novelraw Chapter 366 366: 339 On Their Heels, Part 1
Chapter 366 366: 339 On Their Heels, Part 1
"Alas...a turbulent season indeed, and now it truly is autumn. Both the Sect Leader and Ze Province have so much happening on their sides, but comparatively, the Great Capital here is more dangerous. Especially after you returned, Daoist, it's even more perilous."
Ding Chong hinted.
"What do you mean? What about me? I'm merely an ordinary Daoist appointed in Citong, what dangerous matters could there be?" Zhang Rongfang asked in surprise.
"Junior Brother, the matters you stirred by leveraging forces over there, actually any sharp-eyed person in the Great Capital can see. After all, for several years, you could stand firm over there; this mental capability is what the Sect Leader highly values," Ding Chong explained.
"To be able to maneuver and deal between the complex situations in Citong, among the Thousand Teachings Alliance, local forces, pirate forces, Western Sect, Sensing Sect, and so on, and finally develop to this scale. It must be said, this is quite an impressive accomplishment. So...."
"So what?" Zhang Rongfang was praised to the extent he felt he was indeed remarkable.... but he actually knew deep down.
How much water was in this, only he himself knew.
"Thus, the Sect Leader used to occasionally fret over your Senior Brother Zhang's inability to live up to expectations. But now, outside, he tells everyone that Old Yue just has this one disciple..." Ding Chong spoke the key point.
".....Master exaggerated...." Zhang Rongfang sighed, "As a disciple, I merely did what was supposed to be done."
"No exaggeration, actually, you are the future hope of our Celestial Treasure Palace." Ding Chong patted Zhang Rongfang's shoulder, "Looking at your stature, you've developed well, seems you've had a good time over in Citong, and it looks like you haven't neglected your cultivation of literature, well done, well done."
He carefully examined Zhang Rongfang's physique.
"So when you go to Ze Province, perform well, maybe you really can earn benefits over there."
"..." Zhang Rongfang felt uneasy being scrutinized like that. What does perform well mean??
Immediately he inquired about the situation at Jade Void Palace.
But Ding Chong swiftly diverted the conversation, despite appearing amicable, his lips seemed tightly sealed, not revealing a bit.
He just mentioned that Jade Void Palace is a secret of the Great Dao Teaching, which cannot be casually discussed outside, and it's only apparent upon a direct visit.
The two continued to eat.
Seeing he couldn't find out more, Zhang Rongfang became increasingly curious.
Back when he served as a Spirit Envoy at Golden Wing Pavilion, he discovered no secrets whatsoever about Great Dao Teaching.
Aside from discovering that the full name of Great Dao Teaching is True Great Dao Teaching, there's also possibly another force under the guise of False Great Dao Teaching.
Otherwise, nothing was known.
Could it be, now, that side over in Ze Province is related to this?
Eating his meal, Zhang Rongfang began pondering.
Now upon his return to the Great Capital, he was swiftly sent away by Old Yue.
Apparently, he plans on undertaking something major there, and as his precious 'only' disciple, which he values, he was sent away promptly to avoid any risk.
This is understandable.
If what Ding Chong spoke about Great Dao Teaching is true, perhaps now is a time of transformation.
Previously it was dormant and hidden, and now it's ready to fully erupt, directly confronting Zhenyi Western Sect.
If successful, it becomes the primary state religion, second only to Eastern Sect; if it fails, it suffers severe losses and retreats back into dormancy.
Trying to recover, who knows how many years it might take.
So these are the great movements of Great Dao Teaching.
As for himself....what about himself?
Zhang Rongfang's gaze unconsciously wandered toward the inn's door, where the sunlight was blood-like, bright yet like fire.
'Upon returning this time, during the audience with the Spirit Emperor, the threats and dangers perceived were numerous. Even just within Shangde Hall, one could feel the presence of seventy or eighty gazes possessing the power to threaten me.'
Moreover, those gazes seemed utterly devoid of human feelings.
At that moment, his feeling was very peculiar.
Those hidden gazes, rather than having emotional responses, seemed more like passive feedback.
'Generating a threat warning doesn't necessarily mean the opponent has Grandmaster-level strength. They might possess deadly weapons capable of threatening me,' Zhang Rongfang analyzed inwardly.
'And Zhou Yan, General Zhou, being a high-level member of Snow Rainbow Pavilion, his strength is unfathomable; what level does he truly belong to, isn't clear yet. But most likely stronger than me.'
Zhou Yan, when in his presence, had unclear aura, heartbeat, and blood flow.
He seemed like a rock, having nothing.
Mind you, Zhang Rongfang could even sense the qi and blood and the silver lines under the skin of Martial Artists who worship gods.
But facing Zhou Yan, he felt nothing.
'Forget it, arriving at Ze Province this time, it's wise to lay low for a while, wait some years, eventually, as time progresses, I will grow stronger with no one able to rival.'
Thus prioritizing personal safety above all else.
Finally, setting this tone, Zhang Rongfang focused on self-preservation.
No matter how the external world stirs or changes, as long as he progresses relentlessly forward, ultimately all before him will prove trivial.
Precisely, he needs time to research the Blood God Statue, and clarify the differences between Grandmaster and true Grandmaster, as well as the secrets of Spirit Generals, gods, etc.
He cannot forget, the ultimate purpose of Yue Dewen from Celestial Treasure Palace, in accepting him as a disciple—was to have him worship gods and achieve the rank of Spirit General.
And this, he absolutely cannot accept.
Even though this matter might still be far off, growing to a point where Master Yue Dewen cannot force him becomes one of Zhang Rongfang's objectives.
Thinking about this, Zhang Rongfang's thoughts flowed smoothly, linking past and present, he decided to first explore Ze Province.
Then, unlike in Citong, this time, he plans to truly establish an absolutely secure headquarters of his own.
No longer willing to drift with the tides.
Despite the safety of Celestial Treasure Palace from beginning to end, it ultimately remains a god-worshiping force.
As long as it's a god-worshiping force, they would not accept the hidden secrets of Eastern Sect's secret storage,
This presents a substantial hidden danger.
Bang! Suddenly, the water basin by the inn's hall door was kicked over, and the half-open door was kicked wide open.
A team of burly, muscular monks in black robes strode in quickly.
The leader was about as tall as Zhang Rongfang, with a set of large buck teeth exposed, cloudy eyes, and a fierce expression.
This person scanned the room and quickly focused on a few martial artists present, including Zhang Rongfang and his companion.
Martial artists are not particularly rare in Great Spirit, but there are quite a few. Most successful martial artists are over two meters tall.
Thus, Zhang Rongfang and his companion were considered ordinary among them.
The fierce monk first walked to the nearest table of martial artists.
Thud, thud, thud.
He tapped on the table.
"You lot, move to another table, this place belongs to me, the Buddha!"
The martial artists at the table happened to be from the same sect.
They all wore cyan tight outfits, black belts, with long hair tied up high with peach-wood hairpins, and metal short sticks hung on their waists.
The person leading had a three-foot long beard, a robust body, about to squint and get angry, but saw the emblem embroidered on the monk's robe, making his heart skip.
Immediately, he stood up to stop his companion from acting rashly.
"Since this Buddha wants it, we'll concede!" he said in a deep voice.
"Hurry up!" the fierce monk said impatiently, sweeping his gaze over the table.
Suddenly his eyes lit up.
"Oh, a nice young lady?"
His gaze fell on three women among the group.
These three wore the same cyan outfits; two of them were ordinary in appearance, but one had fair and delicate skin, willow eyebrows, apricot eyes, high nose, cherry lips, an attractive figure with long legs.
She wore a thin veil that obscured part of her face.
But that thing could only block ordinary people; for martial arts experts with keen senses, it was ineffective.
"You, come over and have a drink with me, the Buddha. Rest assured, it's just a drink, do me a favor," the fierce monk smiled, pointing at the prettiest woman.
"You!!?" The woman's chest heaved, and her face turned pale.
Several fellow sect members finally couldn't stand it, quickly standing in front of the woman.
"Gotta talk properly, this Buddha from the Western Sect. We are people from Qingyu Road's Kunning Sect, led by Elder Jue Ying Xiao Dichen, a notable figure in Ze Province. Please give us some face!" the leader quickly said.
"Elder Jue Ying? Never heard of it. I am Kongming, from Great Capital True Buddha Temple, tracking down rebels! I suspect you have fugitives hiding among you!"
He cackled twice, his gaze constantly lingering on the woman.
Anyone who entered the Western Sect indulged freely in desires.
To say nothing of the Sea Dragon, who openly and secretly took many beautiful women to the three capitals annually, all the handiwork of the Western Sect.
Not to mention, the Western Sect's martial arts often combined with desires. Just the annual consumption of Ming Fei was a huge number.
It was only because Great Spirit was vast and populous, constantly waging war, capturing women and children on the outside. Without it, how could the Western Sect sustain such a lustful presence?
"Enough, save your breath, come over. Otherwise, your Kunning Sect will be wiped out!"
Kongming couldn't be bothered, directly threatening.
Several monks quickly stepped forward and began fighting with the people from Kunning Sect.
"You bully us too much!!"
Two young and impulsive men from the Kunning Sect tried to resist, but were soon knocked to the ground.
The leader of Kunning Sect stood there smiling politely, sweating and saying good words, unfortunately, Kongming ignored him completely, stepped forward, grabbed the woman, and pulled her to himself.
"Accompany me for a few days!" he reached out to grab the woman's chest.
Suddenly a phantom struck his hand, knocking it aside.
"Experts of Kongming from the Western Sect behave like this?" a displeased voice sounded nearby.
It was Zhang Rongfang.... sitting opposite Ding Chong.
This kind-hearted person now stood up with an unhappy expression, ignoring the crowd's numbers, and walked out.
Kongming shook his hand, startled, and looked at him.
"You are....?" He couldn't figure out the opponent's background.
Knowing he was from the Western Sect, and daring to get up. Just now the force was not small, obviously confident.
"What? Don't bother who I am, I'll uphold justice when I see injustice, anyone with righteousness would do the same!" Ding Chong earnestly said.
"..." Kongming blinked, dumbfounded, then he and the monks couldn't help but laugh loudly.
"Righteousness!? Are you trying to make me die laughing? A fool like this upholding justice these days?"
"Has this person read too many novels? Really think he's some ancient hero?"
"He's of some age, maybe finds the lady pretty and wants to have a share too!"
"Why not let everyone join then, seeing his skills, give him a good deal."
Several rotten monks clattered on, Ding Chong's face growing redder, eyes burning with anger.
Immediately, he revealed a badge from his waist.
"I am Zhenxu from Zhenyi Sect! You lot.... you lot...." he was shaking with anger, but didn't know how to retort.
The Zhenyi Sect identity had been prepared as a disguise, convenient for action now.
"From Zhenyi Sect?" People were startled for a moment.