Chapter 213: Seeking Revenge

"Sword Hall, inform the twelve Elder Protectors and the eight Inspector Envoys of the Sacred Cult to go to the Tu River outside the capital."

Qin Mu closed the file, handing the insights he had written over the past few days on the Spirit Treasure Immovable Zen Skill to the head of the Sword Hall. "I've spent these past few days studying the Spirit Treasure Immovable Zen Skill, looking for its weaknesses. Everything is recorded here. Have them read it first. As for the heads of the other halls, do not make any moves yet; await my instructions."

The head of the Sword Hall acknowledged the order and departed.

Qin Mu summoned Fox Ling'er and Dragon Qilin, instructing them to remain at the Imperial College for the next few days. He then went to the end of the alley at Scholar's Residence, where he found Wei Yong. "Brother Wei, has Duke Wei returned?"

Wei Yong replied, "He just returned from quelling the rebellion the day before yesterday."

Qin Mu said, "Could I trouble Brother Wei to make a trip home and tell the Duke that there's some excitement to see at the Nanda Detached Palace?"

Puzzled, Wei Yong chuckled, "My old man, while he loves a good spectacle, he doesn't just go to any. If it's not a big enough deal, he absolutely won't go, and he'll make sure the whole capital knows about it! What exactly is going on?"

Qin Mu replied, "Just go; you'll find out when you get there."

Wei Yong, still wondering, descended the mountain with him. Qin Mu then parted ways with him and headed directly to the Listening Rain Pavilion in Flower Alley.

Fu Qingyun hurried forward to greet him, saying, "Cult Master..."

Qin Mu raised a hand, motioning for her not to speak further. Suddenly, popping sounds erupted from within his body, bones dislocating. He grew taller and taller, transforming into a burly yet somewhat gaunt man, resembling an outlander from beyond the Great Wall.

Fu Qingyun was startled. "Creation Skill? I wonder which of the Seven Chapters of Creation this is?"

Qin Mu's body emitted a faint golden glow. He changed into a more rugged outfit and retrieved the Thousand Banner Pagoda from his Taotie Pouch. The pagoda, over ten feet tall, rested in his hand. The thousand banners spun continuously, chiming softly, and a faint Buddhist chant emanated from them.

"Hall Master Fu, remain here. Do not act without my orders."

Carrying the Thousand Banner Pagoda, Qin Mu stepped out of the Listening Rain Pavilion, left Flower Alley, and proceeded directly towards the Nanda Detached Palace.

The Nanda Detached Palace was originally the Grand Tutor's Residence. Nanda Temple was one of the Buddhist sects second only to the Great Thunderclap Temple. After its abbot, Sun Nanda, submitted to the imperial court, Nanda Temple became a major sect under the court's jurisdiction.

Sun Nanda was profound in Buddhist teachings, upright in character, and detested evil, earning him the title of Arhat. He was appointed Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. After Nanda Temple pledged allegiance to the court, many other Buddhist temples also followed suit, a testament to Sun Nanda's influence.

After Sun Nanda converted the Grand Tutor's Residence into the Nanda Detached Palace, it became Nanda Temple's primary venue for sermons. Many young monks from Nanda Temple came here to listen to lectures, and even some female family members of princes and high-ranking officials, having an affinity for Buddhism, often came to listen as well.

However, these women often suffered from deep loneliness in their boudoirs. Some female attendees came with improper intentions, using the pretense of worshipping Buddha to engage in dalliances with young monks, alleviating their solitude. Furthermore, some older, fading noblewomen would keep young monks, and it was common to see monks entering and exiting women's chambers—a common sight in the capital.

There were also some elderly monks who kept young women, indulging in revelry day and night, which drew considerable criticism.

Although Sun Nanda was aware of some improprieties among his disciples, he was preoccupied with official duties and numerous responsibilities, leaving him no time for strict discipline. Coupled with the open customs of the capital, where women were quite bold and even the Empress Dowager had lovers, he felt no inclination to intervene.

The emperor had also repeatedly offered Sun Nanda marriage. Sun Nanda refused three times, but accepted the fourth offer, making him a semi-clerical monk. This made it awkward for him to truly crack down on his disciples' conduct.

Disgraceful incidents often occurred within the Nanda Detached Palace, and Sun Nanda largely turned a blind eye.

Nevertheless, he remained fiercely hateful of evil, often rebuking officials of demonic sect origins in court without hesitation.

On this day, commotion erupted outside the Nanda Detached Palace. Monks from Nanda Temple rushed out, and even many of Sun Nanda's personal disciples flocked outside, exclaiming, "Someone out there is selling a rare Buddhist treasure! The Thousand Banner Pagoda, which is in the same lineage as our Nanda Temple's Spirit Treasure Immovable Zen Skill, is the temple's treasure that went missing hundreds of years ago!"

When everyone arrived outside the detached palace, they indeed saw the missing treasure of Nanda Temple, the Thousand Banner Pagoda. Numerous monks were gathered in a dense crowd, blocking the street completely, with some female attendees also squeezing in.

Amidst the crowd stood a pagoda, composed of a thousand banners. Each banner was carved from jade, divided into seven layers, and each layer was a cylindrical tube inscribed with scriptures. They could rotate, and when turned, the scriptures would emit light and transmit Buddhist chants.

Each layer of the banner also contained treasures such as glazed tiles, yingluo ornaments, sarira relics, lamps, topaz, and agate.

A thousand banners, stacked together, formed a single pagoda. This was Nanda Temple's renowned treasure, the Thousand Banner Pagoda, also known as the Thousand Banner Tower!

Such a treasure had been lost for a long time, disappearing during a period of turmoil. To think it could reappear in the world now made the monks of Nanda Detached Palace flush with excitement, eager to seize the pagoda back immediately.

However, this was the capital, after all, and they could not act recklessly.

The person selling the Thousand Banner Pagoda was a young man with an exotic appearance, standing beneath the pagoda and activating it.

The Thousand Banner Pagoda was originally not tall, with each banner only about three inches high. But when activated by this young man, each banner grew to over ten feet tall, making the entire pagoda sixty to seventy feet high in total. It was astonishing. The scripture cylinders of the thousand banners rotated, constantly emitting shimmering scriptures and resonant Buddhist chants, a truly magnificent sight.

The foreign barbarian spoke in a booming voice: "This treasured heirloom of my family is only for those with predestined affinity. I come from the grasslands beyond the Great Wall, a shaman from the Loulan Golden Palace. This treasure was passed down from my ancestors; my ancestor saved an old monk, who then gifted this treasure to him. I've come to Yankang to witness the heroes of this great nation and find someone with a predestined connection for this treasure."

"Brother Yuanjing, isn't this our Nanda Temple's protective treasure?"

A monk quietly asked the handsome monk beside him. Though not old, Brother Yuanjing was a personal disciple of Sun Nanda, holding a high position. Having cultivated with Sun Nanda for many years, he was well-versed in Nanda Temple's history. He nodded and said, "It is indeed our Nanda Temple's protective treasure, the Thousand Banner Pagoda! The Arhat Nanda Sutra is inscribed on it, and it has been blessed by successive abbots. It would be impossible to fake."

Monk Yuanjing's eyes gleamed, and he suddenly called out loudly, "You barbarian, this is our Nanda Temple's treasure! Return it to its rightful owner at once!"

Qin Mu glanced at him and said, "Monk, this treasure was gifted by a revered monk. Since it was given to my family, it is mine. I only give this treasure to those with predestined affinity."

Suddenly, another young monk laughed, "How does one qualify as having a predestined affinity?"

Monk Yuanjing looked at him, a chill in his heart. This young monk was also handsome, none other than Monk Yuanfeng, another disciple of Sun Nanda. The two had long held a grudge over a woman, secretly competing many times. On the surface, they remained polite, but behind closed doors, they had already fallen out.

Clearly, Monk Yuanfeng intended to obtain the Thousand Banner Pagoda from this foreign barbarian, thereby earning merit before Sun Nanda, gaining his favor, monopolizing their master's affection, and ousting Yuanjing.

Qin Mu set down the Thousand Banner Pagoda and stated solemnly, "I come from beyond the borders. Witnessing the splendor of this great nation, my heart is filled with admiration, believing it to be a land of outstanding individuals. This Thousand Banner Pagoda is no ordinary item. I am willing to use this treasure to meet the heroes and valiant warriors of this great nation. If someone can defeat me at the same cultivation realm, I will gladly offer this treasure."

Meanwhile, Wei Yong and Duke Wei walked out of the Duke's residence and arrived outside the Nanda Detached Palace. Duke Wei took a glance, shook his head, and chuckled, "What excitement is there to see here? It's just some brat from the Loulan Golden Palace coming to stir up trouble for Nanda Temple."

His voice was loud, and once he spoke, people several streets away heard him clearly.

These streets were where princes and high-ranking officials resided. Hearing Duke Wei's words, they all emerged from their mansions, looking on from afar, and the scene suddenly became lively.

The monks of Nanda Temple, seeing more and more people gathering, found it inconvenient to simply seize the pagoda. Another monk in yellow robes chuckled, "As long as one defeats you, they can take the Thousand Banner Pagoda?"

Although Duke Wei was not very interested, he still called out loudly, "Baldy, he said 'same cultivation realm'! You can't just ignore the rules! Where's Sun Nanda? His family's treasure has appeared, and he's off with some woman again, is he?"

Wei Yong, confused, looked around, thinking, "How did Brother Qin know there'd be excitement here? Where is he?"

Qin Mu said, "Whoever defeats me can take the Thousand Banner Pagoda. Though my homeland beyond the Great Wall is not as prosperous as this great nation, my word is as good as gold."

Just as the yellow-robed monk was about to step forward, Monk Yuanjing stepped out first and chuckled, "I'll take the pagoda! Esteemed Senior Brother, this humble monk is Yuanjing, at the Five Luminaries realm. May I inquire your name?"

Qin Mu stated solemnly, "Loulan Golden Palace, Ban Gongcuo, Five Luminaries realm!"

Monk Yuanjing's aura erupted. He activated the Spirit Treasure Immovable Zen Skill, his body radiating Buddhist light. Behind him, the faint phantom of a Great Spirit Treasure Buddha appeared, with a thousand arms holding a thousand treasures: glazed lamps, jade flower lanterns, bows, arrows, maces, pestles, and all sorts of other valuable items.

The Great Buddha suddenly merged with Monk Yuanjing and vanished. Monk Yuanjing's body shimmered with treasure light, his hands forming a precious mudra. Taking a step forward, his hand seal transformed into a Glazed Seal, his palm glowing with a glazed luster as he struck down at Qin Mu.

This was precisely the formidable aspect of the Spirit Treasure Immovable Zen Skill. This Buddhist cultivation method was known as "Thousand Treasures." When cultivated to the Celestial Being realm or higher, one could manifest the Great Buddha of a Thousand Treasures, possessing astonishing power.

And even without reaching the Celestial Being realm, one could transform the thousand treasures into a thousand different mudras, each distinct, possessing varying powers and effects.

Although Monk Yuanjing was only at the Five Luminaries realm, his cultivation was very profound. He had mastered over a hundred of the Thousand Mudras of the Spirit Treasure Immovable Zen Skill. Coupled with the Arhat Body that could be cultivated with the Spirit Treasure Immovable Zen Skill, rendering his body as impenetrable as Vajra, impervious to blades and spears, his defensive power was also extremely astonishing.

Monk Yuanjing's strike burst forth with brilliant treasure light. Around his palm, an area of two or three zhang seemed to solidify into a glazed realm, from which Buddhist chants emanated within the treasure light, a truly extraordinary sight.

Qin Mu stood his ground. Suddenly, his hand rose and fell with a thunderous crash. The glazed realm, the Great Spirit Treasure Buddha, the Glazed Seal—all were shattered by a single slap. A large pit appeared on the ground, and in it, Monk Yuanjing lay in a crumpled heap of mangled flesh.

The monks were startled. Duke Wei stroked his beard, puzzled. "This barbarian's moves are crude, but his cultivation is ridiculously strong... What's his name?"

Wei Yong quickly replied, "It seems he's called Ban Gongcuo."

Duke Wei muttered to himself, "Something's not quite right. This cultivation method doesn't seem like the Loulan Golden Palace's Witch Lord Louluo Sutra..."