Chapter 280: Twisting Truths, Ominous Kill Intent
With Lu Qing’s blade pointed steadily at the Xuan Kong Shan monks, his expression remained calm and composed.
This time, no one dared to dismiss his words.
No one could afford to underestimate a man who had just dealt a crushing blow to a Xian Tian Jing Mastery cultivator from the Four Secret Places.
“Arrogant!”
On the other side, Xuan Nu had already begun meditating in the protection of several senior monks, tending to his injuries.
But being pointed at with such insolence by a mere youth—someone so young and unimpressive—was more than the once-proud Xuan Kong Shan monks could bear.
A few stepped forward, eager to teach Lu Qing the price of arrogance.
“Xuan Xin, stop.”
Yet at that moment, the lead monk—Xuan Ming—raised a hand, calmly calling out to halt the one named Xuan Xin.
Stepping forward, he clasped his hands in prayer, bowing slightly toward Lu Qing.
"Esteemed cultivator, you have been mistaken. My brethren and I were merely exchanging cultivation insights with your master—there was no ill intent. In fact, it was you who arrived uninvited, interrupted our practice, and then ruthlessly took the life of one of our disciples. I believe it is you who must now account to us, Xuan Kong Shan."
His words sent a ripple through the crowd.
Old Doctor’s face darkened with fury. Even the surrounding cultivators were stunned—caught off guard by the audacity of the monk’s claim.
Only those who knew Xuan Kong Shan’s true nature—especially the representatives from the other three secret realms—wore expressions of quiet understanding.
One muttered under his breath, “That old baldhead still hasn’t changed. Always so shamelessly brazen.”
“Misunderstanding?” Lu Qing remained unfazed, his voice cold. “Jin Gang Fu Mo Array—the secret technique of Xuan Kong Shan. A formation capable of altering a person’s mind through Buddhist chants, turning them into mindless puppets. You used this vile array to attempt to enslave my master, turning him into one of your puppets. Now you come to me, saying this was just a misunderstanding? You truly know how to twist truth and falsehood. So this is what the Four Secret Places are made of? A den of shameless, treacherous demons?”
Lu Qing knew his master wasn’t good with words. So he cut straight to the heart of the matter—exposing the true nature of the array.
And sure enough, the revelation struck like a thunderclap.
The other cultivators—those not from the three other secret realms—were utterly shocked.
They’d watched the scene unfold, but had no idea the array had such terrifying power.
To forcibly alter a person’s mind, strip away their will, and turn them into a puppet—just the thought made their blood run cold.
These warriors had all risen through blood and battle, each forging their own spirit through countless trials. They had faced death without flinching. But the loss of self—being reduced to a puppet, controlled by another—was far worse than death.
In an instant, every gaze upon the Xuan Kong Shan monks turned wary, filled with dread.
The monks themselves were stunned. They hadn’t expected Lu Qing to know the inner workings of their Jin Gang Fu Mo Array.
Shock gave way to composure in an instant.
“Om mani padme hum.” Xuan Ming intoned once more, his voice calm and solemn. “You are truly mistaken, esteemed cultivator. It is true we employed the Jin Gang Fu Mo Array. But this formation is not what you claim. It is no evil technique meant to enslave. On the contrary, it is a sacred array of Xuan Kong Shan—meant to subdue demons and purge inner demons.
We observed this elder just now, emerging from a profound state of Sheng Chi enlightenment. His body radiated Merit Light—the mark of one who has cultivated under the Buddha’s teachings. We wished only to discuss cultivation with him. But during our exchange, we sensed a taint in his heart—signs of a nascent inner demon. So we acted swiftly, using the array to help him purify his spirit.
It was only unfortunate that you misinterpreted our actions. For that, we deeply apologize.”
Xuan Ming’s words were smooth, sincere, almost moving.
The surrounding cultivators hesitated, their minds torn. They couldn’t tell who was telling the truth.
Lu Qing, however, couldn’t help but feel a grudging respect. Even after all this, the old monk could still speak with such flawless deception.
“Old baldhead… no wonder you’ve spent a lifetime cultivating Buddhism. Your talent for twisting truth—turning black into white, the dead into the living—is unmatched. Not even all three of the other secret realms combined could match your audacity.”
He paused, eyes sharp.
“But even if you can speak like a golden mouth, spinning lies so smoothly that even the dead would rise to defend you—what then? You can’t undo what’s already done. The little monk is already dead. What can you possibly do to me?”
“Om mani padme hum,” Xuan Ming replied, still serene. “This was merely a misunderstanding. But you—just arrived, without reason, and immediately struck down one of our disciples. It seems you, too, carry murderous intent and inner demons you are unaware of.
I have a proposal: if you and the elder are willing, I would be honored to escort you back to Xuan Kong Shan. With our sect’s power, we can cleanse your minds and restore your clarity.”
His tone was sincere, almost paternal.
Lu Qing finally understood: no matter what, these Xuan Kong Shan monks would never admit fault. They would always twist the narrative, never take a single step back.
He shook his head, no longer willing to waste words.
Turning to the old man, who had been quietly recovering, he asked, “Master, how do you feel now?”
“I’m fine,” Old Doctor replied. “The Jin Gang Fu Mo Array’s mental assault drained much of my Spirit Soul Power. But after consuming two drops of Dipulse Spiritual Fluid and resting, I’ve recovered most of my strength.”
Lu Qing nodded. “Then we’re leaving.”
Old Doctor stood without hesitation, stepping beside him.
Only then did the onlookers realize: every move Lu Qing had made—killing the disciple, provoking Xuan Nu, arguing with the monks—had been calculated. All for one purpose: to buy time for his master to recover.
“This youth… what deep scheming mind he has!”
One of the cultivators from the other three secret realms whispered in awe.
They’d thought Lu Qing’s debate with the Xuan Kong Shan monks was a fool’s errand. After all, those bald monks were infamous for their eloquence—capable of turning black into white, reason into nonsense. Few ever bested them in words.
But they hadn’t expected Lu Qing’s confrontation to be a ruse—a distraction to heal his master.
“Danger!”
The Xuan Kong Shan monks finally realized they’d been tricked.
Old Doctor had been held under the array’s suppression for long, then unleashed a devastating Sword Qi Domain technique. He was already at his limit.
Yet they had been distracted by Lu Qing’s taunts—completely missing the fact that the old man had recovered nearly half his strength.
“Master, let’s go.”
Though Lu Qing wanted nothing more than to slaughter every one of these smug monks, he knew it was impossible.
Not only were the senior monks formidable—each one a Xian Tian Jing Mastery cultivator—but they came from the Four Secret Places, a sect with hidden advantages.
Unless he revealed all his secrets and fought without restraint, victory was uncertain.
And even then, with so many powerful observers around, someone might try to exploit the chaos—seeking to profit from the battle.
“Wait!”
Seeing Lu Qing and Old Doctor actually begin to leave, Xuan Ming could no longer maintain his calm. He shouted urgently, abandoning his chant.
“What? You want to stop us, old monk?”
Lu Qing’s eyes hardened. His hand rested on the hilt at his waist.
A strange, oppressive aura rose from his body.
At that moment, every cultivator in the area felt their spirit tremble.
A wave of terrifying danger surged through their hearts—so sharp, so sudden, it made their skin crawl.
The Xuan Kong Shan monks, led by Xuan Ming, froze in place, their faces paling.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
