Ciwen: "Then go and find out."
"Yes!"
Hong Zhanming was about to leave when Ciwen asked him to stay.
"No rush, people from Mount Liang are coming, you should meet them too."
Ciwen said this.
118 men from Mount Liang came, their power overwhelming Jiannan.
"No rush, people from Mount Liang are coming, you should meet them too."
Ciwen said this.
Hong Zhanming was startled upon hearing this, but remained outwardly calm, nodding in agreement and standing beside Ciwen.
A moment later, a monk led the two into the main hall.
Two men stepped over the threshold and came in.
The first man was a burly monk, over eight feet tall, with broad shoulders, a thick back, a neck as thick as an ox, a square face, a wide mouth, thick, dark eyebrows, and a pair of round eyes that exuded a dignified and awe-inspiring power.
This physique and demeanor immediately evoke the image of a fierce Vajra enshrined in a temple!
Following behind the monk was a thin, middle-aged man dressed in a blue, fitted outfit. He had a slightly yellowish complexion, a pointed chin, and small, bright eyes. After entering the hall, he quickly scanned every corner of the room. He walked silently, his steps light and quick, following the monk like a monkey perched on Vajra's shoulder.
Upon seeing Ciwen, the burly monk clasped his hands together and said in a loud, booming voice, "Greetings, Senior Brother."
Ciwen stood up, a smile on his face, "Junior Brother Zhigang, it's been several years since we last met. You've become even more robust; your martial arts must have improved as well."
Zhigang smiled and pointed to the thin man behind him, "This is Liang An, who also works under Commander Song of Mount Liang."
A man named Liang An stepped forward and bowed to Ciwen, saying, "Greetings, Master Ciwen. I have long admired your name."
"You're too kind, benefactor."
Ciwen gestured to Hong Zhanming to bring out prayer mats for the two of them, and then invited them to sit down.
Zhigang had been staring at Ciwen ever since he entered the main hall. After sitting down, he looked at him for a while longer before suddenly asking, "May I ask, senior brother, have you already entered the First Rank rank?"
Ciwen smiled slightly, "Junior Brother has discerning eyes."
Zhigang's face lit up with joy, and he clasped his hands together, saying, "Amitabha! Senior Brother, you have been dedicated to martial arts for decades, and your wish has finally come true. Congratulations! If our Master were still alive, he would surely be overjoyed for you!"
He spoke sincerely, but Liang An's expression changed as he carefully observed Ciwen.
Mount Liang has now gathered almost all the heroes and valiant men of Jiannan Circuit, as well as some other masters from various places. The First Rate masters even exceeds the number in two hands!
But First Rank master is the First Rate First Rate the best. If they participate in the martial arts examination, they have a chance to compete for the title of martial arts champion and become famous before the emperor! There are only a handful of such masters in the entire Mount Liang.
This Ciwen before me has actually reached the First Rank?!
Liang An's eyes flickered as he pondered to himself.
After congratulating Ciwen, Zhigang asked, "How Liaoming? Last time I came, he even taught me a set of staff techniques."
His master and Liaoming were good friends, and if we trace their lineage back, they could be considered disciples of the same Buddhist lineage. It was because of this that Zhigang met Ciwen, and Ciwen, through Zhigang's connection, established contact with Mount Liang long ago.
The hall fell silent, and Ciwen stopped reciting the Ciwen beads in her hand.
"Uncle Liaoming, he—"
A look of sorrow appeared on Ciwen's face, and his voice was low and somber, "He was murdered by treacherous people and has already passed away."
Zhigang's smile froze. He paused for a moment, then his expression changed drastically. "What?!"
His fists clenched so hard his knuckles cracked, his eyes widened, and veins bulged on his forehead. The candlelight in the hall flickered as he roared!
"Amitabha."
Ciwen and recited a Buddhist chant.
"Senior brother, who killed Uncle Liaoming?!"
Zhigang's chest heaved violently, his eyes burning with rage.
"A woman."
Ciwen twirled the prayer beads in his hand again. "His movements are extremely fast, and his swordsmanship is superb; he should be First Rank master."
First Rank- tier martial arts expert? A woman?
Zhigang's thick eyebrows furrowed. "What is this person's name? Who is he from?"
Her name is Xu Nanzhi.
Ciwen said her name, "I only know that she is now a doctor at a clinic in Bo County, but I don't know who she was before."
"Xu Nanzhi?"
Zhigang repeated the name, his brows furrowing even deeper. "A doctor?"
He turned to Liang An beside him. "Brother Liang, you're well-informed, have you ever heard of such a person?"
Liang An had been listening quietly. When Zhigang asked him a question, he thought for a moment and said, "There are already few women who practice martial arts, and even fewer who can reach the First Rate- class level. First Rank first-rank master, especially a woman, I have never heard of anyone named Xu."
Ciwen held his prayer beads without saying a word.
"But."
Liang An changed the subject, "Perhaps this person is using a false name. If Master Ciwen could provide me with a portrait, I will definitely have someone inquire about him thoroughly when I return."
Ciwen nodded. "Good."
Zhigang turned to Ciwen: "Senior brother, how did Uncle Liaoming and this woman become enemies?"
Ciwen did not answer immediately, so Hong Zhanming stepped forward and spoke first:
"Master Zhigang, I can answer this question. Xu Nanzhi has a son Wu Shuangren, who raised a local militia in Bo County and then went to West River Market to seize the docks, extort money from merchants, and commit countless atrocities! Our temple sent people to reason with him, but he relied on his superior numbers and attacked directly, killing several of our monks, Kongzheng!"
Zhigang narrowed his eyes, his anger growing stronger.
"Liaoming came out of seclusion this time to seek Kongzheng for Master Kongzheng."
Hong Zhanming sighed, "Who knew Xu Nanzhi would suddenly appear out of nowhere..."
Zhigang, his face contorted with rage, glared at Ciwen: "Senior brother, this bully actually killed Kongzheng?"
Ciwen sighed and nodded, "Yes, he's been very aggressive. Many people from my Mist Hidden Temple have already died at his hands."
Liang An looked at the abbot, his eyes shifting, hesitant to speak, but ultimately remained silent.
"This is outrageous!"
Zhigang roared, his voice echoing throughout the hall, "How can we tolerate such a villain?!"
He added, "Senior brother, Mount Liang acts on behalf of Heaven and will not stand idly by in this matter. Once I return and report this to the Grand Commander, the day our Mount Liang army arrives, we will surely wipe out this scoundrel surnamed Wu, to Liaoming, Nephew Kongzheng, and all those innocent monks!"
Ciwen looked at Zhigang: "So, you're already planning to take action?"
Liang An, who had been silent until now, spoke up, "The specific time to take action will be decided by my brother and the strategist; we dare not speak presumptuously. We are here on behalf of my brother to inquire with the abbot—is the previous agreement still valid?"
The hall fell silent again. Ciwen slowly turned the Ciwen beads in his hand, and smiled—a compassionate smile, exactly like the Buddha statue behind him.
"Natural function."
Liang An and Zhigang exchanged a glance, both with smiles on their faces.
"Only..."
Ciwen spoke again, "Times have changed. When this matter was agreed upon several years ago, Yi Province was still under our temple's control. But now, a powerful enemy has emerged in Bo County, killing two of our temple's First Rate experts. Their army is strong and well-established, and the situation in Yi Province is no longer what it used to be. This old monk is worried that this might jeopardize Commander Song's important plans."
Liang An frowned slightly.
Before Liang An could speak, Zhigang immediately said, "What's so difficult about that? Senior Brother, don't worry. After I go back, I'll ask the Grand Commander for a troop of men. I'll personally lead them here to join forces with Mist Hidden Temple and wipe out this villain. We'll use his head to appease Uncle Liaoming and Nephew Kongzheng!"
Ciwen nodded. "That would be best. This old monk will await the good news of the earth-shattering movement at Mount Liang."
Liang An pursed his lips and remained silent.
Zhigang and Ciwen talked for a while longer. Ciwen then ordered someone to bring a portrait of Xu Nanzhi and give it to Liang An. After that, the two got up to take their leave.
Ciwen personally escorted the two out of the main hall.
After leaving the main hall, a monk led the two down the mountain via a small path behind it.
"Wu Shuangren! Xu Nanzhi!"
On the mountain path, Zhigang continued to mutter those two names, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
He was raised by his master from a young age, who was both his teacher and his father to him, and they had a deep bond.
Liaoming was his master's best friend. He taught him martial arts when he was a child and treated him very well. Liaoming always regarded him as a close elder.
Therefore Liaoming's death haunted him.
"Master Zhigang."
Liang An, standing to the side, glanced at Zhigang and subtly reminded him, "I don't think the feud between Mist Hidden Temple and the Bo County Militia is as simple as that Steward Hong made it out to be."
The rumors about a local tyrant committing heinous acts, which Mist Hidden Temple couldn't stand, and sending people to confront him... Liang An didn't even need to inquire to know that such claims were false!
If we're talking about bullies, the Mist Hidden Temple has been the real tyrant in Yi Province all these years. It's just that his older brother needs the Mist Hidden Temple's power, and there's also the connection with Zhigang, so Liang An has been holding back and hasn't said anything.
Zhigang shook his head. "I don't care what grudges they have against each other. I only know that they killed my sect elder, and I will avenge him!"
After hearing what he said, Liang An stopped trying to persuade him.
We're all people in this world, we settle scores and seek revenge, there's nothing more to say.
Zhigang glanced back at the temple above the mountain path. "Brother Liang, I know you are intelligent, which is why the Grand Commander sent you with me this time. Do you think Mist Hidden Temple is sincerely cooperating with us?"
As he spoke, he no longer displayed the reckless attitude he had shown in the main hall.
Liang An nodded upon hearing this. "That's more like what the leader of the Mount Liang Vajra Hall would say."
Zhigang touched his bald head. "I was so angry that I lost my composure. Please don't laugh at me, Brother Liang."
Liang An said solemnly, "Previously, it was you, Hall Master, who had been in contact with Mist Hidden Temple. You know the most about their situation. According to the information you provided, plus the news I gathered from the Eight Winds Hall, Mist Hidden Temple has been quietly growing stronger over the years, and it seems they are indeed preparing for something big. It's just that this Ciwen..."
Zhigang glanced at him. "Speak freely."
Liang An: "From the very first meeting, he made you realize that he had already entered the First Rank realm, clearly wanting to use you and me to let the Grand Commander know his true worth... I'm afraid he's waiting for a better price."
Zhigang: "Waiting for the best price is fine. As long as he's genuinely willing to cooperate, the President isn't incapable of being tolerant."
Liang An nodded. "That's right. As long as he's truly cooperating, why would my brother hesitate to reserve a seat for him in the Gathering of Righteousness Hall?"
The two talked as their figures gradually disappeared into the twilight.
In the main hall behind the mountain, Ciwen sat cross-legged on the futon again, with Hong Zhanming standing to the side.
"The abbot instructed me to raise cavalry, buy infantry armor, and store grain—all in preparation for this day?"
Hong Zhanming asked in a low voice.
Ciwen didn't answer, but instead asked, "What do you think?"
Hong Zhanming shook his head. "I am but a down-on-his-luck scholar who couldn't even pass the imperial examinations. How could I possibly understand the general trend of the world?"
Ciwen looked up at the senior manager he had personally promoted. "You don't need to be modest. You've managed Mist Hidden Temple very well over the years. In the future, when you move to a bigger stage, you won't be any less capable."
Upon hearing the words "a larger chessboard," Hong Zhanming's body trembled slightly.
He took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on Ciwen: "Does the abbot really think so highly of Mount Liang that he's even willing to stake on the savings of Mist Hidden Temple over the decades?"
Ciwen chuckled self-deprecatingly, "If the world were like the water in a bowl, eternally unchanging, this old monk would only need to guard this temple; why would I need to worry about the affairs down the mountain?"
Hong Zhanming seemed to be deep in thought.
Ciwen continued, "Several years ago, when the Grand Commander of Mount Liang wrote to me, I knew he was ambitious. Later, Mount Liang grew stronger and stronger, becoming a powerful Crouching Tiger force! Last year, Yellow Turban Rebellion out, I knew that Grand Commander Song would definitely not sit still. Sure enough, he wrote to me again, inviting me to join him in a great undertaking!"
"Mount Liang is located in Rong Province, which borders Yi Province. Once the incident occurs, Rong Province will definitely be unable to stop it! At that time, Mount Liang will not let go of this rich land of Yi Province. If Mount Liang's forces march south, what will become of my Mist Hidden Temple?"
Hong Zhanming fell silent. He could imagine that if that time really came, Mist Hidden Temple, as the number one local power in Yi Province, would definitely be the first to be targeted!
Do you know the cultivation level of these two people who came today?
Ciwen asked again.
Hong Zhanming: "Master Zhigang is definitely First Rate expert. As for Liang An, I am blind and ignorant of martial arts, so I cannot tell."