Chapter 693: Not Allowed to Come Out!

Dananzhou, Jin Guang Fucheng.

On the bustling long street, those Puti Sect ascetic monks clad in ragged clothes, exposing their thin arms, no longer needed to beg for imperial Qi door by door as they once did.

Within the domains of the Divine Dynasty, cultivators and mortals living together have always been peaceful.

But now, there was no need for these monks to take the initiative; the common people spontaneously elevated them to a lofty position. Indeed, many wealthy merchants planned to pool their funds and approach the prefectural government office to build a magnificent temple in the most conspicuous spot in the city for the Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva, to express the gratitude of all living beings toward that old Monk.

Such a simple, pure emotion was something the prefectural government office could not forcibly suppress.

"..."

General Wushan raised his hand to stop the many court officials from following, walked alone to the city gate, and looked up at the towering flesh-and-blood skeleton before him.

He remained silent for a long time, his gaze fixed on the old Monk's tattered face.

If a Great Virtue Luo Han could not even repair such injuries, the Puti Sect should have perished long ago.

"How long do you intend to sit here?"

General Wushan was unwilling to continue playing along with the other's act, so he asked bluntly and decisively.

The old Monk remained seated in the lotus position, eyes tightly shut, his bone-white palm flat, with only the statue of the Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva shining brilliantly.

Beneath him, another young Monk stepped out slowly, holding a staff behind his back with one hand, and raised his right palm to bow to General Wushan: "This humble monk is Hui Xin, my lord court official, we meet again."

After bowing, Monk Hui Xin slowly raised his head. On his dirt-stained face, a seemingly gentle smile lingered, yet his eyes actually brimmed with mockery.

Last time outside the Demon-Suppressing Tower, it was this person who had blocked the master and disciple.

How imposing the other had been then, nothing like the soft-spoken manner he displayed now.

However, General Wushan paid no heed to this young Monk; a mere Fifth-Rank Luo Han, something that could be suppressed with a flip of the palm, had no qualification to discuss matters before a Taiyi Zhenxian.

He stared calmly at the old Monk and asked again: "How much longer do you intend to sit?"

Monk Hui Xin, having lost face, twitched his eyelids a few times, and his expression turned sinister.

He lowered his raised palm, just about to speak some mocking words, when he heard a crackling sound of bones rubbing together from behind. Turning around, he saw the old Monk slightly straighten his body and finally open his eyes.

His voice was rough, yet strangely evoked a sense of warmth: "I will sit until the demons no longer invade, until the common people no longer tremble in fear."

Having spoken, the old Monk's lips, smeared with flesh and blood, curved slightly into a smile. His wide eyes, black and deep, resembled a dark spring, swallowing General Wushan's entire body.

"Interesting."

General Wushan pondered, lightly tapping his chin and licking his dry lips.

Building a temple is easy; destroying one is hard.

When he raised his gaze again, the fat man's eyes were already filled with murderous intent: "Your Puti Sect grows more and more presumptuous."

The old Monk's actions this time, aside from being nauseating, could also be regarded as a warning.

Since the other party could silently bring a horde of demons to the city outskirts, they could naturally bring them into the city as well.

If the imperial court yielded just once and a Buddhist temple was erected in Jin Guang Fucheng, then next time these monks could bring demons into other major prefectures that lacked temples.

Where the Buddha protects, all beings are at peace; where no temple stands, life is devastated.

Anyone with a shred of intelligence knew General Wushan could not stand idly by and let this happen, yet the other party still pretended to be ignorant. This meant they were seeking a life-or-death struggle.

Before the people of Jin Guang Fucheng, slaughtering all the traveling monks, even if public outrage erupted, would be confined to just one prefecture.

Moreover, after taking action, they could use the name of the imperial court to brand General Wushan as an evil demon, thereby stabilizing the imperial Qi.

To counter such insidious tactics, one could only respond with insidiousness.

"This old monk does not understand my lord's words."

Watching General Wushan's gradually clenching fists, the old Monk remained composed, glancing lightly at the hidden military formations surrounding the city outskirts: "Leaving is certainly possible, but this old monk is now severely injured and has offended the horde of demons. How can I return to the sect?"

Hearing this, Hui Xin displayed a cold smile once more.

The master and disciple had received the Bodhisattva's decree; they were not here in the Divine Dynasty's prefectural city to fight General Wushan to the death.

This place was suppressed by imperial Qi and surrounded by imperial court military formations. Who knew how many Divine Dynasty experts were hidden behind? Hadn't they seen how the Seven Treasures Bodhisattva almost fell at Heshan last time, let alone in the deeper prefectural city?

The two's purpose was actually very simple.

First, the Bodhisattva was injured at Xishan Fucheng and urgently needed a dose of human imperial Qi to recover; second was General Wushan. As for establishing a temple to control a prefecture, two Arhats alone were insufficient for such a task.

"Understood."

General Wushan heard these words that revealed the dagger hidden in the map; they were clearly aimed at him.

He closed his eyes, exhaled a mouthful of turbid air, and loosened his palms: "This seat will escort you back."

"Has my lord court official thought this through?"

The old Monk gradually withdrew his smile and said with deep meaning: "Outside, the mountains are treacherous and the waters are fierce; this journey will not be easy."

"Whether it is easy or not, we shall know only after we walk it."

General Wushan replied lightly, yet a trace of ferocity appeared in his expression.

In the next instant, he suddenly pressed his palm down.

The court officials who had been waiting for a long time immediately gave orders. Military formations surged in from all directions like a tide, and the vast imperial Qi moved with them, completely taking over the city defense.

Simultaneously, General Wushan's aura shot up to the sky, illuminating the entire prefectural city, displaying the might of a Fourth-Rank Taiyi Zhenxian!

At the same time, a deep transmitted voice rang out from the prefectural government office.

First, it praised the Puti Sect's chivalrous deeds, causing the people of Jin Guang Fucheng to flood the streets. Then, thick rosy light was seen in the sky.

"The demon calamity has not yet receded. Jin Guang Fucheng will fully exterminate demons. First, dispatch court officials to escort the monks back to their sect, as thanks for the Puti Sect's chivalry."

Such immortal might must belong to a reclusive high expert.

The imperial court sending such a grand array was certainly showing full sincerity. Coupled with the vast military formations arrayed outside, resembling a thick city wall, that bone-white body seemed to have no reason to continue sitting in withered silence.

The old Monk spoke no more, slowly returning to his normal size, though pieces of flesh still drifted from his body. Before leaving the Divine Dynasty's domain, he apparently refused to heal these external wounds.

Several people stood quietly outside the city, waiting for the imperial court to send someone to escort the entire group of monks out of the city.

They all stared calmly at General Wushan in the middle, their expressions and movements identical.

Though they bore no malice in their entire beings, to onlookers, it was strangely chilling, as if a pack of wolves was circling, waiting for the right moment.

"..."

General Wushan stood straight amidst the crowd, his brows and eyes unchanged, even more composed and indifferent than usual.

Yet the hand hidden in his sleeve gripped the message jade slip tightly, frantically sending his presence to Yan Lanting.

However, since the incident with the Demon Suppression Tower last time, General Yan, seeing his subordinates so face-saving, had finally felt at ease to enter seclusion and begin treating his injuries.

Now that the situation is urgent, how can one expect to wake someone up just by sending a single jade slip?

My Great General Yan!

General Wushan secretly nearly ground his teeth to dust, yet the jade slip remained silent and still.

Watching as a group of monks gradually gathered.

This large, burly fat man finally felt a wave of despair surge in his heart.

What is going on? Is Nanyang his own flesh and blood, while I was just adopted?

These monks are clearly setting a trap; once we leave the area covered by Imperial Qi, we don't know what awaits us outside.

Under normal circumstances, it would be fine; General Wushan is naturally cautious, his cultivation is profound, and he is quite skilled in methods of survival, so he could barely muster a bit of confidence. But now, bearing grave injuries, even considering this a nine-deaths-to-one-life situation is thinking optimistically.

"Old man, just go to sleep! Sooner or later you'll die, and your Uncle Wu will never return!"

Seeing that there was no more delaying, General Wushan simply gave up, left a curse in the jade slip, and strode straight out of the crowd.

"Depart!"

In an instant, led by Xiangyun, numerous monks surged into the sky together, flying straight towards the outside of the Divine Dynasty.

Monk Huixin quietly glanced at his master; the two exchanged a smile and similarly rode the clouds to follow.

Inside Jin Guang Mansion, several Demon Slayers looked complex, watching the direction of the departing crowd with deep worry.

Lord Yan has always disliked General Wushan, such a slick cultivator, who seemed to lack any backbone of a strong man, even more cowardly than a rogue cultivator, and nowhere near a Taiyi Zhenxian.

But as subordinates, they held a different perception.

At least under the leadership of General Wushan, the territory he commanded never had incidents, nor did it invite trouble for no reason, putting his subordinates at ease.

Moreover, just like today, when the matter fell upon them, did he not stand up? When has he ever retreated?

It's just that once he stands up, the hope of returning becomes slim.

"The old master is recovering from his injuries; let's go find Lord Lady Feng Xi, go find Lord Yang! General Wushan was originally just a conscripted soldier, but those two... If not for them, Jin Guang Mansion wouldn't have had this incident!"

"Why should General Wushan bear this black pot!"

Amidst the indignant words, the group turned and left Jin Guang Mansion directly, heading straight outside the Nine Mansions to seek aid.

From Dananzhou, heading west, past Xishan Mansion, lies the Eight Extremes Valley.

Arriving here, one can already see the edge of the thin Imperial Qi in the sky, like sunset clouds; stepping out reveals a clear blue sky.

Taking a detour through the Eight Extremes Valley leads to a desolate mountain range.

General Wushan stood before the mountain range, looking up at the distinct line between the Imperial Qi and the blue sky above.

One step forward means completely leaving the protection of the Imperial Qi.

In fact, for most cultivators, these pale yellow clouds are like bone-eroding poison; once one steps into them, one's entire power will be suppressed to the extreme.

Only court officials and Demon Suppression Bureau agents, accustomed to the shroud of Imperial Qi, find their power unaffected within it; those of high rank can even mobilize the Imperial Qi to defend against enemies.

Over time, they even lost the courage to walk out of the Divine Dynasty.

"What is my lord thinking?"

The old monk had returned to his normal appearance, wearing a long robe; he walked behind General Wushan and asked softly, his voice carrying a slightly eerie tone.

"Heh."

General Wushan smiled self-mockingly; having come this far, the Imperial Qi was merely a psychological comfort.

He hesitated no more, stepped out heavily, and led the monks out of the desolate mountain range.

Huixin chuckled softly, quietly tightening his Buddhist staff in hand.

Just then, the monks suddenly heard General Wushan's slightly puzzled words.

"If I recall correctly, you were injured last time as well."

"Who gave you the confidence to keep me?" General Wushan asked, his steps never pausing for a moment: "Relying on this pile of scrap metal in their hands?"

The old monk followed closely behind, the two chatting casually: "My lord misunderstands; this old monk is merely a supporter at best. You are a very excellent letter of introduction, but this letter of introduction is not for me to submit."

"It's getting more and more interesting."

General Wushan slowly stopped, crossing his arms: "I'd like to see who can hand over this Lord."

The old monk returned a smile and pointed slightly forward: "My lord, please look."

In the distance of the desolate mountain range, amidst rising wind and sand, a tall, thin figure in armor stood with his back to the crowd; the opponent held a crescent-blade halberd diagonally, and where the armor did not cover, gray fur grew thick.

It slowly turned its head to look back, revealing a handsome wolf head: "I would like to try."

"This one was once the most capable general under the Southern Emperor's great demon; later, by chance, he obtained the true scriptures of our sect, repented, and wished to enter the Buddhist path."

"Our Buddha is merciful and intends to give him a chance to worship our sect and serve the Buddha for life."

"His comprehension is good; not only did he cultivate the Mind-Heart Fruit Position himself, but he also deduced the Mind-Heart Four Symbols Blade from it, ascending to the realm of Great Virtue Luo Han."

The old monk introduced this to General Wushan calmly and unhurriedly.

Yet he failed to notice that when he mentioned the words "Southern Emperor," this large, burly fat man's entire face sank into a state of neither sorrow nor joy.

General Wushan wanted to say something, but opened his mouth and found he could say nothing.

The most tragic grievance is that the enemy... no, even the soldiers and generals under the enemy, likely no longer remember that small matter.

Perhaps the Heavenly Dao truly has reincarnation.

Look, the sole survivor not noticed during the extermination of the family has now been delivered right before their eyes, convenient for others to cut the weeds and dig up the roots.

Since it has come to this, what can be done?

"Sigh."

General Wushan let out a resigned breath and seriously rolled up his sleeves.

Since it was death either way, he might as well let that enemy see how much he had improved over the years, so no one would think that Wu had merely been muddling through, living on borrowed time.

He raised his head, about to speak.

Yet he suddenly noticed something off.

Just beyond the imperial aura, where the sky should have been a clear, limpid blue, it now twisted ever so slightly.

General Wushan clenched his teeth hard, his whole body tensing up, and shook his head with an almost imperceptible arc, warning the other party not to act rashly!

With his sharp eyes, how could he fail to see that this was the effect of the Grand Void Dao Fruit.

Behind that stretch of blue sky, a person was actually hidden.

But whether that person was Ye Lan or Shen Yi, neither could affect the current situation in the slightest.

Moreover, the real reason General Wushan had resigned himself was those three words: pledge of allegiance.

If one is to submit a pledge of allegiance, one must hand it over for others to see, no?

Those present today were very likely not limited to the ones in front of him; anyone with half a brain would know that the Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva was surely watching nearby.

In a place this far from the imperial court, let alone a titled general, even the General Who Pacifies the South, if he came alone, would probably not come away with anything good.

Get lost!

General Wushan was frantic with worry, yet on the surface he still had to maintain composure, to avoid letting others notice anything amiss.

Thinking of this, he finally stopped hesitating; immortal light burst forth between his palms, swiftly flooding his entire body, and as he charged forward, he finally carried a few hints of his famed reputation.

His whole being was like a mountain; every step made the earth tremble, thunder and dust rising together.

Before this unstoppable strike, the grey wolf's pupils were like an ancient well, undisturbed, as five fingers slowly tightened around the saber hilt.

In an instant, the blade severed the immortal light that surged like Wang Yang.

With a thunk, it sank into the ground.

A few inches in front of the long saber, General Wushan stood rigid, frozen in the posture of throwing a punch, even the skin of his face twitching faintly.

Injured as he was, he could not bring out even forty percent of his strength; under the gaze of those twin wolf pupils, flaws were everywhere, something no amount of hot blood could make up for.

To put it plainly, that saber strike just now—if the wolf demon had been willing, it could absolutely have given him a serious hidden loss.

But the other party had instead slashed into the ground.

This was an utterly undisguised contempt.

The grey wolf calmly looked down at the fatty before him, and after a long while, lightly spat two words from its mouth.

"Rogue cultivator."

Even though they shared the same fourth-grade realm, the other party was nothing more than a negligible rogue cultivator.

Whereas he himself—

Was now the lofty Great-Grade Luo Han.

(End of chapter)