strokinit Chapter 376 Inertia, Decision
Chapter 376 Inertia, Decision
Chapter 376 Inertia, Decision
On the busiest street in Yuhang City, crowds thronged and vendors' cries filled the air.
Silks and satins, exquisite trinkets, and a dazzling array of snacks depict the unique prosperity and bustle of the Jiangnan water towns.
In the bustling crowd, the figures of a monk and a Taoist priest stood out.
The monk was about fifty years old, dressed in a bright yellow robe with a large red and gold-embroidered kasaya over it. He held a string of shiny Buddhist prayer beads in his hand, had a ruddy complexion, and a dignified appearance. He walked with a powerful stride, exuding an awe-inspiring presence. He was none other than Master Pufa, the head monk of the Prajna Hall at Shaolin Temple.
Walking alongside him was a young Taoist priest, dressed in a moon-white robe, carrying a long sword on his back. He had a handsome face and an otherworldly air about him; he was none other than Luo Qingyang, the current number one on the Feathered Ascension Sect's ranking list. Although young, his aura was refined and his steps were steady, clearly indicating an extremely solid foundation.
The two were not acting so ostentatiously in the city because they had nothing better to do.
This was precisely the strategy they had agreed upon—to bluff and demonstrate their full strength in order to intimidate those hidden in the shadows who harbored countless covetous schemes.
After all, they came from extremely distinguished backgrounds.
Among the world's top powers, there is a saying: "Three Taoists, Three Monks, Three Holy Lands, Six Heretical Paths, Nine Demonic Sects, and Twelve Aristocratic Families."
Shaolin Temple is the head of Buddhism. In the past, the founder of Shaolin crossed the Yangtze River on a reed, and the Buddha's teachings were boundless.
The Feathered Ascension Sect is the leading sect of Taoism, rumored to possess the lineage of ancient immortals and the secret of ascension to immortality.
Both are behemoths with powerful Dharma Masters in charge, possessing unfathomable depths of power.
In Master Pufa's view, unless a powerful force of the same level sends a Grandmaster-level expert to personally take action, those forces that are lurking like hyenas will never dare to swarm forward and do anything to these two people who represent the face of Shaolin and Yuhua Sect.
The more confident they appear, the safer they are.
The situation over the past few days seems to confirm this, as even the two infamous Grandmasters of the Demonic Sect have remained inactive, making their situation quite "safe".
On the surface, Luo Qingyang maintained a calm and composed demeanor, chatting and laughing with Master Pufa. In reality, he had already pushed his five senses to their limits, listening to everything around him and capturing every bit of information circulating in the streets and alleys, like a vigilant fox.
Seeing this, Master Pufa smiled nonchalantly: "Nephew Luo, why be so nervous? Just relax."
"Our Shaolin monks are highly accomplished, their Buddhist teachings reaching the heavens and attaining the realm of the Great Perfection; your sect's leader is even more accomplished, nearly reaching the pinnacle of enlightenment."
"With two highly accomplished masters presiding over our sect, how dare any petty person act presumptuously? Only by adopting this posture can we demonstrate the grandeur of our sect and deter evil spirits."
His voice was booming, filled with absolute confidence in the strength of his sect, even carrying a hint of complacency and relaxation, as if everything was under his control.
Upon hearing this, Luo Qingyang merely nodded slightly, but did not lower his guard, continuing to fully perceive his surroundings.
Suddenly, he caught the key words in the hushed conversation of several departing martial arts practitioners—"Star Lord," "Drunken Moon Pavilion," and "Your Highness the Crown Prince"—
Luo Qingyang's expression changed drastically, and he could no longer maintain his composure. He abruptly turned to Master Pufa, his tone filled with an unprecedented anxiety: "Master Pufa, that Crown Prince, Star Lord Li Xijun, has arrived in Yuhang. He's currently at the Drunken Moon Pavilion in the city!"
Master Pufa was taken aback at first, then waved his hand dismissively: "Oh? His Highness the Star Lord has arrived? So what?"
"He is like us, born into the Star Palace, one of the Three Sacred Lands, and now he is the Crown Prince of Great Xia, a man of noble status. How could he possibly harm us, fellow righteous disciples?"
He remained immersed in the sense of security brought by the aura of the powerful faction.
"It's not that we're afraid he'll harm us!" Luo Qingyang said urgently, speaking rapidly, "Master, we should immediately go and pay our respects, offering this keystone as a token of our cooperation, seeking protection. Only then can we truly be safe."
"What? You're going to give the keystone away?" Master Pufa frowned, his face showing obvious displeasure and confusion. "How is this safer? This item is of great importance; how can we give it away so easily?"
Luo Qingyang was anxious, but he patiently explained, "Master, with the arrival of that Star Lord, the fragile balance has been completely shattered. Previously, the Demonic Sect, the Cui Family, and the Great River Alliance were wary of each other and formed a standoff, which is why we were able to remain safe."
"Now that the balance has collapsed, we two are the weakest and are very likely to become the primary targets of some desperate individuals!"
"The worst-case scenario is that they join forces, act swiftly and decisively, and wipe us out with lightning speed, seizing the keystone first and opening the secret realm. By then, it will be too late."
Upon hearing this, Master Pufa hesitated for a moment, but his preconceived notions quickly prevailed. He pondered and said, "Nephew Luo, aren't you exaggerating? I am also a Grandmaster on the Earth Ranking. This place is not a desolate wilderness, but a prosperous area in Jiangnan, not far from our sects. With the banners of Shaolin and Yuhua Sect, I doubt the Cui family and the Great River Alliance would dare to defy the world and kill us."
His words still held a sliver of hope, unwilling to give up the opportunity to potentially monopolize or dominate the exploration of the secret realm.
Hearing this, Luo Qingyang was furious, but the more he felt this way, the more a cool sensation arose in his chaotic thoughts, making his mind incredibly clear.
He instantly understood: Master Pufa wasn't unaware of the pros and cons he was talking about; rather, it was greed and habitual thinking that were at play.
The other party still held the superior attitude of being from a major sect, always thinking of delaying the time, just like in many past battles for secret realms, waiting for the stronger grandmasters in the sect to arrive, and then using the sect's prestige to persuade most of the competitors to retreat without bloodshed, and finally the major sects would leisurely divide the benefits, maintaining a superficial "decency" and "order".
Thinking of this, he suddenly stopped, standing in the middle of the bustling street, calmly looking at Master Pufa, and finally asked to confirm, "Master, I remember that after you killed the Demonic Sect's Grandmaster of Dharma, Blood Butcher Ning Yanfeng, and advanced to the Earth Ranking, you returned to the temple to take charge of the Prajna Hall. Later—it seems you have been secretly cultivating Buddhism in the temple for more than twenty years without truly engaging in worldly affairs, haven't you?"
Although Master Pufa did not understand his meaning, he still nodded with self-satisfaction: "Amitabha, that is indeed so. After the war, I stayed in the temple for a long time, devoting myself to Buddhism. If it weren't for this opportunity, and—well, to be honest, one of the three monks, the Undying Venerable King of Vajra Temple, will soon be traveling through Jiangnan from the west. I have some karmic connection with Vajra Temple from the past, and I need to personally receive him. I probably wouldn't have come down the mountain so easily."
He lowered his voice, his tone carrying a hint of frankness and a final admonition: "The reason I've insisted on delaying is because I've learned that the Undying Venerable King is expected to arrive tonight or tomorrow."
"He is a top figure below the Dharma Body level. With him around, all evil spirits and monsters will naturally retreat."
"I didn't tell you before because I was afraid the matter wouldn't be kept secret. Now I'm telling you, hoping that Junior Nephew Luo will remain calm and not make the wrong choice due to panic, thus failing the sect's expectations."
Luo Qingyang's inward sneer deepened: "Just as I thought! To wait for reinforcements, they've placed us in such a perilous situation! And they've pinned their hopes on others!"
At this point, his last shred of affection and hesitation towards this Shaolin master vanished completely.
A resolute glint flashed in Luo Qingyang's eyes.
He no longer tried to persuade the old monk, whose eyes were blinded by the glory of his sect.
Under the expectant gaze of Master Pufa, and amidst countless curious and inquisitive eyes, Luo Qingyang expressionlessly and blatantly took out a black box from his robes. The box was neither made of gold nor wood, was engraved with mysterious runes, and emitted faint spatial fluctuations.
It is the secret realm "Key Stone" that has attracted countless covetous eyes!
He handed the black box to Master Pufa with both hands, his voice clear and calm, echoing far down the street: "Master, you are highly respected and your cultivation is profound. This item is of great importance, and it is safer to leave it with you. I am young and inexperienced, and my strength is weak. I am afraid I am not capable of shouldering this heavy responsibility. Therefore, I entrust the task of escorting it to you."
"I am feeling unwell and need to find a quiet place to rest. I will take my leave for now."
Having said that, he didn't give Master Pufa a chance to react or refuse. He shoved the black box into the other man's hand, then his figure blurred as if he had turned into a wisp of green smoke, instantly rushing into the bustling crowd beside him. He disappeared in a few leaps, his speed astonishing.
Master Pufa was left standing there, holding the black box that had suddenly become scalding hot. His face turned pale and then red. Under the gaze of countless eyes that suddenly became fiery, greedy, and even malicious, he seemed somewhat at a loss.
He never expected that Luo Qingyang would be so decisive, simply throwing the thing to him and leaving on his own!