Act Two!

[Starting Over]

In the boundless darkness, a ray of light emerged.

Having endured all manner of trials, Zhu Yuanzhang once again followed the Umbrella Monk to the Scripture Pavilion.

"This time, I must resolve two problems."

"First, how to reconcile the conflict between my cultivation techniques."

"Second, to uncover as much as possible who it was that commanded the Shadow Walker to attempt my life."

As the Umbrella Monk Mingde introduced the various wonders of the Mountain-Shrinking Fist, Zhu Yuanzhang pondered the current situation.

"Minghe is a crucial piece in the power struggle between the princes."

"The focus lies on Crown Prince Zhenjin; I was originally the essential talent he needed to mend his fate and ascend the throne."

"Although that failed, it by no means implies that I am of no use at all."

"Whether judging by the behavior of Mingguang or the Mingde before me, it is clear that I cannot die—at least, not in these next few days."

"Otherwise, there would be variables in their plans."

"But the question is, what are those variables?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the Umbrella Monk before him.

"It seems this is my opportunity."

"My performance in the previous cycle proved that as long as I do not take action myself, the Mountain-Shrinking Fist can truly extend my life for at least another week or so."

"This means that Mingde and the Prince of Beiping behind him do not intend to kill me."

Having reached this conclusion, Zhu Yuanzhang's resolve hardened.

He still had room to maneuver.

"In that case, are you still willing to cultivate the Mountain-Shrinking Fist?"

Mingde asked, just as he had in the previous life, his voice ethereal.

"Of course I am willing... but this disciple has one thing he does not understand."

Zhu Yuanzhang cupped his hands and asked in a deep voice.

Mingde's eyes flickered, but he did not interrupt Zhu Yuanzhang's inquiry.

"Cultivating both the Dingguang Demon-Subduing True Technique and the Mountain-Shrinking Fist—two techniques that clash—will they truly not cause a conflict?"

"An ordinary person certainly could not practice both, but you are different." Mingde raised his umbrella higher, making the Scripture Pavilion appear even darker.

"The Great Wisdom Zen Technique?"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

"Precisely." Master Mingde said, looking Zhu Yuanzhang up and down.

He then revealed a look of regret.

"A pity, a pity. It seems my senior brother is determined to have you mend the imperial fate and fortune; he would not even grant you such a path to survival."

"I beg the Master to instruct me!" Sensing that he was about to touch upon the most hidden secret of clearing this trial, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately performed a deep bow to the Umbrella Monk.

Although he could have obtained the information without such a grand gesture, Zhu Yuanzhang felt that, at the very least, he would have less of a psychological burden when he eventually came to hack these demon monks to pieces.

I've already kowtowed! What more could you want!

"If the Dingguang Demon-Subduing True Technique and the Mountain-Shrinking Fist are forward-moving progressions that draw you closer to those unspeakable existences the more you cultivate them, then the Great Wisdom Zen Technique is the exact opposite. With the two canceling each other out, it allows you to learn an additional True Technique."

At this point, Mingde sighed. He looked at Zhu Yuanzhang, his face full of pity: "But my senior brother specifically planted a 'Divine Intent' within you, ensuring your Great Wisdom Zen Technique would never have the chance to break through, leaving it only to accumulate fortune over time to alter the prince's fate."

"Hm?"

Zhu Yuanzhang's mind stirred.

"The Great Wisdom Zen Technique can actually offset the side effects of a True Technique?"

And Minghe had been tampered with beforehand, becoming a vessel for gathering fortune?

But I am different, am I not?

My original body has absolutely nothing special about it whatsoever.

"Using the Great Wisdom Zen Technique as a foundation... it seems feasible."

"Since the Great Wisdom Zen Technique has such miraculous effects, why is it that no one in the temple..."

"You wish to ask why no one in the temple cultivates this divine technique, correct?" Mingde said, a flash of understanding crossing his face.

"Precisely."

"It is very simple. Minghui has taken in many disciples over twenty years and spread these wonderful methods throughout the martial arts world, yet you are the only one who has managed to master this technique."

Under the umbrella, Mingde's gaze was profound. In the moment their eyes met, there was even a hint of appreciation for his talent.

"You are truly a person of great fortune. If not for that, you would not have survived until now, having withstood the 'Fate-Mending Method' and, through inconceivable means, mastered the Dingguang Demon-Subduing True Technique."

Speaking of this, Mingde's gaze became even more regretful, looking at Zhu Yuanzhang as if he were a piece of fine jade ruined by a foolish craftsman.

Subsequently, Mingde spoke, revealing an even more explosive fact to Zhu Yuanzhang.

"It is not just the Dingguang Demon-Subduing True Technique that conflicts with the Mountain-Shrinking Fist; the Dingguang Demon-Subduing True Technique itself is one of the least compatible techniques with the Great Wisdom Zen Technique. Its conflict is even more violent than that of the Mountain-Shrinking Fist... This was supposed to be a secret never to be passed on by Yinglong Temple, yet you actually succeeded. Strange, truly strange..."

Looking at the look of disbelief in Mingde's eyes.

Zhu Yuanzhang's face turned black in an instant.

What the f**!*

Are you all playing me?

No wonder the Dingguang Demon-Subduing True Technique was so hard to cultivate.

I died dozens of times before I succeeded.

Wait... does this mean Mingguang's original intention was for me to die?

Is he on the same side as the monk Minghui?

Why?

Could it be...

Thinking of the technique Minghui had passed to him, the Maitreya Descends Sutra, which was clearly the work of a rebel.

Zhu Yuanzhang instantly thought of another possibility.

Whether it was Minghui or Mingguang, although the two appeared to be in conflict and at odds, they were likely standing on the same side.

They were both secretly obstructing Crown Prince Zhenjin from ascending the throne!

But... another question arose.

Why?

If they wanted him dead, it wasn't to change Crown Prince Zhenjin's fate?

Then what was the point of trying to murder him?

"I have only one last question."

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed and asked.

"What is the 'Divine Intent' that Master Minghui planted in me?"

"It is called: Pure Land White Lotus. As for more, that is Minghui's fundamental secret, and I do not know it either," Mingde replied.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded.

He began to follow the experience of the previous round, practicing the Mountain-Shrinking Fist one move at a time.

However, this time, Zhu Yuanzhang did not seek speed; instead, he carefully sensed this fist technique capable of communicating with [Dagon] with every single movement.

Before he knew it, dawn broke!

Under Mingde's protection, the [Shadow Walker] did not pursue them.

Zhu Yuanzhang opened his eyes.

His muscles and bones cracked like thunder, his teeth and joints turned black, and faint, blue-tinted transparent keratin grew on his skin.

[Mountain-Shrinking Fist]! Success!

And at the moment the temple's bell rang for the hour of the rabbit.

On the system panel before him, the ink-like text changed once again.

[Secret History: Yinglong Temple (Imperial Awakening Temple)]

[Prophecy: Horses trample the northern gate, dogs howl in the west. When the numbers eight and nine are exhausted, the sun and moon lose their light.]

[Act I: Remains of the Song Emperor (Ended)]

[Mission Objective: Survive the night (Completed)]

[Reward: Permanently fix one skill]

[Act II: Traces of the Song Dynasty]

[Commentary: The swallows of the Wang and Xie families of old, to whose house do they fly now?]

[Mission Objective: Fight your way out of Yinglong Temple]

Zhu Yuanzhang's pupils shrank violently.

What the hell is happening?

"Ah!!!"

Beside him, the Umbrella Monk Mingde, who had been standing next to Zhu Yuanzhang the whole time, suddenly let out a painful roar.

The sound was as shrill as a dying beast.

But Mingde was worthy of being a high monk of Yinglong Temple; realizing something was wrong, he immediately opened his umbrella and sat cross-legged, attempting to stabilize his state, and warned Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Go to Hao Prefecture... find Shi Yibiao at Tiantai Temple! Tell him the time of the prophecy is wrong... the Unborn Venerable Mother has manifested early! Be careful... don't look at me!"

But it was too late.

The moment he heard the scream, Zhu Yuanzhang had instinctively turned toward the sound.

He watched as clusters of blood lotuses erupted from beneath Mingde's feet, the black umbrella in his hand instantly reduced to ash.

Mingde's blood had been completely drained, and his skin had been burned away by the blood-fire.

He had transformed into a grotesque skeleton with the head of a giant crocodile and a body covered in bone spurs, sitting cross-legged upon a lotus throne.

Golden threads tore into his neck, forcing him into a folded sitting posture, his hands forming the same Fearless Seal held by the Maitreya in the Mahavira Hall!

"What kind of monster is this?"

Before Zhu Yuanzhang could even process what was happening.

Accompanied by the sound of a silver vase shattering, a sharp, piercing pain struck his abdomen.

Several scarlet characters flashed suddenly before his eyes.

[You have died]