Chapter 201: Picking Autumn Wind

The Right Protector put her hands on her hips and sneered heavenward. "If you bald monks are brave enough, don't run! I can curse you for three days and three nights without repeating myself!"

A Bodhisattva sneered, "Xue Bi'e, all you have left is your mouth!"

"Don't mind them." The old Tathagata on Mount Meru said, "If we keep cursing them, we might be at it for half a year. We've been fighting and cursing for hundreds of years already, so there's no need to rush now. Let's go stop this conflict first."

The monks on the mountain did not linger, and the phantom image of Mount Meru floated towards the battlefield.

The Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace was still fiercely battling Old Master Pang and the others, attempting to eliminate these powerful figures before the phantom of Mount Meru arrived. At that moment, the old Tathagata's voice drifted over, saying softly, "Imperial Preceptor, fellow Daoists, would you mind doing us a favor?"

The Imperial Preceptor's sword energy dissipated as he evaded the pursuit of Old Master Pang and the man with the bronze mask. He smiled faintly. "Tathagata, please speak."

"Very well," the old Tathagata said in a deep voice. "Fellow Daoists, please cease your fighting."

Old Master Pang and the others were about to attack but hesitated upon hearing the words, each pausing their movements.

True Monarch Tian coughed up blood incessantly, his heart and lungs injured by the Imperial Preceptor's sword energy. He spoke sharply, "Old Tathagata, do you intend to join forces with us to eliminate this villain?"

The old Tathagata shook his head.

Loose Cultivator Li's expression shifted slightly, and he sneered, "Could it be that Great Thunderclap Temple, like the Heavenly Devil Cult, has also become a lackey of Eternal Peace?"

The old Tathagata shook his head again.

Old Master Pang said calmly, "Respected Elder, stop beating around the bush. Just say what you mean."

The old Tathagata chuckled. "I have come to create a good connection with you all and settle this public dispute. You are all cultivators. If you continue to fight, I don't know how many heroes will fall, how many legacies will be broken. Why don't we turn swords into silk today, resolve our karmic ties peacefully, and live in harmony?"

The Imperial Preceptor's eyes flickered, and he remained silent.

The old Tathagata looked at him and smiled. "The Imperial Preceptor is a good man. You once visited my Great Thunderclap Temple, where I shared Buddhist teachings and discussed Mahayana Buddhism with you, forming a good bond. I wonder if the Imperial Preceptor could return this kindness to this old monk?"

The Imperial Preceptor said solemnly, "Back then, I was young, traveling and studying, and I came to Great Thunderclap Temple. Tathagata, you showed no sectarian bias and guided my cultivation. I consider myself half a disciple of Great Thunderclap Temple, and I should repay this kindness. However, how can I be sure that this isn't simply 'releasing a tiger back into the mountains'? These individuals are the world's bandit leaders; how could they possibly give up so easily? If they rebel again in the future, it will lead to widespread suffering. Tathagata, with your compassion, you must understand my concerns."

The old Tathagata smiled. "This old monk will have them convert to Great Thunderclap Temple and no longer interfere in worldly affairs. What do you think, Imperial Preceptor?"

The Imperial Preceptor remained noncommittal.

The old Tathagata smiled, looking at Old Master Pang and the others. He chuckled, "You were all heroes in your prime, unparalleled in your brilliance, powerful throughout your lives, and glorious for a generation. Are you now willing to lay down your arms and convert to Buddhism?"

True Monarch Tian sneered, "Old Tathagata, with us plus your Great Thunderclap Temple, wouldn't it be easy to eliminate this villain? Do you think if you let this opportunity pass, your Great Thunderclap Temple will remain safe? If the Imperial Preceptor destroys us, he will surely destroy Buddhism! Why not strike decisively now and unleash your demon-subduing methods?"

The old Tathagata smiled. "Regardless of how the Imperial Preceptor treats my Buddhist sect, there will always be people in this world who believe in and venerate Buddhism. Regardless of whether there are still deities or Buddhas in this world, faith endures. It will not perish if the Imperial Preceptor destroys my Buddhist sect, nor will it prosper if the Imperial Preceptor promotes it. If you are willing to lay down your grudges and weapons, then follow me. If not, this old monk can only say that we have no destiny together, and I will take my leave."

Suddenly, figures rapidly descended from the sky, landing behind the Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace. They were over a hundred blood-soaked generals of Eternal Peace, clad in armor, each radiating immense battle intent.

Duke Wei roared, "What's going on? Has Tathagata also come to join the fun? Is he trying to capitalize on this? Imperial Preceptor, let's take care of this old monk and all these bald..."

The Imperial Preceptor raised a hand, stopping him, and whispered, "It's not wise for both sides to suffer losses. The old Tathagata has come to mediate; this is a good thing."

Duke Wei was puzzled, not understanding his meaning. "They are just here to take advantage, using this chance to recruit these rebel leaders into his Great Thunderclap Temple to strengthen its power. These rebel leaders are all extremely formidable individuals. Letting them go would be like 'releasing a tiger back into the mountains,' leading to endless future troubles! Imperial Preceptor, think twice!"

The Imperial Preceptor smiled faintly. "The old Tathagata said that once they convert to Buddhism, they will no longer interfere in worldly affairs. I believe the old Tathagata."

"Do you really believe him?"

Duke Wei's eyes widened. "No hair on their heads, unreliable in their deeds..."

He was about to say more when the Imperial Preceptor raised a hand and said calmly, "The old Tathagata is the leader of Buddhism. His coming to resolve grudges, settle a dispute, and bring peace to the world is a great act of benevolence. Besides, I am also injured."

On Mount Meru, each Bodhisattva and Arhat, hearing this, turned their heads to look.

The old Tathagata recited a Buddhist mantra, alerting the Bodhisattvas and Arhats. He smiled. "The Imperial Preceptor is willing to resolve the grudges. Old Master Pang, what about you all?"

Old Master Pang and the others exchanged glances and nodded silently.

If they did not agree to convert to Buddhism, the old Tathagata would abandon them, leaving with the many powerful figures from Great Thunderclap Temple, and they would surely die at the hands of the Imperial Preceptor.

The old Tathagata had brought almost all the powerful figures from Great Thunderclap Temple this time, signaling his determination to succeed. If they agreed to convert to Great Thunderclap Temple, the Imperial Preceptor would not dare to pursue them.

The old Tathagata smiled. "Fellow Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, if you lay down your grudges and karmic ties, convert to Buddhism, and realize that the four elements are empty, you will surely attain enlightenment. Imperial Preceptor..."

The Imperial Preceptor raised a hand and pointed at the man with the bronze mask, saying, "Tathagata, he must stay."

The man with the bronze mask felt a chill in his heart. The old Tathagata frowned slightly, and each Bodhisattva, Arhat, and Venerable One on the phantom of Mount Meru chanted Buddhist names in unison.

The Imperial Preceptor smiled faintly. "He must stay."

Although his voice was light, his tone conveyed an undeniable and unnegotiable certainty.

The old Tathagata sighed. "This good man, you have no destiny with my Buddhist sect. Old Master Pang, fellow Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, please ascend the mountain."

Old Master Pang and the others hesitated for a moment, looking at the man with the bronze mask. Then, gritting their teeth, they rose and landed on Mount Meru. They all said in unison to the man with the bronze mask, "Old... we're sorry!"

"You don't need to say more; I understand."

The man with the bronze mask laughed heartily. "Imperial Preceptor, how do you intend to deal with me?"

The Imperial Preceptor said expressionlessly, "I will capture you, escort you to the capital, and have you presented before the Emperor."

"Escort me to the capital to see the Emperor?"

The man with the bronze mask's tone was somewhat strange as he chuckled softly, "Then we'll have to see if your sword is fast enough, Imperial Preceptor..."

He slowly raised his palm and suddenly slammed it heavily onto the bronze mask. The bronze mask shattered into pieces, and the face beneath it was also smashed to smithereens!

"Imperial Preceptor, the Ling family's empire will eventually be ruined in your hands..."

His head split open, and he quickly drew his last breath, but his body remained standing firmly, never collapsing.

Duke Wei and the others cried out in alarm and rushed forward, but the Imperial Preceptor stood there motionless. He did not try to stop the man with the bronze mask from committing suicide, nor did he show any intention of intervening.

On a distant mountain, Qin Mu saw this scene, and his eye twitched.

When the Imperial Preceptor spoke those words, he was actually forcing the man with the bronze mask to commit suicide. Regardless of the identity of the face under the mask, he must have been a high-ranking member of the royal family, holding a prominent status and being crucial to the Emperor.

If he were captured alive by the Imperial Preceptor and escorted to the capital to be presented before the Emperor, it would not only be an embarrassing loss of face for the Emperor but would even cause estrangement between the ruler and his ministers.

Whether the Emperor killed him or not would become a problem.

His true identity being exposed would severely damage the Emperor's prestige, and even the court and public would secretly whisper, speculating whether he intended to rebel or had acted on the Emperor's implicit instruction.

At that time, the Imperial Preceptor's prestige would surpass the Emperor's, causing more civil and military officials to side with him, and the Emperor would become wary. If the Emperor and the Imperial Preceptor were to contend, the nation would be in danger, and the Ling family would also be in peril.

As a high-ranking member of the royal family, he had to commit suicide. He could not put the Ling family in a passive position or allow them to lose face like this.

Therefore, he had to destroy his face so that no one could ever know his true identity.

The Imperial Preceptor did not stop him, also hoping he would commit suicide. He did not want to escort him to the capital to be presented before the Emperor. Even if the man hadn't destroyed his own face, the Imperial Preceptor would have ensured it was destroyed.

The Imperial Preceptor did not want to undermine the Emperor's or the Ling family's dignity; this was the best outcome.

If the Imperial Preceptor had truly escorted the man with the bronze mask to the capital, that would have indicated his genuine desire to rebel and usurp the throne. From the current perspective, the Imperial Preceptor has no ambition for the throne; he merely wishes to use Eternal Peace to realize his ambitions and achieve the 'Three Immortalities.'

He wants to become a sage.

On Mount Meru, the Tathagata bowed to the Imperial Preceptor and said, "Imperial Preceptor, with affairs here concluded, this old monk will take his leave."

"Tathagata, take care," the Imperial Preceptor replied, returning the bow.

The phantom of Mount Meru drifted westward. Old Master Pang, True Monarch Tian, and the others looked back, only to see the Imperial Preceptor give an order: have the man with the bronze mask's head cut off and buried on the spot, while his headless body was to be placed in a coffin and transported to the capital.

Loose Cultivator Li sighed, "Tathagata, my Daoist brother, if not for you this time..."

The old Tathagata shook his head. "No need to say more; the Imperial Preceptor is already displeased with my Great Thunderclap Temple. Let's go, back to the mountain. I estimate that my evil disciple has already taken the opportunity to return to Great Thunderclap Temple and seize his arm. If we return in time, we might still encounter him."

The monks on the mountain felt a chill in their hearts.

The phantom of Mount Meru floated to the mountaintop where Qin Mu and the others were. From below, another sneer was heard: "Bald thief!"

The Bodhisattvas, Arhats, and Venerable Ones on the mountain all shouted, "Demonic scoundrels!"

The old Tathagata shook his head, halted Mount Meru, and looked down. He suddenly put his palms together and said, "Senior Brother."

The many hall masters and protectors on the mountaintop felt a chill in their hearts. The Sword Hall Master subtly shook his head at Qin Mu, but Qin Mu waved his hand and bowed in return, saying, "Senior Brother."

The old Tathagata looked surprised, nodded, and led his followers away.

"Cult Master, why did you return the bow to that old bald donkey?"

The Right Protector, Xue Bi'e, complained, "Now that your true identity is exposed and seen by that old bald thief, it will certainly cause trouble!"

"As the Holy Cult Master, since he greeted me as an equal, I couldn't not return the courtesy."

Qin Mu smiled. "I am the Holy Cult Master; I couldn't keep my identity a secret forever. Moreover, I cannot let you or the Holy Cult lose face."

Everyone said one after another, "We'd rather not have this 'face'!"