Chapter 129

The mountains were sealed by ice and snow, and the pilgrims had vanished.

Yu Liancheng unfolded his "Ethereal Immortal-Ascending Steps," his posture elegant and agile, as if he were treading upon the void; it was truly fast to an unimaginable extreme.

At the foot of the mountain, Xinmei and the other three martial monks were also startled. Although they already knew Yu Liancheng's martial arts were brilliant, they had not expected his lightness skill to be so profound as to truly deserve the description of being as ethereal as an immortal.

"Do not daze off, take me up the mountain quickly. If the Abbot and the others clash with Yu Liancheng, I fear this pure land of Shaolin will also be stained with blood," Monk Xinmei said hurriedly.

"Understood, Martial Uncle."

Yu Liancheng exerted his full movement technique, and before long, the magnificent halls of Shaolin Temple were before his eyes.

Outside the temple gate, a young monk was sweeping snow.

The moment that monk turned around and discovered an extra person behind him, he was startled and hurriedly said, "Amitabha, the mountain gate is closed. If the benefactor wishes to burn incense and worship Buddha, please wait until the spring of next year."

Yu Liancheng smiled slightly and said, "I am not here to burn incense or worship Buddha; please trouble the Abbot to come out and meet me."

Although the young monk was of a tender age, as a Shaolin monk in the number one pure land of Buddhism, he was naturally quite proud. Just as he was about to open his mouth to reprimand him, Yu Liancheng laughed and said, "Forget it. Letting a little monk like you go to report back and forth would be too much trouble. I shall do it myself."

While the young monk was still in doubt, Yu Liancheng took a light breath and said in a clear, resonant voice, "Yu Liancheng pays a visit to the mountain. Where is the Shaolin Abbot?"

His voice was clear and bright. Although it was less than ten characters, it was like the roar of a dragon or the howl of a tiger. It not only spread throughout the entire Shaolin Temple but also resounded through the high heavens, causing the accumulated snow to scatter in all directions, even turning into fine, rustling powder.

The young monk was dumbfounded, unable to speak for a moment.

The melodious sound of a bell rang out.

At the same time, the sound of footsteps from the Shaolin monks surged toward the temple gate.

"Amitabha, what business brings the benefactor to Shaolin?"

With a single Buddhist chant, a group of Shaolin monks appeared before Yu Liancheng.

The person in the lead was an old monk with an ancient and peculiar appearance; it was none other than Abbot Xinhu of Shaolin Temple.

Behind Abbot Xinhu were four people, three of whom were old monks just like Xinhu.

They were Xinshu, Xinjian, and Xindeng, respectively.

These three were all high monks of the "Xin" generation of Shaolin, among the seven great protector masters, and were highly accomplished in both martial arts and Buddhist dharma.

As for the last person, he was a short, withered old man. His eyes were piercing, and his nose was hooked like an eagle's, making one forget his short stature and feel only an indescribable authority and vigor.

He was none other than Baixiaosheng, who was a guest at Shaolin.

Yu Liancheng returned the greeting and said, "I am Yu Liancheng. Greetings to all the masters."

Upon confirming the identity of the visitor, Xinhu and the others could not help but have their expressions change slightly. Although Baixiaosheng still wore a smile, his expression had become several degrees more solemn.

Abbot Xinhu said, "May I ask, Benefactor, where is my junior brother Xinmei? Did he not return to Shaolin with you?"

Yu Liancheng smiled slightly and said, "That is correct. He should still be on the road up the mountain; you will be able to see him in a moment."

Baixiaosheng suddenly said, "Yu Liancheng, I heard you went on a killing spree at Xingyun Manor and crippled Master Xinmei's martial arts. Is this true or not?"

Yu Liancheng glanced at him: "What business is it of yours?"

Baixiaosheng's expression changed slightly, and he let out a cold snort.

Xinjian stepped forward and said, "Yu Liancheng, you are the notorious Plum Blossom Thief, committing murders and sins, and crippling my senior brother's internal energy. How dare you come to our Shaolin Temple? Even though our Shaolin Temple holds compassion as its foundation, you should know that the World-Honored Tathagata also has the aspect of the Wrathful Wisdom King."

Yu Liancheng laughed: "Oh, you had better be careful. Don't let the Wrathful Wisdom King's fire of ignorance burn me, only to turn yourself into ashes first."

Monk Xinjian's face turned cold, and he shouted sternly, "Disciples, obey the order! Form the One Hundred and Eight Arhat Array!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the Shaolin disciples behind them moved their feet, their energies interlinked in a strict formation, about to form the legendary One Hundred and Eight Arhat Array.

Abbot Xinhu frowned and glanced at Xinjian.

His seventh junior brother was not a reckless person; why was he so impulsive today?

"Senior Brother, quickly tell them to stop!" Just then, Xinmei finally arrived late. The three disciples who had sent him up were already covered in hot sweat and panting.

Xinmei had wanted to shout for the disciples to stop himself, but after all, he was now just an ordinary old man, and his voice could not carry that far.

"Junior Brother, are you alright?" Xinhu stepped forward first to support Xinmei, showing a look of concern.

"Abbot Senior Brother, I am fine. Quickly tell them to stop," Xinmei said urgently.

He had a certain understanding of Yu Liancheng's strength.

If a real slaughter were to happen now, with Yu Liancheng's sword arts and lightness skill, it was not certain he couldn't break out of the array, while the Shaolin monks would surely bleed. If they didn't seal the mountain for twenty years, I fear they wouldn't be able to recover their vitality.

"Very well." Abbot Xinhu waved his hand: "All disciples, stop."

"Senior Brother, but..."

"Junior Brother Xinmei understands more about this matter; let him handle it."

Monk Xinjian still wanted to argue, but he was interrupted by Abbot Xinhu.

Compared to the irritable Xinjian, Abbot Xinhu trusted Xinmei more.

Xinmei walked up to Yu Liancheng: "Benefactor Yu, what is your purpose in coming to Shaolin this time?"

Yu Liancheng smiled: "Did I not already tell you? This trip is to borrow and read the scriptures in the Shaolin Library."

"Absolutely impossible!!" Xinjian was furious. Even Xinhu, who had the best self-cultivation, frowned slightly. The other two masters of the "Xin" generation did not speak, but they already showed expressions of anger, like wrathful Vajras.

Xinmei also smiled bitterly: "Benefactor Yu, this is absolutely impossible. Why must you be so stubborn?"

Yu Liancheng waved his hand indifferently: "I said, I can make a deal with you. The reason a deal cannot be reached is nothing more than the chips for the deal being insufficient."

Monk Xinmei shook his head and said, "No matter how you want to trade, Shaolin will never agree."

"You might as well listen to my bargaining chips before deciding." Yu Liancheng suddenly changed the subject and said, "There have been seven thefts in the Shaolin Library recently, but none of you have found out who the thief is. My first bargaining chip is that I can tell you who the culprit and his accomplices are."

His voice carried far, and everyone was startled.

Xinmei and the others were surprised at how Yu Liancheng knew about this.

And the crowd of Shaolin disciples were surprised at the seven thefts from the heavily guarded library.

Baixiaosheng sneered: "These seven thefts were done flawlessly. Originally, I really couldn't find out who the culprit was, but now I know."

Xinjian cast his gaze on Yu Liancheng and said, "That's right, I know now too."

After the atmosphere remained dull for a moment, Xinmei said, "Benefactor Yu, I did not tell you about this. I wonder where you got this news?"

Yu Liancheng shrugged and said, "I said it's because I have a good memory. Do you believe me?"