Chapter 86: The Way Follows Nature

The night was deep. An old man, dressed in a yellow robe adorned with the Eight Trigrams, panted heavily. After taking the water Lord Wei handed him, he drained it in one gulp, wiped the sweat from his brow, and grumbled, “What bad luck! Another cup!” Lord Wei dared not delay; he quickly poured another cup and offered it with both hands. “Master, please!”

The old man was not polite and finished the second cup in one draught. Only then did his breathing gradually calm. He glanced at the clock on the wall, muttering the same phrase as before, “What bad luck! What bad luck! I even forgot my three black dice in that ancient tomb!”

Seeing the old man’s sullen expression, Lord Wei and his two companions exchanged looks, not daring to make a sound.

“Master, you’re back?” A middle-aged man, around the same age as Lixing, walked out slowly with a stack of books in his arms. When he saw the old man seated in his favorite armchair, he smiled and greeted him.

“Mm.” The old man seemed in no mood for conversation, responding with only a perfunctory grunt.

“Shh!” Lord Wei shook his head at the man, signaling him not to speak further.

The man smiled, stood beside the old man, and handed him an ancient text. “Master, look what I’ve found in these old records.”

The old man shot him a cold glare. “Guangqi, can’t you see your master is full of bad luck right now?”

“I know,” Guangqi chuckled, “That’s why I wanted to share today’s discovery with you, to cheer you up.”

The old man snorted, but took the text. Seeing Guangqi’s notes written in the margins, his eyes suddenly lit up. “This is a real breakthrough!”

Guangqi smiled ingratiatingly. “The ancient text provides great detail. This technique truly exists, but as for the method of its practice, we’ll need to verify much more.”

“Hahaha!” The old man’s anger vanished, replaced by a beaming grin. “Guangqi, I’ll leave the details of this technique for you to research.”

Their exchange drew glances from Lord Wei and the other two. Fourth in the ranking, Brother Guangqi was skilled in both literature and martial arts, and greatly favored by the old man.

“To serve you is my honor,” Guangqi replied with a nod and a smile. “And I promise, Master, I will not let you down.”

He turned and gave Lord Wei a subtle look. Lord Wei, quick-witted, immediately echoed, “Master, what could have happened to trouble you so deeply?”

The old man’s mood was already calmer. He let out a long sigh. “I was chased by a bald monk for a day and a night. I haven’t even eaten yet—such rotten luck!”

On hearing this, Lecheng immediately bowed. “I’ll prepare your supper at once, Master!”

The old man nodded and waved him off. At this hour, it was more a midnight snack than supper.

Lord Wei seemed amazed. “Someone could chase you for a whole day and night? But you are Daoist Huang Wuchang, the Soul-Thief!”

So the old man’s name was Huang Wuchang.

“Bad luck!” Huang Wuchang snorted. “That old bald monk is truly formidable. I used every trick I know just to escape!”

Lord Wei and Guangqi exchanged glances, both seeing shock and fear in each other’s eyes.

“Who is this monk, to be so capable?” Lord Wei’s eyes widened, waiting for the answer.

“The bald brute from Lingtai Temple—Master Jingxin!” Huang Wuchang spat out the name, growing more irritated the more he thought about it, cursing under his breath.

Lecheng, stunned, quickly poured the old man a cup of tea. “Master, how did you get tangled up with someone like him?”

Huang Wuchang shook his head. “Didn’t I agree with Moonlight that I’d catch souls for him, and he would help us get the secret to enter the inner sanctum of the Eternal Life Tomb? So I went to Wutai Mountain, looking for ancient tombs with strong resentful spirits. Who knew I’d catch the attention of that bald monk? He chased me for days. I slipped away a few times, but ran into him again today. We fought, but I couldn’t beat him, so I ran for it again.”

That day, Huang Wuchang had used his geomancy skills to find an auspicious burial site in the mountains of Wutai. He was delighted, thinking he could soon capture enough evil spirits to complete his bargain with Moonlight. But when he climbed mountains and crossed rivers to reach the treasured spot, he found a young monk of fifteen or sixteen sprawled out there, snoring away, a thermos and a bottle of water beside him.

“How odd, what’s a young monk doing here?” Huang Wuchang squinted and coughed. “Hey, little monk, you’re napping here instead of working—aren’t you afraid your master will scold you?”

The young monk didn’t stir, merely rolled over toward the mountainside and continued sleeping.

Huang Wuchang coughed again. This time, the noise finally woke the young monk, who stretched, yawned, and said, “That was a good nap!”

“Monks shouldn’t be so fond of napping, it’s not proper.” Huang Wuchang teased, shaking his head.

“You’re the one who’s improper, old man!” The young monk eyed him up and down, then snorted, “Dressed all strange and sneaky—what are you doing here?”

“Is this mountain yours? I can go where I please. Move aside, don’t get in my way.” Though Huang Wuchang was domineering by nature, he remained courteous toward Buddhist monks, preferring to avoid trouble.

“I can’t move. My superior told me to guard this place for a month. Today’s the twenty-seventh day. If I leave now, my master will scold me. If you want a nice view, head down the mountain and turn right—lots of beautiful women there.” The young monk showed no deference, instead taking a bun from his thermos and praising it as he ate, “Widow Li’s buns are the best! No wonder Brother Yuanfei is always buying them from her!”

Seeing that the young monk clearly didn’t take him seriously, Huang Wuchang snorted, “If you won’t move, don’t blame me for being rude.”

The young monk shrugged off the threat. “Old man, you’d best leave now, or you’ll regret it.”

“Hmph, impudent child!” Huang Wuchang flicked his wrist, sending a yellow talisman flying at the young monk.

The monk didn’t dodge or panic, just kept eating his bun at a leisurely pace.

Bang! The talisman hadn’t even gotten within ten meters before it suddenly burst into flames, reduced to ashes by a passing breeze.

“Oh? A protective barrier?” Huang Wuchang frowned and called out, “Little monk, who is your master?”

“Better leave, or you’ll be in trouble soon,” the young monk replied, still not sparing him a glance.

Huang Wuchang snorted. Did the boy think he couldn’t break the barrier?

He formed seals with his hands, sending five yellow talismans spinning to the five directions of the barrier. As they rotated, he chanted, “Thirty-three heavens heed my command: East to east, west to west, south to south, north to north. Those who obey are rewarded, those who disobey lose their heads. By the urgent decree!”

As the incantation finished, the talismans sparked with electricity, linking together. Bolts of lightning crashed down onto the barrier.

Struck, the invisible barrier revealed its true form—a massive golden bell inscribed with Sanskrit, sealing the young monk within.

“A Vajra Demon-Suppressing Circle!” Huang Wuchang instantly recognized the formation.

“Hey, you’re pretty good for a demon priest!” The young monk clutched his throbbing temples and shouted, “Goat-beard! If you’ve got guts, don’t run!”

“You dare attack me?!” He scolded as he gnawed his bun, pulled out a cellphone, and dialed, “Master? Some goat-beard is causing trouble. He bullied me! Come quick! He even called you an old lecher—so insolent!”

“Hey, you little brat, don’t slander me!” Huang Wuchang objected.

The young monk pocketed the phone and shouted, “Goat-beard, you just wait! You’ll be scrubbing your backside in repentance! Ow, my head’s still spinning!”

Huang Wuchang wanted to retort, but a thunderous shout boomed from above, “Who dares bully my beloved disciple?!”

The voice roared like thunder, shaking the earth, dust flying—a truly imposing presence.

“Damn, this man’s cultivation is terrifying!” Huang Wuchang was alarmed.

The young monk snorted, “My master’s famous for his stinginess. You called him an old lecher—now you’re dead for sure!”

“You!” Huang Wuchang pointed at the monk, furious. “You little brat—so sly! Not a trace of Buddhist discipline!”

“Haha, you’re right. Master always says that too!” The young monk was more pleased than angry. “But you reek of demonic energy—I sensed you before you arrived. Don’t blame me for disrespect; you’re a wicked old thief, here to rob graves, aren’t you? Too bad you’ve come to the wrong place—there’s nothing but a corpse here!”

“What an extraordinary little monk!” Huang Wuchang thought. His spiritual eyes revealed nothing special, and he couldn’t help but wonder, “What’s his story?”

“Demon priest, so you’re the one making trouble?” As he hesitated, the old monk arrived, staff in hand.

Huang Wuchang’s eyes widened. “This little monk’s master is Master Jingxin? Their ages are worlds apart!”

He steadied himself and answered sternly, “Buddhists and Daoists mind our own business. Your disciple blocked me first—ask him if you don’t believe me!”

“Ridiculous!” The young monk shook his head. “Do you know where this is? This is the place where my grand-uncle attained nirvana! You want to disturb his peace—how could I let you pass?”

“Hmph!” Master Jingxin thundered, “Demon priest, you disturbed my uncle’s rest and bullied my disciple. I’ll lock you up on the mountain for ten years—see if that doesn’t satisfy the people!”

“Oh, so this is where Jingxin’s uncle passed? No wonder the feng shui is so good!” Feeling guilty, Huang Wuchang quickly waved his hands, “Master, it’s all a misunderstanding!”

“A misunderstanding? Then calling me an old lecher—was that a misunderstanding too?” Jingxin’s glare was fierce.

“That was your disciple’s slander!” Huang Wuchang protested, pointing at the young monk.

“Don’t you slander him! My beloved disciple Yuanhua never lies!” Jingxin pointed a finger at Huang Wuchang. “You’re full of demonic energy, with serpentine eyes. Surely you’ve harmed many innocents. Today I’ll subdue you, to set things right!”

Jingxin stretched out his left palm, sending a golden swastika mantra through the air toward him.

“Damn, straight to the fight!” Huang Wuchang was alarmed. “If I’d known Jingxin’s powers were this profound, I’d never have come! I can’t show off now—better escape and take revenge after I get the treasure from the Eternal Life Tomb!”

So, one fled and the other chased, for a full day and night.

After hearing Huang Wuchang’s long complaint, Guangqi gave a wry smile. “That Jingxin really is formidable.”

The old man sighed. “There are only a handful of monks who truly master the Buddhist Great Sun Mantra. Even Moonlight fears that old fox—of course he’s strong!”

Guangqi chuckled, “But for our master to escape from his hands, that’s top-notch skill!”

The old man beamed at Guangqi’s flattery. “It’s not boasting—when it comes to escaping, who can match a grave-robbing master like me?”

“Exactly!” Lord Wei chimed in. “Master, you’re the founder of the Soul-Thief sect, Daoist Huang Wuchang. Once you break the Eternal Life Tomb, our sect will become famous far and wide!”

“Daoist arts are ever-changing, by urgent decree!” Ye Dongtian’s eyes blazed as the True Samadhi Fire in his hands transformed into several fierce tigers, baring their fangs as they charged the half-human, half-ghost, four-armed, eight-legged monsters before him.

Boom! Those monsters, unable to escape the sudden surge of Samadhi Fire, threw themselves at him in a desperate, suicidal attack, howling through waves of heat.

Ye Dong snorted coldly. “Divine powers of all directions, grant me might—by urgent decree!” The tigers in his hands transformed into two blazing blades, which pierced the monsters’ hearts, reducing them to ashes in an instant.

“Damn, Ye Dong, you’re awesome!” Liang Lingzhi couldn’t help but praise him.

“What are these things? They’re so hard to deal with!” Huiyan’s blade rose and fell, felling a monster at her feet, but it leaped up again, tireless, lunging at her once more.

“Careful!” Xiaobao pulled Huiyan aside. “Don’t focus only on the big ones—the little ones are just as dangerous!”

“Qianluodana, Donggang Taixuan. Slash demons, bind evil, save the masses—by urgent decree!” Dachun’s talismans flew through his fingers, a giant character for ‘expel’ pressing down on two monsters like a mountain. He leaned against the wall, panting, “I can’t go on—the backlash from the spell is too strong. I’m dizzy!”

Ye Dong was alarmed. “Dachun, don’t touch that—”

He didn’t finish saying “wall” before Dachun triggered a mechanism underfoot, launching him ten meters away!

“Ow, it hurts! These traps are impossible to guard against!” Dachun ached all over, not knowing where to rub first.

“Huiyan, you’re the best fighter! I’ll cover you with Samadhi Fire—go get Dachun!”

Without hesitation, Huiyan darted forward, keeping low to the ground, and dragged Dachun back.

Xiaobao, seeing Dachun surrounded, grew anxious—and his anxiety gave the lurking ghosts an opening.

“Damn you, sneak attack?!” Suddenly he felt his limbs pinned, unable to move anything but his mouth.

“That’s the Ghostly Hand Curse!” Liang Lingzhi saw the danger and acted fast. He stuck a finger into his mouth, drew blood, and chanted, “Spirits of the sacred treasure, comfort my form. May my soul and organs be at peace! By urgent decree!”

He spat the blood-mixed saliva onto Xiaobao’s face, then slapped him hard. “Expel!”

With the cleansing spell, Xiaobao regained control of his body. Wiping his face, he cursed, “Lingzhi, when’s the last time you brushed your teeth?!”

Liang Lingzhi ignored him, rushing to cover Ye Dong, who was protecting Huiyan. “Don’t worry, I’ve got your back!”

Ye Dong laughed heartily. “Good! Tonight, we all eat our fill!”

At that moment, Huiyan dragged Dachun back to safety.

“Great, let’s keep moving!” Ye Dong waved his arm, leading the four deeper into the special training ground.