Chapter 89: A Confrontation Between Buddhism and Taoism

This story is purely fictional. If it causes any offense, I ask for your forgiveness.

“Gamble!?” Ye Dong glanced in confusion at Huang Wuchang, then at Lord Wei, who merely smiled and nodded without offering a word in support.

When Ye Dong turned to look at Guangqi, he found the man half-squinting at him, eyes sharp and intent. Though Ye Zhonglin was puzzled, his attention returned to Huang Wuchang.

“For someone of his level, opening the magical eye requires no incantation, and I have my master’s seal as protection. Why should I fear these men before me? I am He Wentian!”

Ye Dong smiled calmly, abandoning any concern about revealing himself. He clasped his fists in a gesture of humility. “May I ask, Master, what sort of wager do you propose?”

Huang Wuchang tossed the dice in his hand toward Ye Dong. “Let’s bet on the size of the roll.”

Ye Dong’s reflexes were now worlds apart from before. His right hand shot out, catching the three black dice midair. “So Master is interested in these games as well.”

“Oh?” Huang Wuchang sounded intrigued. “Do you often play yourself?”

Ye Dong shook his head and laughed. “It’s not just the occasional game—I’m a gambler at heart. When I get in the mood, I could spend three days and nights at the tables in Las Vegas!”

“Ah hahahaha!” Huang Wuchang clapped his hands. “So the foreign devils’ playground is that entertaining? Three days and nights and you don’t tire?”

“Master is an insider—you know the thrill of gambling better than I do.” Ye Dong was polite and deferential, a world away from the frenzied arrogance of He Wentian.

“This boy is interesting,” Huang Wuchang mused inwardly. “I heard from He and Wei that he’s wildly arrogant, but now I see—his arrogance is a front, his mind is clear.”

Seeing He Wentian play the humble fool, Lord Wei inwardly sneered. “This lunatic really knows how to act, pretending to be a lackey!”

Huang Wuchang smiled. “Three rounds to decide the winner. The stakes are simple: if I win, you help me with a task.”

Ye Dong pursed his lips in a smile. “And if I should be so lucky as to win?”

“If you win, you may ask me to help you with one thing as well.” The wager was far fairer than Ye Dong had expected.

Ye Dong agreed briskly. “Very well! Since Master honors me with this game, I shall gladly accompany you. However—”

“Hm?” Huang Wuchang sensed a reservation. “However what?”

“I must ask that Master refrain from using supernatural arts, lest—”

“Hahaha, if I used magic in a gambling match, what fun would there be?” Huang Wuchang stroked his beard and signaled for Ye Dong to shake the dice. “I choose high.”

Ye Dong’s lips curled into a smirk, and He Wentian’s trademark arrogance flickered in his expression. “Then let’s see whose luck runs stronger—yours or mine!”

He cast the three black dice onto the table. After rolling for several seconds, they finally settled: four, five, and six.

“Four, five, six. High.” Ye Dong glanced at the dice and smiled. “Master wins.”

It is said a man’s character is revealed at the gambling table, and one’s presence is displayed in a wager. Though Ye Dong lost, he remained unruffled, earning a measure of Huang Wuchang’s admiration. “Leaving aside his background, this He Wentian’s fearlessness in defeat is already superior to Lecheng and Lixing. If I could win him over, it would be no bad thing.”

“I win, so you—” Huang Wuchang’s words were cut short by a furious shout from outside. “Yellow-robed fiend! At last, the old monk has found you!”

The voice arrived before the man, its deep, thunderous anger rolling forth with overwhelming force—shaking the very soul.

Huang Wuchang was startled, blurting out, “Jingxin, you bald donkey!?”

“Jingxin? Could it be that Jingxin? Is our plan about to be disrupted?” Ye Dong’s heart skipped a beat, then the voice outside roared again, “How dare you call me a bald donkey, you old thief! If you don’t watch your tongue, I’ll pluck every hair from your goat beard today!”

Huang Wuchang slammed his teacup to the floor and leapt to his feet, furious. “Jingxin, you bald donkey! We have no quarrel—water in our wells does not mix. That day I yielded to you repeatedly. Why do you press me at every turn? Do you really think I fear you?”

“No quarrel? You insulted my uncle first, then bullied my young disciple. That’s more than enough enmity!”

Before Jingxin’s words had faded, his figure appeared. What troubled Huang Wuchang most was that Jingxin had brought two more monks with him, both middle-aged and about Lord Wei’s age. The one on the left, dark-skinned, hefted a massive iron staff; the one on the right held a crescent-bladed monk’s staff. The three monks stood on high, imposing and fierce, like Mount Tai pressing down. All but Huang Wuchang took several steps back to avoid their momentum.

“Master, is this the goat-bearded fiend who bullied our junior?” the burly monk on the left asked loudly.

“It’s him!” Jingxin’s face glowed red as he pointed directly at Huang Wuchang. Then his gaze fell on Ye Dong, and he started in surprise. “What? Isn’t that Rihui’s disciple? Why is he here?”

Ye Dong’s eyes met his, and a chill ran through him. “Master Jingxin, please, don’t acknowledge me—or our whole plan will fall apart!”

He saw Huang Wuchang clench his teeth and curse, “Jingxin, you bald donkey! You’ve got nerve—our paths will cross again!”

Ye Dong expected a fierce battle, but before he could react, Huang Wuchang burst into a blinding yellow light and, seizing a moment when Jingxin and his men squinted away, fled at lightning speed!

“He Wei, the rest of you flee as well! Don’t be reckless—your master will go first!”

“Damn, he runs that fast!?” Ye Dong was left speechless. Turning, he saw that Lord Wei and his companions had vanished without a trace.

“What an extraordinary master and disciples!” Ye Dong was no fool—he turned and bolted, muttering, “Just don’t chase me, or if Lord Wei’s men spot me, I’m done for!”

Jingxin frowned. “Yuanfei, you pursue the fiend’s three disciples. Yuanpeng, you apprehend the two young ones. Leave the fiend to me!”

“At your command!”

“Where do you think you’re going?” Yuanfei’s massive form darted after Lord Wei’s trio, while Yuanpeng, gripping his iron staff, chased Ye Dong and Guangqi!

“This isn’t going according to script at all!” Inwardly, Ye Dong was cursing as he followed Guangqi, weaving through the forest, Yuanpeng in hot pursuit.

“This way, Brother Tian!” Though scholarly in appearance, Guangqi was surprisingly athletic. With a swift turn, he pulled Ye Dong along. “I know this terrain—follow me!”

Boom! A blast resounded from above, and before Ye Dong could look back, a golden light exploded nearby, knocking both him and Guangqi to the ground!

Ye Dong rolled aside, seeing a crater blasted into the earth beside him. Outraged and shocked, he shouted, “Damn it! Isn’t that monk supposed to be a man of Buddha? Carrying bombs—does he not fear harming innocents?”

“That’s no bomb—that’s the Vajra Mantra!” Guangqi yanked Ye Dong up. “Brother Dong, don’t look—this monk doesn’t know the area, so it’s our chance to escape!”

“Where to?” Behind them, Yuanpeng’s hands flashed in mudras—he looked ready to throw more “bombs.”

“To your house!” Ye Zhonglin cursed as he ran. “If I had a gun today, I’d be trading shots with you already!”

They had just rounded a pine grove when, amid a rain of talismans and spells, they saw the golden-lit Yuanfei battling Lord Wei’s trio. Shouts and curses split the air, the fight clearly fierce.

“That monk is incredible—one against three!” Ye Dong was dumbstruck. “Those are Lord Wei’s men!”

“There are four monks as formidable as Master Jingxin, and seventeen more at Yuanfei’s level.”

“What!? The Eighteen Arhats!?” Ye Dong was stunned. “And the one chasing us is one of them?”

“Exactly! So don’t look back—let’s keep running!” Guangqi hustled Ye Dong in circles until they burst out of the forest.

“This way!” Now Ye Dong grabbed Guangqi’s arm. “My ride is over there!”

“What!?” Guangqi was baffled. “That’s the main road—he’ll catch us for sure!”

“He may be strong, but he’s not faster than a helicopter!” Ye Dong laughed, dialing his phone. “Start the chopper, now!”

“Fiend, stop right there!” Yuanpeng’s shout rang out behind them.

“Stop if you want to!” Ye Dong yelled back. “Baldy, try throwing another bomb if you can! Ha!”

Guangqi eyed Ye Dong. “Brother Tian, aren’t you afraid he’ll catch us?”

“Not at all! Let’s get on the chopper. I’ve got a gun in my bag—if he chases us, I’ll shoot him!” Ye Dong’s arrogance returned, eyes glinting with murderous intent.

Whoosh! Boom!

Yuanpeng sent two more Vajra blasts their way, just missing them.

“Hurry up!” Mud-spattered, Ye Dong hauled Guangqi into the helicopter, shouting at the pilot, “Take off now! The baldy’s throwing bombs at us!”

The pilot, seeing Ye Dong’s urgency, nodded and yanked the controls. The helicopter soared into the sky.

“Fiend, don’t run!”

On the ground, Yuanpeng planted his staff, chanting, “Yan Qilin, Yan Polin, all Buddhas appear! Shoot, Lord of Spirits, chant a thousand times to drive out the demons! Hah!”

Yuanpeng swept his hands, sending a massive golden energy beam soaring straight for the helicopter.

“So this is the power of Buddhist spellcraft!” Guangqi’s eyes glittered with awe.

“Higher! Fly higher!” Ye Dong slapped his leg in panic. “He really is shooting us down!”

The pilot yanked the stick, the helicopter climbing at full speed. The golden beam chased them, but in the end, it could not keep up, and they escaped with their lives.

“We lost that baldy!” Ye Dong was elated, slapping Guangqi’s thigh. “Damn, that was a thrill! Hahaha!”

Guangqi exhaled in relief. “You may have enjoyed the ride, but I was scared out of my wits.”

Ye Dong smirked inwardly. “Scared? You were practically worshipful when you saw that Vajra spell—your nerve is far greater than Lord Wei’s trio!”

He kept his elation on his face, though. “After surviving this, good fortune must follow! Let’s go to my place for a drink!”

Seeing Ye Dong so cheerful, Guangqi could only force a smile. “I wonder if Master and the others are safe.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve seen Lord Wei’s men in action—their escape skills are even better than their magic!” Ye Dong grinned. “I just didn’t expect your master to react so fast—he was gone in a flash! Impressive, truly impressive!”

His words were tinged with mockery, which Guangqi did not appreciate. “When faced with a strong enemy, it’s wise to retreat. Master did nothing wrong.”

“Fine, fine, it’s a small matter!” Ye Dong’s expression suddenly turned cold, his voice icy. “That baldy gave me such a run—I’ll return the favor, or I wouldn’t be He Wentian!”

Seeing the murderous glint in Ye Dong’s eyes, Guangqi shivered inwardly. “He wouldn’t dare provoke Jingxin’s group himself, would he? Truly a madman!”

Elsewhere, Lord Wei and his companions panted as they rested in a small cave.

“I didn’t expect Yuanfei to be so nimble for such a big man!” Lixing wiped sweat from his neck, passing water to Lord Wei.

Lord Wei took a drink, still fuming. “Is that what they mean by the legendary nimble fat man?”

“He’s not fat, just strong!” Lecheng laughed. “But we still managed to escape.”

“This was our first real fight with the Buddhist monks,” Lord Wei said coldly. “If Jingxin’s disciples are this formidable, the master himself must be unstoppable.”

Indeed, Jingxin was already soaring.

“Don’t run!” Jingxin chased Huang Wuchang, firing magical seals from his hands.

“Damn it, will this never end!?” Huang Wuchang cursed, doubling back with a counterattack. “By the order of the eastern plague ghost, spirit of rotting wood, fly swiftly and seize—linger not. As the law commands!”

Twin yellow seals shot at Jingxin from either side.

“The fiend’s skills are impressive!” Jingxin laughed, confident. “But taste my Great Sun Spell!”

“Damn, not the Great Sun Spell again!” Huang Wuchang seemed wary of this attack and fled before Jingxin could cast it.

“Trickster!” Jingxin gathered his energy and gave chase.

Ye Dong led Guangqi to his luxurious villa on the outskirts. The opulent décor, the fleet of luxury cars, the stunning beauties everywhere—Guangqi was awed. “No wonder Lixing and Lecheng envy this madman He Wentian—he was born atop the world.”

“How do you like my villa?” Ye Dong handed Guangqi a drink. “Have a glass!”

“Thank you, Brother Tian,” Guangqi accepted the glass and sat down. “This is the most lavish villa I’ve ever seen—you really know how to live.”

“You’re back?” A sultry woman strolled out—it was Huiyan.

“Yes, come here,” Ye Dong pulled Huiyan into his arms. “Let me introduce you—this is Lord Wei’s fourth junior brother. He saved my life today.”

Guangqi looked up and started in shock. “Hui... Huiyan!?”