Luoyang's Three Great Powers, Paying a Night Visit to the Demon Sect's Master

Anguo Temple was a famous monastery in Luoyang. Its halls were complete, its collection of scriptures extensive, and its incense offerings flourished throughout the city.

Zhu Yingxiong carried a small cloth bundle on his back as he arrived before the temple and climbed the steps. The mountain gate stood wide open. In the dusk, layers of halls could vaguely be seen, while faint Buddhist chants drifted through the air, adding a touch of solemnity.

He took out his ordination certificate and handed it to the gate monk. After looking at it, the monk raised his eyes to inspect him, his expression shifting slightly. He said, "Please wait a moment, little master," then hurried inside to report.

Before long, a middle-aged monk came out to greet him at a brisk pace. Dressed in tea-brown robes, he moved with measured calm and wore a suitably warm smile. From a distance, he pressed his palms together in greeting.

"This humble monk is Mingjue, the guest master of this temple. I did not know a distinguished disciple of Shaolin would honor us with his presence. Forgive me for failing to welcome you from afar."

Zhu Yingxiong returned the greeting and said, "Sorry to trouble you." Mingjue warmly led him inside. They passed through several courtyards, yet headed directly for the abbot's quarters.

"Zen Master Xin Yin is in his meditation room. Upon hearing that a junior brother from Shaolin had arrived, he specifically instructed this humble monk to bring you to see him."

Zhu Yingxiong was faintly surprised. By custom, it was already an honor for a traveling monk to settle in before paying respects to the abbot. Being brought before him directly was an uncommon show of regard.

Inside the abbot's quarters, the meditation room was simple and unadorned. An old monk sat upright upon a cushion. His beard and brows were both white, his face lean, yet his eyes shone with clear vitality.

Zhu Yingxiong stepped forward, pressed his palms together, and bowed. "This junior disciple of Shaolin, Yuan Zhen, pays respects to Zen Master Xin Yin."

Zen Master Xin Yin nodded slightly and raised a hand to indicate that he should sit. His voice was gentle.

"Martial nephew Yuan Zhen, there is no need for such formality. Sit."

Zhu Yingxiong sat as instructed and did not beat around the bush, stating his purpose directly.

"This disciple has come first to lodge here and rest his feet, and second to ask your temple to send word to Shaolin and report that I am safe."

Zen Master Xin Yin nodded faintly. "All Buddhist sects under heaven are one family. Naturally, we shall open the door of convenience wide. Martial nephew, simply stay here without concern."

As he spoke, his gaze lingered on Zhu Yingxiong's face for a moment before he continued.

"Yesterday, rumors spread through the city that a Shaolin monk fought a Black List expert upon Luo River Bridge. Was that martial nephew?"

"It was this humble monk."

The old monk nodded slightly, seeming to show approval in his eyes.

"This old monk has indeed heard of the matter. Tan Yingshou is a man of the Black List and has been famous for more than forty years. To emerge from his hands unscathed is already extraordinary. Since martial nephew is safe and sound, it is clear that Shaolin martial arts run deep indeed. The younger generation inspires awe."

After a pause, he added.

"As for sending word, martial nephew may rest assured. This old monk will immediately dispatch someone to Shaolin. It shall be handled properly."

Zhu Yingxiong rose to offer his thanks. Zen Master Xin Yin waved a hand, signaling that there was no need for ceremony, then had Mingjue take him away to settle in.

After leaving the abbot's quarters, Mingjue led the way through several courtyards. Zhu Yingxiong stepped forward to walk beside him and took the initiative to make conversation.

"Senior Brother Mingjue, this junior has only just arrived and is still unfamiliar with Luoyang. How are the martial forces within the city distributed? It would help me know the proper bounds when traveling about in the future."

Hearing this, Mingjue slowed slightly and glanced sideways at him with a smile. "Junior Brother asks well. There is no need to mention the smaller forces for now, but Luoyang has three major martial powers. If Junior Brother intends to move about the city in the future, I fear they will be impossible to avoid. You must take heed of them."

"Oh? Which three powers are they?"

"The Plainclothes Sect, Ma Family Fort, and the Yellow River Gang."

"I would ask Senior Brother to explain in detail."

"The Plainclothes Sect is Luoyang's largest local underworld force. Its sect master, Chen Tong, is a renowned grand figure in the underworld. Seven or eight out of every ten inns, gambling houses, and brothels in the city are in his hands. Even the beggars and thieves in the streets and alleys fall under the Plainclothes Sect's control."

At this point, Mingjue's tone paused slightly, as though words had reached his lips only to be swallowed back down. He merely shook his head and continued.

"In short, their reach is immense and their influence enormous."

Zhu Yingxiong listened without any change in expression. He merely nodded slightly and committed the words to memory.

"Then there is Ma Family Fort, located on Luoyang's outskirts. Its lord, Ma Renming, is said to have deep ties with the 'Mighty King' at court, so his backing is formidable indeed. Most of his followers escort goods and travel on horseback, and his family wealth is abundant. He has one son, Ma Junsheng, who is said to have entered under the tutelage of Master No-Thought."

As Mingjue said this, a hint of envy entered his voice.

"Lastly, the Yellow River Gang. It is the greatest river force upon the Yellow River and has established a branch altar in Luoyang. The city's docks and ferry crossings are all under its control. Though it is an outside force, it must not be underestimated."

After explaining everything in one breath, Mingjue continued onward and led Zhu Yingxiong through several courtyards until they arrived before a secluded meditation room. Only then did he stop speaking.

Zhu Yingxiong pressed his palms together in salute. "Thank you, Senior Brother, for clearing up my confusion."

"Junior Brother is too polite." Mingjue smiled and reached out to push open the door.

The room inside was simple and clean: a bed, a low table, a meditation cushion, and an incense burner. The windows were bright and spotless.

"Junior Brother, rest here for now. If you need anything, come find me in the front courtyard."

Zhu Yingxiong pressed his palms together in thanks. Mingjue took his leave.

Within the meditation room, a single lamp burned like a bean.

Outside the window, the night gradually deepened.

When the midnight watch began, Zhu Yingxiong silently rose.

He took out a set of black clothes from his bundle and changed into them. Then he used a piece of black cloth to cover his mouth and nose before wrapping it tightly around his head as well.

A bald head was far too conspicuous at night. If anyone caught sight of him, nine out of ten would think of a monk. He had no choice but to conceal it.

He pushed open the door, tapped lightly with the tips of his feet, and vanished into the night.

Zhu Yingxiong slipped soundlessly out of Anguo Temple and headed straight for the eastern part of the city.

During the day, he had already determined that the secret markers left by the Yingui Sect pointed all the way east.

The eastern district was home to high-ranking officials, nobles, and wealthy merchants. In daylight, carriages and horses flowed endlessly through its streets. Now, in the deep quiet of night, only the lanterns hanging before the grand residences swayed gently in the night breeze.

Using his lightness skill, he skimmed over layer after layer of rooftops. Before long, he arrived outside an enormous estate.

He did not go through the main gate, instead circling to a side entrance.

He raised a hand and knocked.

Three long knocks, followed by two short ones, in a precise rhythm.

A moment later, the door creaked open a crack, revealing a stern face behind it. It was a young man carrying a saber, his gaze sharp as he looked Zhu Yingxiong over from head to toe.

Zhu Yingxiong said nothing. He simply raised a hand and made a complicated gesture—a gesture he had never used before, but one that had been practiced countless times in the original owner's memories.

The saber-bearing youth stared at him for a moment before finally stepping aside.

Zhu Yingxiong crossed through the gate. The youth shut it behind him without a word, merely raising a hand to signal for him to follow before heading inward.

They passed through courtyard after courtyard in complete silence. Only beneath a corridor did the youth stop.

Someone was already waiting there.

Dressed in gray cloth robes and thin of frame, it was none other than Elder Deng Yin.

Zhu Yingxiong and the saber-bearing youth stepped forward and bowed. Deng Yin nodded slightly, and his distinctively hoarse voice rang out.

"There's nothing more for you to do here. Go back first."

"Yes." The saber-bearing youth bowed in response. His gaze swept over Zhu Yingxiong once, then he turned and withdrew, quickly vanishing into the night.

Only after he had gone far away did Deng Yin look at Zhu Yingxiong. "Follow me."

With that, he turned and walked ahead. Zhu Yingxiong followed in silence.

"You arrived two days later than expected." Deng Yin walked in front, his voice unhurried. "It seems Tan Yingshou's Profound Qi Method is not an undeserved reputation."

"Yes. This disciple truly still has a gap to close." Zhu Yingxiong lowered his head in reply and said no more.

The two passed through covered corridors and building after building, eventually arriving at the rear garden. Artificial hills and piled stones stood amid concealing flowers and trees. Moonlight fell upon the pond, scattering rippling fragments of silver across its surface.

Deep within stood a waterside pavilion built against the pond. Its upturned eaves stretched wide, and it appeared quite spacious, yet its doors and windows were tightly shut without a trace of light escaping.

Deng Yin walked straight to the pavilion, pushed open the outermost door, and entered.

Zhu Yingxiong followed close behind.

The moment he stepped inside, a wave of heat rushed at his face. It was utterly unlike the crisp chill outside; this place was unnaturally warm. The farther inward they went, the stronger the heat became, as though every door brought them closer to a source of flame.

After passing through two doors, Deng Yin stopped before the third.

"Take off your face covering." He did not turn around. "The sect master is waiting for you inside."

Zhu Yingxiong's heart gave a slight jolt.

Though he had known all along that he would meet the Yingui Sect's sect master tonight, now that the moment had come, his heartbeat could not help quickening. He raised a hand and pulled away the black cloth covering his face, though not a trace of emotion showed on it.

He gently pushed open the door and entered.

Inside was even darker than outside. Only the candles on either side flickered, illuminating the vast space.

The heat was fiercer than before, rushing at him with a faintly scorching intensity, yet he could not detect where its source lay.

At the very center sat a figure cross-legged.

White hair. Purple robes. Their head was lowered, their face hidden in shadow and impossible to see clearly.

Zhu Yingxiong stopped at a distance, then bowed. "This disciple pays respects to the sect master."