Chapter 61. Isn't that enough?

Yan Shuju doesn't know that Yan Jieha is his half-brother.

When Yan Jieha first descended from the sky to Longwu Hall, there was no time to see him, and when he used Yunlong Fenghu to Li Xiaomin, he was already unconscious. Of course, even if he had seen him, it would have been difficult to recognize him due to the difference in status.

After that, there was no opportunity to notice.

The Five Heroes of Wu Feng Mountain usually called Yan Jieha 'Yan Brother,' 'Yan Senior Brother,' or 'Yan Big Brother.' Other bandits dared not mention Yan Jieha's name and only called him 'Senior Brother.'

That's not all.

The relationship between the Five Heroes of Luoyang and the bandits deteriorated due to the death of the five bandits from Wu Feng Mountain. Without communication, Yan Shuju only knew that Yan Jieha was an outstanding young bandit in martial arts.

When he said that the bandit had caused trouble at Longwu Hall, nothing was visible.

"Why are you silent! Speak up!"

Frustrated, Yan Shuju forgot his own position and pressed Yan Jieha.

Yan Jieha smiled and asked, "Curious?"

"Yes. So, what's going on?"

"Can't do it just like that."

"What do you mean by that?"

"There's no such thing as a free lunch. If you want something from me, you have to do something for me."

Yan Shuju glared at Yan Jieha coldly.

"Bandits are truly hopeless. If you expect something from me, forget it! I will never do anything for a bandit like you!"

"What do you expect from me?"

Yan Jieha's blank expression made Yan Shuju realize she had misunderstood something.

"No, no. What do you want?"

Yan Jieha looked at Yan Shuju intently, recalling an event from twelve years ago.

Yan Jieha, age six.

At six, Yan Jieha didn't understand the meaning of main wife and secondary wife. Naturally, he didn't know why his older siblings hated and bullied him so much.

He just accepted that he must have done something wrong.

For example, he might be ugly, stupid, smelly, or slow, which made others scold him.

Yan Wubai, Yan Shengbai, and Yan Shuju, his half-siblings, bullied him as if in a competition, with Yan Shuju being the worst.

Young Yan Jieha, who was only three years younger than his older siblings, often approached Yan Shuju, thinking they were close. Each time, she pushed him away, calling him a cheap and dirty scoundrel.

At the time, nine-year-old Yan Shuju almost mimicked her mother, Bai Meizhu's words and actions.

She would pinch him until he cried or spew incomprehensible insults.

Yan Jieha smiled and said, "Try bowing to me like Yang Wuji, with all your heart. Then I'll tell you."

"..."

Yan Shuju looked at the young bandit in disbelief.

She never expected him to demand a bow.

Moreover, why did this bandit want a bow from her, the victim?

Surprised, Li Xiaomin unconsciously grabbed Yan Shuju's arm, but that was all. No matter how close they were, this was a decision for Yan Shuju to make.

"Hey? Are you crazy? Why should I bow to a bandit like you? If anyone should bow, it's you."

"So you won't do it?"

"Hmph! No matter what you say, I won't bow to you. People from our Longwu Hall aren't that weak. Whatever you say, it's a lie."

"Hey, the sun will rise tomorrow. Oh! You don't believe me? You said whatever I say is a lie."

Yan Shuju pretended not to hear.

Then Yan Jieha muttered to himself, "The lady of Longwu Hall borrowed a thousand taels from Tiangang Sect. She'll have to work hard to pay it back. What can she do? There's no more money coming in."

"Rubbish!"

As Yan Shuju spoke, Li Xiaomin quickly whispered, "Yan Sister, just ignore it. If you respond, he'll keep saying strange things."

Yan Shuju bit her lip.

She knew that the more she reacted, the more this bandit would talk nonsense. But despite knowing this, she couldn't help but speak.

"I'll soon tell the merchants in Henan Province's Green Forest not to do business with Longwu Hall."

"Pah! The Green Forest will listen to you well."

"Yan Sister, don't. Just ignore him."

Li Xiaomin hoped Yan Shuju wouldn't provoke the young bandit further.

Somehow, Yan Jieha and Yan Shuju were arguing, with Li Xiaomin trying to mediate.

"We'll see. From today, Bai Shangfang is banned from entering Wu Feng Mountain."

"..."

Yan Shuju glared at Yan Jieha.

Her eyes, filled with venom, were brimming with tears.

It was clear she wanted to tear him apart but couldn't.

The more she felt this way, the more Yan Jieha's smile deepened.

Unable to bear it, Li Xiaomin stepped in.

"Hey, Little Brother. Although Yan Sister was wrong to attack you with a sword... You've already decided to take a thousand taels from Longwu Hall. Isn't that enough?"

Li Xiaomin couldn't understand the bandit.

He seemed determined to torment Yan Shuju. Why did he single her out when he let the other bandits' killers go?

Moreover, Yan Shuju posed no threat to him.

She didn't even touch his collar, yet he was still holding a grudge against Longwu Hall.

Yan Jieha replied with a indifferent look.

"Hey. Whether it's enough or not is up to the person who suffered. If I feel dirty, why should you care? You keep doing this, and I'll start to feel bad."

"No, no. I was wrong. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel bad."

Li Xiaomin apologized, startled.

It seemed he had forgotten his situation while watching the argument. This was a notorious bandit stronghold, and he was a hostage here.

Yan Jieha stretched and said, "Ah! The weather is so nice. Right? If you're done, go quickly. If only the women leave and don't come back, the others will worry. That won't do. Go and reassure them."

"..."

Li Xiaomin sighed, his eyes filled with regret.

It seemed he wanted to breathe in the fresh air before being sent back to the smelly room.

Yan Shuju glared at Yan Jieha until she was pushed by Tian Qide to move.

***

Yezhou.

The small city of Yezhou, developed around the Yeha River, was tense from early morning due to the sudden arrival of righteous martial artists.

The restaurants and teahouses were filled with experts from the Righteous Alliance and the Henan Province righteous martial arts sects. The city froze under the murderous gazes of these martial artists.

After finishing their breakfast, the martial artists moved to the Yeha Riverbank.

At the forefront were the Venerable Kongkong from Shaolin Temple and five Arhats.

Venerable Kongkong stopped, and the leader of the Righteous Alliance's Yi Qidai, Tie Jin Gang Man Bai, approached.

"Senior Brother, is this the place?"

The Shaolin Temple's hierarchy follows the characters from the opening verse of the Diamond Sutra. Each generation selects a character from the four lines of the verse to use in their dharma names. The previous generation places the character at the beginning, while the next generation places it at the end.

The opening verse is as follows:

The unsurpassed, profound, and subtle Dharma (無上甚深微妙法, Wu Shang Shen Shen Wei Miao Fa)

Is hard to encounter even after a hundred thousand aeons (百千萬劫難遭隅, Bai Qian Wan Jie Nan Zao Yu)

I now hear and see it, and practice it (我今聞見得修持, Wo Jin Wen Jian De Xiu Chi)

Wishing to understand the true meaning of the Tathagata (願解如來眞實義, Yuan Jie Rulaizhen Shi Yi)

Currently, the most senior monk in Shaolin Temple is Venerable Wu Fa, of the Wu generation.

Below him, the abbot and elders use the Bai generation, such as Xian Bai, Kongkong, and Man Bai.

The middle-aged Arhats use the Wen generation, and the youngest disciples use the Zhen generation.

Currently, the leader of Yi Qidai, Man Bai, is an elder of the Bai generation and a junior to Venerable Kongkong.

Venerable Kongkong nodded and pointed to a spot by the river.

"A monk used as an offering was found there. The sack containing the body was confirmed to be made by a shop in Yezhou. They must be hiding in Yezhou."

"Truly bold. To do such a thing so close by."

"They must have a base somewhere along the Yeha River."

"Why did they suddenly leave a trail after not leaving any before?"

"Perhaps they became complacent or are that confident."

"Do you believe the rumors about the You Ming Sect?"

"About using superpowers?"

"Yes."

"There must be some truth to it. Perhaps it's similar to dark arts."

"Amitabha. If you think so, Senior Brother. The head of the Righteous Alliance also mentioned something similar."

"Ha! I've heard of the Dongnan Dongnu's expedition and absorbing qi from corpses, but what could they gain from a living monk? Truly bizarre and cruel."

"But how strong would a sect expert become if they gained superpowers?"

"Hard to say. Even the Moon Swordman and Sword King couldn't kill the Moon Immortal... It must be beyond imagination."

Man Bai's face darkened.

That was over twenty years ago.

If their martial arts and superpowers have been strengthened since then?

He didn't even want to think about it.

"Based on this location, I'll take the upstream side. I'll investigate the downstream side with this group of heroes."

"Understood. If you find anything suspicious, don't push yourself and let us know."

"Will do."

Shortly after, the Yi Qidai and Luoyang martial arts sects dispersed, heading upstream and downstream.

***

Yeha Riverbank.

Yinhe Hall.

In the main hall of Yinhe Hall, over a dozen people gathered.

They were the hall master, Che Zhenjing, and his followers.

All seemed to be at the peak of their martial arts, with each person's eyes sharp and piercing.

Among them, a tall and muscular man in his fifties, Dali Gui, spoke with a slightly agitated tone.

"Hall Master, Guangming Hall's movements are unusual. Their enthusiasm for collecting sacred objects clearly indicates they are aiming for the position of Heavenly Demon King."

At the mention of Heavenly Demon King, Che Zhenjing quietly put down his teacup.

The position of Heavenly Demon King is the highest, attainable only by the sect leader.

"Tsk! Dali Gui. Even if Moon Immortal and Phantom Demon joined forces, becoming the Heavenly Demon King is impossible. Only the sect leader knows the incantation required for the descent of the Heavenly Demon King."

Even using the same Eight Zhou Ling, the incantations for the Ten Demon Soldiers, Hundred Demon Army, and Heavenly Demon King are different. It's not just about offering a thousand sacrifices. The Hundred Demon Army can't become the Heavenly Demon King even if they want to.

"The sect leader has been missing for over twenty years. Perhaps Guangming Hall has taken action."

"At the time, the sect leader was a Hundred Demon Army, while Moon Immortal and Crimson Blood Demon were just Ten Demon Soldiers, like your current Four Divine Generals. A hundred Ten Demon Soldiers can't match a single Hundred Demon Army."

At this, Yinshan Gui, with a pale, corpse-like face, interjected.

"Hall Master, don't dismiss Dali Gui's words. It's true that Guangming Hall is producing many Ten Demon Soldiers. If they had no ambition, why would they do this?"

Mushuang Gui and Muying Gui, sitting beside them, nodded.

"Moon Immortal is not an ordinary woman."

"There must be some hidden agenda."

With the Four Divine Generals speaking in unison, Che Zhenjing couldn't ignore them.

"Then, Muying Gui, you should carefully investigate Guangming Hall's movements."

"Understood."

As Muying Gui straightened his bowed back, a man crossed the courtyard and approached.

"Hall Master, the Righteous Alliance and the martial arts families of Luoyang are thoroughly searching the Yeha Riverbank. They seem to be looking for our hall."