https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-283-Ominous-Breakthrough-Danger-Looms-/13688531/
Chapter 282: Grudges That Cannot Be Let Go
"A Qing, why didn’t you let Zhi Rui go with us just now? What if those monks give him trouble? How will he handle it?"
As Lin Zhi Rui reluctantly began recounting Lu Qing’s group’s arrival to Xuan Kong Shan, Old Doctor turned to Lu Qing with a puzzled frown.
"Master," Lu Qing replied calmly, "this time we’ve made a serious enemy of Xuan Kong Shan. Zhi Rui Ge Xia isn’t suited to stay close to us now. Remaining behind with them is actually safer than traveling with us. He secretly sent me a mental message just now, telling me to leave without waiting for him—he has his own way out. But don’t worry, Master. I’ve already sent a reply to him. If those monks press him about our origins, he doesn’t need to hide anything. He can tell them the truth. That should be enough to keep them from troubling him."
This time, the rift between Lu Qing’s group and Xuan Kong Shan was deep and irreversible. Whether it was the monks’ attempt to forcibly convert Master, or Lu Qing’s killing of one of their disciples, the enmity was now unbridgeable.
So, in front of so many people, having Lin Zhi Rui travel with them would only bring danger.
Old Doctor listened, then nodded slowly. “You’re right. That’s the best course.”
“By the way, A Qing,” Old Doctor asked, “how did you know I was in trouble at Sheng Shan?”
“It was Zhi Rui Ge Xia’s master—Tian Ji Lou’s Lord—who informed me. When you were trapped by Xuan Kong Shan’s monks in their array, Zhi Rui Ge Xia used a Transmission Jade Token to send word to the Tian Ji Lou Zhu Lou. That’s how I learned of it.”
“Ah, I see. So this time, we truly owe Zhi Rui a great debt.”
“Master, how did you even get into trouble with those Xuan Kong Shan monks?” Lu Qing asked.
“That’s what confuses me too,” Old Doctor said. “When they saw me, they immediately expressed interest in discussing cultivation with me. I had just emerged from Sheng Chi, my mind still brimming with insights. Seeing their courteous demeanor and high cultivation, I felt deeply moved by their initial words. Since they were from one of the Four Secret Places—renowned orthodox sects with deep roots—I thought engaging in discourse with them would be immensely beneficial. I didn’t think twice and agreed. But then, during the exchange, they suddenly activated a Unique Treasure, locking my mind in place. If it weren’t for you arriving in time, I wouldn’t have lasted long.”
He shuddered at the memory—the golden bowl’s resonant chant, the relentless spiritual pressure, the feeling of his very soul being reshaped. He still felt a chill at the thought.
If Lu Qing hadn’t broken through the formation, he feared he might have been transformed entirely—his mind erased, replaced by someone else.
“The monks used a technique called the Jin Gang Fu Mo Array,” Lu Qing explained. “It was a sacred Buddhist method from the ancient cultivation era, over ten thousand years ago. It was used to purify and convert even the most malevolent demons and heretics. But it was strictly forbidden—used only in the direst circumstances. To think they’d dare use it on you, Master… This proves that the so-called ‘Buddhist Holy Land’ of Xuan Kong Shan has changed. After ten thousand years of cultural evolution, their principles have long since decayed. They’re no longer the righteous sect they once were.”
Lu Qing had studied such records in the Li Hua Zong Chuan Cheng. The Jin Gang Fu Mo Array had the power to alter a person’s mind. That’s why, in the ancient era, any sect possessing such a technique was bound by strict oaths—never to use it except against truly irredeemable evil.
Yet now, Xuan Kong Shan had used it openly—attempting to convert Old Doctor.
Was it because they believed the outside world’s cultivation heritage had vanished, and no one would recognize the technique? Or had they simply discarded the old prohibitions, harboring some deeper, darker purpose?
Either way, this confrontation had sealed their fate.
Lu Qing recalled the information he’d gathered from the monks earlier. He knew their petty minds wouldn’t let this go easily. From now on, they’d have to be on constant guard.
He touched the Qiankun Yiqi Dai at his waist. After days of cultivating it with Qi, its power had recovered significantly. Just now, it was the faint spiritual resonance of the ancient spirit artifact, activated by his mind, that had silenced everyone.
But the scene had been too crowded. There were not only high-level experts from major sects of Zhong Zhou, and representatives from the three other secret places—but possibly even the three mysterious, ever-hidden Holy Lords, watching from the shadows.
Had it not been for the presence of so many, Lu Qing might have drawn out the Qiankun Yiqi Dai fully, to see if he could utterly annihilate every monk in Xuan Kong Shan.
The master and disciple walked down the mountain.
This time, they didn’t head toward Tian Ti. Instead, they took a different path, slipping away quietly.
“Chen Laodaifu! Lu Qing! You’re back!” Ma Gu and the others rushed forward, their faces bright with relief.
Since Lu Qing had left, they’d been consumed by worry. After all, he’d gone to Sheng Shan—the very place where Old Doctor had been trapped by those from the Four Secret Places. How could they not fear the worst?
Now, seeing both safe and sound, the entire group exhaled deeply.
“Yeah,” Lu Qing said with a smile. “I told you I’d bring Master back safely.”
“Forgive me, old man,” Old Doctor admitted, a hint of shame in his voice. “I let you all down.”
“Master, how could you be blamed?” Ma Gu said quickly. “We all know from the Lord himself—it was those monks who provoked you.”
Lu Qing stepped forward to stand before the Tian Ji Lou Lord, who had been watching with a calm smile. He bowed deeply.
“Thank you, Lord, for protecting us from the riffraff.”
“Think nothing of it,” the Tian Ji Lou Lord waved. “You’re guests in my domain. I must ensure your safety.”
But inside, he was shaken.
Just moments ago, he’d received a mental message from Zhi Rui, revealing everything that had happened at Sheng Shan.
Looking at the serene young man before him, the Lord found it hard to believe.
This boy—this gentle-faced youth—had single-handedly stood against the entire Xuan Kong Shan force, rescued his master, slain one of their disciples, and walked away unscathed.
If it hadn’t been Zhi Rui’s message, the Tian Ji Lou Lord wouldn’t have believed it.
And even now, despite his profound cultivation and mastery of divination, he could not pierce Lu Qing’s true nature. The boy remained a mystery—like a fog no calculation could unravel.
“Lord,” Lu Qing said, “there’s something I must tell you. We’ve now made a serious conflict with Xuan Kong Shan. We can’t stay here any longer. To avoid bringing trouble to your sect, we should leave.”
The Tian Ji Lou Lord smiled faintly. “Zhi Rui already informed me via Transmission Jade Token. But don’t worry. Though Xuan Kong Shan is powerful, they can’t interfere with other sects at will. Stay as long as you like. My Tian Ji Lou may be small, but we’re not so weak we’d turn away guests over a minor incident.”
To Lu Qing’s surprise, the Lord didn’t seem at all concerned.
It made him wonder—was this man truly unafraid of Xuan Kong Shan?
But before he could ask, he pressed: “Lord, is Zhi Rui Ge Xia alright? Did those Xuan Kong Shan monks trouble him?”
“No,” the Tian Ji Lou Lord replied. “Zhi Rui is fine. He should return soon.”
He paused, then added gravely, “Lu Xiao Langjun, there’s something else I must tell you. Not long after you left, I sensed a truly evil aura outside the mountain.”
(End of Chapter)
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