Chapter 215: Night Market Massacre
Duke Weiguo saw that Qin Mu had returned to his normal form and felt a bit puzzled. He looked toward the National Teacher's residence and thought to himself, "That cold-faced National Teacher seems to have cultivated a similar technique. I've seen him use this form before... Strange, that old fellow the National Teacher didn't come out to watch the excitement. The Emperor gave him so many palace maids—could they have drained him dry?"
"Ban Gongcuo is really a disciple of the Loulan Golden Palace?"
Sun Nantuo hesitated. The Loulan Golden Palace was the foremost sacred land beyond the Great Wall, calling themselves shamans, cultivating evil arts, refining souls, and transforming their bodies into forms that were neither divine, human, nor demon.
What Qin Mu had just displayed was a divine transformation state.
In the Five Luminaries realm, very few managed to cultivate a divine transformation state. That freak, the National Teacher of Yankang, had once complained that the Imperial Academy didn't teach profound principles, but it wasn't that the Academy didn't want to—it was that even among the Academy's overseers, few had mastered the divine transformation state of the Five Luminaries realm.
Moreover, Qin Mu's divine transformation state was unique. Even the National Teacher had been astonished by it, as it seemed to involve physical deification, vital qi deification, and even signs of soul deification, with a shift in aura that was truly extraordinary.
For instance, when Qin Mu had taken on the Fire God form earlier, a third bull's eye had sprouted on his forehead, shooting a beam of fire that severed Zen Master Perfect Moon's head. This was a divine ability formed by the unity of physical deification, vital qi deification, and soul deification.
Even ordinary martial artists in the Five Luminaries realm who achieved a divine transformation state were vastly different from Qin Mu's, unable to unleash such techniques.
Since even the National Teacher couldn't fully understand it, Sun Nantuo and the Crown Prince of Yankang naturally didn't recognize it either. They mistook it for the demonic transformation state of the Shaman Lord Lou Luo Jing, marveling at its power and strangeness.
"Minister Sun, quite a few of your disciples have been killed. Won't you step up yourself?"
Duke Weiguo shook his head and said, "You should personally step up and defeat this barbarian to restore the glorious reputation of your Nantuo Temple! Your disciples are utterly disgraceful—they've already used Six Harmonies realm techniques, yet they still got their heads chopped off by someone in the Five Luminaries realm. That's the ultimate embarrassment."
Sun Nantuo's eyes flickered, but he paid no attention. He knew Duke Weiguo's mouth could swallow the sky; if he took the bait, the Duke would surely find a way to force him into challenging Qin Mu.
He absolutely would not challenge Qin Mu. At the same cultivation level, he had no confidence in victory. He had already mastered all thousand hand seals of the Spirit Treasure Unmoving Zen Technique to perfection, but that technique likely couldn't defeat this barbarian at the same realm.
And if he used Six Harmies realm techniques, Duke Weiguo would certainly notice. If the Duke started shouting about it, that would be truly shameful.
Duke Weiguo would definitely shout.
The Crown Prince of Yankang lowered his voice and said, "Grand Preceptor, I have some skilled fighters here who might help you defeat this barbarian..."
Sun Nantuo shook his head. "I'm thinking about where this barbarian's protector is."
"Protector?" The Crown Prince was startled.
Sun Nantuo looked around and said, "Your Highness may not know, but whenever someone blocks a gate, they need a protector nearby to guard against ambushes. For example, when the Daoist sect blocked the Imperial Academy's gate, Danyangzi was the Dao Child's protector. When the Great Thunderclap Temple blocked the Academy, Old Monk Jingming was the Buddha Heart and Buddha Child's protector. For this barbarian to be so bold, there must be a protector from the Loulan Golden Palace nearby. That person is definitely a sect master-level expert! If I can find him and defeat or kill him, only then can I restore the Nantuo Temple's honor."
He knew that because of his righteous indignation, he had offended too many court officials over the years. Coupled with the corrupt atmosphere at the Nantuo Branch Temple, many in the capital were waiting to see him make a fool of himself.
To quell this matter, the best outcome would be to find Qin Mu's protector and kill him in a fair fight. As for Qin Mu's life or death, he didn't care at all.
Suddenly, Sun Nantuo strode toward Qin Mu. The monks of the Nantuo Temple were both surprised and delighted, quickly making way for him.
Qin Mu stood outside the Nantuo Branch Temple. The bodies on the ground had already been dragged away. Over a dozen monks had died by his hand, and the monks inside were indignant but dared not attack.
Now, seeing Sun Nantuo approach in person, hope stirred in their hearts.
Sun Nantuo looked up at the Thousand Canopy Pagoda, his eyes flickering. "The Loulan Golden Palace stole our Nantuo Temple's temple treasure hundreds of years ago, and now you bring it out to block our gate. Who gave you such audacity?"
Qin Mu shook his head. "I came only to sell this treasure to a worthy buyer, not to block your temple's gate. If anyone else wants the Thousand Canopy Pagoda, they can challenge me. If they're worthy, I'd even give it to them for free. Great monk, if you have the skill, defeat me and take the pagoda. If not, don't disturb my business."
The Crown Prince of Yankang stepped forward with a smile. "You said you'd sell this treasure. Since it's for sale, there must be a price. What price are you asking?"
Qin Mu glanced at him. "Naturally, there's a price."
The monks of the Nantuo Branch Temple stiffened, their hearts filled with anger and frustration. If they had known they could buy it, why had they fought and died against this barbarian?
The Crown Prince's spirits lifted. "What price? Name it. There's nothing in this world I can't buy."
Qin Mu's expression softened. "The price isn't high. One hundred warships, each with a pharmacist and apprentice, plus two hundred cloud chariots. No need for golden-armored warriors—the frontier has plenty of strong men."
The Crown Prince's face darkened. "Are you mocking me?"
Warships and cloud chariots were military equipment, the heavy treasures of Yankang. They were developed by the National Teacher and other experts for troop transport, supply, and siege warfare. Giving them to the frontier would be treason. Even as Crown Prince, the Emperor would have his head!
Qin Mu said calmly, "If Your Highness can't afford the price, then please don't disturb my business."
The Crown Prince's expression darkened.
"This treasure is for the worthy."
Qin Mu said solemnly, "Anyone who thinks they can defeat me is welcome to try. I'll stay here for three days. If no one can beat me in three days, I'll return to the frontier!"
"Three days?"
Sun Nantuo looked around but still couldn't find the hidden protector from the Loulan Golden Palace. He thought, "Three days should be enough to find where he's hiding."
The monks of the Nantuo Branch Temple stopped challenging him. Qin Mu simply sat down and waited quietly.
The onlookers gradually dispersed. Nobles and ministers from the capital sent servants to keep watch. Duke Weiguo took Wei Yong to the National Teacher's residence and knocked. Old Man Fu came out, smiling. "What brings the Duke here?"
"Where is the National Teacher?" Duke Weiguo asked.
"The master has taken his wife on a sightseeing trip."
Duke Weiguo was startled. "Wife? What wife?"
"You may not know, Duke. The Emperor gifted the master a hundred palace maids. The master was very pleased. The next day, he got together with one of them, and that very night they held a wedding and drank the nuptial wine. After waking up, the master left with his wife. They're not in the capital."
Duke Weiguo's body shook, his expression strange. "The National Teacher got married... actually got married... That bastard, I thought he'd never have feelings, but he actually got married... And he didn't even tell me!"
Old Man Fu smiled apologetically. "The master said to keep things simple, so he didn't even inform the Emperor."
Duke Weiguo exhaled heavily. "Never mind. You're all so poor, you probably couldn't afford a banquet anyway. I'll have a servant send a red envelope and a few boxes later. Did the master say when he'd return?"
Old Man Fu shook his head.
Duke Weiguo sighed and muttered to himself, "This barbarian is trouble, but since he's staying for three days, there's no rush. We'll wait until the National Teacher returns."
Night fell. Lanterns lit up throughout the capital, and the night market bustled to life. Duke Weiguo sent Wei Yong to investigate. Wei Yong returned and said, "It's almost New Year's—less than a month away—so the merchants in the capital are selling New Year goods."
"I see. Let's take a stroll, father and son."
The old man and the young man wandered through the night market. Young ladies from noble families had also left their chambers, dressed brightly, holding round fans. They admired the lanterns, covering their faces with fans when young men looked their way, but peeking out from behind the fans to steal glances at them.
Wei Yong was from the Wei family's hometown and had little connection with Duke Weiguo. It was only after distinguishing himself at the Imperial Academy that he caught the Duke's attention. As they strolled, the Duke imparted cultivation wisdom to him.
As they passed the Nantuo Branch Temple, Duke Weiguo glanced over and noticed that Ban Gongcuo was no longer at the gate. He was startled.
Monks streamed out of the temple, with Sun Nantuo at the center. Beside him were the temple's protectors and abbots. A monk reported quickly, "Abbot, that barbarian slipped away during the night market! I've sent a few brothers to follow him!"
"Cunning! He set up a false front, making us think he'd stay three days, but he sneaked off the very night!"
"The brothers are following him. He won't get away!"
Sun Nantuo's expression was unreadable as he led the monks away quickly. "We'll act outside the city."
Duke Weiguo's eyes lit up. He took Wei Yong and followed, chuckling. "That hypocrite Sun Nantuo is quite the schemer himself. Killing the barbarian in the city would cause a stir, but outside the city, he can dispose of the body and no one will know. Let's follow and see how these monks handle murder and arson!"
Wei Yong followed him. The old man and the young man trailed the Nantuo Temple experts out of the capital. Monks kept emerging from the crowd to report Ban Gongcuo's whereabouts to Sun Nantuo, leading them farther and farther from the city.
Outside the capital, there was also a night market, brightly lit, stretching for over ten miles, bustling with people.
Duke Weiguo and Wei Yong hung back behind the Nantuo Temple monks, walking farther and farther. Before they knew it, they had gone over ten miles. There was still a night market here, and even a stockade with a wide wooden gate, about three to five zhang wide. A red wooden sign hung on the gate.
Duke Weiguo looked up at the sign. It read: "The Holy Teacher's Admonition."
The Duke's eyelids twitched. He hesitated. Sun Nantuo had already entered the stockade. Inside, it was brightly lit. Iron pots on pillars burned with thick oil, crackling loudly.
The stockade had all kinds of stalls, including butcher shops slaughtering pigs and sheep. Shouts rang out, making it seem like an ordinary night market.
"What's wrong, Duke?" Wei Yong asked, puzzled.
"The Holy Teacher's Admonition... I've seen those words before."
Duke Weiguo's expression grew serious. "When the former Demon Cult Leader Li Tianxing traveled and arrived at a branch temple, the plaque at the gate used those words. The Demon Cult calls their leader the Holy Teacher, meaning the Holy Teacher has come to give instruction... This night market belongs to the Demon Cult..."
Duke Weiguo hesitated, then stepped inside. Suddenly, an old man and an old woman appeared at the gate, smiling. "Stop right there, Duke."
Duke Weiguo was about to speak when a thunderous crash erupted. He quickly looked and saw the merchants and wandering scholars in the night market suddenly spring into action!
Monks from the Nantuo Branch Temple were stabbed by the vendors and pedestrians beside them. Heads flew into the air, staining the sky with blood.
Having struck, the attackers retreated, vanishing into the buildings on either side.
In the blink of an eye, all the monks around Sun Nantuo were headless corpses!
Sun Nantuo roared, manifesting his Thousand-Armed Buddha form, a hundred zhang tall, radiating Buddha light, wielding a thousand kinds of dharma instruments, majestic and imposing.
At that moment, twenty old men emerged from all directions, charging at Sun Nantuo. With a deafening boom, the Thousand-Armed Great Buddha was shattered into pieces.
Duke Weiguo stood frozen, watching as the night market returned to its lively state. Some people carried away bodies, while others channeled river water to wash the ground.
"Holy Teacher's Admonition!"
Duke Weiguo shuddered at the words and quickly said, "We need to leave! Don't let the Demon Cult Leader see our faces..."
Suddenly, Wei Yong waved toward the stockade and laughed, "Brother Qin, what are you doing here?"