Chapter 70

Jixin, Leshishi, and others stood with their mouths half-open, staring at the tightly closed door in disbelief, suspecting that their ears were playing tricks on them.

Mushan, the chief of the eighteen waterways in the south, a top-notch expert in the world, a sworn brother of a grandmaster, and a powerful man not yet sixty, actually suffered a humiliation at the hands of a monk who couldn't be more than sixteen years old?

How shocking was this!

Even if he had started practicing from the womb, Mushan's decades of immersion in swordsmanship were not undeserved!

Could it be something else? They subconsciously guessed as much.

Inside the room, Mengqi, upon hearing Mu Hengtian's words, couldn't help but twitch his lips. What was this all about? After defeating the old one, now the young one?

In fact, he was very clear that such grudges were common in the martial world. His "complete victory" over Mushan had left the latter's face in the dust, and naturally, filial sons or disciples would come to challenge him to wash away the previous disgrace.

This is the martial world... Mengqi sighed inwardly, speaking calmly, "This poor monk merely exchanged a few moves with Mr. Mu, barely winning by a hair. How can this be called a humiliation? Please return, young Mr. Mu."

His calm response was like a thunderclap to Ning Daogu, Nie Yao, and others, shocking them to their core, leaving them dazed and dreamlike. Could this young monk really have defeated Mushan? This was simply too unbelievable!

Could he have some secret to maintaining his youth, or had he encountered something extraordinary at a young age, receiving a century's worth of power?

If it was the latter, thinking about it, they had truly lived to an old age in vain!

Mu Hengtian still maintained his bowing posture, "After that day, my father was deeply troubled, often lamenting that the monk's swordsmanship was divine and beyond ordinary comprehension. He felt he had lived in vain. I could not bear to see my father like this, so despite knowing it was just a friendly match, I had to come and challenge you. I hope you will agree."

Mengqi was about to refuse when he suddenly remembered something. His current reputation was not prominent, making many things difficult to handle, and no one would believe him. So he sighed and said, "Young Mr. Mu's filial piety is commendable. This poor monk will exchange a few moves with you. I will give you five strikes. If you can force me off the mat, I will admit defeat."

What arrogance! This was the first thought that came to Leshishi, Nie Yao, and others. He actually intended to sit still and receive Mu Hengtian's five strikes without moving!

Mu Hengtian was a figure on the verge of grandmaster status, currently second only to You Tongguang, Cui Jinhua, and Shen Hou, and stronger than his father Mushan. Unless a grandmaster was present, who could do this?

Mu Hengtian was clear about the friendly match and knew that the True Dharma Monk had the means to say such things. He drew his long sword and bowed respectfully, "Please instruct me, monk."

With that, he pushed open the door and entered the room with his sword.

Leshishi, Ning Daogu, and the others all widened their eyes, staring intently at the room. However, the door was not large, and Mu Hengtian's movements blocked their view, allowing them to see only the flashing sword and hear five crisp sounds. Then they saw Mu Hengtian walk out with a very unhappy expression, turn at the door, bow, and say bitterly, "The monk's swordsmanship is indeed divine. I was arrogant and overconfident."

"Amitabha, swordsmanship is an external matter. Young Mr. Mu should not be too attached to it."

The voice was not loud, but it resonated deeply with Ning Daogu, Jixin, and others who had witnessed the battle, giving them a sense of a true master. The young monk sitting cross-legged on the mat seemed to have a touch of transcendence.

Mu Hengtian sighed deeply, "Thank you, monk. Today I have learned that there are always greater heights and more capable people."

With that, he turned and left with a look of disappointment, quickly regaining his composure, showing no sign of emotion.

"Ah, a foolish child." A soft sigh reached Ning Daogu and others, evoking a strange emotion in them as they stared at the gray-robed monk who seemed to be reciting scriptures.

Mengqi was very satisfied with his performance, feeling that the image of a master was beginning to take shape. The only problem was that he had not yet reached the stage of enlightenment, and his palm and finger techniques were still beyond him. Otherwise, he could have waved his sleeve, and the door would have slowly closed, gradually covering him as he recited scriptures, which would have been very impressive!

Mengqi was well aware of his love for showing off, pretending to be a master, and being suave, and he was not ashamed of it. As long as it did not interfere with his main tasks, it was fine. Everyone has hobbies, right?

Sigh, whether to jump down and close the door or ask someone outside to help would damage the image of a master!

Mengqi closed his eyes and began to meditate.

After a moment, the guest monk slowly came over and closed the door. Ning Daogu and others gradually came to their senses, exchanging glances and seeing the unhidden shock in each other's eyes.

Even a figure as formidable as Mu Hengtian could not force the True Dharma Monk to stand or move within five strikes. His swordsmanship must be truly terrifying. Could the term "divine" be an exaggeration?

This shocking news made them restless. After a while, they all left, boasting about their experience, which was worthy of being recorded in the annals of the martial world. Only Ning Daogu and Leshishi, the Four Heroes of Jiangnan, remained in the courtyard, as if waiting for the True Dharma Monk to finish his meditation and have a chat, hoping to receive some guidance.

Though swords and sabers are different, the great way is the same, and there are always points of convergence.

After silently estimating the time, Mengqi pushed open the door and walked out.

"True Dharma Monk, I failed to recognize your true worth and mistook you for an ordinary monk," Ning Daogu said frankly, trying to bridge the gap.

Mengqi, who had failed to learn swordsmanship, had no good feelings toward these sword-wielding people, smiling and bowing, "No matter, a monk does not seek false fame."

I have never considered myself a monk.

"Monk, you are truly a great master," Jixin said with a smile, though it felt strange to say this to a young monk.

Leshishi, looking at Mengqi's saber, asked curiously, "I wonder which school the monk comes from, to have such divine swordsmanship."

"This poor monk practices a wild fox Zen and had an extraordinary encounter," Mengqi said deliberately, hoping they would spread the word.

"An extraordinary encounter..." Leshishi and Nie Yao's eyes sparkled, as if they were imagining having such an encounter themselves.

Ning Daogu and Jixin did not show it as much, but their expressions betrayed similar thoughts.

After some small talk, as they rejoiced in making the acquaintance of a true master, Mengqi's expression turned serious, "This poor monk likes peace and quiet. If there are any more challenges in the future, please tell them I am not here. Ha, I am indeed not here tonight, as I will be visiting a friend."

"I understand," Ning Daogu responded with a full smile, feeling honored to help a master like the True Dharma Monk.

By evening, the news had spread throughout the city. All martial artists and ordinary people who enjoyed martial world stories knew about the True Dharma Monk, a young man in his teens with top-notch martial arts, who had easily received Mu Hengtian's five strikes without moving.

In no time, countless martial artists, confident in their skills, rushed to the dilapidated temple, hoping to challenge him. After all, the True Dharma Monk was a monk and would not easily harm anyone, making him the safest challenge. If they lost, no one would mock them for losing to such a figure, and if they won, their reputation would soar, making them one of the few below the grandmaster level!

Fortunately, Mengqi had given instructions, and Ning Daogu, Leshishi, and the other Four Heroes of Jiangnan used the excuse that he was not there to turn them away.

Mengqi continued to monitor the You family and observe the night activities around the city lord's residence. The next noon, he disguised himself and went to Huai Street again.

Outside the Autumn Cicada Hall hung a wooden sign reading, "Forgetful Ointment for sale today." Seeing this, Mengqi nodded and entered the shop.

The old shopkeeper looked at Mengqi, his eyes flashing with sharpness, "We have contacted a Phase God who has agreed. Please show your identity and provide the first part of the 'Great Illusion Technique' as a deposit."

"Show my identity?" Mengqi asked knowingly, secretly relieved that it was not Shen Hou.

The shopkeeper said in a hoarse voice, "Many people set traps for Phase Gods through commissioned tasks. If we don't know your identity, how can we retaliate afterward? And if you renege, we will know who to seek. Rest assured, we will not reveal your identity."

Speaking of retaliation, he was quite straightforward.

"Very well." Mengqi, who was prepared, nodded and entered the back room with the shopkeeper.

Taking off his hood, Mengqi said straightforwardly, "This poor monk is True Dharma."

"So you are the True Dharma Monk. Ha, no wonder you have such terrifying martial arts at such a young age, and no wonder you want to deal with the You family," the old shopkeeper realized, clearly mistaking Mengqi for a descendant of the Snow God Palace.

The name True Dharma Monk, he had only learned last night, initially not believing that such a young monk could defeat Mu Hengtian.

A man's reputation is like a tree's shadow. The old shopkeeper no longer doubted Mengqi's identity, accepting the first part of the 'Great Illusion Technique'—Mengqi had already recopied it and studied its contents.

"Within three days, we will deliver You Hongbo to you. At that time, please provide the remaining parts," the old shopkeeper said, rising to see him off, not asking why Mengqi, who had the strength to act, had commissioned the Twelve Phase Gods.

Mengqi left immediately, not considering interrogating him. Such an external contact would not know core secrets, and dealing with him could alert others.

Moreover, the Twelve Phase Gods operated in secrecy, mostly through secret marks, making it difficult to track them. Even if he monitored the shopkeeper's every move, it would not yield much—had it been so easy to locate the Twelve Phase Gods, the organization would have been destroyed long ago.

Leaving Huai Street, Mengqi saw a crowd on the main road, many wearing swords and sabers, the sky dark with low-hanging clouds, the atmosphere heavy, and a heavy rain imminent.

So many major events will happen in the next few days... Mengqi sighed inwardly.