Chapter 126: Support from Yang Xin

Linghu Chong abruptly stood up, sword in hand, and faced the newcomers. Though they all wore iron masks, their attire betrayed their identity.

Flying fish robes and embroidered spring blades! They were the Imperial Guards. As the Guards began to close their net, the screams faded, and Linghu Chong realized that the Shaolin monks were about to be wiped out.

As for why the Imperial Guards would suddenly appear here, Linghu Chong was baffled. He could only stand his ground, sword drawn, and remain on guard. Yet, judging by the current situation, the Guards were only hunting the Shaolin monks and completely ignored him.

The reason for the Imperial Guards' presence was actually quite simple to understand. Yang Xin had obtained the Shaolin land deeds, transferring their agricultural holdings to the name of the Xianyue Sect; his intention to act against Shaolin was public knowledge.

Zhu Qizhen also harbored ill intent toward Shaolin, viewing Buddhist factions like them as a malignant tumor on the Ming Dynasty. Since Yang Xin was preparing to make a move, how could Zhu Qizhen not be concerned? Therefore, when Zhu Qizhen saw that Yang Xin had sent Linghu Chong down the mountain—ostensibly for training, but in reality to strike at Shaolin—he arranged for the Imperial Guards. Their mission was twofold: first, to curry favor with Yang Xin by standing ready to save Linghu Chong’s life in a crisis; and second, to clean up the aftermath, as these matters were, after all, the specialty of the Imperial Guards.

The Imperial Guard centurion glanced at Linghu Chong, offered a salute, and once the cleanup was finished, they left in single file until they vanished from sight.

Linghu Chong resumed his meditation. Once finished, he flew back to the Golden Saber Sect in Luoyang, instructing their disciples to transport the grain. He kept only twenty percent and returned the rest to the tenant farmers for free, telling them that if anyone dared to touch their grain again, they should invoke the name of the Xianyue Sect and report it to the local authorities.

Having settled these trifles, Linghu Chong immediately sent a carrier pigeon. The matter was too grave for him to act as if nothing had happened, so he reported everything to Yue Buqun and Yang Xin. The rest was just waiting.

As Linghu Chong waited, Wang Yuanba, master of the Golden Saber Sect, was also waiting.

As the local overlord of the Luoyang region, how could he be unaware of what happened that night? Perhaps he didn't know the details, but he knew the outcome.

Over two hundred Shaolin monks had been slaughtered by Linghu Chong alone. These were over two hundred monks—not two hundred pigs, nor two hundred beggars—they were the disciples of Shaolin, which had led the martial arts world for over a century. And yet, they had been wiped out on his own home turf by his own distinguished guest.

On one side was Shaolin, on the other the Xianyue Sect. Trapped between two behemoths, one could imagine how uncomfortable he felt. Fortunately, the discomfort didn't last long; with the Golden Saber disciples being ordered by Linghu Chong to transport the grain, the sect had effectively taken the side of the Xianyue Sect. Wang Yuanba could only wait and leave his fate to heaven. As for whether Shaolin would listen to his explanation? He wouldn't believe it even if he used his toes to think—in Shaolin's eyes, the Golden Saber Sect and the Xianyue Sect were two peas in a pod.

Waiting is painful; waiting is a torment.

Linghu Chong knew that information would return via carrier pigeon within a day or two, but he still felt the time dragging. Even the fine wine that usually tasted mellow and sweet now felt tasteless. He simply spent the time wandering around Luoyang.

During these wanderings, he happened to run into Green Bamboo Elder, which naturally led to meeting Ren Yingying, who was disguised as an old woman. He heard a melody of the "Heart-Cleansing and Virtue-Promoting Tune," and Linghu Chong took the opportunity to produce the "Proud Wanderer of the Rivers and Lakes" score. Ren Yingying fell in love with him at first sight, and Linghu Chong’s story arc returned to its original path.

During the days spent listening to music with Ren Yingying, Linghu Chong had worried he might be reprimanded by his sect, or handed over to Shaolin to be dealt with, or even expelled from the school. But the result he received was support—full, vigorous support.

"Don't be afraid, face them head-on, go wild as you please."

After receiving the carrier pigeon message, Linghu Chong stared at these nine words for a long time. It was clearly the work of Yang Xin; in Linghu Chong’s mind, only Yang Xin would say something so unconventional. If Yue Buqun had replied, he would certainly have scolded him first.

Just as Linghu Chong was hesitating whether to act on the note, another item that arrived with the pigeon made him fully resolve to follow the instructions: a Blood Bodhi.

As the former senior disciple of the Huashan Sect, how could Linghu Chong not have heard of the Blood Bodhi? When he thought of Yang Xin’s unfathomable methods and his own master Yue Buqun’s absolute obedience to him, he realized these nine words must have been approved by his master. Linghu Chong swallowed the Blood Bodhi in one gulp, and his internal power increased greatly.

The subsequent events unfolded almost exactly like the original story. The Shaolin Abbots Fangzheng and Fangsheng, who had intended to go to Huashan to demand an explanation, ran into Linghu Chong and Ren Yingying, and subsequently detained Ren Yingying at Shaolin.

Because the Imperial Guards had cleaned up the aftermath for Linghu Chong, and given the delays in communication in ancient society, Shaolin was completely unaware that Linghu Chong had already killed over two hundred of their disciples, so they released him.

Next, Linghu Chong met Xiang Wentian, was invited to Mei Manor to rescue Ren Woxing, and gathered with the heroes at Five Bull Mountain, where the crowd decided to march on Shaolin together to rescue the Holy Maiden...

While Linghu Chong was making waves in the world of martial arts, a major event occurred at Huashan: Dongfang Bubai had come to storm the mountain!

"The sun rises in the East, only I am invincible!" As a figure who suppressed an entire era, if he wanted to ascend Huashan, he certainly wouldn't come sneaking around; he would come openly and grandly.

Dongfang Bubai, dressed in red, came from the east. Upon reaching the foot of Huashan and stepping into the mountain gate of the Xianyue Sect, he let out a soft "Eh," paused, narrowed his eyes, and headed straight for the gate.

The first to notice Dongfang Bubai storming the mountain was Yue Lingshan, because she had the "White Eyes."

"Who goes there? How dare you trespass on our Xianyue mountain gate!" Yue Lingshan cried out, and together with Lin Pingzhi, they leaped down from the mountain.

"Oh, this little sister is truly beautiful!" When they drew near and saw Dongfang Bubai, Yue Lingshan said in surprise.

"Little sister, you are beautiful too! Your figure is lovely, much better than mine~" Dongfang Bubai was taken aback by the innocent and lively Yue Lingshan. He flicked his long sleeves, smiled slightly, and spoke with infinite charm, perfectly displaying the elegant and luxurious aura of a mature woman.

Such a woman held a fatal attraction for young, inexperienced knights. Lin Pingzhi, standing behind Yue Lingshan, stared blankly, his eyes fixed firmly on Dongfang Bubai.

"May I ask, sister, why you are trespassing on our Xianyue mountain gate?" You shouldn't strike someone who is smiling; hearing Dongfang Bubai’s praise, Yue Lingshan smiled back and asked crisply.

"Little sister, you must be Yue Lingshan, daughter of the Xianyue Sect leader, right? This one is Dongfang Bubai." Although Dongfang Bubai was the world’s greatest expert, he was not a brute. Before setting out, he knew how to gather intelligence. Looking at the weapons held by the two, he guessed that they were likely the Yue Lingshan and Lin Pingzhi who had shone brilliantly at Liu Zhengfeng’s hand-washing ceremony in Hengshan.

A reputation is rarely unearned. Dongfang Bubai bowed, officially introduced himself, and then stood on guard. However, the scene he had imagined, where Yue Lingshan would draw her sword to fight, did not occur.

"Oh~ Yue Lingshan greets Sister Dongfang. I wonder what important business brings you to our mountain gate?" Yue Lingshan returned the salute.

"But sister, you are Dongfang Bubai. Little sister, I come from a righteous sect; aren't people from righteous sects supposed to draw their swords and fight to the death the moment they see someone from the Demonic Cult?"