Chapter 117: The Ferocious Monk

Chapter 117: The Ferocious Monk

There was clearly more to the Red Cloud Temple than met the eye, and this self-proclaimed Halfday Frenzy had initially come here not because of Su Mo.

Therefore, Su Mo did not rush to reveal himself.

He stood at the door, observing the situation calmly.

Occasionally, his gaze would fall on those blocking the path down the mountain, causing his eyebrows to raise slightly...

These people wore straw cloaks, and beneath their conical hats, their faces were twisted in ferocity.

They all carried swords, but not single swords; they carried dual swords.

The dual swords hung from both sides of their waists, exuding a murderous aura.

It was clear that these were not ordinary bandits from the green woods.

Su Mo glanced at Yang Xiaoyun and Liu Mo, and both of them understood without a word.

They made sure their subordinates remained alert.

At the very least, they needed to be prepared.

These people blocking the path down the mountain clearly had no intention of letting anyone leave easily.

Yang Xiaoyun beckoned Xiaochuan over and whispered something to him. Xiaochuan nodded slightly and slipped away unnoticed, disappearing in an instant.

Su Mo, however, was pondering the name Halfday Frenzy.

The list Wei Ziyi had given him had been quite helpful along the way.

There were many individuals on the list to watch out for, but Halfday Frenzy was not among them.

Liu Mo then whispered, "I've heard of this man, Halfday Frenzy Ning Wubian. His reputation is formidable, and he's incredibly vicious.

"However, he doesn't usually operate on this route. I wonder why he suddenly showed up here?"

Su Mo nodded slightly, then heard a Buddhist chant coming from within the Red Cloud Temple:

"Amitabha!"

The voice was neither loud nor enhanced by inner strength, utterly ordinary.

In the main hall, an old monk with clasped hands stepped forward, "Ning Layman, you have arrived."

"Are you the Red Cloud bald monk?"

Ning Wubian frowned, scrutinizing the emaciated old monk before him, and laughed loudly,

"The Red Cloud Temple has always been obscure. You, an old monk who eats vegetarian food and serves Buddha, have no grievances with us.

"Why did you capture my men?

"If you release them today, we can still talk. Otherwise..."

He glanced at the old monk and chuckled sinisterly, "You'll all truly serve Buddha!"

The old monk remained calm, listening patiently until he finished speaking, then said,

"Layman Ning, you misunderstand. This old monk has never captured any of your men."

"Bullshit!!"

Ning Wubian pulled out a letter from his waist and unfolded it, "Did you send this letter to the Frenzy Camp!?"

The Red Cloud monk did not deny it, merely nodding lightly.

"Good, you still have some courage."

Halfday Frenzy's eyes flashed with murderous intent, "The letter says that he was enlightened by Buddha and has now converted to Buddhism, severing ties with the Frenzy Camp. It also says that I've killed too many people and will face divine retribution. If I lay down my sword, it would be a great virtue. It even suggests that if I have such thoughts, I should come to the Red Cloud Temple to seek ordination by Master Red Cloud...

"Is there a single false word in there?"

"No."

The Red Cloud monk smiled and nodded, showing no fear towards this notorious bandit.

Yet, the old monk seemed frail, his robes fluttering to reveal his bony frame.

One could almost imagine that Halfday Frenzy could flatten him with a single slap.

Ning Wubian, however, laughed in fury,

"Not a single false word, yet it's the biggest lie!

"That bastard can't even write a single character, how could he compose such a letter?

"You lying monk haven't told a single truth!

"Tell me, where have you imprisoned my men? If you speak honestly, we might spare your body intact. Otherwise..."

The Red Cloud monk sighed, "It seems no matter what I say, you won't believe me. In that case... Huizhi, come out."

He called into the main hall.

Su Mo and the others were standing outside the temple, able to see inside but only partially, often obscured by others.

He immediately exerted his vision and saw another person emerging from the main hall.

This person was robust, with a square face, eyebrows like brooms pointing upwards, a lion’s nose, and a wide mouth, looking menacing enough to stop children from crying at night.

Yet at this moment, he had his hands clasped in a compassionate gesture.

In just a few steps, he arrived behind Red Cloud Monk: "Master, you called for me."

"Mm."

Red Cloud Monk nodded slightly: "Mr. Ning doesn't believe that you have truly converted to Buddhism, thinking that I am using you as leverage for some ulterior motive. Very well... since your worldly ties are hard to sever, how can you focus on cultivation? Today, why don’t you personally cut off these ties and devote yourself to serving Buddha."

"Yes."

The monk named Huizhi respectfully acknowledged, glanced at Ning Wubian, and sighed:

"Mr. Ning, you are too attached to appearances."

"..."

Ning Wubian nearly choked with anger: "You bastard, what are you up to?"

"This monk is not up to anything; my worldly ties have been severed, and I have entered the Buddhist path. Reflecting on my past, my hands are stained with blood, countless lives lost, truly a mountain of sins."

"I do not dare seek forgiveness but hope that in my remaining years, by chanting sutras and reciting Buddha's name, I can atone for my sins."

With his hands clasped, he spoke each word clearly and distinctly.

Everyone present was left speechless.

The seductive woman couldn't help but giggle:

"Have you been bewitched? What kind of sorcery does this old monk possess to make you act like this?

"But don't worry, now that we're here, we won't let you become a monk.

"After all, you still have several concubines waiting for you on the mountain.

"If you get tired of them, we can always go down the mountain and catch more..."

As she spoke, Huizhi broke out in a cold sweat, looking at her as if facing a venomous snake, and said repeatedly:

"A sin, a sin. This monk was foolish in the past; Miss, please stop!"

The scholar and the towering man exchanged glances: "Is this guy really mad or under someone's control?"

"Never mind that now; something is odd here. Let's take him away first and plan our revenge later."

The scholar whispered to Ning Wubian.

Ning Wubian, wary of his surroundings, whispered back: "Be careful of Su Mo, who might be hiding somewhere. We must act quickly."

He still believed that Su Mo was hidden within the temple.

Even according to his usual temperament, he wouldn't have wasted so much time talking to Red Cloud Monk.

Today, he endured the conversation to find Su Mo's whereabouts.

Su Mo had gained a significant reputation after the battle at Profound Theory Valley. Despite the "mad" in his name, Ning Wubian wasn't reckless.

When he saw Su Mo's flag on the mountain, it reminded him to be cautious.

But he never imagined that Su Mo wasn't in the temple but sheltering from the rain under an awning outside.

It wasn't Ning Wubian's fault.

Who would expect the chief escort and his men to wait under an awning without chairs, blending in with everyone else?

According to his logic, someone of Su Mo's status should at least be served tea inside the temple.

Furthermore, how could Red Cloud Temple dare to harm us with Su Mo, whose fame had just risen, coincidentally present?

Thus, he remained vigilant against a possible ambush by Su Mo.

But even if Su Mo were hiding nearby, ready to attack, Ning Wubian couldn't afford to hesitate any longer.

His subordinate had willingly become a monk, and even his personal presence couldn't change his mind. If this news spread, it would be a laughingstock.

Ning Wubian nodded, and the towering man and the scholar leaped forward simultaneously.

In an instant, they reached Huizhi, one on each side, grabbing his shoulders to forcibly take him away.

"Let's go!"

As they spoke and tried to jump, they didn't succeed...

Because Huizhi used a technique called Thousand-Pound Drop, making his stance as stable as a rock.

Carrying someone while using lightness techniques was already challenging; if the person didn't cooperate, it became even harder.

Huizhi was strong and skilled in martial arts. With this technique, it was difficult for the two to move him.

"You!"

Before they could react, Huizhi said: "I won't go!"

"You have no choice!"

They hadn't expected that after this man had his head shaved at Red Cloud Temple, he would still retain his martial arts skills!

This guy really wasn't under anyone's control.

Immediately, they each struck to seal his acupoints and were about to take him away, but unexpectedly, their hands hesitated in mid-air.

Looking up, they saw two more monks appear on either side.

Each one blocked their hands that were sealing the acupoints.

"Hmm? Black Gold Blade Zhao Cheng?"

"Iron Rooster Zhou Bing?"

The one named Zhou Bing's face darkened upon hearing this.

His title wasn't Iron Rooster but Iron Phoenix.

However, due to his stinginess, he squeezed every last drop from passing merchants and travelers, and was equally miserly with his subordinates, making him unpopular.

But because of his formidable martial arts, no one in the stronghold could defeat him, so they had to let him be the chieftain.

Out of resentment, they changed his title from Iron Phoenix to Bald Chicken, which spread widely and replaced his original name.

At this moment, although this person was dressed as a monk, upon hearing his old title, his face darkened.

He turned around and struck directly at the chest of the towering man who had spoken.

The man stood still, allowing the palm to land on his body: "Your claws are sharp, but you lack strength."

With a hearty laugh, he patted his chest and countered with a punch straight at Zhou Bing.

Zhou Bing, seeing this, didn't back down and punched back at the man's chest.

Their fists met, each hitting the other's chest, causing both to stagger and retreat three steps.

Then, with a shout, they charged at each other again.

As these two engaged in combat, the scholar also began fighting with Black Gold Blade Zhao Cheng.

Hui Zhi stood in the middle with his hands clasped, torn between the two sides, and looked towards Red Cloud Monk.

Red Cloud Monk clasped his hands and said softly, "Cut off worldly ties, right now."

"Yes."

Hui Zhi seemed to make up his mind, leaping into the air and rushing towards the woman.

The woman was taken aback: "Are you really going to attack me?"

Before she could finish speaking, a fist the size of a pot was already in front of her.

Her expression hardened, and she had to respond seriously. In the blink of an eye, they were fighting far away.

Ning Wubian's face was ashen; he had come here to bring his people back, but never expected it to turn into such a situation.

His eyes coldly fixed on Red Cloud Monk: "Baldy, what trick did you pull?"

Black Gold Blade Zhao Cheng and Iron Phoenix Zhou Bing were both skilled bandits along the northern route. How did they end up at Red Cloud Temple, shaving their heads?

This situation was simply inexplicable!

Red Cloud Monk only clasped his hands: "All their past actions were out of necessity. Now that they have achieved enlightenment, it is truly a cause for celebration. Ning Layman, how long will you remain deluded?"

"Deluded?"

Ning Wubian laughed wildly: "What a load of nonsense! Today, I've learned something new. Baldy, show me whatever tricks you have left. I'll take them all."

"Very well."

Red Cloud Monk sighed and said, "Hui Fa, Hui Tong, Hui Ming, Hui Qing... Come out."

He called out seven or eight names, and within moments, seven or eight monks emerged from the main hall.

Each one had a fierce appearance, and even though they wore monk's robes, they couldn't hide their inherent brutality as former bandits.

Now, they stood behind the old monk, looking at Ning Wubian with complex expressions.

Ning Wubian's pupils contracted: "Ma Wang Fort Ma Daqing? Divine Arm Ape Sun Jian? Flying Rat Dong Ming! Have you all gone mad?"

At this point, Ning Wubian couldn't keep his composure. Even as a half-mad man, he never expected to see so many fellow bandits here.

None of these people were ordinary, yet they had all shaved their heads at Red Cloud Temple... It was like seeing ghosts!

His gaze swept around: "Where is Su Mo? Where is Su Mo?"

Su Mo, who had been watching outside the door, frowned. Why was this person so fixated on him?

Red Cloud Monk was also puzzled: "Earlier, Layman Ning mentioned this Su Layman... However, it seems that Su Layman isn't in our temple."

"Bullshit!"

Ning Wubian shouted angrily: "His convoy is clearly outside..."

As he spoke, he suddenly turned around and locked eyes with Su Mo.

Su Mo was speechless: "Head Ning, I've been here all along, not moving."

"..."

Ning Wubian almost cursed his mother. If I had known you were outside the door, why would I have searched inside?

But now the problem is serious.

After he came in, he directly mentioned Su Mo's name and even talked about their grudges.

At that time, he thought Su Mo was inside and would react upon hearing those words, but he didn't expect Su Mo to be outside...

The people he brought with him started fighting with these headstrong masters who seemed to have lost their minds. It would be difficult for him to escape. He thought he could still run if he turned around, but he didn't expect Su Mo to be blocking the door.

Now that this person knows about the grudge between us, how can he let me leave?

This... Isn't this walking into a dead end for no reason?

In an instant, this Halfday Madman truly flew into a rage: "Vile scoundrel! How dare you deceive me like this! I won't let this go!!"

As the words fell, two broadaxes were already in his hands.

He abandoned the Red Cloud monk and charged towards Su Mo at the door.

Su Mo looked on in confusion. What did this whole thing have to do with him?

They were just seeking shelter from the rain here and happened to witness a scene.

There's no need to get involved in this mess, right?

But listening to Halfday Madman's words, it seems there really is some grudge between them...

With a sigh, he was about to step forward and see Halfday Madman's skills when he suddenly heard a creak followed by a bang!!

The gate of Red Cloud Temple closed!

Halfday Madman stared through the crack in the door at Su Mo, and finally... they both remained safe.

Well, Su Mo was certainly safe, but Halfday Madman might not be.

What happened inside after that, Su Mo didn't know.

He didn't particularly want to know either, but occasionally he glanced at the fifteen riders and their leader, who was the smallest among them.

He couldn't reach the stirrups while riding, and at that moment, he sat on the horse with a bewildered look.

The unexpected change inside Red Cloud Temple caught them off guard. After a brief moment of hesitation, he leaped up and looked down at the scene inside the temple.

His face changed dramatically as he saw what was happening. As he landed, he turned his horse and shouted, "Let's go!"

The fifteen riders hesitated, unsure whether to follow.

"Hurry up, hurry up! The headmaster is already trapped inside. If we stay here, we'll all be wiped out. Let's leave first and plan our next move."

Without waiting for the fifteen riders' thoughts, he spurred his horse through the group and galloped away.

The fifteen riders exchanged glances for a moment. Some reluctantly turned to follow, while others gave up on blocking the road and approached the temple. They leaped over the wall, only to hear a few screams and the sounds of fighting pause before continuing...

And at this moment, Xiaochuan returned.

"Deputy Chief Escort, your guess was correct. Halfday Madman didn't just bring these people; some went around to the back of Red Cloud Temple... But now, all of them have been knocked down and dragged into Red Cloud Temple."

Xiaochuan seemed somewhat frightened. "This Red Cloud Temple is quite terrifying."

Even Su Mo nodded in agreement. It was indeed terrifying.

All the fierce men on this path were made monks by the old monk, and how could these monks not be terrifying?

Any one of them could easily perform a feat like uprooting a willow tree.

After another short while, the gate of Red Cloud Temple creaked open. The little monk who opened it had a flushed face full of excitement. He walked out smiling, patted his face to calm himself down, and then clasped his hands together:

"May I ask which one of you is Chief Escort Su Mo of Ziyang Escort Agency? My master invites you inside for tea."