Chapter 73. Taming Master, A Beneficial Existence

Despite the public appearance of the Bright Moon Sect's temple, there was no immediate conflict.

Some called it the calm before the storm, while others said the Righteous Alliance was holding back.

Then, on New Year's Day, a shocking event occurred.

The Bright Moon Sect's on-site monk held a Dharma assembly at the imperial palace.

This effectively meant that the state had recognized the Bright Moon Sect, which the Righteous Alliance had declared a public enemy of the martial world.

From then on, people began to debate the true nature of the Bright Moon Sect.

Some called it a heretical sect, but there were also many who did not agree with this characterization.

During this time, much of the previously unknown truth about the Bright Moon Sect was revealed.

For instance, it was a new religion that combined Buddhism and Taoism.

The followers of the Bright Moon Sect believed in the King of Hell as a Taming Master (調御師).

In Buddhism, a Taming Master is a beneficial being who protects and guides sentient beings to govern themselves.

There are five types of Taming Masters in the world: first, parents, siblings, and relatives; second, the laws of the world in which one lives [官法]; third, the teachings of one's teacher [師法]; fourth, the King of Hell [閻羅王]; and fifth, the Buddha [佛].

Interestingly, the Bright Moon Sect sought to overcome the problems of the present world through the King of Hell. This was different from Buddhism, which relies on the Buddha, but the rest was similar.

The addition of Taoist elements did not make it inherently evil.

As the on-site monk frequented the imperial palace, intense debates arose between the Righteous Alliance and the Bright Moon Sect.

The Righteous Alliance accused the Bright Moon Sect of using people as sacrifices.

In response, the Bright Moon Sect demanded proof.

The Righteous Alliance presented the mummified body of Yang Yuan, but they could not prove that it was the work of the Bright Moon Sect.

The long debate finally ended in the Bright Moon Sect's favor when spring arrived.

Attacking the Bright Moon Sect, which had the support of the imperial palace, was always going to be difficult.

The Righteous Alliance suffered significant damage from the Bright Moon Sect but could not officially challenge them.

***

East of Luoyang, Yanshi.

Walong Manor.

As the weather improved, the lady of the manor, Bai Meizhu, summoned her eldest son, Walong Swordsman Yan Wubai.

Yan Wubai quietly took his seat opposite his mother in the main hall of the inner quarters. Since his marriage last autumn, he had become more composed.

Bai Meizhu, who had been reviewing the accounts, glanced at her son's face and immediately got to the point.

"When are the Nan Gong family members planning to leave?"

"..."

When he did not answer, she gave him a reproachful look.

Nan Gong Tian and his sister Nan Gong Yan, along with twenty members of the Qingtian Corps and five survivors from Hefei, totaling twenty-seven people, had been staying at Walong Manor since last year.

They had not returned to Hefei not only because the Nan Gong family's estate had become ruins but also because they feared the Moonlit Fairy. They could not leave, fearing she might still be targeting the Nan Gong family.

Bai Meizhu accepted the homeless Nan Gong family members, partly out of long-standing friendship but also to prepare for the Moonlit Fairy's potential attack on Walong Manor.

However, as the year passed without any significant movements, her mindset began to change. She thought the Moonlit Fairy might have excluded Walong Manor from her list of targets.

After all, the Crescent Moon Swordsman Yan Wulong was dead; what revenge could there be?

With no movements from the Bright Moon Sect or the Moonlit Fairy even as spring arrived, her suspicions solidified into certainty.

"Do you know that we've been borrowing one hundred taels of silver every month from Baisangfang since last winter?"

"Yes."

"It's a sum we can repay in a few months if our relationship with the Green Forest improves, but we must not forget that we are in debt to run Walong Manor."

"Mother, the Moonlit Fairy still..."

"Six months have passed since the Nan Gong family's downfall. If the Moonlit Fairy were targeting Walong Manor, it wouldn't have been this quiet. Even if she does come, it won't change much. I accepted the Qingtian Corps thinking they would be helpful, but now it seems otherwise. If the Moonlit Fairy attacks, can they really stop her?"

"They might not be able to stop her, but they can buy us time until the Heaven Sword Venerable arrives."

"There's no guarantee that the Heaven Sword Venerable will come to our aid, is there?"

"The Righteous Alliance has pledged to protect the righteous martial families. The Heaven Sword Venerable will come."

"I doubt that. Do you know who the current leader of Hefei is? It's Wushan Xiaochu, who wiped out the Nan Gong family. Now, even the Righteous Alliance is cautious about the Bright Moon Sect. If the Nan Gong family trusted the Righteous Alliance, they would have returned to Hefei by now. But they all stayed at Walong Manor. Why? Because they don't fully trust the Righteous Alliance. Yet, you still believe the Heaven Sword Venerable will come to our aid."

"..."

Yan Wubai was speechless in the face of his mother's sharp criticism.

The Nan Gong family survivors could not return to Hefei because they feared the Moonlit Fairy, and beneath that fear lay a deep distrust of the Righteous Alliance.

The Righteous Alliance had not imposed any sanctions on Wushan Xiaochu, who had wiped out the Nan Gong family, and had even tacitly allowed him to become the ruler of Hefei.

Frankly, it was questionable whether the Yitian Sect would come to Walong Manor's aid if it were attacked by the Moonlit Fairy. Walong Manor did not belong to the Seven Major Sects, so it might be ignored like the Nan Gong family.

'No, they would ignore us. If I were the Yitian Sect leader, I would do the same...'

A bitter smile appeared on Yan Wubai's face.

The current Bright Moon Sect was far different from twenty years ago, wielding both power and influence.

As Yan Wubai was lost in thought, Bai Meizhu's voice reached his ears.

"Send them away before summer starts. They know our situation, so they won't criticize us for lacking righteousness."

"..."

In the end, Yan Wubai decided to follow his mother's wishes.

He could not suggest continuing to support the Nan Gong family while borrowing one hundred taels of silver every month.

Yan Wubai immediately headed to the guest hall.

On the way, he met Qingyun Swordsman Nan Gong Tian, who was taking a walk in the courtyard.

"Senior Brother."

"Hey, is there something you need this morning?"

"Just a casual visit. Oh! Have you heard any news about Uncle?"

"..."

Nan Gong Tian's face darkened.

In the martial world, they are taught from a young age about its dangers. Death is a common occurrence in a life where killing and being killed are everyday affairs. But the annihilation of his bloodline and the disappearance of his father left him devastated.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up..."

"No, it's okay. I believe my father is still alive somewhere. He's not the type to give up easily."

"I think so too."

After a moment of silence, Nan Gong Tian looked at Yan Wubai and said,

"You seem to have something on your mind. What is it? What did Aunt say?"

"Oh, nothing. By the way, when do you plan to return to Hefei?"

"We've decided not to return to Hefei for the time being. But we don't plan to stay at Walong Manor indefinitely either. We'll be leaving in a few days, so please tell Aunt."

"You're leaving?"

"We can't stay at Walong Manor forever."

"Still, it's sudden... If not Hefei, where are you going?"

"Luoyang."

"Luoyang?"

"Yes, I plan to observe the situation there and return at an appropriate time."

"If you're staying in Luoyang, why..."

"We know the situation at Walong Manor, so we can't keep imposing on you."

"That's not true. It's not a burden."

Despite this, Yan Wubai could not bring himself to say, "Please stay."

Nan Gong Tian patted Yan Wubai's shoulder encouragingly.

"It's fine. I have a friend of my father's at the Shangzhaofang, and I'll be helping him for a while."

"Helping at the Shangzhaofang?"

"Guarding the merchant caravans. I'll be assisting the caravans traveling to Wuhan and Nanjing."

"Oh! I see."

Yan Wubai could not hide his regret.

The once-great Nan Gong family guarding merchant caravans!

It was a difficult situation, but the thought of it made his heart heavy.

Yan Wubai forced a smile.

"The Nan Gong family guarding the caravans is a blessing for the Shangzhaofang. With the Nan Gong family's flag, the Green Forest will surely clear the way. Think of it as a journey."

"Isn't the relationship between Walong Manor and the Green Forest still strained?"

"Yes, we sent gifts to Wufeng Mountain Gang, but they haven't responded. We don't know what they want."

"I'll check with Wufeng Mountain Gang when I pass through."

"Senior Brother, among the Wufeng Ten Heroes, there's a young bandit with the prowess of the Green Forest Three Venerables. He seems particularly unhappy with Walong Manor."

"Green Forest Three Venerables?"

"Yes, that's what I've heard."

Nan Gong Tian frowned slightly.

It was embarrassing, but if the bandit had the prowess of the Green Forest Three Venerables, the current Nan Gong family would struggle to handle him. He felt conflicted, having brought up the topic.

"Still, the negotiations should go well. The Wufeng Ten Heroes are not cruel, and they are known as heroes among the people, except for Walong Manor."

"Ha! That's quite unusual."

Nan Gong Tian's expression brightened slightly.

If what Yan Wubai said was true, there might be a chance to understand their reasons.

***

Four days later, the Nan Gong family left Walong Manor and took refuge at the Luoyang Shangzhaofang. The Shangzhaofang, now with the Nan Gong family, drew attention from the business world.

On the first day of the fourth month.

The Shangzhaofang's captain, Sun Yue, the chief merchant, Sun Ming, and Nan Gong Tian gathered to discuss the details of the upcoming caravan.

Sun Yue cautiously began the conversation.

"Little Brother Nan Gong, I'm sorry to ask you to help with the caravan when you don't even know your father's fate. If the Green Forest weren't so active, I wouldn't have asked so urgently..."

"It's fine. I'm glad to be able to help the Shangzhaofang."

"I appreciate your understanding. However, it won't be easy. Since the Bright Moon Sect gained power, the Green Forest has become incredibly bold..."

Sun Yue sighed.

While the Righteous Alliance was busy restraining the Bright Moon Sect, the Green Forest had run rampant like fish in water.

The Seven Major Sects no longer led expeditions against the Green Forest as they used to. More accurately, they no longer had the resources to do so.

The Seven Major Sects were struggling to protect their own territories.

After the Bright Moon Sect received imperial recognition, not only the evil sects but also the neutral forces began to frequent the Bright Moon Sect. Many of these included high-level experts who had joined the Bright Moon Sect.

As a result, the power of the Seven Major Sects inevitably declined.

Merchants in major cities quickly moved from the Seven Major Sects to the Bright Moon Sect.

Inns, brothels, taverns, and gambling dens, as well as teahouses and snack shops, could not escape the influence of the Bright Moon Sect.

This led to numerous small and large conflicts.

Struggles for control between the existing factions that provided protection and management and the new factions that had entered with the support of the Bright Moon Sect broke out everywhere.

With the world in turmoil, the mountains and fields were overrun with bandits.

The Green Forest had long been beyond the control of the authorities.

'Tsk! Even so, it won't be easy.'

A bitter smile appeared on Nan Gong Tian's face.

For the once-great Nan Gong family to hear such words about dealing with the Green Forest was a bitter pill to swallow.

Seeing Nan Gong Tian's frown, Sun Ming interjected.

"Captain, the Green Forest is a grim reaper to us merchants, but to the Nan Gong family, they are mere pups."

"Ah, of course. The Nan Gong family's flag alone will make them hide and not come out."

Realizing his slip of the tongue, Sun Yue hurried to smooth things over.

"Captain, when is the caravan leaving?"

"In four days. This will be the largest caravan since our Shangzhaofang opened, thanks to the Nan Gong family's protection. Many merchants are eager to join."

"Understood. I'll prepare accordingly."

After listening to Sun Yue and Sun Ming about the caravan route, Nan Gong Tian returned to the guest hall.