QT Cannon Fodder's Record: Dekachapter 227

Chp 2261: I Thought It Was an Assassin

Zhao Linger was a two-faced person with good looks. No one dared to provoke her in the Zhao Clan Stronghold. An average guy wouldn’t be able to restrain her at all.

Zhao Linger exposed the blood on the corners of her mouth. Zhao Bo's scolding tone now carried a hint of distress. "How did this happen?"

"He kicked me, your daughter, and injured me without any reason." Zhao Linger covered her chest with a frown. She looked pained.

"This disciple can bear witness. Junior Sister couldn't get up from the ground. It was this disciple who helped her up," said one of the disciples.

Zhao Bo looked at Ning Shu, who looked sorry. "Linger suddenly jumped up on me. I thought it was an assassin. My body instinctively reacted, and I attacked first. If I knew it was my cousin, I wouldn't have attacked. "

"This is a misunderstanding. Have a good talk with your cousin later. He just came back and doesn’t know your personality. Okay, ask your mother for some medicine," said Zhao Bo to Zhao Linger.

Zhao Linger looked at her father in disbelief. "Father, your daughter is hurt!"

"Father, you don't love your daughter anymore." Zhao Linger was really sad and ran away in tears.

The senior brothers chased after Zhao Linger, calling Junior Sister one after another.

Ning Shu said, "Would you like me to apologize to Sister Linger? I was too abrupt and failed to control myself."

"You are not to blame. After all, you have been living in a dangerous demonic cult. This daughter has been spoiled rotten by me. I don't know if her husband will be able to tolerate her antics." Zhao Bo couldn't help but shake his head.

Ning Shu said, "Linger is so cute. You can definitely find a young talent who can be trusted to care for her their whole lives."

In pleasing words, Zhao Linger was lively and cute, and in otherwise unpleasant words, she was unruly and self-willed.

Ning Shu definitely wouldn’t indulge her. The next time she bumped into her, she wouldn’t hold back.

After all, she had lived in the demonic sect for so many years so it was normal for her attitude to be abnormal.

After suffering a loss, Zhao Linger probably felt stifled and indignant because she took every opportunity to seek revenge.

Zhao Linger and the other disciples kept giving Ning Shu a hard time, wanting to see her break down and cry.

Ning Shu solved it directly using force without leaving any trace. Zhao Linger suffered a loss against her every single time. She soon hated Ning Shu to the core and wished to kill her.

Their every encounter resulted in a big feud.

Ning Shu was more concerned about the martial alliance. In the past few days, various schools and factions had arrived at the Zhao Clan Stronghold.

Yet again, Zhao Linger was leading around a group of disciples without caring about anything. Ning Shu was rendered speechless by her behavior.

Ning Shu was tired of Zhao Linger's childish pranks. In the end, she let Zhao Bo know, who ordered Zhao Linger to stay in the house and embroider clothes.

When would Zhao Linger have learned to embroider clothes? She hated Ning Shu even more.

With the arrival of various sects, the Zhao Clan Stronghold became lively. The bright-colored uniforms of the sects could be seen everywhere.

Ning Shu also noticed smooth and shiny heads moving here and there. These vegetarian Buddhist monks had come to join in the fun.

Every night, the roof tiles would rattle because of the people stepping on them. It seemed that they had heard the rumor.

Ning Shu leaked the news about 'Guiyuan Sacred Martial Arts,' but it did not contain too much information.

It was said that the demonic sect had lost some stuff and was now searching all over the world. A defector had ran away after stealing those things.

There was also some gossip that someone saw the defector heading toward the Zhao Clan Stronghold.

The people of the demonic sect were also wandering around the Zhao Clan Stronghold.

When Zhao Bo heard this, his slap broke a thick wooden table into pieces.

Translator: Take

MTL Editor: Meraki

TLC: Kaho

Chp 2262: I Have a Plan

“No wonder those old bald monkeys who usually just eat vegetables and chant scriptures about valuing mercy and not murdering all came,” Zhao Bo said with a frown.

Those monks, who usually refused to be involved with anything, weren’t the only people who had come looking for some benefits. Some small sects had also come and declared their wish to eliminate demons and defend the righteous ways.

However, Zhao Clan Stronghold didn’t have enough room to house them. Because of this, these little sects had no choice but to sleep around the perimeter.

They harped on about this. They said that the leader of the martial alliance was stingy, and he wouldn’t give them a roof over their head or even a bite of food.

Although Zhao Bo was angry, he restrained himself and didn’t engage with these people, lest he lowered himself to their level.

Zhao Bo frowned. “How did this news get out?”

“Must be those bastards from the demonic sect,” Ning Shu whispered.

“It can also be someone from the Zhao Clan Stronghold. Some people here know about the cover identity I used in the demonic sect.

“They probably suspect that Zhao Clan Stronghold has this thing now. That must be why they all came.

"Uncle, what should we do now?" Ning Shu asked Zhao Bo. "What if these people unite and demand the ‘Guiyuan Sacred Martial Arts’ manual from us?"

Zhao Bo’s face looked indifferent. “They are looking not for the manual, but simply some petty benefits.

“When the time comes, I will bring you to them. You must tell them that…” Zhao Bo uttered some words to Ning Shu.

Ning Shu showed her agreement. "Uncle's idea is great."

What a wily old fox he was.

Later in the evening, Ning Shu slipped a book to Mei Wu. He looked at it and said, “Why are you giving this to me?”

“I have a plan. Do you want to know what it is?” Ning Shu asked.

Mei Wu directly shook his head. “No. These people are getting together to attack the demonic sect. We should leave the Zhao Clan Stronghold now.

"Don’t tell me… Do you want to take these people to attack the Sacred Demonic Cult?"

"How could that be? I have a plan," Ning Shu lightly responded.

“I think we should leave this place now and notify the sect leader about them. What are you giving me this lousy book for?” Mei Wu asked.

Grimly, Ning Shu responded, “What’s the use of that? It’s better to be here.

“Listen to me. Tomorrow, you will…”

Mei Wu stared at Ning Shu and said, “No. You don’t have good intentions. This is because you’re afraid since I’m surveilling you, isn’t it? With so many people around, aren’t you practically sending me to my grave?

“I disagree with your plan. I need to be alive to protect the young lady’s body.” Mei Wu fiercely glared at Ning Shu.

“When did I say I want you to die? I’m just asking you to cooperate with me. Everything I do is for the sake of the demonic cult,” Ning Shu said.

Mei Wu shook his head.

Mei Wu’s refusal didn’t anger Ning Shu. They were practically strangers, and it was only natural for Mei Wu not to listen to her. Ning Shu was, after all, not the original host.

However, since Mei Wu declined to cooperate with her, Ning Shu could only cook up a different plan.

She must incite these people to fight each other.

Zhao Bo and Qi Yi had brought the tragedy to the original host. This time, Zhao Clan Stronghold should be the battlefield.

Ning Shu put the book she had given to Mei Wu into her robes and left the room.

Mei Wu stopped Ning Shu and asked, "Where are you going?"

"I can't sleep. I want to take a stroll," Ning Shu lightly replied.

"You can't do anything dangerous with the young lady's body," Mei Wu said as he blocked the door.

Ning Shu simply stared at Mei Wu in silence. Ning Shu’s stare made Mei Wu a little uncomfortable. He said, "You can't risk the young lady’s body no matter what."

Translator: Take

MTL Editor: Ran

TLC: Kaho

Chp 2263: Incitement

Honestly speaking, Mei Wu’s daily nagging annoyed Ning Shu greatly. Whatever she wanted to do wouldn’t go smoothly because of it.

Ning Shu wasn’t the original host, whom Mei Wu protected and obeyed. She really wanted to get rid of this dead weight.

“I’m not going anywhere. I’ve just overeaten, so I want to go for a walk. You don’t need to follow me. Just wait for me inside.” Ning Shu pointed at Mei Wu. “Don’t follow me!”

Ning Shu wandered around the Zhao Clan Stronghold, which was currently housing many more people than usual. Its courtyard constantly had people walking around in it.

Ning Shu hid behind the rockery and threw a plum blossom dart from the Plum Blossom Villa on the butt of a Splendid Bright Sect disciple.

She also stabbed the sword of a Splendid Bright Sect disciple into the door of an Everlasting Sect disciple’s room.

When Ning Shu walked past the house where the monks were staying, she threw the manual in her robes into their yard.

The monks were all also martial arts practitioners. Therefore, they were all very alert to any movement. As soon as they looked out, they saw a figure trying to pick up something on the ground.

However, once they came out, that figure disappeared in a flash.

The monks picked up the object on the ground. They saw that it was a secret arts manual and quickly put it away.

Because of Ning Shu’s incitement, the Zhao Clan Stronghold was boiling with chaos. People could hear the fighting disciples’ colliding swords and swearing.

“Why would you throw a plum blossom dart around like that? You even stuck it on a person’s ass!” The disciple of Splendid Bright Sect was furious. "My junior is still bleeding. You are deliberately provoking us!"

“Why would we shoot the dart on someone’s butt? What a waste of a perfectly good dart,” a disciple from Plum Blossom Villa immediately retorted.

People in the martial world would fight at the slightest disagreements. These sects couldn't co-exist without friction or grievance, even during ordinary times.

One party accused the other of doing something with undeniable evidence, yet the other party still actually refuted them.

Anyway, they began to fight noisily. When someone was fighting, someone else would naturally come along to mediate and accidentally get injured in the chaos.

“F*ck! Who hit me!?”

“Stop fighting…”

These sects’ disciples were all fighting each other. So many sects mixed without any harmony. The renowned righteous sects were full of discord, and their members didn’t get along with each other.

In the end, the fights evolved into a melee.

Everything was in chaos. The trees in the yard were upturned. The stone tables, the flowerpots, and so on were all broken.

People could disregard all sense once they entered an adrenaline rush. If they couldn’t win the fight, they’d simply recruit help. Everyone readily joined and began to cut each other down.

Ning Shu hid on the sidelines. She avoided the flowerpots and darts flying around her and went to find Zhao Bo.

Zhao Bo had hurried over. When Ning Shu saw Zhao Bo, she immediately tattled, “Uncle, those people are fighting.”

Zhao Bo was livid as he watched the chaos unfold. All kinds of weapons were flying around. He finally shouted, “Everyone, stop it!”

Zhao Bo was the leader of the martial alliance. However, since everyone was fighting mindlessly, they didn’t respond to Zhao Bo’s shout.

Zhao Bo’s expression was cold as he stretched out his hand to separate those who didn’t cease fighting.

He threw everyone apart one by one.

“Stop!” Zhao Bo furiously yelled from his dantian. His voice was deep and powerful, so much so that it hurt people’s ears.

Everyone covered their ears and finally quieted down.

“Who will tell me what happened?” Zhao Bo demanded coldly. His home was the place that got destroyed, after all.

“Leader, the disciples from Plum Blossom Villa are bullying others!”

“Nonsense. Don’t frame us. Plum Blossom Villa disciples are trained in fatal attacks, so why’d we do something as stupid as to shoot people in the ass?”

“People can be killed, but not insulted. You are deliberately humiliating people!”

Translator: Take

MTL Editor: Ran

TLC: Kaho

Chp 2264: If Only the Whole Martial World Integrated and Unified…

"..."

The scene was raucous, and the Zhao Clan Stronghold got livelier than a vegetable market. People were talking over each other as they complained to Zhao Bo.

Zhao Bo's face was expressionless. He just stared at them without any expression.

The quarrels had included only the junior disciples of the sects. After a while, the leaders of the various sects finally came, only to see their disciples with bruised and swollen faces.

Seeing the mess their disciples had made, these sect leaders apologized to Zhao Bo one after another, saying that they didn't teach their sect disciples strictly enough.

Zhao Bo's expression only grew colder. He indifferently replied, "Since we have big plans to annihilate the demonic set, each sect must take good care of their disciples. How can we even think about annihilating the demonic sect in this state? If things go wrong, will you be able to follow orders? You have smeared the name of the renowned righteous sects.

"We have not even attacked the Sacred Demonic Cult, yet we are already fighting amongst ourselves. If you cannot live in my Zhao Clan Stronghold, leave!" Zhao Bo's voice was low, but he had a powerful aura. His words intimidated everyone present.

"Leader, forgive us! We will discipline our disciples," the heads of the sects all said to Zhao Bo.

Anyone who had his home ruined like this by others would be infuriated.

Ning Shu saw Zhao Bo's clenched hands hidden behind his back. If it weren't for the long-term plan, Zhao Bo probably would've beaten these people up.

He gave them something to eat and a place to live in, yet they made a mess of his house.

Zhao Bo coldly snorted. His displeasure was overwhelming as he turned and left.

Ning Shu followed right after him.

The various sect leaders left with their disciples. They were angry at their disciples for not living up to expectations. Seeing that Zhao Bo hadn't gone far, they beat and scolded the disciples who caused trouble.

They deliberately did it for Zhao Bo to see.

Zhao Bo and Ning Shu walked for a long time. As of now, it was nearly midnight. At this hour of the night, the outdoors were rather cold.

Zhao Bo stopped and sighed. He looked at the sky and said, "Yi, my child, you saw how these people are scattered like the sand. All they can think about is a bit of petty profit.

"If only the whole martial world integrated and unified, we wouldn't suffer such exploitations," Zhao Bo said, shaking his head.

Ning Shu raised her eyebrows. This old man had big ambitions. Unify the martial world, was it?

It was unrealistic to hope that all sects would merge. It'd take great effort to bring such diverse people together. The organization would be huge and cumbersome, and who knew what the final result would be?

Uniting the martial world... Was he proposing a rebellion?

Would the imperial court even let that happen?

The murky atmosphere in the martial world was what the imperial court wanted to see.

People in the martial world were like fishes in a pond. They could fantasize about escaping the pond, but they'd never be able to do so. Jumping out of the pond would be a death sentence for them.

Ning Shu pondered for a while. She then said, "Is this your hope, Uncle?"

Zhao Bo clenched his fists. "We will begin with the Sacred Demonic Cult. We'll use these people to deal with the Sacred Demonic Cult first. After that, we will slowly figure out the rest.

"After the matter of the Sacred Demonic Cult is resolved, the general election of the martial alliance leader will be held. My prospect of being re-elected is minuscule, so I hope you will be elected instead," Zhao Bo said to Ning Shu.

Ning Shu nodded. "Nephew understands."

Why would she insist on uniting the martial world? Anyone who would do such a thankless task was an idiot.

The various factions would all resist them. Once they united, who was to say they wouldn't long for separation again? The grass was always greener on the other side.

It'd just be a waste of energy.

The current condition, in which all sects mutually restrained themselves, was already the best one could hope for.

"Would it not be useless to unite these people?" Ning Shu asked.

"It does not matter if it's useless. As long as these people are obedient, we will have people to rally when we sound the call of arms."

Translator: Take

MTL Editor: Ran

TLC: Kaho

Chp 2265: An Inspirational Male Protagonist Drama

If the martial alliance could rally tens of thousands of people into action, the imperial court would surely come to eliminate the rebels.

Qi Yi could accomplish Zhao Bo's ambition. As the protagonist, he definitely had the spiritual roots to cultivate 'Guiyuan Sacred Martial Arts.'

If Qi Yi indeed cultivated the rare art, even though what he learned was a relatively crude cultivation technique, Qi Yi would still enter another level entirely different from ordinary people in the martial world.

Qi Yi could unite the martial world. He could then fight against the imperial court and become the emperor. Then, he'd become an immortal, before ascending to the heavens. He'd continue to spill blood but on a different plane of existence by then.

Woah. This story was actually an inspirational male protagonist drama. The original host was but a stepping stone for him.

Ning Shu once again counted her lucky stars for having murdered Qi Yi.

A protagonist like Qi Yi would still fortuitously get another cheat if they didn't get the Guiyuan Sacred Martial Arts.

For example, Qi Yi might consume some heavenly treasure that would allow him to increase his inner strength as if he'd passed 60 years of training in a blink of an eye, yadda yadda.

"Hurry up and take these people to attack the Sacred Demonic Cult. If we take too much time to rally, the demonic sect will notice our actions. Time is a crucial asset in warfare," Zhao Bo said.

Ning Shu said, "Nephew understands."

It seemed that Zhao Bo had also grown tired of these freeloading, troublemaking people.

Ning Shu strolled back relaxedly to her room with her hands behind her back.

Mei Wu waited for Ning Shu with his sword in his hand. He glanced at Ning Shu without saying a word.

Ning Shu didn't bother paying attention to him. She just sat cross-legged on the bed and began to cultivate.

Mei Wu, meanwhile, guarded the door. He held his sword motionlessly, as still as a pillar.

The next day, Zhao Bo gathered everyone in the square. The divide between the sects was clear for all to see.

Ning Shu stood with the disciples of the Zhao Clan Stronghold. She looked at Zhao Bo, who was standing on the high platform.

"Leader!"

Everyone clasped their fists and saluted. Zhao Bo clasped his own hands and began to speak. "The sword of those evildoers from the demonic sect do not discriminate. They slaughter the innocent and plunder the wealth of ordinary people. As followers of the righteous path, how can we stand and watch as these demonic sect evildoers murder and seek riches? We must cleanse the world of them and restore order to our world!"

"Eradicate the demonic sect and exact justice for the heavens!"

"Eradicate the demonic sect and exact justice for the heavens!"

The crowd was in unison as they yelled.

Ning Shu also raised her arm and yelled, but she inwardly scoffed. Who would do such a charitable thing?

These righteous sect members said they wanted to exact justice for the heavens. However, truthfully and bluntly speaking, they still desired the riches of the demonic sect.

The whole world worked for profit.

After they completed their mission, they'd surely divide the loot.

All people were inherently the same.

A monk stepped forward after the morale-boosting speech finished. He first recited Amitabha, then said, "Benefactor Zhao, the Illusory Temple does not wish to participate in this operation."

"Master Hui Kong, you are also a member of the righteous renown sects, and your Illusory Temple is a leader among the righteous sects. I hope Illusory Temple can contribute a little to our efforts to eradicate the demonic way."

Zhao Bo's face was a bit twisted as he said that. Right after his mobilization speech, this monk appeared to spit on his face.

Zhao Bo thus naturally wanted to suffocate these bald vegetarian donkeys, who chanted the names of Buddha day in and day out.

The blue veins on Zhao Bo's forehead pulsed. "Since Master Hui Kong doesn't want to contribute to the common good, why did you come?

"Has Master never heard of the fact that eliminating evil is also for the common good? Doing so may prevent more people from being attacked by the demonic sect."

"Amitabha. Benefactor, you must put down the butcher knife. Repent and be absolved of your crimes! Benefactor Zhao, please do not be angry. Since Illusory Temple is a Buddhist sect and Buddhism helps all living beings find peace, mass killing is unbearable for us. Hence this poor monk will depart now." Hui Kong took the monks from the Illusory Temple to leave.

Translator: Take

MTL Editor: Ran

TLC: Kaho

Chp 2266: The Cancer of the Martial World

Ning Shu smiled. The monks of Illusory Temple probably didn’t want to be involved in this matter anymore because they thought they’d obtained the Guiyuan Sacred Martial Arts manual. This must be why they were in such a hurry to leave.

If the world found out that the manual was in the Illusory Temple's possession, they’d become a target of public criticism.

“Hey! Wait there.” Ning Shu quickly moved in front of the group of monks. She sneered and crossed her arms. “Master Hui Kong, is it appropriate for you to leave like this?”

“Amitabha, dear benefactor, monks must be mindful of their actions. We cannot do actions that go against our frame of mind,” Hui Kong, whom Ning Shu was blocking, tepidly said.

“What exactly requires everyone from the Illusory Temple to leave in such a hurry? My uncle is trying to get rid of the cancer of the martial world right now.

"As a member of the martial world, you masters should expend all your energies to support this. Otherwise, everyone has respected Master Hui Kong and Illusory Temple for nothing."

Master Hui Kong frowned and finally shook his head helplessly. "Benefactor is making things difficult for us."

Ning Shu sneered. "Does Master Hui Kong not know what happened last night? The people of the Demon Sect infiltrated Zhao Clan Stronghold and caused infighting among the various sects.

"Yet Master Hui Kong wants to stand on the sidelines like this. Master must understand the concept of interdependence!"

Master Hui Kong did not respond.

However, it was not appropriate for them to leave in this situation. Master Hui Kong had no choice but to stay.

If the Illusory Temple left, the renowned righteous sects would hold a grudge towards them from now on.

As they lived in the same small pond, they either must help or fight each other.

Ning Shu smiled. “That’s right. Since the people of the demonic sect have bullied us, we must fight back.”

"The demonic sect is responsible for what happened last night?"

"Is the demonic sect really in the area?"

“Then do the people of the demonic sect know that we’re going to attack them?”

Zhao Bo gestured with his hand. "Settle down, settle down!"

“The demonic sect is simply playing small tricks on us. They are trying to make us restless.

“This is my nephew.” Zhao Bo stretched his hand out in the direction of Ning Shu. "Ever since he was twelve, he has been living undercover in the Sacred Demonic Cult. He knows everything there is to know about the demonic sect. This time, we will be able to eradicate them.”

No one cared about this revelation. They were thinking about something else entirely.

“Leader Zhao, I heard that the Zhao Clan Stronghold has the Guiyuan Sacred Martial Arts manual. If we possess such a thing, wouldn’t our chances of winning increase exponentially?” a man said without any hesitation.

When other people saw that someone had finally said it first, they all agreed. “Yes, Leader Zhao. This Guiyuan Sacred Martial Arts can’t be hogged by Zhao Clan Stronghold, right?”

The people who came to the martial arts gathering this time were all eager to get their hands on the rare manual. Even if they did not get it, they wanted to take a look at it at least.

The moving atmosphere of the troop rally had all but disappeared now. All they wanted right now was to ask Zhao Bo for the rare manual.

They even dressed it up with the pretty claim that they could better deal with the demonic sect after improving their strength with it.

What a joke! Was it that easy to master rare techniques?

They were just trying to justify themselves.

These people wouldn’t have acted so rudely had it been for a different object. However, the Guiyuan Sacred Martial Arts manual could give them such formidable strength that they’d become an immortal capable of moving the mountains and filling the sea.

Who wouldn’t want such a powerful strength?

So many people were putting pressure on Zhao Bo. They were trying to coerce Zhao Bo to hand over the manual by overwhelming him with their numbers.

This position of martial alliance leader seemed to be aloof and remote, very much above them, but they didn't recognize such positions when their personal interests were concerned.

Zhao Bo's face flashed with malevolence and embarrassment, even though only for a moment.

Ning Shu coldly responded to them, "Do you have any evidence that the Zhao Clan Stronghold has the Guiyuan Sacred Martial Arts in our possession?"

Translator: Take

MTL Editor: Ran

TLC: Kaho

Chp 2267: Surrender the Guiyuan Sacred Martial Arts

“If the Zhao Clan Stronghold does not have the ‘Guiyuan Sacred Martial Arts,’ why would someone from the demonic sect come here last night?"

“The person from the demonic sect must’ve come last night to create a distraction and use the chaos to steal the book.”

When Master Hui Kong from Illusory Temple heard this, his eyes flickered.

Everyone blabbed on and on, one after another, citing all kinds of evidence to prove their assumption that the Guiyuan Sacred Martial Arts manual was in Zhao Clan Stronghold.

Zhao Bo whispered to Ning Shu, "This is why I want to unify the martial world. These people..."

"Leader Zhao, I hope you can surrender the Guiyuan Sacred Martial Arts to benefit the righteous. Possessed by us followers of the righteous way, this manual will be a blessing for the common people in the world."

Without a change of expression, Zhao Bo said, "Zhao Clan Stronghold doesn't have it. The rumor is a trick from the demonic sect. They want us to fall into chaos and kill each other before we even leave to attack the demonic sect."

"Leader Zhao, the news has spread throughout the whole martial arts book. The demonic sect is looking for the book. Someone who defected from the demonic sect has stolen it.

"That person is your nephew, isn't it?"

Zhao Bo stared at the person who spoke. It was the leader of the Everlasting Sect. "Elder Li, you mustn't say such baseless words.

"I sent Yi to live undercover in the demonic sect. They saw through him a short time ago, and he had to run away, but they accused him of stealing something.

"Elder Li, do you have any complaints?"

"I don't. However, there could be no smoke without any fire. The rumor had to start somewhere. The manual must be in Zhao Clan Stronghold's possession."

"Right, all rumors must start somewhere."

The crowd turned rowdy. These were the same people saying they wanted to attack the demonic sect just moments ago.

Ning Shu cracked her neck. "What's with the ruckus?"

Ning Shu flew off the high platform at once and attacked Elder Li of the Everlasting Sect. Elder Li avoided Ning Shu's fist.

"My uncle is speaking. When did it become your turn to interrupt him?" Ning Shu hit Elder Li's solar plexus with a fist, and Elder Li immediately took two steps backward, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

The disciples of the Everlasting Sect immediately surrounded Ning Shu. Seeing this, Mei Wu used qinggong to jump into the encirclement and stood with his back against Ning Shu's back.

"What do you mean by that?" Elder Li from the Everlasting Sect stared at Ning Shu. He saw that despite being so young, Ning Shu could make him bleed just with a single punch.

Ning Shu raised her chin. "My uncle is the leader of the martial alliance. Who are you to interrupt him? Even if the book is in my uncle's possession, who are you to ask him for it?"

"It is for the good of the common people," Elder Li said naturally.

"What do you care about the common people? You shameless thing!" Ning Shu squeezed her fist. Ning Shu and Mei Wu began beating down the Everlasting Sect disciples.

Ning Shu stomped on Elder Li's stomach and kicked Elder Li flying away.

"Zhao Yi, stop now!" Only then did Zhao Bo shout to Ning Shu.

“Uncle, these people just need to get a beating. If you give them an inch, they’ll take a mile. Since they think they could act like this, they must think they’re a bunch of immortals now. Just fine then, I’ll sort them out!” Ning Shu cracked her knuckles.

"Amitabha, Benefactor is too vicious! Fighting and killing will not solve the problem. It will only hurt your relationships," Master Hui Kong said, shaking his head.

Ning Shu stared at Monk Hui Kong and sneered. “What’s the use of playing mediator during a fight? Why didn’t you try to persuade those Everlasting Sect members just now?”

“Benefactor’s thoughts are too extreme. Be careful lest you end up experiencing spiritual deviation,” Master Hui said as he looked at Ning Shu.

Ning Shu tilted her neck. “It’s because I have extreme thoughts that I have to vent the emotions in my heart.”

Ning Shu squeezed her fist and attacked Monk Hui Kong.

"Yi, my child, Master Hui Kong is a highly respected monk. Don’t act rudely!" Zhao Bo shouted only symbolically.

Translator: Take

MTL Editor: Ran

TLC: Kaho

Chp 2268: This Was Awkward...

After all, Zhao Bo was inwardly also annoyed with this monk.

However, Ning Shu still attacked without any hesitation. She bent her fingers toward Master Hui Kong's chest and grabbed his robes.

Master Hui Kong blocked Ning Shu's hand, but she grabbed his chest with her other hand. However, she didn't feel anything shaped like a book.

Last night, Ning Shu had obviously thrown the rare book to where the Illusory Temple members were residing.

Ning Shu stopped attacking Master Hui Kong, but began attacking the other monks from the Illusory Temple. She finally snatched a book in a cloth bag of a little novice monk.

"Please return my things to me!" The young novice monk had red lips, white teeth, distinct brows, and clear eyes. It was hard to imagine a monk could look so good.

Ning Shu lifted the cloth bag. "I don't want to."

"Hui Ji, are you okay?" Master Hui Kong quickly asked the young monk with concern.

Master Hui Kong had always been a calm monk, seemingly detached from external, worldly matters. However, he was very concerned about this little novice monk.

The young novice monk, Hui Ji, shook his head, "Senior, I'm fine."

Hui Ji looked at Ning Shu with limpid eyes, which gave off a very lofty and pure feeling. Ning Shu couldn't help but feel a sense of embarrassment in her heart.

"Benefactor, can you return this young monk's belongings?" the novice monk Hui Ji put his hands together in a Buddhist mudra and asked Ning Shu.

"Looking at how you're acting, you must care a lot about this bag," Ning Shu nastily said.

She bared her teeth and said, "I should see what's inside."

Master Hui Kong helplessly shook his head. Hui Ji said, "Benefactor, please return this young monk's belongings. This young monk will follow the martial alliance leader's order to annihilate the demonic sect."

Ning Shu shrugged. "It doesn't matter to me. My uncle has kind intentions; if it were up to me, Zhao Clan Stronghold could eliminate the demonic sect alone. What do we need so many people for?"

Ning Shu opened the cloth bag and took out a book. She read the title: Maha Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra.

It was the Buddhist scripture, Prajna Heart Sutra.

Ning Shu: ...

Was this the book she threw last night?

This was awkward...

Ning Shu looked at Hui Yi. The young monk had a delicate appearance but didn't look feminine or secular.

"Please return this novice monk’s belongings," Hui Ji said in a steady tone after performing a Buddhist mudra.

"Yi, enough with this nonsense. Return Young Master Hui Ji's belongings to him," Zhao Bo said to Ning Shu.

She didn't find anything on the Illusory Temple monks. Why were they trying to leave in such a hurry, then?

Ning Shu handed the cloth bag back to Hui Ji. If even Zhao Bo would call him a young master, there must be something special about this young monk.

Hui Ji, Hui Ji...

Was this brat a genius?

Could he have seen through something? Or did he see that the book she left was a forgery?

The screws in Ning Shu's mind rapidly turned as she stared at Hui Ji.

Hui Ji took the cloth bag with both hands, then hung it diagonally across his body.

Hui Ji raised his head, met Ning Shu's scrutinizing eyes, and then performed a Buddhist mudra. "Benefactor, taking revenge will only start a never-ending circle of vengeance. It is better to let go.

"Many demons plague Benefactor's heart. Sooner or later, these demons will swallow the benefactor whole."

Hui Ji looked at Ning Shu and continued, "Benefactor has an indignant heart, which resents everything under the sky. The world must look like hell in Benefactor's eyes."

Translator: Take

#Take’s comments: I know very little about Buddhism myself and today I learned that mudra is a Sanskrit word for sign, encompassing all the various hand positions you can see Buddha statues hold. The original text doesn’t say which signs Hui Ji are using exactly, so apologies for the vagueness to those who do practice.

MTL Editor: Ran

TLC: Kaho

Chp 2269: The Laws of the Heavens Are Unfair

Ning Shu smiled. Hui Ji was right; she indeed viewed the world as hell. People struggled so much in this hell that they'd offer up their souls to escape their fate.

Who would offer up their soul if they were living happily? Only the miserable would even think about exchanging their most valuable possession.

"What if I can't let go? The laws of the heavens are unfair. The only way to stop killing is to kill. To control violence, we must use violence," Ning Shu told the young monk.

Hui Ji chanted Amitabha and said, "The heavens' laws are clear. Everyone has a destiny, and we follow this path to the end of our lives."

"I see. Then is your heavens-set destiny to be a monk?" Ning Shu stared at the little monk.

As Ning Shu and Hui Ji bantered, Zhao Bo directly dismissed everyone. "Since you don't want to fight against the demonic sect, you should leave."

Zhao Bo drove away these people straightforwardly.

However, they were unwilling to be driven away. After all, they had yet to get the Guiyuan Sacred Martial Arts they desired.

The renowned righteous sects thus stationed themselves near the Zhao Clan Stronghold. They believed very staunchly that the Zhao Clan Stronghold possessed the manual.

Zhao Bo was so angry he nearly had a stroke. He wanted to rely on these people to attack the demonic sect, but he got embroiled in internal strife over a book instead.

Zhao Bo put his hands behind his back and squeezed them. He wanted to practice the Guiyuan Sacred Martial Arts as soon as possible.

Only then could he intimidate these mindless fools.

Meanwhile, Ning Shu was still discussing fate with the young monk Hui Ji.

After some time, Ning Shu was sure that this young little novice monk had realized that someone had attempted a fraud.

That was why they wanted to leave Zhao Clan Stronghold.

"Little monk, your master truly gave you a fitting name. However, don't you know that those who are too smart will get hurt?" Ning Shu said with a twitching mouth. (TL Note: The characters Hui Ji mean extreme intelligence.)

"Amitabha." The young monk Hui Ji saluted using a Buddhist mudra. "Thank you, Benefactor, for your praise."

"Then this novice monk and his senior brothers are leaving," Hui Ji said.

"Little monk, didn't you promise my uncle to help attack the demonic sect? Monks shouldn't lie." Ning Shu stared sharply at Hui Ji.

"Benefactor Zhao has already told everyone to leave the Zhao Clan Stronghold. Therefore, this cannot count as this novice monk telling a lie," Hui Ji said neither humbly nor overbearingly.

The corner of Ning Shu's mouth twitched. Cheeky brat.

"Sooner or later, the demons in Benefactor's heart will harm Benefactor," Hui Ji warned again.

Ning Shu responded indifferently, "Little monk, you keep telling me that I have demons in my heart. What demons do I have?"

"You have strong tendencies for evil, a heavy heart, a heavy soul, and the burden of many murders," Hui Ji said.

"You are right. You are looking for eternal life in a bright world, but I am only looking for a bit of light in a dark world. While you live in paradise, I live in hell. We see everything differently."

Ning Shu looked at her hands. They were already stained with blood, but what did that matter?

"Amitabha, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva has even descended to hell to spread the teachings of Buddha. This has nothing to do with where a person resides," Monk Hui Ji retorted.

"Young Master Hui Ji, my master would like to invite you to see him," a disciple of the Zhao Clan Stronghold came over and said to Hui Ji.

"Very well." Hui Ji followed the disciple away.

Ning Shu squinted her eyes. What was Zhao Bo looking for Hui Ji for?

"Who exactly is that little monk?" Ning Shu asked a disciple of Zhao Clan Stronghold.

"Young Master Hui Ji is someone with a profound understanding of Buddhism. He is a high-level master. He has the largest foundation of wisdom in the Illusory Temple in the past 100 years."

A profound understanding of Buddhism? Wasn't it just reading one or two more books and saying some confusing things?

"Young Master Hui Ji can also anatomize martial arts techniques."

Ning Shu: Fuck...

Hui Ji must've seen through her forged rare book.

Translator: Take

MTL Editor: Ran

TLC: Kaho

Chp 2270: Analyze the Guiyuan Sacred Martial Arts

This little brat, Hui Ji, was such a cheat!

Shouldn't this bastard be the real protagonist instead of Qi Yi?

Zhao Bo must've looked for the young monk Hui Ji to have him analyze Guiyuan Sacred Martial Arts.

Ning Shu needed to see how Hui Ji would analyze it.

The forged Guiyuan Sacred Martial Arts she gave Zhao Bo was 90% correct. Only a few crucial points in it were subtly wrong.

When Ning Shu arrived at the study, several scabbard-holding disciples were guarding the entrance. They stopped her and told her, "Master is busy. He's not seeing anyone right now."

Ning Shu pushed away the person in front of her even as he said, "You can't go in."

She opened the door and walked in.

Zhao Bo frowned and said, a little displeased, "What are you doing?"

"I heard that the little monk can analyze martial arts, so I came to see." Ning Shu sat down.

"You have no manners. Look at the fine things you did today." A good morale-raising meeting had turned into a disaster.

Zhao Bo felt that he had lost his dignity as a leader.

"Uncle, those people are just worthless mobs. They cannot be relied on." Ning Shu looked at Hui Ji.

Hui Ji was holding the forged Guiyuan Sacred Martial Arts book.

He was holding something everyone in the martial world desired after. However, there was not even a flash of greed in his limpid eyes.

He had a wisdom that surpassed many people. He had no greed even though he was encountering treasures, which was rather terrifying.

On the other hand, Ning Shu would be excited whenever she encountered a treasure. She was a follower of human instinct, which wanted to pursue beautiful and precious things.

Hui Ji, however, tsk tsk…

"Have you figured anything out yet?" Ning Shu asked Hui Ji.

Hui Ji shook his head. “I haven’t found anything yet. This book is extremely complicated, but according to my deduction, I have yet to find any faults.”

“Little monk, you reflect and ponder things every day. Your brain must need a lot of energy, but the food in the temple is all vegetarian food. What nutrition can it provide you? You’re overtaxing your body,” Ning Shu lightly said.

“Not to mention that you’re a child. You are missing what your body needs to grow,” Ning Shu endlessly chattered.

It was probably strenuous to analyze the book. Hui Ji’s forehead was sweating, and his face had turned pale.

"Quiet, Yi. Don't disturb the young master." Zhao Bo glared at Ning Shu.

Ning Shu shrugged and said nothing more.

Hui Ji put down the rare book. He looked a little tired. "Benefactor Zhao, please allow this novice monk a few days."

"I’ve troubled Young Master Hui Ji. Please, stay in Zhao Clan Stronghold for the time being," Zhao Bo said.

Hui Ji performed a Buddhist mudra and left Zhao Bo’s study.

Ning Shu stood up and said to Zhao Bo, "Uncle, how could you give him the rare book? With his intelligence, I'm afraid he's already memorized the contents."

Hui Ji was a person with an extremely high IQ.

"There's no harm in it," Zhao Bo replied. "Only a few people in this world can anatomize rare books. If the book is fake, I will have practiced it for nothing. It may even cause me to experience spiritual deviation and the demonic sect would be able to injure me seriously without much effort."

"Can we believe that little monk?"

"I don't believe in any other monks from Illusory Temple, but Hui Ji is different. His Buddhist heart is stauncher than any other monk," Zhao Bo said.

"Also, if you do anything as reckless as you did today, I will kick you out of Zhao Clan Stronghold. How many times have I told you this? Don't bring the ways of the demonic sect here. This place is not the Sacred Demonic Cult."

"I know, I know." Ning Shu left the study impatiently. When she saw Hui Ji outside, her heart was full of malice.

His Buddha's heart was stubborn indeed. She wondered exactly how stubborn his Buddha's heart actually was.

Translator: Take

MTL Editor: Ran

TLC: Kaho