https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-97-The-Road-to-the-Revival-of-the-Vajra-Sect/12553932/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-99-The-Decline-of-the-Vajra-Sect/12553934/
Chapter 98: The Buddha Ape Suppresses Demons
Chapter 98: The Buddha Ape Suppresses Demons
Qingzhou City, Dashunzhai.
As dusk fell, the streets bustled with people and shone with lights.
Tian Ziwen stood at the entrance of a grand restaurant, smiling as he greeted the young masters and disciples of various sects and influential families: "Today, my younger brother will be your host. Please, go right in, everyone, and make yourselves at home."
Among them were the young master of Tianhailou, the chief disciple of Baihetang, and the young master of the Huang family...
Although they were all from the younger generation and held little sway in Qingzhou, they were still well-known and respected individuals.
Their presence here today, besides giving face to Tian Ziwen, also subtly hinted at the intentions of their respective sects and families.
Even though Chen Lao General had been cautious in his actions, the disbanding of Qingfeng Gate still left them feeling uneasy. They instinctively felt the need to forge closer ties with one another.
"Yo!"
Tian Ziwen suddenly spotted a familiar figure and quickly squeezed through the crowd to greet him with a fawning smile: "Young Master Zhao, what a pleasant surprise."
As he spoke, he secretly wiped the sweat from his palms.
Today, he was hosting a banquet on Li Dage's behalf. According to Li Dage's instructions, the invitations were sent only to second and third-rate forces. How did this young master end up here?
"I'm just out for a stroll to ease my boredom."
Zhao Kangyun strolled into Dashunzhai, fanning himself leisurely.
Seeing his slightly irritable expression, the others remained respectful, but they couldn't help but feel a chill in their hearts.
They had heard that one of the Zhao family's young masters had suffered a setback at Qingfeng Mountain.
As one of the 'Four Surnames and Five Sects', the Zhao family could only stroll to alleviate their worries. The Demon Subduing Force, backed by the court and the General, was becoming increasingly brazen in their actions.
If they didn't unite soon, they feared that they would be devoured whole, leaving nothing behind.
"How did he end up here?"
On the second floor, Li Xinhan had changed into a green robe to conceal his injuries, but his immobility forced him to lean against the back of a redwood chair.
"Don't worry about him."
Li Mujin, standing quietly by his side, wore a long skirt.
For siblings like them, hosting a banquet was simply about eating and drinking, and also about inviting the people from the Vajra Gate to prevent them from being overly cautious.
As for the others, whether they stood with the influential families or the Demon Subduing Force, it wasn't something these two young people should concern themselves with.
"Please go ahead and start, I'll instruct the kitchen to prepare a milder dish for you."
After greeting Zhao Kangyun, Tian Ziwen found an excuse to leave and quietly went upstairs.
As he entered the room, he glanced at the Li siblings and then turned his attention to the young man in ink-colored Confucian robes sitting in the main seat. This young man's expression was unreadable as he gently scraped the tea foam with his cup lid, seemingly uninterested in drinking it.
Was he displeased with the quality of the tea?
Tian Ziwen immediately understood the situation and knew who to prioritize.
Although he looked unfamiliar, Tian Ziwen couldn't pinpoint which force he belonged to.
He wondered why they were hosting this banquet and if it had something to do with their dissatisfaction towards the Demon Subduing Force's brutal methods, or if they intended to step forward and become the new leader.
"Li Dage, shall we begin the banquet?"
"Wait a little longer."
Li Xinhan gazed downwards for a moment before turning to look beside him, "He's here. Should we call him up directly for a chat?"
Upon hearing this, Tian Ziwen was slightly taken aback and followed Li Xinhan's gaze downwards.
Who was this person that warranted the attention of the young man in ink-colored robes? With both the Li and Zhao families present, could it be someone from the Sun or Qian families? But they didn't inform me about sending out invitations.
As he recognized the figure at the entrance of Dashunzhai, a puzzled look appeared in his eyes.
In the bustling hall, a slightly thin young man entered with a smile. He had a thin layer of hair on his head and was draped in a wide white cloth, revealing a well-built half of his body that looked as if it had been oiled. In one hand, he carried a silver-colored iron rod, and in the other, he held a thick iron chain.
"Everyone is here, even Young Master Zhao. I, the monk, have arrived late and am guilty."
"A mere martial artist, pretending to be a bald donkey."
Zhao Kangyun scoffed dismissively and put away his fan. "Your Diamond Gate has only been setting up Buddha statues for a few decades. Coincidentally, it was three months before our beloved Sutra-chanting Governor assumed office here. Before that, you probably couldn't even figure out how to thread the Buddhist beads."
"Young Master Zhao is right to reprimand me."
Yuangang remained unfazed and smiled, "Diligence can make up for one's shortcomings. If you recite and thread the sutras and beads often enough, you'll eventually get the hang of it."
Upon hearing this, the others burst into laughter.
As Yuangang's gaze swept across them, more than half of them quickly fell silent.
The Vajra Gate was showing signs of a rise to power. With the Half-Volume Pill Condensation Body Tempering Technique, the abbot had greatly improved his cultivation over the years and was rumored to have the capability to challenge those at the Golden Core Realm.
After the Bodhi Treasure Tree had withered, this sect had somehow managed to regain the rapid body tempering capabilities it once possessed, and it seemed even more astonishing than before.
A group of martial artists with bodies comparable to those at the Jade Liquid Great Perfection Realm, and another group that could barely catch up to those at the Qi Condensation Realm—these were two very different concepts. If the speculations were true, in a few hundred years, the Vajra Gate might just fill the gap left by Qingfeng Mountain and become a first-rate force, thus completing the 'Four Surnames and Six Sects'.
"This monk did not intend to be late. I've been traveling far and wide to spread the teachings and make connections. I've been to seven or eight counties in recent days and finally made it back to Qingzhou."
Yuangang carefully scanned the 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 everyone has eaten and drunk their fill, this monk will put on a show of a Buddha ape suppressing demons to liven up the mood."
Along with the clanking of the iron chain, a tall and stout figure was pulled into Dashunzhai.
He was as bulky as a small mountain, wearing a blue short coat, and had a notably large belly.
Of course, apart from his belly, the man's face was covered in a thick beard, painted with ink to resemble a demon. On either side of his head hung pig ears with hair, and a fresh boar's snout was hooked over his mouth and nose.
He looked rather comical.
His eyes were vacant, as if he had lost his soul, devoid of any vitality.
Even as the sound of raucous laughter rose again, the burly man just stared blankly at the ground.
This time, even Zhao Kangyun was amused, "Where did you find such a perfect prop? This pig demon act is truly lifelike."
"This is an old friend of mine, he loves to dress up as a pig."
Yuangang bared his teeth and smiled back, "Isn't that right?"
The stout man acted as if he hadn't heard a thing. Only when the youth with the buzz cut viciously yanked the chain did he nod blankly and rasp, "Yes..."
"What an idiot."
Tian Ziwen frowned.
If they were acquainted, no matter how deep their grudge, they could just fight it out and end it with a beheading, wiping away all enmity. Why bring him here and humiliate him like this?
Before he could finish his thought, he felt a chill down his spine as the atmosphere in the room turned eerie.
Li Xinhan's body stiffened, and Li Mujin bit her lip hard.
Only the youth in ink-colored Confucian robes calmly set down his teacup, his expression growing even calmer as he stepped out of the private room and descended the stairs.
Amidst the din of laughter and conversation, a figure that didn't quite fit in soon drew many eyes.
Zhao Kangyun looked up, his expression quickly turning cold. Even he had come down to join the common folk, yet there was someone above? What was Tian Ziwen playing at?
Soon, he recognized the face of the youth in the ink-colored Confucian robe.
His brow furrowed with confusion and a hint of vague familiarity...
Shen Yi stopped in front of the monk.
He quietly observed the stout man behind him, his gaze questioning everyone in the hall.
His voice was calm, "Is it funny?"
Hearing the familiar voice, the stout man subconsciously raised his head. When he recognized the person before him, his entire body trembled, and he instinctively took two steps back, raising his broad arms to cover his face.
He had once boasted about Qingzhou and his own achievements.
In his unremarkable life, there were only a handful of acts of chivalry worth mentioning.
He was a butcher who feared no one when he lost his temper, not someone to be chained up like a pig demon.
Shen Yi had just arrived in Qingzhou and shouldn't have offended anyone over a fool dressed as a pig.
"... "
Yuangang paused, his face unreadable. Although the youth before him was a stranger, he had come down from the second floor, and Tian Ziwen wasn't a fool. So... this person was at least on par with Zhao Kangyun, if not higher.
With this thought, he smiled nonchalantly, "If you don't like it, then we won't perform. It's just a pity to dampen everyone's spirits."
As soon as he finished speaking, an odd look appeared in the eyes of the others. Zhao Kangyun reopened his fan, clearly seeing that Yuangang was stirring up trouble.
But the problem was, he had laughed too, and he had a good guess as to this person's identity.
Zhao Kangyun slowly stood up, about to speak, when a disinterested voice reached his ears.
"Did I ask you that?"
Along with the voice, Shen Yi casually raised his hand.
In almost an instant, Yuangang had thrown away the chain and was holding the silver rod with both hands, light glimmering on his skin. With all his might, he swung the rod horizontally to block!
Beneath his youthful appearance was a man almost a generation older than everyone in the room, perhaps even older than Zhang the Butcher.
With the cultivation of the early Jade Liquid Realm, his physical body was comparable to those in the late Jade Liquid Realm.
"It's this donor's fault for intruding. Forgive me!"
He clenched his teeth, his face contorting, but the next moment, a distinct handprint appeared on his tightly clenched rod.
Terrifying force easily snapped the hundred-refined rod, and then landed on Yuangang's chest. After years of body tempering, his once impenetrable body caved in with a breath!
Boom!
(End of Chapter)
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