Enemies Everywhere, Friends Across the Four Seas
Chu Tianshu reached out and grabbed him from a distance.
A surge of internal force enveloped the Fire Tree Dhuta, pulling him out and holding him in its hand.
The monk's limbs felt weak and limp, his bones ached, and his face was covered in large beads of cold sweat. Suddenly, he said, "I shouldn't have run. If I hadn't, I could have fought a couple more rounds."
Chu Tianshu glanced at the ascetic in surprise.
Speaking of which, on the eve of the explosion of half of Zheng Tianchang's body, he still thought of pulling strings. Although he was shocked, he did not show any ugly behavior of kneeling down and begging for mercy.
Even when Yang Zhenyi was half-dead, he was still able to plan for future generations.
The monk in front of us was the same; even after being beaten like this, he calmed down again in just a short while.
Could it be that because of their Heart and Blood Martial Dao, they possess an inherent sense of courage and fortitude, and their mental fortitude is generally quite strong?
Chu Tianshu couldn't help but think of that evil god follower from India, and secretly shook his head.
Internal energy cultivation is much more inclusive; even someone like that, given a push from an evil god, can break through Taboo.
When the caravan members saw Chu Tianshu returning carrying the monk, they were all at a loss for what to do.
That battle just ended way too quickly.
Such a powerful ascetic was utterly defeated in the blink of an eye!
They didn't know whether Chu Tianshu was friend or foe, but they did know that if this man also wanted to be an enemy of the caravan...
Even if they fought to the death, they probably wouldn't be able to hinder this person in the slightest.
The motorized carriage remained completely silent, not daring to move.
"Now you can answer me."
Chu Tianshu said, "Why are you fighting in front of my city gate?"
He gestured towards the monk in his hand, "You go first."
Just as Fire Tree Dhuta was about to gather some strength, it was scattered by him. He felt empty inside, which was worse than death, and he couldn't help but grit his teeth.
"I've told you the truth, so just give me a quick death. I've come for the Mountain King Divine Drum..."
The ascetic briefly recounted the origins of the Divine Drum and its reappearance in Kingdom of Chenla).
Cheng Xin also arrived at this time, Chucheng, and went to Chu Tianshu's side.
"The drum of the Mountain King Divine Monk?"
Cheng Xin stroked his beard and pondered, "There are indeed quite a few legends about this drum."
"One theory is that seventeen years ago, when the Mountain King Divine Monk was on his deathbed, he had already figured out a fatal flaw in the Red Emperor's martial arts."
"Even though the Mountain King is dead, as long as someone can obtain that drum, they can still exploit that weakness."
"Therefore, it was only seven years ago that the Mountain King's eldest disciple dared to challenge the Red Emperor."
Cheng Xin shook his head and said, "However, the internal strife within the Mountain King's sect was quite fierce, which led to the drum being stolen by a fellow disciple on the eve of the duel, resulting in the Mountain King disciple's tragic death within thirty moves."
"In my opinion, this is just the Tubo trying to glorify themselves. The Mountain King himself has been defeated; what can he possibly accomplish with just a drum left?"
Chu Tianshu nodded to himself.
He didn't think that a drum could be the decisive factor in defeating Hai Donglai.
However, when he saw the motorized carriage, he hesitated for a moment.
The current state of Weapon Soul techniques in this world is quite mysterious.
That drum could provoke such a fierce battle between several experts; perhaps it really does possess some kind of power?
Fire Tree Dhuta then argued, "Hai Donglai is also a human being."
"He is 147 years old. Seventeen years ago, he was 130 years old."
"Can someone this old really completely heal the near-death injuries he suffered back then? I doubt he's as good as he was seventeen years ago."
As the monk spoke, his breathing quickened slightly, and his eyes seemed to burn with wildfire.
"If I could obtain this Divine Drum and find an opportunity to kill Hai Donglai, then across the five lakes and four seas, throughout the world, which country would not know my name?"
Chu Tianshu said calmly, "I think you're courting death."
"Death is inevitable for everyone. Having cultivated to this point, I know full well that I can never be the most skilled martial artist in the world."
The Fire Tree Dhuta longed, "But if I could kill Hai Donglai, who in this world could match that feat..."
Chu Tianshu shook him again, making him dizzy and pale.
Even his lips and teeth were trembling, and he couldn't utter the rest of his words.
Cheng Xin said, "Grand Uncle, I'm afraid there are quite a few delusional people like this ascetic in the world."
That was, after all, the highest mountain of martial arts in the world, standing there for over a hundred years.
From the top martial arts master in Chang'an to the top martial arts master in the Great Tang, travel became more convenient as martial arts developed.
Today, Hai Donglai undoubtedly the most renowned warrior among all nations, without exception.
How many people want to try and see if they can take down this mountain?
However, some people want to defeat him in martial arts, while others will stop at nothing to achieve their goals.
"I think the people who truly want him dead aren't just those who have aspirations in martial arts."
Although Chu Tianshu only had a rough understanding of the current situation in the Great Tang, he could tell that there were many people both inside and outside the Great Tang who felt that Hai Donglai's existence was blocking their path.
"Hai Donglai, Hai Donglai, over a hundred years have passed, and you've reduced yourself to this state. I suppose you are now..."
Chu Tianshu paused, recalling the red-clad man who, despite not having known him for very long, had given him his entire collection.
Cheng Xin, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but sigh upon hearing this.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Chu Tianshu suddenly laughed.
"You must be very happy now."
He was revered by all, yet everyone around him was an enemy.
Even an honest person like Chu Tianshu would feel a surge of excitement and a sense of well-being just thinking about such an interesting situation.
Besides, there's that abnormal guy Hai Donglai.
Cheng Xin was stunned. Looking at Chu Tianshu, who was laughing more and more happily, he accidentally plucked out several of his own beard hairs.
"Grand Uncle, you... this..."
"Nothing, I just remembered something funny."
After Chu Tianshu finished laughing, he tossed the monk aside and looked at the mechanical carriage.
"Do the two people in the car have anything to add or correct regarding what this monk just said?"
The carriage fell silent for a moment, and small wooden blocks on the tortoise shell began to move, revealing a portal.
The two people inside the car jumped out.
In Li Chenxiang's hands, he also held a sandalwood box.
"General Cheng."
Su Xian and Cheng Xin had met a few times before. As soon as Su Xian got out of the car, he bowed to Cheng Xin, and when he looked at Chu Tianshu, he was very respectful.
Anyone whom Cheng Xin calls his great-uncle must be someone whose strength and status would likely leave the caravan with no room for resistance.
It's also possible... there's no need to resist.
"There's only one thing that needs to be corrected."
Su Xian said, "We are sending this drum to Chang'an not only because the Kingdom of Chenla cannot destroy this treasure, but also because we are going to Chang'an to find someone to destroy it."
"Moreover, we wish to dedicate this treasure to Elder Hai."
"If this treasure can truly point out your flaw, then perhaps you will have a way to remedy it, Yannian, and ensure the continued peace and tranquility of our Great Tang Dynasty."
When Su Xian said this, his eyes shone brightly, and everyone could see the sincerity in them.
His form of address was also quite subtle.
Foreigners often referred to Hai Donglai as the Red Emperor, while those who hated him used other names, and those who revered him mostly called him Prince.
Su Xian addressed him as "senior," not in a polite way, but very seriously, as if addressing a teacher or mentor.
The Blood-Colored Starry Sky, though guiding all beings equally, still makes a great difference between those with famous teachers and those without.
When Su Xian was young, he was just a commoner with no way to study. As for the so-called imperial examinations, that was something that people like him didn't have any chance of doing.
After Hai Donglai rebuilt the Great Tang, he submitted a memorial claiming that the reason why there were frequent military uprisings in the country was that those conscripted into the army were all adults and difficult to educate.
We should establish civil and military schools in various places, and encourage private schools, providing subsidies to cultivate talent from a young age, so that there will be more loyal and patriotic people.
Many officials in the court today have risen through this path, being selected at each level.
Although Su Xian did not pursue an official career, he was a military officer, which enabled him to borrow his first capital when he started his business.
He could not forget that he had received six years of instruction in a private school run by an old Inner Guard, which laid a solid foundation for his current achievements.
Facing Chu Tianshu, Li Chenxiang felt a little nervous. After calming himself down, he said, "In the past sixty years, the Red Emperor has been alive, making it difficult for wars to break out. His protection extends far beyond the Great Tang."
"That's why I was determined to leave Chenla and participate in this escort mission."
Chu Tianshu stared at the two of them, and after a moment, he slightly raised his gaze.
Clear skies with white clouds, and distant green mountains.
Some people feel that a sword hanging over their heads has blocked their path.
But there are still many people in the world who do not like turmoil or the flames of war, but only love this clear sky and beautiful landscape, and are content to cultivate their land.
"Ha! Hahahaha..."
Chu Tianshu laughed again.
(End of this chapter)