Chapter 86: A Good Person

If one had to divide the cultivators of the continent into two categories, it would undoubtedly be the Kudu Temple Buddhist cultivators and everyone else.

How should one put it? If the Suitian Sword Sect represented “martial virtue above all,” then Kudu Temple was entirely about “convincing people with reason.” Rumors once spread that “all who enter Kudu become remonstrating ministers,” meaning that for these Buddhist cultivators, having a silver tongue was part of the entrance exam, even taking precedence over their affinity with the Buddha.

But if you thought they weren’t fierce in a fight, their demon-subduing pestles^[1] would teach any cultivator how to behave. Truly, if you lost to the Hehe Sect, they were a major sect with a warm and friendly attitude, sometimes even offering useful pointers and advice. But Kudu Temple? Sorry, the mouths of Buddhist cultivators never spoke falsehoods. In the hearts of Yonglu Mountain disciples, the mouths of Kudu Temple could only be compared to the senior brothers of Lingyao Peak.

What a pity. They hadn’t brought any senior brothers or sisters from Lingyao Peak on this trip. It was a major oversight.

“Little Grand-Uncle Master, we’ll go meet him on your behalf.”

Surrounded by a group of Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators, Wen Xu felt… quite secure. However, he wasn’t so cowardly that he didn’t even dare to meet someone. Furthermore, since he had decided to come out, he had long prepared himself to be tested by his master’s old friends. Although he didn’t know the visitor’s identity, meeting them wouldn’t be difficult.

“Thank you for your kindness, senior brothers and sisters, but this is the Suitian Sword Sect. I am only at the ninth layer of Qi Refining, so the Daoist friend from Kudu Temple likely won’t make a move.”

Since the other party had come to greet him in an open and aboveboard manner, even if it was a bit too early, Wen Xu was also somewhat curious about what cultivators from other major sects were like outside of Yonglu Mountain.

He had already seen the Suitian Sword Sect, so there was no harm in seeing Kudu Temple as well.

In the beginning, Wen Xu had found the identity of Yonglu Mountain’s Little Grand-Uncle Master a bit hard to accept, but now he had gradually adapted to it and even grown to like it.

The Guest Peak, where the Yonglu Mountain group was staying, was located in the center of the entire mountain range. Stepping outside, one was greeted by snow-draped mountains, and standing amidst the white, snow-covered landscape was a young man in a white Buddhist robe.

Perhaps because the snow and the robe were too white, one could clearly see that this man’s hair was actually dark red. The monk had not tied his hair, letting it drape entirely behind him. His eyes were slightly lowered, making him look like an ice sculpture carved from jade.

It was very subtle. This person looked… not very Kudu Temple.

But Wen Xu did not have this trouble. He was blind, after all, and his status was high enough that he didn’t need to care about such things at all. “I am Wen Xu of Yonglu Mountain. May I ask what business you have with me, Daoist friend?”

Bian Chunzhou and Chen Zui were right behind the door. If anything went wrong, they would immediately go fetch help. But how should they put it? They didn’t sense any ill intent. Was this Kudu Temple’s style?

He couldn’t help but steal a glance, and then… his first impression might sound a bit offensive if spoken aloud, but it was indeed his first impression: was this even a living person?

It was no wonder Bian Chunzhou felt this way. The man truly had a face so perfect it seemed divine. A fraction more would make him look too demonic, a fraction less would make him look too plain. It was so perfect that even Nuwa’s graduation masterpiece of face-sculpting^[2] could not compare. Combined with his ethereal aura, he simply did not look like a mortal.

Ah, this… you are actually a Buddhist cultivator?

However, the moment this immortal-like figure spoke, his entire aura was ruined. It wasn’t that his voice was unpleasant, but rather… yes, this was the right flavor. The vibe of Kudu Temple was far too strong.

“Amitabha. Greetings, Benefactor Wen. This humble monk is Bushi of Kudu Temple. I have taken the liberty of visiting today because I truly wished to meet the genius who is favored by the Sutian Sword.”

Oh, so this was that Foundation Establishment record-holder, Bushi.

But wait, Senior Brother Shi had successfully reached Foundation Establishment and was still in closed-door cultivation within the sect to stabilize his realm. Weren’t you… someone who had only recently reached Foundation Establishment? Is it really fine for you to be running around like this?

Since this was Wen Xu’s first appearance in the cultivation world, he intentionally wanted to make himself seem a bit foolish, so he said bluntly, “Are you treating me like a monkey?”

“Ah, this humble monk did not mean that. I…”

“Then that is exactly what you meant.”

Wait, is our Little Grand-Uncle Master usually like this back at the sect? The people behind the door exchanged glances. No, why was he today… Oh well, it wasn’t a big deal. What was wrong with their Yonglu Mountain’s Little Grand-Uncle Master being a bit arrogant? Nothing at all.

Then, Bushi actually admitted it just like that. “To tell you the truth, when I arrived the day before yesterday, I was also treated like a monkey.” As if that wasn’t enough, he even added, “The people from the Suitian Sword Sect and the Hehe Sect all came to gawk at me. This humble monk thought this was the norm, so when I heard about you today, I eagerly rushed over.”

How could anyone shift the blame like that? Just because you’re handsome doesn’t mean you can be so unreasonable!

How could you two be the same! The Suitian disciples quietly watching were the first to object. He was scouting the enemy, whereas they were looking for Yonglu Mountain’s Little Grand-Uncle Master to… prepare to loosen the soil with their hoes.

Now that you’ve blurted it out, how are they supposed to loosen the soil? How are they supposed to dig a pit? How are they supposed to show their friendliness!

“So…”

Bushi cleared his throat, his voice growing richer and deeper. “Actually, I came to show my friendliness.”

Wen Xu didn’t believe a word.

“It’s like this. My master’s master has some history with your master,” Bushi said. “So, have you considered changing sects?”

Wen Xu had actually anticipated this. After all, before they left, his master had given him a thirty-page list of old friends. He had once suspected that the list included the name of every high-level cultivator outside of Yonglu Mountain. “Change to Kudu Temple?”

“We wouldn’t force that upon you. Buddhism seeks karmic affinity. Since Benefactor Wen has an affinity for the sword, why not practice the sword?”

In other words, why not consider the Suitian Sword Sect?

Not far away, the anger of the Suitian Sword Sect disciples holding their hoes vanished instantly. This little monk from Kudu Temple was actually a decent guy. As expected of a friendly ally sect.

Wen Xu finally understood. “You want to challenge me to a duel.”

Huh? Wasn’t he just advising him to change sects?

Bushi let out a soft sigh. “Well, what does the benefactor think? This humble monk was originally only at the peak of Qi Refining, but somehow ended up reaching Foundation Establishment. Fighting you now would truly be a bit like bullying.”

“…You could have chosen not to come.”

“That wouldn’t do. When my Grandmaster heard that your master had chosen a fine disciple, he was so angry he snapped three prayer beads in one night. That very night, my master suffered as the collateral damage.” And then, he had become the collateral damage’s collateral damage.

Three prayer beads? Just what kind of deep-seated grudge was this?

Wen Xu fell silent for a moment, then began to lie with his eyes closed. After all, he was blind, wasn’t he? “My master is an honorable and noble man. He even told me that Master Chanyue of your temple is a close friend of his. How could you…”

The Yonglu Mountain disciples behind the door: No, wait, Little Grand-Uncle Master, you’re laying it on way too thick! Who would believe that!

“Exactly! Kudu Temple is bullying us too much!”

Well, someone actually believed it. Had Junior Brother Bian been kicked in the head by a donkey? This was their Yonglu Mountain’s Dragon Venerable! Who didn’t know… cough, cough, those who knew, knew.

Hearing this, Bushi immediately realized he had met his match. Though the man could not see, his mind was like Mingjing^[3]. He truly deserved to be the one who dared to take the Dragon Venerable as his master. If today’s events reached Kudu Temple, his Grandmaster would probably snap another three prayer beads.

Sigh, the term “fine disciple” was no longer enough to describe him.

“Oh, you misheard just now. My grandmaster was simply too happy for his old friend, so… why don’t you take pity on me? I will wait for you to reach Foundation Establishment.”

Wen Xu smiled. “What if it takes me a very long time to reach Foundation Establishment?”

Bushi chanted a Buddhist verse. “This monk’s Buddhist name is Bushi. Does Benefactor know why I was given this name? Buddhist cultivators reflect on themselves three times a day. The question each cultivator asks himself is different, but for my self-reflection, the answer is always ‘Bushi.'”

Bushi. ‘Shi’ carries the meaning of letting go and moving on, so ‘Bushi’ naturally means being unable to let go or move on.

“The moment I saw Benefactor, I felt that you also have things in your heart you cannot let go of. I have the same trouble in my heart. If I, Bushi, can reach Foundation Establishment, so can Benefactor.” The white-robed monk pressed his palms together with a smile. “Amitabha. Why doesn’t Benefactor fulfill this humble monk’s tiny wish?”

He could even do that?! This was too ridiculous! Did Kudu Temple always use such… tricks when challenging people? Little Grand-Uncle Master of Yonglu Mountain, you must never agree to his request! Buddhist cultivators like this were always the most ruthless when they actually fought!

Wen Xu was astonished by the Buddhist cultivator’s sharp perception, but he said, “This is not enough to convince me.”

“Then what can convince Benefactor?”

“You never intended to convince me in the first place.”

Bushi. One could tell from his name that he was a stubborn cultivator. For a Foundation Establishment cultivator to challenge a Qi Refining cultivator, winning would be meaningless, and losing would be humiliating. Coming here was clearly more of a probe than an actual challenge.

“Ah, you saw right through me. Are you really blind?”

Wen Xu took a step back. “That is very impolite.”

Bushi apologized readily. “Amitabha. This monk has overstepped. I hope Benefactor can forgive me. Is it too late for me to invite you to join Kudu Temple now?”

Wow, this guy was actually using this trick to poach him. Talk about wild ambitions!

The disciples of the Suitian Sword Sect finally lost their patience and showed themselves. “Fellow Daoists of Yonglu Mountain, a welcoming feast has been prepared at the foot of the mountain. May we know when you would like to join us?”

Although the Suitian Sword Sect had a rough style, they still possessed the proper etiquette for hosting guests. A major sect did not lack spirit stones, so spiritual food and spiritual wine were naturally provided in abundance. After all, this also represented the sect’s strength.

Thus, the challenge ended before it even began. The competing disciples of Yonglu Mountain agreed to head down the mountain to feast at their host’s expense. Wen Xu originally thought Master Bushi would leave directly, but who would have thought… he actually tagged along.

He was even chatting back and forth with Chunzhou. Originally, Bian Chunzhou had disliked him because he spoke ill of the divine dragon, but now that dislike had completely melted away. After all, it wasn’t Bushi who had broken the prayer beads, so how could he take his anger out on him?

“Speaking of spiritual food, when this monk first arrived at the Suitian Sword Sect, I was stared at like a monkey and had no time to taste the Suitian specialty, Shattered Star Brew. This time, I am riding on the coattails of Yonglu Mountain.”

“Shattered Star Brew?”

“Has Benefactor not heard of it? Shattered Star Brew is brewed using a wisp of spiritual light captured when a spiritual sword is born. Even if a cultivator with absolutely no talent for sword cultivation drinks it, they can still gain insights into swordplay. It is of great benefit to sword cultivation.”

Bian Chunzhou’s eyes lit up instantly. “Really? There is actually such a miraculous wine!”