Chapter 406 - 224: Where Do You Think You’re Going?

Chapter 406: Chapter 224: Where Do You Think You’re Going?

"Who are you?"

The young Daoist eyed Xie Yuan, who seemed ordinary yet exuded a subtle air of mystery, and asked warily.

Seeing the Daoist’s reaction, Xie Yuan finally got a taste of Huie Jue’s brand of fun. Smirking inwardly, he put on an inscrutable expression and said slowly,

"Who I am is not important. You only need to know that I have the answers you seek."

With that, he deliberately turned, ceasing his conversation with the Daoist, and walked away.

’Three... two... one...’

Xie Yuan counted silently, and just as he expected, he heard footsteps behind him. The young Daoist had caught up and asked in a low voice,

"What do you know? What will it take for you to tell me?"

"Heh... Follow me."

A pleased smile touched Xie Yuan’s lips as he led the way.

The young Daoist followed Xie Yuan through the crowds, weaving through the main streets and back alleys of Jinling City. He felt his guide’s purpose was inscrutable and his steps were erratic, leaving him clueless as to their destination. He silently tightened his grip on the Peach Wood Sword slung across his back.

In reality, Xie Yuan’s steps were erratic because he himself didn’t know where they were going. He was tailing Huie Jue from a distance, following the monk’s winding path as if he were trying to evade someone.

However, the number of experts on the streets seemed to have subtly increased. Along this stretch of road alone, Xie Yuan had already spotted several groups of masters from the Yao family hurrying by, their eyes scanning the area. They were clearly searching for someone.

’They’re most likely looking for me...’ Xie Yuan thought as he brushed past another team of Yao family guards. He briefly met the leader’s gaze before calmly looking away, blending in like an ordinary passerby and avoiding their notice.

As this thought crossed his mind, he looked at Huie Jue up ahead, and his gaze grew hostile.

’Good thing I have the Celestial Concealment Skill,’ he thought. ’Otherwise, this monk would have landed me in deep trouble.’

After numerous twists and turns, Huie Jue finally stopped beside a quiet little river near the city’s outskirts. Xie Yuan and the Daoist followed suit.

The Daoist saw that Xie Yuan had a companion—a rather extraordinary-looking monk. Huie Jue’s features were refined, his skin fair, and his aura was remarkably pure and clear; he didn’t look like someone from a minor temple. Strangely, though, he had gone unnoticed by passersby, which suggested he possessed a unique Cultivation Technique of his own.

The Daoist stopped a few paces away from the pair and eyed them warily.

"Who are you two, really? Why have you sought me out?"

’What a familiar scene...’

Xie Yuan mused to himself as he looked at the young Daoist’s confused and wary face.

Huie Jue placed his palms together and chanted a Buddhist mantra.

"Amitabha. I am Huie Jue of Prajna Temple, and this is Xie Yuan of Yunzhou."

Seeing Huie Jue reveal both their true identities, Xie Yuan shot him a quick glance before turning back to the Daoist, remaining silent and contemplative.

The young Daoist was visibly stunned to hear their names. His eyes filled with skepticism as he asked,

"You’re the disciple of Zen Monk Ziling, the abbot of Prajna Temple? And you’re Xie Yuan, ranked seventy-second on the Hidden Dragon List?"

When they both nodded, the Daoist replied, still unconvinced,

"Why would the two of you team up to find me? How can I possibly trust you? This isn’t some scam where you’ve ’discovered a secret’ that requires my help to explore, all for the low, low price of nine hundred and ninety-eight taels of silver, is it?"

Xie Yuan and Huie Jue were both struck silent. Just what had this young man been through?

Huie Jue placed his palms together.

"Amitabha. Monks do not tell lies. Daoist, how would you like me to prove my identity?"

The Daoist looked at Huie Jue, pondered for a moment, and then suddenly raised his head.

Xie Yuan suddenly felt an overwhelming aura erupt from the young Daoist, who in an instant became dangerously sharp.

He suddenly raised a hand, drew the Peach Wood Sword from his back, and from a great distance, unleashed a fierce slash at Huie Jue!

A stream of Clear Qi erupted from the wooden sword. It was righteous, pure, and incomparably powerful, making even Xie Yuan, who was standing nearby, feel a chill. At the same time, he found the aura strangely familiar.

Huie Jue’s expression shifted. A brilliant golden light suddenly flared around him, blocking the rampaging, dragon-like azure Sword Qi.

The azure qi and golden light collided, kicking up violent waves of energy. The very air at their intersection seemed to warp, blurring the scene. Stirred by the overflowing energy, the nearby river roiled violently, throwing waves of water onto the bank.

After a few breaths, Huie Jue’s Golden Bell Shield flickered wildly and looked to be on the verge of dissipating. But then the Clear Qi suddenly retracted. The young man sheathed his sword and stood perfectly still.

Xie Yuan was shaken. He had experienced Huie Jue’s Indestructible Golden Bell Shield firsthand; for it to be on the verge of collapse after a single strike from the young Daoist was astounding. Even if Huie Jue was at less than thirty percent of his full strength, the power of that sword move was immense—in no way inferior to his own Cloud Dragon Nine Forms.

The Daoist raised an eyebrow.

"It really is the Indestructible Golden Bell Shield... but why is it so weak? Oh, so what you said earlier was true. You two have already fought."

He turned to Xie Yuan, a flicker of emotion in his eyes.

"The Indestructible Golden Bell Shield truly lives up to its name; I have seen it for myself. If Monk Huie Jue were at his peak, it would have taken me some effort to break his defense. For you to have bested him, Brother Xie... your strength must be extraordinary. Your reputation is clearly well-deserved!"

The Daoist’s tone was eager, and a combative fire lit up in his eyes as he looked at Xie Yuan.

Xie Yuan’s expression shifted slightly. He cupped his fist and said,

"You know of me, Daoist?"

"Brother Xie is a new star on the Hidden Dragon List. Since coming down from the mountain, I have heard many stories of your deeds. Slaying a corrupt official to save the people of a region... such a righteous and heroic act is one I deeply admire!"

Xie Yuan smiled.

"I’m a wanted fugitive of the imperial court now. That doesn’t exactly make me a hero. How do you know the man I killed was a corrupt official, Daoist?"