earlier that you wanted to sell this treasure. Since it's for sale, there must be a price. What price are you asking?"
Qin Mu glanced at him and said: "Naturally, there is a price."
The monks of the Nantuo Branch Temple all stiffened, their faces filled with mixed anger and frustration. If they had known they could simply buy it, why had they fought this barbarian to the death?
The Crown Prince's spirits lifted greatly. He laughed: "What price? Name it. There's nothing in this world I cannot buy."
Qin Mu's expression softened: "The price isn't high. One hundred tower ships, each equipped with physicians and medicine apprentices, plus two hundred cloud chariots. No need for golden-armored warriors—beyond the Great Wall, I have plenty of sturdy fighters."
The Crown Prince's face darkened: "Are you mocking me?"
Tower ships and cloud chariots were military equipment—the heavy instruments of the Yankang nation, developed by the Imperial Preceptor and other experts for transporting troops, supplies, and waging war. Cloud chariots were siege weapons. If he gave tower ships and cloud chariots to the barbarians beyond the Great Wall, that would be treason—colluding with the enemy. Even as Crown Prince, the Emperor would have his head!
Qin Mu said calmly: "If Your Highness cannot afford this price, then please don't disturb my business."
The Crown Prince's expression grew grim.
"This treasure is for those fated to receive it."
Qin Mu said solemnly: "Anyone who believes they can defeat me is welcome to try. I will remain here for three days. If no one can defeat me in three days, I shall return beyond the Great Wall!"
"Three days?"
Sun Nantuo looked around but still couldn't spot the hidden protector from the Loulan Golden Palace. He thought: "With three days, I can certainly find where he's hiding."
The monks of the Nantuo Branch Temple no longer came forward to challenge him. Qin Mu simply sat down cross-legged and waited quietly.
The crowd of onlookers gradually dispersed. Servants sent by various noble households remained behind. Duke Wei brought Wei Yong to the Imperial Preceptor's residence and knocked on the door. Old Fu came out and smiled: "What business does the Duke have?"
"Where is the Imperial Preceptor?" Duke Wei asked.
"The Master has taken his wife on a pleasure trip."
Duke Wei was startled and stammered: "Wife? What wife?"
"You see, the Emperor gifted the Master one hundred palace maids. The Master was very pleased. The very next day, he got together with one of the women and that very night they were married, drinking the nuptial cup. After waking up, the Master left with his wife. He's not in the capital."
Duke Wei's body trembled. His expression was strange as he stammered: "The Imperial Preceptor got married... actually got married... That fellow—I thought he would never have feelings, but he actually got married... The bastard didn't even tell me!"
Old Fu smiled apologetically: "The Master said to keep everything simple, so he didn't even notify the Emperor."
Duke Wei let out a turbid breath: "Forget it. You people are poor enough that you probably couldn't afford a banquet anyway. I'll have a servant send over a red envelope and a few boxes of gifts later. Did the Imperial Preceptor say when he'd return?"
Old Fu shook his head.
Duke Wei exhaled and muttered to himself: "That barbarian is suspicious, but since he's staying for three days, there's no rush. We can wait until the Imperial Preceptor returns."
Night fell. Lanterns were lit throughout the capital, and the night market sprang to life again. The streets grew lively. Duke Wei sent Wei Yong to investigate, and Wei Yong returned saying: "It's almost New Year—less than a month away—so the merchants in the capital are all selling New Year goods."
"I see. Let's take a stroll, the two of us."
The old man and the young man wandered through the night market. Young ladies of noble families had also left their chambers, dressed brightly, carrying round silk fans as they admired the lanterns. When they noticed young men looking at them, they would hide their faces behind their fans, then peek out from behind to steal glances at those same young men.
Wei Yong was from the Wei family's ancestral home and had little connection to Duke Wei. It was only after distinguishing himself at the Grand Academy that he caught the Duke's attention. As they strolled, Duke Wei instructed him on the principles of cultivation.
As they talked, they passed by the Nantuo Branch Temple. Duke Wei glanced over and noticed that Ban Gongcuo was no longer outside the temple gates. He was momentarily startled.
Then he saw monks streaming out of the Nantuo Branch Temple in a file, with Sun Nantuo at the center. Besides Sun Nantuo, there were also various protectors and abbots from the branch temple. A monk reported rapidly: "Abbot, that barbarian slipped away just now during the night market! I've already sent several brothers to follow him!"
"Cunning! That barbarian set up a false front, making us think he'd stay for three days, but he slipped away the very first night!"
"Those senior brothers are following him—he won't get away!"
Sun Nantuo's face was expressionless. He led the monks in rapid pursuit, saying in a deep voice: "We'll make our move outside the city."
Duke Wei's eyes lit up. He brought Wei Yong along to follow, laughing: "That Sun Nantuo puts on a righteous face, but he's a cunning and vicious one too. Killing that barbarian in the city would certainly cause gossip. But making a move outside the city and destroying the evidence—no one would ever know. Let's follow and see how these monks kill and burn!"
Wei Yong followed him. The old man and the young man trailed behind the experts of the Nantuo Branch Temple as they walked out of the capital. Monks kept squeezing out of the crowd to report Ban Gongcuo's whereabouts to Sun Nantuo, and gradually they left the city.
There was also a night market outside the capital, brightly lit, stretching for over ten li, bustling with people coming and going.
Duke Wei and Wei Yong hung back behind the Nantuo Temple monks, walking farther and farther until they had gone more than ten li. There was actually a night market here too—not just a night market, but a stockade village with a wide wooden gate, three to five zhang in both length and width. A red wooden sign hung on the gate.
Duke Wei looked up at the sign. On it were written four characters: "The Holy Teacher Descends to Instruct."
Duke Wei's brow twitched. He hesitated for a moment, but Sun Nantuo had already walked into the stockade. Inside, the village was brightly lit. Iron cauldrons sat atop pillars, burning thick oil with crackling sounds.
The stockade had all kinds of vendors, including butcher shops slaughtering pigs and sheep. Shouts and cries filled the air, making it seem like an ordinary night market.
"What's wrong, Duke?" Wei Yong asked, confused.
"The Holy Teacher Descends to Instruct—I've seen these words before."
Duke Wei's expression grew grave. "When Li Tianxing, the former Sect Master of the Heavenly Demon Sect, traveled and came to a branch palace, this phrase hung on the plaque before the palace gates. The Heavenly Demon Sect calls their Sect Master the Holy Teacher, meaning the Holy Teacher has descended to give instruction... This night market belongs to the Heavenly Demon Sect..."
Duke Wei hesitated, then walked inside. Suddenly, an old man and an old woman stepped out from beside the gate, smiling: "Duke, please stop here."
Duke Wei was about to speak when suddenly a thunderous crash shook the earth. Duke Wei hurriedly looked and saw the vendors in the night market and the wandering scholars and beauties suddenly burst into action!
One by one, the monks of the Nantuo Branch Temple were struck down by the vendors and passersby beside them. Heads flew into the air, blood staining the sky.
Having struck their blows, the attackers immediately retreated, their figures vanishing into the buildings on either side.
In the blink of an eye, all the monks around Sun Nantuo had become nothing but headless corpses!
Sun Nantuo roared and manifested his Thousand-Armed Buddha form, a hundred zhang tall, radiating brilliant Buddha light, wielding a thousand kinds of dharma instruments, majestic and awe-inspiring.
At that moment, twenty old men emerged from all directions and lunged at Sun Nantuo. A thunderous boom sounded, and the Thousand-Armed Great Buddha was shattered to pieces.
Duke Wei stood frozen, watching as the night market returned to its bustling state. Some people were carrying away corpses, others were channeling river water to wash the blood from the ground.
"The Holy Teacher Descends to Instruct!"
Duke Wei heard these words and shuddered. He quickly said: "Let's go! We must not see the true face of this Demon Sect Master..."
Suddenly, Wei Yong waved toward the stockade and laughed: "Brother Qin, what are you doing here?"