Hundred Schools of Thought Contend

The dark clouds obscured the sun, and the morning light was dim.

When Mo Chuan stepped out of his room, the hushed whispers in the courtyard abruptly ceased.

Luo Feibai seemed to sense something and raised his head.

Seeing this, Mo Chuan was slightly startled.

The tough, strong man from his memory seemed to have changed.

His lips were pale, his face bloodless, his eyes bloodshot and vacant, looking like a walking corpse.

It wasn't until he saw Mo Chuan that he jolted back to a semblance of life.

"Venerable Daoist, my family has met with misfortune. My eldest son was killed by a spirit monster last night. When I rushed into the house, all I could grab was one of my son's severed feet! I am willing to pour out my entire fortune, I only beg you, Venerable Daoist, to bring justice for me and slay this demon!"

Luo Feibai cried out in grief, kowtowing and kneeling.

The onlookers in the courtyard turned pale and sighed upon hearing this.

"Oh, it really was a spirit monster?"

"We can't stay in this city anymore. I think it's best to leave!"

"It was Luo's eldest son? How pitiful!"

"I saw Luo's eldest son. He was so young but already wielded a good saber. Give him a few more years, and he would surely become a fine escort, what a pity!"

Mo Chuan watched Luo Feibai kowtow without rising, and listened to the murmurs of the onlookers. His heart grew solemn.

If it were a fierce ghost, he might have had a chance to fight with the might of the Ghost Subduing Talisman and the ferocity of the Headless Ghost!

But how could he slay a spirit monster that was causing trouble?

As for the "Huayin Fox Slaying" incident before, it was purely accidental and could never be replicated!

While his thoughts were churning, just as Mo Chuan was about to speak, a flurry of footsteps suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

Looking up, he saw more than ten Daoist priests, monks, and even yamen runners pouring into the escort agency's courtyard!

As soon as they entered, their eyes fell on the severed foot in front of Luo Feibai.

Each of them wore a serious expression, and some were about to step forward to examine it.

"May I ask the officials, Venerable Daoists, and Masters, what brings you to the Changlong Escort Agency?"

A镖头 (biao tou - escort leader) stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting.

"Zhao Biao Tou, I heard that Escort Leader Luo encountered a spirit monster last night. Is this true?"

A yamen runner stepped forward, cupping his hands and asking. His demeanor was quite polite.

"It is true. Alas, it is a bolt from the blue. Escort Leader Luo's eldest son lost his life to the spirit monster, and we only managed to retrieve a severed foot."

Zhao Biao Tou nodded in reply.

At this time, the Daoist priests and monks who had accompanied the yamen runners had already gathered around to examine the severed foot closely. Their expressions shifted, and they finally reached a conclusion.

"The wound is jagged, as if chewed. If it wasn't a wild beast, it's likely a spirit monster."

"Hmph, I said long ago that this is the work of a spirit monster! If it were a fierce ghost, it would have been scared away by the city's lights long ago!!!"

After a brief discussion among the Daoist priests and monks, one of the monks spoke to Luo Feibai, "Amitabha, may I ask if Benefactor Luo saw the appearance of the spirit monster?"

Luo Feibai remained silent, merely gazing at Mo Chuan.

Zhao Biao Tou, who was currently socializing with the yamen runners, quickly patted Luo Feibai's shoulder:

"Escort Leader Luo, the Master is asking you a question. Tell them what happened clearly, and these Masters and Venerable Daoists will surely be able to subdue the demon for you!"

As Zhao Biao Tou spoke, several Daoist priests and monks nodded subtly.

Luo Feibai let out a tragic smile upon hearing this. "Spirit monsters have been causing trouble in Changlan City for over a month. They haven't even seen the spirit monster themselves, yet they come to me for confirmation and claim they can subdue it?"

As his voice fell, the entire courtyard erupted in uproar!

The escort agents looked at the newcomers with changed expressions.

Indeed.

If they had the ability, they would have subdued the demon long ago, why wait until now?

A rogue Daoist priest was furious upon hearing this. "Hey, you dark-faced fellow, who are you mocking? If the spirit monster hadn't been hiding from me, I would have already slain it with my Seven Star Sword! Seeing as you've lost your son today, I won't bother with you. If you speak so recklessly again, I won't let you off!"

Luo Feibai merely smiled tragically and kowtowed to Mo Chuan again:

"Venerable Daoist, I know you possess heavenly abilities. I am willing to serve you like an ox or a horse, I only beg you to subdue this spirit monster and avenge my son."

At this moment, all eyes in the courtyard fell on Mo Chuan.

The expressions of the Daoist priests and monks who had come with the yamen runners changed drastically, their faces turning ashen!

Luo Feibai's action was equivalent to stepping on one to praise another.

"Benefactor Luo, this humble Daoist is old and frail. I might still have some strength to deal with minor demons and monsters, but as for spirit monsters, I fear I am powerless!"

Mo Chuan sighed, looking at the sudden loss of spirit and vigor in Luo Feibai's eyes. He couldn't bear it and continued, "However, with this old body of mine, it wouldn't hurt to face the spirit monster! I hope you can gather your spirits, as I will need to borrow your horse-slaying saber then."

Luo Feibai's eyes lit up at the words. Blood rushed to his eyes as he kowtowed heavily.

"The Daoist Master is righteous! Luo Feibai is at your service!"

Seeing this, the group of Daoist priests and monks were so angered they rolled their eyes, flicked their sleeves, and stormed out.

However, the yamen runner who had been speaking with Captain Zhao quietly inquired about Mo Chuan's background.

He heard that Mo Chuan had lived in seclusion in Huayin for sixty years, slaying a fox spirit upon emerging, receiving the county lieutenant's favor, and then stopping a Ghost Immortal from going on a killing spree at the county lieutenant's manor. His eyes lit up, and he quickly departed.

Not long after, he returned.

This time, he brought along the clerks from the Punishment Department and recruited Mo Chuan.

This move was exactly what Mo Chuan wanted.

He intended to help Luo Feibai, but he didn't understand pursuit techniques and had no way to start investigating.

Joining the government would allow him to share in their intelligence.

However, after Mo Chuan registered with the Xingfang, he discovered it was a complete mess.

It turned out that when children first started disappearing in Changlan City, the court hadn't paid much attention. By the time the situation escalated, they assumed it was the work of child snatchers.

They thought that beheading a few people would be enough to deter these demons and monsters.

Unexpectedly, the situation worsened.

It was only then that the prefect realized something was seriously wrong.

He could only issue repeated orders, dispatching the Xingfang to apprehend the culprits, and even calling in soldiers for this purpose.

Unfortunately, the situation did not improve.

In their desperation, they had no choice but to widely invite skilled individuals from the martial world.

Not only were there many incompetent individuals among them, but these martial artists were also undisciplined, each with their own ideas, completely disregarding orders.

Or rather, the Xingfang had lost control.

They were unable to discern the truth.

They could only allow each party to investigate independently, calling it "Hundred Schools of Thought contend" in a beautiful turn of phrase.

Whoever solved the case would get to meet the prefect, and naturally, immense wealth would follow!

Under such circumstances, how could intelligence be shared?

"Seeing one fallen leaf heralds the autumn wind; the incompetence of grassroots dispatch is a sign of chaotic times!"

Mo Chuan listened to the news Captain Zhao had gathered, feeling quite helpless.

While he was troubled, a porter came to report that the abbot of Tianbao Temple wished to see him!

Tianbao Temple was a Buddhist temple near Changlan City, with flourishing incense, truly a bastion of orthodox Buddhism.

Mo Chuan saw no reason to refuse and naturally went out to greet his guest.

The abbot of Tianbao Temple was about seventy years old, similar in age to Old Daoist Priest Yanzhen, but he appeared youthful and white-haired, full of vigor!

Compared to Old Daoist Priest Yanzhen, he seemed more like an enlightened master.

He had clearly come prepared. During their pleasantries, he offered a series of compliments, all about Mo Chuan's recent "achievements."

After the pleasantries, the old monk directly said meaningfully, "Amitabha, may I ask what relationship the Daoist friend has with Yunji Temple of Xishan City?"

Mo Chuan was silent for a moment before replying, "This humble Daoist was young and reckless and cultivated at Yunji Temple for several years."

The abbot of Tianbao was enlightened upon hearing this. "So that's how it is!"

This finally completed Old Daoist Priest Yanzhen's background.

As the saying goes: "Sweet dew does not moisten grass without roots; miraculous methods only ferry those with affinity."

The Daoist school greatly emphasizes affinity and lineage. Without a master's guidance, one cannot enter the Dao.

Therefore, any Daoist with cultivation must have a lineage.

In the eyes of the abbot of Tianbao, Old Daoist Priest Yanzhen's visit was likely to seek a return to his roots.

"May I ask what the Daoist friend thinks of the current demonic disturbances?"

"As a newcomer, it's like looking at flowers in a fog; I don't understand what's happening."

"This old monk has a method that can slay these spirits and monsters. Is the Daoist friend willing to assist me?"

"What do you mean?"

The abbot of Tianbao glanced around and smiled without speaking.

Seeing this, Mo Chuan waved his hand. Luo Feibai, who had been attending them, felt reluctant but still led the porters out.

In the blink of an eye, only the abbot of Tianbao and Mo Chuan remained in the room.

They spoke in hushed tones for a long time before the abbot of Tianbao took his leave.

"Daoist Master..." Luo Feibai entered the room, wanting to speak but hesitating.

"Get a good night's sleep, and tonight we'll slay demons!" Mo Chuan said.

Upon hearing this, Luo Feibai's old face suddenly flushed red, his fists clenching with a creaking sound.

"Matters are accomplished in secret, but ruined by being revealed. Don't spread this around; you know what's best. This spirit monster has succeeded in causing trouble repeatedly; I fear there's an inside informant in Changlan!" Mo Chuan cautioned again.

"Revered Daoist, I understand," Luo Feibai nodded and took his leave.

Mo Chuan sat in his armchair, watching the daylight spill over the threshold, and fell into thought.