Chapter 73

"Grateful for the gift, I, the Monkey of the Year of the Monkey, bow in respect."

As these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the main hall became inexplicably tense. The expressions of the twenty experts present were a mix of shock and suspicion, and their faces were unappealing.

Surrounded by a crowd, under everyone's watchful eyes, the Monkey of the Year of the Monkey had managed to steal the white jade Buddha statue without anyone noticing. This was truly shocking and unbelievable!

However, no matter how unbelievable it was, the fact was right before their eyes, leaving them no choice but to believe it. For a moment, some faces turned red, some turned ashen, some hands trembled, and some gnashed their teeth.

"How could this happen?" someone finally roared.

"There must be a traitor among us!" the elder in the robe of blessings and wealth glared at the others.

Unless the Monkey of the Year of the Monkey had become a Buddha or a sage, this was the only possibility!

Seeing that everyone was about to argue, You Tongguang sighed, "All of you are my good friends. Don't let this matter ruin our friendship. The white jade Buddha statue is just a material possession."

"Old You, this concerns our reputation. Don't say more. Although the white jade Buddha statue is not large, it's still easy to be discovered if hidden on one's person. I'll let everyone search me first!" The elder in the robe of blessings and wealth patted his chest confidently.

To prove their innocence, everyone agreed. However, after a thorough search, including You Tongguang, no one had the white jade Buddha statue.

The scene fell into an awkward silence once again.

...

At various hidden spots near the You residence, when the loud explosion sounded, everyone became excited and eager, looking around for the shadow moving in the darkness.

The "boiling" situation made Meng Qi unable to resist a sarcastic thought: It was as if they were waiting for a superstar to appear.

After a while, the chaos in the You residence gradually calmed down, and the night grew deeper.

"Did the Monkey of the Year of the Monkey retreat?" Nie Yao's round face showed undisguised disappointment. She had been hoping for a grand battle between the Monkey of the Year of the Monkey and the twenty experts, which would have given her a chance to join in.

"Of course. With twenty experts surrounding the white jade Buddha statue, even a grandmaster would find it hard to succeed, let alone the Monkey of the Year of the Monkey. Hehe, he must have backed off. His reputation will be ruined," Ji Xin said, both disappointed and pleased.

Ning Daogu and Yue Shishi had similar expressions, clearly thinking along the same lines. But remembering the presence of a great expert, they turned their heads and asked sincerely, "Venerable Zhen Ding, what do you think?"

"What do I think?" Meng Qi chuckled, "The Monkey of the Year of the Monkey must have had some confidence, otherwise, he wouldn't have provoked Mr. You."

"Perhaps the Monkey of the Year of the Monkey had another goal, and the Buddha statue was just a ruse. After all, the Twelve Divine Beasts are known for their ruthlessness and cunning, and a ruined reputation means nothing to him," Ning Daogu mused.

"That's true. As long as his real goal is achieved, no one in the martial world will mock the Monkey of the Year of the Monkey; they will only fear him more," Yue Shishi and Nie Yao nodded in agreement.

Before they could finish speaking, a faint commotion arose ahead and grew louder and more chaotic, gradually spreading towards them.

"The Monkey of the Year of the Monkey stole the Buddha statue!"

"The Monkey of the Year of the Monkey took the Buddha statue without a sound!"

Surprised voices reached Ning Daogu, Yue Shishi, and the others, leaving them speechless and stunned.

"How is that possible? Twenty experts surrounded the white jade Buddha statue; even a mosquito couldn't get in!"

"Did he defeat the twenty experts directly?"

"If that were the case, it would be better. I would only sigh that the Monkey of the Year of the Monkey might be a grandmaster, but it was said to be silent and unnoticed. This is truly unimaginable, almost divine!"

Soon, they came to their senses and began to discuss with shock, confusion, and excitement, feeling that their wait had been worthwhile. The Monkey of the Year of the Monkey was truly mysterious and terrifying!

Meng Qi listened to the surrounding exclamations and a faint smile appeared on his face.

...

Half a day earlier, in the woods near Dabeisi Temple.

"Here is the treasure map. Where is my son?" You Tongguang's face, devoid of his usual smile, was as dark as a storm cloud.

"He is in a safe place. Once I confirm the treasure map is correct, I will tell you the location, and you can go and get him yourself," Meng Qi said, still wearing the laughing monkey mask.

He had been gathering information all day, but no one knew about the events at Dabeisi Temple last night. It seemed the battle between the White-robed Sword God and the eight Divine Beasts was just an illusion. There was no news of the White-robed Sword God being injured or killed, nor any rumors of the Divine Beasts failing and dying.

"Hand over the person, and I'll hand over the map," You Tongguang's eyes were cold and icy.

Meng Qi said calmly, "There are four parts to the treasure map. I don't know when I can gather them all. I'm just trying my luck and am not too enthusiastic. You, Mr. You, have three sons, but only the youngest is capable. I can give up the treasure map, but can you give up You Hongbo?"

"You!" You Tongguang was furious.

Meng Qi's voice was hoarse as he laughed, "So, you have to listen to me."

"If anything happens to Hongbo, I will scatter my wealth to pieces to tear you apart," You Tongguang gritted his teeth and threw the treasure map to Meng Qi.

Meng Qi took it and saw that the treasure map was not very old, suggesting it was a recent copy. He quickly scanned it and said, "You have already given the original to Cui Xu, haven't you?"

"Yes, this is a copy I kept," You Tongguang did not hide it.

"I'll believe you this time, Mr. You. If the treasure map is fake, we can't harm you, but can we harm your family? Unless you can keep them from ever leaving home, you can't escape forever," Meng Qi said, playing the villain.

You Tongguang snorted, "I won't risk my son. Can you tell me the location now?"

"Not yet, I have a few more questions," Meng Qi smiled lightly.

"Didn't we agree on just the treasure map?" You Tongguang was extremely angry.

Meng Qi laughed, "I said you have to listen to me."

You Tongguang clenched his fists, veins bulging, and after a moment, calmed down, "Ask your questions."

Meng Qi suddenly shouted, "Where is Duan Mingcheng being held by Cui Xu?"

You Tongguang took a step back, looking at Meng Qi with fear, "Where did you hear this rumor?"

"I am certain, I just want to know where Duan Mingcheng is being held," Meng Qi said calmly.

"Ridiculous, how could that be!" You Tongguang laughed coldly.

Meng Qi laughed hoarsely, "Mr. You, do you know why I am sure you are a descendant of the Snow God Palace's guardian and have the treasure map lineage?"

"Didn't you get the information from the remnants of the Snow God Palace?" You Tongguang referred to the Snow God Palace people rudely.

"No, it was Fei Zhengqing who told me. I was originally investigating Duan Mingcheng's whereabouts, but he deliberately directed my attention to the Snow God Palace, specifically mentioning that you, Mr. You, might be a remnant of the Snow God Palace and have correspondence with them."

"Correspondence? What a trick, Fei Zhengqing!" Hearing about the correspondence, You Tongguang immediately believed Meng Qi, as he had killed the Snow God Palace person who had written to him that night to eliminate any witnesses. He was unsure if the letters had been destroyed or if Fei Zhengqing had obtained them.

Meng Qi said calmly, "Cui Xu made a mistake that night by attacking me, which revealed Duan Mingcheng's true location, which is why I am asking you where he is being held."

"Cui Xu attacked you?" You Tongguang looked at Meng Qi as if he were a monster, unable to believe he had survived Cui Xu's attack.

Meng Qi chuckled, "I have a life-saving item. Cui Xu backed off. Mr. You, can you answer me now?"

You Tongguang's expression changed several times, and he sighed, "To be honest, my fifth brother never told me about this. Perhaps he was worried about my Snow God Palace background, but after years of effort and spending money, I did get some information. Duan Mingcheng is currently being held in the deepest level of the city lord's dungeon."

"I thought he would be just a corpse. Cui Xu is quite merciful," Meng Qi stared intently at You Tongguang's face, not missing any change in his expression.

"He is worried that the treasure map Duan Mingcheng recited might be fake, so he hasn't killed him yet. Once my nephew Jin Hua returns from the initial exploration of the treasure site, Duan Mingcheng will be silenced," You Tongguang said, no longer hiding anything.

Meng Qi nodded, "That explains why Zhang Zongxian and his wife gave the treasure map to Miss Cui, and the young city lord has been absent since then."

"Only his son can make him feel secure," You Tongguang smiled bitterly.

"So, when the city lord and Chief Fei left through the tunnel that night, it was to silence Zhen Ding the monk?" Meng Qi stated his conclusion.

"I don't know. I was completely excluded," You Tongguang shook his head.

Meng Qi didn't say more and asked directly, "Tell me the location of the dungeon, its defenses, and so on."

You Tongguang described it in detail and concluded, "Now can you tell me where Hongbo is?"

"I have one more request, the last one," Meng Qi laughed.

You Tongguang took a deep breath, "What is it?"

"Steal the white jade Buddha statue tonight. I believe you have a way," Meng Qi looked into You Tongguang's eyes.

"The white jade Buddha statue is valuable, but not priceless..." You Tongguang was very puzzled.

Meng Qi smiled, "I don't want to be a man of my word."

"I am such a vain person!"

"Alright," You Tongguang nodded.

Meng Qi nodded, "Tonight, I will deliver Third Master You to the garden of the Dong residence. After you 'steal' the white jade Buddha statue, go there to pick him up. Throw the statue into the well."

You Tongguang looked at Meng Qi deeply, said nothing, and turned to leave.

Meng Qi stood there, watching his back until it disappeared, then chuckled, "Your acting is really good. The effect of telling partial truths is quite interesting."

...

The next day, as the news of the Monkey of the Year of the Monkey stealing the Buddha statue from the protection of many experts spread, Meng Qi received an invitation from Cui Jinxiu. As a great expert who could defeat Mu Shan, Mu Hengtian, and the Monkey of the Year of the Monkey, and having met Cui Jinxiu, Venerable Zhen Ding was naturally invited to the event.

"Let's see what happens today," Meng Qi smiled, took out his white monk's robe, and put it on, then left leisurely.

"Venerable Zhen Ding..." Ning Daogu and the others were waiting in the courtyard, looking very excited.

But just as they finished their greetings, they suddenly froze. The white-robed Venerable Zhen Ding, with his rosy lips and white teeth, exuded a sense of freedom and transcendence.

In the past few days, Venerable Zhen Ding was just a skilled monk, but today he truly had the aura of a high monk.

Meng Qi was very satisfied with this and, twirling his prayer beads, smiled, "Amitabha, please follow me to the city lord's residence, gentlemen."

...