Chapter 628
Chapter 628
When Shen Lang and Wu Daozi returned to the shore, Sword King Li Qianqiu was sitting on a small boat. The large ship that had previously brought Wu Daozi and Shen Lang was gone. Sword King Li Qianqiu said.
“That ship belonged to the South Sea Sword Sect. They've requisitioned it.”
Shen Lang realized that the South Sea Sword Sect did not want to send him back on their ship. To put it more maliciously, even if Shen Lang had obtained the Marrow Cleansing Crystal, if the South Sea Sword Sect refused to provide a ship and he couldn't return in time, Jin Mulan could still die. Moreover, dying like that would be even more despairing—to have clearly obtained the crystal, only to fail to save her due to a delay. Yan Nanfei had never even met Shen Lang, yet he harbored great malice toward him and was indirectly trying to kill Jin Mulan. Wu Daozi's expression changed drastically. She stepped onto a plank and leaped straight into the sea. She then swam toward a ship and said coldly from before it.
“I am Wu Daozi, an elder of Floating Dao Mountain. I am now commandeering your vessel.”
“My apologies. The Sect Master has ordered all ships to monitor the surrounding waters and not to leave.”
The ship's captain immediately refused Wu Daozi's command. Wu Daozi said to him coldly.
“I am an elder of Floating Dao Mountain.”
Just then, an elder from Floating Dao Mountain's Discipline Hall came out and said calmly.
“Junior Sister Wu, the South Sea Sword Sect is already helping us a great deal. Should we really put them in a difficult position? Since you're here, Junior Sister, why not stay for a few days and help the Master study the ancient ruins?”
Wu Daozi said coldly.
“Shen Lang performed a great service by helping us open the entrance to the ancient ruins. Can we not even requisition a single ship for him?”
“Shen Lang did indeed perform a great service, but haven't we already rewarded him? Didn't you give him the Marrow Cleansing Crystal, Junior Sister? Besides, the Master has pardoned him for the crime of forging the token. What more do you expect?”
In any case, Yan Nanfei and Elder Gong were refusing to lend them a ship. Wu Daozi trembled with rage, then leaped back into the sea, intending to swim back to the island.
“I will go find the Master.”
Shen Lang shook his head at her words.
“There's no need, Master. Let's take the small boat and row!”
Wu Daozi stared at Shen Lang in disbelief.
‘Are you insane? Or am I? It's thousands of miles from here to the mainland. You want to row there in a small boat? Besides, the current is flowing south right now. When would we ever get home by rowing? Jin Mulan won't last until we arrive.’
Moreover, a small boat like this wasn't suited for long voyages. It will capsize if we encounter large waves.
“Master, please trust me!”
Wu Daozi looked at Shen Lang again, then boarded the boat. The boat was so small that it was crowded with just the three of them sitting. Sword King Li Qianqiu took the oars and rowed with all his might, but the small boat struggled to move north against the southward current. The Sword King's martial arts were profound, but he couldn't infuse his internal energy into the boat, and the force he could apply to the oars was limited. But Sword King Li Qianqiu always trusted Shen Lang. And so, the three of them began to slowly head north in the small boat.
“Hahaha!”
The disciples of the South Sea Sword Sect roared with laughter upon seeing the scene.
“Is that fellow Shen Lang really planning to row home in that tiny boat? Is he dreaming?”
“Even a small wave could smash that boat to pieces. Does he plan to swim back then? By the time he swims home, Jin Mulan will have long been dead. Her body might even have started to rot.”
All the disciples of the South Sea Sword Sect knew that Shen Lang needed to hurry home to save Jin Mulan, yet they reveled in his misfortune, hoping he wouldn't make it a single step across the sea. Wu Daozi remained silent, but her attitude was very clear.
‘Shen Lang, I'm sorry. I'm an elder with no real authority, so my commands mean nothing to the South Sea Sword Sect.’
Because Wu Daozi didn't interact with others, she was like a general without an army, holding a high position but receiving no support. Her status alone should have been enough to command the disciples of the South Sea Sword Sect, but Elder Gong of Floating Dao Mountain's Discipline Hall and Yan Nanfei had issued a contradictory order. An order to not lend a ship, thereby letting Jin Mulan die. Naturally, her command was ignored.
“Shen Lang, this is why you're right not to practice martial arts. There's no future in it.”
This wasn't the first time Li Qianqiu had said such a thing. His martial arts were profound, exceptionally so. Throughout the entire State of Yue, those with superior martial arts were extremely rare; he had yet to meet one. But what did it matter? He had no power or influence. As an enemy of the South Sea Sword Sect, what could Li Qianqiu do to them? Could he alone, perhaps with Tang Yan, charge into the South Sea Sword Sect and slaughter them all? Even if he could, how many could he kill? Li Qianqiu did not fear death, but if he died, what would become of his wife?
“People like us, no matter how skilled in martial arts, are nothing more than a single sword. What's important is the person who wields the sword. Shen Lang, you are a person who can wield a sword, so I will give this sword—myself—to you.”
“Senior Sword King, it will be soon! You won't have to wait long. I will soon uproot the Xue Clan and the South Sea Sword Sect to avenge us all. Just like when I destroyed the Su Clan, I will kill them all and pull them out by the roots.”
Sword King Li Qianqiu rowed silently, repeating the same words.
“This sword—myself—is yours!”
And so, Li Qianqiu rowed ceaselessly. After several grueling hours, they had managed to advance nearly a hundred miles. Along the way, they encountered countless ships from the South Sea Sword Sect's fleet. It was now clear that the Xue Clan had perfected the strategy of becoming kings beyond the sea decades ago, a strategy Shen Lang had also devised. What a formidable position the Xue Clan now held in the court of Yue! Even their branch, the South Sea Sword Sect, had grown extraordinarily powerful.
But then, the waves at sea began to swell, growing too large for the small boat to handle. No amount of rowing did any good. The waves effortlessly spun the small boat in place.
“Shen Lang, what do we do now? There isn't much time. Mulan can only hold on for five or six days at most.”
To Li Qianqiu's words, Shen Lang replied.
“Don't worry. A large ship will soon come to meet us.”
Just as Shen Lang predicted, a mere quarter of an hour later, a large ship appeared before them. It was a great vessel from Xuan Kong Temple.
“Would you grant our Xuan Kong Temple the honor of taking you aboard, benefactors?”
An old monk spoke. Despite the considerable distance and the astonishingly high waves, the old monk's voice reached Shen Lang's ears with perfect clarity, as if it were resonating right beside him. Who in the world said the monks of Xuan Kong Temple were not skilled in martial arts, and who claimed they did not train? A moment later, Shen Lang's party boarded the large ship of Xuan Kong Temple.
“This old monk, Jimie of Xuan Kong Temple, greets the three benefactors.”
The old monk greeted Shen Lang's party, and they returned the gesture politely.
“Greetings, Great Master.”
The monk before them, Jimie, was an elder of Xuan Kong Temple. He was the one who had led the disciples during the excavation of the ancient ruins; the Abbot of Xuan Kong Temple, Jikong, had not come.
Shen Lang said to him.
“Elder Jimie, thank you.”
“Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda! Please, follow me to partake in a meal.”
Incense was burning in the cabin. The meal was, as expected, very simple, served family-style for everyone to share from common dishes. During the meal, everyone ate in silence. After the meal, they were promptly served tea.
“Benefactor Shen, upon witnessing your profound knowledge of mathematics, this old monk was filled with admiration.”
“That is only because I stood on the shoulders of giants.”
“Benefactor Shen, in truth, our Xuan Kong Temple owes you a debt.”
“You are too kind. Anyone would do the same upon seeing an evil power like the Great Tribulation Temple.”
Xuan Kong Temple certainly owed Shen Lang a considerable debt. For a very long time, the Great Tribulation Temple had suppressed both Tongtian Temple and Xuan Kong Temple so thoroughly they could not even raise their heads. Only after the Great Tribulation Temple's fall were Xuan Kong Temple and Tongtian Temple able to recover. Shen Lang's elimination of Su Nan had effectively cut off the Great Tribulation Temple's path into the Eastern world. Furthermore, Shen Lang causing that astonishing avalanche at the Great Tribulation Palace shattered the mythological status the temple held.
Great Master Jimie asked.
“Young Master Shen, what are your thoughts on today's events?”
“Being too clever isn't always a good thing. Especially when someone from a secular, native civilization likes to take the lead, they can run into some bad luck! By solving a thousand-year-old problem and opening the ancient ruins today, I ended up displeasing everyone—including Floating Dao Mountain. However, I just can't help but enjoy stepping forward.”
“The inherent evil in every person's nature is something that cannot be transcended; even the boundless Dharma has difficulty guiding it.”
This monk was quite an interesting person. He didn't speak like an enlightened master, nor did he speak in koans.
“However, this old monk believes that Young Master Shen's talent in mathematics is truly remarkable. I would like to invite you to be a guest at our Xuan Kong Temple when you are available.”
“I will certainly do so.”
“Then I shall no longer disturb the three of you in your rest.”
Xuan Kong Temple had prepared a cabin for Shen Lang, and he was able to sleep soundly there.
* * *
The next day, when he awoke, the Xuan Kong Temple's ship had stopped. He went out on deck and saw that large ships from the Pavilion of Circulating Heaven and the Ends of the Earth Sea Pavilion were blocking their path.
“Great Master Jimie, would you not honor our Ends of the Earth Sea Pavilion with a visit as our guest?”
An elder from the Ends of the Earth Sea Pavilion asked. Elder Jimie replied.
“Another time, another time.”
A middle-aged man from the Pavilion of Circulating Heaven also asked.
“I am Linghu Mo of the Pavilion of Circulating Heaven. Is Young Master Shen on this ship?”
Shen Lang said to Great Master Jimie.
“I know it's a bother, but could you please tell them I'm not here?”
Great Master Jimie said.
“Brother Linghu, Young Master Shen asked me to tell you he is not here.”
‘Damn it. Great Master, I think I've seen your true colors.’
Great Master Jimie put his palms together toward Shen Lang with an expression of helplessness and said.
“Young Master Shen, my apologies. A monk must not tell falsehoods... such as fibs.”
Shen Lang couldn't help but laugh at his choice of words. This great monk was indeed an interesting person. Linghu Mo of the Pavilion of Circulating Heaven was taken aback by Shen Lang.
‘Is he trying to embarrass me?’
“I originally intended to invite Young Master Shen aboard to talk, but since it is inconvenient, I will let it be. I shall take my leave!”
The large ship from the Pavilion of Circulating Heaven departed. The elder from the Ends of the Earth Sea Pavilion said.
“Great Master Jimie, I hope you will visit the Ends of the Earth Sea Pavilion at your convenience. On behalf of Pavilion Master Zuo, I sincerely and formally invite your esteemed Abbot Jikong. We will be sure to welcome you with the utmost respect.”
Elder Jimie said.
“I will convey your message. Thank you for the invitation.”
The ship from the Ends of the Earth Sea Pavilion also left. Shen Lang bowed to him and said.
“Great Master, thank you.”
Just now, they had shown no signs of conflict and had acted with great reverence, but that was not the reality of the situation. The Ends of the Earth Sea Pavilion and the Pavilion of Circulating Heaven had blocked Xuan Kong Temple's ship, and the Pavilion of Circulating Heaven had acted tyrannically, trying to detain Shen Lang by force. The Ends of the Earth Sea Pavilion, concerned with its own reputation, did not openly try to seize Shen Lang, but it cooperated with the Pavilion of Circulating Heaven's actions. However, Great Master Jimie of Xuan Kong Temple refused their overtures and would not hand over Shen Lang. It was because Xuan Kong Temple took such a firm stance that the Pavilion of Circulating Heaven had backed down.
“Think nothing of it!”