https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-97-The-Vajra-Sect-s-Path-to-Revitalization/12941011/
Chapter 98: Monkey King Subdues Demons
Chapter 98: Monkey King Subdues Demons
In Qingzhou City, at Grand Harmony Pavilion.
As dusk fell, the streets bustled with people, illuminated by the dazzling lights.
Tian Zhiwen stood at the entrance of the large tavern, greeting the young heirs of various sects and influential families with a warm smile, "Today, I'll be your host. Please, come in, no need for formalities."
Among the guests were the young master of Skysea Tower, the chief disciple of White Crane Hall, and the young master of the Huang family...
Although they were all from the younger generation, they didn't hold much influence in Qingzhou. Still, they were all well-respected individuals.
Gathered together, they were not only showing face for Tian Zhiwen but also subtly revealing their families' intentions.
Even though General Chen had already been discreet in his actions, the downfall of Qingfeng Sect had made them feel a subtle unease, prompting them to instinctively want to stick closer together.
"Oh!"
Tian Zhiwen suddenly spotted a familiar figure in the crowd and hurriedly pushed his way through to greet him, flattering, "Young Master Zhao, what a pleasant surprise."
As he spoke, he secretly wiped away some sweat.
Today, he was hosting a banquet on behalf of his brother Li, and according to his instructions, the invitations were limited to second and third-rate forces. How did this young master end up here?
"I'm feeling a bit bored, just taking a stroll."
Zhao Kangyun, with a fan in hand, strolled leisurely into the Grand Harmony Pavilion.
Seeing his slightly agitated expression, the others respectfully made way, but their hearts couldn't help but feel a chill.
They had heard that a young master from the Zhao family had recently encountered trouble at Qingfeng Mountain.
As one of the Four Surnames and Five Sects, the Zhao family could only take a walk to ease their worries. The Demon Subjugation Bureau, backed by the court and the Commander, was becoming increasingly brazen in their actions.
If they didn't unite, they feared they would be devoured down to the bones.
Fortunately, the Commander was not currently in Qingzhou City, and there was no Demon Suppressing General present. The remaining Deputy Commanders and Captains couldn't cause much trouble, so they wouldn't face the same fate as Qingfeng Mountain for the time being.
"Why are you here?"
On the second-floor gallery, Li Xinhan had changed into a green robe, covering his injuries. Unfortunately, his movements were still restricted, and he could only lean against the back of a rosewood chair.
"No need to worry about him."
Li Mujin stood quietly in a long skirt beside her brother.
For siblings like them, hosting a banquet was simply a matter of eating and drinking, and they had invited the Vajra Sect to prevent them from getting any ideas.
As for the rest, whether it was siding with the influential families or the Demon Subjugation Bureau, it wasn't something these two young ones should concern themselves with.
"Please, take a seat. I'll ask the chef to prepare a batch of lighter dishes."
Tian Zhiwen greeted Zhao Kangyun and then discreetly slipped away to the second floor.
Stepping into the room, he glanced at the Li siblings and then focused on the young man in an ink-colored scholar's robe sitting in the main seat. The young man's expression was unreadable, and he gently scraped the tea foam with his cup lid, not taking a sip for a long time.
Was he dissatisfied with the quality of the tea?
Tian Zhiwen immediately understood the situation, clearly discerning the main guest.
Although he looked unfamiliar, Tian Zhiwen didn't know which sect or family he belonged to.
Today's banquet was meant to gather various forces, but for what purpose? Could it be that they were dissatisfied with the Demon Subjugation Bureau's brutal methods and wanted to take a stand as leaders?
"Brother Li, shall we begin the banquet?"
"Let's wait a bit longer."
Li Xinhan gazed downstairs for a moment and then turned to look beside him, "He's here. Should we call him up directly for questioning?"
At this, Tian Zhiwen was slightly startled and also looked downstairs.
Who was this person that the youth in the ink robe had come to wait for? With the Li and Zhao families present, could it be the remaining Sun or Qian family? They hadn't informed Tian Zhiwen about the invitation either.
As he stared at the figure in the bustling hall, a question arose in his mind.
A slightly slender young man entered with a faint smile, his head shaved close, wearing a wide white cloth that revealed a half-oiled, muscular torso. In one hand, he carried a gleaming iron rod, and in the other, he held a heavy iron chain.
"Everyone is here, including Young Master Zhao. I'm afraid I'm late, and a mere martial artist like me has committed a sin."
"A bald monk, acting like a warrior."
Zhao Kangyun scoffed, putting away his fan, "Your Vajra Sect has only been established for a few decades, and it just so happens that the local governor, who enjoys reciting sutras, was appointed here three months ago. Before that, you probably couldn't even understand the sutras."
"Young Master Zhao, you're right."
Yuan Gang didn't show any annoyance and merely smiled, "Practice makes perfect. With sutras and prayer beads, the more you memorize and recite, the better you'll become over time."
Hearing this, the others burst into laughter.
As Yuan Gang's gaze swept across them, most of them quickly fell silent.
The Vajra Sect was showing signs of rising to prominence, thanks to their half-volume Core Formation Body Tempering Technique. In just a few decades, the abbot had significantly advanced his cultivation, and it was said that he now had the capital to spar with Condensation Core Realm practitioners.
After the Bodhimanda Tree withered, this sect seemed to have some good fortune, and they once again displayed the rapid body tempering abilities they were once known for, even more astonishing than before.
A group of martial artists with body tempering skills rivaling Jade Essence Perfection and another group barely matching the Condensation Core Realm—these were two different concepts. If things turned out as everyone speculated, the Vajra Sect might fill the vacancy left by Qingfeng Mountain in the Four Surnames and Six Sects and rise to become a top-tier force in a few hundred years.
"Hmph!"
As if realizing this, Zhao Kangyun let out a cold laugh, but he didn't continue to mock further.
"I didn't intentionally come late, but I've been traveling around preaching and spreading good deeds in various counties recently. I've visited seven or eight counties and finally managed to make it back to Qingzhou."
Yuan Gang carefully observed his surroundings, as if searching for something.
Not seeing the figure he had imagined, he forced a smile and tugged at the iron chain in his hand, "After you've all eaten and drunk your fill, I'll put on a show of a monkey subduing demons to entertain everyone."
With a clatter of chains,
A tall and obese figure was dragged into the Grand Harmony Pavilion.
He was as large as a small mountain, wearing a blue short robe, and his enormous belly was particularly eye-catching.
Of course, apart from his belly, his face was covered in a thick beard, and he was painted with demon makeup, with pig ears hanging on both sides of his head and a pig snout hanging over his mouth and nose.
He looked extremely comical.
His eyes were vacant, as if he had lost his soul, and there was not a trace of vitality in him.
Even as the roaring laughter rose again beside him, the big man just stood there, staring blankly at the ground.
This time, even Zhao Kangyun was amused, "Where did you find such a good actor? He really looks like a pig demon."
"He's an old acquaintance of mine. He loves to pretend to be a pig."
Yuan Gang grinned and turned back to say, "Isn't that right?"
The big man acted as if he hadn't heard a word, until the short-haired youth yanked the chain hard, and he nodded blankly, his voice hoarse and dry, "Yes..."
"What an idiot."
Tian Zhiwen frowned.
If they were old acquaintances, why would he bring him here and humiliate him like this? If there was a grudge, they could settle it with a fight, and once the head falls, all grudges would be resolved.
Before he could finish speaking, he felt a chill behind him, and the atmosphere in the room gradually became eerie.
Li Xinhan's body stiffened, and Li Mujin bit her lip.
Only the youth in the ink robe gently put down his teacup, his expression becoming even more calm. He took a step and walked out of the private room, heading downstairs.
Amidst the laughter and merriment, a figure that didn't quite fit in quickly attracted many eyes.
Zhao Kangyun looked up, and his face immediately turned cold. He had come down to join the commoners, and now there was someone upstairs. What was Tian Zhiwen trying to do?
Soon, he recognized the face of the youth in the ink-robe.
There was a hint of confusion and a trace of familiarity in his eyes...
Shen Yi stood in front of the youth who called himself a monk.
He stared silently at the big man behind the youth, as if questioning everyone in the hall.
His voice was calm, "Is it funny?"
Hearing the familiar voice, the big man subconsciously raised his head. When he saw the person in front of him, his whole body trembled, and he instinctively took two steps back, extending his wide arms to cover his face.
He had boasted to this person about Qingzhou and his own achievements.
He had lived a life without much success, but he had a few stories of chivalry and righteousness to tell.
He was a butcher who didn't fear anyone when he got into trouble, not a pig demon chained by an iron chain.
Shen Yi had just arrived in Qingzhou and shouldn't have offended others because of a fool dressed as a pig.
"..."
Yuan Gang was slightly taken aback. Although he didn't recognize the person, he had come down from the second floor, and Tian Zhiwen wasn't a fool. So, this person was at least on the same level as Zhao Kangyun, or even higher.
Thinking of this, he smiled nonchalantly, "If you don't like it, then I won't perform. It's a pity to spoil everyone's mood."
As soon as he said this, the others' eyes showed a hint of strangeness. Zhao Kangyun reopened his fan, knowing that Yuan Gang was provoking him.
But the problem was that he had laughed too, and he had probably guessed the identity of this person.
Zhao Kangyun slowly stood up, about to speak, when a cold voice sounded in his ear.
"Did I ask you to do this?"
Along with the voice, Shen Yi's hand casually rose.
In an instant, Yuan Gang had thrown away the chain and held up the silver-bright long stick with both hands. Light shimmered between his fingers as he exerted all his strength to block the horizontal stick!
Under his seemingly young appearance, he was actually almost a generation older than everyone in the building, even older than Zhang Butcher.
With a Jade Dew Realm cultivation at the initial stage, he had a body comparable to the advanced stage.
"It's the benefactor's fault, and I apologize!"
He clenched his teeth, looking hideous, but the next moment, a clearly articulated palm landed on the stick he was holding.
With terrifying force, the hundred-refined long stick was easily broken, and then the palm pressed against Yuan Gang's chest. After many years of body tempering, his indestructible body collapsed in an instant!
Boom!
(End of Chapter)
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