Chapter 275

In most cases, not saying 90%, but at least 85% of the time, gods and demons walking the path rely on martial force to solve problems.

Or rather, martial strength is the foundation for them to complete their missions.

Except for the first one or two missions, aside from those that could be completed entirely without martial force, relying solely on wit and intelligence, the remaining tasks would essentially announce GG without a certain level of martial strength.

For example, Tang Luo's first mission actually did not require much martial strength to complete.

Don't look at how terrifying the evil fallen entity formed from condensed vengeful spirits was—it was the result of Tang Luo and his group constantly delaying.

If on the first night, yes, that very day when they discovered Li Liang had been disemboweled, everyone had changed their approach and searched nearby,

they could have found the priest possessed and controlled by the disemboweler inside the small chapel.

At that time, the disemboweler was still weak; even if everyone were ordinary people, rushing him all at once, there would have been a chance to kill him.

Zhou Zhen Guo at least had two skills; victory would not be a problem.

It's just that everyone went in the wrong direction, allowing the disemboweler to grow unchecked, and in the end, they could only rely on Tang Luo to convert him.

This story tells us that, fundamentally, as long as your fist is big enough, it doesn't matter if your brain isn't working well.

Therefore, even after experiencing all kinds of worlds, including this mission world nearly identical to ancient Huaxia society, they never thought about spreading the "native culture" of the real world.

Everyone's minds were filled with the simple idea of "charge, charge, charge—kill the enemy and complete the mission."

Copying books?

What, you can actually promote mission completion by copying books?

Or are you scholars just overthinking things?

"It seems he chose another way." Tang Yuhan whispered.

Without a doubt, Kong Ming absolutely did not copy books just to show off.

He gained fame through copying books in order to enter the central authority of Da You.

Tang Luo and his group swept clean the upper echelons of Bei Yuan, entered Da You, and even converted a snake demon—this was direct action to resolve visible, tangible hidden dangers in Da You.

But many problems cannot be solved simply by "eliminating" them.

And Kong Ming's entry into the central authority of Da You was to change Da You from within and from top to bottom, overall, to safeguard Da You's national fortune.

It's not clear which method is better; it only depends on which suits oneself better.

But without a doubt, both methods, working together, can more comprehensively accomplish the mission.

Kong Ming clearly also knows what method Tang Luo will adopt to complete the mission.

Therefore, he chose another way—after all, relatively speaking, he is not that fond of direct combat with people.

Fighting with people—its joy is endless.

Tang Luo's words drew the attention of that plump woman; she glanced at Tang Luo's attire, first flashing a barely perceptible expression of disgust, then froze for a moment before asking: "You are... the Xuanzang Master mentioned by Mr. Kong?"

"Exactly, this humble monk." Tang Luo said, it seemed Kong Ming had made arrangements in advance.

"No wonder, although I've never met the three of you, when I saw you, I felt somewhat familiar—turns out you are companions of Mr. Kong." The plump woman said with a smile, "Please wait a moment, the three of you."

Soon, the woman returned with a sealed envelope and said: "This is the letter entrusted to someone by Mr. Kong three days ago; it should contain the information you seek."

Kong Ming periodically sends people to deliver a letter, and in passing, retrieves the previous one that was not delivered.

"Thank you." Jin Gang took the envelope and put it away; Tang Luo and Tang Yuhan nodded slightly, and the three were about to leave.

Having achieved their purpose, there was no need to linger.

"Um..." Seeing Tang Luo and his group turn around and about to walk out, the plump woman spoke up, "Master."

"What is it, patron?" Tang Luo asked.

"Master's attire, perhaps it could be made a little more plain." The plump woman said.

"Oh, why?" Tang Luo found it strange—Buddha relies on golden adornments, his appearance naturally gains points, "wandering the jianghu" is very convenient.

Strength may be temporary, but handsomeness lasts a lifetime.

Strong individuals also need an excellent appearance as support to truly display their strength—for example, Tathagata, the Three Pure Ones, the Jade Emperor—who isn't "radiant with golden light," instantly recognizable as powerful?

This is called "boge," and it must not be lost.

"Master invited me here." The plump woman said, this place is crowded and mixed, obviously not a good place to talk.

The three followed that woman into an empty private room.

Closing the door, the sounds of strings and bamboo, laughter and chatter outside instantly weakened, fragmented into "background music," and did not interfere with conversation.

The woman first brewed tea for Tang Luo and the three, then sat down gracefully and said: "You three have just arrived in Zhongdu; surely you have not heard of the name Huanxi Temple?"

"Huanxi Temple—just hearing the name, you know it's good—a place that hides filth and absorbs corruption!" Gang corrected himself quickly.

"Heh." The woman gave a light laugh and began introducing Huanxi Temple.

The state religion of Da You is Longya Dao Men, a powerful force sufficient to influence court politics.

Besides the cultivators of Longya Dao Men itself, it has also gathered outer sect members who are not disciples of the sect, serving as an important channel of cooperation between the Da You court and cultivators—one of them.

Five years ago, it could be considered unique; now, it is merely one of them.

Because besides Longya Dao Men, another cultivator force has rapidly risen in these short few years—namely, Huanxi Temple.

But compared to Longya Dao Men, the reputation of Huanxi Temple is vastly inferior.

Just hearing the name, you know this place is probably of a certain nature.

Although the monks of Huanxi Temple are renunciates, they cultivate Huanxi Chan.

It's not to say this cultivation method is truly "evil," but it indeed easily leads people to sink into it, ultimately reversing priorities.

Huanxi Temple opens the doors of high-ranking officials and nobles through the technique of bedroom dual cultivation, drawing them into alliance, while simultaneously absorbing those cultivators deemed unqualified by Longya Dao Men, becoming its outer sect force.

Initially opposing Longya Dao Men, they acted covertly and low-key.

Now, they act openly and openly.

Regardless of whether Huanxi Temple's cultivation method is heterodox, for the sake of expanding its influence, it can almost be said to be indiscriminate in taking what it can get.

Even accepting those outer sect disciples is done without any consideration—mixed quality, hence its infamous reputation.

He Na had backing in the court, and even the emperor held the Joyous Monastery in high regard — a cultivation method that was both pleasurable and made one stronger, leaving the Dragon Abyss Daoist Gate's bitter cultivation and elixirs one could only take one or two of in the dust by eight hundred streets, no?

The Joyous Monastery had already become an established power.

Yet its style remained as before, dual cultivation through harvesting and supplementing running rampant, inevitably drawing condemnation from men of ambition.

As the saying goes, when a state is about to perish, there must be monsters; some radicals believed the Joyous Monastery was that monster, and if not eliminated, Great You would surely fall.

Truly profound dual cultivation methods benefiting both parties could never leak out from the Joyous Monastery, and honestly, such cultivation methods were even more difficult than ordinary ones.

After all, they required both people to meet certain requirements.

Therefore, what spread from the Joyous Monastery were naturally all one-sided harvesting methods, belonging to the heterodox and evil paths.

Then, the girls of the Plucking Stars Tower were inevitably harvested and supplemented by some people.

How could the Plucking Stars Tower withstand that? Mentioning the Joyous Monastery made them grind their teeth in hatred.

"I see. The benefactor thinks that with this appearance of mine, I would be mistaken for a disciple of the infamous Joyous Monastery, correct?" Tang Luo asked.

"Yes." The woman nodded.

The true monk disciples of the Joyous Monastery, the vast majority had extremely good looks.

Judging by appearance alone, one could not tell they were a lecherous monk at all.

Tang Luo's getup was very Joyous Monastery.

"If possible, Master could..." The woman looked at Tang Luo's face and shook her head helplessly.

With this face, even if he deliberately dressed plainly, he would probably still be taken for a Joyous Monastery monk.

"No matter." Tang Luo did not mind at all. "As the benefactor says, the Joyous Monastery acts contrary to the Way and are not good people. If this poor monk converts them all, then no one will mistake this poor monk for a Joyous Monastery person."

"Hahaha!"

Suddenly, an exaggerated laugh came from outside the door, and two bald men, one tall one short, one fat one thin, pushed the door open and entered.

They wore gray monk robes askew, baring their chests, exuding a lewd and evil aura.

"Joyous Monastery outer disciples." The woman said softly, hurriedly standing up with a coquettish smile. "Two lords—"

With the Plucking Stars Tower's background, they might not fear the Joyous Monastery.

But that did not mean the Joyous Monastery's outer disciples were someone she could casually provoke.

Since they could become Joyous Monastery outer disciples, and dressed like this, it at least meant these two were cultivators.

Today's cultivators in Great You were unquestionably a privileged class, surpassing officials; one could say they were officials without official rank in Great You.

"Convert my Joyous Monastery? Little monk, what a big tone." The tall thin man said.

The short fat man did not speak, only staring at Tang Yuhan with greedy eyes, feeling the blood in his whole body boiling, almost unable to restrain his impulse.

Wanting to do as he usually did to other women, immediately pin her down and ravage her at will.

"Scram!" The short fat man stepped forward, reached out to push, intending to shove away the woman rushing over.

Vajra stood up, grabbed this man's wrist, and turned his head to inquire Tang Luo's intent.

The short fat man yanked his hand, but could not pull free; instead he felt the other's strength increase, nearly crushing his wrist, and his expression changed instantly.

"Let go." Tang Luo said.

Vajra froze — this was a bit unlike Master's usual style of just bulldozing through — but he still released his grip as told: "Count yourself lucky..."

He had not finished speaking when he saw a ball of flame erupt from the two men's bodies.

In the blink of an eye it engulfed them whole; the next breath the flames vanished, and two piles of ash appeared on the ground.

The lapis lazuli flame in Tang Luo's eyes receded; he tapped the table and said: "Good. These two Joyous Monastery outer disciples were not good people. This Joyous Monastery can be converted." Their deaths provided him some merit power.

His control over the lapis lazuli flame grew ever purer; igniting things from a distance was no longer an issue.

Vajra woke as if from a dream — so telling him to let go was not to spare these two, but to avoid implicating him.

What was that flame anyway?

Master is getting more and more unfathomable!

Vajra felt that the stronger he became, the greater the gap between him and Master Xuanzang — no, it should be said he finally perceived the unbridgeable gap between them.

This made Vajra, who had always taken Tang Luo as his striving target, somewhat disheartened.

"M... Master." The woman stood frozen, stammering unable to finish a sentence.

"Female benefactor need not worry." Tang Luo stood and said. "This poor monk will not have trouble from being mistaken for a Joyous Monastery disciple, and you need not worry about trouble from these two's deaths either, because soon there will be no Joyous Monastery."

Because of a matching outfit misunderstanding, how to solve the trouble it brings?

Change clothes? No, convert the person wearing the matching outfit, and no one will misunderstand anymore.

This is Master Xuanzang's way of solving things — tackle the root, eliminate vexation.