As Sun Busi’s deep shout echoed, a hazy green light descended from the sky. With a loud “Peng,” the jade tablet previously hovering in midair shot down like a massive luminous pillar, striking the puppet that had just merged into a single entity and sending it crashing to the ground.
The white-robed figure let out an extremely shrill scream, as if the blow had struck him directly. Blood seeped from his seven orifices, and his entire body swayed unsteadily. The person who had followed him stepped forward to support him, preventing him from collapsing.
At this moment, everyone noticed that after the puppet hit the ground, it seemed to vanish. All that remained was a felt hat and a black robe on the ground, bound loosely with several ropes. Just as everyone was staring, a mass of writhing black mist emerged from the collar of the robe. The mist was extremely thin, like a wisp of smoke, struggling slightly on the ground before suddenly rising gently and entering the white-robed figure’s chest, disappearing from sight.
As soon as the black mist entered his body, the white-robed figure screamed again in agony, his body trembling violently. He began coughing repeatedly. The person supporting him held him tightly, gradually calming him down.
Only then did Mei Qing and others notice the person beside the white-robed figure—it was a short Taoist priest dressed in dark robes. He was less than five chi tall, with messy hair and beard. At first glance, he looked like a young boy.
At this moment, Sun Busi’s voice, filled with bitterness, was heard: “Ah, what a pity! Brother Two, you’ve disguised yourself as a monk again to deceive people. Look at what you’ve done to this poor fellow…”
“Rubbish!” Sun Busan’s sharp voice shouted back: “Who said I pretended to be a monk? Did I ever claim to be one? Which ear of mine did you hear that from? Among all these people here, did anyone hear me say that? Hey, you over there, didn’t I just say I wasn’t a monk? Besides, it was my younger brother who attacked you with the puppet. You should distinguish between friend and foe properly!”
“But Brother Two, you were bald, had precept marks, wore a monk’s robe, held a copper bowl, and chanted mantras. How could people not think you were a monk?” Sun Busi said, his face filled with bitterness.
“Just because monks are bald, does that mean every bald person is a monk? Monks wear robes, so does that make everyone wearing a robe a monk? Monks eat food too—does that mean everyone who eats is a monk? If you keep being so unreasonable, Brother Three, I’ll have to discipline you myself on behalf of Elder Sister!” Sun Busan retorted, full of self-righteousness.
When the onlookers saw the two brothers arguing again, they no longer dared to look down on them even slightly. From the moment these two brothers appeared, their words always seemed somewhat muddled, and although no one voiced it, many people had secretly looked down on them. Even Mei Qing, who knew of their formidable cultivation skills, couldn’t help harboring some contempt. He always thought that although the brothers had high cultivation, they were somewhat dull-witted—just a couple of fools.
But this time, the brothers had outsmarted a group of clever people. At first, Sun Busan had remained hidden in the shadows. When he finally revealed himself, he truly seemed like a venerable monk. Whether in appearance or in chanting the six-character mantra, even genuine Buddhist practitioners would have to admit that he looked very authentic.
What surprised everyone most was that this seemingly venerable monk was actually just a front. Not only did it trick the white-robed figure into recalling his puppet and injuring himself, but it also perfectly covered Sun Busi’s secret attack. Finally, Sun Busi’s strike succeeded, heavily damaging the white-robed figure’s myriad puppets, directly robbing him of his combat ability.
“Who exactly are you people, and why have you attacked us?” the dark-robed dwarf Taoist beside the white-robed figure asked.
Mei Qing smiled slightly and replied: “Didn’t we just say it before? We are members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, sent here by orders to investigate the theft of items from the warehouse and track the culprits here. Now that we have caught you red-handed, there’s no need for you to feign ignorance anymore.”
“Ridiculous!” the white-robed youth roared angrily. He exerted himself too much and began coughing violently again. After a while, gasping for breath, he gritted his teeth and said: “You dogs of the government have ruined our home and destroyed our conscience. Even now, you won’t let me go! I will fight you to the death!”
“Calm down, Sect Leader! This is not the time to fight recklessly. We must focus on the greater mission!” As the white-robed youth was about to attack, he was suddenly stopped by the dark-robed dwarf Taoist beside him. Although the white-robed youth refrained from action, his eyes remained fixed on Mei Qing and the others, filled with murderous intent.
“Great mission! Hmph, at this point, you still harbor delusions?” Mei Qing felt puzzled in his heart. Earlier, the white-robed youth had shown intense anger and burning hatred, clearly bearing an unforgivable grudge against the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Why had the dark-robed dwarf Taoist managed to stop him with just one sentence? What was this “greater mission”? Could it possibly be related to the Seven-Star Inkstone?
Deep in thought, Mei Qing wanted to uncover the mystery of the ancient inkstone. Therefore, he shifted his thinking and provoked them by saying: “Just a few insignificant pests—what great mission could you possibly have? Looking at the two of you, you’re probably just henchmen from some heretical sect, a bunch of petty thieves. If people really knew what you’ve done, they’d be ashamed to even mention your ancestors. Your families would be too embarrassed to show their faces in public. Even dogs wouldn’t acknowledge you on the street. So stop pretending!”
“You shut up!” the white-robed youth shouted furiously: “What ancestors’ shame? My family, the Yangs, have always been honorable. If it weren’t for you damned…”
“Sect Leader! Don’t act impulsively and ruin the greater mission!” The dark-robed dwarf Taoist interrupted the white-robed youth, his voice carrying a hint of authority: “We carry a heavy burden. How can you let yourself be provoked by these villains and speak recklessly?”
The white-robed youth’s face flushed red with rage, blood still visible around his eyes like an injured wild beast. He cried out: “Master Zheng, don’t interfere with me. Take that item and escape first. as long as I can rescue my late father’s soul, I will gladly give my life to fight them…” Just then, he suddenly stiffened and slowly collapsed to the ground. The nearby Master Zheng had seen him speaking too much in his anger and had struck him down from the side to subdue him.
“You have a heavy heart indeed, friend. With just a few words, you’ve thrown Young Master Yang into chaos,” the dark-robed dwarf Taoist said coldly to Mei Qing. “I’ve observed your magic just now—it’s quite unique. May I ask if you have any connection with the Plum Blossom Sect?”
Mei Qing’s expression remained unchanged as he replied: “I am merely a minor official in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, not a cultivator. There’s no need for you to bother with that. Today’s matter must be settled once and for all. Given the current situation, do you still harbor any illusions?”
The dark-robed dwarf Taoist’s face muscles twitched slightly as he slowly spoke: “With your level of cultivation, saying you’re not a cultivator but merely serving the Embroidered Uniform Guard—aren’t you just deceiving yourself? I’ve cultivated for many years, and my alias is Iron Robe Zheng Jiu. I hope you’ll grant me some leniency today so that we may meet again in the future.”
Originally, this dark-robed Taoist had been in the cultivation world for a long time, and his eyes were sharp and discerning, far beyond those of the white-robed youth. Seeing that today’s situation couldn’t end peacefully, he had already begun thinking of escape plans. Noticing that Mei Qing was the implicit leader among the group and that he was quite young, Zheng Jiu wanted to engage him in conversation to see if there was any opportunity. Even if it failed, it would serve as a stalling tactic, giving him time to plan.
Mei Qing, however, completely ignored him, stepping back a few paces and saying: “Senior brothers, this so-called Iron Robe Zheng Jiu here seems to consider himself a high cultivator unwilling to go with us peacefully. I’m afraid we’ll have to trouble you two again.”
Upon hearing this, Sun Busan was the first to laugh sharply: “With us brothers here, who dares to call himself a high cultivator? This shorty is even shorter than Old Three. How dare he boast? Just watch me capture him.”
Hearing this, Sun Busi frowned and said: “What a pity! Brother Two, why drag me into this? Just because a high cultivator is tall?”
Sun Busan wasn’t offended this time and continued laughing: “A high cultivator isn’t necessarily tall. Then why are they called ‘high’ cultivators? You shorty… oh no, watch out!”
While the two brothers were still bickering, Zheng Jiu on the opposing side remained silent and acted first. He threw up a small cloth bag, chanting incantations. A gust of cold wind arose, the bag’s mouth opened wide, and a mass of black mist poured out.
A loud buzzing sound filled the air. The black mist was actually swarms of black insects, with strange double wings, large eyes, and long beaks. They flew out in droves, directly attacking Sun Busan and the others.
Sun Busan quickly shouted “Lin!” and used his copper bowl to create a protective light shield. Unfortunately, the insects seemed not to be conjured by magic, and the shield couldn’t stop them. In the blink of an eye, the insects broke through the shield and viciously lunged at Sun Busan. Startled, Sun Busan shouted, “Oh no!” and immediately dodged into the large copper bowl. Although he was tall, somehow he instantly disappeared inside it.
Seeing this, Sun Busi quickly formed a magical seal with his fingers and shouted: “Li Mou Luo Zha!” The jade tablet in the sky once again emitted a green light. This time, it didn’t target the swarm of black insects but instead flew straight toward the small cloth bag floating in the air.
As Sun Bosi’s deep shout echoed, a hazy green light descended from the sky. With a resounding “bang,” the jade token that had been flying in mid-air earlier struck down, transforming into a massive beam of light as wide as a door panel. In one swift motion, it sent the puppet, which had just merged into a single entity, crashing to the ground.
The man in white let out a piercing, agonized scream, as if the blow had struck him directly. Blood seeped from his seven orifices, and his body swayed precariously. The person who had followed him out stepped forward to support him, preventing him from collapsing to the ground.
At this moment, the crowd noticed that the puppet, after being struck down, seemed to have vanished. All that remained on the ground was a felt hat and a black robe, with a few hemp ropes haphazardly tied around the deflated garment. The human form was nowhere to be seen. Just as everyone was watching intently, a wisp of black mist, thin as a strand of smoke, emerged from the collar of the robe. It struggled feebly on the ground for a moment before suddenly floating up and disappearing into the chest of the man in white.
As the black mist entered his body, the man in white let out another scream, his body trembling violently. He began to cough incessantly. The person supporting him exerted more strength, gradually calming him down.
It was only then that Mei Qing and the others noticed the person beside the man in white—a short Taoist priest dressed in dark robes, standing less than five feet tall. His beard and hair were disheveled, and at first glance, one might mistake him for a child.
At this moment, Sun Bosi’s voice, filled with regret, rang out: “Ah, what a sin, what a sin. Second Brother, you’ve been pretending to be a monk again, deceiving people. Look at how you’ve injured him…”
“Nonsense!” Sun Bosi’s sharp voice retorted. “What do you mean I pretended to be a monk? Did I ever say I was a monk? Which ear of yours heard that? Did anyone here hear me say that? Hey, you over there, didn’t I just say that it was my third brother who controlled the puppet that attacked you? You should know who’s good and who’s bad.”
“But Second Brother, you’re bald, you have the monk’s scars, you’re wearing a kasaya, and you’re holding a copper bowl while chanting mantras. How could anyone not think you’re a monk?” Sun Bosi said with a pained expression.
“Monks are bald. Does that mean all bald people are monks? Monks wear kasayas. Does that mean everyone wearing a kasaya is a monk? Monks also eat. Does that mean everyone who eats is a monk? Third Brother, if you keep twisting my words like this, I’ll have to discipline you on behalf of our elder sister!” Sun Bosi declared with righteous indignation.
The crowd, witnessing the brothers’ argument, no longer dared to underestimate them. From the moment the brothers had appeared, their words had always seemed somewhat muddled, and although no one said it aloud, many had secretly looked down on them. Even Mei Qing, who knew of their extraordinary skills, couldn’t help but feel a bit of disdain. He had always thought that while the brothers were highly skilled, they were not particularly bright—just a pair of fools.
But this time, the brothers had outsmarted everyone. Sun Bosi had been hiding in the shadows, and when he finally revealed himself, he truly resembled a venerable monk. Whether it was his appearance or the six-syllable mantra he chanted, even a true Buddhist would have to admit that it was authentic.
What no one had expected was that the seemingly genuine monk was nothing more than a facade. Not only had he fooled the man in white into forcibly recalling his puppet, injuring himself in the process, but he had also perfectly concealed Sun Bosi’s sneak attack. In the end, Sun Bosi’s strike had severely damaged the man in white’s countless puppets, rendering him completely incapacitated.
“Who exactly are you, and why are you attacking us?” the short Taoist priest in dark robes standing beside the man in white demanded.
Mei Qing smiled slightly and said, “Didn’t we just say? We’re from the Imperial Guards, investigating the theft of items from the treasury. We’ve tracked the case here, and now we’ve caught you red-handed. There’s no need for you to play dumb anymore.”
“Dream on!” the young man in white shouted angrily, coughing violently from the strain. After a moment, he caught his breath and said through gritted teeth, “You lackeys have destroyed my family and lost all sense of morality. Even now, you won’t let me go! I’ll fight you to the death!”
“Calm down, Sect Leader! This is not the time for a life-and-death struggle. The greater mission is at stake!” Just as the young man in white was about to act, the short Taoist priest in dark robes stopped him. Although the young man in white no longer moved, his eyes remained fixed on Mei Qing and the others, filled with a predatory glare.
“The greater mission? Hmph, at this point, do you still harbor delusions?” Mei Qing was puzzled. The young man in white had been extremely agitated, his eyes burning with rage, clearly harboring some deep-seated grudge against the Imperial Guards. Why had the short Taoist priest’s words been enough to make him hold back? What was this “greater mission”? Could it be related to the Seven Star Inkstone?
Mei Qing’s mind was preoccupied with uncovering the secrets of the ancient inkstone, so he decided to provoke them further: “What great mission could a bunch of clowns like you possibly have? Looking at the two of you, you’re probably just lackeys from some heretical sect, nothing more than petty thieves. If people found out what you’ve done, your ancestors would be ashamed, your families would be disgraced, and even dogs would ignore you on the street. And yet, here you are, putting on airs!”
“Shut up!” the young man in white roared in fury. “What ancestors’ shame? My family, the Yang family, has always been honorable. If it weren’t for you dogs…”
“Sect Leader! Don’t let your emotions get the better of you and ruin the mission!” The short Taoist priest in dark robes interrupted the young man in white, his voice carrying a hint of authority. “We have a great responsibility. How can you let these scoundrels provoke you into speaking nonsense?”
The young man in white’s face was flushed with anger, and blood still trickled from his seven orifices. He let out a mournful cry, like a wounded beast: “Protector Zheng, don’t worry about me. Take that thing and go. As long as we can save my father’s spirit, I’m willing to give my life to fight them…” At that moment, he suddenly stiffened and slowly collapsed to the ground. It was Protector Zheng, seeing that he was speaking too much in his rage, who had quietly incapacitated him.
“You have quite the cunning mind, my friend. With just a few words, you’ve thrown Sect Leader Yang into disarray,” the short Taoist priest in dark robes said coldly to Mei Qing. “I noticed that your earlier technique was quite unique. Do you have any connection to the Plum Blossom Sect?”
Mei Qing’s expression remained unchanged as he replied, “I’m just a minor official in the Imperial Guards, not a practitioner of the mystical arts. There’s no need for you to concern yourself. Today’s matter must be resolved. Given the current situation, do you still have any illusions?”
The short Taoist priest’s facial muscles twitched slightly, and he slowly said, “With your level of skill, claiming not to be a practitioner and serving as an Imperial Guard is nothing but self-deception. I’ve been practicing for many years, and I’m known as Iron Robe Zheng Jiu. I hope you’ll show some leniency today, so we can meet again in the future.”
It turned out that this short Taoist priest, Zheng Jiu, had been in the martial world for a long time, and his eyes were sharp, far more perceptive than the young man in white. Seeing that the situation was unlikely to end peacefully, he had already begun to think of a way to escape. He noticed that Mei Qing seemed to be the leader of the group and that Mei Qing was relatively young, so he tried to engage him in conversation, hoping to find an opportunity. Even if it didn’t work, it would buy him some time to plan his next move.
Mei Qing, however, paid him no heed and took a few steps back, saying, “Elders, this so-called Iron Robe Zheng Jiu seems to think highly of himself and isn’t willing to come quietly. I’m afraid we’ll have to trouble you to deal with him.”
Upon hearing this, Sun Bosi let out a sharp laugh and said, “With us brothers here, who dares to call themselves a master? This dwarf is even shorter than Third Brother, yet he dares to boast? Just watch as I take him down.”
Sun Bosi, standing nearby, frowned and said, “What a sin, what a sin. Second Brother, you can talk about him, but why drag me into it? Does a master have to be tall?”
Sun Bosi, however, didn’t seem bothered and continued to laugh, “A master doesn’t have to be tall, but why are they called masters? You dwarf… Ah, watch out!”
While the two brothers were still bickering, Zheng Jiu, standing opposite them, remained silent. He decided to strike first, throwing a small bag into the air while chanting incantations. A cold wind rose, and the bag’s opening widened, releasing a cloud of black mist.
A loud buzzing sound filled the air as the black mist turned out to be a swarm of strange black insects, each with double wings, large eyes, and long beaks. They flew out in droves, heading straight for Sun Bosi and the others.
Sun Bosi quickly shouted, “Lin!” and used his copper bowl to create a protective barrier. However, the strange insects seemed impervious to the barrier, and in an instant, they broke through, viciously attacking Sun Bosi. Sun Bosi, in a panic, shouted, “Not good!” and quickly retreated into the large copper bowl. Despite his large stature, he somehow managed to fit inside the bowl and disappeared from sight.
Seeing this, Sun Bosi immediately formed a hand seal and chanted, “Li Meng Luo Zha!” The jade token in the sky transformed into a beam of green light, not targeting the swarm of insects, but instead heading straight for the small bag in the air.
Although Zheng Jiu saw Sun Bosi’s jade token heading for the bag and knew that this strike would likely destroy both the bag and the insects inside, he had no choice but to fight with everything he had.
Zheng Jiu’s disheveled hair fluttered as he formed hand seals with both hands and let out a fierce shout. The swarm of insects, as if possessed, viciously attacked the copper bowl, crashing into it like hailstones, creating a series of explosive sounds.
At the same time, Zheng Jiu subtly shifted his waist, his eyes locking onto Mei Qing. He softly chanted, “Rise!” The black belt around his waist came to life, silently rising amidst the black mist of insects. Suddenly, it revealed itself to be a massive snake, twelve feet long, with black scales and a red crest.
As the snake rose into the air, Zheng Jiu raised his left arm, his hand forming the shape of a snake’s head. In response, the snake in the air opened its massive mouth, its red tongue flicking in and out, emitting a hissing sound. With a sinister smile, Zheng Jiu swung his arm, and the snake, accompanied by a foul stench and a chilling wind, lunged downward toward Mei Qing.
At this moment, Sun Bosi was hiding inside the copper bowl, enduring the relentless attacks of the insect swarm, while Sun Bosi was controlling the jade token to strike the bag. With Zheng Jiu’s sudden attack, Mei Qing found himself without any assistance. The massive snake’s gaping maw was now inches away from Mei Qing’s head.
As Sun Busi’s deep shout echoed, a faint green light descended from the sky. With a resounding “bang,” the jade token that had been flying in the air earlier struck down, transforming into a massive beam of light as wide as a door. It struck the puppet that had just merged into one, sending it crashing to the ground.
The man in white let out a piercing, agonized scream, as if the blow had landed on him directly. Blood seeped from his seven orifices, and his body swayed precariously. The person who had followed him stepped forward to support him, preventing him from collapsing to the ground.
At this moment, everyone noticed that the puppet, after being struck down, seemed to have vanished. All that remained on the ground was a felt hat and a black robe, with a few hemp ropes haphazardly tied around the deflated clothing. The body was nowhere to be seen. Just as everyone was watching, a wisp of black mist began to squirm out from the collar of the robe. The mist was extremely faint, like a thin wisp of smoke. It struggled weakly on the ground for a moment before suddenly floating up and disappearing into the chest of the man in white.
As the black mist entered his body, the man in white let out another scream, his body trembling violently. He began to cough repeatedly. The person supporting him exerted more force, gradually calming him down.
It was only then that Mei Qing and the others noticed the person beside the man in white—a short, stocky Daoist dressed in dark robes, standing less than five feet tall. His hair and beard were disheveled, and at first glance, one might mistake him for a child.
At this moment, Sun Busi’s voice, filled with regret, rang out: “Ah, what a sin, what a sin. Second Brother, you’ve been pretending to be a monk again, deceiving people. Look at how you’ve beaten this man…”
“Nonsense!” Sun Busan’s sharp voice retorted, “What do you mean, pretending to be a monk? Did I ever say I was a monk? Which ear of yours heard that? Did anyone here hear me say that? Hey, you over there, I didn’t say I was a monk, did I? Even the puppet that attacked you was controlled by my third brother. You’d better distinguish between the good and the bad.”
“But Second Brother, you’re bald, have monk’s scars, wear a kasaya, and hold a bronze alms bowl while chanting mantras. How could anyone not think you’re a monk?” Sun Busi said with a pained expression.
“Monks are bald, but does being bald mean you’re a monk? Monks wear kasayas, but does wearing a kasaya make you a monk? Monks also eat, so does that mean everyone who eats is a monk? Third Brother, if you keep twisting my words like this, I’ll have to discipline you on behalf of our elder sister!” Sun Busan declared righteously.
Seeing the two brothers bickering again, no one dared to underestimate them any longer. From the moment they appeared, their words had always seemed muddled, and although no one voiced it, many had secretly looked down on them. Even Mei Qing, who knew of their extraordinary skills, couldn’t help but feel a bit of disdain. He had always thought that while the brothers were highly skilled, they were not very bright—simply a pair of fools.
But this time, the brothers had outsmarted everyone. Sun Busan had been hiding in the shadows all along, and when he finally revealed himself, he truly resembled a venerable monk. Whether it was his appearance or the six-syllable mantra he chanted, even a true Buddhist would have to admit it was authentic.
What no one had expected was that the seemingly genuine monk was nothing but a facade. Not only had he tricked the man in white into recalling his puppet and injuring himself, but he had also perfectly concealed Sun Busi’s sneak attack. In the end, Sun Busi’s strike had severely damaged the man in white’s countless puppets, rendering him completely powerless.
“Who are you people, and why are you attacking us?” the short Daoist in dark robes standing beside the man in white demanded.
Mei Qing smiled faintly and replied, “Didn’t we just say? We’re from the Imperial Guards, investigating the theft of items from the treasury. We’ve tracked the case here, and now we’ve caught you red-handed. There’s no need to play dumb anymore.”
“Dream on!” the young man in white shouted angrily, coughing violently from the strain. After a moment, he caught his breath and said through gritted teeth, “You lackeys have destroyed my family and lost all sense of morality. Even now, you won’t let me go! I’ll fight you to the death!”
“Leader, calm down! This is not the time for a fight. The greater mission is at stake!” Just as the young man in white was about to act, the short Daoist in dark robes stopped him. Although the young man in white no longer moved, his eyes remained fixed on Mei Qing and the others, filled with a murderous glare.
“The greater mission? Hmph, do you still harbor illusions at this point?” Mei Qing wondered. The young man in white had been extremely agitated, his eyes burning with rage, clearly harboring some deep-seated grudge against the Imperial Guards. Why had the short Daoist’s words been enough to calm him down? What was this “greater mission”? Could it be related to the Seven-Star Inkstone?
Mei Qing’s mind was preoccupied with uncovering the secrets of the ancient inkstone, so he decided to provoke them further: “What great mission could a bunch of clowns like you possibly have? You two are probably just lackeys of some heretical sect, petty thieves at best. If people found out what you’ve done, your ancestors would be ashamed, your families disgraced. Even dogs would ignore you on the street. How dare you act so high and mighty here!”
“Shut up!” the young man in white roared furiously. “My family, the Yang family, is honorable. If it weren’t for you dogs…”
“Leader! Don’t let your anger ruin the mission!” The short Daoist in dark robes interrupted the young man in white, his voice carrying a hint of authority. “We have a great responsibility. How can you let these scoundrels provoke you into speaking recklessly?”
The young man in white’s face turned red with rage, blood still seeping from his seven orifices. He let out a mournful cry, like a wounded beast: “Protector Zheng, don’t worry about me. Take that thing and go. As long as my father’s spirit can be saved, I’m willing to give my life to fight them…” At that moment, he suddenly stiffened and slowly collapsed to the ground. Protector Zheng, seeing that he had spoken too much in his anger, had quietly incapacitated him.
“You have quite the cunning, my friend. With just a few words, you’ve thrown Leader Yang into disarray,” the short Daoist in dark robes said coldly to Mei Qing. “I noticed that your earlier technique was quite unique. Might you have some connection to the Plum Blossom Sect?”
Mei Qing’s expression remained unchanged as he replied, “I’m just a minor official in the Imperial Guards, not a practitioner. You needn’t concern yourself with me. Today’s matter must be resolved. Given the current situation, do you still harbor any illusions?”
The short Daoist’s face twitched slightly, and he slowly said, “With your level of skill, claiming not to be a practitioner and serving as an Imperial Guard is a waste of your talent. I’ve been practicing for many years and go by the name Iron Robe Zheng Jiu. I hope you’ll show some leniency today, so we may meet again in the future.”
The short Daoist, Zheng Jiu, had been in the martial world for a long time, and his eyes were sharp, far more discerning than the young man in white’s. Seeing that the situation was unlikely to end peacefully, he had already begun planning an escape. Noticing that Mei Qing seemed to be the leader of the group and that he was relatively young, Zheng Jiu decided to test the waters, hoping to find an opportunity. Even if it didn’t work, it would buy him some time to strategize.
Mei Qing, however, paid him no heed. He took a few steps back and said, “Elders, this so-called Iron Robe Zheng Jiu seems to think highly of himself and isn’t willing to come quietly. I’m afraid we’ll have to trouble you two.”
Sun Busan chuckled sharply and said, “With us brothers here, who dares to call themselves a master? This dwarf is even shorter than Third Brother, yet he dares to boast? Just watch as I take him down.”
Sun Busi, standing nearby, frowned and said, “What a sin, Second Brother. Why drag me into this? Does being a master mean you have to be tall?”
Sun Busan, however, didn’t seem annoyed this time. He continued to laugh and said, “Being a master doesn’t mean you have to be tall. Why else would they be called masters, you dwarf… Ah, watch out!”
While the two brothers were still bickering, Zheng Jiu, without a word, took the initiative. He threw a small bag into the air, chanting incantations. A cold wind rose, and the bag’s opening widened, releasing a cloud of black mist.
A loud buzzing sound filled the air as the black mist turned out to be a swarm of strange black insects, each with two pairs of wings, large eyes, and long beaks. They flew out in droves, heading straight for Sun Busan and the others.
Sun Busan urgently shouted, “Lin!” and used his bronze alms bowl to create a protective barrier. However, the insects seemed impervious to the barrier, and in an instant, they broke through, viciously attacking Sun Busan. Sun Busan, in a panic, shouted, “Not good!” and quickly retreated into the large bronze bowl. Despite his large stature, he somehow managed to fit inside the bowl and disappeared from sight.
Seeing this, Sun Busi quickly formed a hand seal and chanted, “Li Meng Luo Zha!” The jade token in the sky transformed into a beam of green light, not targeting the swarm of insects but instead heading straight for the small bag in the air.
Zheng Jiu, seeing Sun Busi’s jade token heading for the bag, knew that this strike would likely destroy the bag and the insects within. However, no matter how much it pained him, he had no choice but to fight with everything he had.
Zheng Jiu’s disheveled hair fluttered as he formed hand seals with both hands and let out a fierce shout. The swarm of insects, as if possessed, viciously attacked the bronze bowl, crashing into it like hailstones, producing a series of loud, crackling sounds.
At the same time, Zheng Jiu subtly shifted his waist, his eyes locking onto Mei Qing. He softly chanted, “Rise!” The black belt around his waist came to life, silently rising amidst the black mist of insects. Suddenly, it revealed itself to be a massive snake, twelve feet long, with black scales and a red crest.
As the snake rose into the air, Zheng Jiu raised his left arm, his hand open like the snake’s head. In response, the snake in the air opened its massive mouth, its red tongue flicking in and out, emitting a hissing sound. With a sinister smile, Zheng Jiu swung his arm, and the snake, accompanied by a foul stench and a chilling wind, lunged downward toward Mei Qing.
At this moment, Sun Busan was hiding inside the bronze bowl, enduring the relentless attacks of the insect swarm, while Sun Busi was controlling the jade token to strike the bag. With Zheng Jiu’s sudden attack, Mei Qing found himself without any assistance. The massive snake’s gaping maw was now dangerously close to Mei Qing’s head.
As Sun Bosi’s deep shout echoed, a faint green light descended from the sky. With a loud “bang,” the jade token that had been hovering in mid-air suddenly shot down, transforming into a massive beam of light as wide as a door. It struck the puppet that had just merged into one, sending it crashing to the ground.
The man in white let out a piercing scream, as if the blow had landed on him. Blood seeped from his seven orifices, and his body swayed precariously. The person behind him stepped forward to support him, preventing him from collapsing.
At that moment, everyone noticed that the puppet, after being struck to the ground, seemed to have vanished. Only a felt hat and a black robe remained, with a few ropes haphazardly tied around the deflated clothing. There was no sign of a body. Just as everyone was staring, a wisp of black mist emerged from the collar of the robe. The mist was faint, like a wisp of smoke, and after struggling on the ground for a moment, it suddenly floated up and disappeared into the chest of the man in white.
As the black mist entered his body, the man in white let out another scream, his body trembling violently. He began coughing uncontrollably. The person supporting him exerted more force, gradually calming him down.
Mei Qing and the others finally noticed the person beside the man in white—a short Taoist priest in dark robes, less than five feet tall, with messy hair and beard. At first glance, he could easily be mistaken for a child.
At that moment, Sun Bosi’s bitter voice was heard: “Ah, what a sin, what a sin. Second Brother, you’ve been pretending to be a monk again, deceiving people. Look at how you’ve beaten him…”
“Nonsense!” Sun Bosi’s sharp voice retorted, “What do you mean I pretended to be a monk? Did I ever say I was a monk? Which ear of yours heard that? Did anyone here hear me say that? Hey, you over there, didn’t I just say I wasn’t a monk? Even the puppet that attacked you was controlled by my third brother. You should know who’s good and who’s bad.”
“But Second Brother, you’re bald, wearing monk’s robes, holding a copper bowl, and chanting mantras. How could anyone not think you’re a monk?” Sun Bosi said with a pained expression.
“Monks are bald, but does that mean all bald people are monks? Monks wear robes, but does that mean everyone in robes is a monk? Monks also eat, so does that mean everyone who eats is a monk? Third Brother, if you keep twisting my words, I’ll have to teach you a lesson on behalf of our elder sister!” Sun Bosi declared confidently.
Seeing the two brothers bickering again, no one dared to underestimate them. From the moment they appeared, their words had always seemed muddled, and although no one said it out loud, many had secretly looked down on them. Even Mei Qing, who knew of their extraordinary skills, couldn’t help but feel a bit of disdain. He had always thought that despite their high cultivation, the brothers were a bit dim-witted, nothing more than a pair of fools.
But this time, the brothers had outsmarted everyone. Sun Bosi had been hiding in the shadows, and when he finally revealed himself, he truly resembled a venerable monk. His appearance and the six-syllable mantra he chanted were so authentic that even a true Buddhist would have to admit they were genuine.
What no one expected was that the seemingly venerable monk was nothing but a facade. Not only had he tricked the man in white into recalling his puppet and injuring himself, but he had also perfectly concealed Sun Bosi’s sneak attack. In the end, Sun Bosi’s strike had severely damaged the man in white’s countless puppets, rendering him powerless.
“Who exactly are you, and why are you attacking us?” the short Taoist priest in dark robes standing beside the man in white demanded.
Mei Qing smiled slightly and said, “Didn’t we just say? We’re from the Imperial Guards, investigating the theft of items from the treasury. We’ve tracked the culprits here, and now we’ve caught them red-handed. There’s no need for you to play dumb anymore.”
“Dream on!” the young man in white shouted angrily, coughing violently from the exertion. After a moment, he gasped and said through gritted teeth, “You lackeys! You’ve destroyed my family, taken everything from me, and now you still won’t let me go! I’ll fight you to the death!”
“Leader, calm down! This isn’t the time for a fight. The mission is what matters!” Just as the young man in white was about to act, the short Taoist priest beside him stopped him. Although the young man stopped moving, his eyes remained fixed on Mei Qing and the others, filled with a murderous intent.
“The mission? Hmph, at this point, do you still harbor any illusions?” Mei Qing was puzzled. The young man in white had been extremely agitated, his eyes burning with rage, clearly harboring some deep-seated hatred for the Imperial Guards. Why had the short Taoist priest’s words been enough to calm him down? What was this “mission” they spoke of? Could it be related to the Seven-Star Inkstone?
Mei Qing’s mind was preoccupied with uncovering the secrets of the ancient inkstone, so he decided to provoke them further: “What kind of ‘mission’ could a couple of petty criminals like you possibly have? You’re nothing but lackeys of some shady cult, thieves and scoundrels. If people found out what you’ve done, your ancestors would be ashamed, your families disgraced. Even dogs would ignore you on the street. And yet here you are, putting on airs!”
“Shut up!” the young man in white roared furiously, “My family, the Yang family, is honorable! If it weren’t for you dogs…”
“Leader! Don’t let their provocations get to you!” The short Taoist priest interrupted the young man, his voice carrying a hint of authority. “We have an important mission. How can you let these scoundrels provoke you into saying such things?”
The young man in white was so agitated that his face turned red, and blood continued to seep from his seven orifices. He wailed like a wounded beast, “Protector Zheng, don’t worry about me. Take the item and go. As long as my father’s spirit can be saved, I’m willing to give my life to fight them…” At that moment, he suddenly stiffened and slowly collapsed to the ground. Protector Zheng, seeing that the young man had said too much in his rage, had quietly subdued him.
“You’re quite cunning, my friend. With just a few words, you’ve managed to throw Leader Yang into disarray,” the short Taoist priest said coldly to Mei Qing. “I noticed that your techniques are quite unique. Do you have any connection to the Plum Blossom Sect?”
Mei Qing’s expression remained unchanged as he replied, “I’m just a minor official in the Imperial Guards, not a cultivator. There’s no need for you to concern yourself. Today’s matter must be resolved. Given the current situation, do you still harbor any illusions?”
The short Taoist priest’s face twitched slightly, and he slowly said, “With your level of cultivation, claiming not to be a cultivator and serving as an Imperial Guard is nothing but self-deception. I’ve been cultivating for many years, and I’m known as Iron Robe Zheng Jiu. I hope you’ll grant us some leniency today, so we may meet again in the future.”
It turned out that this short Taoist priest, Zheng Jiu, had been in the cultivation world for a long time, and his eyes were sharp, far more perceptive than the young man in white. Seeing that the situation was unlikely to end well, he had already begun thinking of a way to escape. He noticed that Mei Qing seemed to be the leader of the group, and since Mei Qing was relatively young, he decided to try to negotiate, hoping for a chance to escape. Even if it didn’t work, it would buy him some time to plan.
Mei Qing, however, paid him no heed. He took a few steps back and said, “Elders, this Iron Robe Zheng Jiu seems to think highly of himself and isn’t willing to come quietly. I’m afraid we’ll have to trouble you to deal with him.”
Sun Bosi chuckled sharply and said, “With us brothers here, who dares to call themselves a master? This dwarf is even shorter than my third brother, yet he dares to boast? Just watch as I take him down.”
Sun Bosi frowned and said, “What a sin, what a sin. Second Brother, why do you have to drag me into this? Does being a master mean you have to be tall?”
Sun Bosi, however, wasn’t upset this time. He continued to laugh and said, “Being a master doesn’t mean you have to be tall, but why else would they be called ‘masters’? You dwarf… Ah, watch out!”
While the two brothers were still bickering, Zheng Jiu, without a word, took the initiative. He threw a small bag into the air, chanting incantations. A cold wind rose, and the bag’s opening widened, releasing a cloud of black mist.
A loud buzzing sound filled the air as the black mist turned out to be a swarm of strange black insects, each with double wings, large eyes, and long beaks. They flew out in formation, heading straight for Sun Bosi and the others.
Sun Bosi urgently shouted, “Lin!” and used his copper bowl to create a protective barrier. However, the strange insects seemed unaffected by the barrier, and in an instant, they broke through, viciously attacking Sun Bosi. Sun Bosi, alarmed, shouted, “Not good!” and quickly retreated into the large copper bowl. Despite his large size, he somehow managed to fit inside the bowl and disappeared from sight.
Seeing this, Sun Bosi quickly formed a hand seal and chanted, “Li Meng Luo Zha!” The jade token in the sky transformed into a beam of green light, not targeting the swarm of insects, but instead heading straight for the small bag in the air.
Zheng Jiu, seeing Sun Bosi’s jade token heading for the bag, knew that this strike would likely destroy the bag and the insects within. However, no matter how much it pained him, he had no choice but to fight with everything he had.
Zheng Jiu’s disheveled hair fluttered as he formed hand seals with both hands and let out a furious shout. The swarm of insects, like a black cloud, viciously attacked the copper bowl, crashing into it with a sound like hailstones hitting the ground.
At the same time, Zheng Jiu subtly shifted his waist, his eyes locking onto Mei Qing. He softly chanted, “Rise!” The black belt around his waist came to life, silently rising amidst the black cloud of insects. Suddenly, it revealed itself to be a massive snake, twelve feet long, with black scales and a red crest.
As the giant snake rose into the air, Zheng Jiu raised his left arm, his hand forming the shape of a snake’s head. In response, the snake in the air opened its massive mouth, its forked tongue flicking in and out, emitting a hissing sound. With a sinister smile, Zheng Jiu swung his arm, and the snake, accompanied by a foul stench and a chilling wind, lunged down toward Mei Qing.
At that moment, Sun Bosi was hiding inside the copper bowl, enduring the relentless attacks of the insect swarm, while Sun Bosi was controlling the jade token to strike the bag. With Zheng Jiu’s sudden attack, Mei Qing found himself without any assistance. The giant snake’s gaping maw was now inches away from Mei Qing’s head.
As soon as the snake reached midair, Zheng Jiu raised his left arm, his tiger-like hand opening wide, mimicking the snake’s raised head. Correspondingly, the aerial snake also opened its giant mouth, its long red tongue flickering in and out, making a “hissing” sound. A sinister smile on his face, Zheng Jiu swung his arm. The snake, accompanied by a foul stench and a chilling wind, dove downward toward Mei Qing.
As Sun Bosi’s deep shout echoed, a faint green light descended from the sky. With a resounding “bang,” the jade token that had been hovering in mid-air earlier shot down, transforming into a massive beam of light as wide as a door panel. It struck the puppet that had just merged into one, sending it crashing to the ground.
The man in white let out a piercing, agonized scream, as if the blow had struck him directly. Blood seeped from his seven orifices, and his body swayed precariously. The person who had followed him out quickly stepped forward to support him, preventing him from collapsing.
At this moment, the crowd noticed that the puppet, after being struck to the ground, seemed to have vanished. All that remained was a felt hat and a black robe, with a few hemp ropes haphazardly tied around the deflated clothing. The human form was nowhere to be seen. Just as everyone was watching intently, a wisp of black mist began to wriggle out from the collar of the robe. The mist was extremely faint, like a wisp of smoke, and after struggling weakly on the ground for a moment, it suddenly floated up and disappeared into the chest of the man in white.
As the black mist entered his body, the man in white let out another scream, his body convulsing violently, followed by a series of coughs. The person supporting him exerted more force, gradually calming him down.
It was only then that Mei Qing and the others noticed the person beside the man in white—a short, disheveled Taoist priest dressed in dark robes, standing no taller than five feet. At first glance, one might mistake him for a child.
At this moment, Sun Bosi’s bitter voice rang out, “Ah, what a sin, what a sin. Second Brother, you’ve been pretending to be a monk again, deceiving people. Look at how you’ve beaten this man…”
“Nonsense!” Sun Bosi’s sharp voice retorted, “What do you mean I’ve been pretending to be a monk? Did I ever say I was a monk? Which ear of yours heard that? Did anyone here hear me say that? Hey, you over there, I didn’t say I was a monk, did I? Even the puppet that attacked you was controlled by my third brother. You should know who’s good and who’s bad.”
“But Second Brother, you’re bald, have monk’s scars, wear a monk’s robe, hold a copper bowl, and chant mantras. How could people not think you’re a monk?” Sun Bosi said with a pained expression.
“Monks are bald. Does that mean all bald people are monks? Monks wear robes. Does that mean all who wear robes are monks? Monks also eat. Does that mean everyone who eats is a monk? Third Brother, if you keep twisting my words like this, I’ll have to teach you a lesson on behalf of our elder sister!” Sun Bosi declared righteously.
The crowd, witnessing the brothers’ argument, no longer dared to underestimate them. From the moment the brothers had appeared, their words had always seemed muddled, and although no one said it aloud, many had secretly looked down on them. Even Mei Qing, who knew of their extraordinary skills, couldn’t help but feel a slight disdain. He had always thought that while the brothers were highly skilled, they were a bit dim-witted—nothing more than a pair of fools.
But this time, the brothers’ actions had outsmarted everyone. Sun Bosi had remained hidden in the shadows, and when he finally appeared, he truly resembled a venerable monk. Whether it was his appearance or the six-syllable mantra he chanted, even a true Buddhist would have to admit it was authentic.
What no one had expected was that the seemingly genuine monk was nothing more than a facade. Not only had he tricked the man in white into forcibly recalling his puppet, injuring himself in the process, but he had also perfectly concealed Sun Bosi’s sneak attack. In the end, Sun Bosi’s single strike had severely damaged the man in white’s countless puppets, rendering him completely powerless.
“Who exactly are you, and why have you attacked us?” the short Taoist priest in dark robes standing beside the man in white demanded.
Mei Qing smiled slightly and replied, “As we mentioned earlier, we are members of the Imperial Guards. We were ordered to investigate the theft of items from the treasury and tracked the trail here. Now that we’ve caught you red-handed, there’s no need for you to play dumb.”
“Dream on!” the young man in white shouted angrily, his voice strained as he coughed repeatedly. After catching his breath, he gritted his teeth and said, “You lackeys have destroyed my family and lost all sense of morality. Even now, you won’t let me go! I’ll fight you to the death!”
“Leader, calm down! This is not the time for a fight. The greater mission is at stake!” Just as the young man in white was about to act, the short Taoist priest beside him stopped him. Although the young man in white no longer moved, his eyes remained fixed on Mei Qing and the others, filled with a murderous intent.
“The greater mission? Hmph, at this point, do you still harbor delusions?” Mei Qing wondered. The young man in white had been extremely agitated, his eyes burning with rage, clearly harboring some deep-seated hatred for the Imperial Guards. Why had the short Taoist priest’s single sentence been enough to calm him down? What was this “greater mission”? Could it be related to the Seven-Star Inkstone?
Mei Qing’s mind was preoccupied with uncovering the secrets of the ancient inkstone, so he decided to provoke them further. “What kind of greater mission could a bunch of clowns like you possibly have? Looking at the two of you, you’re probably just lackeys of some heretical sect, nothing more than petty thieves. If people found out what you’ve done, your ancestors would be ashamed, your families would be disgraced, and even dogs would ignore you on the street. And yet, here you are, putting on airs!”
“Shut up!” the young man in white roared furiously. “What do you mean my ancestors would be ashamed? My family, the Yang family, is honorable. If it weren’t for you dogs…”
“Leader! Don’t let your anger ruin the greater mission!” The short Taoist priest interrupted the young man in white, his voice carrying a hint of authority. “We have an important task at hand. How can you let these villains provoke you into speaking nonsense?”
The young man in white’s face was flushed with anger, blood still trickling from his seven orifices. Like a wounded beast, he wailed, “Protector Zheng, don’t worry about me. Take that thing and go. As long as we can save my father’s spirit, I’m willing to give my life to fight them…” At that moment, he suddenly stiffened and slowly collapsed to the ground. Protector Zheng, seeing that the young man had said too much in his rage, had struck him from behind, rendering him unconscious.
“Friend, you have a heavy heart. With just a few words, you’ve thrown Leader Yang into disarray,” the short Taoist priest said coldly to Mei Qing. “I noticed that your earlier technique was quite unique. Might you have some connection to the Plum Blossom Sect?”
Mei Qing’s expression remained unchanged as he replied, “I’m just a minor official in the Imperial Guards, not a cultivator. There’s no need for you to concern yourself with me. Today’s matter must be resolved. Given the current situation, do you still harbor any illusions?”
The short Taoist priest’s facial muscles twitched slightly as he slowly spoke, “With your level of cultivation, to claim you’re not a cultivator and willingly serve as an Imperial Guard is nothing short of self-deception. I’ve been cultivating for many years and have earned the nickname Iron Robe Zheng Jiu. I hope you’ll be accommodating today, so we may meet again in the future.”
It turned out that this short Taoist priest, Zheng Jiu, had been in the martial world for a long time, and his eyes were sharp, far more so than the young man in white. Seeing that today’s situation was unlikely to end well, he had already begun to plan his escape. He noticed that Mei Qing seemed to be the leader of the group and, given Mei Qing’s young age, decided to try to coax him, hoping for an opportunity. Even if it didn’t work, it would buy him some time to strategize.
Mei Qing, however, paid him no heed and took a few steps back, saying, “Elders, this so-called Iron Robe Zheng Jiu seems to think highly of himself and isn’t willing to come quietly. I’m afraid we’ll have to trouble you two to handle him.”
Sun Bosi chuckled sharply and said, “With us brothers here, who dares to call themselves a master? This dwarf is even shorter than Third Brother, yet he dares to boast? Just watch as I take him down.”
Sun Bosi, standing beside him, frowned and said, “What a sin, what a sin. Second Brother, you can talk about him, but why drag me into it? Does a master have to be tall?”
Sun Bosi, however, didn’t seem upset this time and continued to laugh, “A master doesn’t have to be tall, so why call them a master? You dwarf… Ah, watch out!”
While the two brothers were still bickering, Zheng Jiu, without a word, struck first. He threw a small bag into the air, chanting incantations. A cold wind rose, and the bag’s opening widened, releasing a cloud of black smoke.
A loud buzzing sound filled the air as the black smoke turned out to be a swarm of strange black insects, each with two wings, large eyes, and long beaks. They flew out in droves, heading straight for Sun Bosi and the others.
Sun Bosi urgently shouted, “Barrier!” and used his copper bowl to create a protective shield. However, the strange insects seemed unaffected by the magic, and the shield failed to stop them. In an instant, the insects broke through and viciously attacked Sun Bosi. Sun Bosi, alarmed, shouted, “Not good!” and quickly retreated into the large copper bowl. Despite his large stature, he somehow managed to fit inside the bowl and disappeared from view.
Seeing this, Sun Bosi immediately formed a hand seal and chanted, “Li Mou Luo Zha!” The jade token in the sky transformed into a beam of green light, not targeting the swarm of insects but instead heading straight for the small bag in the air.
Zheng Jiu, though he saw Sun Bosi’s jade token aiming for his bag, knew that this strike would likely destroy both the bag and the insects inside. However, no matter how much it pained him, he had no choice but to fight with everything he had.
Zheng Jiu’s disheveled hair fluttered as he held hand seals in both hands and let out a furious shout. The swarm of insects, as if possessed, viciously attacked the copper bowl, crashing into it like hailstones, producing a series of explosive sounds.
At the same time, Zheng Jiu subtly shifted his waist, his eyes locking onto Mei Qing. With a soft command, “Rise!” the dark belt around his waist silently came to life, blending into the black mist of insects before suddenly revealing itself as a massive snake, twelve feet long, with black scales and a red crest.
As the snake rose into the air, Zheng Jiu raised his left arm, his hand forming a snake’s head. In response, the snake in the air opened its massive mouth, its forked tongue flicking in and out, emitting a hissing sound. With a sinister smile, Zheng Jiu swung his arm, and the snake, accompanied by a foul stench and a chilling wind, descended upon Mei Qing.
At this moment, Sun Bosi was hiding inside the copper bowl, enduring the relentless attacks of the insect swarm, while Sun Bosi was controlling the jade token to strike the bag. Zheng Jiu’s sudden attack left Mei Qing with no one to assist him. The massive snake’s gaping maw was now inches away from Mei Qing’s head.
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