Chapter 215: Night Market Massacre

Wei Guo Gong noticed Qin Mu had returned to his normal state and felt a bit puzzled. He looked towards the Imperial Advisor's residence, thinking, "That cold fellow, the Imperial Advisor, seems to have practiced a similar technique. I've seen him manifest a form like that before... Strange, that old rascal of an Imperial Advisor didn't come out to join the fun. The Emperor gave him so many palace maids; surely they haven't drained him dry?"

"Is Ban Gongcuo really a disciple of the Loulan Golden Palace?"

Grand Tutor Sun Nantuo hesitated. The Loulan Golden Palace, known as the foremost sacred land beyond the Great Wall, proclaimed themselves shamans. They practiced dark arts, cultivating with souls to transform their bodies into forms that were neither divine, human, nor demonic.

What Qin Mu had just displayed was his divine transformation state.

In the Five Brightnesses realm, very few could achieve a divine transformation state. While a prodigious talent like the Imperial Advisor of Yankang complained that the Imperial Academy didn't teach profound principles, it wasn't that the Academy was unwilling to teach. Rather, among the Imperial College students, hardly anyone had mastered the divine transformation state of the Five Brightnesses realm.

Moreover, Qin Mu's divine transformation state was unique. Even the Imperial Advisor of Yankang had once been surprised that Qin Mu's state seemed to involve physical deification, vital energy deification, and other signs of soul deification. His aura also changed somewhat, making it truly extraordinary.

For example, Qin Mu's recent Fire God form, where a third bull's eye emerged between his brows, shooting a beam of fire that decapitated Zen Master Yuan Yue—this was a divine ability formed from the fusion of physical, vital energy, and soul deification.

An ordinary martial artist at the Five Brightnesses realm, even if they achieved a divine transformation state, would be vastly different from Qin Mu's and unable to perform such techniques.

If even the Imperial Advisor of Yankang found it somewhat difficult to comprehend, it was natural that Grand Tutor Sun Nantuo, Crown Prince Yankang, and others didn't recognize it. They merely thought it was a demonic transformation state from the Witch Venerable Lou Luojing's scripture, marveling at its power and strangeness.

"Grand Tutor Sun, many of your disciples have been killed. Aren't you going to enter the fray yourself?"

Wei Guo Gong shook his head, saying, "You should personally fight and defeat this barbarian to restore your Nantuo Temple's renowned prestige! Your Nantuo Temple disciples are truly disgraceful. They used divine abilities from the Six Directions realm, yet they were still decapitated by someone from the Five Brightnesses realm. You've brought shame upon your entire temple."

Sun Nantuo's eyes flickered, but he ignored the taunt. He knew Wei Guo Gong had a tongue that could swallow the sky; if he took the bait, Wei Guo Gong would surely find a way to force him to challenge Qin Mu.

He absolutely would not challenge Qin Mu. At the same cultivation level, he wasn't confident of victory. He had already mastered all a thousand mudra techniques of the Lingbao Unmoving Zen Skill to perfection, but he feared the Lingbao Unmoving Zen Skill wouldn't be able to defeat this barbarian at the same realm.

And if he were to use the Six Directions realm, it certainly wouldn't escape Wei Guo Gong's notice. If Wei Guo Gong started shouting about it, that would truly be humiliating.

Wei Guo Gong would definitely shout about it.

Crown Prince Yankang whispered, "Grand Tutor, I have a few skilled individuals here who might be able to help you defeat this barbarian..."

Sun Nantuo shook his head. "I'm wondering where this barbarian's protector is."

"Protector?" Crown Prince Yankang was slightly taken aback.

Sun Nantuo looked around and said, "Your Highness doesn't know, but whenever someone blocks a gate like this, they always have a protector by their side to prevent sneak attacks. For instance, when the Dao Sect blocked the Imperial Academy's gate, Daoist Dan Yang was the protector for the Dao Son. When Great Thunderclap Temple blocked the Imperial Academy, Old Monk Jing Ming was the protector for the Buddha Heart Monk. This barbarian dares to be so audacious, so there must be a Loulan Golden Palace protector nearby. This person must be a sect leader-level master! Only by finding, defeating, and killing him can we restore the face of my Nantuo Temple."

He knew he detested evil and had offended too many court officials on a daily basis. Coupled with the improper conduct of the disciples of Nantuo Temple's separate palace, many in the capital were waiting to see him embarrassed.

To quell this matter, the best outcome would be to find Qin Mu's protector and kill him openly. As for Qin Mu's fate, it wasn't even on his mind yet.

Suddenly, Sun Nantuo stepped forward toward Qin Mu. The monks of Nantuo Temple were both surprised and delighted, hastily clearing a path.

Qin Mu stood outside Nantuo Temple's separate palace. The bodies on the ground had already been dragged away. More than a dozen monks had died by his hand one after another. The monks of the separate palace were filled with righteous indignation but dared not step forward to fight.

Now, seeing Sun Nantuo approach personally, the monks couldn't help but feel a surge of hope.

Sun Nantuo looked up at the Thousand Pagoda Treasure, his eyes gleaming. He said, "Centuries ago, the Loulan Golden Palace stole my Nantuo Temple's most precious treasure. Now you bring this very treasure here to block my Nantuo Temple's gate. Who gave you such audacity?"

Qin Mu shook his head. "I am only here to sell this treasure, to sell it to someone fated to possess it. I am not here to block your Nantuo Temple's gate. If anyone else desires this Thousand Pagoda, they may also come to challenge me. As long as they are fated, it is fine to bestow it upon them. Great monk, if you have the ability, defeat me and take this Thousand Pagoda. If you lack the skill, then do not disturb my business."

Crown Prince Yankang stepped forward, smiling. "You just said you wanted to sell this treasure. Since it's for sale, there must be a price. What price do you have in mind?"

Qin Mu glanced at him. "Naturally, there's a price."

The monks of Nantuo Temple's separate palace stiffened, feeling both angry and anxious. If they had known it could be bought, why bother fighting this barbarian to the death?

Crown Prince Yankang's spirits lifted. He laughed, "What's the price? Just name it. There's nothing in this world that I can't afford."

Qin Mu's expression softened. "The price isn't expensive. One hundred large warships, each equipped with a physician and a medic apprentice, plus two hundred cloud chariots. There's no need for Golden Armored Warriors; I have plenty of strong warriors beyond the Great Wall."

Crown Prince Yankang's face darkened. "Are you mocking me?"

Large warships and cloud chariots were military equipment, crucial assets of Yankang. They were heavy armaments researched by the Imperial Advisor of Yankang and other powerful figures for transporting troops and provisions and for warfare. Cloud chariots were especially heavy siege weapons. Handing over large warships and cloud chariots to those beyond the Great Wall would be an act of colluding with the enemy and treason. Even as Crown Prince, the Emperor would have him executed!

Qin Mu calmly stated, "If Your Highness cannot afford this price, then please do not disturb my business."

Crown Prince Yankang's face subtly darkened.

"This treasure is for the fated one."

Qin Mu solemnly declared, "Anyone who believes they can defeat me is welcome to try. I will remain here for three days. If no one can defeat me after three days, I will return to the lands beyond the Great Wall!"

"Three days?"

Sun Nantuo looked around. Still, there was no sign of the Loulan Golden Palace protector hidden in the shadows. He thought, "With three days, I can surely find where he's hiding."

The monks of Nantuo Temple's separate palace no longer stepped forward to challenge him. Qin Mu simply sat down quietly, waiting.

The onlookers gradually dispersed. Various princely and ministerial mansions in the capital sent servants to stay behind. Wei Guo Gong brought Wei Yong to the Imperial Advisor's residence. He knocked on the door, and Old Fu came out, smiling. "What can I do for you, Duke?"

"Where is the Imperial Advisor?" Wei Guo Gong asked.

"The master has gone sightseeing with his wife."

Wei Guo Gong was startled and stammered, "Wife? What wife?"

"Duke, you might not know, but the Emperor bestowed a hundred palace maids upon the master. The master was very pleased and, the very next day, took one of the women as his partner. That same evening, they held their wedding ceremony and drank the nuptial wine. After waking up, the master and his wife left the capital."

Wei Guo Gong's body shook, his expression peculiar. He stammered, "The Imperial Advisor got married, he actually got married... That fellow, I thought he'd never have feelings, but he actually got married... That scoundrel didn't even tell me!"

Old Fu chuckled apologetically. "The master said everything should be simple, so he didn't even notify the Emperor."

Wei Guo Gong let out a sigh. "Never mind. You're probably too poor to host a banquet anyway. I'll have a servant prepare a red envelope and deliver a few boxes later. Did the Imperial Advisor say when he'd return?"

Old Fu shook his head.

Wei Guo Gong sighed with relief, muttering to himself, "There's something off about this barbarian, but since he's staying for three more days, there's no need to rush. We can discuss it after the Imperial Advisor returns."

As night fell, lanterns were lit throughout the capital. The night market bustled again, and the streets gradually grew lively. Wei Guo Gong asked Wei Yong to inquire around. Wei Yong returned, saying, "It's close to the New Year, less than a month away, so merchants in the capital are selling New Year's goods."

"I see. Let's take a stroll, my boy and I."

The old man and the young man strolled through the night market. They saw well-bred young ladies from the capital had also emerged from their chambers, dressed dazzlingly. Carrying court fans, they admired the lanterns along the way, using their fans to cover their cheeks when they noticed young men looking at them, yet secretly peeking at those young men from behind their fans.

Wei Yong was from the Wei family's old home and originally had little connection with Wei Guo Gong. It was only after distinguishing himself at the Imperial Academy that he caught Wei Guo Gong's attention. As they strolled, Wei Guo Gong instructed him on the principles of cultivation.

As they spoke, they passed Nantuo Temple's separate palace. Wei Guo Gong glanced and saw that Ban Gongcuo's figure was no longer outside the gate, which slightly surprised him.

He saw many monks pouring out of Nantuo Temple's separate palace in a file. In the center was Sun Nantuo, surrounded by various guardians and abbots from the separate palace. A monk quickly reported, "Abbot, that barbarian just slipped away unnoticed during the night market! I've already sent several fellow disciples to follow him!"

"Cunning! This barbarian deliberately laid a trap, making us believe he'd stay here for three days, but he slipped away secretly that very night!"

"Those senior brothers are following him; they won't let him get away!"

Sun Nantuo's face was devoid of expression. He led the monks quickly, saying in a deep voice, "Act outside the city."

Wei Guo Gong's eyes lit up. He brought Wei Yong forward, smiling. "That Sun Nantuo, so sanctimonious, yet he's also a sinister and cunning fellow. Killing that barbarian in the city would definitely cause public outcry. Acting outside the city, destroying the body and leaving no trace—then no one will know. Let's follow them and see how these monks commit murder and arson!"

Wei Yong followed him. The old man and the young man trailed the many masters of Nantuo Temple's separate palace, walking all the way out of the capital. Monks continually squeezed out of the crowd to report Ban Gongcuo's whereabouts to Sun Nantuo, gradually leading them out of the capital.

Outside the capital, there was also a night market, brightly lit and stretching for over ten miles. People came and went, making it exceptionally lively.

Wei Guo Gong, with Wei Yong, trailed behind the monks of Nantuo Temple's separate palace, going further and further, unknowingly walking over ten miles. There was still a night market here, and not just a night market, but also a village. It had wide wooden gates, about three to five zhang wide and long, and a red wooden plaque hung on the gates.

Wei Guo Gong looked up at the wooden plaque. On it were written the four characters: "Saint Master's Admonition."

Wei Guo Gong's eye twitched. He hesitated for a moment, but Sun Nantuo had already entered the village. Inside the village, the lights were bright, and iron pots filled with burning, thick lamp oil crackled on posts.

The village had various stalls, including butcher shops selling pork and mutton. Shouts echoed, making it very lively, looking like an ordinary night market.

"What's wrong, Duke?" Wei Yong asked, puzzled.

"Saint Master's Admonition, I've seen these words before."

Wei Guo Gong's expression was grave. He said, "When Li Tianxing, the former leader of the Heavenly Devil Cult, traveled and arrived at his separate palace, the plaque hung before its gate used these very words. The Heavenly Devil Cult calls their leader the 'Saint Master,' meaning the Saint Master has descended to give instructions... This night market, it belongs to the Heavenly Devil Cult..."

Wei Guo Gong hesitated, then walked inside. Suddenly, an old man and an old woman emerged from the gate, smiling. "Duke, halt."

Just as Wei Guo Gong was about to speak, a colossal sound, like a mountain collapsing and earth splitting, roared. Wei Guo Gong quickly looked, only to see the merchants and wandering scholars and beauties in the night market suddenly erupt into action!

One by one, the monks of Nantuo Temple's separate palace were assassinated by the merchants and pedestrians beside them. Heads flew, and blood stained the air.

After successfully striking, those individuals quickly retreated, their figures flashing into the houses on either side.

In the blink of an eye, all the monks around Sun Nantuo were reduced to headless bodies!

Sun Nantuo roared, revealing his Thousand-Armed Buddha body, a hundred zhang tall. Buddha light radiated brilliantly, and he held a thousand different magical artifacts, looking majestic and awe-inspiring.

At this moment, twenty old individuals approached from all directions and lunged at Sun Nantuo. With a thunderous crash, the colossal Thousand-Armed Buddha was shattered.

Wei Guo Gong stood dazed. He saw the night market return to its bustling state. Some people were carrying away bodies, while others were diverting river water to wash the ground clean.

"Saint Master's Admonition!"

Wei Guo Gong shivered at the words and hastily said, "Let's go quickly, before we see the true face of this Devil Cult leader..."

Suddenly, Wei Yong waved towards the village, smiling. "Brother Qin, why are you here?"