Chapter 73: Deceit and Betrayal

“Grateful for your kindness, I bow in sincere thanks, Shen Hou.”

As these words were spoken, an indescribable tension filled the main hall. Among the twenty martial arts masters present, expressions ranged from shock and doubt to visible displeasure.

Surrounded and under everyone’s watchful eyes, Shen Hou had managed to steal the jade Buddha statue without anyone noticing. This act was shocking and hard to believe!

Yet, no matter how incredible it seemed, the fact lay before them, leaving no room for disbelief. Some turned red with anger, some turned pale, some trembled with rage, and others gritted their teeth.

“How could this happen?” someone finally roared.

“There must be an inside traitor!” an elder wearing a Fu Lu robe glared at the others.

Unless Shen Hou had become a Buddha or a Sage, there was no other explanation!

Seeing the rising tension, You Tongguang sighed, “Everyone here is a dear friend of mine. Please don’t let this matter ruin our harmony. After all, the jade Buddha is just a worldly possession.”

“Old You, this concerns our reputations. Don’t interfere. Though small, the Buddha statue would be difficult to hide on one’s person. I suggest we search each other!” The elder in the Fu Lu robe patted his chest to demonstrate his openness.

To prove their innocence, everyone agreed. However, after a thorough inspection, including You Tongguang, no one was found with the jade Buddha.

The atmosphere fell into an awkward silence once again.

…

Nearby hidden spots around You Mansion, when the thunderous noise erupted, everyone became excited and eager, peeking out to search for the figure moving through the night.

This “heated” situation prompted Meng Qi to mutter inwardly—it felt exactly like waiting for a superstar to appear on stage.

After a while, the chaos within You Mansion gradually quieted down, and the night grew darker.

“Did Shen Hou back down in the face of difficulty?” Nie Yao’s round face showed undisguised disappointment. She had hoped to witness the spectacular battle of Shen Hou against the twenty masters. That would have given her a chance to strike from the sidelines.

“Of course! Twenty senior experts guarded the jade Buddha tightly. Even a Grandmaster would find it hard to snatch it, let alone Shen Hou? He must have retreated in fear, and his reputation will be ruined.” Ji Xin said, both disappointed and pleased.

Ning Daogu and Le Shishi shared the same expression, clearly thinking alike. Yet, with a formidable expert by their side, they turned and earnestly asked, “Venerable Zhen Ding, what do you think?”

“What do I think?” Meng Qi chuckled, “Shen Hou must have had some confidence; otherwise, he wouldn’t dare provoke Lay Devotee You.”

“Perhaps Shen Hou had another goal, and the Buddha statue was just a distraction. After all, the Twelve Animal Spirits are known for their ruthlessness and cunning. A ruined reputation wouldn’t affect him at all.” Ning Daogu mused.

“True. Once his real objective is achieved, no one in the martial world will mock him. Instead, they will fear him even more.” Le Shishi and Nie Yao nodded simultaneously.

Before their words faded, a slight commotion arose ahead, growing louder and spreading toward them.

“Shen Hou stole the Buddha statue!”

“Shen Hou took the statue silently and effortlessly!”

A series of astonished whispers reached Ning Daogu, Le Shishi, and others, leaving them stunned and speechless.

“How is that possible? Twenty masters surrounded the jade Buddha so tightly that not even a mosquito could get through!”

“Did he defeat all twenty masters directly?”

“If that were the case, I’d just admire Shen Hou’s likely Grandmaster-level skill. But wasn’t it said that he did it silently? That’s truly unimaginable—almost supernatural!”

Soon, they regained their senses, discussing with a mix of shock, confusion, and excitement, feeling their long wait worthwhile. Shen Hou was indeed mysterious and terrifying!

Listening to the surrounding exclamations, Meng Qi’s face subtly curved into a barely noticeable smile.

…

Half a day earlier, in a forest near Dabeisi Temple.

“This is the treasure map. Where is my son?” You Tongguang no longer wore his usual amiable smile; his face was gloomy enough to drip water.

“He’s in a safe place. Once I confirm the map’s authenticity, I’ll tell you where to find him.” Meng Qi still wore the grinning monkey mask.

He had spent the day gathering information but found no trace of last night’s events at Dabeisi Temple. The battle between the White-Robed Sword God and the Eight Animal Spirits seemed like a mere illusion. There was no news of the Sword God being injured or dead, nor any rumors of the Animal Spirits’ defeat or demise.

“Hand over my son first, then the map.” You Tongguang’s eyes were cold and sharp.

Meng Qi replied casually, “The treasure map has four parts. Who knows when they’ll all be gathered? I’m just giving it a try, not particularly eager. You, Master You, have three sons, but only the youngest is worthy. I can give up the treasure map; can you give up You Hongbo?”

“You!” You Tongguang growled in anger.

Meng Qi chuckled in a hoarse voice, “So, you have no choice but to listen to me.”

“If anything happens to Hongbo, I’ll spend every last coin and tear you limb from limb!” You Tongguang spat in fury before tossing the treasure map to Meng Qi.

Meng Qi examined it and found it wasn’t particularly old—it must have been a copy. Scanning it briefly, he asked, “You’ve already given the original to Cui Xu?”

“Yes, this is a copy I kept.” You Tongguang didn’t hide it.

“I’ll trust you this once. If the map is fake, we might not be able to harm you, but we can certainly harm your family. Unless you can keep them hidden forever, you can’t escape forever.” Meng Qi said in a villainous tone.

You Tongguang snorted, “I wouldn’t risk my son’s life. Can you tell me where he is now?”

“Not yet. I still have a few questions.” Meng Qi smiled lightly.

“Wasn’t it agreed that you only wanted the treasure map?” You Tongguang was furious.

Meng Qi smirked, trying to appear cold, “I already told you—you can only listen to me.”

You Tongguang clenched his fists, veins bulging, before calming himself after a while, “Ask then.”

Meng Qi suddenly barked, “Where is Cui Xu keeping Duan Mingcheng?”

You Tongguang took a step back, looking at Meng Qi with fear, “Where did you hear such rumors?”

“I’m certain. I just want to know where Duan Mingcheng is being held.” Meng Qi said calmly.

“Nonsense! Impossible!” You Tongguang scoffed.

Meng Qi chuckled hoarsely, “Master You, do you know why I’m sure you’re a descendant of the Snow Palace Guardian, possessing a treasure map?”

“Didn’t you get that information from the Snow Palace remnants?” You Tongguang replied bluntly.

Meng Qi smiled, “No. It was Fei Zhengqing who told me. I originally intended to investigate Duan Mingcheng’s whereabouts, but he deliberately diverted my attention toward the Snow Palace, specifically pointing out that you might be a Snow Palace remnant with secret correspondence.”

“Secret correspondence? You damn Fei Zhengqing!” Upon hearing this, You Tongguang immediately believed Meng Qi. The Snow Palace member he corresponded with had been killed that night to silence him, but he didn’t know whether the letters had been destroyed or obtained by Fei Zhengqing.

Meng Qi said calmly, “The biggest mistake was that that night, City Lord Cui attacked me, revealing Duan Mingcheng’s true whereabouts. That’s why I’m asking you where he is now.”

“Did my fifth brother attack you?” You Tongguang looked at Meng Qi like he was a monster, unable to believe he survived Cui’s attack.

Meng Qi chuckled, “I had a life-saving item, and City Lord Cui wisely retreated. Master You, can you answer me now?”

You Tongguang’s expression shifted a few times before he sighed, “Honestly, my fifth brother never told me about this. Perhaps he was wary of my Snow Palace background. But after years of effort and spending, I still got the information. Duan Mingcheng is currently imprisoned in the deepest level of the city lord’s secret dungeon.”

“I thought there’d only be a corpse left. Seems City Lord Cui has a soft heart after all.” Meng Qi stared intently at You Tongguang, not missing a single facial twitch.

“He fears Duan Mingcheng’s treasure map might be false, so he’s keeping him alive for now. Once my nephew Jin Hua returns from his initial exploration of the treasure site, Duan Mingcheng will be silenced.” Now that he had started, You Tongguang no longer concealed anything.

Meng Qi murmured, “No wonder Zhang Zongxian and his wife presented the treasure map to Lady Cui, and the Young Lord has been away ever since.”

“For such matters, only a son can earn his full trust.” You Tongguang gave a bitter smile.

“So that night, when City Lord Cui and Chief Inspector Fei left through the secret tunnel, it was to silence Venerable Zhen Ding?” Meng Qi voiced his deduction.

“I don’t know that. I was completely excluded.” You Tongguang shook his head.

Without further ado, Meng Qi asked directly, “Now tell me the dungeon’s location, defenses, and all details.”

You Tongguang described everything in detail before saying, “Shen Hou, can you now tell me where Hongbo is?”

“I have one last request.” Meng Qi grinned.

You Tongguang took a deep breath, “Go ahead.”

“Tonight, steal the jade Buddha statue. I believe you have a way.” Meng Qi looked into You Tongguang’s eyes.

“The jade Buddha is valuable, but not priceless…” You Tongguang was puzzled.

Meng Qi smiled, “I just don’t want to be seen as someone who talks big but can’t deliver.”

I’m just that kind of vain person!

“Fine.” You Tongguang nodded.

Meng Qi nodded in return, “Tonight, I’ll deliver Master You San to Dong Mansion’s garden. After you ‘steal’ the jade Buddha, go there to retrieve him. Just throw the statue into the well.”

You Tongguang gave Meng Qi a long, deep look before turning and leaving without a word.

Meng Qi stood there, watching You Tongguang’s figure disappear into the distance, suddenly chuckling softly to himself, “My acting was great. Partial truths create such interesting effects.”

…

The next day, as the news of Shen Hou’s miraculous theft of the Buddha statue under the protection of many masters spread like wildfire, Meng Qi received an invitation from Cui Jinxiu. As a formidable expert who had defeated Mushan, Mu Hengtian, and Shen Hou, and having met Cui Jinxiu briefly, Venerable Zhen Ding was naturally invited to witness the upcoming battle.

“It’s showtime today.” Meng Qi smiled, specially taking out a white monk robe and heading out with calm grace.

“Venerable Zhen Ding…” Ning Daogu and others had already been waiting in the courtyard, visibly excited.

But just as they finished bowing, they suddenly froze, for the Venerable Zhen Ding in flowing white robes now exuded a refined, holy aura.

A few days ago, Zhen Ding was merely a young monk with formidable martial skills. Today, he truly showed signs of becoming a great monk.

Meng Qi was quite satisfied with this transformation. Spinning his prayer beads, he smiled and said, “Amitabha Buddha, let us go to the City Lord’s Mansion. Four benefactors, please follow this humble monk to the City Lord’s residence.”