Chapter 130: Red Lotus Holy Lord: Whatever, I’ll Make My Move
Song Yinglong established Crouching Tiger Manor, acted with chivalrous generosity, befriended heroes and notables from all over the five lakes and four seas, and had grand ambitions.
Unfortunately, there was a mishap in seizing Linjiang Prefecture, and decades of planning did not fully succeed.
Truly lamentable.
Hong Yuan also felt some regret about this.
As Old Song’s bosom friend, he naturally had to fulfill Old Song’s wish from before his death.
Since Old Song couldn’t unify Linjiang Prefecture while alive, let the Corpse Puppet he turned into after death go guard the Town Sea Alliance.
Hong Yuan looked down on the Hundred Poisons Corpse Puppet’s battle prowess, but placed in the Town Sea Alliance, it would be the top-tier foundation.
It could also be considered letting Old Song “seize” a high position in the Town Sea Alliance in an alternative form.
Old Song had many misunderstandings about Hong Yuan while alive; if he knew in the netherworld, he would surely feel both ashamed and gratified.
Over the next three days, Hong Yuan taught Qing Lingzi to control the Corpse Puppet with bell sounds while keeping an eye on the movements in the city.
As the announced execution day drew nearer, masters from all sides flooded in, including disciples from prestigious sects and renowned powerhouses in the jianghu, all wanting to witness this upcoming martial world spectacle.
Red Lotus Sect versus Daoist Ten Thousand Calamities!
Hong Yuan seized the opportunity to act, planting Six Void Force into another batch of targets.
When Songyang Prefecture saw clouds gathering and heroes converging from all directions, far away across a thousand li in a place where north and south intersected, in a canyon shrouded in clouds and mist year-round, without seeing the sky.
The canyon was deep, with towering cliffs on both sides and lush green vegetation.
In the dimly lit canyon that ordinary people could hardly enter, there were many buildings, cleverly embedded into the rock walls or built on ancient trees following the mountain’s terrain.
Within the many buildings, a strange fragrance lingered, and vague murmurs of prayers could be heard.
This place was precisely one of the Red Lotus Sect’s lairs.
Whoosh!
A wisp of clear wind drifted through the mist, and a faint illusory shadow floated over at astonishing speed, passing through wooden houses and stone pavilions, heading straight to the center of the valley.
Soon, this figure reached the end, its body floating ghostly along the rock wall like a ghostly figure, rising over ten zhang before drifting down onto a spacious platform on the cliff wall.
The platform led directly to a cave hall, with light and fire spilling out from within, falling on the stone steps outside like guiding lamps for the world in the darkness.
In the lamplight, this blurry ethereal shadow gradually solidified into a tall, slender man wearing a brocade black robe.
It was precisely the Illuminating Envoy!
Over a dozen figures were already standing in the cave hall, each with profound auras and extraordinary presence, all important figures of the Red Lotus Sect.
As soon as the Illuminating Envoy stepped into the cave hall, gazes converged on him with probing intent, though none spoke.
At the head, a dark glow bloomed; in the darkness, a hand held a bronze palace lantern, illuminating a face flickering between light and shadow.
This person also wore a black robe, with sleeves embroidered with blood-red lotus flowers blooming like fireworks.
Nirvana Envoy!
These two envoys of the Red Lotus Sect, either one possessing the power to shake the jianghu, now met each other’s gaze as the Nirvana Envoy spoke: “Illuminating, what did Yinshan Sect say? Who did they send? The Commissioner of the Dark Yin or the left and right venerables?”
Though asking, the Nirvana Envoy’s tone was calm and unruffled, devoid of any human emotion, his words sounding as if from the nine serenities underworld, giving an indescribable chilling sensation.
The Yinshan Sect he mentioned was an evil god sect as renowned as the Red Lotus Sect, worshiping the “Yinshan Old Man” as a god, also called “Yinshan Heaven” or “Lord of Eternal Silence” within the Yinshan Sect!
The Illuminating Envoy’s expression was indifferent: “Yinshan Sect refused.”
“Hm? Compared to our Red Lotus Sect, Yinshan Sect should be more interested in the ‘Nirvana Dharma Eye.’ Didn’t you mention that the Nirvana Dharma Eye fell into that person’s hands?”
The Nirvana Envoy said.
“They might not be uninterested; perhaps they just don’t wish to join hands with us…”
A cold smile appeared on the Illuminating Envoy’s face.
The outside world, regarding Daoist Ten Thousand Calamities’ battle record, first felt shock, then, not having witnessed it personally, always thought the rumors exaggerated.
Only the Illuminating Envoy, as an eyewitness, knew how terrifying the opponent truly was—sweeping the Red Lotus Sect and seven top masters of Vajra Temple single-handedly in mere moments, forcing him to flee in panic.
Such martial arts were practically no different from ghosts and gods.
If not for this, given the Red Lotus Sect’s secretive ways, how could they entertain the thought of allying with others?
Even if the Nirvana Dharma Eye was obtained by that person, to scheme for it again, they would be exceedingly cautious, acting only after meticulous planning.
Unfortunately, Daoist Ten Thousand Calamities gave them no chance.
A public announcement of “open execution” forced the Red Lotus Sect to respond.
The Illuminating Envoy quite wanted Yinshan Sect to clash with that Daoist Ten Thousand Calamities.
“What about your side?” the Illuminating Envoy countered.
The Nirvana Envoy also shook his head: “Nine Tribulations Zen Monastery didn’t agree either. They said Baosheng and Qingjing had already expelled themselves, so they are no longer people of Nine Tribulations Zen Monastery.”
Before becoming Dharma Kings of the Red Lotus Sect, Baosheng and Qingjing were senior and junior brothers from Nine Tribulations Zen Monastery.
Nine Tribulations Zen Monastery was located in the imperial capital, counting as the Great Yin Dynasty’s state temple, existing almost since the founding of Great Yin. Over these seven or eight hundred years, it was only burned down once during the Sky Calamity by the Dragon Emperor; otherwise, it was always prosperous with incense and glory.
In this long history, countless nobles, noble family heads, and even imperial family members had taken monastic vows at Nine Tribulations Zen Monastery.
There were even several emperors who, perhaps tired of being emperor and wanting a change of pace, went to Nine Tribulations Zen Monastery to abdicate and become monks.
Among the righteous sects of the world, Nine Tribulations Zen Monastery, if not the foremost, would certainly be in the top three.
The Nirvana Envoy had wanted to leverage Baosheng and Qingjing to enlist Nine Tribulations Zen Monastery’s aid.
As for Nine Tribulations Zen Monastery being a sacred Buddhist land, incompatible with Red Lotus Sect evildoers like fire and water, holy and demonic irreconcilable—that was just the delusion of low-level jianghu folk.
The Illuminating Envoy’s gaze swept over the people in the hall, his brows slightly furrowed: “Brother Wanjun still hasn’t arrived?”
The Nirvana Envoy said flatly: “Dharma King Wanjun is like a dragon beyond the heavens, always elusive in whereabouts. Even you and I find it no easy matter to contact him.”
Among the Red Lotus Sect’s four kings, Dharma King Wanjun was not only the most senior but also the most mysterious; even the two envoys dared not slight him.
“With just the two of us, even adding our subordinates, dealing with that Daoist Ten Thousand Calamities would still be somewhat difficult,” the Illuminating Envoy said gravely.
“No need to worry!”
A flat voice rang out.
The flame in the palace lantern held by the Nirvana Envoy suddenly dimmed to the size of a grain of rice, then surged up again as the voice fell, blooming with moonlight-like radiance.
Behind the Nirvana Envoy, on the empty throne, unbeknownst when, a person sat, speaking unhurriedly: “No need for anxiety, no need for haste. Under Great Desire Heaven, no matter what Daoist Ten Thousand Calamities can do, it matters not; this seat will personally act to sweep them away.”
The Illuminating Envoy, Nirvana Envoy, along with over a dozen Red Lotus Sect high-level members in the cave, were first startled, then their faces lit with joy as they bowed respectfully: “Greetings, Sect Master!”
The arrival was none other than the lord of the Red Lotus Sect.
The Red Lotus Holy Lord’s body leaned slightly forward, as if peering out from the netherworld; the light illuminated a pale, beardless face without distinctive features, but with a pair of eyes deep as abysses, like a divinity walked from the nine heavens and nine earths.
He sized up the crowd, his expression gradually turning lazy, and waved his hand: “No need for excessive courtesy.”
The Illuminating Envoy inquired: “May I ask when Sect Master will set out?”
“Now!”
Two days later.
Lotus County, twenty li outside Songyang County City.
Lai Tou A San was a notorious idler in the county. At noon this day, with a few copper coins just begged, humming an off-key tune, he sauntered toward the gambling house in the east of the city to try his luck.
The streets lacked the usual noise, as many people had gone to the county city to watch the excitement.
The news from the county city was already street talk; Lai Tou A San didn’t dare join the fun—one, he had no money; two, several of his scoundrel friends had gone to watch wandering knights and ended up on the receiving end of chivalrous justice.
Midway, Lai Tou A San suddenly heard urgent hoofbeats and sounds of weapons being drawn, mixed with a series of startled cries and a thunderous stern shout.
“Seal the city gates, no entry or exit!”
“Ah?” Lai Tou A San looked terrified, unsure what had happened, already seeing a team of black-armored elite cavalry charging over.
County Yamen.
The main gate shattered with a boom, wooden fragments flying; over a dozen yamen runners hadn’t reacted before each was bloodied and fell to the ground.
“Who dares cause chaos?”
The Lotus County Magistrate leaped out, holding a gleaming monk’s knife, his aura sharp and fierce.
Able to become county magistrate under Vajra Temple’s watch, this Lotus County Magistrate was actually outstanding among Vajra Temple’s lay disciples.
But as his steel saber gleamed, a fist already blasted over; with a crisp ‘crack,’ the steel saber broke, and the Lotus County Magistrate’s body shook violently, flying backward.
Then a large foot stomped on his chest.
The magistrate spat a mouthful of blood, focusing his gaze to see only a black robe, with a blood-red lotus flower strikingly vivid.
“Red… Red Lotus Sect evildoer?”
“Correct!”
Pfft!
The Illuminating Envoy tapped his foot, shaking the ground; the fallen steel saber flew into his hand, and with a swing, the county magistrate’s head flew off.
In less than an hour, explosive news spread boiling through the county city.
The surging crowd of jianghu folk and noble clan members who had gathered failed to wait for the public execution day but got news of the Red Lotus Sect making their move.
But this move was not an assault on Vajra Temple; instead, they occupied Lotus County on the edge of Songyang Prefecture.
For a time, discussions arose in the county city’s restaurants and tea houses.
“It’s said that this time the Red Lotus Holy Lord came personally, and they’ve already declared that the matter was provoked by Daoist Ten Thousand Calamities, so the duel location will be decided by them.”
“If after you hour Daoist Ten Thousand Calamities doesn’t go, they’ll burn the city walls and let tens of thousands perish together.”
Someone drew in a sharp breath: “Such ruthless means!”
Others sneered: “This is the way of a hero; this move by the Red Lotus Holy Lord is brilliant. In the county city, not to mention Daoist Ten Thousand Calamities and Vajra Temple, just the masters who once had grudges with the Red Lotus Sect—countless are lurking…”
“With this move, the Red Lotus Sect seizes the initiative; trading tens of thousands for Baosheng and the two Red Lotus members’ lives, no one would dare call him weak.”
“I wonder what that Daoist Ten Thousand Calamities thinks?”
In Vajra Temple, Hong Yuan tilted his head, listening to Huiming’s report, and puzzledly touched his face.
What was going on?
He was clearly disguised, wearing Daoist Ten Thousand Calamities’ persona, and not taking the modest gentleman route—why did people keep morally binding him?
“May I ask what your excellency plans to do next?” Huiming asked.
“Master, that’s a strange question!” Hong Yuan glanced at Huiming and smiled.
“Buddhist disciples emphasize compassion and saving all beings, not to mention Vajra Temple has been supported by Songyang Prefecture’s people for hundreds of years; now with Lotus County’s residents in peril, it’s precisely the time for Vajra Temple to aid the distressed.”
Hong Yuan pointed at Huiming’s heart, first binding him: “If the people suffer and you don’t aid, letting Red Lotus evildoers bully them, can Master’s Buddhist heart rest easy?”
It can…
Meeting Hong Yuan’s smiling gaze, Huiming lowered his eyes and said: “Naturally, it cannot.”
“I think so too.” Hong Yuan nodded.
“In that case, what is Master waiting for? Quickly assemble the martial monks and charge to Lotus County to subdue demons and exorcise devils!”
A moment later, Vajra Temple’s gates swung open; Huiming and Huizhi led hundreds of martial monks thundering out, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.
“They’re out?”
“Hm? Only Vajra Temple’s monks—where’s that Daoist Ten Thousand Calamities?”
In the courtyard, Nan Guyun walked to Hong Yuan’s side, cupping hands in salute: “Senior really won’t act?”
These days in Vajra Temple, Nan Guyun had a spirit of repeated defeats yet persistent battles, coming to consult several more times; after Hong Yuan’s guidance, his sword technique became even more refined.
This made him fearful yet more reverent; even though this Daoist Ten Thousand Calamities appeared about his age, he changed to addressing him as “senior.”
“You interested?” Hong Yuan glanced at him and chuckled.
“The Red Lotus Sect’s martial arts are mysterious and unpredictable; naturally, I want to witness them,” Nan Guyun admitted.
“Then let’s go watch together.”
Since Nan Guyun was interested, Hong Yuan was no exception; the former could only refine his swordsmanship through combat, while he could absorb the opponent’s skills in battle.
Stirring up this public execution to shock the world was merely to draw out the Red Lotus Sect’s top masters and absorb their skills.
But him acting and being coerced to act were two different things.
After Vajra Temple’s monks left the county city, many forces and scattered jianghu guests in the city also moved, following behind.
The two places were only about twenty li apart; with martial artists’ speed, it took no time at all.
Upon Vajra Temple’s monks reaching the city walls, Huiming, Huizhi, and even the outstanding ones among the zi generation didn’t act; only hundreds of martial monks wielded refined iron staffs and monk’s knives to attack.
A large group of black-armored guards surged from the city, clashing with the martial monks, but clearly neither side was going all out—the fighting was fierce but with few casualties.
Whoosh!
Hong Yuan’s five fingers lightly gripped Nan Guyun, carrying him aloft while his figure merged into the wind, turning into a blurry phantom that pierced into the city and swiftly vanished.
The sun slanted westward, the daylight gradually dimming.
In a hidden residence within the city.
“Has Daoist Ten Thousand Calamities shown up?”
“No, only Vajra Temple’s monks came.”
In a room, the Red Lotus Holy Lord stood with hands behind his back, flanked by the Illuminating Envoy, Nirvana Envoy, and over a dozen Red Lotus Sect masters.
“The time has come—will we really burn the city?”
The Red Lotus Holy Lord fell silent at this; he didn’t care about tens of thousands of lives, but killing without achieving the goal was meaningless.
But the words were already spoken and couldn’t be retracted; he flicked his fingers, nodded, and was about to speak.
Thud! Thud thud!
A sudden knock sounded at the door, followed by a mild voice: “Greetings, everyone!”
Bang!
The next moment, the door split like a bolt of lightning, instantly shattering into countless fragments that, under the surging force, shot out like arrows from strong bows.
“Everyone, you can die now!”
