Chapter 46: Plotting Against Tianlong Temple

Abbot Benyin sighed upon hearing this: "This..."

Zhao Ti said, "I have known Abbot Benyin for several days and am familiar with the other masters, feeling as if we have known each other for a lifetime, which is why I spoke so abruptly. If your temple truly faces difficulties, I can lend a hand."

Abbot Benyin showed a thoughtful expression, then after a moment said, "Recently I have discussed Wu Gong with Benefactor Zhao at length, yet I do not know how high your Wu Gong truly is."

Zhao Ti's lips curled upward; the five monks of Tianlong Temple, apart from Master Kurong, were roughly on par with Duan Yanqing.

Taking Emperor Baoding Duan Zhengming as the standard, Duan Yanqing possessed profound internal energy, yet Emperor Baoding Duan Zhengming was superior in actual combat to Duan Yanqing, and also higher than the four monks; this was proven when they faced Ji Mo Zhi. When Abbot Benxiang and Duan Zhengming simultaneously received Ji Mo Zhi's Flame Blade, Duan Zhengming remained unscathed, while Abbot Benxiang spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

Zhao Ti had not neglected his cultivation these days; his Phantom Yin True Qi and Sunflower True Qi had advanced further, nearly reaching the fifth layer. If he faced Duan Yanqing and the South Sea Crocodile God together now, he would surely completely suppress the two, and even killing them was not out of the question.

He said, "My Wu Dao... should be no worse than that of masters Ben Can and Ben Xiang."

Abbot Benyin's expression turned Serious; the four of them, his seniority brothers, were evenly matched. If Zhao Ti claimed to be no worse than Ben Can and Ben Xiang, that meant he was no worse than Benyin himself. Moreover, when discussing one's own Wu Gong, people usually speak modestly, so the truth might be even higher.

Although he had interacted with Zhao Ti these days and knew the other was not a man of empty boasts, he could not help but say, "Benefactor Zhao, the path of Wu Gong must not be exaggerated. Your status is noble; if any mishap occurs because of this, it would be unfortunate."

Zhao Ti smiled and said, "Does Abbot Benyin wish to see, or to test?"

"This..." Abbot Benyin smiled awkwardly: "Benefactor Zhao, simply displaying a little for this old monk to witness would suffice; a test is hardly necessary."

Zhao Ti smiled lightly, raised his hand, and pointed toward the window ahead. A gloomy yet ethereal sound rang out; finger force shot forth, instantly punching a hole in that window lattice.

"Ah?" Abbot Benyin was immediately greatly alarmed: "Benefactor Zhao, what kind of finger technique is this? Could it be one of the Plucking Flower Finger, the Endless Kalpa Finger, or the Multi-Leaf Finger?"

Observing that this finger wind was completely different from the One Yang Finger, he guessed at several famous finger techniques of the world.

Zhao Ti shook his head and smiled: "Abbot Benyin is joking. All the techniques the master mentioned belong to Shaolin Wu Gong. I have never been to Shaolin; how could I know those finger techniques? This is a family-inherited Wu Gong."

"I am ashamed." Abbot Benyin pressed his palms together: "Seeing Benefactor Zhao's finger force was so powerful, I was so startled that I forgot this matter. I see that Benefactor Zhao's finger skill surpasses even mine."

Zhao Ti said, "Can the master now speak of the matter troubling him?"

Abbot Benyin sighed: "Actually, there is nothing unspeakable. Benefactor Zhao is of the Dasong Sect and not a person of the Jianghu, so there is no fear of the benefactor hearing it."

Zhao Ti smiled: "Precisely so. Friendship between Song and Li is seen in the court; how can it be compared to the Jianghu?"

Abbot Benyin nodded: "Exactly so. Then this old monk will tell the benefactor. Since the benefactor honors the Buddha, do you know the Great Snow Mountain and the Great Wheel Temple in Tubo?"

Zhao Ti said, "I know this place. Its sect spreads in the Western Regions and does not enter the Central Plains."

Abbot Benyin said, "Since Benefactor Zhao knows this, then this old monk can speak easily. The Great Wheel Temple has a Great Wheel Bright King named Ji Mo Zhi, whose Buddhist Dharma is profound and whose Wu Gong is supreme..."

Zhao Ti listened silently until he finished, finding no discrepancy with his memory; only Abbot Benyin had omitted the name of the Six Meridian Swords, substituting it with the temple's supreme art.

He could not help but frown and say, "This Ji Mo Zhi is simply too bullying! Although Dali has not formed a vassal relationship with Dasong, both are lands of splendor and prosperity, famous for their scenery and culture. How dare a monk from a barbaric, outside land do such a thing? It is simply too bullying!"

Upon hearing this, Abbot Benyin deeply agreed. Dali had previously submitted letters and tribute to Dasong eleven times, seeking to become a vassal. Although each time it was rejected, the country still took pride in imitating Dasong, using Han characters, reading Han books, composing poetry and lyrics, and claiming to be a land of splendor.

"What Benefactor Zhao says is most correct; this Great Wheel Bright King is indeed unreasonable!"

Zhao Ti nodded: "Since that is the case, I am willing to lend Tianlong Temple a hand!"

Abbot Benyin said, "Benefactor Zhao, but this is a family matter of Tianlong Temple..."

Zhao Ti said, "Song and Li are one family sooner or later. Since it is a family matter, how can I not lend assistance?"

Abbot Benyin thought for a moment: "Benefactor Zhao, I must still ask my junior uncle Master Kurong about this matter. Benefactor Zhao's status as a member of the Dasong Sect, if any mishap occurs in Dali, this..."

Zhao Ti said, "Abbot Benyin, please go. Also, please tell Abbot Master Kurong that even if Abbot Master Kurong hesitates, I am determined to help!"

Seeing Zhao Ti speak so resolutely, Abbot Benyin hurried to the Moni Hall to see Master Kurong, while Zhao Ti sat in the chair, pondering.

The experts Dali could muster now, apart from the five monks of Tianlong Temple, were only Emperor Baoding Duan Zhengming. As for Duan Zhengchun and the ministers and guards below, they were not worth looking at.

Furthermore, whether Emperor Baoding would bring Duan Yu to Tianlong Temple for treatment was uncertain, after all, Zhao Ti had changed the events of the Langhuan Fudi, and Mu Wanqing had also been with him all along.

If Emperor Baoding did not bring Duan Yu, the likelihood of Tianlong Temple actively seeking the other out was not high. After all, although the Six Meridian Swords were precious, compared to the Jiangshan and the state of Dali, they were nothing. The old monks could distinguish what was light and what was heavy. If Emperor Baoding suffered any mishap and the court became unstable, causing trouble, then what Tianlong Temple, what peerless Wu Gong, would all be but dreams and bubbles.

After a while, Abbot Benyin returned, his face bright with joy: "Benefactor Zhao, junior uncle Master Kurong requests your presence."

Zhao Ti rose, left the meditation hall, followed Abbot Benyin through the Wuwu Realm, circled the Dusuli Great Bodhisattva Courtyard, passed the Rain Flower Courtyard, and finally arrived at the Moni Hall.

Upon entering, he saw that Ben Can, Ben Xiang, and Ben Guan were all present, and another old monk with a withered figure looked toward him.

Zhao Ti sized up the old monk, thinking this must be Master Kurong. Master Kurong's Wu Gong was extremely high, incomparable to the other three monks.

The old monk proclaimed the Buddha and said, "Benefactor Zhao, this old monk is Master Kurong. Just now I heard Benyin recount the benefactor's background and journey, and also that the benefactor is willing to lend Tianlong Temple a hand?"

Zhao Ti pressed his palms together and said, "I also honor the Buddha and cannot bear the demonic conduct of Ji Mo Zhi. Moreover, friendship between Song and Li is seen in the court; now that the opportunity has arisen, I naturally must provide assistance."

Master Kurong looked at Zhao Ti with bright eyes: "Benefactor Zhao, this matter is perilous. You are of noble status as a member of the Dasong Sect. What demands or conditions do you have for assisting our Tianlong Temple?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ti smiled; he had not expected this old monk to be so direct.

Abbot Benyin beside him said, "Benefactor Zhao, if there is any need, do not hesitate to speak. Junior uncle Master Kurong can make the decision."

Zhao Ti shook his head: "I had not thought of it, so how could I have thought of it right now..."

"This..." Upon hearing this, Abbot Benyin looked at Master Kurong, and a trace of doubt appeared on Master Kurong's face.

Zhao Ti smiled: "Just something fitting will do. First, I do not want the Cultivation Technique Ji Mo Zhi is demanding. Second, I do not need gifts of gold and silver jewels. Third, I will not take a single book or object from Tianlong Temple."

Abbot Benyin's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he looked at Master Kurong again. Master Kurong chanted a Buddhist name: "Benefactor Zhao acts with righteousness; it seems this old monk was overthinking. Benefactor, please sit and discuss this matter in detail."