Know Thyself, Know Thy Enemy

Green shadows and red clouds reflect the morning sun, where birds cannot fly, the sky over Wu stretches long. Climbing high to view the grandeur between heaven and earth, the great river flows vast, never to return.

A golden wheel the size of a carriage canopy leaped from the clouds. From afar, it seemed to hang upon the sharp ridge of Lou Guan Tower, casting ten thousand rays of golden brilliance to illuminate the waters of the Li River as they surged eastward.

Zhang Jiugao carried his immortal sword, Chi Qiu, on his back. He stood with his hands behind him beneath the plaque of the Ink Bamboo Mountain Lou Guan Dao, gazing up at the morning sun. He inhaled and exhaled, breathing out a long plume of white mist, and recited, "I dine on the six qi and drink the morning dew; I rinse with the upright yang and swallow the morning clouds."

Standing in attendance beside him was a youth of sixteen, his hair tied in a crown, with moth-like brows and a face as smooth as jade. His features were refined, bearing an eight or nine-tenths resemblance to Zhang Jiugao. Hearing this, he mimicked the immortal bearing of Master Zhang, watching the clouds and sun, breathing deeply to fill his lungs and Dantian with spiritual qi. The flow of dao-breath surged naturally within his divine court and Qi Sea; he was, after all, one who had just reached the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Zhang Jiugao kept his eyes half-closed, not looking at him, and said slowly, "Xiao Qi, greet Lay Practitioner Xuanji."

Hearing this, the youth obediently performed a formal bow. "Disciple Zhang He pays respects to Lay Practitioner Xuanji."

"Brother has waited long; there is no need for such formalities, nephew." A female Daoist with a face as compassionate as Guanyin, graceful and dignified, wearing a moon-colored robe and a pleated skirt, descended on a light cloud, accompanied by a pair of Golden Boy and Jade Girl.

Zhang He focused his gaze and saw that the two were mere children of six or seven years old, still wearing their hair in topknots. One was chubby and fair, the other rosy-cheeked; at a glance, they appeared incredibly adorable. Yet, when he looked into their eyes, he clearly saw that these young children possessed bright, clever pupils, their expressions neither smiling nor serious, entirely devoid of innocent sentiment. He felt a shiver in his heart and bowed to them as well. "Greetings, Brother, Sister."

"Disciple Qingguo (Jinzhao) pays respects to Master Zhang." The Golden Boy and Jade Girl first bowed to Zhang Jiugao, exchanged a playful glance, and then nodded to Zhang He like little adults. "Greetings, Junior Brother Zhang."

Zhang Jiugao waved his hand. "This junior of mine is far too rigid and dull; don't tease him. Xiao Qi, these three are close friends of your grand-uncle. They have come to assist us and to watch the excitement together."

Zhang He understood and bowed again. "Xiao Qi pays respects to the three seniors."

The child Qingguo shook his head and said, "Little Crane, you are truly too boring. Why spoil the fun? I wanted to test your studies for you."

The girl Jinzao also smiled at Zhang He. "We are undergoing reincarnation after shedding our mortal bodies, so let us not make things too complicated. Let us address each other as we please; it is better to simply call each other brother and sister."

Zhang He hurriedly bowed, repeatedly saying he dared not.

Lay Practitioner Xuanji watched with a smile and said to Zhang Jiugao, "Truly a member of the Zhang family; he really is just like you were back then."

Zhang Jiugao glared at his stiff and restrained nephew. "He stays at home too much, which is why he has this dull look. I am bringing him to see the world this time, so I must trouble the three of you to look after him."

Qingguo patted his chest. "That goes without saying; leave it to me. Shall we set off? The sword-fighting competition is a rare spectacle, and I, too, wish to witness the marvelous techniques of the Lou Guan Dao and the Nangong Family."

"Wait a moment, there is one more lad who hasn't arrived. He is also a fellow disciple being taken to see the world," Zhang Jiugao frowned. "He couldn't have overslept, could he..."

"Hmm... could it be that one?" Xuanji looked toward the entrance and saw a disciple of Ink Bamboo Mountain running over, panting heavily. He was dressed in a coarse cloth robe and fur coat, wearing straw sandals, a mask of an 'Unknown Face', and carrying a massive bamboo box on his back that was even larger than he was.

Zhang Jiugao was stunned. It was only when the other party reached them and lifted the 'Unknown Face' to reveal his true features that he regained his senses. "Qingyue, what have you brought! Can't you put your luggage in your jade pendant?"

"Disciple Li Fan pays respects to Master Zhang and all seniors and brothers." Li Fan smiled. "This is my first time attending a sword-fighting competition, so I stayed up all night asking the workshop to make some small gadgets just in case. My two storage jades are almost full, and I was afraid of losing things if I kept moving them around, so I packed them up and carried them on my back."

"Full..." Zhang Jiugao was speechless.

His three friends were also curious, while Zhang He, seeing a fellow disciple from Ink Bamboo Mountain, bowed formally. "I am Zhang He; greetings, Junior Brother Qingyue."

"Oh, greetings, Senior Brother Zhang." Li Fan returned the bow, the large bamboo box on his back swaying.

"Brother, is this also a disciple of your Lou Guan Dao?" Xuanji asked after observing Li Fan for a moment.

"He is from the Mountain Master's lineage... Well, since everyone is here, let's go. We must reach Tiantai Mountain before the moon rises."

Zhang Jiugao released a flying boat, and the six of them boarded and ascended into the sky, riding the wind and clouds along the Li River toward the east in an instant.

Li Fan placed the bamboo box on the deck and began to unpack and assemble various parts.

Zhang He, Qingguo, and Jinzao all gathered around to watch. Zhang Jiugao and Xuanji were also quite interested, but due to their status, they found it inappropriate to inquire about Li Fan's mechanical arts.

Fortunately, Zhang He was a rigid and honest person. He cupped his hands and asked a direct question, "Junior Brother Li, what are you doing?"

Li Fan answered honestly, "Oh, I'm assembling the bed crossbow I ordered."

No one spoke for a moment.

"A bed crossbow?" Zhang He continued his direct questioning without hesitation. "What is it for?"

Qingguo and Jinzao turned their heads to look at him. Zhang Jiugao covered his face.

Li Fan explained, "Senior Brother Zhang, a bed crossbow is for killing people... Have you ever killed anyone?"

Zhang He shook his head. "This humble one is shallow in learning and has only just reached Foundation Establishment; I have never killed anyone."

Qingguo wore a mocking expression, about to speak.

Li Fan said, "I have killed one—well, half of a Golden Core cultivator."

Half! Qingguo immediately shut his mouth.

Seeing that Zhang He seemed very interested, Li Fan boasted to him, "Swallowing a Golden Core into the abdomen, 'my fate is determined by me, not by heaven'—this is no empty claim.

The defensive power of a Golden Core stage cultivator far exceeds the human category. With the sword power of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, which can split gold and shatter jade, it is still difficult to cause even the slightest injury. Therefore, I have analyzed that the imperial court of the Human Dao might have some means to deal with Foundation Establishment cultivators, but to target Golden Core cultivators who can fly, vanish, and are impervious to blades and spears is time-consuming, laborious, and not worth the effort.

Proper immortal sects do not fight for worldly wealth, so it is natural to just honestly pay tribute and submit. However, this does not mean the Human Dao has no way to deal with Golden Core cultivators! Because Golden Core cultivators can still be torn apart by hand—I have seen it with my own eyes! So there is only one saying: brute force creates miracles! Firepower is the truth!

Thus, I browsed through the secret scrolls of Ink Bamboo Mountain, the Summary of Mechanical Principles, selected multiple models, calculated statistical data, and comprehensively considered the output, precision, structural difficulty, and most importantly, cost-effectiveness, to find the most cost-effective weapon against Golden Core cultivators.

Look! This is the City-Crushing Tower-Toppling, heaven-shaking Three-Bow Bed Crossbow! It can draw a twelve-stone heavy bow and fire a four-foot-long iron-tipped bolt! Within a thousand paces, a Golden Core is guaranteed to be pierced! Impressive, right!"

Zhang He realized. "Your words make sense! I have been taught!"

"Cough, cough, cough!" Seeing his junior being led astray, Zhang Jiugao could no longer hold back and jumped in to stop him. "Stop talking nonsense! If you have this spare time, you should focus on your cultivation and refining your flying sword!"

Qingguo could not help himself either. Pointing at the crossbow, winch, hooks, and bow arms that Li Fan had assembled across most of the deck, he mocked, "If you were using a hand crossbow or hidden weapons, you might catch someone off guard. But this bed crossbow is heavy and clumsy. If you set something this big out, how could a Divine Sense not detect it?

It is so complex and can only fire one shot. At a thousand paces, even if a Golden Core cultivator stood still and let you shoot, you might not hit them. Even if you did hit them, as long as they didn't die instantly, a single pill would heal them.

Besides, which Golden Core cultivator doesn't know how to control flying swords and magic treasures? As soon as their Divine Sense locks onto you, they will decapitate you. It is just a waste of energy."

Li Fan smiled and did not argue with him. He simply followed the diagrams in the Summary of Mechanical Principles, assembled the components he had ordered from the workshop, used the winch to draw the string and set the bolt, and then cleared space in his storage jade to pack it away.

It's nonsense. Doesn't he want to spew out a hundred flying swords and directly shred his enemies? He just doesn't have them now! The treasure of Profound Heaven Sword Intent is still in the southern mountains of Lei Marsh, and immortal's steamed buns cost five strings of cash each. Where would he get the money to buy flying swords? He can only use what he has!

After all, Li Fan has learned many sword moves from Profound Heaven Sword Intent. He is confident in dealing with opponents of the same Foundation Establishment Realm. As for Nascent Soul cultivators, there's no need to fantasize. If he's really targeted, he should just focus on his escape route.

Only the Golden Core realm is a chicken rib: it's hard to escape, but if he bites his teeth and fights, maybe he can even counter-kill. Naturally, he'll prepare as much as he can!

Based on the previous battle calculations in the tomb, since this twelve-stone bed crossbow can theoretically injure a Golden Core cultivator, it means it's an effective 'hidden weapon'. Well, if he just takes it out of his jade pendant, there's no need to calibrate it. Just shoot it at an approaching enemy within ten paces. If they're caught off guard, they might be killed on the spot. Isn't that a 'hidden weapon'?

What's more, he has a Dog Frisbee for strong control. If he gets close enough, maybe he can kill them, right?

To be honest, this is because he only had one night to prepare, and his jade pendant's space and money were insufficient. This contraption alone cost him five thousand strings for various custom parts, and he still needed to prepare other things.

If it weren't for these limitations, Li Fan would have prepared ten or twenty crossbows and hidden them. When he encountered a Golden Core cultivator bullying him in a sword fight, he would reveal them all and let them know why the flowers are so red...

Sigh, stop daydreaming, be careful not to knock over the Heroic Fire Oil. Tsk, it's a pity he couldn't find any scorpion venom for sale... Should he get some Golden Juice for them to try?

'Profound Heaven Sword Intent says, Host, I must also advise you. Being fully prepared is good, but using Golden Juice on yourself? Aren't you being a bit too cruel?'

'Kun says, What is Golden Juice? Let me try some.'

'The system explains Golden Juice to Kun.'

'Kun says, Ew--'

Stop your nonsense! I'm going to the battlefield, no, maybe the execution ground! What means can't I use? Are you still being picky!

Li Fan was truly nervous. He had re-evaluated the danger level of this world. His imagined enemy was like a beach landing. As soon as he reached Tiantai Mountain, seventy or eighty Golden Core eunuchs would surround him, flying swords would shoot everywhere, sword lights would sweep, guns and arrows would rain down, thunder and fire would explode, and flesh and blood would fill the sky.

So, besides the bed crossbow, Li Fan also prepared a large pile of miscellaneous items. In addition to some basic items like various Eye-Obscuring Talismans, Smoke Bombs, Knockout Powder, and Caltrops, he specifically found a tailor to custom-make a Lamellar Breastplate to wear under his Taoist robe to protect his heart and lungs. He also wore a steel ring around his neck for extra protection, and he even prepared a pot almost as big as his head, which he hadn't taken out to wear yet.

He couldn't wear any more, it was too heavy, and he wouldn't be able to lift his arms to use sword techniques to counter-kill.

He wore this after confirming with Profound Heaven Sword Intent beforehand whether wearing armor was effective against flying swords.

Profound Heaven Sword Intent, as an expert, also said it was indeed useful. Although flying swords could cut iron as easily as cutting hair, they would still damage the blade. Haven't you seen how sword rainbows circle the neck and arteries? If they were to stab hard and break bones, chipping the sword blade would be heartbreaking!

So, theoretically, cultivators would be reluctant to use their precious flying swords to clash head-on with armored opponents. Perhaps their minds would subconsciously falter, and they would miss their target and slash your shoulder! Isn't that useful? Besides, you can't wear armor all day, can you? Maybe they'll just wait and not cut you anymore!

Well, for a transmigrator like Li Fan, who was used to wearing a safety helmet and didn't care about immortal demeanor at all, this little bit of psychological comfort was enough.

Zhang Jiugao could see it and said, "Don't be so nervous. Most of the time, these occasions are for sects to confront each other. Not to mention that many elders and senior disciples are arranged in order. Even if it's your turn, at most you'll be arguing with someone in the Foundation Establishment Realm. Bullying the weak would shame the sect. No elder would directly try to kill you..."

Xuanji also nodded, "If a disciple is killed by you and loses face, they'll at most capture you alive to vent their anger."

Jinzhao comforted, "Or they'll knock you down and beat you up on the spot."

Qingguo chuckled, "No need to guess so much. To be straightforward, they'll cut off an arm on the spot to avenge their disciple."

Zhang He was horrified, "This... what should we do!"

"You don't need to worry about these things with your cultivation," Zhang Jiugao said impatiently, glancing at those who seemed to enjoy stirring up trouble. He then said to Li Fan, "Since you want to prepare in advance, I'll tell you about the background of Tiantai Mountain and the Immortal Palace."

"Oh! Thank you, Master Zhang, for your guidance." Knowing oneself and the enemy leads to victory. Information about the opponent is indeed important. Li Fan immediately tidied himself up and even set up a cushion, a table, and tea to invite them for a drink.

Seeing that he was indeed so well-prepared, the expressions of the three rogue cultivators softened. They all sat down together to taste the tea, and for a moment, the atmosphere returned to the normal Xianxia style.

Zhang Jiugao thought for a moment, "Hmm, where should I start? The affairs of the Immortal Palace are too complicated. Although the Nangong Immortal Family has been there for a long time and we know them well, we don't know who is coming this time, so it's hard to say. As for Tiantai Mountain... because it's too weak, I'm not very familiar with it either..."

Hey, Little Crane! Is he freeloading my tea!

Li Fan squinted at him.

It was the female Taoist Xuanji who rescued her old friend, and she said with a smile, "We outsiders see the situation at Tiantai Mountain quite clearly. Although the Lu Family might have a motive of personal revenge, those heretical demons should have been eliminated long ago. Bamboo Mountain did the right thing. The Immortal Palace used Bamboo Mountain's excuse of indiscriminate killing as a pretext, and with the tone of guarding the immortal kingdom, they protected these scum and opposed Bamboo Mountain, which makes them seem unrighteous."

Jinzhao also nodded repeatedly.

Qingguo still chuckled, "Bamboo Mountain initiated this matter, so of course, they had to choose a demon lair with a rotten reputation to have a legitimate reason. The Nangong Immortal Family has recovered its strength in recent years and has long wanted to have a confrontation with you. This time, they were forced to act on behalf of Tiantai Mountain, and they were also calculated. Their reputation is ruined, and they are saving them reluctantly."

Zhang Jiugao opened his mouth but didn't explain further, probably tacitly admitting that neither side was a pure-hearted envoy of justice.

With the three rogue cultivators outside the situation providing relatively objective information, Li Fan finally had some understanding of the matter.

The Lu Family might not have wrongly accused Tiantai Mountain, because the cultivators occupying this place were a bunch of scoundrels. They weren't even considered heavenly-condemned innate demonic cultivators. They could only be described as having wicked intentions, being insane, and being evil heretics that everyone should eliminate.

The inheritance of Tiantai Mountain can be explained in just a few sentences, because this was not a spiritual mountain or a blessed cave, let alone an ancient sect or famous school. It was just that the scenery was quite beautiful, and there was originally a Luo Temple on the mountain. It was just an ordinary Buddhist sect that ate vegetarian food and chanted prayers, not a major sect. At most, there were one or two Foundation Establishment cultivators who helped look after nearby monsters and malevolent spirits, occasionally performed religious services, and dispensed talismans and water for healing. They lived on the incense money from the nearby prefectures and counties.

Then, decades ago, a lay Buddhist from another region offered a Buddhist treasure to the temple for worship. It was unclear whether it was an object or not. It emitted a brilliant light for three hundred miles overnight, visible from afar and heard by neighbors. The monks in the temple also gained divine powers overnight and became great cultivators who could protect a region. Thus, Tiantai Mountain's Luo Temple became a famous mountain and ancient temple, with flourishing incense and a resounding reputation.

However, these were all tricks to deceive mortals.

In fact, everyone could guess the trick here. Where was there any Buddhist treasure? It was just a group of rogue cultivators from outside who used a trick of "replacing the peach with a plum." They killed all the monks in the temple, gouged out their flesh, and wore their skins, transforming themselves into living Bodhisattvas. They enjoyed the offerings from the surrounding prefectures and counties, settled on Tiantai Mountain, and committed all sorts of evil deeds.

This was not an exaggeration. These demonic monks disguised as humans were not ascetics who cultivated themselves, but a group of scoundrels who relied on unorthodox techniques, acted recklessly, and indulged their desires.

During the day, they gathered for orgies and held Intestine-Coiling Assemblies. At night, they robbed and plundered everywhere. Although they did not dare to confront major sects like the Immortal Palace and Bamboo Mountain head-on, they frequently ganged up to kill and rob, and raided nearby rogue cultivator families. Their personal grudges with the Lu Family were also formed this way.

Even cultivator families like the Lu Family could not protect themselves, let alone the mortals in the area? Many families who did not know the truth were directly deceived by demonic arts, and they even publicized that Tiantai Mountain's blessed temple had manifested its divinity, and then brought their female family members to offer them to the Buddha. After they joyfully offered their daughters to the mountain to 'pray for children,' they never returned, remaining on Tiantai Mountain to satisfy the desires of these demons...

On the surface, it looked like a Buddhist paradise, but in reality, once you entered, you would know it was a human purgatory.

Zhang He cursed, "Such heretical demons! Why hasn't anyone punished them!"

The three rogue cultivators, who had been condemning them one after another, fell silent.

Only Zhang Jiugao slowly said with his eyes half-closed and a blank expression, "Why else? It's because these demons were invited from the north by the Nangong Family."