Chapter 394 - 222: Beating Up the Riddler

Chapter 394: Chapter 222: Beating Up the Riddler

Xie Yuan’s pupils contracted sharply when he heard how Monk Huie Jue addressed him.

’Did he just...’

’...call me Patron Xie?’

’This monk knows who I am?’

A flicker of change crossed Xie Yuan’s eyes as countless thoughts raced through his mind.

Seeing Huie Jue’s pure, placid expression—the very picture of confidence and wisdom, with no trace of mere guesswork—he fell silent for a moment.

Then, Xie Yuan said calmly,

"May I ask, Monk Huie Jue, how do you know my identity? We are not acquainted."

With his identity suddenly exposed, Xie Yuan’s first instinct was to try and cover it up, to bluff his way out of the situation.

But Huie Jue had appeared so suddenly, cornering him in this alley. He had clearly come specifically for him. To deny it now would be to underestimate the monk, nothing more than shameless sophistry.

Although he didn’t know how or why the monk knew, denying it in this situation would be self-deception. Xie Yuan decided not to waste his breath. He would see what game Huie Jue was playing.

Huie Jue smiled, chanted a Buddhist mantra, and said,

"Surely, Patron, you have heard of the Buddhist Celestial Eye Power and Celestial Ear Power?"

Xie Yuan frowned at his words.

The fame of the Buddhist Divine Powers was legendary; of course he had heard of them.

However, while cultivating these Divine Powers might sharpen a monk’s senses, making their hearing and sight exceptionally keen, Xie Yuan refused to believe they could truly allow one to see and hear from thousands of miles away as if they were there in person.

If it were the abbot of Prajna Temple, the Grandmaster ranked third on the Celestial Dragon List... then perhaps.

Xie Yuan was skeptical. He had no idea what kind of power a Grandmaster truly possessed. Were they really like gods walking the earth?

But looking at Huie Jue, he just shook his head and said,

"I have heard of the five Buddhist Divine Powers, but if you claim that’s how you know, Monk Huie Jue, I find it hard to believe."

"Amitabha! Monks do not tell lies. Why do you not trust this humble monk, Patron Xie?"

Huie Jue beamed.

"This humble monk not only knows that you, Patron Xie, have been hiding on Cloud Mountain to study the sword, but I also know that Patron Mu went with you in the beginning..."

Xie Yuan’s eyes narrowed. He listened as Huie Jue continued,

"And that’s not all. Regarding the matter you are investigating, Patron Xie... this humble monk also knows a thing or two about how Patron Wang was murdered."

Xie Yuan tensed instantly. He felt as if Huie Jue could see right through him, as if he had no secrets to hide!

He had never felt this way before, not even in front of Li Xingtuo.

’This monk... Is a disciple of a Buddhist Grandmaster really this formidable?’

Xie Yuan’s expression grew more solemn than ever before. He even subconsciously changed his form of address as he said slowly,

"If you know even this, Master Huie Jue, then I wonder if you would be so kind as to enlighten me?"

Upon hearing this, the corners of Huie Jue’s mouth lifted into a sly, mischievous smile.

"Weren’t you the one who didn’t believe in this humble monk’s Celestial Eye Power and Celestial Ear Power, Patron Xie? Why are you asking about it now?"

Xie Yuan froze. He pressed his lips together, momentarily at a loss for words.

’This monk has a rather nasty personality...’

While Xie Yuan was still trying to figure out what to say, he heard Huie Jue sigh.

"Forget it. Since you don’t trust this humble monk, Patron Xie, then I have nothing more to say. Let us part ways here."

With that, Huie Jue turned and began to walk out of the alley.

Xie Yuan didn’t want to fall for the monk’s transparent provocation. However, he genuinely wanted to know about any clues regarding Wang Zhiyi’s murder, and he had to ask, whether Huie Jue was bluffing or not. Furthermore, if he let this monk—who had appeared out of thin air, exposed his identity, and proceeded to toy with him—simply walk away, he would be left utterly bewildered.

Although he suspected Huie Jue was only pretending to leave, after a moment of hesitation, Xie Yuan spoke up.

"Master Huie Jue, please wait."

Hearing this, Huie Jue spun around in a single fluid motion, a broad smile on his face, as if he had known all along that Xie Yuan would stop him.

"What’s this? Does Patron Xie now think this humble monk’s Celestial Eye Power and Celestial Ear Power are worth a second look after all?"

Xie Yuan’s eyelid twitched. Seeing the monk wouldn’t let the matter drop, he could only nod with a grim face.

"Master Huie Jue, your Divine Powers are astonishing. I am in awe."

Huie Jue beamed.

"You’re too kind. It seems you finally acknowledge that I used my Divine Powers to perceive these various mysteries."

Xie Yuan nodded patiently.

"Master Huie Jue’s Divine Powers are profound and your methods are brilliant. Nothing in this world escapes your notice; I am truly speechless. I humbly ask for your guidance, Master..."

"PFFT! So you actually believed the Celestial Eye Power can see for thousands of miles?"

Huie Jue pointed a finger at him, turning his face to the side as if trying to stifle his laughter.

Xie Yuan froze for a second, his face turning as black as thunder.

"Monk Huie Jue, what is the meaning of this?"

"Oh, nothing. I just find it amusing that you’d actually believe something like that. What’s my cultivation level? How could I possibly see for thousands of miles at a glance? Hehehe."

Huie Jue put his palms together and chanted a Buddhist mantra, but his face was a mask of unrestrained glee.

Xie Yuan’s expression was grim. He forced himself to remain patient and asked,

"So, Monk Huie Jue, you don’t actually know anything?"

"Of course I do."

Huie Jue’s smile vanished as he said flatly,

"How could I have found you if I didn’t?"

Xie Yuan’s brow furrowed deeply.

"Then you..."

"If not by the Celestial Eye Power, then by other means. This world is but an illusory bubble; one can view its entirety with a mere lift of the hand. Why must you be so fixated on one or two specific Divine Powers, Patron Xie?"

Huie Jue said with a slight smile.

Xie Yuan felt the monk’s words were cryptic, as if concealing some profound meaning that he couldn’t quite grasp, and his frown only deepened.

’People who speak in riddles are so annoying...’

He took a deep breath and asked,

"In that case, Monk Huie Jue, since you know the truth of this matter, could I trouble you to tell me a thing or two?"

"You wish to know, Patron Xie?"

Huie Jue watched Xie Yuan quietly.

Seeing his look, Xie Yuan nodded solemnly.

"It is what I desire."

Huie Jue slowly nodded, then smiled faintly.

"Just because you want to know, I should tell you? I’m not telling!"

Xie Yuan’s fist clenched in an instant. He said coldly,

"Monk, are you just here to mock me?"