Chapter 211: The Virgin Mary

“Senior apprentice? Mastery of the divine technique? The Lotus Cult?”

Wu Ming’s eyes gleamed with sharp insight, and in an instant, he understood everything: “That old Taoist priest was also a member of the Lotus Cult! Previously, his lifespan had come to an end, so he hid in the sacred mountains to cultivate his skills, intending to seize this idiot’s body. Now he is dead and I live on, so these Lotus disciples have mistaken me for the old Taoist!”

Since he had taken over this physical body, he naturally became entangled in its karmic connections. Impersonating the old Taoist was actually an excellent plan and could provide significant support. Unfortunately, Wu Ming had not inherited even a trace of the Taoist’s memories, and if he spoke too much, he would soon be exposed.

He immediately put on a puzzled expression and said, “Who are you? I don’t recognize you!”

“Could something have gone wrong during the corpse transformation?”

It must be said that soul transference is nearly as perilous as reincarnation, and confusion afterward is perfectly normal.

Wu Ming’s acting skills were superb, and the path he chose was the most prudent.

The two Lotus disciples exchanged glances before one spoke again: “If the senior apprentice has forgotten the past, it’s not a serious problem. Why don’t you come with us to meet the Holy Mother? Her divine powers are vast, and she will surely help the senior apprentice recall his previous life!”

To them, regardless of who this young Taoist was now, as long as they could trick him into coming to their headquarters, they would have nothing to fear from him and would earn great merit.

“Recall my previous life? Fine, let’s go!”

Wu Ming, confident in his skills and fearless, readily agreed.

“Please, senior apprentice!”

Delighted, the two Lotus disciples immediately led the way.

The Lotus Cult’s headquarters was not outside the city, but within it.

After crossing several streets, Wu Ming was brought to a vast estate. Around it patrolled sturdy guards with hunting dogs, their waists bulging with weapons, their expressions sharp and alert.

“Judging from this, the Lotus Cult has considerable influence here and is highly organized—worthy of respect, but not to be feared.”

Observing this, Wu Ming felt a flicker of interest but remained largely unimpressed.

“Pay respects to the Lotus Officer!”

Indeed, the two disciples seemed to hold high rank, as they were respectfully ushered inside.

Seeing the question on Wu Ming’s face, one of them, a bit more astute-looking, explained: “Senior apprentice… when disciples first join our Holy Lotus Cult, they are Black Lotus. Above them are the White Lotus. We two, not without merit, have been personally promoted by the Holy Mother to become true disciples of the Red Lotus…”

“Nowadays, even heretical sects are as organized as orthodox Taoist sects…”

Wu Ming was momentarily speechless. As they entered the inner quarters, the surroundings changed dramatically.

Pavilions, towers, and golden-painted pillars abounded, exuding luxury and prosperity, with an air of auspiciousness.

In the rear garden, fragrant grass flourished, and a pond shone like jade. On its surface swam pairs of mandarin ducks, leisurely gliding, while several red koi swam about contentedly. Nearby, white cranes danced gracefully, making the place seem like paradise.

The two disciples led Wu Ming to the inner hall, excused themselves, and immediately two charming maids, dressed in bright colors and smiling sweetly, approached: “Honored guest, please rinse your mouth and have some tea!”

They presented two bowls of tea—one a vivid green, made from thousand-year-old green tea leaves; the other tinged with red, brewed from ten-thousand-year-old red tea.

Wu Ming, coming from a wealthy family, had faintly heard that in true aristocratic households, tea brewed from thousand-year-old green leaves was not actually meant for drinking, but for rinsing the mouth.

“Behind the rich man’s gate, wine and meat rot; on the road, the frozen corpses lie. Indeed, these words are not false!”

He first rinsed his mouth with the thousand-year-old green tea, savoring its lingering fragrance, then slowly sipped the ten-thousand-year-old red tea, finding it indeed uniquely delicious, though he couldn’t help sighing inwardly.

“Junior brother, it’s been a long time. Seeing you successfully return through reincarnation, I, as your senior sister, am truly delighted…”

Halfway through the tea, a middle-aged noblewoman dressed in red silk robes entered gracefully, speaking softly. Her voice was like the clinking of pearls, crisp and melodious, with an indescribable charm that made one’s heart involuntarily flutter.

Wu Ming lifted his eyes and saw that the leader of the Lotus Cult appeared to be in her early thirties. Her figure was alluring, her eyes like apricot, her face as delicate as peach blossoms, her skin white and smooth like jade, so tender it seemed as if it could drip water. She exuded a mature charm beyond that of any youthful maiden.

“Ah? No, you’re not my junior brother!”

The woman scrutinized Wu Ming carefully. At first, she was startled, then alarmed, and coldly demanded: “Who exactly are you?”

With a wave of her hand, a pink mist suddenly appeared, carrying a faint fragrance, spreading across the sky and earth.

“The Five Poisons Peach Blossom Miasma?”

Wu Ming smiled slightly, recognizing the technique. It was one of the forty-nine techniques of the Maoshan Sect. It required collecting large amounts of peach blossom miasma, mixing it with five poisons, and refining it. When deployed, it appeared hazy and fragrant, but in reality, it was extremely sinister and toxic. Anyone who touched even a bit of it on their skin would suffer from rotting flesh down to the bone. Within two or three hours, they would dissolve into a puddle of pus.

Wu Ming immediately raised his hand, fingers splayed, forming five streams of black mist, within which faintly appeared tormented souls, howling in anguish.

“Wailing!”

The hall, previously filled with the peach blossom miasma, seemed to instantly transform into a hellish underworld.

“Five Elements Ghost Capture, One Qi Seizure!”

The black mist twisted and coiled, forming into a giant hand that grabbed the pink peach blossom miasma and quickly absorbed it into Wu Ming’s black leather sack.

“The Five Ghosts One Qi Seizure Technique? And the Yin Bag?”

The Lotus Holy Mother had just pulled a hairpin from her bun, its glow indicating a very powerful magical artifact. Seeing Wu Ming’s move, she eased her stance slightly: “Oh? Could it be you really are my junior brother? Please forgive my poor eyesight, it has been so long since we were close, and at first sight, I failed to recognize you!”

“What junior brother? What are you talking about?”

Wu Ming displayed a perfectly timed expression of confusion: “Why did you attack me with the ‘Sword of Annihilation’? Who exactly are you?”

“Hmm?”

The Lotus Holy Mother was startled, then quickly filled with doubt: “I recognize this little Taoist; he was indeed my junior brother’s chosen vessel for soul transference. But now, it seems the Yaksha Soul Transfer Technique must have gone wrong… But why does this boy possess such formidable magical powers and even received the authentic teachings of the Maoshan Sect? Could it be that the dead man’s soul has taken over? Or perhaps my junior brother’s cultivation failed, and all his painstaking efforts were inherited by this boy, even awakening his spiritual awareness?”

Indeed, Wu Ming’s firm claim of having no memory at all, combined with his display of exquisite Maoshan Taoist techniques, left the rest to others’ imaginations, achieving excellent results.

In an instant, the Lotus Cult leader had already concocted several plausible explanations in her mind, each fitting seamlessly, removing all doubt.

“But regardless, this person is an excellent ally. If I cannot win him over, I can resort to the ‘Yang Capture Yin Filling’ technique and directly extract this young Taoist’s magical powers to strengthen my foundation…”

The Lotus Cult leader’s thoughts stirred. She sheathed the Sword of Annihilation and displayed a sorrowful expression: “Junior brother! Don’t you recognize me anymore?”

She gracefully stepped forward, subtly employing her fox-like enchantment techniques, making Wu Ming inwardly alarmed: “Oh my… It seems that old Taoist and this Holy Mother had an affair. Truly shameless! No, worse—accomplices in crime!”

He feigned confusion: “You are my senior sister? No… Wait, I’m a Taoist monk, I only have one master and a Taoist title: Zhai Xingzi…”

“Could it be that the little fool really inherited my junior brother’s cultivation? Never thought that after appearing foolish several times, he would now be fully awakened, and even look quite presentable.”

Upon hearing this, the Lotus Holy Mother felt a surge of jealousy and desire for the young Taoist’s vitality and powers, further intensifying her seductive display, almost impatiently so.

Wu Ming casually fended off her advances, enjoying the leeway, while hesitating whether to subdue the cult leader first, when suddenly one of the Lotus disciples rushed in and knelt down: “Holy Mother, something terrible has happened!”

“Hmph? What’s going on now?”

Her plans interrupted, the Lotus Holy Mother slightly adjusted her attire, asking with irritation.

“Mercy, Holy Mother! It’s an emergency!”

The disciple, realizing he had disturbed the Holy Mother’s mood, inwardly cursed his luck and quickly explained: “Somehow, two reckless youths showed up, not only injuring our people but also disturbing the Holy Maiden’s procession!”

“Where is Yu Lian?”

The Lotus Holy Mother’s expression turned serious: “She has inherited half of my cultivation and is equipped with several powerful magical artifacts. Could she not deal with just two young brats?”

“The Holy Maiden was defeated, fell into a trap, and was captured. They even sent a message demanding that you personally go to Wubagang outside the city to ransom her!”

The disciple said with a bitter face.

“Hmm? Bold indeed!”

The Lotus Holy Mother stood up, paced a few steps, and coldly laughed: “So our enemies have arrived!”

Glancing at Wu Ming, a thought struck her: “No rush to take his vitality now. Let’s bring him along; he could be a useful ally!”

She immediately assumed a sorrowful expression: “Little brother… a great calamity has arrived. Today, your senior sister may not survive…”

Earlier, she had already subtly convinced the young Taoist that he was the reincarnation of the old Taoist, hoping to gain an ally.

“What exactly happened?”

Wu Ming was delighted with the situation and played the role of a clueless youth: “Why are you telling me all this?”

“Junior brother, something went wrong during your reincarnation, and you’ve forgotten many things…”

The Lotus Holy Mother took out a fragrant handkerchief and dabbed her eyes: “The Maoshan Sect is divided into two branches: the worldly and the ascetic. I chose the worldly path, establishing the Lotus Cult, which follows Heaven’s will and supports King Han Hulin…”

Wu Ming’s mind stirred. He now understood that the old Taoist, who had guarded a humble temple, had access to abundant resources and magical artifacts because of the secret support of the Lotus Cult.

“And then?”

“The rise and fall of dynasties are decreed by Heaven. We work in the world to save lives and accumulate merit. However, other minor sects, jealous of our divine favor, constantly oppose us. Last time, some disciples of the military school unjustly harassed us, but I drove them away, thus creating enmity. This time, it seems our adversaries may be even more formidable…”

The Lotus Holy Mother put on a pitiful expression, like a pure white lotus, playing the role of the victim to perfection. Wu Ming, however, inwardly rolled his eyes, knowing that everything she said likely needed to be interpreted in reverse.