Using Himself as Bait, First Collecting Interest on His Revenge

Zhao Ping'an did not rise. He merely cast Kong Zhen a faint glance as he continued roasting the wild rabbit, then sighed. "After twelve years, Pudu Mountain still wants to capture me and take me up Pudu Mountain?"

"Amitabha, sin upon sin." Kong Zhen said, "Young Benefactor Zhao has misunderstood. Based on this poor monk's many years of understanding of Senior Brother Kong Nian, Senior Brother Kong Nian absolutely had no intention of forcing Young Benefactor Zhao back then. Young Benefactor Zhao must have had an affinity with the Buddha, and Senior Brother Kong Nian, seeing your talent, wished to bring Young Benefactor Zhao to Pudu Mountain to receive the teachings of Buddhism."

The corner of Zhao Ping'an's mouth twitched, and he could not help letting out a mocking sneer. Too lazy to argue with Kong Zhen, he asked, "What do you want from me?"

"This poor monk wishes to ask about Senior Brother Kong Nian's whereabouts back then." Kong Zhen stared fixedly at Zhao Ping'an. "How did you and Senior Brother Kong Nian become separated?"

He truly had not come to capture Zhao Ping'an and take him to Pudu Mountain.

The reason was that Zhao Ping'an had already grown up. He was no longer easy to convert and cultivate; the best time had long passed.

More importantly, Zhao Ping'an had been named in an Imperial Decree to be sent to Jade Capital Grand Martial Academy. If they captured Zhao Ping'an and took him to Pudu Mountain, the imperial court would likely investigate. In the end, they would still have to let him down the mountain.

Zhao Ping'an answered calmly, "He died."

"So that was it." Kong Zhen revealed an expression of having expected as much, then asked, "Who killed him?"

"I don't know." Zhao Ping'an said calmly. "Kong Nian captured me back then and flew with me for a long time. Then he landed in a town to eat, and in the end, an Elder in purple clothes killed him with ease."

"Do you remember what that Elder in purple looked like?" Kong Zhen asked urgently.

Zhao Ping'an said, "It's been twelve years. Who could still remember clearly? I was only four then. Besides, I was terrified at the time and did not see him clearly at all."

Having said that, he began driving his guest away. "Enough. I've answered truthfully, so leave. I don't want to see any more monks from Pudu Mountain. If Kong Nian hadn't captured me back then, my Mother and I would have left White Emperor City long ago. I would never have been placed under house arrest by the Zhennan Marquis Estate for twelve years!"

"Amitabha. This poor monk believes there are falsehoods in Young Benefactor Zhao's words. In order to track down the murderer who killed Senior Brother Kong Nian, this poor monk has no choice but to use a few minor methods on you." Kong Zhen pressed his palms together and bowed. "I ask Young Benefactor Zhao for understanding."

As he spoke, a powerful Divine Treasury Realm aura radiated from him and pressed down on Zhao Ping'an. He was preparing to seize Zhao Ping'an and torture him for answers.

Avenging Kong Nian was important, but recovering the Golden Dragon Binding Cord was even more important.

The Golden Dragon Binding Cord was a High-Grade Spirit Artifact. Although Pudu Mountain received offerings from countless believers and possessed vast fields, treasure mountains, mineral veins, and more—rich enough to bleed gold—it still did not have many exquisite High-Grade Spirit Artifacts like the Golden Dragon Binding Cord.

Zhao Ping'an rose to his feet and sighed softly. "You Bald Donkeys of Pudu Mountain always speak of compassion, but your hands are vicious indeed. Still, you're seeking death too..."

Before he could finish, Kong Zhen suddenly turned toward the dense forest and shouted, "Who is it? Come out before this poor monk!"

Zhao Ping'an could not help looking toward the dense forest as well. The next moment, three black-clad masked figures and two spirit beasts emerged from within.

One of the black-clad figures was petite with a full chest. She was a woman.

She rode atop the back of an enormous tiger demon more than two zhang long and over one zhang tall at the shoulder.

"May I ask what the master of Pudu Mountain intends to do?" the masked woman atop the tiger demon asked.

Her voice was harsh and grating. She was clearly deliberately concealing her real voice.

Kong Zhen demanded in a deep voice, "Who are you people?"

"Master, please answer our question first," the masked woman said.

Kong Zhen's gaze swept warily over the other two black-clad masked figures. Both were Divine Treasury Realm experts and posed a threat to him.

The masked woman who appeared to be leading them, on the other hand, was not worth worrying about. She was merely at the Primordial Sea Realm.

The two spirit beasts were only Second-Rank Spirit Beasts, likewise nothing to fear.

After pondering briefly, he said, "Amitabha. This poor monk merely encountered Young Benefactor Zhao by chance. I have no particular purpose."

"If you merely met by chance, then please continue on your journey, Master," the masked woman said.

"Master Kong Zhen, didn't you say I have an affinity with the Buddha?" Zhao Ping'an suddenly interrupted loudly. "I am willing to go with you to Pudu Mountain."

Kong Zhen was slightly surprised, then immediately understood that Zhao Ping'an feared the three black-clad masked figures. He too had sensed the killing intent they carried.

However, before he had interrogated Zhao Ping'an, he could not allow Zhao Ping'an to die.

He pressed his palms together. "Excellent, excellent. Young Benefactor Zhao, let us go."

"Master, you must not take this man away!" the masked woman shouted sharply, pointing at Zhao Ping'an from afar.

As she spoke, the other two black-clad masked figures had already darted over. One before and one behind, they cut off Kong Zhen and Zhao Ping'an, their swords already drawn.

Both sides released their auras in confrontation, and battle could erupt at the slightest spark.

Kong Zhen sensed that although the two black-clad masked figures were each somewhat weaker than him, together they were likely no inferior to him. Moreover, once they began fighting, the other masked figure and the two spirit beasts would seize the chance to kill Zhao Ping'an.

His purpose was to interrogate Zhao Ping'an about Kong Nian's killer, not to risk his life over whether Zhao Ping'an lived or died.

"Amitabha." He suddenly uttered a Buddhist invocation, then told the masked woman, "It seems Young Benefactor Zhao has more affinity with you. This poor monk is willing to let him remain."

"However, this poor monk has one condition!"

The masked woman's tone eased as well. "Please speak, Master."

"This poor monk must interrogate him for a few questions. Once I am done, I will leave," Kong Zhen said.

The masked woman immediately agreed. "Very well. Please proceed, Master."

The other two black-clad masked figures each retreated three zhang, making room for Kong Zhen to interrogate Zhao Ping'an.

Zhao Ping'an suddenly sighed, complaining with some vexation, "Why didn't you fight like a snipe and clam locked in battle, so I could profit as the fisherman?"

"I clearly possess wisdom, yet in the end I still have to use my fists. You are too detestable!"

As he spoke, he drew his sword.

Kong Zhen shook his head. "Young Benefactor Zhao, you should obediently surrender. Today, there is absolutely no chance of luck for you."

As he spoke, he abruptly struck, reaching for Zhao Ping'an with the speed of a thunderbolt.

Zhao Ping'an used the Willow Branching Movement, drifting aside like willow fluff. Immediately after, he appeared behind Kong Zhen's left side with ghostly speed, stabbing toward Kong Zhen's heart from behind like a shooting star.

His Taiyang Meridian and Taiyin Meridian had both opened at once. True Essence as vast and mighty as the sea erupted forth, multiplying his speed and strength by more than tenfold.

Kong Zhen had thought Zhao Ping'an was a chick awaiting slaughter. He had never expected Zhao Ping'an to dare counterattack, much less with such strange and swift ferocity. He was horrified, but had no time to dodge or block.

"Monk's Robe Buddha Shield!" he roared. True Essence surged through his entire body, swelling his loose Monk Robe until it billowed hugely, while a layer of Buddha Light shimmered over it.

For a moment, Zhao Ping'an felt as though his sword had struck an incomparably tough air bladder.

He snorted coldly. Even more boundless, surging True Essence poured from his Taiyang Meridian as he drove the sword further in.

Rip—

The Monk Robe glowing with Buddha Light was pierced through, and the sword tip immediately sank into Kong Zhen's back.

However, it did not strike his heart from behind. In the instant the Monk Robe stopped the sword tip, Kong Zhen had shifted slightly.

The longsword pierced straight through Kong Zhen's body from behind.

Just as Zhao Ping'an was about to twist the sword, Kong Zhen desperately lunged forward, tearing himself free of the blade.

But Zhao Ping'an immediately pounced after him, every strike aimed at Kong Zhen's vital points.

A tremendous reversal had suddenly occurred. The three black-clad masked figures stared in shock, thinking their eyes had deceived them.

"This fiend concealed his strength and harbors sinister intentions! Everyone, attack together!" Kong Zhen screamed desperately as he dodged and blocked Zhao Ping'an's attacks.

In merely two or three breaths, aside from the sword through his chest, he had suffered several more wounds. His entire body was covered in blood.

The two Divine Treasury Realm black-clad masked figures snapped out of their shock and immediately joined the battle, wielding their swords against Zhao Ping'an.

Seeing two more Divine Treasury Realm experts join in besieging him, Zhao Ping'an did not retreat. The corner of his lips curved up as he gave a soft snort, abandoning his sword and switching to his palms.

With one palm strike, wind and rain followed. With two or three strikes, wind and rain filled the space within two zhang around him.

Wind and Rain Life-Stealing Palm!

Kong Zhen and the other two Divine Treasury Realm experts besieged Zhao Ping'an with all their strength, but Zhao Ping'an's palm technique was sealed tight in defense, supplemented by the Willow Branching Movement. They could not break through at all.

Before thirty breaths had passed, Kong Zhen felt immense discomfort throughout his body. He became heavy and sluggish, his True Essence congealing.

Already seriously wounded, he was more vulnerable to erosion by wind and rain.

I can't kill him. Preserving my life comes first. He thought swiftly, immediately trying to withdraw from the encirclement.

But how could Zhao Ping'an let him have his way? He immediately pursued him closely, attacking without pause.

Kong Zhen fled while blocking. After escaping five or six zhang, his True Essence had completely congealed. His movements were as slow as a snail's. Zhao Ping'an struck him in the heart from behind with one palm, sending him flying as he vomited blood. He crashed to the ground and could not rise for a time.

Seeing this, the two Divine Treasury Realm black-clad masked figures grew fearful. "Retreat!"

They immediately turned and fled through the air.

"Where do you think you're going?!" Zhao Ping'an temporarily abandoned Kong Zhen, drew out the Golden Dragon Binding Cord, and quickly chanted an incantation.

The Golden Dragon Binding Cord immediately came alive, flying toward one of the Divine Treasury Realm black-clad masked figures like a Flood Dragon.

In an instant, the Golden Dragon Binding Cord caught up to the Divine Treasury Realm black-clad masked figure and easily bound him, then carried him back.

After releasing the Golden Dragon Binding Cord, Zhao Ping'an immediately used the Gale Wind Slayer Wings. Faster than lightning, he caught up to the other Divine Treasury Realm black-clad masked figure in an instant.

"Arhat Subduing Fist!"

Zhao Ping'an slammed a punch into that Divine Treasury Realm black-clad masked figure's heart from behind.

He was too fast—so fast that the Divine Treasury Realm black-clad figure had no time to react at all.

Boom—

The Divine Treasury Realm black-clad figure was blasted away on the spot, smashing through three or four giant trees that would take several people to encircle before crashing to the ground. Blood poured from all seven apertures, and he died almost at once.

His heart had already been shattered into pulp.

Without pausing in the slightest, Zhao Ping'an turned and flew back to kill Kong Zhen.

Kong Zhen had already climbed to his feet. Seeing that the Golden Dragon Binding Cord was actually in Zhao Ping'an's hands, and that Zhao Ping'an had already refined it and bound it as his master, he was utterly horrified.

He, he... what kind of monster is he? Senior Brother Kong Nian actually died by his hand back then, when he was only four years old!

I must escape back to Pudu Mountain and let the sect know...

However, before he could stagger more than a few steps, Zhao Ping'an had caught up and ended his life with a single sword strike.

Immediately afterward, he used the Arhat Subduing Fist to kill the Divine Treasury Realm black-clad masked figure whom the Golden Dragon Binding Cord had delivered before him.

He wanted to frame Pudu Mountain, so aside from Kong Zhen, he killed everyone using the Arhat Subduing Fist.

The Arhat Subduing Fist was a mid-grade martial technique. Only inner disciples of the Buddhist sect had a chance to cultivate it. He had comprehended his Arhat Subduing Fist through one hundredfold Proficiency Points. No one would ever imagine that he knew the Arhat Subduing Fist.

After killing three Divine Treasury Realm experts in succession, Zhao Ping'an put away the Golden Dragon Binding Cord and turned to pursue the masked woman and the two spirit beasts, who had already sensed trouble and fled.

"Qiushui, you wretched maidservant. I never expected I would truly fish you out!" A cold smile filled with bone-deep hatred appeared on Zhao Ping'an's handsome face. "Your heart is so narrow that, just to kill me with your own hands and vent your hatred from when I made you personally invite me into Yellow Bamboo Courtyard, you actually risked yourself!"

Qiushui believed she had changed her voice, but he had recognized her the instant he heard it.

He had deliberately camped out in the wilderness alone precisely to give Su Yingluo a chance to send people to assassinate him.

He had not expected Su Yingluo to truly send assassins after him, fearing that he would rise to prominence after going to Jade Capital Grand Martial Academy.

To ensure there could be no mistakes, she had even sent two Divine Treasury Realm experts and used two already-converted spirit beasts to disguise it as him being attacked and killed by spirit beasts.

As for Pudu Mountain sending Kong Zhen to find him, that had been an accident.