As Hall Master of the branch abbey, Daoist Yizhen held a position second only to Abbot Zhiyuan.
He had not originally paid much attention to Zhou Wuji's affairs. It was only upon receiving Wuzheng's message that he realized matters at Canglong Temple had escalated to such proportions.
Having cleared up the sequence of events from beginning to end, even though it was solely Zhou Wuji's side of the story, the abbot had already delivered a definitive verdict on the matter.
Therefore, regardless of how Zhang Wuding had died, Zhou Wuji could not be held accountable.
Anyone, including Zhang Xinhu, who retaliated against Zhou Wuji over this would be provoking the branch abbey and the Arctic Sect—something that could never be tolerated.
Yizhen had been away on business and only arrived at Canglong Temple today, yet he had never expected another wave of rogue soldiers to attack.
There was no need for evidence; one look at Zhang Xinhu was enough to know he had a hand in this.
Sensing the foulness in Zhang Xinhu's aura, Daoist Yizhen felt a murderous impulse stir within himself as well.
These local tyrants were used to running rampant on their own turf, acting without restraint and knowing no awe or reverence. Why not take this chance to dispose of him today?
Accustomed to throwing his weight around Siming County, Zhang Xinhu was facing public rebuke and warning for the very first time.
Fury raged within him; he wanted nothing more than to draw his blade and slaughter every last one of these Daoist mongrels!
Yet he understood that even leaving everyone else aside, Yizhen alone would be difficult to handle.
Nor would Zhang Yunfeng, a battalion commander of the Pacification Office, Li Cheng'an, or Yang Shuling just stand by and watch.
If relations completely broke down and blades were drawn, even if he managed to kill Zhou Wuji, he would inevitably die right here.
No matter how enraged Zhang Xinhu was, he did not dare throw caution to the wind. Forcing down his anger, he asked in a low voice, "Is my son supposed to have died for nothing?"
Daoist Yizhen replied impassively, "Deceiving one's master and betraying the patriarchs warrants death."
Zhang Xinhu nearly coughed up blood from sheer fury. With an ashen face, he said, "I have been enlightened!"
Without waiting for Daoist Yizhen to speak, Zhang Xinhu cupped his fists toward Zhang Yunfeng. "Battalion Commander, I have other matters to attend to. I shall take my leave first."
Zhang Yunfeng nodded. "Very well. Go attend to your business."
Without acknowledging anyone else, Zhang Xinhu turned on his heel and strode away.
Daoist Yizhen sneered at Zhang Xinhu's retreating figure, though he said nothing further.
As the esteemed Hall Master of the branch abbey, a Sixth-Rank Master of Refinement, and an officially registered Daoist of the imperial court, he naturally could not resort to verbal threats like some vulgar ruffian of the martial world.
Refraining from coming to blows on the spot was merely because the branch abbey abided by rules and reason. But the branch abbey was no soft target; this matter would by no means be swept away so easily.
Zhang Yunfeng politely invited Daoist Yizhen outside to speak. The two walked into the middle of the courtyard. Zhang Yunfeng cast a glance at the people inside the room; speaking from here, there was no fear of them overhearing.
"Daoist Master, to speak frankly, Zhang Xinhu belongs to a collateral branch of our Zhang family.
"He is a crude martial artist. Please do not lower yourself to his level, Daoist Master."
Hearing Zhang Yunfeng say this, Daoist Yizhen felt deeply displeased.
After such a major incident, Zhang Yunfeng wanted to brush it aside with a few casual words?
Yet the Zhang family of Chunan was one of the seven great aristocratic clans of the current dynasty. With a lineage stretching back an unbroken thousand years, they were deeply rooted, and their disciples and former subordinates permeated both the court and the countryside.
Their power and prestige were scarcely inferior to the emperor's own.
Even if Zhang Yunfeng's branch was merely collateral, they were immensely wealthy and influential—the true overlords of Yunyang Prefecture.
In recent years, relations between the Zhang family and the branch abbey had grown quite strained, making it all the more necessary to handle matters between them with caution.
Daoist Yizhen said in a deep voice, "Zhang Xinhu has struck against us time and again. Does he place our branch abbey in his eyes at all?"
Zhang Yunfeng replied gravely, "Daoist Master, one cannot take the wild accusations of rogue soldiers as gospel. Zhang Xinhu has a family and an estate; how could he do something so foolish?"
Daoist Yizhen sneered inwardly. If he had hard evidence, how could he have let Zhang Xinhu leave alive!
Rogue soldiers had ambushed Zhou Wuji twice—how could that possibly be a coincidence? A matter like this hardly required evidence.
Matters of the martial world were settled by the rules of the martial world. Disposing of Zhang Xinhu would be enough.
"Daoist Master, Zhang Xinhu is also a direct disciple of my third uncle, and my uncle holds great affection for him."
Seeing that Yizhen was not buying it, Zhang Yunfeng had no choice but to bring up his third uncle, Zhang Banshan.
Zhang Banshan, a Sixth-Rank martial artist, was a true disciple of the Eight Extremes Sect. He ran the Flying Tiger Martial Arts School in Yunyang Prefecture, commanding thousands of disciples.
Furthermore, Zhang Banshan belonged to the main lineage of the Zhang family and enjoyed immense prestige in Yunyang Prefecture.
Daoist Yizhen knitted his brows deeply. Zhang Banshan was indeed troublesome, but even Zhang Banshan's apprentice had no right to act so recklessly!
"At Canglong Temple this time, only a few servants were killed or injured, and the main hall sustained some damage."
Zhang Yunfeng lowered his posture and said, "Have Zhang Xinhu produce ten thousand taels of silver to repair the main hall, and let all previous grievances and right or wrong be wiped clean. Henceforth, he shall revere the Northern Emperor devoutly. If he offends again, he will be left entirely to your discretion, Daoist Master."
Yizhen glanced at Zhang Yunfeng, who offered a courteous bow with clasped hands. Daoist Yizhen knew Zhang Yunfeng was reminding him that the branch abbey had suffered virtually no real loss, whereas Zhang Xinhu had lost a son of great potential.
If he forcibly killed Zhang Xinhu, the Zhang family would never sit idly by.
Escalating the conflict would be greatly disadvantageous to the branch abbey, nor would it do any good for Wuzheng or Zhou Wuji.
Weighing the pros and cons, Yizhen nodded slightly.
"If Zhang Xinhu acknowledges his fault and repents, our branch abbey will naturally grant him a chance."
"Many thanks, Daoist Master. I shall remember this favor." Zhang Yunfeng knew they had no ground to stand on, so his demeanor remained exceedingly courteous.
On Yang Shuling's side, the treatment was already finished. His bone-setting technique was exquisite, perfectly realigning and resetting all the fractured bones.
He then wrapped bamboo splints around Zhou Wuji's front and back, securing everything firmly in place.
Though Zhou Wuji was on the verge of fainting from the pain, he endured the agony and thanked Yang Shuling.
Daoist Yizhen and Wuzheng came over one after another to express their gratitude as well.
Having showcased his consummate skill before everyone, done the Daoist abbey a favor, and forged a connection with them, Yang Shuling was quite pleased.
To show his appreciation, Daoist Yizhen led the guests to the side hall for tea.
After such a major upheaval, no one was in the mood for idle chatter. After staying a brief while, everyone rose and took their leave.
Daoist Yizhen saw the guests off and saw that all the temple's aftermath affairs were properly handled before finally returning to his room to rest.
After busying himself for most of the day, Daoist Yizhen noticed his daughter was nowhere to be seen, so he had Wuye summon her over.
Dusk had already fallen. Two medicated candles were lit in the room; though their flames were not bright, they emitted a faint, refreshing fragrance as they burned.
Standing before her father, Wuming lowered her head and kept her eyes downcast with a guilty conscience. Her hands were clenched tightly inside her sleeves, her palms damp with sweat.
Watching his daughter's nervous manner, Daoist Yizhen felt a mix of annoyance and amusement.
His expression, however, remained stern. "What is going on between you and Wuji?"
"Nothing at all..." Wuming put on an innocent, bewildered look. "Senior Brother Wuji was just seriously injured, so I helped look after him."
Hearing his daughter dismiss it so lightly, Yizhen gave a cold snort, yet found it hard to press too deeply.
"Men and women are distinct. You must still be mindful and not get too close to Wuji."
Wuming pouted and said, "Father, Senior Brother Wuji has a great sense of responsibility. He saved all of us! He even risked entering the mountains for villagers he didn't even know.
"He has a benevolent heart and Daoist bones, and his talent is unmatched!"
"What do you know..." Yizhen sighed helplessly, suddenly feeling he had spoiled his daughter too much in the past, raising a child who knew so little of the world.
Leaving aside everything else, across several battles not a single soul had survived Zhou Wuji's blade. A moment's thought revealed just how ferocious and ruthless his swordsmanship truly was.
Yet on Zhou Wuji's person, there was not the slightest trace of baleful aura or ferocity.
For a young man in his early twenties to maintain such poise and bearing even while severely wounded—that sheer depth of shrewdness alone was extraordinary.
It was not that Zhou Wuji was a bad person; rather, Wuming was simply too naive, and staying around Zhou Wuji would leave her completely at his mercy.
Yizhen did not look down on Zhou Wuji. Rather, the lad was a bit too capable and his thoughts ran too deep and inscrutable—he truly was not a good match for her.
"Father, you don't understand him!" Wuming was not particularly afraid of her father, and she could not help arguing loudly now.
Yizhen shook his head. Knowing that reasoning with his daughter was futile, he stated flatly, "Tomorrow, I am heading into the mountains with Battalion Commander Zhang to eliminate the rogue soldiers. You and Wuye are coming along..."
Wuming was deeply reluctant to leave Canglong Temple, but she could not truly disobey her father's orders. She had no choice but to return dejectedly to her room.
Daoist Yizhen, however, made his way to Zhou Wuji's room. He tapped lightly on the door, and from inside came Zhou Wuji's somewhat raspy voice: "Who is it? Please come in."
Daoist Yizhen pushed the door open and stepped inside, saying with a smile, "I saw the lamp was still lit in your room, so I came over to check on you."
Zhou Wuji was slightly surprised. Why was this exalted Hall Master looking for him? Could it be about Wuming?
Though Yizhen was merely Sixth-Rank, this rank was dual-certified by both the sect and the imperial court, carrying tremendous prestige and weight.
Sixth-Rank cultivation was one thing, but serving as a Sixth-Rank Hall Master was an official position within the branch abbey, embodying power and authority.
Zhou Wuji did not dare underestimate Daoist Yizhen. He greeted him politely: "My body is incapacitated, so please excuse me. Hall Master, please have a seat."
Daoist Yizhen did not stand on ceremony. Pulling a chair over to the bedside, he sat down and said to Zhou Wuji, "Wuji, you have repeatedly routed the rogue soldiers and saved Wuzheng, Wuming, and the others. I am deeply grateful."
"We are fellow disciples; how could I abandon my peers? It was only my duty. Besides, it was thanks to Senior Brother Wuzheng's profound mastery of lightning arts that I succeeded by a stroke of fortune."
Unable to fathom what Yizhen intended to say, Zhou Wuji acted with utmost humility and sincerity.
"You possess great talent, and your intellect and temperament are both extraordinary."
Looking Zhou Wuji in the eyes, Yizhen said earnestly, "If you can unblock seven apertures before the seventh month of next year, I can open the altar and confer the ordination registers upon you."
Zhou Wuji felt a flash of joy. This was an excellent opportunity. He hurriedly said, "Thank you, Hall Master."
"Our branch abbey has lacked talent in recent years, while the Golden Leaf Temple in Yunyang Prefecture has grown ever more prominent. Those bald-headed monks have become increasingly rampant, practically riding over our heads."
Yizhen let out a soft sigh and continued, "In the eighth month of next year, we are scheduled to hold a scripture debate with Golden Leaf Temple. If you can advance to the Seventh Rank, you will surely shine at the debate assembly and suppress those bald donkeys!"
Daoist Yizhen patted Zhou Wuji's hand lightly. "If you perform brilliantly, the abbot and I can even recommend you to cultivate in the Upper Abbey, so your talent will by no means be wasted!"
He stood up and said with deep meaning, "The Upper Abbey sits high above, yet above the Upper Abbey is the Head Abbey. Above the Head Abbey is the Celestial Master Mansion.
"Above the Celestial Master Mansion is the Pontiff of the Daoist Gate, and even the Pontiff aspires to ascend to immortality and live forever.
"Heaven and earth are vast and boundless. Siming County is merely an insignificant corner, and the likes of Zhang Xinhu are nothing more than rabid mongrels. You must cast your gaze much further..."
Chapter 57