Chapter 101: Saving Our Little Friend!
Saving Cen Qingyou is a difficult task, especially since he followed Sun Tao College and the Great Hall of Light doesn't want to actively retrieve him, saying the child needs to be taught a lesson.
And, most importantly, Miaofa might be angry.
When Qiao Wan mentioned Cen Qingyou, the face of the monk in front of her turned cold, "This was his own choice. Since it was his own choice, he should bear the consequences himself. Should the Great Hall of Light watch over him day and night?"
Once qiao wan woke up, got dressed, and said goodbye to Miaofa, Qiao Wan avoided the martial monks guarding the temple and discussed with the monks who were close to Cen Qingyou in an empty space in the Great Hall of Light about the possibility of rescuing him.
"Venerable One truly doesn't care about Martial Brother Cen's well-being?" said a chubby monk named Jianfang.
"Impossible, right?" exclaimed another thin monk named Jianwen, "Everyone knows that Venerable One may be sharp-tongued, but he has a soft heart."
Just yesterday, Zen Master Dingren issued an order forbidding any disciples of the Great Hall of Light from discussing any news related to Cen Qingyou.
During this time when Qiao Wan was practicing martial arts, Jianwen and Jianfang would hide outside the gates of Sun Tao College every day.
"Lu Dechang had vowed in front of Lu's icy tomb that he would capture the Blue-eyed Evil Buddha and execute him," Jianfang said, "Since they captured Martial Brother Cen and took him away, they will definitely send people to leave Jiuyue Mountain's territory and bring Martial Brother Cen back to Sun Tao College."
The group gathered together and analyzed the situation for a while.
"The ones escorting Martial Brother Cen must be elite disciples from Sun Tao College. It seems quite difficult to rescue Martial Brother Cen," they pondered.
"Although it’s challenging, Sun Tao College is located a thousand miles away from the Great Hall of Light. If they want to bring Martial Brother Cen back, they will have to be discreet along the way. Being discreet means they need to keep the number of people traveling to a minimum. It seems like they don’t have enough manpower."
Jianwen, rubbing his chin, said, "If we intercept them halfway, maybe this plan can still work."
"I’ve figured it out these past few days," added the thin monk, Jianwen.
It is said that Jianwen, who originally was a mosquito, was converted by Miaofa and convinced a group of mosquito descendants to become vegetarians.
To be able to persuade mosquitoes to turn away from evil, stop biting people, and only eat vegetarian food, showcases an incredible dedication and perseverance.
As the plump monk, Jianfang, would say, Venerable One’s act of converting mosquitoes into vegetarians is undoubtedly a deed that deserves a Buddha statue to be worshipped daily.
Brother Mosquito spread out his "mosquito descendants" in his hands and said, "Lu Dechang has made all the arrangements, we will depart the day after tomorrow."
"So, the most important thing now is how to deceive Venerable One."
Just the thought of Venerable One Miaofa made everyone pause awkwardly and in unison.
After all, Venerable One was really angry with Cen Qingyou.
"Well, there is actually a way to deceive Venerable One," Qiao Wan scratched her head and said sincerely, "I think the senior is actually easily fooled."
Jianwen agreed, "I think Venerable One is very easy to deceive, she's kind and gullible. In fact, I wanted to come to the Great Hall of Light because Venerable One personally cooked a dish for me, and it was incredibly delicious!"
Even more delicious than sucking blood!
These enlightened mosquito spirits would eat some meat and suck some blood in order to cultivate.
Venerable One's blood was the most delicious blood he had ever sucked!
Just the thought of that dish made Jianwen's mouth water.
"Is that so?" as soon as the words were spoken, a calm and dignified male voice came through.
This voice was pure, majestic, and noble.
Qiao Wan, Jianfang, and Jianwen all froze at the sound of it.
Once she turned around, Qiao Wan saw Zen Master Dingren lowering his eyelids, while Venerable One Miaofa stood quietly under the tree with a familiar dark expression on his face!
Oh no!
A chill surged from the soles of her feet to the back of her head. Realizing she had just made a dangerous remark, Qiao Wan froze for a second. She exchanged a knowing glance with Jianwen and their first instinct was to make a quick getaway!
Just as they took a step forward, a beam of Buddha's light came crashing down from above.
Everything blurred before her eyes, and before she knew it, Miaofa had effortlessly scooped her up like a little chicken in his hands.
Instinctively, Qiao Wan struggled for a bit before surrendering.
Holding onto Qiao Wan, Miaofa's long eyelashes hung low, and his sharp gaze caused devastation wherever it landed!
"Am I easy to deceive?"
Both Jianfang and Jianwen trembled and almost instinctively fell to their knees in submission.
"Respected, respected, respected Venerable One, Junior Brother Lu may not have meant it that way."
Regret consumed Qiao Wan as she was being held by the collar, wishing she could turn back time.
Miaofa frowned and said angrily, "After deceiving me, are you going to throw your lives away?"
Seeing the situation, Jianfang gritted his teeth and pleaded, "Venerable One! Please save Martial Brother Cen!"
They couldn't just watch Cen Qingyou die in vain!
"Go back and recite scriptures!" Miaofa almost threw Qiao Wan from his hand out of anger. He quickly pulled back his hand and said coldly, "I will handle this matter myself!"
As Miaofa watched Qiao Wan leave, several senior disciples of the Bright Hall looked at each other, unable to understand the meaning behind Miaofa's words.
"Has Venerable One calmed down?"
"I told you, Venerable One always looks fierce."
"In reality--"
Miaofa was easily swayed, easily deceived, and very understanding!
Although it was forbidden to discuss Cen Qingyou in the Bright Hall, as his personal disciple and known for his tough exterior but soft heart, Miaofa had to clean up this mess and take responsibility.
Qiao Wan carried Qiao Wan and poked her on the ground. The Buddha turned his head and ordered the Great Hall of Light to gather a team of disciples.
Since the Great Hall of Light can't actively go to recruit people, let's disguise ourselves and go steal them! If you take off your robe, no one will know if you are a disciple of the Great Hall of Light or not?! Even if you're caught, you can deny it.
If the information that Jianwen found is correct, Sun Tao College will depart tomorrow, so there is not much time left for her.
Qiao Wan opened the book of dao.
This book doesn't record any fancy sword techniques, but the fundamentals are very solid.
She had spent a few years under the guidance of Yuqing Spiritual Master in Kunshan, even though she dropped out, she still learned something about the "Way of the Sword".
Over the years, Elder Martial Brother had only taught her a few moves.
Qiao Wan held the sword and silently recalled Lu Pihan's teachings from before.
There is a reason why she chose to use a hammer. Since she had willingly given up her cultivation and left the presence of Zhou Yan, she never considered using the sword techniques of Kunshan again.
This time, the situation was urgent.
She wanted to combine Kunshan Swordsmanship with this book of martial arts, to find her own unique moves!
With the help of the book, and remembering Lu Pihan's teachings from before, Qiao Wan began to have some ideas in her mind.
Technique One, focuses on speed and killing.
Elder Martial Brother, being physically weak, prioritized practicality in his sword moves. He didn't care about fancy and impressive moves, only aiming for speed, accuracy, and one-hit kills.
Technique Two, focuses on attack.
This move was filled with aggression and killing intent. The sword technique was quick and aggressive, relentlessly advancing and never turning back.
Technique Three, focuses on defense. The footwork was like flowing clouds, and the sword intent was like flowing water. Sometimes it would reach treacherous and obscure places, making it difficult to predict, and other times, it would open up like the shining moon over a great river.
*
The disciple guarding Sun Tao College found Cen Qingyou particularly difficult to deal with. He had never encountered someone so difficult before.
The young man had neatly arranged dark hair that fell on his right shoulder. He sat quietly in the corner, meditating, with a pair of spirit shackles hanging from his body.
His magical power was blocked and cut off, leaving Cen Qingyou no different from an ordinary person.
Just like an ordinary person, he needs to eat, drink, sleep, and use the restroom.
The disciples of Sun Tao College, no matter how you approach them, they are a bit arrogant and unwilling to interact. They only provide him with food and water every day to make sure he's still breathing. But if they were asked to provoke him, several disciples would look at each other and wouldn't be able to do such a thing.
Since looking at him would only cause distress, luckily, out of sight, out of mind, he was stuffed in a corner.
But just because others couldn't do cruel things, doesn't mean no one else could.
As he watched the other senior disciples participate in the Three Teachings Law Meeting, he could only stay here guarding this demon. One of the guarding disciples, feeling frustrated, suddenly got angry at Cen Qingyou and kicked him: "What are you blocking the way for?! Get lost!"
The young man sat up straight and didn't say anything.
These few blows didn't yield any significant results, but it definitely ignited the other person's anger.
"Why is he acting so high and mighty? Who does he think he's impressing? Do they really think the academy owes him anything?"
"What? Can't you hear me?"
Fists and kicks rained down like droplets.
Who is this? It's Blue-eyed Evil Buddha! The very same Blue-eyed Evil Buddha who was once revered by the demon realm! But what does it matter now? He's on his knees begging for mercy, too afraid to even make a sound!
The more he fought, the more the disciple's heart filled with a sense of joy, and his face contorted with anger.
Look! It doesn't matter who Blue-eyed Evil Buddha is anymore!
At first, there was a hint of hesitation when he saw the young man, but then he remembered, what is he scared of? This is about punishing the wicked and promoting the good! As long as this person doesn't die, no matter how outrageous their actions, the elders will turn a blind eye!
"I say," the disciple, exhausted from fighting, knelt before Cen Qingyou.
The young boy came from a noble and wealthy family, with rosy lips and white teeth, gentle and delicate. But after being beaten up like this, his whole body was covered in injuries. His face was swollen, with shades of blue and purple.
"If you call me grandfather, I'll let you go, how about that?"
Cen Qingyou, with a blood-stained Bodhi seed hanging from his forehead, half-closed his eyes and took a breath, coughing up a bit of blood.
The guarding disciple was stunned, saying, "Damn it! Pretending to be so righteous!"
As long as the first person dared to kick him, the others who were hesitating would also take action. If they were unhappy, they would kick him. If they found his white clothes too eye-catching, they would kick him.
Fight!
As long as they left some room to breathe, Senior Brother Ye and Elder Lu would never interfere!
They were fighting for the college, seeking revenge for Elder Lu! They were also fighting for the world of cultivation!
*
While Qiao Wan was working hard refining her skills, Jianfang and Jianwen were keeping an eye on Sun Tao College, lurking nearby from morning till evening.
The inn contracted by Sun Tao College had many rooms and a big courtyard. The disciples of the college would come and go frequently.
Qiao Wan knew that Cen Qingyou was being kept in one of the rooms here.
But Sun Tao College was cautious about Cen Qingyou's situation and would assign people to guard the door day and night. Qiao Wan thought about the possibility of using a shrinking spell to sneak in, but quickly gave up on the idea. She could only rely on Jianwen's informants to gather information.
As the information obtained by Jianwen was getting closer, Qiao Wan finished her training. She enjoyed eating special power-infused cakes from Jiuyue Mountain while waiting with Jianfang and Jianwen day and night.
Finally—
On a gloomy day with drizzling rain, two groups of disciples finally emerged from the inn!
These disciples were not wearing Sun Tao College uniforms, but they were all dressed up and had serious expressions. The one leading them was the same person Qiao Wan had clashed with at the mountain gate.
Two or three disciples were escorting a person-shaped figure wearing a large cloak.
"Hurry up!"
They lifted their leg and kicked.
The figure stumbled and slowly got up from the ground, with their hands covered in muddy water.
"Damn it!" Jianwen was furious when he saw this scene. He had already changed from evil to good, so he didn't care about things like karma.
Do you really expect a mosquito to keep quiet?
The raindrops fell on them, lightly and cool. Qiao Wan tightened her grip on her sword, silently.
Once these disciples left the inn, they planned to steal!
This time, the goal was to "rescue Cen Qingyou", with the intention of finishing the fight quickly and bringing back Cen Qingyou.
But now, looking at the situation...
Jianfang, Jianwen, and the other disciples from the Bright Hall exchanged a knowing glance. During the fight, it wouldn't be a problem if some accidental deaths occurred. In fact, it would even help them sever their sins!
The dark clouds in the sky seemed to press down even lower.
Ye Xiyuan frowned with a heavy heart.
It was the last day, and it wouldn't be easy to chase after the Great Hall of Light if they left the boundaries of Jiuyue Mountain.
So, they would definitely make their move on this day.
The problem was, when would the Great Hall of Light arrive?
As Ye Xiyuan glanced at the calm street, he immediately reached out his hand to stop the approaching disciples of Sun Tao College.
"Senior Ye?"
"What's the matter? It's already this late, and you're still fighting?" Ye Xiyuan looked at the group of disciples in front of him, feeling frustrated. "Bring him back to the college first!"
They couldn't wait any longer.
Seeing that there was still no sign of the Great Hall of Light, Ye Xiyuan decisively gave the command, "Let's go!"
Perhaps he was overthinking. Ye Xiyuan thought to himself that the Great Hall of Light probably didn't care about the life or death of Cen Qingyou at all.
The terrain of Jiuyue Mountain was already rugged, and the disciples of Sun Tao College in two teams walked swiftly on the mountain path, firmly gripping their swords. More than a dozen pairs of eyes remained alert, carefully observing their surroundings.
Once we pass the borders of Jiuyue Mountain and reach Lanshe Town ahead, Elder Lu has arranged for a welcoming party.
"Hurry up!"
In front, a person wearing a "cloak" stumbled and struggled to walk. The escort disciple, filled with anger, drew his sword and hit the person inside the cloak, causing them to stumble. As they tried to stand up slowly, they were kicked in the waist.
Just as they were about to leave the borders of Jiuyue Mountain, something unexpected happened!
"Are you ready?" Jianwen took a deep breath and silently signaled with his eyes, beckoning someone behind him.
Get your weapons ready! Attack!
Get that guy! Avenge Martial Brother Cen!
With an angry shout from Jianfang, he leaped down from the mountaintop!
"There's an ambush!" Seeing the dangerous situation, Ye Xiyuan's expression turned cold. He immediately took out a chessboard and exclaimed, "Enemy attack!"
A fierce monk descended from the sky like an iron mountain. He wore a golden bell and with both hands, he grabbed a disciple of the righteous path, took a deep breath, and threw them forcefully against the mountain wall.
"Boom!"
The entire mountain path instantly descended into chaos.
Qiao Wan, Jianwen, and a few other senior students from Sun Tao College joined the battle, working together with Jianfang, who was very skilled.
They swiftly moved through the narrow mountain path, with Qiao Wan rolling and leaping, her sword movements flowing one after another.
Jianwen, being a crafty person, thin and nimble, raised his hand and countless mosquitoes swarmed out from his sleeves!
Their aggressive momentum was no less than students rushing to the cafeteria in later times, although the signals between these mosquitoes were not much different from students rushing to the cafeteria.
It's mealtime!
-"Wait! I'm coming to join in!"
-"Let me join, just for a moment!"
The disciples of Sun Tao College couldn't avoid them and took several steps back, swinging their swords, attempting to fend off the flying mosquitoes in front of them.
One of the disciples suddenly swung a bladed iron wheel towards Jianfang's face. Qiao Wan leapt into action, grabbing it barehanded!
The spinning iron wheel landed in Qiao Wan's hand. The sharp blade cut open her palm and blood started to flow.
Qiao Wan grabbed the iron wheel with her bare hands, stopping its movement. As she looked up, she saw the disciple who had just thrown the iron wheel, with a shocked expression on his face.
How is this possible?
This iron wheel is a third-level magical weapon! It could easily cut off someone's arm in an instant! Yet this person managed to catch it barehanded?!
In reality, Qiao Wan caught the iron wheel with her bare hands to test the effectiveness of her toughened skin. Though she couldn't yet achieve complete invulnerability, it was enough. The wound in her palm was shallower than she had expected.
This is still a third-level magical weapon.
Her flesh had become much stronger compared to before.
Qiao Wan glanced at the disciple who used the iron wheel and with a strong flick, she sent the blood-stained wheel flying away!
Like a throwing dart, the iron wheel splattered blood wherever it went!
No, something doesn't seem right!
As the war escalated, Qiao Wan's heart grew heavier. Her eyes quickly glanced along the mountain path and met Jianwen's gaze.
"Sensing something wrong?" Jianwen's body trembled, giving Qiao Wan a knowing look.
While launching a strong attack, Qiao Wan also kept an eye on the movements of the disciples from Sun Tao College.
After a moment, a sudden realization dawned on her. She finally understood what was amiss.
"These disciples from Sun Tao College, they're not fleeing at all!"
Each one of them was using their magical artifacts to desperately protect Cen Qingyou in their group, without even sparing a glance at the remaining half of the road ahead.
If they continued a little further, they would leave the boundaries of Jiuyue Mountain and escape from the Great Hall of Light's territory. Lu Dechang had arranged for them to be assisted on this path. But incredibly, not a single disciple from Sun Tao College seemed to have any intention of charging forward!
Wouldn't a normal person's first reaction be to retreat immediately and avoid further conflict?
Even the man Qiao Wan encountered at the mountain gate, Ye Xiyuan, was only playing with chess pieces.
They were stalling for something.
As for what they were stalling for, Qiao Wan looked around.
Qiao Wan's hand shook, and a sword energy flew towards Cen Qingyou's forehead!
A pitch-black cloak was instantly torn apart by the sword light, revealing a unfamiliar face, thin and with a single eyelid.
He wasn't Cen Qingyou at all!
Fake?
Jianfang and Jianwen were both stunned!
Just as expected.
Qiao Wan's heart sank. She quickly waved and called a few disciples from the Great Hall of Light. They climbed the cliff and hurriedly left!
Besides this path, there was another way to leave the territory of the Great Hall of Light!
On the other side of the mountain path.
A group of Sun Tao College disciples were rushing with all their might, not wasting a single moment.
"We're almost there."
Seeing that Lanshe Town was within reach, Ye Xiyuan, or rather the real Ye Xiyuan, felt a surge of determination. He quickly organized the team, "Hurry!"
The flying device was too flashy, so we had to rely on our legs to continue the journey. Luckily, we were almost there.
Looking up, the guard disciple saw a vast wilderness not far ahead. Feeling relieved, he unconsciously kicked the person in front who was covered by a cloak.
"Hurry up, can't you hear?"
With that kick, he purposely hit the young boy's side.
A hint of blood seeped through the cloak.
"He's covered in filth."
"What's the deal with this Blue-eyed Evil Buddha and Venerable One Miaofa's proud disciple?" The guard disciple sneered, extending his foot to nudge the young boy's lower back. "With this stench of urine and feces on him, even the rain can't wash it away. If he can't control himself, then we don't want him."
The guard disciple turned to his companion and smirked, "Ever heard of the 'Skyward Tree'?"
"Just take a small tree, sharpen the tip, then stick it in from behind, push with your hand, let go, and let the elasticity of the tree trunk launch you into the sky."
He glanced at the "cloak" in front of him, as the guarding disciple drew his sword and said, "Why haven't you left yet?!"
The "cloak" still didn't respond.
The young boy walked steadily, with his eyes lowered and his wounds reopening. The dirty white clothes revealed a faint hint of plum blossom petals on the hem.
The guarding disciple felt anger rising in his heart.
Who was he showing off to?!
Who was he trying to impress?!
With a kick and a sword drawn, the blade aimed for the boy's lower body--
A flash of the sword--
It pierced through the rain and scattered droplets.
What followed was a wide range of bright, crimson blood splattering on the mountainside.
Floating in the air were--
The guarding disciple stood in shock, along with the disciples of Sun Tao College, as they stared blankly at the sky. When they finally regained their senses, their line of sight suddenly dropped, and they realized that they had collapsed to the ground.
With a swipe of his hand, the blood gushed out. It was his leg!!
It was his leg!
He lost his lower body, sent flying into the sky by a sword.
The young man's eyes widened in disbelief as he watched this scene unfold.
In mid-air, a string of blood droplets reflected a pair of dark eyes. Qiao Wan raised her sword and leaped from the cliff, blood dripping from the tip of her sword.
