Chapter 282: Capital Crime

The Joyful Bodhisattva wore a full-body crimson gold-threaded kasaya, was bald, and had a peerlessly handsome face, though his lips were slightly pallid.

Yet he showed no trace of frailty; his breath was vigorous and ardent, like a ball of flame, a blooming red poppy.

One could not help but be captivated and intoxicated.

One could see that the Venerable One Joy beside him had his breathing quicken somewhat, gazing at the emerging Joyful Bodhisattva, a hint of unusual flush appearing on his face.

The Monk Wuyue then licked his lips and smiled faintly.

「……」

The Joyful Bodhisattva's countenance was serene, revealing an aloof expression utterly at odds with his demeanor, as if keeping others at a thousand-mile distance.

Soon, Monk Wuyue and the Venerable One Joy respectfully stepped back one pace, bowed, and cried: 「Congratulations to the Abbot on achieving Golden Core! 」

「Congratulations to the Abbot on achieving Golden Core! 」

The inner and outer gate disciples in the square also shouted in unison.

Their voices gathered, surging straight to the clouds, grand as heavenly music, nearly reaching every corner of Zhongdu.

Countless people halted their tasks, unable to help but gaze toward the horizon.

Some were bewildered: Golden Core, Abbot—what does that mean?

Those who understood the meaning had varied expressions, like the myriad facets of life.

「Indeed, the Joyful Bodhisattva has achieved Golden Core. 」Within the Chengtian Pavilion, Yuxuanzi's face flickered with a trace of worry.

Beside him, whether seated or standing, were six other cultivators.

Among them were middle-aged, youthful, and elderly; one was Qingfengzi.

He asked: 「Sect Master, when will the Elders emerge from seclusion? 」

The Longya Dao Sect has five Supreme Elders in total, two of whom are at the peak of Foundation Establishment, very close to Golden Core.

Merely slightly weaker than the original Joyful Bodhisattva, they steadily surpass Monk Wuyue and the Venerable One Joy.

Moreover, one has been calculable as a Golden Core True Person for over ten years, though due to some special reason, his state is unstable, often retreating to stabilize his realm.

These powerhouses are the Longya Dao Sect's confidence in not fearing the Joyful Temple.

Even if the Joyful Bodhisattva attains the Golden Core realm, the Longya Dao Sect will not lose to him; at most, the two sides will present a stalemate.

Originally, the Longya Dao Sect steadily suppressed the Joyful Temple; no matter how the Joyful Temple caused trouble, they could steadily sit atop the Fishing Terrace.

Now the Joyful Temple has gained the qualification to wrestle with the Longya Dao Sect; the outcome remains uncertain, and inevitably some feel pressure.

Those two Supreme Elders entered seclusion also due to receiving intelligence that the Joyful Bodhisattva might achieve the Golden Core realm, wishing to advance further.

「I fear it will still take some time. 」Yuxuanzi said.

「And the Grand Elder……」Someone asked.

「Master, I have not seen him for two full years. 」Yuxuanzi shook his head, 「Grand Elder Haotian and Grand Elder Xuanming should emerge before the Master. 」

「Hmph! Then let that Joyful Temple be arrogant a while longer. 」

「By the way. 」Qingfengzi said, 「That Xuanzang Dharma Master and Kongxuan want us to join forces against the Joyful Temple; the Sect Master will not agree, will he? 」

「Naturally not. 」Yuxuanzi said, 「This matter is of great importance; it should be decided by the Elders; how could I, one person, overrule the cauldron and replace the stove? 」

「Then it's good. 」Qingfengzi said, with a hint of leaning on his age to sell his experience, though he is not the eldest among those present, his cultivation ranks among the top three.

Far deeper than Yuxuanzi.

「Wait a moment. 」Suddenly, an elderly cultivator spoke, gazing at Qingfengzi and saying, 「What did you just say, Xuanzang Dharma Master? 」

「Yes, how? 」Qingfengzi was somewhat puzzled.

「What does that Xuanzang Dharma Master look like? 」

「He looks like the monks of the Joyful Temple, with a head of white hair, his strength is not insignificant; I am no match for him, I fear he is close to the Golden Core realm. 」Qingfengzi did not belittle Tang Luo's strength, but he needed to regain some face in other aspects.

The elder's countenance shifted unpredictably.

「Martial Uncle, what's wrong? 」Yuxuanzi asked, as most present would call him Martial Uncle.

「Probably……not that person. 」The elder said, recalling that monk who entered the mountain gate years ago and mysteriously vanished, his dharma name was Xuanzang, he too had white hair—could it be the same person?

Hearing some senior uncles and aunts once say, that monk was personally sent meals by the then-grand senior sister Qingliang.

Later, everyone wanted to test this person, seemingly having sensed a clue, and immediately vanished without trace.

Since then, he has never reappeared; some have inquired, yet found no related information, as if that monk had materialized out of thin air.

「That person? What person? 」Qingfengzi asked.

「Back when the two sects had not merged, there was a monk with the dharma name Xuanzang who visited the Wuyai Sect as a guest, over a hundred years ago. 」The elder said, 「This person's origins are mysterious; over a hundred years ago, he could freely enter and exit the Wuyai Sect's Sutra Pavilion; his cultivation is likely extremely profound. 」

Qingfengzi said somewhat dazedly: 「I can affirm he is stronger than me, but I fear he is only close to Golden Core at best. 」

「……」Yuxuanzi suddenly rose to his feet, recalling the words of that Xuanzang Dharma Master—remember mutual aid and support.

If he truly was, as an outsider a hundred years ago, freely entering and exiting the Sutra Pavilion, then dealing with the Joyful Temple would not be baseless.

Not a joke, nor an agreement, but a reminder!

「Hasten to the Joyful Temple! 」Yuxuanzi bellowed, at this moment, the authority of the National Preceptor and Sect Master was unmistakably revealed.

Inside the Joyful Temple.

The disciples' welcoming cries had ceased, but the heavenly music enveloping Zhongdu had not fully dissipated, still lingering in the ears.

The believers on the streets outside were even more devout and delighted.

The Joyful Bodhisattva ignored the crowd's congratulations, said nothing to Monk Wuyue or the Venerable One Joy, merely gazing at Tang Luo as he entered the Joyful Temple.

「I do not know how to address the Dharma Master……」

Seeing that white-haired monk stride in as if no one else were present, the Joyful Bodhisattva finally spoke.

「I am the mendicant monk Xuanzang. 」

Tang Luo placed his single hand upright before his chest and said.

At this moment, everyone also noticed Tang Luo, their expressions varied, unaware what this monk had come for.

Join the Joyous Temple? Doesn't seem like it.

People coming to provoke? Doesn't feel like that either — mainly, would anyone be stupid enough to come provoke the Joyous Bodhisattva right when he achieves Golden Core?

"Master Xuanzang," the Joyous Bodhisattva said, "today is this poor monk's Golden Core Grand Ceremony; originally guests are welcome, but judging by Master's appearance, you don't seem to have come to congratulate?"

No empty pleasantries either — or rather, couldn't be bothered to waste words with this white-haired monk, directly asking his purpose.

If an enemy, kill him.

Right now is precisely when the Joyous Bodhisattva's momentum is flourishing; having achieved Golden Core and consolidated it, he already possesses an invincible mindset — let alone a monk who looks all mysterious, putting on airs.

Even thousands of armies and tens of thousands of horses blessed with gathered Xuan Qi, the Joyous Bodhisattva wouldn't fear in the slightest.

"Congratulate?" Tang Luo laughed, "With you lot's ugly crew who act against the natural order, you also deserve this poor monk's congratulations?"

As these words fell, the nearly thousand people inside the Joyous Temple all changed expression, each revealing fierce light in their eyes.

Even Master Wuyue and Senior Yixi were no exception.

Especially Master Wuyue, not concealing his emotions in the slightest, instantly transforming into a furious ferocious beast.

If an ordinary person caught a glance, they'd probably be scared into weak knees.

Only the Joyous Bodhisattva remained calm and composed, not the slightest hint of anger, only lofty pride.

"Insolent!"

Someone stepped forward from the crowd, rebuking sternly, but not a Joyous Temple disciple — rather a collaborator and supporter of the Joyous Temple from the Great You court.

"Ignorant mountain wild man! The Joyous Bodhisattva entered the Northern Plains, slaughtered the five great tribal chiefs and shamans, blocked the Great Shaman's emergence! An unparalleled hero, how can you petty scum slander him!"

Voice fierce and unrestrained, carrying far, spoken as if it were true.

The rest of the Joyous disciples also opened their mouths to rebuke.

Everyone's voices linked into one piece, recounting the three Joyous Bodhisattvas' achievements, denouncing Tang Luo, simply like a trial.

In fact, not far off.

The Joyous Temple naturally isn't an ordinary temple; it already has a profound formation activated, everyone's emotions transforming into invisible power.

For a cultivator with insufficient cultivation, they might even die of shame amid such denunciation.

If one really treats the Joyous Temple as merely a sect that plays with lust and dual cultivation for harvesting, that would be underestimating them too much.

"Oh, really?" Tang Luo like a lone skiff amid terrifying waves, seemingly about to capsize at any moment, yet never toppling, instead looking at the Joyous Bodhisattva and asking.

The Joyous Bodhisattva didn't answer, giving a tacit acknowledgment.

The Northern Plains matter naturally has nothing to do with him, although he indeed went to the Northern Plains once.

But this doesn't prevent the Joyous Bodhisattva from tacitly accepting it, creating greater momentum for himself to obtain more Xuan Qi to assist cultivation.

"Heh." Seeing the Joyous Bodhisattva's tacit acknowledgment, Tang Luo chuckled, leisurely taking out a stack of papers and beginning to recite aloud.

"Joyous Sect disciple, Daoist Wuyou, *****-woman..."

"Joyous Sect disciple, Ping Gaozhuo, massacred the entire Jin family."

"Joyous Sect disciple..."

One by one, the Joyous Sect's evil deeds were recited by Tang Luo, his voice gradually drowning out everyone's "voice of judgment."

Spreading out, not particularly loud, yet clearly audible.

The Joyous Bodhisattva's eyes narrowed slightly, the ground beneath his feet seemed to flash with light, about to activate the formation.

Tang Luo's recitation didn't stop; his right foot lifted, stepping lightly on the ground.

The ground seemed to tremble in this instant, yet also as if nothing had happened.

Master Wuyue and Senior Yixi simultaneously took a step, expressions becoming incomparably grave.

Beneath Tang Luo's foot, thread-thin minute cracks appeared, in a flash spreading out like a spiderweb covering the entire Joyous Temple grounds.

And the several grand formations arranged in the Joyous Temple, under this one step, all collapsed!

That group of fanatical Joyous disciples also sobered up slightly — only slightly.

"Senior Brother..."

Master Wuyue murmured.

"Go test him," the Joyous Bodhisattva said.

Master Wuyue nodded, walking step by step toward Tang Luo, each step not fast, momentum stacking bit by bit.

Halfway there, it was like a mountain moving; atop that mountain, tiger roars and dragon chants, momentum astonishing.

"Master Wuyue."

At this moment, Tang Luo happened to recite to this person, "For cultivating a secret art, occupied Li Family Village, killed son before parents, raped wife before husband, ate flesh and blood raw, deliberately created a hell on earth..."

At this time, Master Wuyue had already arrived before Tang Luo, only a few steps away; he silently threw a punch.

Mountain assaulting, the vast momentum of tiger roars and dragon chants, instantly transforming.

Endless wails, shrill howls, rage, fear, despair — all negative emotions surging with this punch.

Making one feel as if placed in hell, with only sinking as an option.

Precisely the secret art Tang Luo spoke of.

"Capital crime."

Tang Luo pinched that sheet filled with Master Wuyue's crimes between two fingers, pushing it forward.

Blood sprayed skyward; that fist like a human hell missed, not even touching Tang Luo's hem.

Master Wuyue's head fell to the ground, headless corpse collapsing.

The paper stained red with blood, covering Master Wuyue's widened eyes, tightly adhering to his face.

"Next, Senior Yixi."