Chapter 356: Bullying Too Severely

Lu Jin pressed his advantage, and the situation was slipping out of control. Both he and the Brocade-Robed Daoist Priest hailed from Profound Truth Dao, representing the orthodox sects of the Daoist world. For these so-called righteous traditions, internal cultivation mental methods were foundational treasures that could never be taught to outsiders. Even if an outside disciple wanted to just sit in and listen, they would have to endure at least five or six years of grueling service in a Daoist temple first.

The moment he spoke, both the Brocade-Robed Daoist Priest and Leng Qingxuan turned their eyes on me. Their icy stares felt as if they were trying to see right through me.

"Lu Jin, stop spouting baseless slander! How could I, an outsider, possibly have mastered your Profound Truth Dao's mental method?" I had to deny it to the bitter end. The cultivation method had actually come from the Underworld Live Show, but compared to the Profound Truth Mental Method, the Underworld Live Show was a far greater taboo.

"I'm also quite curious how an outsider like you learned our sect's mental method." Lu Jin hid daggers in his smile, his expression sinister. "Did you steal it? Or rob it? A few years ago, a martial uncle of Profound Truth Dao stole some treasures and betrayed the sect. His whereabouts remain unknown. If you didn't steal the mental method directly from Miaozhen temple, then you're likely his disciple. Or perhaps you murdered him to claim it. Whichever holds true, you cannot escape your ties to this crime. Come back to the sect with my senior brother and me immediately. Hand over the secret treasures that martial uncle stole and cripple your own cultivation of the mental method. If you do, perhaps Dao Zheng will show leniency and spare your life."

Every word Lu Jin spoke was venomous. I absolutely couldn't admit to anything; once I slipped up, I would never recover. "Today, I've finally seen the true face of your orthodox Daoist sects. If you want my million merits, just say it straight out. Spinning so many lies—aren't you afraid of making yourselves a laughingstock?"

"You know perfectly well whether I'm lying or not." Lu Jin sneered. "Back at Xinhu High School, I ran into you while following my master's orders to find the Upper Vehicle Talisman, the Paulownia Mulberry Talisman. At the time, I used the Profound Truth Dao Method's Draw the Ground as a Prison Curse to trap that vicious dog of yours. I hadn't intended to stir up trouble; I simply wanted to confine you both, take the talisman, and leave. But who could have expected that you actually knew our sect's incantation for breaking seals! You released that wild mutt to ambush me and even threatened to kill me! Such wolfish ambition—truly despicable!"

"I wanted to kill you? Stop twisting the facts. Daoist Priest Xianqing from Qingtu Temple was also in the building at the time. If you want to know the truth, you can go ask him."

"We will naturally investigate the truth for ourselves. The key issue is how that vicious dog managed to break the talisman's curse. And why do you know the techniques to break Profound Truth Dao's talismans?" Lu Jin and the Brocade-Robed Daoist Priest both stared directly at me. "Senior Brother, this man possesses the Profound Truth Dao Scripture. We absolutely cannot let him go!"

Only then did the Brocade-Robed Daoist Priest give me a serious look. "Do you truly know the Profound Truth Dao Method?"

The moment he spoke, the atmosphere in the room shifted entirely. This man's cultivation realm was so high it was unfathomable.

"I've never studied any Profound Truth Dao Method. If you're just here to pick a fight over nothing, then I'll be taking my leave." My voice was neither humble nor arrogant. From Lu Jin's initial arrival in Jiangcheng to the current reappearance of these three men, I had already figured something out. These orthodox sects maintained close ties with Huaxia's leadership. The Dao had never vanished; it merely continued in a way known only to a minority of elites. 'No wonder Blind Liu and Daoist Priest Xianqing are struggling so miserably while these Daoists live in luxury. It turns out they are cultivators officially recognized by Huaxia, representing orthodox traditions.'

Simply put, Blind Liu and Qingtu Temple were free-roaming wild cranes unacknowledged by the higher-ups, whereas Profound Truth Dao and Maoshan Dao had the state's stamp of approval.

The tension in the room grew heavy. Director Liu hurriedly spoke up, trying to smooth things over. He knew full well the connections the Brocade-Robed Daoist Priest had with the higher-ups—this was someone a mere branch bureau director like himself couldn't afford to offend. "Today is a celebration dinner; let's not make things so serious. Little Gao, come toast Daoist Priest Lu and offer an apology. The Daoist priest is a magnanimous man; he certainly won't hold a grudge."

I gave a faint smile but didn't move. Returning to their sect with them was completely out of the question. My tenth live broadcast was only a few days away; there was no way I could leave Jiangcheng now.

The Brocade-Robed Daoist Priest had absolutely no intention of accepting my apology anyway. Even if I swallowed my pride and offered a toast, he would still ruthlessly pry into my secrets. The Profound Truth Mental Method was the very foundation of their sect, and they couldn't afford a single mishap with it.

"Daoist Priest Lu, young people are inevitably a bit arrogant, please don't take it to heart." Sweat beaded on Director Liu's forehead as he shot me a pointed look. "Little Gao, hurry up and offer that toast!"

Liu Xingan meant well and wanted to resolve the issue peacefully, but I knew that with Lu Jin here, reconciliation with Profound Truth Dao was impossible.

"So this is all the so-called orthodox Daoist sects amount to. Framing and slandering others when you can't get what you want—such conduct truly lives up to your title of 'righteous factions.' If you want my million merits, show some real sincerity. Farewell!" I turned to leave. This was a treacherous banquet, and staying any longer would likely invite further danger.

"Don't be in such a rush to leave! Zhong Jiu!" Lu Jin shouted toward the doorway. The burly man blocked the exit, drawing a long, narrow, and razor-sharp ancient blade from behind his back. "This Deer-Slaying Dao is a fine treasure—sharp enough to slice a falling hair. Your Jiangcheng cultural relics department transferred it over to me."

Lu Jin's tone dripped with mockery. "I heard this blade was salvaged near the Lanjiang Dam. There don't seem to be any ancient tombs in that area, are there?"

My gaze remained impassive. I glanced at the Deer-Slaying Dao, then swept my eyes over Zhong Jiu. "Get out of my way."

Compared to my first fight with Zhong Jiu, I had undergone an earth-shattering transformation. Just that single glance sent a chill down Zhong Jiu's spine. Even with the Deer-Slaying Dao in hand, he didn't feel a shred of confidence.

"Until you explain the origins of your Profound Truth Mental Method, you aren't walking out of here," Lu Jin said. He looked at his senior brother, secretly gloating. 'My skills were lacking last time, letting you escape by sheer luck. But with my senior brother here today, let's see how a thief who stole our secret scriptures manages to walk away!'

Zhong Jiu felt his scalp tingle under my stare, but he couldn't exactly refuse his master's orders. Gripping the blade with both hands, his muscles pulled taut as he entered a combat stance.

"You're courting death!" I clenched my fists, inner energy surging through my flesh and bones. As long as I dodged Zhong Jiu's initial slash, I had an eighty percent chance of striking him down in a single blow.

"Fellow Daoist, I won't make things difficult for you. I only ask that you give Profound Truth Dao some face and return to our sect with me. Let Dao Zheng inspect your Pre-Heaven True Qi. If you haven't been cultivating the Profound Truth Dao Method, we will certainly offer you satisfactory compensation." The Brocade-Robed Daoist Priest stood up, his voice as calm and unruffled as an ancient well.

"And if I refuse?"

"Then I will have no choice but to dull your sharp edges myself. This humble Daoist is Lu Chen; I look forward to your guidance." With a casual flick of his wrist, the Brocade-Robed Daoist Priest tossed three yellow Talisman Papers, sticking them right onto Zhong Jiu. "Six Ding and Six Jia, transform into strongmen! Guard my body and mind, immune to all evil!"

"A Lesser Vehicle Talisman—the Six Ding Six Jia Talisman!"

Forehead, and both shoulders—the Brocade-Robed Daoist Priest's three Six Ding Six Jia Talismans landed perfectly over the human body's three yang lamps. Radiating absolute yang and supreme rigidity, Zhong Jiu's aura transformed drastically as a faint golden light shimmered beneath his muscles.

The Brocade-Robed Daoist Priest's expression remained placid, as if he had merely done something trivial. "I have no intention of harming anyone. The Six Ding Six Jia Talisman is strictly a defensive talisman."

He wasn't saying this for my benefit; he was saying it for Leng Qingxuan. Both Maoshan and Profound Truth were grand, orthodox sects. Since both factions had come to claim the million merits at the same time, they naturally had to take each other's feelings into consideration.

Leng Qingxuan made no move to stop him. He was hoping to use this opportunity to gauge my abilities anyway.

Hearing Lu Chen's words, a cold sneer tugged at the corners of my mouth. Profound Truth Dao had many types of defensive talismans, yet he had deliberately chosen the Six Ding Six Jia Talisman. Among Lesser Vehicle Talismans, its power ranked in the upper echelon. It could summon Yellow Turban strongmen, and it could also channel the talisman general's power directly into the recipient's body. By slapping three Six Ding Six Jia Talismans onto Zhong Jiu all at once, he had tripled Zhong Jiu's strength. He was clearly preparing to have me brutally beaten, forcing my hand so I would use the Profound Truth Dao incantation to break the talismans.

"What a fine calculation! Truly the style of a 'renowned righteous sect'!" I muttered. My right fist was injured, and the opponent was wielding the Deer-Slaying Dao. No matter how I looked at it, the situation was severely stacked against me.

"Daoist Priest Lu, what is the meaning of this?" Tie Ningxiang stepped up to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with me. "Gao Jian is a hero who saved Jiangcheng! You're treating him like this over a single sentence and a baseless guess? This is far too unfair."

"Captain Tie, we meet again. Ever since we parted ways last time, I've missed you dearly. This time, we definitely need to get... much closer." Lu Jin's eyes locked onto Tie Ningxiang. Staring at her in her police uniform, his fingers tapped lightly on the table. His Adam's apple bobbed, a trace of lust flashing deep within his gaze.