Chapter 36: Suspension Ji Temple

**The Mortal Realm**

When he broke through the second layer, it was so smooth and natural that Qin Sang was initially proud, believing himself a cultivation genius. Now, however, he couldn't help but start doubting himself.

Even if he wasn't a genius, being of average aptitude would be acceptable. Surely, he wasn't a fool?

He wasn't sure if this situation was normal, but with no progress for such a long time, his patience was slowly wearing thin, making him inevitably anxious.

Without a master's guidance, Qin Sang could only ponder on his own. Given how smoothly he broke through the second layer, yet was now stuck at a bottleneck, he wondered if there were other reasons besides the cultivation method itself.

For example, medicinal baths.

After settling into the Blood-Clothed Tower, Qin Sang found an opportunity to return to Sanwu City, but he didn't find Daoist Master Jixin or Mingyue. Reportedly, soon after the temple caught fire, they gave it to the disaster victims, sailed south, and left Great Sui.

Calculating the time, it was precisely during the days when Prince Dongyang and Prince Zhenshui raised their banners in rebellion.

Unable to find Daoist Master Jixin, Qin Sang had to find other ways. He also managed to collect several prescriptions in the Blood-Clothed Tower for strengthening the foundation and nourishing the essence, but unfortunately, their effects were not as good as the medicinal baths.

The courtyard gate was suddenly knocked.

Outside, Water Monkey whispered, "Hall Master, General Zhou has arrived."

Qin Sang's face lit up with joy. He quickly rose to tidy his clothes and called out, "Invite him in at once!"

Not long after, Water Monkey led a middle-aged man in armor through the door. The man walked up to Qin Sang and bowed deeply, saying, "This humble general Zhou Mingguang greets Mr. Qin!"

Officially, Qin Sang was an advisor to Princess Dongyang and held no official rank. People outside the Blood-Clothed Tower all referred to him as "Mister Qin."

Qin Sang reached out to stop Zhou Mingguang, then glanced at him and smiled, "General Zhou, we are old acquaintances; there's no need for such formality. I've been quite uneasy, fearing I've inconvenienced you by making you detour to Hunwu County and perhaps delayed the Grand Governor's important military affairs."

Zhou Mingguang was General Mu's trusted subordinate. Qin Sang had met him once two months ago when Honing County fell.

General Mu had captured Honing County without losing a single soldier, achieving a great accomplishment. With the Princess's recommendation, he was promoted to Right Grand Governor of the Valiant Camp. Zhou Mingguang's fortunes rose with the tide, and he became a Guerrilla General, commanding the Crossbowmen Battalion.

Qin Sang was also legitimately promoted to Hall Master of the Blood-Clothed Tower, though the official document hadn't arrived yet.

The only thing that displeased Qin Sang was that Wang Liu, despite botching a military operation, not only escaped punishment but also reaped a significant benefit during the assault on Jiangzhou Prefecture City. He was now also the Right Grand Governor of the Proclaimed Might Camp.

"This humble general wouldn't dare!"

Zhou Mingguang had personally witnessed the hellish scene at Chu Dazhuang's mansion and was therefore extremely respectful towards Qin Sang. "Mr. Qin," he said, "the Grand Governor asked me to convey his regards. He had intended to personally pay his respects, but an urgent military situation arose, forcing him to lead his troops directly to Beiping Province via the main road. However, the Grand Governor has entrusted his entire crossbowmen battalion, comprising five hundred divine arm crossbows, to this humble general, to be at your disposal!"

"Excellent!"

Qin Sang clapped his hands, his joy evident. He had shared the majority of the military achievements with General Mu and stayed in Hunwu County for so long, all for these crossbowmen.

His objective, naturally, was Xuanji Temple within Hunwu County!

After learning from Venerable Yuanjue that Xuanji Temple held an immortal cultivator's legacy, Qin Sang had been pondering how to acquire it.

His lightness skill couldn't compare to that of top martial arts masters, so he couldn't silently infiltrate Xuanji Temple. Although Venerable Yuanjue was dead, Xuanji Temple still had Innate masters and countless first-rate masters defending it.

He could, of course, use Yama's abilities to quietly eliminate people. However, Xuanji Temple was renowned as a sacred place, known to everyone in Great Sui. If news spread that all its eminent monks had perished overnight, it would surely cause a huge uproar throughout the Sui Kingdom.

Above the Sui Kingdom, there were immortal masters watching.

After much deliberation, he concluded that relying on secular power was the most reliable approach. Faced with five hundred divine arm crossbows, the abbot of Xuanji Temple wouldn't dare to act presumptuously, unless he wished for Xuanji Temple to be wiped out.

Hearing that Qin Sang's target was Xuanji Temple, Zhou Mingguang looked troubled and said, "Mr. Qin, this humble general has heard that Xuanji Temple has Innate masters defending it. A mere five hundred crossbowmen might..."

"General Zhou, there's no need to worry!"

Qin Sang confidently stated, "If any Innate master dares to kill, I will personally deal with them. My only concern is that the monks of Xuanji Temple might be unruly, still loyal to the false emperor, and resistant to the King's rule. That is why General Zhou needs to bring troops to deter them. If they are sensible enough to admit their guilt and accept their punishment, the Prince has no desire to annihilate them completely... I have already prepared wine and meat. I will trouble General Zhou to take them back to reward the soldiers. Let us depart early tomorrow morning to avoid delaying the march. After this is accomplished, Qin Sang will certainly offer a generous reward."

"This humble general obeys your command!"

At dawn the next day, Qin Sang, leading the Blood-Clothed Tower personnel, met with Zhou Mingguang. After eating, they marched rapidly and stationed their troops before Xuanji Temple's mountain gate before noon.

An ancient temple lay hidden deep in the mountains.

Mountain winds rustled through the dense forest, making a soughing sound.

The path up the mountain was paved entirely with bluish flagstones, each half a step wide. From the foot of the mountain to the temple gate, it was wide enough for five horses to ride abreast.

Xuanji Temple.

From the three robust characters, an ancient and weighty aura emanated.

At the mountain gate, two stone-carved lions glared fiercely at the approaching path.

Fallen leaves scattered on the high steps; not a single monk was visible. The two vermilion gates, several *zhang* high, were tightly closed, and inside, it was silent as a tomb.

The autumn wind blew bleakly.

In front of the temple gate lay a vast, flat open space. Qin Sang, clad in ordinary soldier's armor, looked up at this martial arts sacred ground. His gaze passed over the high outer walls, revealing the upturned eaves and corners within.

He could hear nervous breathing from inside Xuanji Temple.

Zhou Mingguang, who was leading, waved his hand backward. A series of footsteps followed as over a thousand soldiers dispersed into formation. Five hundred divine arm crossbows were simultaneously drawn, their arrows pointing at the vermilion gates.

Zhou Mingguang looked at Qin Sang, who nodded slightly.

"Switch to fire arrows!"

Zhou Mingguang roared. No sooner had his voice fallen than someone inside Xuanji Temple suddenly chanted a deep Buddhist prayer.

"Wait!"

Then, a flurry of hurried footsteps echoed from inside Xuanji Temple, and the vermilion gates pushed open. An old monk with a ruddy complexion, white eyebrows, and a white beard walked out first.

Behind him, a procession of monks filed out, their faces filled with indignation, holding staffs and pointing them at the soldiers ahead.

Seeing the kasaya on the old monk, Qin Sang thought to himself that this must be Abbot Yuanzhen, the abbot of Xuanji Temple, junior brother to Venerable Yuanjue, and one of the most highly respected figures in the Great Sui martial arts world.

"Amitābha."

Abbot Yuanzhen's eyes were filled with sorrow. His gaze swept across the scene before fixing on Zhou Mingguang. He asked in a solemn voice, "This humble monk is Yuanzhen. May I ask for the general's name?"

Zhou Mingguang said in a deep voice, "I am Zhou Mingguang, a humble and unremarkable general serving under the Prince."

Abbot Yuanzhen nodded, then his expression suddenly darkened as he questioned sternly, "General Zhou, all in Xuanji Temple are monastic practitioners who have always embraced compassion, dedicating themselves to ancient Buddhas and dim lamps, keeping away from worldly affairs. May I ask what crime we have committed that warrants the general making such a big fuss and bringing troops to suppress us?"

"Ancient Buddhas and dim lamps?"

Zhou Mingguang wore a mocking expression and burst out laughing. "The monk soldiers in Duling County who helped the false emperor defend the city, slaughtering countless young men from my Dongyang Commandery—could they be disciples from another temple?"

Abbot Yuanzhen's expression remained unchanged as he retorted, "General Zhou, you may not be aware, but those monk soldiers only learned their skills at Xuanji Temple. After they descended the mountain, they had no further connection with Xuanji Temple. I have already explained the circumstances of this matter to the Prince in person; the General need only ask to confirm."