Panda Novel
Chapter 122
Chapter 122
That’s right. Zhang Sanfeng was planning to crash the party—specifically, Shaolin’s party!
After hearing from Song Yuanqiao that the Sweeping Monk had dared to descend upon Tianzhu Peak to bully his disciple, Zhang Sanfeng was fuming. It was one thing if he was in seclusion and unaware, but now that he had successfully emerged, he couldn’t let this slide. What kind of master would he be if he didn’t vent this anger?
Zhang Sanfeng, usually gentle and avoiding conflict, now exuded a rare, murderous aura. He had once been a secular disciple at Shaolin, but founding Wudang had nothing to do with that period. Despite Shaolin occasionally bringing it up, he always taught his disciples not to mind it.
However, his leniency didn’t mean others could bully his disciples without consequence. In his youth, Zhang Sanfeng had a fiery temper, which had only mellowed with age and cultivation.
“You like talking about karma, huh? Well, let’s discuss karma properly!” Shaolin was a unified entity. Whether it was Ming’s Shaolin or Song’s Shaolin, there was little difference. Zhang Sanfeng set his sights on Song’s Shaolin and moved swiftly, covering vast distances with each step, as if shrinking the ground beneath him.
As a Land Immortal, Zhang Sanfeng’s power was fundamentally different from that of Heaven-Man experts. Any ordinary martial arts technique, when augmented by his true power, could unleash unparalleled might. This was the final realm of martial arts in the Nine Provinces, filled with profound mysteries.
***
At Song’s Shaolin Temple, golden temples stretched endlessly, usually bustling with pilgrims and exuding a deep sense of heritage.
Sacred chants often echoed from the depths of the temple, creating an aura of sanctity. This scene was far superior to Ming’s Shaolin, illustrating the difference made by having a Land Immortal in residence.
Ming’s Shaolin, despite being an ancient temple, had declined with only three Heaven-Man monks, and they were newly ascended. Their strength was far inferior to Song’s Shaolin.
The respect they received in the martial world was largely due to their shared Shaolin heritage.Nôv(el)B\\jnn
If another force had destroyed Ming’s Shaolin, Shaolin would have immediately mobilized to seek justice. But this time, it was Ning Changge and Wudang who had brought them down. Ning Changge, who had refined the Sweeping Monk’s Buddhist relic and severed the Evil Emperor’s limbs, was not to be trifled with.
The other Shaolin branches dared not act rashly, waiting for the Sweeping Monk to make a move. If he ever went to Wudang, the other branches would send reinforcements.
Today, however, Song’s Shaolin was not bustling with pilgrims but rather with martial artists. Prominent figures from Song’s martial world, including the Beggar Sect’s Qiao Feng, Gusu Murong’s Murong Fu, Dali’s Prince Duan Yu and Emperor Duan Zhixing, the Seven Masters of Quanzhen Sect, Xingxiu Sect’s Ding Chunqiu, Iron Palm Sect’s Qiu Qianren, and even minor figures like the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan and the Four Great Evils, had all gathered.
The reason for this gathering was multifaceted. For instance, the recent turmoil in the Beggar Sect, where their top talent Qiao Feng was revealed to be a Khitan, had caused a stir. Though he remained in the sect with Hong Qigong’s support, it left lingering issues.
(tln : Khitan were a nomadic people who originated from northeastern of china)
But the main reason for the gathering was to uncover the truth about the Battle of Yanmen Pass. Qiao Feng, or Xiao Feng, after learning about his heritage, wanted to get to the bottom of everything. Old matters were being brought up, dragging more secrets into the light, much to the delight of the onlookers.
For example, the affair between Shaolin’s Abbot Xuanci and Ye Erniang of the Four Great Evils, and the revelation that their illegitimate son, Xuzhu, had been hidden in Shaolin, astonished everyone. Then there were the tangled relationships of Duan Zhengchun with his numerous lovers, leaving Duan Yu bewildered as his romantic interests turned out to be his sisters.
Next came the feud between the Xiao and Murong families. Xiao Feng and Murong Fu, the young talents of Song, known as the Southern Murong and Northern Qiao Feng, finally stood on opposing sides. The truth about the Battle of Yanmen Pass was revealed when Xiao Yuanshan and Murong Bo stepped forward, exposing Murong Bo’s treachery that led to the attack on Xiao Yuanshan’s family.
A fierce battle ensued, thrilling the onlookers. Fathers fought fathers, sons fought sons. Except for Murong Fu, who was weaker, the rest were Heaven-Man experts, making the fight incredibly intense. But this was Shaolin’s territory. At a critical moment, the Sweeping Monk intervened.
“Amitabha, put down the butcher’s knife and turn back to shore,” he chanted, his presence alone stopping everyone in their tracks, including Heaven-Man experts like Xiao Feng. Everyone held their breath, stunned by the appearance of the gray-robed monk.
“A Land Immortal! Shaolin’s Buddha!” they exclaimed. Shaolin disciples were elated. With Ming’s Shaolin’s recent defeat, their prestige had waned, and they needed a boost.
This was the perfect opportunity. If they could bring these experts into Shaolin, their foundation would grow even stronger.
This was a tried-and-true tactic for Shaolin. “The sea of suffering is boundless; only by understanding life and death can one see through the illusions of the world,” the Sweeping Monk said, sending a wave of true power that put Xiao Yuanshan and Murong Bo into a state of suspended animation, astonishing everyone. This was the power of a Land Immortal, reducing Heaven-Man experts to mere children.
The onlookers didn’t realize Xiao Yuanshan and Murong Bo were in a state of suspended animation and thought the Sweeping Monk had killed them instantly. They were horrified by his ruthlessness. They didn’t know Shaolin’s plan was to help Xiao Yuanshan and Murong Bo understand life and death, then induct them into Shaolin, adding two top-tier Heaven-Man experts to their ranks.