I Can See Your Combat Power

Chapter 805: 99: Coming in Succession

Chapter 805: Chapter 99: Coming in Succession

After bidding farewell to Farmer Zhao Xian, Tang Luo returned to the room prepared for him at Martial Saint Mountain, and it wasn’t long before there was a hurried knock on the door.

Upon opening it, he saw an embarrassed-looking Old Master Xu, seemingly at a loss.

“Come in first,” invited Tang Luo, ushering Old Master Xu into the room and closing the door tightly behind him before asking, “What’s the matter? Has something gone wrong with Yankong?”

“Ah, nothing gets past you,” Old Master Xu chuckled dryly, “Who could have thought that right after the quad-directional arena ended, that monk would run off? Thankfully, I placed a sword imprint in the Medicine Valley, but the monk’s divine footwork is so advanced that I didn’t have time to inform you before I chased after him. We fought several times, but then I lost him.”

With all the sword intents of the heavens and the Divine Sword and Divine Armor to aid him, he still lost?

“That monk is that powerful?”

Tang Luo, who had crossed hands with Yankong, asked in surprise.

“It’s not that he’s powerful, it’s that he’s bizzare!” the mere thought of it made Old Master Xu livid, “Now I know why the Sword Master always looks so guarded when bringing up the Sutra of No Suffering and Extinction: that technique is just too eerie! By chanting the divine mantra and transforming into a Prajna treasure wheel with a Bodhisattva’s golden body, it shrouds the six sense organs—eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind—and strips away the six qualities of form, sound, scent, taste, touch, and dharmas, rendering even the soul dark and dull. If it weren’t for my Tongming Sword Body being trained in the Tongyou Intention, I would have nearly been fooled by that monk’s trickery! Cousin, you must be careful. Never face Yankong alone. If you’re covered by his Prajna treasure wheel, you’d really be finished!”

“I understand,” Tang Luo nodded and then asked, “So where did the monk run off to? Did he return to Buddha’s Country in Zhongzhou?”

Yankong was not to be feared, after all, his cultivation was out in the open, and even the powerful Sutra of No Suffering and Extinction had its limits, but once he returned to Buddha’s Country, finding him and seeking retribution would become very difficult.

Let alone the many eyes and ears of the Buddhist faithful hidden in Zhongzhou, just take one Buddhist temple at the mountains’ gates—there are countless masters there, it’s the absolute home ground of the Zen sect.

The reason Old Master Xu was so embarrassed was that he had lost track of Yankong; the second sword imprint he had placed on Yankong had been discovered and erased, so he was as blind about the whereabouts of Buddha Son as Tang Luo: “Not sure… He might still be within Longzhou’s territory.”

“You needn’t blame yourself; it’s my negligence. I didn’t expect Yankong to leave so decisively. But his actions clearly show he doesn’t want to give up on Tang Xing nor does he wish to cause further conflicts with the Xu Clan. As long as he harbors ill intentions, he is bound to reappear.”

It wasn’t worrisome to lose track of him for a moment; the important question was whether he would return, and from the current information available, it was clear Yankong still harbored ill intentions—it was just a matter of waiting patiently.

“Moreover, you’ve returned at just the right time,” Tang Luo said earnestly, “I just got a lead from someone else that may confirm your suspicions. Maybe, just as you predicted, Dao Child Bu Xiao of Martial Saint Mountain really isn’t the mastermind behind the Tang Xing incident.”

Upon hearing Tang Luo’s words, Old Master Xu stood up excitedly, his earlier dejection instantly wiped away, boasting, “See, what did I tell you!”

“Even if Brother Bu had misgivings about his cousin, he wouldn’t resort to such sneaky tricks. Heh heh heh, looks like I hit the nail on the head, right?”

This sudden burst of pride made Tang Luo laugh. He retorted, “Then explain this to me: if everything truly has nothing to do with your Brother Bu, then why would he admit to it and even try to persuade Yankong? Even if he wasn’t the initiator, it must have been done at his behest, right? Otherwise, who would dare to pull such stunts under the nose of a Dao Child in a sacred place, let alone one involving the Saint Child of another sanctuary? Are they tired of living?”

Old Master Xu’s triumphant expression hadn’t yet faded when he was hammered by this soul-searching question. He hummed and hawed, apparently trying to come up with an excuse for Bu Xiao, but had no idea how to respond.

“`

“Alright, stop making excuses for Bu Xiao. Right now, we need to find the clues first,” Tang Luo said earnestly to Master Xu: “I can’t leave the bounds of Martial Saint Mountain, so I need you to go to Hundred Herbs Immortal Mansion for me and find a female herbalist named Wen Ruolan.”

“Hmm!?”

As if he had discovered a new continent, Master Xu’s peach-blossom eyes gaped round, and he chuckled: “What’s this, cousin, feeling a bit romantic? Wen Ruolan, just the name suggests she’s a refined and elegant young lady, not bad, not bad, you’ve finally come to your senses.”

The way Master Xu found solace in the idea made Tang Luo couldn’t help but laugh. He shook his head and explained: “Don’t leap to conclusions; I’m asking you to find her because we need to ask her for clues. Ask her why the Buddha Son Yankong made a sudden visit to the Herb Valley that day, whether he came alone, or if someone was with him.”

Master Xu’s interest in Wen Ruolan quickly waned upon learning that there was no romantic angle, and with a lack of enthusiasm he said: “Ah, just to ask this? Can’t you just send a servant? I am a dignified representative of the Xu Clan!”

This inexplicable display of haughty petulance was a bit abrupt. Tang Luo, helpless, held his forehead and teased: “Yes, yes, the honor is all mine. Please kindly make a quick trip, this matter is truly very important.”

“Bearing your attitude in mind, this representative shall deign to make the trip,” Master Xu reluctantly nodded, stood up, and was about to leave when he was called back.

“Oh, right. When you go to Hundred Herbs Immortal Mansion, you could also bring Old Bai to the Longxi Traveling Pavilion. After the Youth Martial Arts Contest is over, I plan to take him back to Longxi.”

“Hmm!?”

Just moments ago reluctant, Master Xu suddenly turned energetic and eager, his entire demeanor came alive, and he looked back in surprise, asking: “Old Bai is in Kunwu as well!? Eh? Wait, why is Old Bai at Hundred Herbs Immortal Mansion? Is he injured? Seriously? Who did it?”

“Don’t panic, just listen to me,” Tang Luo said, hands on his forehead: “Old Bai was injured several years ago. I’ve already turned the one who hurt him to dust. His injury is somewhat complicated. Hundred Herbs Immortal Mansion said they could treat it, but the course of treatment is rather long. For the details of his recovery, you can ask Old Bai himself.”

“You should have told me about such an important issue sooner!”

Anxious, Master Xu left those words behind and tore open the door, transforming into a streak of light shooting straight into the sky.

Xumi Mountain has guardian warriors patrolling day and night, other martial artists flying in the air would be considered a provocation to Martial Saint Mountain. Yet, the Xu Clan’s Saint Child’s brazen ascent was ignored on this sacred land of Longzhou, a stark reminder of stark realities.

Just as he was about to close the door, he caught sight of a dispirited Cui Haoran walking down the courtyard path.

Seemingly feeling someone’s gaze, Cui Haoran lifted his head. Their eyes met, and the dejected young man saw Tang Luo already inside the house and in disbelief murmured: “Captain, you’re out as well?”

In the quiet night, the exclamation sounded so clear. Seeing the heads of the various noble sons poking out, Tang Luo helplessly said: “Keep it down, come inside first.”

After dispatching Master Xu, a new visitor arrived at the house. Tang Luo poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of Cui Haoran, whispering, “What’s wrong? Did something happen at the second barrier? You seem completely out of sorts.”

With a long face, Cui Haoran lamented: “Captain…I’m finished. I didn’t bring out a single jade coin.”

“`