Reunion

The blazing sun shone bright, and the stream gurgled on. A group of yellow-robed warrior monks guarded the entrance to the mountain road, while crude inns, marketplaces, and the like dotted the area, forming a patch of noisy bustle.

"This place looks a lot like your mountain gate..." Qi Zhengyan said to Meng Qi with a slight frown.

Meng Qi had never gone down the mountain and had no idea what the foot of his own sect's mountain looked like. He could only shake his head. "I fell unconscious halfway here and was carried up the mountain by the old servant. I've never seen the mountain gate."

That was indeed the truth. It was precisely because the original owner of this body had fallen unconscious that he had been able to transmigrate here.

"I saw it when I accompanied the elders of my sect to Shaolin. The terrain and layout are basically identical." Although Qi Zhengyan said no more, a trace of puzzlement appeared on his face. Since these were two different worlds, why were they so alike? Moreover, the Shaolin Temple in his own world stood on Lotus Platform Mountain, while this one was on Shaohua Mountain. They were not even part of the same mountain range.

Meng Qi thought for a moment. "We'll know once we get up the mountain. But if it's only the architectural layout that's the same, that doesn't prove anything. According to the Lord of Six Paths Samsara, Reincarnation Worlds are as numerous as the stars filling the sky. The occasional coincidence is nothing strange. After all, they're both Buddhist monasteries."

Behind them, Xiao Zi listened to their conversation with a somewhat listless expression. Xiang Hui, meanwhile, had taken a slash to the face that injured his nose bridge and facial muscles. Every word he spoke tugged painfully at the wound, so his obsequious fawning from the past few days had vanished. He kept half-covering his face, letting out groans from time to time.

Unable to make sense of it, Qi Zhengyan nodded and walked with Meng Qi to the monks guarding the mountain. "Masters, we have important news to report to your sect's Abbot," he said steadily.

"What news might that be? With war and chaos everywhere, we cannot casually allow people up the mountain." The leading monk pressed his palms together and asked, neither servile nor overbearing.

Meng Qi said solemnly, "May I ask for your Dharma name, Master?"

"This humble monk's Dharma name is De Guang." The leading monk revealed a trace of a smile. "May I ask Junior Brother's Dharma name?"

He was making a show of familiarity.

After reporting his Dharma name, Meng Qi said concisely, "Great General Du'er Cha intends to lead his experts and army here to wipe out your sect. With the help of righteous men, we learned of this and obtained a list of traitors within your sect. This is of grave importance and cannot be discussed openly. I ask Senior Brother to report it to your sect's Abbot."

De Guang frowned. "Junior Brother Zhending, did you split into two groups?"

"Exactly. Senior Brother, has the other group already arrived?" Meng Qi asked in delighted surprise.

"Yes. Two female benefactors and two male benefactors." De Guang did not conceal it. "News of this matter has already spread. Lay devotees and benefactors from nearby sects have all rushed here to help and are currently gathered at the inn next door."

Meng Qi nodded with a smile, feeling exceptionally relieved. It was good that Zhang Yuanshan and Jiang Zhiwei were unharmed. The hardest people to come across in Reincarnation Worlds were disciples of upright, renowned sects who had principles. If they had met with disaster, there was a strong chance that in the future he would run into ruthless villains or people with kind faces and black hearts. Besides, he had already formed no shallow friendship with them—they could be considered friends.

De Guang pressed his palms together and proclaimed a Buddhist invocation. "Namo Amitabha. At present, our sect is at the critical juncture of life and death. We truly dare not casually admit anyone into the mountain, for fear that spies may slip in. I ask that Junior Brother and the others stay temporarily at the inn next door. Once I have sought instructions from the Abbot, I shall come invite you in."

Since he had spoken so sincerely and frankly, Meng Qi and Qi Zhengyan naturally had no objections. After returning the salute, they headed toward the nearby inn—Shaolin had many monks, and there was no shortage of passing travelers and farmers selling vegetables. A place for people to stop and rest had naturally formed at the foot of the mountain. Many sects were much the same.

"Miss Jiang and Senior Brother Zhang have arrived, so our importance has greatly diminished. No wonder they don't value us," Meng Qi complained casually.

Qi Zhengyan did not echo him. Raising his head to look at the sky, he said, "There's still half a day until the deadline. We should make it into the temple in time."

"Nothing else is going to go haywire, right..." Before Meng Qi could finish, he shut his mouth, lest he become a crow's beak.

"Haha, are you all here to aid Shaolin as well?" At this moment, a rough-looking big man approached from near the inn, asking Meng Qi and the others with a hearty laugh.

Meng Qi smiled. "That's right."

"So are we. Since word spread yesterday that the barbarian cannibal demons were going to besiege Shaolin, righteous men from every direction have rushed here." The big man pointed at himself. "I am Wei Wuji of Heluo. May I ask the names of several friends?"

When he mentioned his own name, Wei Wuji straightened his waist and back, as though preparing to receive looks of shock and long-held admiration. Clearly, his reputation was no small one.

Meng Qi quietly curled his lip. How would I know who you are? Don't put on that look like I'm famous, hurry up and worship me.

Other than Du'er Cha, Meng Qi truly had no idea who anyone was. So he deliberately ignored Wei Wuji's expectant gaze and introduced them with a smile.

Wei Wuji's expression turned slightly awkward, but it quickly returned to normal. Chuckling, he said, "Friends, it seems you only broke through after a bloody battle? And this young woman seems... seems not to know martial arts?"

His suspicion was perfectly normal, and Meng Qi did not take offense. If their positions were reversed, he would have had similar doubts himself, though he might not necessarily voice them to their faces.

After pondering briefly, he nodded. "On our way here, we encountered several barbarian experts. We barely managed to break through."

Then he pointed at Xiao Zi. "This is Senior Brother Qi's fiancée. Though she lacks even the strength to truss a chicken, she has stood by him through hardship. She abandoned the safety and comfort of her home and willingly came with us, ready to live and die alongside Senior Brother Qi."

Clang! The longsword in Qi Zhengyan's hand fell to the ground. He then gave Meng Qi a complicated look, as if reproaching him and as if annoyed, while Xiao Zi still had not figured out what was happening and wore a completely bewildered expression.

Meng Qi quietly spread his hands. I couldn't exactly say she was this monk's fiancée, could I?

Heh heh, when it came to making up melodramatic stories, who in this world could contend with me?

Wei Wuji nodded approvingly. "For Brother Qi to have won the heart of such a devoted and righteous beauty truly makes me envious. I feel an instant kinship with you all. How about I play host and invite everyone to have a cup of watered wine and change into clean clothes?"

So this was the forthright Great Hero of the martial world? Meng Qi silently mocked, but this place was near Shaolin, so there should not be much danger. He gestured with his hand. "Then we'll respectfully accept."

"Haha, Zhending Monk, you are a forthright man yourself," Wei Wuji laughed loudly, making a gesture of invitation.

On the way to the inn, Meng Qi naturally seized the chance to ask Wei Wuji about the news nearby, hoping to find Jiang Zhiwei and the others.

"The news had only just spread when the entire Heluo martial world erupted. At the call of one venerable Great Hero after another, many friends rushed to Shaolin's aid. Among them is the Young Sect Master of Luohe Sect, Lin Biexue..." Wei Wuji said animatedly, as though Du'er Cha's experts and army were about to vanish into smoke and ashes.

Meng Qi smiled casually. "Among those venerable Great Heroes, I'm afraid there must be Great Hero Wei as well?"

Wei Wuji smiled with self-satisfaction. "Not at all, not at all. I merely trail along behind my seniors. Alas, I have practiced martial arts for thirty years and have only barely touched the gate of the Innate realm. Compared with a genius like Young Sect Master Lin, who broke through to the Innate realm before even reaching thirty, the difference is beyond all measure."

Innate? Meng Qi and Qi Zhengyan looked at each other. The cultivation divisions here differed from those in their own world?

"But this time..." Wei Wuji's expression suddenly became a little dazed, as though he had recalled something unbelievable.

Meng Qi gave him a strange look and entered the crude inn alongside him.

The inn was packed with people. Not only were all the tables full, but many areas were crowded with people standing about.

"It's really this lively?" Wei Wuji pulled over a youthful, lovely young woman and asked in confusion.

The female warrior pointed toward a corner, saying with both reverence and admiration, "Young Master Zhang has come down. He's drinking tea and discussing wine with Young Sect Master Lin."

"Young Master Zhang?" Wei Wuji's expression changed, becoming reverent and awed as well.

Following the young woman's finger, Meng Qi looked over and saw a rare patch of quiet within the inn.

In a corner stood a square table, where two men sat facing each other, with wine cups, a teapot, and other items before them.

One of the men was mature and refined, a smile on his face. The other wore Zhenwu Daoist robes, with a high nose bridge and a vigorous, handsome, Yang air about him. He was none other than Meng Qi's acquaintance, Zhang Yuanshan.

The passing patrons around them instinctively left A patch of empty space, making the area unusually quiet.

"Young Master Zhang?" Meng Qi repeated Wei Wuji's question, though the meaning was entirely different.

Wei Wuji Turned Head to look at Meng Qi and nodded lightly. "Young Master Zhang is the disciple of a reclusive master. This is his first time venturing through the martial world, so it is perfectly normal that you do not know of him."

"Oh?" Meng Qi happened to have the chance to inquire into Zhang Yuanshan and the others' experiences, lest something happen and he remain unaware. Thus, he put on a curious expression.

Wei Wuji cast another reverent look at Zhang Yuanshan. "Young Master Zhang has the heart and guts of a hero, his righteousness towering into the clouds. Unlike us vulgar commoners, he broke through to the Innate realm before reaching twenty. Moreover, for Shaolin's sake, he traveled beneath stars and moon, forcing his way through layer upon layer of ambushes to bring word here."

The Innate realm here referred to Orifice Opening? Meng Qi nodded slightly. That was indeed possible. From what Jiang Zhiwei and the others had occasionally said, after Major Qi Accumulation, one expelled a breath of turbid air and returned to the state of a newborn infant, cultivating the Inner Landscape World and opening one's innate divine orifices.

"Among the experts who ambushed them was 'Town River Luo,' Guan Haoran. He had entered the Innate realm twenty years ago and was one of the world's supreme masters. Alas, in his senility, he grew muddle-headed, betrayed his people and his nation, and became a Barbarians' dog. In the end, Young Master Zhang slew him."

The female warrior beside them nodded heavily, her cheeks flushing as she said, "This happened at the entrance to Guanhe Town. Quite a few fellow martial artists witnessed it, and all were shocked by Young Master Zhang's strength. His mighty name has already spread throughout River Luo."

"Though Guan Haoran was old and frail, he was still an Innate master. That alone shows how terrifying Young Master Zhang is. Even more terrifying is that he is only nineteen. Sigh, I feel as though I lived the first half of my life like a dog." Wei Wuji mocked himself, looking rather dejected.

"Yes, I fear only a prodigy like Young Sect Master Lin could associate as an equal with Young Master Zhang. A disciple of a reclusive master truly is extraordinary." Passing martial artists nearby also sighed in admiration.

Wei Wuji stroked his chin, reining in his other emotions as he said with respect and apprehension, "We should squeeze in somewhere else, lest we disturb Young Master Zhang and Young Sect Master Lin. You, you..."

Before he could finish, he saw the Little Monk walking blankly toward where Young Master Zhang and Young Sect Master Lin were seated, impossible to call back.

Wasn't he being far too reckless? Even if he wanted to make the acquaintance of an expert, acting like this would only provoke their dislike.

Beside the square table, Lin Biexue raised his wine cup and took a light sip. "Thirty-year Luohe Wine—mellow, rich, and fragrant."

Zhang Yuanshan returned the gesture with a sip and nodded. "It truly is exceptional."

"Sigh, the days when we can peacefully taste tea and discuss wine are few indeed. The world is in turmoil; even Shaolin must endure a trial of blades and fire. Who knows what day will bring us peace?" Lin Biexue sighed softly.

Zhang Yuanshan smiled and tasted his tea. "The way of the world is that flourishing reaches its peak and declines, while life is nurtured amid death. Though the Barbarians are strong, the day of their decline will eventually come. We must preserve ourselves as useful vessels, to become seeds of restoration."

Lin Biexue froze for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Worthy indeed of a distinguished disciple of a reclusive Daoist sect..."

Suddenly, his smile vanished. Without anger, he inspired awe, for he saw a filthy Little Monk strolling over with seeming indifference.

"And you are?" he asked unhurriedly. His presence was overwhelming enough that ordinary martial artists did not dare approach, and it also made Wei Wuji faintly uneasy. After all, this was someone he had brought in.

Yet he saw the Little Monk sit down without a care, utterly unceremonious as he took a cup from before Zhang Yuanshan, poured himself a cup of strong liquor, and casually said, "I'll drink first as a show of respect."

Zhang Yuanshan smiled and did not stop him. Instead, he picked up another cup and poured himself a cup of clear tea.

Huh? Seeing Zhang Yuanshan's reaction, Wei Wuji, the female warrior beside him, and the others all had their expressions Solidified. This ragged-looking Little Monk was an old acquaintance of Young Master Zhang's? Was he also a gifted disciple of a reclusive sect?

Lin Biexue, who had been about to flare up, paused in surprise. His smile Appeared again as he raised his wine cup and clinked it against Meng Qi's.

The martial artists around them, unable to make sense of it, wore extraordinarily vivid expressions as they began guessing which famous master this was.

Cough, cough, cough. After drinking the strong liquor, Meng Qi felt a line of fire burn from his throat down to his stomach, making him cough uncontrollably.

Damn it, I forgot this wasn't my original body, the one tempered by alcohol!

At this moment, a cup of clear tea appeared before Meng Qi. Without thinking, he picked it up and drank it, finally stopping the miserable churning in his stomach.

"Junior Brother Zhending, setting aside the matter of precepts, you should not have been so rash on your first time drinking." Zhang Yuanshan spoke gently. He had evidently guessed earlier that this body of Meng Qi's had no experience drinking—this was not difficult to infer. Those from great clans generally received strict upbringing, and having been sent to Shaolin at such a young age, where would they have found the chance to drink?

After stopping his coughs, Meng Qi smiled as he toyed with the wine cup. "If this little monk does not know the taste of strong liquor, how can he understand the preciousness and necessity of the precepts?"

"Mm, without breaking, there can be no establishing." Zhang Yuanshan echoed him without caring much.

"Where is Miss Jiang?" Meng Qi wore the solemn bearing of a treasured image.

Zhang Yuanshan smiled bitterly. "Junior Sister Jiang has no patience for socializing. She is still resting upstairs."

"And this is?" Lin Biexue could not help asking.