The origins and the behaviour of the Tibetans in Tuer Town had left some questions to be answered. Up until now, Wen Leyang and his group had already participated in an ‘elimination race’, eaten roast meat with the African brothers for a few days, and had been dispatched to stay in the town to fight an enemy. Even if Gu XIaojun had no intention of fighting with them, in order to continue investigating this case, they could only follow the Tibetans’ orders and chase away the enemy.
There were two possibilities as to who would come and hunt the evil cult followers. One of it would be the Buddhist elites who simply wanted to keep the peace and order. How could they let the evil cult followers run rampant near their sacred lake? The second possibility was that some sorcerers had discovered the nine-headed snake’s followers’ scheme and had rushed over to stop it.
If it was the former, then they had little to say. They could not hope to explain the situation anyway. They would attack them directly, push them back, and chase after the evil cult followers. If it was the latter and if they were lucky, their two parties could form an alliance and Wen Leyang’s group would be able to find out the true intentions of the Tibetans and evil cult followers. Of course, both of these possibilities were really low. It was just enough to bring hope but they knew better than to have any wild wishes…
Qin Zhui lifted his head and observed the red glowing light in the sky. The initial excitement in his eyes quickly faded as he said in a dispirited manner, “This magical power is nothing special… Who exactly is it?”
The other party was traveling fast. Wen Leyang did not have the time to explain to him as he said to Gu Xiaojun in a low voice. “We will try not speak. We will let you handle this! If negotiations fall through, then I will attack them! Don’t worry, these people aren’t that strong.”
An idea came to Qin Zhui all of a sudden. A sense of genuine happiness appeared on his ugly face, “The one who is coming… is it Nineteen?”
Wen Leyang was caught in between wanting to cry and laugh as he chided, “It’s First Brother, Xia!”
Qin Zhui remained unaware. He did not detect the sarcasm in Wen Leyang’s tone. He said in astonishment, “That old man has came as well?” Qin Zhui’s tone was respectful when he spoke of his future father-in-law.
Qin Zhui’s voice had barely faded when a slightly hoarse voice yelled coldly, “You have just commented on the skills of my disciple, you must be an expert! How fortunate this priest is able to meet an expert today!” As he said this, a short figure appeared at the edge of the town, a pair of bright eyes stared straight at Gu Xiaojun.
Gu Xiaojun was slightly shocked, “It wasn’t me who said that!”
The other party’s gaze shifted onto Xiao Sha’s face as he sneered, “I wasn’t talking to you either!”
Xiao Sha was at a complete loss. He asked with a puzzled face, “Then, were you talking to me sir?”
The man’s gaze fixed on Gu Xiaojun once more. “Ugly man, why are your eyes twitching?”
Qin Zhui, who was standing beside Gu Xiaojun answered simply, “My face is uncomfortable… ” He had been buffeted by sand and his face felt uncomfortable. After saying that, he frowned. “Did you address me earlier, old man?”
Fei Fei, who had been watching from the sides, was hit with a sudden realization. She said to her companions in a low voice, “I think I get it. He’s… he’s cross-eyed!”
The man’s gaze was like electric, suddenly locking on Wen Leyang. “The young girl should talk less. She has to know that calamity can originate from one’s mouth!”
Wen Leyang nodded towards Fei Fei and smiled bitterly. The Taoist currently standing just outside the town border had white brows, white beard, and white hair. He stood no taller than three feet but he was stern and cold. He was the supreme leader of the Qilian Immortal Sect.
When Wen Leyang had led a team into the Gold-Consuming Lair on back on Qilian Mountain, they had crossed paths with him many times. When they left, the dwarf Taoist priest had been badly injured by Cone Nail and was out cold.
Some thirty younger Taoists appeared behind the Taoist priest, one after another. They all looked familiar. These men have all met Wen Leyang in the Gold-Consuming Lair. After Cone Nail had been revived and broken out of the frozen forest, the Gold-Consuming Lair had been completely destroyed. The Land of Metal Element in the magical realm had also vanished along with it. The two thousand year old Qilian Immortal Sect became no more than a memory. Wen Leyang could not understand why the Taoist priests had left Mount Qilian had come to Tibet to catch evil cult followers.
Wen Leyang and Qin Zhui’s features had been re-arranged by the small-eyed Xiao Sha. Even they would not have recognised their own reflection in a mirror. They were not worried in the slightest that they would be recognised by the dwarf Taoist priest. The Qilian Immortal Sect held a deep grudge against Wen Leyang. If they had met directly, the other party would surely have attacked them on first sight.
Qin Zhui had also been training at the edge of the Gold-Consuming Lair. Logically speaking, it would not matter much even if he were to be recognised. However, Wen Leyang worried that he might spill the beans whilst attempting to explain. Hence, he decided to have Qin Zhui disguised to prevent any complications.
Another figure appeared silently beside the dwarf Taoist priest. He was a dark-skinned, fierce-looking head lama, whose rotund body was clad in a red robe. He did not look much like a leader. If he were to take off his monk robes and wield a carving knife, he could have been mistaken for a butcher.
When Qin Zhui saw the head lama, his gaze brightened, his entire body felt invigorated. The head lama was like a glaring veda, his eyes bulging like huge bronze bells. He stared fiercely at Qin Zhui.
The people of QIlian Immortal Sect and the head lama did not step into the town but instead stood at its border. They stared at the five people inside the town, like crouching tigers about to spring.
Fei Fei used an extremely low tone to tell her companions about the feelings of their opponents based on their expression, “They are confident but distrustful of us. They want to see us try to bluff them on purpose.”
Xiao Sha smiled bitterly and nodded. He also whispered, “They’re here to catch evil cult followers. Of course they’ll treat us as such!”
Wen Leyang suddenly cried out in surprise. His upper body, which was tougher than iron rock, convulsed for a moment, startling his four companions. Wen Leyang’s expression was first of shock, then it changed to a look of joy. Finally, he let out a long sigh, as if he had finally shrugged off a burden. He chuckled and shook his head at the group. “It’s nothing, it’s nothing!”
Fei Fei’s gaze stayed on his face for a bit longer. She could read Wen Leyang’s current feelings as clear as day. She asked with a smile, “Did something good happen?”
Wen Leyang laughed. He did not pay any attention to the glaring Qilian disciples at the town border. He nodded towards Fei Fei, “You’re right, something great did just happen!”
Gu Xiaojun ignored the jumpy Wen Leyang. He laughed at the sky, then looked towards the head lama and the Taoist priest as he asked, “Are you passing by? It seems like this town has no residents, food or drinks. We too were just passing this town on our journey.”
The tanned and rotund head lama squinted his eyes and quickly scanned the faces of Wen Leyang and the others, quick as lighting. He spoke in choppy sounding Mandarin as he asked, “Where did the residents of this town go?”
The moment the head lama’s gaze swept across his face, Wen Leyang felt his face drain of blood. At the same time, his spirit was greatly shook. Thank goodness the opponent’s gaze had moved on quickly. Wen Leyang had felt this sensation before, it was known at the ‘Weeping Buddha Knifesight’. He had experienced it once from the gaze of a past opponent.
Frankly, Gu Xiaojun was unsure of how to continue the cover-up story. He could not tell them the truth. Even if he did, there was no guarantee that the other party would believe him. He decided to wing it. He chuckled and shook head. “How would I know where the town’s residents have gone?” Essentially, he was telling the truth. Next to him, his companions nodded in unison. Gu Xiaojun paused before continuing to ask with a smile, “How do I address you, great master? Which temple do you belong to?”
Upon saying this, Old Gu executed a bow. This was a Tibetan etiquette. Lamas are held in high regard amongst the Tibetan people. They were the embodiment of kindness, justice, and mercy.
The Taoist priest’s gaze swept back and forth among the five people in Wen Leyang’s group. Nobody knew what he was looking at or looking for.
The head lama did not forget his manners and returned the gesture. “I go by the name Rangjung. I do not belong to any temple.” His voice was stiff, even slightly hoarse. At first, it was not pleasant to the ears but his tone exuded fairness and peace, making his listeners relax their body and spirit without even realizing, completely forgetting about his unpleasant voice.
Fei Fei frowned slightly and told Wen Leyang in a low voice, “Rangjung means natural and God-made in the Tibetan language.”
Wen Leyang did not understand what Fei Fei had just said. “Natural lama?” There was a tone of mockery in his voice. He had no intentions of being disrespectful but he found the name strange and a bit funny.
However, Fei Fei was grim. She pondered carefully, her head cocked to the side. ‘I think I’ve read about the lama Rangjung in some ancient texts before…”
Rangjung’s gaze turned genuine and warm now. He seemed in no hurry to speak. He simply smiled at Fei Fei.
Fei Fei was silent for a while. Finally, she remembered. She confidently told her four companions who were beside her, “Lama Rangjung is not a name, but a title!” Then, like reading a passage from a textbook, she recited in a low voice, “Walking across the soft earth, radiating like the warm sun, protecting the delicate flowers, bringing the gentle breeze! Eyes never shutting in the dark, forever radiating with light… Lama Rangjung, skywalker of the highlands!”
After saying all these abstract things, Fei Fei added something more useful, “He has great magical powers and is very powerful!”
That last sentence filled Qin Zhui with joy.
Lama Rangjung smiled at Fei Fei. The fierce face suddenly turned merciful and friendly with a smile. “A knowledgeable person possess the eye to differentiate between good and evil. He can see through the fog in the deep valley and find peace within nature. I, Rangjung, do not advise people to be good, only to be at peace.” As he said his, he paused briefly. He looked at the five of them one by one and asked with a smile, “Are you all at peace?”
The five of them nodded and answered in unison, “We are!”
Their voices had barely faded when the dwarf Taoist priest suddenly howled like thunder, “At peace my *ss!” He stretched out his hands, leaping high into the air. He stared at Fei Fei fiercely and cursed, “Surrender you villian!” Suddenly, a flare lit up the night sky. Akin to a fiery snake, it mercilessly and relentlessly chased after Wen Leyang!
Fei Fei had almost fainted out of fear. She only remembered that the Taoist priest was cross-eyed after he had launched his attack…
Following this, the Taoist priest attacked. His disciples behind him launched their swords into the air and gestured in a series of movements. The swords seemed to come to life and sailed through the air. They formed a blazing red chain in mid-air, mercilessly striking at Wen Leyang!
The entire sky burned bright red from the enchanted flames. Head lama Rangjung shook his head and said in a low voice, “Try not to hurt anyone.”
Nobody had expected the dwarf Taoist priest’s attack right then. Wen Leyang swayed and immediately pulled Gu Xiaojun and the siblings back, shielding them from the swords. Qin Zhui took a step forward. With the Tang knife in his hand, he called upon the Force of Heaven and Earth and brought it down to meet the flaming flying swords!
With a loud boom, sparks flew everywhere. Qin Zhui and the priests from the Qilian Immortal Sect staggered backwards. They were evenly matched.
Wen Leyang was surprised to find the magical powers of the Qilian Immortal Sect had grown a lot since they had last met back in the Gold-Consuming Lair. He thought about it briefly and understood. When they were in the Land of Metal Element, perhaps the Qilian disciples’ Fire Magic had been limited by the Metal element and could not wield their knives as freely.
Qin Zhui seemed relaxed, he was after all, much more in his element while fighting. He laughed and praised, “Not bad! Again!” As he said this, he hacked down with his Tang knife. He slashes a a few dozen times in a row, mercilessly attacking the enemy from all directions!
The dwarf Taoist priest and the disciples that he had brought did not back down. They leaped up and charged into the town. They fought back against Qin Zhui, directing their flying swords towards him. At all once, swords whistled through the air and the blaze blocked out the sky. The Taoist priests’ howls and Qin Zhui’s mad laughter intertwined with each other.
Lama Rangjung too stepped into the town with light footsteps. He trailed at an arm’s length behind the Qilian disciples, his eyes never leaving Wen Leyang.
Xiao Sha had seen his fair share of battles. He was not shocked by the roiling and fierce battle between Qin Zhui and the Qilian disciples, but he did ask Gu Xiaojun in surprise, “Chief, didn’t you say devout Buddhists would never want to enter this town?”
Gu Xiaojun did not have the patience to discuss such trivial matters with Xiao Sha and answered simply, “Then perhaps he isn’t devout!”
Head Lama Rangjung did not seem the least bit angered. He chuckled and said, “Devotion and where your feet touch aren’t related…” His voice had barely faded when his expression turned icy cold. His entire being exuded a savageness akin to a wild demon. He howled, “Stop!” His body swayed and he rushed into the heart of battle like a fiery tornado.
Wen Leyang also bared his teeth. He let out a long howl, so loud that it could penetrate metal and shatter rocks. He rushed towards lama Rangjung in a streak of lighting!
His psychic ability did not allow him to see a practitioner’s magic roots, but looking at lama Rangjung’s movements alone, Wen Leyang knew. His strength and method of practice were not inferior to his own! If he manages to land even one hit on Qin Zhui, the ugly youth would only be spitting blood if he was lucky, maybe even worse!
Just as lama Rangjung rushed into the battle and grabbed onto Qin Zhui’s Tang knife, Wen Leyang exhaled and yelled. He pounced to the lama’s side, looking like a strange bird. He extended his arms and grabbed the other’s burly arm. His Poison Punch was primed and brimming with the Poison of Life and Death, attacking instantaneously like spilled mercury. The Metal Poison Stream which had gathered under his feet burst up and helped Qin Zhui to block the oncoming Fire Swords from the Qilian priests.
Suddenly, a huge pair of claws burst out of the ground and grabbed onto Wen Leyang’s foot, holding onto him firmly! Wen Leyang’s psychic fog had been scattered then. He had earlier detected the enemy underneath the ground but the opponent was too quick. It was as if the opponent had grabbed at him the moment he felt a gap within the psychic boundary.
Wen Leyang let out a long howl. His pushed his feet against the ground and soared into the air. Qin Zhui and lama Rangjung continued to grapple at each other. Together, they leaped up into the sky!
With a ‘psschh’, a giant pangolin, covered in scales, was pulled out of ground like a carrot by Wen Leyang. The giant pangolin was enormous. His upper body stuck out from the ground, while his lower body was still embedded into the ground below. Wen Leyang silently cursed his own carelessness. If the dwarf Taoist priest was here, how could the Divine Mountain Guardian Beast not follow?
Back on the mountain, Wen Leyang had lived with Po Ti for quite some time.. They had been happy to be in each other’s company and he did not regard Po Tu as an enemy. A thought flashed through his mind then, he had changed his appearance. The other person would only see an evil cult follower, not Wen Leyang.
Even if Po Tu knew of his true identity, the line of Tuo Xie and the Qilian Immortal Sect had been at odds with each other over the course of two thousand years. Po Tu might even ignore the threat of Chang Li and go all out in in seeking revenge and repaying the insurmountable debts!
Po Tu’s magic roots were superior to that of the old demon rabbit Shan Duan. In addition to that, lama Rangjung was evenly matched with Wen Leyang. As a result, Wen Leyang and Qin Zhui could not gain a foothold over the enemy.
Wen Leyang struggled in mid-air, trying to break free of the pangolin’s hold. He gritted his teeth as his expression turned stony. As if making a huge decision, he yelled out, “Let go before I break your arms!”
Po Tu, who held firm, opened his mouth in a chuckle and was about to reply when his a cat caught his tongue. He let out a cry of surprise. It was as if from deep underground, another larger beast was yanking on his tail. The giant pangolin flailed and struggled, before his being was pulled back into the ground in a ‘whoosh’. He only had the time to leave behind two words, “Help me…”
Whether it was out of the kindness in his heart, or Po Tu was too busy struggling against the force that pulled him, he had let go of his grip on Wen Leyang.
The sudden turn of events had left everyone dumbstruck. Wen Leyang stood still, speechless and unmoving!