(The chapter was posted out of order. It's been fixed; this should be Chapter 54...)
Many had been caught up in the turmoil that day. Coupled with other upheavals, the Southern Sect's power had waned considerably. The Northern Sect, by contrast, had flourished. The Flying Cloud Temple alone had millions of believers, and its disciples had spread across renowned mountains and scenic retreats. It had become the mainstream of the Daoist Tradition.
Though no rule had been written down, the Daoist Register of Southern Sect disciples was also managed by the Flying Cloud Temple. That had become established practice.
Now Tang Changsheng was acting so defiant, plainly showing that he had no regard for the Flying Cloud Temple. The two Daoists could not help flying into a rage.
"How dare you! As a disciple of the Mysterious Gate, you dare show disrespect to the Three Pure Ones and refuse to honor the Daoist Patriarch..."
Before they could finish, Tang Changsheng cut them off with a shout. "Enough! Watch your mouths and stop pinning false charges on me. When have I ever disrespected the Three Pure Ones or the Daoist Patriarch? I simply have no respect for your Flying Cloud Temple. What are you going to do about it?"
Tang Changsheng could not let them saddle him with a charge like that. He interrupted them without the slightest courtesy and spoke bluntly.
His General's Temple belonged to a branch of the Southern Sect and had little connection to the Northern Sect. Yet these fellows had come here and immediately tried to throw their weight around with him. Their intentions were plainly suspect. How could Tang Changsheng let them have their way?
"You dare spout such arrogant nonsense..." Furious, one of the messenger Daoists pointed at Tang Changsheng, about to launch into