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Chapter 282: Unsettled Grudges
Chapter 282: Unsettled Grudges
July 16, 2024
"Qing, why didn't you let Zhi Rui accompany us just now? What if those monks make things difficult for him?" The old physician asked with a hint of concern in his voice as they walked away from the confrontation with Xuankong Mountain.
At that moment, Lin Zhi Rui had reluctantly agreed to reveal their origins to Xuankong Mountain, compromising to de-escalate the tense situation.
"Master, this time we've truly offended Xuankong Mountain. It's best that Minister Zhi Rui doesn't associate too closely with us for now. His presence with us could cause more trouble than it's worth," Lu Qing explained, his eyes narrowed in thought. "He secretly sent me a message earlier, telling us to go on ahead without him. He assured me that he has a way to extricate himself from this situation. But don't worry, Master, I also sent him a message. If those bald monks press him for information about us, he should tell them the truth. That way, they're less likely to cause him harm."
With the events that had transpired, the grudge between Lu Qing's group and Xuankong Mountain had deepened significantly. Whether it was their attempt to forcefully convert Master or Lu Qing's crushing of one of their disciples, the rift between them was now impossible to mend. In front of so many witnesses, it would be unwise for Lin Zhi Rui to maintain close ties with them.
The old physician considered Lu Qing's words and nodded in agreement, deciding to drop the subject.
"By the way, Qing, how did you know I was in trouble at the Holy Mountain?" the old physician asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"It was Minister Zhi Rui's master, the Lord of Tianji Tower, who informed me. When you were trapped by the monks of Xuankong Mountain, Minister Zhi Rui used a communication jade token to send a message to the Lord of Tianji Tower, and that's how I found out," Lu Qing explained.
"I see. It seems we owe Minister Zhi Rui a great debt of gratitude this time," the old physician said, his eyes softening at the thought of their benefactor.
"Master, how did you come to have a conflict with the monks of Xuankong Mountain in the first place?" Lu Qing asked, his eyes narrowing as he sought to understand the events that had transpired.
"I found it strange as well, my child," the old physician began, his brows furrowed in thought. "Those monks approached me as soon as they saw me, saying they wanted to discuss the Dao with me. I had just emerged from the Holy Pool and was feeling particularly insightful. Their demeanor was amicable, and their cultivation was profound, so I casually exchanged a few words with them, which left me quite intrigued. Thinking that they were a renowned orthodox sect with a deep heritage, one of the Four Secret Lands, I believed that discussing the Dao with them would be beneficial. So, without much thought, I agreed."
The old physician's voice carried a hint of regret as he continued, "Who would have thought that during our discussion, they would suddenly use a strange treasure to immobilize my spiritual sense. If it weren't for your timely arrival, Qing, I don't know how much longer I could have held on."
The old physician's eyes clouded with unease as he recalled the feeling of being trapped by the golden bowl, his mind constantly assaulted by the Buddhist chants. He had a foreboding sense that if Lu Qing hadn't disrupted the monks' plan, he might have had his mind altered and become an entirely different person.
"That array they used is called the Vajra Subduing Demon Array," Lu Qing explained, his voice steady. "In the ancient cultivation era tens of thousands of years ago, it was a Buddhist array used to convert heretical demons. It shouldn't be used lightly. I can't believe they dared to use it on you, Master. It seems that Xuankong Mountain, known as the Buddhist sacred land, has changed over the millennia. It's no longer the orthodox sect it once was."
Lu Qing's inheritance from the Lihuo Sect included records about Buddhism. The Vajra Subduing Demon Array could alter one's mind and spirit, which is why, in the ancient cultivation era, Buddhist sects that possessed this array would usually establish strict rules prohibiting its use except against the most heinous demonic cultivators. Now, Xuankong Mountain had boldly deployed this array against the old physician in front of so many witnesses. Lu Qing wondered if they had assumed that with the severance of the outside world's cultivation legacy, no one would be able to recognize this array, or if Xuankong Mountain had simply abandoned those ancient prohibitions and had other intentions.
Regardless of Xuankong Mountain's motives, the grudge between them was now firmly established. Lu Qing recalled the information he had gleaned from the senior monks, knowing that they would not let this matter rest. From now on, they would need to be vigilant and prepared for any retaliation.
Lu Qing reached for the Qiankun Yiqi Bag at his waist.
After constantly nourishing it with spiritual energy over this period, the ancient spirit artifact had regained much of its power.
Earlier, he had used his mental prowess to activate a wisp of its power, stunning everyone present.
Unfortunately, there had been too many people around, including experts from various factions in Zhongzhou and the other Three Secret Lands.
In the shadows, there might have even been the three mysterious and elusive Holy Masters, who had never revealed themselves.
Otherwise, Lu Qing would have loved to play his trump card and see if he could annihilate all the bald monks from Xuankong Mountain.
Master and disciple walked down the mountain.
This time, they didn't take the path of the Heavenly Ladder but chose a different route to descend quietly.
"Old Physician Chen, Brother Lu Qing, you're back?"
As soon as they returned to Tianji Tower, they saw Ma Gu and the others rushing forward with joyous expressions.
Ever since Lu Qing had left, they had been extremely worried.
After all, Lu Qing had ventured into the sacred mountain, and the ones causing trouble for the Old Physician were said to be from one of the Four Secret Lands, which naturally caused them great concern.
Now that they saw the two of them return safely, everyone heaved a sigh of relief.
"Mmhmm, I said I would bring Master back safely," Lu Qing smiled.
"This time, it was my negligence that worried you all," the Old Physician added apologetically.
"How can we blame you, Master Chen? We heard from the Tower Master that the monks were deliberately making things difficult for you..." Ma Gu and the others quickly comforted the Old Physician.
Lu Qing approached the Tianji Tower Master, who had been watching them with a smile, and bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Tower Master, for helping to deter those ruffians."
"No need for formalities. As long as you are guests of my Tianji Tower, I will ensure your safety," the Tower Master waved his hand dismissively.
However, the shock he felt inside remained unknown to others.
Just a moment ago, he had received a transmission from Zhi Rui, informing him of Lu Qing's actions on the sacred mountain not long ago.
Looking at the gentle-faced Lu Qing, the Tower Master found it hard to imagine.
The young man before him had single-handedly intimidated the crowd on the sacred mountain.
Not only had he rescued his master from the encirclement of Xuankong Mountain, but he had also killed one of their disciples and managed to escape unscathed.
If it weren't for Zhi Rui's transmission, the Tower Master wouldn't have dared to believe that Lu Qing possessed such power.
Unfortunately, despite his renowned calculative abilities, the Tower Master still couldn't see through Lu Qing's true depths.
To him, Lu Qing was like a cloud of mist; no matter how hard he tried to calculate, he couldn't deduce any information about him.
"Tower Master, there's something I need to tell you. During this trip to the sacred mountain, I had a significant conflict with the people from Xuankong Mountain.
From now on, we probably can't stay here anymore to avoid causing trouble for your sect," Lu Qing said.
"I already know about this matter. Zhi Rui informed me using a transmission jade token just now. But you don't have to worry.
Although Xuankong Mountain is powerful, they can't interfere in the affairs of other sects as they please.
You are welcome to stay. My Tianji Tower may be small, but we have not fallen to the point where we would drive away our guests over a minor issue like this," the Tower Master said, unexpectedly brushing off the matter.
This surprised Lu Qing. It seemed that the Tianji Tower Master wasn't overly intimidated by Xuankong Mountain.
However, upon hearing Lin Zhi Rui's message, Lu Qing quickly asked, "Tower Master, is Zhi Rui alright? Did those bald monks from Xuankong Mountain cause him any trouble?"
"Zhi Rui is fine. He should be back soon," the Tower Master replied. "But, Lu Qing, there's something I must tell you. Not long after you left, I sensed a very evil presence outside."
(End of Chapter)
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