Chapter 41

Tian Ji Wugong (2)

The stream that had left the lakeside shimmered, embracing the sun.

The boat carrying the late-stage disciples of Shen Wulian did not stop but continued to move forward. It was just that the owner had changed.

During this time, Zheng Lianxin had heard the story of Venerable Yuanzhong.

The story was like a gust of wind following the ripples.

"When you were around, I was immature. I had a body like a piglet, unlike you, who had already stood out as a martial artist."

An early spring breeze blew. The old monk's voice seemed to seep into the trees lining the riverbank.

"The family's prestige was high. My late father was in the Forbidden City. It was only until he was exiled due to false accusations. Thanks to the emperor's grace, I barely survived. That was a miracle in itself."

"Then, where were you exiled?"

"The family became a broken house. Indeed, we were a suitable target for the Blood Flame Sect. When I returned from playing with my peers, no one was alive. They said the leader of the Blood Flame Sect came in person. I... wept bitterly in front of my father's withered corpse."

His voice was poignant. A long-lasting resentment that had not eroded over time could be felt.

Venerable Yuanzhong said, "Would you like to hear what I can do to help? If the martial arts of Breaking Evil and Manifesting Righteousness can be brought into the world, it will be enough. With your talent, you will surely reach the realm of an absolute master one day."

"Thank you for your kind words."

Zheng Lianxin was delighted.

He was just feeling the lack of something. The Buddhist law he had briefly learned from Monk Gezheng was not enough to refine the techniques.

Originally, martial arts techniques also involve organizing the nature of the mental intent contained in the true energy.

Even the manual of the Three Disasters Sword Technique from the marketplace has phrases like "think of cleaving the heavens and earth when you strike horizontally."

In terms of internal cultivation, the enlightenment martial artists speak of usually means finding a more appropriate mental intent for using accumulated power.

Although Zheng Lianxin could derive the method of true energy manipulation after just one look at most techniques, the power would inevitably change if he delved deeper into the mental intent.

He sat down next to Venerable Yuanzhong.

"You mentioned the tenth chapter of the Diamond Sutra. Isn't there a phrase in the 'Adorning the Pure Land' section?"

"······?"

"It's 'abide nowhere and let the mind arise.'"

"What?"

"I'm asking for your teachings."

* * *

The splendid flower boat drifted along the river, following the passage of time.

The late-stage disciples of Shen Wulian did not actually row the boat.

Zheng Lianxin had gathered them to one side. This time, he did not seal their dantians.

It was because of the involvement of the common people. Killing Sword Technique Hua was enough.

The possibility of the boatmen and women being implicated was already high.

'Purify the six roots and create without the mind dwelling anywhere.'

Zheng Lianxin stood still. Except when listening to Venerable Yuanzhong's teachings, he closed his eyes and meditated.

His mere silence was enough to instill fear. Zheng Lianxin had beheaded the famous Sword Technique Hua in one stroke.

To the young men of Shen Wulian, it seemed like the arrogance and confidence of someone who would lead the next generation of Yibei City.

He heard them whispering that he was a genius sent by heaven. Zheng Lianxin smiled bitterly inwardly. It wasn't entirely wrong.

"I will disembark here."

He said to the boatmen. Zheng Lianxin glanced at Venerable Yuanzhong, who had already stepped off the boat.

The late-stage disciples of Shen Wulian hesitated, as if they were about to see him off. It was a behavior Zheng Lianxin had never seen before.

The teachings of a prestigious school did not produce such lackeys.

'They are not late-stage disciples. It means the best among the juniors, not a term to be used lightly.'

Shen Wulian was also a part of the Thirteen Thousand. He thought there must be other late-stage disciples.

The successor of the Shen Wulian leader would be on a different level from these fellows.

Zheng Lianxin spoke.

"What is it?"

"Hmm?"

"These scoundrels are with the common people? It's a ridiculous thought. Get off."

"······."

"To the Yitian Sword Family. Their punishment will be left to Yibei City. You are lucky. You won't die immediately."

Zheng Lianxin decided to use their pursuit as a merit. He was surprised he hadn't thought of it sooner.

They had tried to kill the innocent common people, along with the martial artists of Yibei City and the Shaolin monks.

It was enough to be recorded as a public deed, given their position in the Thirteen Thousand.

Zheng Lianxin tied their arms behind their backs with ropes. The ropes he had were not enough.

He braided some twine on the spot. It was called gao suo. A technique he had learned as a Yibei City warrior.

There were some who needed to be taken alive to fulfill his mission.

Venerable Yuanzhong, who seemed very satisfied, watched with a pleased expression as Zheng Lianxin led the scoundrels forward.

As the main road gradually appeared, passersby passed by with puzzled looks.

Some of the scoundrels hesitated, as if the humiliation was unbearable.

"Don't stop."

The moment a fugitive appeared, Zheng Lianxin's aura became sharp. That was enough.

The scoundrels resumed their steps, following Zheng Lianxin's occasional commands.

Then, a voice called out.

"Aren't you the young masters of Shen Wulian!"

It was a convoy from a security company. They were said to safely transport goods and people in the perilous Central Plains.

The middle-aged man leading the group approached with a gentle smile but suddenly stopped. He seemed to be in charge of the convoy.

'Is he the head of the security company?'

He appeared to be acquainted with the young men of Shen Wulian.

The scoundrels Zheng Lianxin had caught were enjoying the boat ride, pretending to be on ambush duty.

It wasn't strange that they had become familiar with the people from the nearby security company.

"This... What is this...?"

"You have committed crimes and are now in custody of Yibei City. These people are not free. You don't need to help, so please pass by."

Zheng Lianxin said, stepping forward. The middle-aged man's face showed a strange expression.

It was understandable to be puzzled by a young man creating such a scene.

"Do you mean you are from Yibei City now?"

Zheng Lianxin did not answer but took out an identity token from his robe. It was called the Yibei Token.

The gilded wood reflected the bright sunlight.

The middle-aged man's expression changed when he saw the token. Zheng Lianxin immediately noticed.

It was important to him to release the young masters of Shen Wulian. Was he trying to pick up some scraps?

His heart seemed to lean more towards the closer Shen Wulian than the distant Yibei City.

'Not all those who associate with the evil sects are like this fellow.'

Sometimes it was necessary to maintain ties, even with such people.

Few could maintain their principles in the face of a sharp blade.

Would the middle-aged man draw his sword immediately? Such a person would be another evil sect member. The fellow spoke.

"I can hardly believe it. It seems that some quite powerful adults have conspired to pass the task to you. They are ignorant fools. If they truly knew Shen Wulian, they would never do such a thing."

A country bumpkin with a firm misunderstanding. It was the same during the Xin Ye Bai Wu Sect incident.

The difference in discernment between major sects like the Nine Schools and smaller factions seemed greater than the difference in martial power.

Just as Zheng Lianxin was about to reach for his sword,

"Gold Security Officer! What's going on?"

A young man emerged from a carriage in the middle of the stopped convoy.

"Ah, Young Master. You came as a guest but didn't sit down."

The middle-aged man smiled gently, even with Zheng Lianxin in front of him.

His face showed a hint of discomfort. Zheng Lianxin could guess the reason.

The clear and righteous aura emanating from the young man was significant.

'At his age, with such a disposition, he must be the Young Master of the Yitian Sword Family.'

They were almost there. The Yitian Sword Family was said to serve as a branch of Yibei City.

Given the time since the Xin Ye County incident, it was natural for them to be patrolling the area.

Zheng Lianxin took a step forward.

"I am from Yibei City..."

"Amazing! I get to meet Young Hero Yan first in our family!"

He seemed to have quickly assessed Zheng Lianxin's attire and the token in his hand.

The Young Master of the Yitian Sword Family approached with excitement, even using light movement techniques.

He greeted Zheng Lianxin, saying he had heard of the achievements of Yibei City and the news of the Eight Vicious Demon Sword.

The middle-aged man's face twisted as the Young Master of the Yitian Sword Family made a fuss.

"When I saw the phrase about taking the head of the Eight Vicious Demon Sword, I guessed! A great figure has appeared! Indeed, your eyes are extraordinary!"

"Are you the Young Master of the Yitian Sword Family? Are there more people from the main city waiting for me?"

Zheng Lianxin asked, not being swept away by his energetic demeanor. It was a crucial moment to establish precedence.

The Young Master of the Yitian Sword Family's eyes immediately sparkled.

His aura became calm in an instant, almost as if it was his true nature.

"Yes. I am Xian Liuliang of the Yitian Sword Family."

He finally smiled lightly and made a bow.

"Many are already waiting. With your arrival, all the people who went on the mission will be gathered. There was also a Shaolin monk. With Ma Guangyi, Monk Gezheng, and you, Yan, today seems to be a day of enlightenment."

"Thank you for the information. Excuse me for a moment."

Zheng Lianxin took out a small bottle from his robe. He held it in his left hand and tilted it with his right, pouring out water.

People looked at him curiously, and he soon approached the middle-aged man from the security company.

The fellow posing as a security officer said,

"I still don't believe it. You prove your identity with just an identity token? The Iron Clan isn't exclusive to Yibei City!"

"The moment Xian Liuliang stepped forward, I felt the aura from your body. It was very familiar. You can't hide it at all."

Zheng Lianxin used the叠加 of the Time Extreme Jing true energy at full power.

The figure that spun around after pushing off the ground spoke the last words behind the middle-aged man.

His fingertips, wrapped in the wind, felt cold.

He extended his wet hand and swept away the fellow's hair, revealing a red strand of hair as black liquid clung to his fingers.

"This is significant."

Zheng Lianxin muttered calmly. Chaos erupted among the security company people, who watched with anxious eyes.

It was widely known that the Blood Flame Sect's doctrine forbade covering the head.

It seemed unrelated to dyeing. He had never heard of such a perfect dye.

Even Jin Lüe, who had posed as a noble, was a killer for the Blood Flame Sect.

Whatever method they used, they would be as deadly as the bald members of the Blood Flame Sect.

The Blood Cult was said to have a rapid entry achievement.

'If they can cover their heads...'

It would make it easier to infiltrate many people into various sects and security companies.

Xian Liuliang was different from the frozen Blood Flame Sect member. His perceptiveness was very sharp, and his face immediately hardened.

Zheng Lianxin glanced at Venerable Yuanzhong and spoke.

"You mentioned thinking about restoring the Shaolin Guanyin Qinggang Technique. I want to include 'Qinggangshou' in the name of the martial arts. Would you allow it?"

"Amitabha. It would be a great honor."

He seemed to have understood the implications. Venerable Yuanzhong raised one palm.

It was a gesture of respect from Shaolin Temple. His treatment of Zheng Lianxin had become extremely respectful from some point.

His words and actions had completely changed. He said it was the proper respect for a young grandmaster.

"These despicable fellows! How dare they...!"

The enraged Blood Flame Sect member turned around. At the same moment he met Zheng Lianxin's eyes, a sinister aura began to rise.

Zheng Lianxin was rather pleased. He could feel a considerable level of cultivation.

Was it the Blood Flame Sect Sword? There might be black strands in the dyed hair.

'No matter how many there are, it's meaningless now.'

Among the security company from Pingzheng Mountain, the Young Master of the Yitian Sword Family, the Shaolin martial monk, and the late-stage disciples of Shen Wulian.

Zheng Lianxin slowly raised his hand, and the nature of his aura was different from before.

His full-body aura had a quality of a Dharma King.

It was enough to calmly overcome the sinister aura of the Blood Flame Sect member.

"You are the scoundrel."

He said, and moved his hand simultaneously.