Chapter 922: A Huge Army
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Is Monk Zhi Shan really that powerful?” Li Ruolan asked.
Patrols were not the most skillful when it came to martial arts, yet they dared to roam around. This was because patrols knew about a type of mystical art. Using this mystical art right after activating the Secret Technique of Great Light would grant the patrols the ability to move at superhuman speed. This way, almost no one could catch up with them.
Nevertheless, this mystical art had its flaws too. Sometimes, patrols might not be able to activate it in time or when they were seriously injured. Just like Senior Brother Ji when he was in the Ji Dynasty, using the mystical art had led to a huge loss of vitality such that he had to spend a year and a half to recover it.
If one knew how intimidating Monk Zhi Shan was, they could simply activate this technique and the monk would not be able to do anything against them.
Chu Li sighed. “He could evade my flying blade.”
Li Ruolan frowned.
Junior Brother Zhao’s original cultivation level was not very high to begin with. Now, without recovering his prior abilities, he had depended solely upon the Light Blade to defend himself. Once his Light Blade had been rendered ineffective, it was akin to robbing him of his most reliable weapon and making him a tiger without fangs.
Chu Li spoke, “No martial arts is invincible in this world. The same thing applies to the Light Blade.”
“Then you really need to be careful,” Li Ruolan advised him.
Chu Li grinned. “It’s not like the Light Blade is my only weapon.”
Li Ruolan shook her head.
With such a weak cultivation level these days, he was unlike himself without his Light Blade. He was extremely lucky to be able to escape from the clutches of Monk Zhi Shan!
As Li Ruolan thought of this, she became worried. “Go restore your cultivation level at once!”
Chu Li nodded.
Both of them walked side by side and pa.s.sed through the northern city gates. They followed the crowded main road before they arrived at the Town Defense Prefecture in the city center.
With a flash of Li Ruolan’s waist tag, they were soon brought into the hall by the foreign chief.
People talking in the hall, and they were Ji Xin and Zhou Jinchun.
“Who’s that? Enter.” A soothing voice rang out from the hall.
Chu Li could already see the hall in his mind’s eye.
There was a middle-aged man sitting in an armchair at the north of the hall. His hair was white and he had a stocky build despite not being a tall person. He was a heavyset man who was not particularly handsome, yet he exuded a rugged charm. The man was laughing heartily.
Ji Xin and Zhou Jinchun were laughing along as they were seated in armchairs near him.
Li Ruolan and Chu Li entered the hall.
When Ji Xin and Zhou Jinchun saw them, they stood up in surprise. “Junior Brother Zhao, you’re back!”
Chu Li cupped his fists.
Li Ruolan curtsied. “Greetings, Altar Leader Mo.”
“Hehe, Ruolan, it must an exhausting journey for all of you. Your spirit pills are waiting for you here.” The middle-aged man smiled and looked at Chu Li. “So this is Zhao Dahe?”
Li Ruolan turned to glance at Chu Li and gave him a knowing look. “This is Mo Qianjun, also known as Altar Leader Mo. He is Mo Cuicui’s father.”
As usual, Chu Li gave a fisted salute. “Greetings, Altar Leader Mo!”
“Haha, Zhao Dahe, it’s a small world!” Mo Qianjun laughed loudly. “You killed Qingqing and I had someone plot against you, but we are even now. We wouldn’t have known each other without a fight!”
Chu Li gave another fist salute. There was no expression on his face.
Mo Qianjun had a high cultivation level and he was more skillful than Fang Qingyang.
Chu Li would have been suspicious before joining the Holy Church of Light. However, he understood now that luck was required to become a priest. Being highly-skilled at martial arts was a prerequisite, but one must have made enough contributions too.
A person like Mo Qianjun had the required cultivation level but had not made sufficient contributions. Although he was better at martial arts as compared to Fang Qingyang, he still could not become a priest.
The Holy Church of Light swore by the philosophy that the more skilled a person was in martial arts, the more he had to contribute. Those who were strong and mighty yet refused to give back to society would only be considered as regular disciples.
The ones who were promoted to be altar leaders were the wise and tactful members. Usually, it was natural for one to become a priest once he had achieved the required cultivation level. However, Mo Qianjun was unfortunate and fell behind.
He probably came to Falling Autumn City to build a name for himself and as an attempt to seize the role of a priest.
As Chu Li could see through his intentions, this made him even more wary of the latter. Since Mo Qianjun could hold back his grudge and welcome him with open arms, he must be cautious of such an individual.
Zhou Jinchun said, “Altar Leader Mo, if not for Junior Brother Zhao’s a.s.sistance this time, we wouldn’t have arrived here. There were experts from Royal Blade Palace and Hai Cang Mountain who stood in our way. Last but not least, an expert from the Reincarnation Temple showed up as well. They did look up to us after all!”
Mo Qianjun frowned. “The Reincarnation Temple?”
“Yes.” Zhou Jinchun shook his head. “This red-robed monk is one formidable fellow. That little wheel of his spun around so quickly and I nearly had my head sliced into half! Luckily, Junior Brother Zhao was there to distract him and help us, which is why we could come here!”
“Which monk?” Mo Qianjun looked at Chu Li.
Li Ruolan answered, “Zhi Shan.”
Mo Qianjun’s expression darkened. “Zhi! Shan!”
His face hardened at once and it was as stiff as a rock. It made him look hideous.
“Do you know Monk Zhi Shan, Altar Leader Mo?” Zhou Jinchun asked. “Have you actually fought with him?”
“Hmph, Zhi Shan!” Mo Qianjun shook his head.
Li Ruolan eyed Zhou Jinchun knowingly, hinting at him to stop asking.
Zhou Jinchun said quickly, “Altar Leader Mo, the spirit pills have been delivered. We shall leave now. Is there anything you want to tell us, Altar Leader Mo?”
“Since all of you have arrived, there’s no need to rush back.” Mo Qianjun’s expression returned to normal and a smile appeared on his face once again. “It isn’t too late if you rest here for two more days!”
“We are understaffed at the Holy Church and we fear that there will be more tasks to come,” Zhou Jinchun replied.
Mo Qianjun said, “Never mind, I want to treat all of you. You arrived just in time and have helped us a lot!”
Li Ruolan asked, “Altar Leader Mo, how are things in Falling Autumn City?”
“Not bad.” Mo Qianjun smiled. “I’m here together with Junior Sister Lu. The other three sects have witnessed the arrival of several experts.”
“They didn’t mess things up, did they?” A crease appeared between Li Ruolan’s brows.
Mo Qianjun grinned. “What time is it now? Would they even dare to mess things up?”
“That’s good.” Li Ruolan nodded. “Why don’t I see Senior Sister Lu?”
“She’s slightly wounded.” Mo Qianjun shook his head and smiled. “You can visit her. She’s in the backyard.”
He called out, “Come in!”
A young girl dressed in a green gown walked into the hall gracefully. “Altar Leader.”
“Take them to see Junior Sister Lu.”
“Yes.”
After that, the girl in green brought the four of them out of the hall.
Mo Qianjun’s gaze was directed towards Chu Li’s back and he bore a contemplative expression on his face.
Feeling Mo Qianjun’s gaze on himself, Chu Li could sense the latter’s desire to kill him. If he was not sensitive enough, he would not have realized this insidious murderous intent.
He turned his head to catch a glimpse of Mo Qianjun.
Mo Qianjun only smiled and nodded.
Chu Li maintained a cold expression before he turned his head again and followed the crowd.
Mo Qianjun kept his smile and it did not disappear with Chu Li’s departure.
As he walked on the stone-covered path that was surrounded by flowers and dense shrubs, Zhou Jinchun exclaimed happily, “I can finally see Junior Sister Lu!”
Ji Xin snorted. “Do you have a crush on Junior Sister Lu, Senior Brother Zhou?”
“Of course!” Zhou Jinchun replied. “Is there anyone in our Church who doesn’t like Junior Sister Lu?”
Ji Xin rolled his eyes. He did not share Zhou Jinchun’s views.
Although Junior Sister Lu was as beautiful as Junior Sister Li, she had an awful temper, domineering and oppressive. It posed as a stark contrast to her sweet and adorable looks in which she simply lacked any shred of tenderness and feminine charm. She was not likable at all!
As they followed the girl in green, they crossed two courtyards and reached a smaller, quaint courtyard.
The western wall was spa.r.s.ely covered by stalks of bamboo while a parterre laid in the middle of the courtyard. A small couch was placed in the center of the parterre.
A pretty young girl with sharp features was lying on the couch. Her face was pale and she stared intently at the blooming flowers.
“Junior Sister Lu, where’s your arm?!” Zhou Jinchun exclaimed as he stepped into the courtyard.
The girl was missing a left arm that had been sliced off.