Outside Mud Dust Temple, Ji Yuan stepped directly through the open temple gates. Inside, a plump monk was sweeping the ground. He was about to say something upon seeing someone enter, but when he recognized Ji Yuan, he froze for a moment before his face lit up with delight.
"Great Ming King Buddha, Mister Ji, you've returned!"
Ji Yuan returned the salute.
"Master."
"Mister Ji, I'll go clean your monk's cell for you."
Ji Yuan stepped closer and raised a hand to stop him.
"No need, Master. It shouldn't be dirty yet."
The monk suddenly understood.
"Mister Ji is right. Young Master Li often comes by to clean it. Oh, a donor named Zuo is currently staying in the monk's cell over there. Lately, he seems to have been teaching Young Master Li martial arts."
"Mm, thank you, Master. I know that Great Hero Zuo as well. Ji will go over himself."
"Yes."
The monk clasped his broom and saluted. After Ji Yuan nodded, he headed toward Zuo Wuji's Monk's Cell. Over there, Li Feng was excitedly pestering Zuo Wuji with all sorts of questions about the martial shrine—asking how he had become a Martial Sage and whether he was the greatest expert under heaven.
Zuo Wuji tried his utmost to explain. After all, he had no idea what this martial shrine business was about, and the title of greatest expert under heaven had not truly been established either. As for the title of Martial Sage, although many fellow jianghu travelers and the common folk in those demon grotto-heavens called him that, he had never believed himself qualified to be called a sage.
"Tell me, tell me! Great Hero Zuo, do you have lots of subordinates? Are you the sort to raise one cry and have countless followers answer?"
"What