Chapter 98

People are like this; there are always unexpected things that happen. Originally, Dugu Ming, with his identity as the young lord of the Wushuang City, would make everyone in the martial world wary. However, today, he encountered one after another people who did not give him any face, or rather, did not give Wushuang City any face.

First, it was the monk from Shaolin Temple, and now it was the three from the Tianxia Society: Qin Shuang, Bu Jingyun, and Nie Feng. Although Dugu Ming's martial arts were not as good as the three, he was not stupid and directly accused them of disrupting the alliance between the two families.

Bu Jingyun looked at this second-generation rich kid coldly. How could someone born with a golden spoon in his mouth understand the helplessness of the grassroots? In Bu Jingyun's eyes, Dugu Ming kept talking about Wushuang City and constantly reminded the three of his identity as the young lord of Wushuang City.

Bu Jingyun said disdainfully, "Waste of space!"

"Young lord of Wushuang City? As long as Dugu Yifang can still have sons, you won't be the only one," Qin Shuang added.

Nie Feng proudly raised the Fire Monkey in his hand. The performance of Bu Jingyun, Qin Shuang, and Nie Feng had thoroughly angered Dugu Ming. Growing up, wherever he went, he was always the center of attention. Apart from the older generation, he had never lost face like this. Dugu Ming glared at the three with venom and said, "Fine! You'll regret this!" After leaving a harsh warning, Dugu Ming led the people of Wushuang City away. After all, Qin Shuang, Bu Jingyun, and Nie Feng were all at the innate cultivation level, and today, his side lacked a high-level expert. If they fought, he would definitely be at a disadvantage. Thinking like a wise man, Dugu Ming rode away.

After Dugu Ming and his group rode away, Nie Feng pinched the Fire Monkey's neck and held it in front of him, examining it closely. "Seeking the Mud Bodhisattva, you must first get the Fire Monkey? What makes you so special?" Nie Feng asked the Fire Monkey.

"Chirp chirp chirp..." The Fire Monkey struggled and kicked its legs.

At this moment, the monk from Shaolin Temple walked over to Nie Feng and his group. "Amitabha! Sir Nie Feng, the Fire Monkey belongs to Shaolin Temple. I hope you will return it to us." The monk clasped his hands together and said.

Hearing the monk's words, Bu Jingyun shook his cloak and stared at the monk, while Qin Shuang also looked at him. The monk naturally felt the hostility from Qin Shuang and Bu Jingyun behind him but remained unmoved. "Sir Nie, I hope you will return the Fire Monkey!" the monk said again.

"Master, don't you say that convenience for others is convenience for oneself? We are determined to get the Fire Monkey..." Qin Shuang said.

But Nie Feng interrupted, "Master, forget it. Since the Fire Monkey belongs to Shaolin Temple, we'll give it back!" He then threw the Fire Monkey to the monk. The monk had thought a battle was inevitable today, but he never expected them to give the Fire Monkey so easily. He immediately took off the iron cage on his back and put the Fire Monkey inside. Clasping his hands together, he said, "Amitabha, Sir Nie, you are truly kind-hearted. I am deeply grateful!"

Qin Shuang looked at Nie Feng in surprise. Finding the Mud Bodhisattva was a task given by their master, Xiong Ba, and to find the Mud Bodhisattva, they must first get the Fire Monkey. How could Nie Feng give it away so easily?

Bu Jingyun had an indifferent look, but his eyes were fixed on Li She, who was disguised as a woodcutter. His aura also locked onto Li She.

After the monk left with the Fire Monkey, Qin Shuang finally asked, "Little junior, how can we find the Mud Bodhisattva now that you've given the Fire Monkey to the monk?" In front of outsiders, Qin Shuang did not want to make it seem like there was discord within the Tianxia Society.

Nie Feng smiled confidently and said, "Master, we need the Fire Monkey to find the Mud Bodhisattva. Now that we've found the Mud Bodhisattva, why do we need the monkey?" He then walked to Li She and said, "Is that right, Mud Bodhisattva?" He circled Li She, examining him, and said to himself, "An ordinary person would avoid such martial disputes at all costs. How can a woodcutter be so calm? It's said that the Mud Bodhisattva is not only the greatest fortune-teller in the world but also an expert in disguise, though his martial arts are mediocre. Am I right, Mud Bodhisattva?"

The woodcutter took off the firewood on his back, stretched, took out a pipe, lit it, and took a deep puff. He exhaled a ring of smoke and said, "Sigh... A golden carp is not a pond fish; once it meets the wind and clouds, it turns into a dragon. I never thought Xiong Ba would really find Yun and Feng and achieve his current dominance. Ha, it's hard to predict one's own fate. I can't avoid this calamity today."

Seeing the Mud Bodhisattva so straightforward, Qin Shuang, Bu Jingyun, and Nie Feng all felt relieved.

It seemed like a plot arranged by the will of the world, with Bu Jingyun just added to the mix. On the way, Li She, playing the Mud Bodhisattva, tried to minimize any loopholes by talking to Qin Shuang and the others.

Now, the four of them were on a large river. After crossing the river, they would be in the territory of the Tianxia Society. The Mud Bodhisattva, acting mysterious, slowly smoked his pipe, looking at the surging river, waiting for Xiong Ba to appear.

The turbulent river hit the bow of the boat. Bu Jingyun stood at the bow, lost in thought, while Qin Shuang and Nie Feng protected the Mud Bodhisattva on either side.

Suddenly, the Mud Bodhisattva, smoking his pipe, said, "Ah, even the Mud Bodhisattva can't save himself when crossing the river! Ha, I have always been afraid of water. This time, on the river, I will surely face a calamity. You three take care of yourselves."

The Mud Bodhisattva's words drew the attention of Qin Shuang, Bu Jingyun, and Nie Feng. Qin Shuang said, "After crossing the river, we'll be in the territory of the Tianxia Society. You're just exaggerating."

"Superstition!" Bu Jingyun said coldly.

Nie Feng examined the old man and asked, "Why do people say that to find the Mud Bodhisattva, one must first get the Fire Monkey?"

The Mud Bodhisattva sighed and said, "Ah, I have read countless fortunes in my life, revealing too many secrets, and now I am plagued by a curse. Without the Fire Monkey to alleviate my pain, I would suffer from the curse all day. Feel my hand." He extended his hand, inviting them to touch it.

Nie Feng frowned, held the Mud Bodhisattva's old hand, and was startled by its icy coldness, like a dead person's. He quickly checked the pulse and was even more surprised. The pulse was extremely weak, as if the person was about to die.

Hearing this, Nie Feng felt guilty and said, "I'm truly sorry. We didn't know the Fire Monkey was so important to you. I wouldn't have given it to the Shaolin monk."

The Mud Bodhisattva shook his head indifferently and smiled, "You are kind-hearted and will live a long life. I have two pieces of advice for you: 'Pluck the flower while it's in bloom, don't wait until there are no flowers left to pick.' Cherish the people around you. The other is, not all friends are true friends."

Nie Feng looked at him in confusion, not understanding what he meant.

"Are not all friends true friends?" Qin Shuang asked.

"Ha, you are loyal and honest, but you will have no children. The cold-hearted young man at the bow is passionate but can't see through the nature of love," the Mud Bodhisattva said.

At this moment, a strong wind suddenly blew across the river, and the small boat began to rock.

The Mud Bodhisattva said, "The calamity is here. You three must act according to your abilities. This time, I am not in mortal danger!"

The Mud Bodhisattva's words made Qin Shuang, Bu Jingyun, and Nie Feng all alert. After all, he was known as the greatest fortune-teller in the martial world, and his words carried weight.

With a 'whoosh,' a huge circular energy sphere approached the boat. Seeing this, Qin Shuang and the others became tense, recognizing the high level of the attacker's skills.

Bu Jingyun leaped from the bow, palms flying, and shouted, "Tear the Sky, Part the Clouds!" A powerful move that could tear the sky apart.

Qin Shuang also attacked, fists sending out a cold aura. His move, "Frost at Midnight," froze the river's mist.

Nie Feng used "Storm and Rain," his legs moving like a storm and rain.

Surprisingly, the huge energy sphere absorbed all their attacks, seeming to grow even larger. With a 'boom,' it hit the boat without slowing down. Qin Shuang and Bu Jingyun pushed away, while Nie Feng, closest to the Mud Bodhisattva, grabbed him and leaped away.

At this moment, they saw the black figure attacking them, dressed in black and masked, only the eyes visible. Before Nie Feng could react, the figure appeared in front of him, striking with a palm. Nie Feng, caught off guard, was hit in the chest, spitting out a mouthful of blood. The black figure snatched the Mud Bodhisattva and fled. Everything happened so quickly that even the three innate experts were caught off guard, unable to counter the attack.

Qin Shuang, Bu Jingyun, and Nie Feng landed on the shore, using the boat's debris.

The events left Qin Shuang and the others shocked.

"Never thought there was such a powerful expert in the world. Only Master could match him," Qin Shuang said softly.

"Indeed, very strong," Bu Jingyun agreed, even the usually proud Bu Jingyun admitting it.

Nie Feng sighed, "The Mud Bodhisattva is indeed not simple. But he said he wouldn't be in mortal danger. We should report back to Master."

After drying their wet clothes with their inner energy, they headed for the Tianxia Society headquarters.

The black figure, holding the Mud Bodhisattva, used his supreme lightness skill and had already reached a cave over ten miles away.

The Mud Bodhisattva looked at the black figure and said, "Lord Xiong, your skills are as formidable as ever."

The black figure was surprised that the Mud Bodhisattva could recognize him. He had used his ultimate skill, "Three Powers Return to the Origin," which even his three disciples couldn't recognize. He didn't expect the Mud Bodhisattva to guess it was him.

But then he thought it made sense. The Mud Bodhisattva, known as the greatest fortune-teller, had given him the prophecy, "A golden carp is not a pond fish; once it meets the wind and clouds, it turns into a dragon," leading him to find Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun. He must have known about this calamity today.

Xiong Ba removed his mask, revealing his long beard and the same imposing appearance, though with a few more white hairs at his temples.

The Mud Bodhisattva couldn't help but sigh. Ten years was a long time for mortals. Only his "Drought Corpse Path" to immortality was the way to his unknown journey. (To be continued...)

PS: Still two updates. Working hard on the writing!