Chapter 377 The Nine-leaf Method (Part One)
Lu Zhou looked at Mings.h.i.+ Yin. He asked in confusion, “What are the monks from the Heaven Choice Temple doing here in Golden Court Mountain?” He remembered that when the Four Divine Monks died, the Heaven Choice Temple had no choice but to leave their temple to prevent themselves from being the target of revenge. Then, n.o.body knew where they moved to.
Besides, Lu Zhou never had the intention to look for them in the first place. After the incident with the Temple of Great Emptiness, the Heaven Choice Temple had lost its former glory. The Buddhist Master, Xu Jing, was the only elite left. He had no choice but to lead his disciples as they moved and lived in seclusion.
Mings.h.i.+ Yin shook his head and said, “I don’t know, master.”
At this moment, Zhu Honggong, Old Eighth, waved his boxing gloves about as he appeared at the entrance to the great hall. He was about to kneel and greet Lu Zhou when Mings.h.i.+ Yin frowned and said, “Old Eighth, enough of your shenanigans. Get in here right now!”
Zhu Honggong chuckled sheepishly before he ran in. “Greetings, master.”
“What’s the matter?” Zhu Honggong bowed and said, “Zhou Jifeng told me that some people from the Heaven Choice Temple are here. I merely came to have a look.”
Lu Zhou said, “What does the arrival of the people from the Heaven Choice Temple have to do with you?”
Zhu Honggong instinctively pressed a hand to his chest.
Upon seeing this, Mings.h.i.+ Yin smiled knowingly. “You’re worried that they’re here for your zen tunic?”
Zhu Honggong was slightly embarra.s.sed at being seen through.
Mings.h.i.+ Yin said, “Do you even know where you are? Even if you give them the courage of ten lions, they won’t dare to touch you.” “You have a point, Fourth Senior Brother.”
At this exact moment, Pan Zhong brought Buddhist Master Xu Jing and the other monks into the great hall.
Xu Jing straightened a palm. The dozens of monks behind him joined their palms together as well as they bowed.
“Amitabha. Greetings, dear benefactors.”
Lu Zhou looked at the other monks and said, “One doesn’t visit a temple without a cause. What business do you have here in the Evil Sky Pavilion?”
Xu Jing said, “To return a favor.” His reply was short and simple.
Zhu Honggong scratched his head. “Return a favor?”
Abbot Xu Jing spoke slowly, “Amitabha… I pray that I may share my good fortunes with everyone, keep them from harm, and repent from our sins in this life and in our past lives…”
“Hold up, hold up…” Mings.h.i.+ Yin waved his hand irritably and said, “Spare us from your drivel. I’ll take it that you’re really here to return the favor.”
Buddhist Master Xu Jing stopped chanting the sutra.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded. ‘I don’t understand it as well.’
Xu Jing did not find this awkward at all. He said, “I heard that Golden Court Mountain’s barrier has vanished for a long time now. Knowing the ten great sects, they will surely launch an attack soon. Although the Heaven Choice Temple is a far cry from the Temple of Great Emptiness, we’re not an ungrateful bunch.”
Mings.h.i.+ Yin said mockingly, “I’ve never met people like you before. I wonder if I’m dreaming.” As he said this, he pretended to pinch himself.
Xu Jing repeated his words. “The Heaven Choice Temple has recruited 1,000 new disciples… They will be here as soon as I summon them.” He was speaking with a righteous expression, and he did not seem to be joking.
Mings.h.i.+ Yin’s smile vanished, and he looked at his master. He decided that it was best to leave this matter to his master.
Lu Zhou looked at the monks present as he said, “I know that you mean well, and I appreciate it… However, Golden Court Mountain is in no danger. Please return tomorrow.”
Xu Jing was taken aback. He did not expect to be completely rejected.
At this moment, Jiang Aijian walked into the hall with a smile on his face. “Old senior, please wait.”
When Lu Zhou saw Jiang Aijian, he stroked his beard and asked, “Do you have any brilliant ideas?”
Jiang Aijian said with a smile, “I won’t call it brilliant, but I do have an ordinary one.”
“Let us hear it.” “The Heaven Choice Temple is skilled in Buddhist cultivation methods that include sound techniques and healing skills.” Jiang Aijian looked at the monks. “They might just come in handy, what with all the strange happenings lately.” “What strange happenings?” Ever since he came back from the Three Sects, Lu Zhou had been thinking about the Nine-leaf stage. He had also been going through the scene of Yun Tianluo attempting to attain the Nine-leaf stage. He rarely asked about the happenings of the world.
Jiang Aijian said, “While you were at the Three Sects, I loitered around the area during my free time… I noticed that there were signs of withering in several places. I was curious, and I went to investigate… As I expected, the area near the Divine Capital, Rubei, Anyang, Upper Prime, and even the Mausoleum of Swords have signs of withering.” He paused before continuing, “Only a grand shaman is capable of such a feat…”
Mings.h.i.+ Yin could not help but feel slightly shocked as he said, “Grand shaman? The grand shaman that was lying in wait outside the Obedient Villa back then?”
Jiang Aijian nodded. “The Confucian Sects’ Expansive Heavenly Energy and the Buddhist Sects’ cultivation methods have much more of a suppressing effect on witchcraft. Hence… I suggest that they remain here.”
Upon hearing this, Mings.h.i.+ Yin rolled his eyes and said, “I thought that it would be some legitimate reason. Do you think the Evil Sky Pavilion needs reinforcements from them? What a joke. You, Abbot Xu Jing, how long do you plan on remaining in Golden Court Mountain?”
Abbot Xu Jing turned around and said, “Naturally, until the day of Benefactor Ji’s great limit.”
When Zhu Honggong heard this, he was about to display his loyalty by hurling abuses at Xu Jing. However, to his surprise, his master waved his hand and said, “Xu Jing.”
Buddhist Master Xu Jing faced Lu Zhou reverently.
Lu Zhou said, “I appreciate the fact that you intend on repaying me. When Ba Ma is dealt with, you may leave.” He thought to himself, ‘I’m just worried that you won’t live to see the day of my great limit.’
When Xu Jing heard this, he wondered in his mind, ‘Who’s Ba Ma?’ However, he did not hesitate when he responded with a straightened palm, “Amitabha.”
“Bring them to the northern pavilion.”
“I know Buddhist Master Xu Jing. Allow me to escort them…” Zhu Honggong pulled Xu Jing out of the great hall.
The moment they were out of the great hall, Zhu Honggong grabbed Xu Jing’s hand anxiously and said, “I’m so happy to meet you here. Help me remove the suppressing Formation veins from the zen tunic…” Xu Jing smiled sincerely. He straightened his palm and said, “Amitabha…”
“Quit your Amitabha-ing. There aren’t that many rules in the Evil Sky Pavilion. Let’s go, go, go…”
“For sure, for sure.”
The two of them put an arm around each other’s shoulders as they walked toward the northern pavilion. The monks who saw this were shocked and fl.u.s.tered.
The great hall was silent at this moment.
Lu Zhou sat down. He addressed Mings.h.i.+ Yin, “Summon Elder Pan and Elder Leng here.”
“Yes, master.” Shortly after, Leng Luo and Pan Litian followed Mings.h.i.+ Yin into the great hall.
The two of them cupped their fists slightly at Lu Zhou and sat down at the sides.
“Why did you summon us here, Pavilion Master?” Pan Litian asked.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and said, “The others may leave.”
Mings.h.i.+ Yin and Jiang Aijian were stunned. They wondered what matter was so serious that they even had to leave.
Mings.h.i.+ Yin waved his hand. The female disciples left the great hall.
“Master… I want to listen as well,” Mings.h.i.+ Yin said after he mustered up his courage. He had a feeling what his master was about to discuss was important. In terms of closeness and trustworthiness, he felt that he was comparable to Leng Luo and Pan Litian.
Jiang Aijian bowed and said, “Uh… old senior, you can just treat me as a pillar. I’ll just stay here quietly. I won’t say anything to anyone no matter what I hear!”
Lu Zhou looked at the two of them and said, “… Since the two of you want to stay, you’ll do well to listen carefully.”
“Yes, master!”
“Thank you, old senior.”
Leng Luo and Pan Litian had an expectant expression on their faces. Surely, it was something extraordinary if the pavilion master was taking it so seriously.
Lu Zhou’s gaze fell on Leng Luo and Pan Litian. “When I was having the chess match at the Luo Sect’s holy land, I discovered a way to attain the Nine-leaf stage.”