I, Zhu Yuanzhang, Will Never Sell Out

"Then I have no choice but to restart the Fixed-Light Demon-Subduing Art."

"The consciousness projection via the Dagon Visualization Diagram is not precise; I cannot capture Dagon's full form in an instant."

"During this time, I must try to find the original copy of the Mountain-Shrinking Fist within Imperial Awakening Temple, or use the secret history to re-determine the exact coordinates for observing Dagon's emergence."

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed.

He began to form hand seals and meditate once more.

A few minutes later, a flash of light flickered across his forehead.

"It is done, the Dingguang Demon-Subduing True Technique."

Compared to the Mountain-Shrinking Fist, the conflict between the Dingguang Demon-Subduing True Technique and the Great Wisdom Zen Technique was far more violent.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang had died enough times while cultivating the Dingguang Demon-Subduing True Technique that he was sufficiently proficient in the process.

Consequently, he succeeded even faster than he had with the Mountain-Shrinking Fist.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the sky, which had fully brightened outside the stable, and raised his palm.

In the center of his palm, a golden-red candle flame burned dimly.

"The consumption of the three treasures—essence, energy, and spirit—is still within a controllable range."

"With the Great Wisdom Zen Technique offsetting the side effects, even if I don't practice the Mountain-Shrinking Fist, I can live for at least thirty years."

"Of course, that is assuming I do not come into conflict with anyone."

"For an ordinary practitioner of the Fixed-Light Demon-Subduing Art, that is still a number that can be called a miracle."

Feeling the three treasures of essence, energy, and spirit being continuously consumed within his body, Zhu Yuanzhang sighed inwardly.

Is it strong? It's bought with one's life!

"Junior Brother Zhu."

Outside the stable, following the sound of a copper gong, a plump, fair-skinned monk stood in place.

He was accompanied by two young monks behind him, and he beckoned toward him.

"I am here, Senior Brother Yuanhui."

Zhu Yuanzhang stood up and replied.

The plump, fair-skinned monk in the middle was one of the four great disciples under Gao Bin, the abbot of the temple.

He was usually in charge of the temple's educational affairs and the cleaning of the inner and outer grounds.

At this hour, it was typically his job to lead the novice monks like Zhu Yuanzhang in cleaning the premises.

However—

Hm?

Seeing the joy that surfaced on Yuanhui's slightly pale face, Zhu Yuanzhang felt that something was not quite right.

"It's good that you're alright..."

Yuanhui wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

As if granted a reprieve, he walked up to Zhu Yuanzhang and pulled two steamed buns from his robes, placing them into his palm.

"..."

Zhu Yuanzhang retreated slightly, without leaving a trace.

Before he became a monk, he had heard stories of high-ranking monks in temples who, relying on their status and power, often harassed young and handsome novice monks under the cover of night.

Although he had never heard of Yuanhui having such tendencies in the past.

But... what if?

Zhu Yuanzhang scrutinized Yuanhui, whose eyes were filled with the sentiment that it was truly great that he was safe, with a wary gaze.

Although his appearance was a bit wretched due to long-term malnutrition.

But he couldn't help it... he was young, wasn't he?

It was currently the fourth year of Zhizheng (1344), and in this world, he was born in the first year of Tianli (1328), having fled to the temple just last year.

He had only just turned sixteen last month.

Zhu Yuanzhang felt that even if he was a bit thin and dark now, feeling the vigorous three treasures within his body, he could at least be considered a bit of a "fresh meat," right?

Being targeted by an old predator... it was actually normal.

After all, in the original history, Zhu Yuanzhang did not have his own system.

How did he... ahem...

Associating this with the countless possibilities of an "if" timeline.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not want to let his thoughts wander, but he couldn't help his expression becoming somewhat colorful.

"That damn clickbait literature has once again brutally raped my brain.jpg"

"Junior brother, no need to be nervous. I have come this time to convey the decree of Master Gao Bin, summoning all monks who entered the temple in the third year of Zhizheng to gather at the Mahavira Hall."

Yuanhui noticed Zhu Yuanzhang's hesitation and explained.

"Why is the temple suddenly summoning the monks who entered in the third year of Zhizheng?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked as he followed Yuanhui out the door.

"This matter was not supposed to be told to you."

Walking along the mountain path toward the Mahavira Hall, a cold mountain breeze blew in their faces, causing Yuanhui to shiver involuntarily.

He tightened his cotton-padded red silk monk's robe, looked at the mountain path that seemed to stretch endlessly into the thin morning mist, and said in a low voice.

"For seven consecutive days, someone has gone missing in the temple every night, and they were all young monks who entered in the third year of Zhizheng."

The willow trees on both sides of the road rustled as their branches and leaves rubbed together in the cold wind.

The morning sun had already peeked over the mountain behind them, but the temperature showed no signs of rising; if anything, it was dropping.

"The yin energy within Imperial Awakening Temple has grown heavier."

Zhu Yuanzhang swallowed the last bite of his slightly cold steamed bun.

The True Fire burned before his forehead, dispelling the bone-chilling cold that permeated the path from the servants' quarters to the Mahavira Hall.

The two young monks following behind Yuanhui instinctively moved closer to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Even they did not understand why the sense of security they felt behind Zhu Chongba far exceeded that of the senior monk Yuanhui.

"The culprit's methods are highly skilled. Aside from the young monks found in the abandoned Scripture Depository at the back of the mountain, all of whom had been drained of blood, no clues were left behind. The imperial officials are at their wits' end, and the temple suspects that a demon may be at work!"

"The Abbot speculates that the culprit will strike again tonight, so he has ordered us to gather all monks who entered in the third year of Zhizheng into the Mahavira Hall."

"Tonight, the temple's martial monks and Master Gao Bin himself will patrol. As long as that culprit dares to show up, we will ensure he never leaves!"

Although Yuanhui spoke with great righteousness.

Considering the shadows cast by the torture inflicted by the monks of Yinglong Temple—the predecessor to Imperial Awakening Temple—as recorded in the secret histories.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not believe a single word Yuanhui said.

He even harbored a dark suspicion that the Abbot of Imperial Awakening Temple was gathering everyone together just to make them easier to slaughter.

After all, why today of all days?

Why specifically the monks who entered in the third year of Zhizheng?

"With Master Gao Bin present, we will surely capture the ringleader and slay the demon!... But senior brother, have you ever heard of Yinglong Temple?"

Zhu Yuanzhang first offered a bit of flattery, then made a sudden, jarring leap in the conversation.

"Uh... Yinglong Temple? That was a long time ago... It seems a great fire burned the temple to the ground, and Imperial Awakening Temple was rebuilt on that foundation. I don't know the specific details, but the Abbot certainly would."

Yuanhui was stunned, seemingly unable to react to Zhu Yuanzhang's abrupt change of topic.

He scratched his head, pondered for a moment, and replied.

"Why?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked suspiciously.

"At the time, Abbot Gao Bin was a novice monk welcoming guests at the temple. It was only after that great fire that he became the Abbot, a position he has held for sixty years."

Yuanhui answered casually.

"If you are truly interested in that history, you could go to the Scripture Depository on the back mountain... There should still be some manuscripts left behind by the monks of Yinglong Temple that weren't burned. However, I wouldn't recommend you go... That place is wicked, or it wouldn't have been abandoned until now."

As Yuanhui said this, he seemed to recall something, and a flash of dread crossed his eyes.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to completely miss the implication of his words, instead pointing his finger at a black figure standing with its back to them on the mountain path ahead, and asked.

Wicked?

"Is it as wicked as that thing?"

Seemingly sensing the gaze of the group, the thing turned its head.

Pale eyes, long black hair, and tusks as thick and long as a wild boar's.

When it noticed the monks, a bloodthirsty glint flashed in its eyes.

"It's a Shadow Walker!"

Yuanhui said, almost through gritted teeth.