Throughout the entire Anxi Circuit, the only publicly known Xiantian experts had previously been Zhao Zheng and Zhao Rong of the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor, Ma Bojun and his father Old Master Ma of White Horse Manor, and Duan Zhengshan, the patriarch of the Duan family.
Now Zhao Zheng was dead and Old Master Ma was advanced in years, leaving Ma Bojun as one of the three great experts of Anxi Circuit.
Compared to the wealth of talent in the Central Plains, Anxi Circuit truly suffered from a dearth of masters. Even if all its Xiantian experts were counted together, they did not outnumber those of the Great Vajra Monastery alone—yet this only highlighted just how extraordinary these three were.
The ancestors of the Ma family had served as Fubo Generals in the previous dynasty. Their Fubo Spear Technique, whether used on the battlefield to slay enemies or in Jianghu martial duels, was fierce and unmatched in offensive might. Once refined to the Xiantian realm, it was further reinforced by battlefield killing intent, adding considerable lethality.
Though Hongzhao and Hongzhen were first-rate masters in the martial world, neither would ever believe himself capable of besting Ma Bojun.
"The Prince of Zhenxi twists reason and takes by force. Does Manor Lord Ma intend to lend his weight to such villainy?" Hongzhao asked.
Ma Bojun grinned. "Poison Hand Veda hid in the Qishan Mountains for twenty years, piling up untold wickedness. Yu-lang eliminated that scoundrel for you, and all he asks is a single pill. Yet you begrudge even that. Where is the Buddhist spirit of the four elements being empty?"
Although White Horse Manor and Baolun Monastery were both in the Northwest and Ma Bojun was acquainted with Hongku, on one side was an ordinary acquaintance, and on the other was his own nephew. Ma Bojun naturally had no reason to take an outsider's side.
Formidable as the Great Vajra Monastery was, its authority did not extend to White Horse Manor. Not only was Wang Yu's pretext defensible enough, but back then Hongzhao had attempted to place Wang Yu under house arrest; Wang Yu was entirely justified in paying back that score.
"Amitābha!"
With a chant of the Buddha's name, an old monk with snow-white hair and beard stepped out from behind the Mahavira Hall. "This humble monk, Zonghu, greets the Prince of Zhenxi and Manor Lord Ma. Dare I ask if Old Manor Lord Ma remains in good health?"
Ma Bojun raised an eyebrow and cupped his fists. "Master Zonghu, thank you for your concern. My father is in good health."
Zonghu turned toward Wang Yu. "The Snow Lotus Jade Marrow Pill is precious, but its primary purpose is to aid our monks in tempering strength and forging the body. Its benefits to ordinary people are limited. Why must the Prince of Zhenxi be so aggressive?"
Wang Yu glanced at Ma Bojun. "Is this old monk a Xiantian expert too?"
Ma Bojun shook his head. "Master Zonghu possesses profound internal strength, but he has not attained Xiantian."
"Then there's nothing to worry about." Wang Yu nodded, then laughed insolently. "I feel like eating it for fun. What business is it of yours? I had one last time and thought it tasted pretty good, so I want another."
Hongzhen was furious. "Zhao Yu, you go too far!"
Zonghu did not lose his temper, continuing instead to reason with him. "The Prince of Zhenxi's Manor and the Great Vajra Monastery are neighbors. As the saying goes, a close neighbor is better than a distant relative. Does the prince not agree?"
Wang Yu pointed at Hongzhao. "Then you'll have to ask him."
Zonghu looked toward Hongzhao, who quietly recounted what had happened in Puning County.
Zonghu fell silent. Having lived in the Northwest for decades, he rarely paid attention to outside matters and had not expected relations between the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor and the Great Vajra Monastery to have deteriorated to such an extent.
"Amitābha!" Zonghu chanted the Buddha's name. "The Prince of Zhenxi demands our monastery's treasure pill on the grounds of slaying Honggang. Yet the Snow Lotus Jade Marrow Pill is a rare treasure seen only once in decades; it cannot be weighed against a mere Honggang.
"Jianghu affairs should be settled the Jianghu way," Zonghu said. "That being so, this humble monastery is willing to hold three matches with the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor. If the prince wins two of them, this monk will present the Snow Lotus Jade Marrow Pill with both hands. If our monastery is fortunate enough to prevail, then to reward the prince for his toil, this monk is also willing to offer a bottle of Azure Lotus Jade Ginseng Pills—in the hope that our two houses may lay down our grievances and part with a smile."
Best of three, decided by fists—a quintessential Jianghu solution.
Ma Bojun asked abruptly, "Will these two monks from the Great Vajra Monastery participate?"
Zonghu replied, "Baolun Monastery and the Great Vajra Monastery are of the same origin to begin with."
Ma Bojun chuckled. "Then White Horse Manor and the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor are kin, too."
Zonghu nodded. "Manor Lord Ma may certainly fight."
Ma Bojun turned to Wang Yu. "I can handle this old monk!"
Wang Yu shook his head and murmured, "Uncle, you've walked right into the old monk's trap."
"Hm?" Ma Bojun was taken aback.
"This old monk isn't honest," Wang Yu said with a smirk. "Uncle, your martial arts are unmatched, and he knows he can't beat you. On the surface, the advantage is clearly ours."
"Hardly, hardly—I wouldn't dare claim my martial arts are unmatched," Ma Bojun waved his hands repeatedly, though he added with a beaming smile, "but around Anxi Circuit, your uncle fears no one."
Wang Yu smiled faintly. "The old monk never planned on beating you. His calculations rest entirely on those two monks from the Great Vajra Monastery."
Wang Yu glanced at Hongzhao and Hongzhen. If Qianqian did not intervene, no one among his subordinates could overcome those two.
Zhao Shan and Zhao He were the top retainers of the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor, but they came from wild Jianghu backgrounds. Against ordinary martial artists they triumphed without fail, but in both internal strength and refined forms, they could not compare to masters trained in renowned sects like Hongzhao.
As for Qianqian, she naturally would not fight, and if Wang Yu fought himself, it would compromise his status as prince.
Zonghu was exploiting an information gap, turning their side's apparent advantage and confidence in having a Xiantian expert into a trap, hoping to win through a Tian Ji horse-race maneuver.
Zhao Shan and Zhao He stepped forward. "We brothers will do our utmost!"
Wang Yu waved his hand with a cold sneer. "Since we know it's a trap, why should we step into it? Just because he says Jianghu affairs should be settled the Jianghu way, we have to dance to his tune?
"Fire a signal arrow," Wang Yu said calmly. "One whistle."
Zhao Shan was startled, but instantly drew a three-inch arrow between his fingers and flicked his wrist toward the sky.
*Screeech—*
The next instant, rumbling hooves thundered outside Baolun Monastery, followed by hundreds of voices roaring in unison: "Battle! Battle! Battle!"
Three hundred Iron Eagle Cavalry were not an immense army, but they were the elite of the Zhenxi Army, hardened on battlefields and soaked in blood. Their collective roar reverberated inside and outside Baolun Monastery, draining the color from every monk's face.
Hooves drummed, dust swirled, and thunderous shouts rang without pause, thick with murderous intent. In the blink of an eye, the tranquil Buddhist sanctuary of Baolun Monastery had turned into a battlefield of slaughter.
Zonghu's white brows shot up. "What is the meaning of this, Prince of Zhenxi?"
Wang Yu broke into a warm smile. "Master Zonghu is truly too polite. This prince originally intended only to ask for one Snow Lotus Jade Marrow Pill. I never expected you would generously offer a bottle of Azure Lotus Jade Ginseng Pills as well."
Wang Yu narrowed his eyes. "I have no interest in three matches. Either Baolun Monastery feels grateful to this prince for helping the Great Vajra Monastery eliminate Poison Hand Veda, who terrorized the Jianghu for twenty years, and willingly presents me with one Snow Lotus Jade Marrow Pill and one bottle of Azure Lotus Jade Ginseng Pills, creating a heartwarming tale for the martial world...
"Or this prince is arrogant and overbearing, demanding rewards for his favors, and uses the eradication of Poison Hand Veda as an excuse to forcibly plunder one Snow Lotus Jade Marrow Pill and one bottle of Azure Lotus Jade Ginseng Pills from Baolun Monastery."
Wang Yu smiled gently. "Master, choose one."
Hongzhao fumed, "Zhao Yu, you go too far! Jianghu affairs are settled the Jianghu way. Bringing the Zhenxi Army to meddle in Jianghu matters—are you bullying our Great Vajra Monastery because we have no troops?"
Wang Yu sneered, "Back in Puning County, when you tried to drag me to the Great Vajra Monastery under house arrest, weren't you bullying my manor for lacking top experts? You're allowed to bully others with masters, but I'm not allowed to rely on a vastly superior army? Why would I throw away my advantage—do you take me for a fool?"
Hongzhao choked, lost for words.
Wasn't the Great Vajra Monastery wary of the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor precisely because of the fifty thousand troops under its command?
The two powers were too close. If the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor went mad, the Great Vajra Monastery truly could not withstand them.
Otherwise, even with Zhao Zheng possessing the strength of a martial arts grandmaster, the Great Vajra Monastery, as one of the two premier Buddhist sects, had grandmasters of its own.
Wang Yu laughed. "I will count to ten. If the master does not answer, I will assume you've chosen the second option. Two whistling arrows, and iron cavalry will kick down your gates. Do not say you weren't warned."
Everyone stared at Wang Yu. Some did not believe he would dare act—if blood were spilled and lives lost, it would mean a complete falling-out with the Great Vajra Monastery. Others watched to see whether Zonghu dared call his bluff or would yield.
Then they saw Wang Yu flash an evil grin, raising a hand with five fingers spread. "Five!"
Hongzhen jumped in shock and glared. "Why did you start right at five? What happened to one through four?"
Wang Yu nodded. "Six!"
Hongzhao took a stride forward. "Zhao Yu, you dare!"
Wang Yu did not even glance at him. "Seven!"
"Amitābha!" Hongku pressed his palms together. "Prince of Zhenxi, why not discuss this at length? Please come inside first, and allow this poor monk to serve tea."
Wang Yu did not answer, merely shifting his fingers. "Eight!"
Zonghu saw Ma Bojun heft the spear in his hand and drew a deep, ragged breath. "Prince of Zhenxi, hold! This humble monastery is willing to present the Snow Lotus Jade Marrow Pill and the Azure Lotus Jade Ginseng Pills to reward Your Highness's merit in slaying Poison Hand Veda."
"A master of great magnanimity! I knew I wasn't mistaken in you!" Wang Yu roared with laughter. "Baolun Monastery treats the sick and saves lives across the Northwest, and the master commands immense respect throughout the land. This prince admires you greatly!"
Zonghu said to Hongku, "Go to the Medicine King Hall and fetch the Snow Lotus Jade Marrow Pill and the Azure Lotus Jade Ginseng Pills."
"Yes." Hongku bowed and withdrew, hurrying out of the Mahavira Hall. Moments later, he returned carrying two porcelain bottles, handing them to Zhao Shan and Zhao He, who stood guard before Wang Yu.
Wang Yu took the two bottles, pulled out the stoppers, and sniffed them.
The Snow Lotus Jade Marrow Pill was genuine, and the Azure Lotus Jade Ginseng Pills were rich with medicinal fragrance.
As an orthodox, renowned sect, Baolun Monastery probably didn't keep poison in stock... right?
"The pills are right. The favor I did the Great Vajra Monastery by killing Poison Hand Veda is settled," Wang Yu said with a grin.
Hongzhen could not resist muttering, "Our monastery has countless masters. Had we truly wanted to kill Wei Honggang, he would have been dead long ago. Who needed you to fawn over it?"
Wang Yu narrowed his eyes. "So why didn't you kill him? Was it because you didn't want to?"
Hongzhao raised a hand to stop Hongzhen and gestured toward the door. "Since the Prince of Zhenxi has achieved his aim, please take your leave!"
Seeing Wang Yu merely smile without replying, the monks felt their hearts skip a beat. Could he be planning to slaughter them all to silence them?
They recalled how arrogant and domineering Wang Yu had been as a hostage in the capital. Now backed by the fifty thousand troops of the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor, with a Xiantian expert like Ma Bojun at his side, his hubris would naturally reach the heavens.
With a temper like his, combined with how they had offended him before and the three hundred iron cavalry at his back, if he truly wished to raze Baolun Monastery to the ground, it was hardly impossible.
At this thought, even Hongzhao lost his nerve. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Does the Prince of Zhenxi have further instructions?"
Wang Yu smiled. "Just one question for you."
"Speak."
"If I bring fifty thousand troops to visit the Great Vajra Monastery as a guest, I wonder if the monks will welcome me?"
Chapter 53