The Buddhist Great Mercy Temple, secular One Word Palace, Taoist Jilong, Eyang, and Kunlun were collectively called the Five Blessings. They were in charge of the true cultivators of the Right Path and enjoyed all glory under the heavens for a thousand years. The heads of the Five Blessings were rarely seen, usually spending their time cultivating in the mountains. Even one of the heads coming down the mountain would ignite a great wave of excitement. Now, for the sake of an unpopular name, the Wen Bucao, who were not even true cultivators, four of the Five Blessings’ prominent personas are gathered.
Nobody could tell if this was an auspicious event in the realm of true cultivators or a great tragedy for the Wen Bucao.
A few moments later, footsteps can be heard from the village entrance. Shan Duan, wearing his usual smile was leading a few dozen monks up the mountain. The monks walked with heavy footsteps. Not only did they not use any magical powers, they did not even use their Qi to make their bodies light. They walked up the mountain using only their physical strength, showing their high respects towards the Wen Bucao.
Behind the monks followed many hundreds of old priests. The priests were divided according to their looks into green robes, apricot robes, and white robes.
The four elders of the Wen family alongside First Uncle Wen Tunhai and Wen Leyang went forward to welcome them. Grand Elder Wen reached for the abbot Shan Duan’s hand and chuckled, “Thank you for your trouble, holy monk.”
The abbot Shan Duan smiled while he bowed with joined hands, ignoring the priests behind him when he said, “Not at all, old friend. Wen Bucao and Great Mercy Temple are of the same bloodline, we are of the same tree. Our origins are not something that can be understood by simply anyone.”
After Shan Duan finished talking, he raised his head and gave an inconspicuous signal to the old rabbit demon Bu Le who was hiding among the Wen Bucao ranks.
Five monks marched forward from their group and saluted Grand Elder Wen together, “The first seats of the Great Mercy Temple’s Five Supreme Monasteries have met Grand Elder Wen.”
The stammering Hope Voice was not among the five first seats of the monastery.
The six core persons of the Wen family returned the gesture hastily. Wen Leyang straightened his back and smiled at the stuttering monk in the monk’s ranks saying, “Little holy monk has renounced the title of a first seat of the monastery?”
The stammering monk frowned while shaking his head, “The ten…ten months that I… I spent in the mountain has held up my progress in my home… homework. So I invited brother Hope Aware to come, come back.”
The monk Hope Aware was the old monk who had his cell phone snatched away by Chang Li at the entrance of the cave on Zhanyan peak. Now he was once again given the title of a first seat of the monastery by abbot Shan Duan. He had a sour expression and kept an eye on the blunderbuss Wen Xiaoyi was holding.
Wen Xiaoyi grinned and stuck out her tongue to Hope Aware, “Whose Dopod?” The old monk shook his head with a sour expression, “Now the monks have switched to BBK.”
Wen Bucao was stingy as usual. The elders only talked to the monks while they completely ignored the other people present. The priests had organized themselves into three groups based on the color of their robes. The green-robed Jilong sect disciples were looking gloomy, though their eyes were full of hostility. The apricot-robed priests were indignant while the old white-robed priests were in a good mood. They were smiling like audience actors. When their eyes met the Wen disciples, they smiled while nodding in acknowledgment.
After a while, a young white-robed priest finally spoke up, “Holy monk Shan Duan, the priests have been standing here for half a day. We’re waiting for you to introduce us.”
The old monk Shan Duan smiled peacefully, “My fault, my fault. I was overjoyed meeting some old friends. I had completely forgotten about all of you.” He grabbed Grand Elder Wen’s wrist as he said, “Old friend, let me introduce you to some experts.”
Grand Elder Wen only smiled silently with squinted eyes.
Shan Duan led the Wen party quickly in front of the green robes, pointed at the first sour-looking old priest, who had a hunchback and was breathing laboriously, “This is the enlightened Zi Que from the Jilong sect. His cultivation of thunder skills was indeed alarming. His magic tool Unmovable Sun and Moon’s Disaster is also a rare and powerful treasure!”
The old priest Zi Que looked nothing like an established enlightened person. He looked more like an old widower. His eyes were cloudy until it was hard to distinguish between black and white. He raised his quivering head, nodded towards Grand Elder Wen with a blank expression while saying drily, “Wen Bucao, what a great fellow.” He then glanced at Wen Leyang with those cloudy eyes.
Shan Duan was not finished with his introduction. “Enlightened Zi Que is the birthday star of our generation. He is almost three hundred years old.”
Zi Que sighed and shook his head. His tone was helpless but with no signs of apprehension, “It’s three hundred and two!”
Shan Duan laughed warmly, “This monk’s brain is getting rusty…” He did not finish his sentence before Wen Buzuo continued from behind, “The master whose looks aren’t too good behind enlightened Zi Que looks familiar.”
The chatterbox Wen Buzuo was always following behind Fourth Elder Wen everywhere. It was only natural that he followed the core members of the Wen family here.
When Shan Duan is talking to people from the Wen family, he did not address himself as a monk, but used Jianghu slang instead, “You must be joking. This is the enlightened sword-nearer, brother Qing Niao. He recently visited Nine Peaks Mountain.”
Wen Buzuo made an exaggerated shocked expression, “Oh! I could not recognize him at all. When master Qing Niao came last he was very lively. His saintly air was nothing like this undignified appearance now.” He did not even look at the expressions of the Jilong disciples. He led the monk Shan Duan towards the apricot-robed priests, “Holy monk, do introduce me to these masters.”
Jilong Way had been ridiculed by Wen Buzuo and Shan Duan for half a day. Their faces were colder than a knife, but they did not utter a word. Their leader Zi Que was still hunched over, breathing laboriously.
Wen Buzuo took a few steps before stopping as if he suddenly remembered something and turned around to face the Jilong sword-bearer Qing Niao, “Master, please be slower when you’re executing your magic this time. The lightning rod of the Wen family hasn’t been maintained very well. I’m afraid that it cannot take any more hits.”
The enlightened sword-bearer’s eyes almost popped out of their sockets, but still, the head did not shift from his half-dead half-alive look. The hierarchy in the Jilong sect is very strict. If Zi Que doesn’t speak, the other disciples would not dare to open their mouths.
Shan Duan shook his head while smiling. He went in front of the apricot-robed priests. He had not said anything before the leading priest stepped forward, passing the demon monk Shan Duan and came face to face with Wen Buzuo, his voice deep and stern, “The advantage of words is the boon of the villain. Don’t regret when you eventually reap the sour fruits which upset your stomach.”
The apricot-robed priest looked to be about in his fifties. He has a medium build but he was surprisingly muscular. His arms were thicker than the average person.
Wen Buzuo’s expression did not change, he returned the apricot-robed priest’s glare with a fierce gaze. He changed his playful tone, opting for a lofty tone of an established expert, “The proud Yelang looked at the sky from within a well, not knowing that his humiliation is upon him.”
The monk Shan Duan was still laughing heartlessly, he moved in between the two, “Are you two having a duet? Haha. Both of you are so knowledgeable, you’re making me seem shallow. This is the head of Eyang sect, the enlightened San Wei.”
Grand Elder Wen nodded, gave San Wei an offhand comment, “Let’s catch up later.” Then he walked towards the white robes. What startled Wen Leyang was that the leader of the white robe was a young slender fellow. He was good-looking and looked to be about in his twenties. They were about the same age.
The white robes did not wait for Wen Leyang to speak but saluted Wen Buzuo with a dry smile, not having any air of a head, “I did not offend you, don’t slander me with your words. I have just recently become the head and my prestige is as low as it is. If I were to be made a joke by you, a mutiny would be waiting for me once I get back.”
For the first time in his life, Wen Buzuo was at a loss for words. This was the first time he met someone who did not care about their status.
The monk Shan Duan laughed to lighten the mood, “Brother Liu Zheng of the Kunlun sect is one in a generation kind of guy. He completed his training while he was a youth, he is indeed a top prodigy of the right path in thousands of years!”
Liu Zheng was still smiling drily. He shifted his body to salute Shan Duan, “Holy monk please do not say that. My brothers and sisters are already not fond of me. If you praise me like this, they would give me more trouble once we get back.”
The white-robed Kunlun priests behind him all laughed with helpless expressions.
Shan Duan was seemingly on good terms with him. The monk gestured while laughing, “Haha, it would be best if we can do away with a nonsense-spouting head like you!”
Liu Zheng chuckled as he straightened his back. His eyes shone brightly like stars. He minded his manners and saluted the four elders of the Wen family accordingly, regarding himself as the junior with his tone.
Wen Buzuo’s lips twitched but said nothing. The priest Liu Zheng’s face unexpectedly lit up, nodded repeatedly towards him, “Thank you, thank you. Thank you for showing mercy…”
The introduction of the three sects had just finished when the two elders of the Luo family and the Second Mother of Miao Bujiao bringing little Chi Miaojiu arrived with hundreds of men behind them. The zombies leading elites of the Luo and shamans of the Miao wore dark expressions, their cold stares might even freeze flies to death.
The Grand Elder Luo yelled at Grand Elder Wen as soon he entered the village, “Old Wen, you do not honor the brotherhood code!”
The Second Mother also nodded, “We are of the same root of Tuo Xie…wow, this flag of yours is so cool! We should make one when we get back.”
A few dozen Wen Bucao disciples were supporting the Great Flag steadily. The two words Tuo Xie were like sharp blades, embedding themselves in everyone’s sight.
The heads of the Miao and Luo families greeted the monks from the Great Mercy Temple. They led their elites and joined ranks with Wen Bucao. Grand Elder Luo then asked, “Young ones of the Wen, tell me, who is the enemy?”
Wen Buzuo walked closer with an elated expression and pointed at the green-robed Jilong disciples, “This bunch was here looking for trouble two weeks ago. They were utterly defeated and now have brought their allies back to seek revenge.” As he was saying this he pointed to the apricot-robed Eyang sect, “They’re the helpers of the green robes. I reckon they’ll be beaten up as well.”
Grand Elder Luo nodded sternly, pointed to the white-robed Kunlun sect with his chin, “How about them?”
Wen Buzuo hesitated slightly, “I can’t say, they have been polite ever since they ascended the mountain. It remains unclear if they’re enemies or guests, but it won’t hurt to guard against them.”
The young white-robed priest was still smiling at Wen Buzuo, showing his orderly teeth. The purity and cheerfulness of youth showed on his face. His smile was contagious, even.
Wen Leyang smiled as well. The impression Liu Zheng gave him was quite good.
After a temporary mess, the introductions were finally complete. Shan Duan muttered under his breath, “Amitabha,” and returned to the ranks of the Great Mercy Temple.
At this moment, the head of the Jilong sect, Zi Que, who was wheezing like a broken wind box, finally moved two steps forward. His cloudy eyes betrayed no sign of emotions as he looked at the monks from the Great Mercy Temple, “Holy monks of the Great Mercy Temple, do you really wish to protect these group of evildoers?” His voice was hoarse as if his throat was covered with phlegm. It was painful to listen, makes you want to help him cough it out to clear his voice.
The demon monk Shan Duan smiled lightly and resumed his air of the first head of the Buddhist sect, his tone filled with justness and magnanimity, “Master Zi Que has gone too far, this humble monk only hopes to be just to all brothers on the Nine Peaks Mountain.” After he finished speaking, he gave a benevolent smile and spoke no more.
The old priest Qing Niao which was standing behind Zi Que also stepped forward and laughed coldly, “Justice! Jilong sect has gathered the dharma bodies of our fellow Taoist brothers and the holy monks of Great Mercy Temple on Nine Peaks Mountain to just that, to have justice!”
The old priest Qing Niao had suffered grave injuries the last time, although most of it was superficial external wounds which had mostly recovered after half a month. “Two years ago, there was a demonic person who murdered my disciple who was a cultivator of the right path. This seat led his disciples up to the mountain to investigate,” as he was saying this, he glared at Grand Elder Wen with a gaze as sharp as a knife, “Wen Bucao, do you have the gut to tell the Great Mercy Temple what this seat told you after he ascended the mountain?”
Wen Buzuo stepped forward from behind Fourth Elder Wen, frowned and thought for a while. He coughed and mimicked Qing Niao’s tone, “This seat’s memory is not too bad. I’m sure I can remember seven names. You’re still too green, little demon thunder!” Although his voice was not like Qing Niao’s he mimicked the tone flawlessly.
Wen Leyang chuckled and stepped forward unintentionally. He covered Wen Buzuo’s mouth from the side. He was repaying kindness with vice. This time with the other sects present, Jilong sect still had a reputation to maintain, so they won’t resort to sneaking an attack on a sharp-tongued person.
The priests were puzzled. While it was clear that Wen Buzuo was impersonating the old priest Qing Niao of the Jilong sect, they had no idea what he was talking about.
Wen Buzuo enjoyed his satisfaction before explaining slowly, “This great sword wielding old Taoist only said these three sentences after he ascended the mountain. All the others were said by a young priest behind him.”
Laughter erupted from the group of Wen Bucao disciples.
The enlightened sword-bearer old priest Qing Niao’s chest was heaving, he panted heavily two times and barely calmed himself, “I, Qing Niao would never trouble myself with the likes of you. After I ascended the mountain the last time, my disciples had clearly stated our identities and intentions…”
Qing Niao wanted to continue but he was cut short by an impatient Wen Buzuo who could never say enough, “Nobody is suing you in court, the Wen family would also rather not oppose you. Spare us your meaningless words. If you want to fight, then fight. If you’re all bark and no bite then quickly scramble down the mountain instead of humiliating yourselves here!” He turned and left after he finished.
The priest Qing Niao was on the verge of bursting from all the pent-up anger. He bellowed, “You bastard! I’m done talking, who’s the first one to die?” The great sword in his embrace seemed to sense its master’s rage and a dazzling thunderous light erupted.
The old priest had just finished talking when the sky was filled with glowing light in a flash. Hundreds of voices from the Wen Bucao’s ranks shouted at the same time, “I’ll get him!” In an instant, flying swords, godly sand, ghost crossbows, heaven-shattering seals, rakshasa and an armada of countless magic tools flew up into the sky together. Almost all of the rogue cultivators had unleashed their treasured weapons, all struck at the old priest Qing Niao.
These rogue cultivators were here in search of a fight. They were long past the point of impatience from all that bickering. Finally, they got what they wanted when Wen Buzuo won the debate and the old priest Qing Niao started the fight with a yell. They did not think twice and unleashed their treasures. It was only after they had done so did they realize that they were not the only one unleashing their treasured weapons and started recalling them frantically. The rogue cultivators were a proud bunch. They would never gang up on just a single enemy.
Qing Niao did not expect to see a torrent of treasured weapons right after he finished shouting. All the hairs on his body stood up, not out of fear, but out of fury. These treasured weapons were nothing serious in his eyes. He let out another cry. The great sword in his hand rose up and flew towards the rogue cultivators’ treasured weapons, singing loudly as it did so.
The great sword had just flown up when the countless treasured weapons that covered the sky vanished without a trace. Of the two times the old priest Qing Niao ascended the mountain, he had countless encounters like this already. Every time he attacked the enemy would retreat. He was angered out of his wits. He flipped his palms, the great sword sounded like the wind and sliced towards the Great Tuo Xie Flag like a flash of lightning.
Two loud voices were heard from among the Wen disciples, “Do it!”
Seven strips of beautiful colors shot up the sky. The seven fat men each wielded their great knives, combined the seven strips of colors into a rainbow which shot up from the ground to meet the great sword.
There was a loud bang. The rainbow was shattered and the great sword was shaken. The seven fat men and the enlightened sword-bearer staggered backward simultaneously.
Wen Nine and Wen Thirteen looked caringly at the Rainbow brothers, “Are you alright?”
“We are!” The seven fat men responded unanimously.
The two silly uncles relaxed. They raised their hands and pointed at the waving flag while ordering, “Defend the Great Flag!” They were the ones who shouted, “Do it!”
The seven fat men were obedient. They wielded their great knives and strutted to the base of the flagpole, standing guard with serious expressions
Grand Elder Wen was also angered now. He pointed a finger at the old priest Qing Niao, saying three words drily, “You must die.” After he said that, he treated Qing Niao like he was already dead, not even looking his way.
Shan Duan gestured behind him, the first seats of the Five Supreme Monasteries led the other monks and stood by the Wen Bucao, clearly stating the side they were taking.
Only Shan Duan and the stammering Hope Voice remained where they were.
The sword-bearer Qing Niao glared at the monks. He spoke in a high and mighty voice with a hint of hoarseness, “Is the Great Mercy Temple serious about protecting this gang of demons?”
Shan Duan still wore his Buddha-like merciful expression and replied dryly, “Do take care of yourself brother Qing Niao. As of just now, this monk has not seen any demons, only you firing your sword.”
The enlightened Zi Que, who was busy panting silently until now, spoke up, but he was not directing his speech at the monk. He directed his speech to the other two sects instead, “Brother San Wei, brother Liu Zheng, what say you?”
The head of Eyang sect, the well-muscled enlightened San Wei walked forward with movements as mighty as dragons and tigers. He stood beside the old priest Zi Que, “To eradicate demons and defend the Path, the disciples of Eyang sect are yours to command.”
The young Kunlun sect head, on the other hand, looked torn. He frowned at the two sects and looked at the monk Shan Duan. Finally, he gave up and simply looked at the Kunlun disciples behind him, “What do we do?” Among the Kunlun disciples, those with a short temper glared at him, some shy ones simply lowered their heads, and the others looked helpless.
Eyang sect’s enlightened San Wei gave an unhappy grunt, “Enlightened San Wei, the Kunlun sect’s has had thousand years of glory, killed countless demons…”
The young priest Liu Zheng awkwardly rubbed his palms, incredulously interrupted the enlightened San Wei, “Em, to kill demons and purge ghouls is the duty of Kunlun sect, but they are clearly a bunch of rogue cultivators and mere mortals with no signs of evil or demonic properties.”
Shan Duan smiled and saluted the young priest Liu Zheng, “The enlightened one has a merciful heart. Please accept the salute of the monks of the Great Mercy Temple.”
The high monks who were standing amongst the Wen Bucao’s ranks followed suit and saluted the enlightened Liu Zheng. They bowed down while uttering Buddhist chants.
The young priest Liu Zheng felt even more awkward now. He was so flustered that he was unsure of where to place his hands. He returned the gesture frantically, “The divine monk is too much, too much. I implore the divine monk to speak nicely with the elders of the Wen family. Let us settle things peacefully, I’m sure that the truth will prevail.”
The Jilong sect’s head, enlightened San Wei pointed a finger at the Wen Bucao, “These bunch of mortals and rogue cultivators can never put a scratch on brother Qing Niao! If the demon would not show itself, we’ll force it out! Brother Liu Zheng, you are still young and oblivious towards the evil trickery of the devil. We shan’t let a moment’s mercy lead to countless tragedies in the days to come.”
Liu Zheng’s face was awkward, but his speech was not, “Many thanks to the enlightened San Wei, Liu Zheng humbly accepts the teaching. However…I am still young and unaccomplished in my cultivation, hence I could not tell a demon from human, but the divine monk Shan Duan’s dharma eye is like a torch, I’m sure that he will make no mistakes.”
The stammering Hope Voice raised his head and looked at the abbot Shan Duan, he asked with a stutter, “He’s com…com…complementing you, no?”
The demon monk Shan Duan heaved a sigh and replied Hope Voice with a very low voice, “I’m thinking about it myself…”
Shan Duan barely finished his sentence when a bold and refreshing laugh sounded sonorously and powerfully from below the mountain, “Well said, enlightened Liu Zheng! The divine monk Shan Duan’s torch-like dharma eye can indeed tell good from evil! The brothers from Jilong and Eyang are troubling themselves for nothing.”
Shan Duan was slightly stunned, then shook his head while smiling. He mustered his Buddhist magical power and spoke gently with a smile, projecting his voice down the mountain, “I did not expect the old saint Xia of One Word Palace would grace the Nine Peaks Mountain with his presence. This monk bows and salutes you.”
The six core persons of the Wen family looked at each other. This party is growing merrier by the second.
Wen Xiaoyi and Mumu also looked at each other, the former tightened her grip on her blunderbuss.
The voice of First Brother Xia came relentlessly, “If the divine monk insists on being so polite, then he does not treat me like his brother! Four of the Five Blessings have come, how can the One Word Palace miss out? Then again, the Wen and us, One Word Palace, have always been close. If anyone were to come here and bully them without good reason, the One Word Palace would not sit idly by!”
As he was talking, First Brother Xia’s voice paused a little, assuming a polite tone, “One Word Palace of Lake Luohai, Xia Nanxiu ascends the mountain and humbly begs the audience of the Wen elders. Haha, I’m coming up! Wen Leyang are you there? You better cheer up, haha!” First Brother Xia’s tone was completely different from Ma Heshui who left after being defeated. He did not have any trace of Ma Heshui’s pride or arrogance, instead, he was full of closeness. His words to Wen Leyang were a joke said by a graceful elder towards a youngster.
Of course, this tone was like nails on a chalkboard for the Jilong sect who was intent on getting their revenge.
The young head of the Kunlun sect Liu Zheng lifted his eyebrows happily and laughed merrily, “Now that the Five Blessings have gathered, I will go and escort the old saint Xia!” He did not see himself as an outsider. He turned and ran towards the village entrance. He had just started running when he stopped abruptly, staring with jaws dropped at the entrance, “Why are you guys here?”
Five men who were panting heavily walked through the entrance. The leader gave a displeased grunt, glared meanly at the enlightened Liu Zheng, “Why? Can’t we come here?”
The enlightened Liu Zheng’s expression was a mix of helplessness and dry smiles, “Of course you can.”
First Uncle Wen Tunhai gave a shout and walked to meet them, chuckling, “Superintendent Liu, what brings you here? You could’ve just called.”
The five men who just entered the village all wore a smart grey uniform. On their big-brimmed hat, the national emblem let off a sparkle, looking much majestic than the group of rogue cultivators, monks, and priests.
Superintendent Liu was polite to the former county head. He tossed him a cigarette before smiling drily, “Brother Wen, we did not want to come. Do you think that this mountain is easy to scale? We’ve received a report saying that a large group of monks and priests have entered the village, we feared that something bad would happen and we rushed all the way here.”
A young policeman behind him smiled miserly, “Hey, what a stylish flag! Are you guys having a charade?”
Wen Tunhai laughed loudly, “The elders in the village invited some priests to carry out some rituals, fulfilling their childhood dreams.”
The priests of four of the Five Blessings all had helpless expressions. They were pondering how they had become the ones to come perform rituals.
Superintendent Liu nodded his head. His stern gaze swept across the faces of the monks and old priests. Almost nobody stared back. He hesitated before saying, “To pray for good fortune is a good thing, but please do not dabble in superstitions, ever!” As he was saying this he secretly slipped a name card into Wen Tunhai’s hands and winked at him. He then brought his team back down the mountain.
When Superintendent Liu walked out of the village, First Brother Xia swaggered into it. Behind him, there were only a handful of people, including a sylphlike girl.
The girl looked to be about twenty years old. She was not too pretty but one would find it difficult to look away after staring at her. Her eyes weren’t big and her nose wasn’t tipped. But there was a certain charm in the combination of her bland features that was soothing to the heart.
