Chapter 259: Ox Cart

West of Bazhou City, a somber stillness pervaded the area for hundreds of li, as if even the air had frozen. Primordial qi surged around the elderly Daoists and monks, coalescing behind them into sacred figures that exuded immense power, seemingly capable of swallowing mountains and rivers.

The Daoist Sect and the Great Thunder Sound Temple boasted ancient legacies, even more ancient than the Heavenly Devil Cult, which was still a relatively young sect compared to these two great holy lands. Judging by the sacred figures formed from the primordial qi behind these elderly Daoists and monks, one could discern the various deities that had emerged throughout history: figures with three heads and four arms, with turtle shells and whisks, with hoopoes and leopard tails, and Vajra Yakshas—a diverse array of divine forms.

As for Poor Scholar, True Monarch Tian, and others, their manifestations were different. Their legacies were not as ancient as the Daoist Sect or the Great Thunder Sound Temple, but they were immensely powerful. The deities appearing behind them included great Confucian sages, women holding golden insects, and impoverished gods in patched robes.

The manifestations of the imperial court's First-Rank officials behind Emperor Yanfeng were also distinct. Behind Grand Marshal Qin Jian (Qin Baoyue) appeared not a deity, but a pair of twin maces. The two golden maces shone brilliantly, with eight-edged shafts, constantly spinning. Born from the battlefield, he didn't cultivate divine beings or Buddhas, but rather regarded his weapons as divine, using them for conquest and slaughter.

The deity behind Grand Commandant Monk Yuankong was also not a Buddha. Instead, it was an ascetic monk, wrapped in chains, holding a precept blade, striking a combat pose, resembling himself.

Behind King of Mount Tai, Ling Xuhua, nine dragons coiled around Mount Tai. Mount Tai served as an altar, worshipped by the nine dragons. He was responsible for overseeing the sacrificial rites of Yankang Nation.

Minister of Works Wei Pingbo, who managed Yankang Nation's water conservancy, manifested not a deity from his primordial qi, but a massive river dam constructed from earth, wood, and water—he regarded water conservancy as divine.

Minister of Education Xiu Leqing was a female official who managed the national treasury and was in charge of the empire's finances. The deity formed from her primordial qi was also not a god. Instead, it was a twisting mass of Da Feng coins, strung together like a giant snake or python. She regarded currency as divine.

Senior Minister Su Yunzhi was also a female official. She held the authority to establish her own administrative office, with a rank equivalent to the Three Dukes. Although a literary official without specific administrative duties, she held the highest position among all subjects. She oversaw universities and elementary schools across the land. The manifestation of her primordial qi was not a deity, but a scroll and a ruler.

Behind Grand General of Cavalry Quan Dingwu was a fiery steed, ablaze with raging flames. Upon it sat a deity bathed in the fires of war. It had eight arms, wielding swords, shields, spears, lances, longswords, and halberds. Its four faces gazed in all directions, with flames erupting from its eyes like beams of light. Yet, all four faces within the flames were his own.

From this, one could see the difference between the cult-master level experts in the imperial court and those from martial arts sects. The Daoist Sect and the Great Thunder Sound Temple revered gods and Buddhas, and the deities behind them were precisely such. However, the court's experts regarded their respective duties as divine. They transformed their responsibilities into their own deities, each specializing in their own domain and excelling in their respective fields. Even Monk Yuankong, who originated from the Buddhist sect, still envisioned himself as an ascetic monk cultivating amidst battle. He did not manifest as a great Buddha.

A long-eared monk's expression shifted slightly, and he murmured, "The Imperial Preceptor's reforms have given rise to these unorthodox, devilish paths that show no reverence for ghosts or gods! They don't even revere gods or Buddhas, but instead worship these chaotic, nonsensical things!"

Grand General of Cavalry Quan Dingwu pointed at the long-eared monk and sneered, "Applying knowledge to practice, unity of knowing and acting. Long-eared monk, your cultivation is shallow; you won't escape death. What good is a lifetime of arduous cultivation if it fails to grasp the true essence of the divine?"

Emperor Yanfeng said calmly, "It all comes from one's own abilities; relying on gods and Buddhas is the true unorthodox path. If they perform their duties well, elevating their work to the realm of gods and Buddhas, then they *are* gods and Buddhas!"

The elderly Daoists of the Daoist Sect lowered their gazes, and the Old Daoist Master shook his head. "Elevating one's duties to the realm of gods? If one becomes a god that way, won't they still have to work for mortals? This is yet another doctrine of the Heavenly Devil Cult! It's nothing more than serving the daily needs of the common people. Emperor, you have been too deeply influenced by the Imperial Preceptor, and by the Heavenly Devil Cult."

Emperor Yanfeng smiled faintly, "If I were to join the Heavenly Devil Cult, I might just manage to become a cult master."

"Since it is a demonic path, there is no need for further discussion."

One by one, the elderly Daoists adjusted the precious swords on their backs. Then, someone whispered, "Kill."

As soon as the word was uttered, killing intent filled the sky, and the chilling wind grew incredibly biting. Just then, an old man came rattling by, pulling an ox-cart.

The crowd instantly reined in their killing intent. They stood silently, eyes cast downwards in meditation, not uttering a sound.

The old man, seeing the sky full of gods and Buddhas, couldn't help but be terrified. The ox also trembled, its legs shaking, unable to pull the cart. Annoyed, the old man, mustering his courage, whipped the ox several times before it finally exerted itself, slowly pulling the cart out of this troublesome area.

Once the old man and the ox-cart were far away, battle was about to erupt!

Just as these Divine Bridge realm experts were about to make their move, suddenly, the rattling sound of wheels was heard, and another ox-cart approached. An old man led his ox and cart toward them. Seeing the crowd, the old man's legs trembled, and he shook nervously, managing to move the ox-cart away with great difficulty.

Everyone sighed in relief, and just as they were about to act, the rattling sound of wheels was heard again. An elderly Daoist couldn't help but exclaim in anger, "With the freezing weather and all these natural and man-made disasters, where are all these ox-carts coming from?"

A chill went down everyone's spines; it was indeed true. Disasters were rampant everywhere, and cattle, sheep, and livestock had all been consumed. How could three ox-carts have appeared in such a short time, and all of them passing through this exact spot?

This ox-cart carried an elderly couple: a white-haired old woman and an old man who was neither young nor fully decrepit. Everyone waited silently for the ox-cart to pass.

However, that ox-cart stopped. The ox showed no fear at the terrifying scene before it. The old man and woman on the cart jumped down and, as if performing a magic trick, unfurled the cloth on the cart, gently shook it, and then pulled it away. Immediately, over a dozen oddly shaped people appeared on the cart, filling the small space to capacity, almost spilling out.

"The Heavenly Devil Cult's Left and Right Protectors, twelve Elder Guardians, and two Heavenly Kings."

The Daoist Master looked down, his expression somewhat helpless. "I only saw one ox-cart with two people and one ox arrive, but unexpectedly sixteen people popped out. The Heavenly Devil Cult plays good tricks."

Left Protector Kong Lingxian looked up and chuckled, "We wanderers of the pugilistic world enjoy playing tricks to make a living and earn tips from spectators. We apologize for amusing you venerable landlords."

Right Protector Xue Bie'e said with a smile, "Old bald donkey, old Daoist, when the Cult Master went home for the New Year, he told us to accompany the Emperor. Now that the Emperor is in trouble, I and my old brothers in the cult cannot stand idly by. Otherwise, when the Cult Master returns after the New Year and holds us accountable, we won't be able to bear the consequences."

The Heavenly Devil Cult's twelve Protectors and two Heavenly Kings jumped down from the cart. Heavenly King Shi and Heavenly King Yu stretched their limbs, bowed respectfully to everyone, and said with a conciliatory smile, "You are all exalted figures, and we humble old folk pay our respects. When the Cult Master entrusted the Emperor to us, he was perfectly alive. If you were to kill him, and we present a dead Emperor to the Cult Master, he would be furious, and we would have no choice but to atone with our lives."

Beggar's Sect Master Qi Dayou boomed, "Evil cults and unorthodox paths! The imperial court has become corrupted and colluded with the Heavenly Devil Cult. Fellow practitioners of the Great Thunder Sound Temple, proceed with subjugating demons and eradicating evil!"

"Kill!"

A thunderous roar erupted, followed by thunderous claps that shook the heavens. Battle erupted, and in an instant, violent surges of energy struck in all directions, flattening vast stretches of forest!

This battle surpassed even the Imperial Preceptor's pacification campaign. Although there were many cult-master level existences in the pacification campaign, they were still inferior to the cult-master level experts from the three great holy lands. Moreover, since the imperial court was also akin to a great holy land, the clashing of the strongest from four great holy lands showcased immense power!

However, this time, almost all the cult-master level experts from the Great Thunder Sound Temple and the Daoist Sect were present, while only half of the experts from the imperial court and the Heavenly Devil Cult had arrived. With the Daoist Master and the Buddha also present, the outlook for this battle was not optimistic.

As soon as the battle began, lives were lost.

The long-eared monk directly confronted Quan Dingwu. The Divine Bridge realm experts fully activated their divine treasures, battling with earth-shattering power. The long-eared monk was the head of the Great Thunder Sound Temple's Arhat Hall, profound in Buddhist teachings, and skilled in the Victorious Battle Dharma.

Quan Dingwu, on the other hand, was the Grand General of Cavalry, having spent his life in military campaigns and slaughter, annihilating nations and sects, constantly facing life-and-death situations. In his early years, when the Imperial Academy was just established and the Imperial Preceptor of Yankang Nation gathered experts from around the world to study Daoist arts and divine abilities, Quan Dingwu was among them. He could be considered one of Yankang Nation's top experts.

The Victorious Battle Dharma clashed with the Art of Slaughter, and upon their first collision, a boundless sea of blood surged forth. Above the sea of blood, raging flames of war ignited. This phenomenon appeared as if truly existing, yet it was merely the manifestation of Quan Dingwu's killing intent.

A great Buddha stood atop the sea of blood, and before it was the long-eared monk, who appeared much smaller compared to the majestic Buddha. From the sea of blood and fire, a figure charged towards him with a roar—it was Quan Dingwu. Behind him, a horse trampled through the flames of war, and the rider on its back resembled a demonic god of slaughter, terrifyingly grotesque and exceptionally ferocious!

"Evil cult, unorthodox path, you do not cultivate the true Buddha! Your death is well-deserved!"

The long-eared monk's body shimmered with gold. He crossed his arms and chanted Buddhist mantras. Simultaneously, he executed two mudras, both incredibly intricate, striking Quan Dingwu at points he was forced to defend. Unexpectedly, Quan Dingwu did not dodge at all, allowing the two Victorious Battle Dharmas to strike him. From beneath Quan Dingwu's armpits, arms made of primordial qi furiously wielded swords, shields, spears, lances, longswords, and halberds. The swords slashed, shields struck, spears jabbed, lances pierced, longswords swiped, and halberds hooked. They severed the long-eared monk's arms, smashed his skull with a shield, pierced his chest with a spear, impaled him with a lance from behind, slashed his throat with a longsword, and hoisted his body onto a halberd!

Behind them, the God of Slaughter met the great Buddha, colliding with a thunderous impact. The sea of fire and blood churned and roared, swirling around the two like a massive vortex.

"You... didn't dodge..." the long-eared monk croaked, impaled and suspended in mid-air on Quan Dingwu's halberd.

In mid-air, a massive shield slammed down, crushing him to dust.

"On the battlefield, killing only takes one or two moves; why would I dodge? The battlefield is about lethal skills. To engage in a magical duel with you would be playing to your strengths while exposing my weaknesses, wouldn't it?" Quan Dingwu spat out a mouthful of blood. The long-eared monk's two mudras had almost shattered his internal organs, and his ribs and shoulder blades were fractured to pieces, causing him to gasp in pain.

Suddenly, a gleaming golden palm pressed down with a thunderous roar, striking him into the ground. Another monk charged forth, holding his hands as if embracing something, and an eighteen-layered pagoda of all heavens crashed down. Inside the pagoda, gods and Buddhas filled the air, crushing Quan Dingwu until his bones and sinews snapped.

"Zen Master Yuankong, you are also one of us Buddhists. Why have you chosen to follow the demonic path and become a minion of the imperial court?"

Grandmistress Hongyin, head of the Great Thunder Sound Temple's Fohong Hall, blocked Grand Commandant Monk Yuankong and advised, "You should awaken and stop making mistakes! If you continue down this path, you will never attain true enlightenment!"

Monk Yuankong's eyes blazed as he roared, "What is true enlightenment? With a Buddha in your heart, you will never achieve true enlightenment. His Majesty commanded me to oversee the military and its laws. I have transformed these iron laws into chains that bind me. Once I shatter these shackles, I can instantly achieve true enlightenment!"

Grandmistress Hongyin flew into a rage, swinging her whisk as she attacked, "You are stained with karmic obstacles! I shall remove them for you!"

A fierce battle erupted. One by one, the elderly Daoists of the Daoist Sect summoned their swords, and in an instant, the sky was filled with sword light. This was the sword art from the Fourteen Chapters of Daoist Swordsmanship, incredibly powerful, exceptionally sharp—truly worthy of being the Daoist Sect's foremost sword technique!

"Form ranks, eradicate the demons!" an old Daoist shouted.

"Form formation, refine those Daoist bulls to death!"

Xue Bie'e let out a sharp cry, and the two Heavenly Kings and twelve Elder Guardians formed a grand formation, confronting the elderly Daoists. They were all old acquaintances and rivals, having fought countless times, and understood each other's methods well.

On the other side, Grand Marshal, Senior Minister, Minister of Works, Minister of Education, King of Mount Tai, and others were intercepted by the experts from the Great Thunder Sound Temple. The Great Thunder Sound Temple, with its numerical superiority, surrounded them and engaged them in battle. Only Emperor Yanfeng was bypassed.

Emperor Yanfeng turned around to see Poor Scholar, Qi Dayou, True Monarch Tian, and others approaching. Meanwhile, the Buddha carried his alms bowl, and the Daoist Master gripped his sword.

The Buddha said with a gentle expression, "Scholar, fellow Daoists, please go assist the others. Leave this place to the old monk and the old Daoist priest."

Poor Scholar and the others assented and immediately plunged into the battle.

The Buddha looked at Emperor Yanfeng and said, "Your Majesty, I apologize for the offense."

Emperor Yanfeng's body vibrated, and dragon qi soared across the sky, its aura encompassing the constellations. The roar of a dragon echoed in the sky, and a true dragon appeared and vanished among the clouds, extending its head and claws. The enormous dragon head lowered, gazing intently at the Buddha.

The Daoist Master walked forward, with a swipe of his Daoist sword, sword light filled the sky, repelling the true dragon. He praised, "Your Majesty is on the verge of transforming illusion into reality, almost becoming a true god. Alas, the Divine Bridge is broken, and there is no hope in this lifetime. This old Daoist is incompetent; I have only mastered half of the fourteenth move of the Fourteen Chapters of Daoist Swordsmanship. Nevertheless, I shall use this incomplete technique to experience Your Majesty's power and virtue."

The golden alms bowl in the Buddha's hand flew up, casting a golden light downwards. Within the golden radiance were twenty gods and Buddhas of the heavens, with Brahma Deva at the very top, exuding an imposing aura. The Buddha smiled and said, "I shall use the highest realm of the Mahayana Sutra of the Tathagata to experience Your Majesty's Nine Dragon Emperor's Art."