Chapter 17: Prison‑Suppressing Bright King Technique

Ling Yan and Zhong Shifu concealed themselves throughout the Three Mountains Bandits' territory; after tracking the Wu Family caravan's movements, they quietly waited in the forest for the party's arrival.

After a fresh rain, the whole empty mountain was washed clean, the forest air turned unusually fresh, as if it could cleanse the fatigue and dust deep in people's souls. Yet for the person crouching in the muddy ground of the woods now, the freshness brought little comfort.

The mud beneath their feet was slick and treacherous, each step required caution; meanwhile, crystal‑clear droplets on the leaves fell intermittently, soaking their clothes and hair. These minor inconveniences seemed not to disturb their focus on what lay before them, yet they made the surroundings increasingly damp and chilly.

Ling Yan changed into a neat, streamlined outfit, hair coiled into a bun and hidden beneath a conical hat, a pair of star‑like eyes refusing to relax, staring intently at the mountain path below, awaiting the Wu Family caravan's arrival.

"Zhong Uncle, do you think the Grand Boss's outer demon will intervene?" Ling Yan asked softly.

Zhong Shifu furrowed his brows: "That part's unclear; let's see how the Wu Family prepares. If even the other heads of the Three Mountains Bandits can't be dealt with, it's unlikely the outer demon will make a move."

"But I've heard the Wu Family's cargo this time is extremely valuable, and they've hired the Grand Master Escort Head Lin Qun of the Shui Tian Escort Agency; that should merit the Three Mountains Bandits' attention,"

"Miss, don't underestimate those heads of the Three Mountains Bandits; they're all half‑step Grand Masters, and teaming up against a single Grand Master is no problem. Moreover, they're notorious for being ruthless; in an actual fight, even Grand Master Lin Qun might not be their match," Zhong Shifu said.

Ling Yan frowned: "If that's the case, the Wu Family can't be escorted by only one Grand Master, can they?"

"Perhaps Lord Feng Wei also considered this and made other arrangements. Or perhaps the Wu Family has its own means hidden from outsiders," Zhong Shifu said.

Ling Yan turned, glanced around, and whispered, "Zhong Uncle, Lord Feng Wei isn't also here, is he?"

"That's uncertain... Hey, Miss, stay quiet, they're coming!!"

The Wu Family convoy rolled in from the road's end, a massive group of dozens appearing robust on the mountain path; the formation was orderly, not chaotic or crowded, and the leading conical‑hat men were clearly the Escort Head and his escort masters from the Shui Tian Escort Agency.

Just as the Wu Family caravan neared the road's center, a sudden thunderous crash rang out ahead! Everyone stared in shock as a massive tree toppled without warning, slamming hard into the ground. In an instant, mud and dust splattered, water sprayed, as if a sudden downpour had swept over them. Along with the startling scene, the horses let out panicked whinnies, quickening everyone's heartbeat.

"Ugh!!!"

"Watch your horses!"

Lin Qun stepped forward, brows furrowed, scanning the surroundings.

On both sides of the forest, numerous riders had appeared, all laughing and looking at them, faces brimming with excitement, as if they'd caught a big fish.

"Gentlemen of the forest, why block the road here? Why not clear a path for me to pass?" Lin Xu cupped his fists and shouted toward both sides.

"Hehe, isn't that the Escort Head Lin of the Shui Tian Escort Agency? Why so polite now?" Cao Shangfei stood on a nearby branch, laughing loudly.

Lin Qun looked at him, inhaled deeply: "Cao Shangfei? It's you!"

"Indeed, seems the Escort Head Lin has heard of me, so I won't say much. If the cargo stays, the people may go. If the cargo doesn't stay, the people won't stay!"

Wu Zhao frowned slightly, then hurriedly smiled, "Heroes, we've offended the Wu Family before; here's a ten‑thousand tael silver note—could you let our people and cargo depart?"

"Eh?"

"So you accept that?"

Cao Shangfei recalled the Grand Boss's words: if a bribe is offered, it's settled, and they can be let go.

But at that moment, a figure suddenly charged out; Cao Shangfei froze for a moment, recognized the silhouette, and hurried to shout, "Second Boss, don't act!"

Before Cao Shangfei could finish, Chi Ren Fo was already charging toward Lin Qun, brandishing a sixty‑six‑jin stone‑grinding Zen staff!

"Hahaha, Lin Qun, receive a move from this little monk!"

"Escort Head Lin, be careful!"

Lin Qun's gaze hardened, thinking it was bad, and shouted outward, "You all quickly protect the others; beware the bandits taking advantage of Chaos to kill!"

While speaking, Lin Qun drew a saber from his horse's back, leapt down and slashed horizontally, confronting Chi Ren Fo!

Clang!

The sound of metal intertwining rang out; Lin Qun and Chi Ren Fo collided hard, both stepping back several paces!

But Lin Qun only retreated one step, while Chi Ren Fo lunged back six or seven steps before barely halting, the mud beneath his feet forming a deep pit—showing that even a passive swing by Lin Qun unleashed power far surpassing Chi Ren Fo's!

This is a martial arts Grand Master!

If it were an ordinary fighter, Chi Ren Fo's massive, crushing blow could pulverize flesh and bone into mush instantly. Yet against Lin Qun, whose weapon gave him no advantage, he was at a disadvantage.

"Weituo Staff? You truly are of the Buddhist sect; when did the Xun Dao region produce such an evil Buddhist?" Lin Qun's face darkened; the Buddhist school prides itself on righteousness and grandeur—though its reputation has waned lately, it still promotes virtue, not some demonic path.

Yet Chi Ren Fo's appearance, soaked in blood and murderous aura, even surpasses those demonic paths, and his technique stems from orthodox Buddhist martial arts—simply unbelievable.

Chi Ren Fo let out a cold snort, his eyes flashing crimson: "Lin Qun, the other day I underestimated you and was injured by you; today I'll repay with your life! Meet death!"

Lin Qun furrowed his brows, glancing to both sides where Cao Shangfei still hadn't acted, feeling something was amiss.

If everyone truly possessed Chi Ren Fo's strength, restraining oneself to keep him from escaping would be effortless.

And if I can't move, relying solely on the Wu Family guards would be no match for these blood‑thirsty bandits!

Cao Shangfei's complexion also darkened, his gaze grim at Chi Ren Fo: "Damned bastard, when we get back I'll report to the Grand Boss and see how you face his wrath!"

Though he thought that, he shouted, "Boys, kill them all!!"

"Kill!"

"Kill!!"

The bandits surged forward en masse, racing down the slope as if terrified they'd be too slow to snatch the loot, crashing wildly.

Cao Shangfei glanced at Chi Ren Fo, who was locked in fierce combat with Lin Qun, and seeing his stance, knew he couldn't last many moves before losing again, prompting a faint sneer.

"With such strength, still pretending?"

"Really think they're some rare martial talent capable of overturning a Grand Master?"

"In the end, they'll just have a few brothers clean up the mess for them, right?"

Sure enough, Lin Qun saw the bandits charge, his heart quickened, and with no restraint he coldly stared at Chi Ren Fo:

"You brought this death upon yourself; I can't be blamed!"

"Hahaha, dying at the hands of a strong foe is better than a dull hundred years turning to dust! I have strength, why not use it? I have life, I can also fight with it!"

Finishing his words, Chi Ren Fo's aura abruptly shifted, as if countless evil spirits burst from his body, encircling him. His already wild visage grew even more ferocious and twisted, eyes flashing with savage, brutal light.

His forceful inner qi surged a few more degrees, muscles rippling, tearing his kasaya to reveal a tattoo depicting the Abyss of Naraka!

At this moment, Chi Ren Fo bore little resemblance to the prison‑suppressing Weituo image described in Buddhist teachings. He radiated an evil, terrifying aura, like a fierce ghost from the depths of the underworld, sending chills down the spine.

Lin Qun was startled, suddenly recalling a mysterious Buddhist martial art!

"You... the Prison‑Suppressing Bright King Technique? No, this isn't that upright Buddhist skill!"

Hahaha, ten thousand ghosts devour my body—I am the Bright King!

Lin Qun took a deep breath, thinking that today he could not hold back any strength. The blade in his hand suddenly let out a sharp ring, and he saw a faint white aura clinging to the blade!

Looks like I too must exterminate demons and uphold the Dao today! Evildoers, receive death!