The Hidden Hand

The Celestial Vault towered above the sea of clouds, where fierce Gale Winds howled like knives.

A yellow-faced old monk in tattered robes flew at breakneck speed. He had no protection around him, yet the Gale Winds crashed into him head-on and scattered of their own accord, without slowing him in the slightest.

Anyone who drew close would hear him muttering nonstop.

"Damn the heavens! What kind of rotten luck is this for an old monk?"

"Does everyone I take in have to die?"

"I even went out of my way to pick someone with a tough life..."

"I'm the next abbot of the Hanging Temple, the future Pure Land Buddha. Buddha, couldn't you at least look out for me?"

"Jingshen, you have to hold on. Don't follow in Jinge's footsteps!"

He flew at breakneck speed through the heights.

On the ground below, powerful divine senses periodically shot up into the sky.

Whenever that happened, the little bell at the old monk's waist would sway gently—

"The Hanging Temple is conducting a special mission. Esteemed benefactors, please make way!"

The powerful figures blocking his path then understood that he was a special envoy of the Hanging Temple, the eastern holy land of the Buddha Sect, traveling on Buddhist business. He only wished to pass through and had no intention of disturbing anyone.

Those on good terms with the Hanging Temple simply let him pass. Those who bore it ill will considered the Hanging Temple's strength and fell silent. Unless they were mortal enemies, few would make trouble for him.

Of course, even a special envoy of the Hanging Temple couldn't fly openly over a powerful nation of All-Under-Heaven like the Jing Kingdom. As he headed west, he took quite a few detours, avoiding certain forbidden places.

In the