Chapter 402 - 223: Gathering of Prodigies (3)

Chapter 402: Chapter 223: Gathering of Prodigies (3)

But he could imagine he was definitely being watched. He couldn’t help but stare at Huie Jue’s back, his gaze unfriendly.

’This guy. A moment ago he looked as burly as a Vajra warrior, and now he’s fair-skinned and handsome—the type to capture a queen’s heart... Damn it, this bald bastard is so infuriating and such an eyesore. I really want to smash that bald head of his!’

The two of them took a long, winding route, nearly reaching the other side of Jinling Prefecture. They left the small alley far behind before finally stopping in a secluded spot.

Xie Yuan was already drained, and the run had nearly left him—a Second Transformation Realm Martial Artist—gasping for breath. When he saw Huie Jue finally stop, he couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief.

He took a couple of deep breaths and asked Huie Jue,

"Monk, why are we stopping here? Did we really have to run this far?"

Huie Jue said nonchalantly,

"Not really. I just wanted to see how much stamina Benefactor Xie had left."

CRUNCH—

Xie Yuan clenched his fists and strode toward Huie Jue.

"You’re about to find out."

"Stop! Benefactor Xie, a gentleman uses his words, not his fists! Harmony is paramount, harmony is paramount!"

Huie Jue waved his hands frantically, dodging backward, the very picture of a cowardly Tang Monk.

’All talk and no action...’ If Xie Yuan hadn’t seen that Golden Arhat visage, he might have believed it.

Even now, Xie Yuan wasn’t sure how much strength Huie Jue had left. After all, the monk wasn’t even flushed or out of breath after their long run. He seemed to be in better shape than Xie Yuan, which definitely hadn’t been the case at the start.

Xie Yuan’s expression grew cautious. Just then, Huie Jue glanced at him and said suddenly,

"The golden light of the Indestructible Golden Bell Shield cannot be extinguished, nor can one’s Qi and Blood. As long as I’m not dead and the technique isn’t broken, I’ve already recovered a great deal in this short time."

Xie Yuan’s eyes narrowed.

"You know what I’m thinking? You can use Telepathy?"

Huie Jue looked at him strangely.

"Benefactor Xie, it seems you believe in the Five Divine Powers more than I do. How could there possibly be a technique that lets you read people’s minds! I just guessed from your expression, that’s all. Sigh. Sometimes I think you have a great aptitude for Buddhism and could join our faith. Other times, I feel you’re too dull to even be a handyman at Prajna Temple. Best to just forget it."

Xie Yuan fell silent. After a moment, he found he was more or less used to the monk’s sharp tongue.

’Still, the Indestructible Golden Bell Shield truly lives up to its reputation as one of the world’s top External Training cultivation techniques. Not only is its Defense Power astounding when activated, but its inherent properties are also incredibly potent. The Blood Qi it cultivates must be of extraordinary quality. The fact that it could support Huie Jue in using that Golden Arhat visage, a power clearly beyond his own realm, is proof enough.’

But since Huie Jue had recovered, Xie Yuan silently tightened his grip on his axe, his gaze fixed on the mischievous and mysterious monk.

Seeing Xie Yuan’s action, Huie Jue chanted a Buddhist verse:

"Amitabha! No need to be so tense, Benefactor Xie. Monks do not lie. I lost the bet, and I accept it. We will not fight again today."

’Not again today...’

Xie Yuan repeated the words silently and then asked,

"So, can Monk Huie Jue answer my questions now?"

"Please, ask away."

Huie Jue placed his palms together, a smile on his face, looking every bit the enlightened master ready to answer questions.

Xie Yuan took a shallow breath, pushed all other thoughts aside, and began,

"Regarding the murder of Wang Zhiyi, the steward from the Sword Sect’s villa, what exactly happened?"

Huie Jue’s smile remained unchanged as he said softly,

"Rather than hearing it from me, you should go see for yourself."

"See for myself?"

Xie Yuan’s brow furrowed in confusion. ’What is this monk plotting now?’

Huie Jue didn’t answer, merely glancing at the tall compound wall beside them.

Xie Yuan followed his gaze and noticed the wall was exceptionally high, obviously belonging to an influential household. In the distance, a few guards were peering over. Seeing the two of them lingering in the alley, they looked like they were about to come and chase them off.

’It looks familiar... Is that Duke Ning’s Mansion?’

Just as the guards started to walk over, the two left the alley and turned a corner.

Xie Yuan frowned and asked,

"Are you saying this has to do with Duke Ning?"

"I never said that. But didn’t you want to see him earlier, Benefactor Xie?"

Huie Jue said with a small smile.

Xie Yuan was no longer surprised that Huie Jue seemed to know everything. He couldn’t be bothered to dwell on it and simply nodded.

"Unfortunately, he’s refusing all visitors. I don’t know why."

’Duke Ning is an official of the imperial court. Logically speaking, he shouldn’t be acting this way, whether his goal is to prevent an alliance between the sects and the noble families, or simply out of consideration for the Sword Sect’s historically harmonious relationship with the court.’

"In that case, I will take you to see him."

Huie Jue said.

Xie Yuan raised an eyebrow.

"You have a way?"

"Duke Ning has become a very devout Buddhist in recent years."

Huie Jue said with a faint smile.

’Oh?’

Xie Yuan glanced at Huie Jue. He felt this smile was different from the previous ones; it held an indescribable meaning, seemingly tinged with faint mockery.

He pondered for a moment, then nodded. After changing his clothes in a secluded spot, he said to Huie Jue,

"Let’s go, Monk Huie Jue."

"And you are now...?"

"A nameless martial artist from a minor sect you met on the road."

Xie Yuan couldn’t possibly meet Duke Ning as himself; he was still a wanted man. Nor could he go as Zhang Mountain. After all, Huie Jue had just bellowed loud enough for half of Jinling Prefecture to hear that he was fighting Xie Yuan. If Zhang Mountain were to appear alongside the monk now, it would undoubtedly arouse suspicion.

’I’ll just use a disposable identity to follow the monk, and toss it aside when I’m done.’

Huie Jue led Xie Yuan to the entrance of Duke Ning’s Mansion. He placed his palms together and bowed to the two guards.

"Benefactors, I am Huie Jue of Prajna Temple, and I request an audience with Duke Ning."

Upon hearing the name ’Prajna Temple,’ the two guards immediately grew respectful. One of them hurried inside to announce the visitor.

A moment later, a robust old man with commanding, tiger-like eyes and dressed in a magnificent robe rushed out, his shoes on backward. Upon seeing Huie Jue, his face lit up with shock and delight, and he beamed,