Chapter 44

In the Great Hero Hall of Shaolin Temple, Abbot Xuanci sat above, reciting scriptures and explaining their essence. The monks below listened with their heads nodding, completely absorbed.

"Abbot, do you think we should also dispatch some disciples to the deep mountains to gather medicinal herbs?" Dharma Master Xuannan, the head of the Dharma Hall, with a peaceful appearance and white eyebrows and beard, suddenly spoke up.

"Yes, I heard that the Wuxian Sect has re-emerged. The sect leader, Wu Yazi, has been gathering forces from all directions, like the Eight Friends of Hangu Pass, who have all merged into the Wuxian Sect. They have also established rules that disciples must enter the deep mountains to contribute rare herbs and spiritual minerals in exchange for secret manuals, and even the few supreme techniques of the Wuxian Sect can be exchanged."

Dharma Master Xuan Kong, the head of the Luohan Hall, frowned slightly. The Wuxian Sect was originally very secretive and had been out of the world for about thirty years, known only to a few old martial arts masters.

"But yesterday, it was said that the sect leader Wu Yazi transformed into a three-zhang black eagle in the Wuliang Mountains, spread his wings, and flew to the Western Regions in just one hour, killing the old monster Ding Chunqiu of the Xingxiu Sect with overwhelming force. His reputation has soared, and people now think the Wuxian Sect is a sect of immortals, all vying to join."

"If this continues, the position of Shaolin Temple in the martial world might be shaken," Dharma Master Xuan Ling, the head of the Discipline Hall, said worriedly. Shaolin Temple is now the undisputed first sect in the martial world, but the strength of the Wuxian Sect's leader is unfathomable, and it is said that he has three fellow disciples, all of whom are formidable.

The Shaolin disciples below were bewildered. Is the Wuxian Sect really that strong?

Wu Yazi transforming into a three-zhang giant eagle?

Flying to the Western Regions in just one hour, how far is the Wuliang Mountains from the Western Regions, thousands of miles?

Could it be that the heads of the halls were still in a daze from last night?

"Now, the heads of the halls are possessed, Abbot should dismiss all of them and let them rest, and I can become the head of the hall." A few senior disciples of the heads of the halls smiled.

"Amitabha, what the junior brothers said makes sense, but what should we do?" Abbot Xuanci's face was solemn. The pressure on Shaolin Temple is really too great. Other sects send at most two or three representatives to auctions, but Shaolin Temple sends nearly thirty.

Although Shaolin Temple has many traditions, when it comes to Shaolin Temple, everyone knows about the seventy-two supreme techniques. Of course, Shaolin Temple has more than just the seventy-two techniques; it has many secret manuals from other sects as well.

But what good is that? If I hadn't run fast, even the seventy-two supreme techniques of Shaolin Temple would have been ineffective.

Damn! Damn! Damn!

A few senior disciples of the heads of the halls looked at each other, their eyes filled with deep despair. The abbot and the heads of the halls have been missing for a few days, could they have been in seclusion, and now their minds are messed up?

If their minds are messed up, would they still choose a normal disciple to be the head of the hall?

"Amitabha, Abbot, I think we should send disciples like the Wuxian Sect to gather rare herbs and spiritual minerals in the deep mountains." The second disciple of the Dharma Hall, his eyes flickering, suggested.

Damn!

The first disciple of the Dharma Hall, upon hearing this, looked annoyed. Why didn't I think of that? I didn't know I could go with the flow. Isn't that what we usually do when explaining the Buddhist scriptures?

"Amitabha, Abbot, no, Shaolin Temple is a place for cultivating the body and mind, how can we enter the mundane world like the Wuxian Sect?" The third disciple of the Dharma Hall, with a sudden idea, said firmly.

It's over!

The first disciple of the Dharma Hall looked sad. I can be excused for not thinking of it first, but when others propose an agreement, you should instantly think of an objection. Such a simple principle, and you don't understand it. The position of the next head of the Dharma Hall is probably in jeopardy.

"Amitabha, Abbot, I think neither the second nor the third disciple's suggestions are stable. We should observe the situation and adapt to the development of the Wuxian Sect accordingly." The first disciple of the Dharma Hall, after finishing his words, his forehead slightly sweating, let out a light breath. Fortunately, he thought of a middle ground, neither opposing nor agreeing.

Abbot Xuanci and the heads of the halls looked at each other. Are these disciples so insightful?

We haven't even had time to tell them about the Ten Thousand Worlds Tower, and they already understand what we are talking about?

The other heads of the halls looked enviously at the Dharma Hall head, whose disciples all had extraordinary insight. In the future, their cultivation of Buddhism would be much more efficient, and becoming high monks would be no problem.

Abbot Xuanci looked at them with approving eyes.

The disciples of the other heads of the halls, seeing Abbot Xuanci's approving eyes, cursed the Dharma Hall head's disciples in their hearts for being cunning.

One by one, they started to think.

"Amitabha, Abbot, I think we should follow the Wuxian Sect's example..." A disciple of the Discipline Hall, elaborating on his point of view, cited scriptures and classics, making Abbot Xuanci and the heads of the halls nod slightly, almost convinced.

"Amitabha, Abbot, I think we should not follow the Wuxian Sect's example..." A disciple of the Bodhi Hall, speaking fluently, pointed out the drawbacks, making Abbot Xuanci and the heads of the halls nod slightly, looking hesitant, not daring to make a decision easily.

"Amitabha, Abbot, I think we should observe from the sidelines..." A disciple of the abbot, inwardly laughing, thought this was a good opportunity. The next abbot will be me.

"What? The Ten Thousand Worlds Tower is having a sale?" Abbot Xuanci and the heads of the halls suddenly stood up and disappeared from the hall.

The abbot's disciple, "...".

In the first place, the Divine Marshal's Mansion.

Ironhearted Divine Marshal Zhu Wushì sat by the bed, looking tenderly at the woman lying on the bed. The woman, about thirty years old, wore a white robe, looking like a celestial being, with a beautiful and dignified appearance, skin as smooth as ice and snow, and a slightly pale face, adding a touch of melancholy, making one feel a deep sense of pity.

"Suxin, come and take your medicine." Ironhearted Divine Marshal picked up a bowl of medicine, carefully scooped a spoonful, blew on it a few times, and gently placed it at the lips of the woman named Suxin.

Bang!

"Father, the Ten Thousand Worlds Tower is having a sale." Duan Tianya suddenly burst in, his usually calm face slightly agitated.

"What?" Ironhearted Divine Marshal, who was angry at the intrusion, suddenly looked delighted, making Suxin, who was lying on the bed, a bit stunned. Ironhearted Divine Marshal, except when with her, rarely showed a smile, and now he was so excited?

"Let's go, I'll feed you on the way." Ironhearted Divine Marshal Zhu Wushì picked up Suxin and disappeared from the room.

In the Blood Sword, the Hall of Great Harmony in the Ming Imperial Palace.

"Cheng'en, where are the Guan Ning Iron Riders? They must arrive within five days, and anyone who dares to obstruct them will be killed without mercy." Emperor Chongzhen Zhu Youjian paced back and forth in the palace, his temper growing more irritable with each passing day.

If the Guan Ning Iron Riders do not arrive within five days, he can already imagine the outcome of the Eight-Nation Alliance.

The Ming and Song dynasties, the Ming army is strong, and the Song army is wealthy. Among the Ming, he is the emperor of a fallen nation, with the least troops, and the Song dynasty has a terrifying 800,000 imperial guards. Without the Guan Ning Iron Riders, he cannot compete with them.

"Your Majesty, the 10,000 Guan Ning Iron Riders will definitely arrive by today." Cheng'en had said this countless times, and he had never seen Emperor Chongzhen Zhu Youjian so anxious.

Even when the Eight Banners surrounded Shun天府, Emperor Chongzhen Zhu Youjian, though anxious in his heart, still maintained a calm demeanor. Now, it's as if the Eight Banners have already entered the palace.

"Cheng'en, is the food for the reward prepared? It must be the most sumptuous. If there is not enough, it can be directly taken from the imperial kitchen." Emperor Chongzhen Zhu Youjian's frown eased slightly, but he was still anxious, not feeling reassured until he saw the Guan Ning Iron Riders with his own eyes.

"Your Majesty, all the food for rewarding the Guan Ning Iron Riders will be prepared by the imperial kitchen. Please rest assured." Cheng'en reassured him.

"What? The Ten Thousand Worlds Tower is having a sale, all items at a 10% discount, and there are such good deeds? What is the merit of the Heavenly Dao?"

A message suddenly appeared in his mind. Emperor Chongzhen, muttering to himself, laughed out loud. Is there such a good deal? This time, I will buy more grain and weapons to prepare for the Qing army. He instantly disappeared from the hall, leaving Cheng'en with a shocked expression.

******

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