Chapter 212: Buddha and Dao

Li Lin moved through the forest using his Stealth Technique.

He occasionally used the little paper doll’s “vision” to ambush lone martial artists in the forest.

Stir up the water.

But even so, he saw several groups break away from the “battlefield,” unwilling to waste their strength here.

After thinking it over, Li Lin followed one of those groups out.

Compared to others, he was even “bolder.”

After all, he was true stealth—so long as he didn’t get too close, they couldn’t detect him.

After trailing them for a while, he realized the group he was following belonged to Zhenwu Sect.

The group was exiting the forest and blocking the path behind Qingcheng Sect.

At this moment, Qingcheng Sect’s members looked extremely grim.

Especially Ji Feng—he deeply regretted not listening to An Xin earlier.

He turned his body sideways, glancing left and right, and asked: “Master Xuanfeng, as a senior of the martial world, why are you blocking our way?”

“I’m barely five years older than you—I’m no senior. Call me brother.” Xuanfeng smiled.

Ji Feng frowned.

At this moment, Liu Fang spoke up: “Master Xuanfeng, our Master and your sect’s Elder Hao are old acquaintances. Our two sects have never been enemies. Why join Shaolin against us?”

“I never intended to oppose your sect.”

“Then what do you mean by this?!”

Master Xuanfeng chuckled: “I simply wish your sect to join us in testing Shaolin’s mettle.”

“What if we refuse?”

“Then let’s eliminate that bald monk first, together.”

Shaolin’s people remained silent; Master Kurong pulled out a string of prayer beads and began turning them one by one.

Yet they seemed to have drawn closer to Qingcheng Sect.

At this moment, Ji Feng suddenly said: “Fine, Master Xuanfeng, I’ll ally with you—but tell me, what is this Linglong Jade Box truly for?”

Li Lin, lagging slightly behind Shaolin, had been ready to stab someone in the back—but upon hearing this, he immediately stepped back.

He too wanted to understand what was going on.

Why, after he’d already left the city, were so many martial artists still drawn here?

Xuanfeng glanced at Shaolin and smiled: “Master Kurong, do you think it’s safe to reveal this?”

Shaolin remained silent, only advancing further; Qingcheng’s members immediately formed a sword array, the atmosphere tense, swords drawn.

At that moment, urgent footsteps suddenly echoed from ahead on the official road.

Then An Xin returned with Tianyi Sect.

Ji Feng saw him and exclaimed joyfully: “Young Master An, please aid our sect—I’ll repay you handsomely!”

Xuanfeng looked at An Xin and asked: “Young Master An, why return? If you were leaving, you should’ve left completely. Coming back isn’t wise.”

“I thought it over—I realized I must stay to watch the show,” An Xin smiled. “I have a friend among them. I won’t feel at ease until I see him escape safely.”

Ji Feng’s face lit up—he assumed An Xin meant him, completely ignoring that An Xin had just said earlier that “someone else” was his reason for leaving!

At this moment, Shaolin’s people stopped advancing on Qingcheng and even retreated slightly.

Ji Feng seized the opportunity and led his disciples to stand beside Tianyi Sect.

Neither Zhenwu Sect nor Shaolin moved.

“Thank you,” Ji Feng bowed gratefully to An Xin.

An Xin merely smiled faintly and said: “I’ve secretly investigated—the rumor about the Jade Linglong first emerged from Yu Prefecture, which is Shaolin’s territory. That’s why so many believed it.”

Master Kurong only smiled, saying nothing.

Xuanfeng sneered: “I must say, the Fomen knows how to play its cards well.”

An Xin looked at Xuanfeng and asked: “Master Xuanfeng, what does Zhenwu Sect know?”

“We know that Shaolin—no, the Fomen—has allied with the Qin Prince of Yue.”

Both Tianyi and Qingcheng members thought they’d misheard.

“Impossible—the Qin Prince is a reincarnated demon from beyond the realm! Why would the Fomen, instead of subduing demons and eliminating evil, do this?” a young girl from Qingcheng cried in disbelief.

Shaolin remained silent.

Xuanfeng continued sneering: “Put down the knife, become a Buddha instantly! A demon? As long as it shaves its head at the right moment, it becomes a true Buddha. One thought is Buddha, one thought is demon—right or wrong, it’s up to the Fomen to decide.”

Master Kurong softly chanted a Buddha’s name, then said: “Master Xuanfeng, your Daoist sect isn’t much better. If not for your secret manipulation, this matter wouldn’t have progressed so swiftly and smoothly.”

Xuanfeng fell silent for a moment, then suddenly burst into loud, wild laughter.

At this moment, Tianyi and Qingcheng members’ expressions turned uneasy.

An Xin’s face darkened: “Master Xuanfeng, what do you mean by this?!”

Ji Feng of Qingcheng also wore a grim expression.

Xuanfeng said nothing, only smiled silently—but that smile looked deeply wrong.

Meanwhile, some of Zhenwu Sect’s members had, unnoticed, circled behind Tianyi and Qingcheng.

Forming a pincer with Shaolin.

An Xin turned again toward Shaolin: “Master Kurong, can you clarify this for us? Let us die knowing the truth.”

Master Kurong still said nothing.

Instead, he waved his hand—those behind him stepped forward.

At that moment, Xuanfeng suddenly spoke: “I’ll let you die with full understanding—you small sects shouldn’t have meddled in things beyond your reach.”

“What does that mean?!” An Xin still didn’t understand.

Ji Feng suddenly realized: “They won’t allow the Nine Streams to surpass them.”

Xuanfeng gave a slight nod: “Something like that.”

An Xin’s eyes widened—he understood too.

The Three Teachings, Nine Streams!

That was the martial world’s definition.

In times of peace, the Three Teachings naturally dominated—but now, in chaos… the Nine Streams, rooted among the common people, had far greater vitality.

An Xin roared: “Is this necessary? The north and south are in turmoil, the Central Plains in ruin—we martial artists should stand united! Why…?”

A palm blast cut off An Xin’s words.

He dodged aside, watching Master Kurong slowly retract his hand from afar, his face filled with fury.

Xuanfeng laughed: “Bald monk, deal with them first. Our business can wait.”

“Agreed!” Master Kurong chuckled.

At that moment, a scream suddenly erupted from behind Shaolin.

These were all experts.

The moment the scream sounded, everyone turned.

They saw a figure vanish into the night.

An Xin suddenly brightened with delight.

Master Kurong whirled to face Xuanfeng of Zhenwu: “Daoist priest… I wasn’t certain before, but this is clearly your Daoist invisibility technique. You dared to ambush me! What do you have to say for yourself?”

“It wasn’t me who arranged this,” Xuanfeng looked like he’d swallowed something foul, then his expression twisted into something… feral.

(End of Chapter)