Yu Xiao walked step by step toward Fang Jie, which annoyed Fang Jie.
The ten excellent spots had already been decided; was it necessary to continue fighting?
In a cultivation competition, the ten who persevere to the end receive excellent results. With only twenty-odd people left in the final round, Fang Jie and Yu Xiao were the first and second to finish their matches, so there was clearly no need for another fight. The final few who had decided the winners would have to compete in another match to claim the remaining spots, but for those who finished first, their scores were already determined, so another fight was meaningless.
But judging from Yu Xiao's expression, he clearly wanted to fight Fang Jie.
"You're a smart man,"
Yu Xiao said.
This was the second time Fang Jie had heard someone say this to him today. Although the tone wasn't insincere, Fang Jie still felt somewhat disgusted. This kind of tone always carried a condescending air, as if a strong person had to acknowledge the opponent's superiority before declaring war, otherwise they would appear inferior.
Fang Jie simply remained silent.
Yu Xiao didn't mind, smiling slightly, "I didn't come here to challenge you to a fight."
Fang Jie couldn't help but glance at him, saying, "Do I need to say thank you?"
Yu Xiao shook his head, saying calmly, "If you're free after the match, I'd like to invite you for drinks. Of course, you can refuse. Also… I'm actually quite curious what tricks you haven't used yet."
Fang Jie was silent for a moment, then walked to the side and picked up a small stick that Cui Pingzhou had previously conjured with earth talismans. Holding it in his right hand, he straightened up and suddenly struck, his right arm bending at an unbelievable angle, then the stick traced a strange trajectory. This was Old Cripple's signature sword move; though not entirely authentic, it was definitely effective.
Yu Xiao paused, then said earnestly to Fang Jie, "Now I want to fight you again."
Fang Jie tossed his earthen staff aside, dusted his hands, and said, "Unfortunately, weapons aren't allowed in this competition."
Yu Xiao suddenly smiled and said, "Why did it take you so long to remember that?"
Fang Jie hesitated for a moment, then chuckled, "Right... I already won."
Yu Xiao said, "That's right. The moment Cui Pingzhou transformed his earthen staff into a staff, you actually won. Although I don't know why the professors at the Martial Arts Academy didn't stop you from continuing, I'm certain that even if you were knocked to the ground by Cui Pingzhou, you would still be the winner. The rules of the Martial Arts Academy are the rules. Perhaps those people on the platform wanted to see how you fought, which is why they didn't stop you, but that doesn't prevent them from following the rules."
"What ridiculous rules."
Fang Jie couldn't help but glare at the viewing platform, thinking to himself, "So it was this easy to win."
"You came here just to remind me of this?"
Fang Jie asked. Yu Xiao said, "As I said before, I wanted to invite you for a drink."
"When?"
"Tomorrow at noon, is that alright?"
"Where?"
"The Left Martial Guard General's Mansion."
Fang Jie hesitated for a while, finally nodding and saying, "You know I'm penniless, and I don't have any presents to offer. So if you don't mind if I come empty-handed, I wouldn't mind freeloading."
"I'm glad you agreed."
Yu Xiao nodded and turned to leave.
Fang Jie understood Yu Xiao's intention when he mentioned the Left Martial Guard General's Mansion, which explained his hesitation. Someone was already showing him favor, and it was the son of the Left Martial Guard General, Yu Manlou. If it were someone else, they might immediately agree and feel flattered. But Fang Jie was worried that entering the Left Martial Guard General's Mansion might offend many people.
At this moment, it was likely that more than one son of the Left Martial Guard General wanted to get closer to him. His entering the residence of the Left Martial Guard General seemed to be a gesture that displeased others.
That's why Fang Jie hesitated, wondering whether he should refuse Yu Xiao.
He told Yu Xiao that he had no money to prepare any expensive gifts and would have to come empty-handed. Yu Xiao understood Fang Jie's meaning. If Fang Jie prepared a generous gift, those who were observing would likely feel very uncomfortable. Accepting Yu Xiao's invitation was one attitude, arriving empty-handed was another.
Fang Jie found himself becoming increasingly complicated after arriving in the capital, Chang'an. These were things he never had to consider in Fan Gu. The border town only had eight hundred border soldiers and two thousand civilians, and Fang Jie had gotten to know everyone in three years. But the capital was too vast; the hundred-mile-long city of Chang'an was like a deep pool of water. Who knew where he could find pearls or where water ghosts would be waiting to haunt him and claim his life?
He turned and walked to a patch of grass to lie down and rest. The sun was already hanging in the west and would soon set. Another day was about to end, and another night was about to begin. This was no ordinary day. Fang Jie had finally completed the long-awaited and meticulously prepared martial arts academy exam. Although the results hadn't been officially announced, he felt a profound sense of relief and longed to go home and sleep soundly.
"Fang Jie."
He had just reached the edge of the grass when he heard someone call his name. He stopped, turned around, and saw another young master from a prestigious family, Pei Chuxing.
Pei Chuxing walked up to Fang Jie, paused briefly, and opened his mouth to speak, but Fang Jie spoke first, pointing to his own nose and asking with a smile, "Young Master Pei, are you trying to say I'm a clever man?"
Pei Chuxing was taken aback, then smiled and nodded, "You are indeed a clever man."
Fang Jie hummed in agreement and asked again, "Would you like to invite me for drinks?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"How about tomorrow noon?"
"Tomorrow evening..."
Fang Jie smiled and said, "We can have a more enjoyable evening. Where?"
"My home."
Pei Chuxing asked, "Do you know it?"
"I don't know it personally, but I think many people know the residence of the Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. I'll find out, but I don't have the money to buy a decent gift. If Young Master Pei doesn't mind my humble appearance, I'd be happy to pay a visit."
"No problem, I'll send a carriage to pick you up."
Pei Chuxing clasped his hands in a fist salute, turned, and left.
Fang Jie's lips curled into a slight smile, wondering how long the dinner invitations would last. For someone already a bit strapped for cash, it would be nice to have someone treat him to drinks every meal. He saw Xie Fuyao resting on the grass not far away, thought for a moment, and then walked over.
Under Xie Fuyao's gaze, Fang Jie sat down beside him, stretched, and casually asked, "Can I buy you a drink?"
Xie Fuyao was slightly taken aback, then nodded, "Sure, when?"
"Tonight, please."
"Where?"
"Wherever you can buy wine."
"There's a nice little shop about half a mile to the left after you enter the city gate, though it's a bit small. But their stewed dog meat and roast chicken are quite good, and they have a few signature side dishes."
Fang Jie hummed in agreement and asked, "Is it expensive?"
"If you eat until you're stuffed… it'll cost at least an ounce of silver."
Xie Fuyao replied.
Fang Jie couldn't help but swear, "Damn it, so expensive! Um… do you include a fruit platter?"
...
...
Shenquan Mountain.
When they heard the old monk say he only wanted to take his disciple back to the Great Snow Mountain, both Zhuo Buyi and the Crane Cry Daoist's expressions changed. They knew the young, handsome monk had accomplices with astonishing cultivation, but they hadn't expected him to be of such great importance. He was the Second Venerable of Buddhism, known as the Wise Venerable who knew everything under heaven.
The Great Wheel King of Buddhism had four disciples. His eldest disciple, the Great Freedom Venerable, was in charge of all affairs of Buddhism. Very few Buddhist disciples could even see the Great Wheel King; seeing the Venerable was already extremely difficult. Since the Great Wheel King went into seclusion in his stone chamber ten years ago, all matters of Buddhism had been decided by the Great Freedom Venerable. Even the throne of the Mongol Empire's Great Khan, Möngke, was appointed by the Great Wheel King at the request of the Great Freedom Venerable. It was said that only a handful of people had been able to see the Great Wheel King after his seclusion.
The second disciple was the Wise Venerable, who preached on the Mirror Platform of the Great Snow Mountain every month. Buddhist disciples and believers traveled great distances to hear the Buddha's teachings, and those who ascended the mountain prostrated themselves every three steps. Many died along the way, unable to endure the hardship. It is said that the Wise Celestial Venerable knew all things under heaven and observed the past three hundred years.
The third disciple, Lingbao Celestial Venerable, remained only in the Sutra Repository and never left. He was in charge of the scriptures and spent his days copying them by hand. He never inquired about Buddhist affairs, nor did he preach or propagate Buddhist teachings. He was the most mysterious Celestial Venerable in Buddhism; there were even rumors that he was lame and unable to travel.
The fourth disciple, Shiyuan Celestial Venerable, was in charge of the precepts. Legend has it that he was the only one in Buddhism to have mastered the Vajra Wrath, possessing great divine power. Buddhist disciples were scattered throughout the world, receiving revered treatment everywhere except in the Sui Dynasty. Therefore, pride was inevitable, but in the Precept Hall, no Buddhist disciple dared to disobey.
These four Celestial Venerables were, to ordinary people, legendary deities.
Outside of the Sui Dynasty, wherever these four Celestial Venerables appeared, they would receive the grandest welcome: flowers paved the way, water sprinkled in the streets, and even a monarch would kneel before them.
Yet, such a powerful figure had appeared silently outside Chang'an, the capital of the Sui Dynasty. And just moments before, he had been inside the city. The fact that he had managed to evade the search of numerous powerful figures within the city that night was enough to prove the old monk's extraordinary cultivation.
"A Celestial Venerable, indeed."
The Crane Cry Daoist slowly exhaled and said, "So you're that bald monk Zhihui?"
The old monk shook his head slightly and said, "High Priest of the Daoist Sect, aren't you ashamed of your status by speaking so vulgarly? Although the Daoist Sect is merely a small corner of the Sui Kingdom, it is still a very famous sect. Your very words reveal your crude nature. Generally speaking, most people in the Daoist Sect are like you."
"You have a good tongue; indeed, you speak eloquently."
The Crane Cry Daoist snorted coldly and said, "Don't pretend here. Aren't you tired? It's said you claim to know everything under heaven. There's something I'd like to ask you."
The old monk clasped his hands together and said, "Please ask."
"Since you know everything under heaven, do you know you're going to die today?"
The Crane Cry Daoist asked, slightly raising his chin.
The old monk sighed, "Violent and barbaric, even in human skin, they are still demons. Since that's the case, I cannot help but exorcise demons for the world."
"Nonsense!"
The Crane Cry Daoist coldly retorted, "Even killing requires a hypocritical excuse. Don't you think that's shameful? A fight is a fight, stop with the nonsense!"
As he finished speaking, the Crane Cry Daoist swung his wide robe sleeves backward. With a bang, two craters appeared behind him, dust billowing up. His crimson figure flashed by, and when he reappeared, he was already in front of the old monk.
He charged forward, but Zhuo Buyi sat down cross-legged.
The latter closed his eyes, refusing to look.
The old monk raised his hand and waved his robe. It was as if a golden shield had been unfurled before him. The two powerful, repulsive forces that the Crane Cry Daoist had unleashed in mid-air slammed into the robe. The robe, stretched taut, was met with a powerful repulsive force that struck it but seemed to sink without a trace, leaving only two small dents.
The old monk used his left hand to raise the robe and block the Crane Cry Taoist's attack, while his right hand made a gesture as if shooing away flying insects. Upon hearing this, Zhuo Buyi, sitting cross-legged twenty meters away, frowned deeply.
The old monk blocked the Crane Cry Taoist's repulsive force with his left hand, and shattered Zhuo Buyi's will with his right.
Two against one, and it seemed he was at a disadvantage.