Chapter Forty: Dragon Scales

Meanwhile, in the city of Tianshui County, within a lavish estate, the sounds of indulgence echoed from a pavilion.

The pavilion was enclosed by light gauze, and not far away stood numerous maids, some bearing fruit platters, others holding basins of warm water, or carrying immaculate towels and more. All of them kept their heads bowed, faces flushed with embarrassment.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached and stopped just outside the circle of maids.

An elderly man, well past fifty, with graying hair and a robust spirit, rosy-cheeked and slightly portly, hesitated for a moment before bowing deeply and announcing, “Master, something has happened.”

“If it’s not important, I’ll twist off your old dog’s head!” came the voice of a young man from within the pavilion, tinged with pleasure and a hint of malice.

“Master, it’s a matter of utmost gravity!”

“Get out!”

The gauze fluttered.

The waiting maids quickly retreated.

“Master!” Once the maids had withdrawn, the old man bent even lower, lowering his voice. “Liu Kaizong is dead.”

“If he’s dead, he’s dead. Why make a fuss about it?” The youth snorted coldly, then, as he hummed lowly, continued, “It’s a trivial matter. That old dog dragged his feet and never accomplished anything, always feigning obedience. If he hadn’t died, I’d have carved him up myself. His death is a stroke of luck.”

“Master, there’s more…” The old man’s voice grew even softer. “He was worshipping an evil god when outsiders discovered him and killed him. His corpse was in a demonic state and has now been taken away by the Sky Patrol Guards.”

“What?”

The gauze was torn aside, revealing a robust young man.

His face was as handsome as jade, sharply defined, with noble arrogance between his brows and a pair of cold, piercing eyes locked onto the old man.

Before him knelt a young woman, completely exposed.

He pressed one hand on her head.

The old man lowered his head even further.

“Are you certain?”

“Absolutely certain!”

With a question and answer, the youth’s eyes narrowed, emitting a chilling light.

Crack—

With a turn of his hand, he twisted the woman’s head around three hundred sixty degrees and casually tossed her into the pond.

The next moment, the pond erupted, and countless fish surged out. Though they seemed small, their mouths were so large they occupied a third of their bodies, filled with razor-sharp teeth.

In mere moments, the corpse was devoured, bones sinking to the bottom, leaving the water stained red.

“Can you clean up the aftermath?” The youth pulled the gauze over himself, wrapping it simply around his waist.

“The moment I heard the news, I began cleaning up.”

“Good! Kill who must be killed, bury who must be buried, cut it all clean!”

“Yes!”

“Tell me the details!”

“Master, this matter seems related to Nanshan Town.” The old man recounted the information he had gathered.

“Fifteen years old, eighth rank in martial arts, managed to break into the Liu residence and slay the demonized Liu Kaizong? Do you take me for a fool?” The youth sneered.

“I don’t believe it either, but this is the truth. Many in the Liu household witnessed it. There’s another possibility—it was someone disguised to mislead, which needs further investigation.” The old man gave a bitter smile. “Also, yesterday, Xiang Yangkai was ordered to go to the Liu residence to urge them on. After Liu Kaizong’s death, a man appeared, forced back the killer, and pursued him north out of the city. That man was almost certainly Xiang Yangkai, but there’s been no news of him since.”

“Xiang Yangkai is at the peak of the sixth rank in martial arts, resolute and skilled. Killing him would be difficult for an ordinary fifth ranker, yet he hasn’t returned—he’s almost certainly dead.” The youth snorted, murderous intent rising. “Was this a move against us, or did he die because of Liu Kaizong’s misfortune? Investigate!”

“Yes!”

“And send word to that person—erase Nanshan Town. Afterwards, take the opportunity to appoint a new county constable, turn Nanshan Town upside down, and rebuild it anew.”

“Master, this is such a major matter, should we wait for—”

“What major matter is this? It’s only a town of worthless commoners. Such trivial things, dragging your feet and hesitating—how can anything be accomplished? If you don’t prepare a fortress in advance, when trouble arises in the mountains, that will be the real headache. Go now, and if you dare delay again, I’ll chop you up and feed you to the dogs.”

“Yes!”

Ghost Marsh, ruined temple.

Yang Fan listened quietly.

Master Mountain Buddha’s tale was extraordinary.

He had once been a powerful figure, and by chance found a young fox whom he raised at his side. The man and fox wandered the world together.

Passing through the region of Misty Cloud Mountain, he discovered many villages slaughtered, tainted with demonic aura, and pursued the trail, eventually venturing deep into the mountain where he found a powerful foe conducting a blood ritual with the lives of thousands.

The opponent was formidable—exceptionally so.

They fought fiercely, and though he slew the enemy, he himself was left gravely wounded, at death’s door.

Carrying the unconscious white fox, he sought a place to lay himself to rest and stumbled upon the ruined temple.

It was in utter disrepair.

Yet upon the Buddha statue lingered a mysterious power, forming an array that gathered the essence of heaven and earth. Though obscure, he sensed it.

Master Mountain Buddha possessed the precious Bodhi Seed. Inspired, he split the Buddha’s belly and hid himself within, hoping for recovery.

He placed the white fox on the Buddha’s knee.

Thanks to the Bodhi Seed, its unique properties drew together his power and that of the Buddha statue, fusing them in the initial stage.

Things began to improve, and he even gained great fortune, but then discovered that beneath the temple, an evil demon was sealed.

Alas, the array was unstable, and he was invaded by the demon, which sought to devour and refine him, leading to a prolonged struggle.

He was always at a disadvantage.

The white fox was corrupted, becoming vicious and bloodthirsty, luring and slaughtering all humans who unwittingly entered, devouring them.

In battle, whenever Master Mountain Buddha gained the upper hand, he would dispel much of the fox’s power and confine it within the temple.

Entangled with the demon, the two seemed to gradually fuse, and he laid down many rules using his blood soul as a guide. For example, if anyone entered by accident, there would be a chance for survival by answering questions.

Yet ultimately, Master Mountain Buddha remained at a disadvantage, and his situation worsened.

“If not for your arrival, in a few more years I would have been completely merged with him. Then I would no longer be myself—I’d be a demon, break this array, release his true form, and then…” Master Mountain Buddha shook his head, “I cannot imagine what slaughter would follow!”

Boom…

At that moment, tremors arose from below, growing ever stronger.

The ground cracked open.

“Stop your mischief!” Master Mountain Buddha slapped his hand, and Yang Fan seemed to see a colossal Buddha palm descend, stabilizing the earth and closing the fissures.

“Brother Mountain Buddha, what’s happening?” Yang Fan asked.

“The demon below is throwing a tantrum—let him rage. He won’t live much longer; soon, I’ll kill him. Even if it costs me my life, I’ll see him destroyed!”

“He’s been suppressed for countless ages and is still so strong?”

“Yes.”

“Brother Mountain Buddha, shouldn’t you seek help from other powerful experts?”

“Human hearts are as dark as ghosts!” Master Mountain Buddha smiled. “If you have more questions, ask now.” He noticed Yang Fan’s gaze drifting toward the white fox’s body and sighed. “Its death was fitting—do not dwell on it.”

Yang Fan smiled sheepishly, then asked, “Brother Mountain Buddha, you were entangled for so long and nearly destroyed—how are you so strong now?”

“Blessings hide within calamity; calamity lurks beneath blessings. I survived disaster to gain great fortune, making the impossible possible. With your help, I’ve severed the demon’s influence, awakened the Bodhi Seed, drawn upon the Buddha’s lingering power and the array here, melded all with my physical body. I am myself, yet not myself, not Buddha, but still myself,” said Master Mountain Buddha. “So, I’ve truly gained from misfortune.”

“It’s a miracle!” Yang Fan exclaimed in awe.

Today had opened his eyes.

His knowledge had grown immensely.

“I have my miracle, and you carry great fortune as well. In time, you will rise like a dragon, but before you truly mature, you must be cautious and conceal your gifts. This world is filled with monsters, watching hungrily; demons, ever seducing followers to sow chaos; people as cunning as ghosts, who ally with monsters and demons out of ambition; and those who wear a human face but possess a beast’s heart.” Master Mountain Buddha sighed. “Trust no one lightly, for you never know if beneath their skin lies a man or a monster.”

“Your blade was destroyed—I’ll give you a divine weapon!”

He reached out, and a section of the temple floor rose. From within, a black knife case flew to his side.

With a flick, a long blade sprang from the case into his hand.

“This was something I acquired by chance and rarely used, unknown to most outside. Listen—” Master Mountain Buddha flicked the blade, which vibrated and let out a sound like a dragon’s roar. “This blade is called Dragon Scale. It is hard and sharp, and will serve you well for a long time.”