Chapter 277: The Emperor’s Heart Sutra

Chapter 277: The Emperor's Heart Sutra

"An apology..."

Su Mo extended his hand, casually cupping the flickering flames as if to warm his palm. He looked up at the High Priestess, his expression unreadable.

Yang Xiaoyun and Hu Sandao instinctively looked toward the High Priestess.

Earlier, she had stated that the Chief Attendant's actions were beyond her expectations.

And the night's tumultuous events, in her words, were blamed on the Chief Attendant's own decisions.

However, her words were hard to believe.

Since the High Priestess held the power of life and death in White Tiger City, how could she be completely in the dark about her subordinate's actions?

Now, offering an apology, wasn't it a bit late?

Though they felt this way, not a trace of it showed on their faces.

All decisions were naturally left to Su Mo.

Yang Xiaoyun, though usually decisive, only took charge when Su Mo was not present.

As long as Su Mo was around, she preferred to let him handle things.

Hu Sandao just did as he was told.

Only Zhen Xiaoxiao, with her mind elsewhere, was already pondering what to eat tomorrow...

Occasionally, she glanced back at the shadowy Tiger Lord Mountain, unconsciously swallowing.

She had never tried tiger meat before.

She wondered how it would taste.

Unfortunately, the Boss wouldn't allow it, not even to talk about it...

"That's right."

The High Priestess nodded gently:

"It's an apology!

"Chief Escort Su is the top figure in the Eastern Wastelands. His arrival in White Tiger City wasn't met with proper respect, which was already rude.

"The Chief Attendant sent his subordinates to invite him, failing to personally welcome him, which is a grave insult.

"To employ such ridiculous tactics against Chief Escort Su is not merely a discourtesy but a crime deserving of death."

Su Mo smiled: "The High Priestess's words are too severe. Besides, if we follow this reasoning, the sincerity of your apology seems insufficient."

"That's why I've prepared a generous gift for Chief Escort Su."

"Really?"

Su Mo glanced at the High Priestess: "What kind of gift is it?"

"*The Emperor's Heart Sutra!*"

The High Priestess spoke each word slowly and deliberately.

Upon hearing this, even Su Mo was stunned, except for Zhen Xiaoxiao.

The Emperor's Heart Technique is the foundation upon which the White Tiger City stands, a martial art reportedly passed down by the Tiger Lord to the remnants.

Its profound and extraordinary mysteries are indeed remarkable.

The White Tiger City, nestled in the southwest, has never gained much fame.

Yet, the fact that a Chief Attendant has martial skills on par with Sect Leader Youquan is truly astonishing.

All this is due to the remnants' inherited secret technique, the Emperor's Heart Technique.

Offering the Emperor's Heart Technique as an apology is a truly sincere gesture.

However, after his initial surprise, Su Mo was still a bit confused:

"High Priestess, are you serious about this?"

"Completely serious."

As the High Priestess nodded gently, she pulled a scroll from her robe, holding it out to Su Mo with one hand:

"Chief Escort Su, please take a look!"

Everyone's eyes were immediately drawn to the scroll. In the firelight, the words "Emperor's Heart Technique" stood out clearly on the scroll.

Yang Xiaoyun automatically glanced at Su Mo, only to see him calmly pull out a pair of deerskin gloves from his robe and put them on.

"..."

Yang Xiaoyun almost burst out laughing.

Confronted with such a supreme technique, Su Mo showed no urgency whatsoever, instead staying calm and collected.

Even at this moment, he remembered to put on the deerskin gloves, which was rather amusing.

The High Priestess's eyelid twitched slightly, a flash of anger in her eyes.

But she held it back.

Su Mo smiled apologetically:

"The martial world is treacherous, and people's intentions are hard to read. Please don't be offended, High Priestess."

"...I wouldn't dare."

The High Priestess took a deep breath, suppressing her irritation, and handed the Emperor's Heart Technique to Su Mo.

Taking it, Su Mo glanced up at the High Priestess again:

"Then I... will take a look?"

"Please do!"

The High Priestess nodded gently.

Without another word, Su Mo casually opened the Emperor's Heart Technique and began to read it silently.

At first, he didn’t pay much attention, but after a moment, his expression turned serious, and he straightened his posture to study it closely.

The Emperor’s Heart Sutra covers a vast array of knowledge, with two main sections under its general outline: "White Tiger Body Scripture" and "White Tiger Mind Scripture."

The White Tiger Body Scripture records the Amber Divine Palm, the Heavenly Tiger Body Protection Technique, and the 176 forms of the Heavenly Roar Fist, all of which are supreme martial arts.

The White Tiger Mind Scripture, in addition to step-by-step techniques for cultivating internal energy, includes profound techniques such as Imperial Majesty and Tiger’s Roar.

Su Mo read through it once, and though he understood the content, he couldn’t help but read it again.

Only then did he sigh deeply, exclaiming:

"Indeed, it is no ordinary martial art, truly deserving of being the legacy of the remnants. The Emperor’s Heart Sutra is extraordinary.

"It forges a unique path, truly admirable."

Hearing this, the Grand Priestess smiled faintly:

"Chief Escort Su is indeed the number one in the Eastern Wasteland.

"To be able to recognize the value of the Emperor’s Heart Sutra... To be honest, our clan has records that even during the Great Xuan Dynasty, they were desperate to acquire the Emperor’s Heart Sutra passed down in our clan."

Su Mo seized the moment to ask:

"That’s not surprising. The Emperor’s Heart Sutra is incredibly profound. Which martial artist wouldn’t want to claim it for themselves?

"However, the Great Xuan Dynasty once swept across the world, dominating the martial world seven times, collecting rare treasures and divine martial arts in the Great Xuan Treasury, their power was unmatched. Yet, I wonder why they didn’t take the Emperor’s Heart Sutra?"

"The past is too far gone to remember."

The Grand Priestess thought for a moment and said, "To this day, I can only find scattered fragments from old records. When they came to our remnants, it wasn’t a large army, but... four individuals.

"The specific names of these four are not clearly recorded.

"All we know is that their martial arts were different.

"One seemed completely devoid of martial skills, yet could transform into countless forms, intangible and elusive. Once their killing intent arose, the overwhelming killing intent left no room for escape.

"Another was as cold as ice, and when their internal energy spread, it felt like plunging into an endless glacier.

"Yet another was like a blazing sun, and when they moved, a purple sun blazed in the sky, scorching everything for miles..."

At this point, she paused and couldn’t resist glancing at Su Mo:

"The palm technique Chief Escort Su used tonight... seems to have originated from this person’s lineage."

As soon as these words were spoken, Yang Xiaoyun and Su Mo’s hearts were struck with shock.

A purple sun blazing in the sky... scorching everything for miles!

This description, isn’t it exactly the martial art of the Purple Sun Sect?

Among the four experts who came to the White Tiger remnants in the past, was there a member of the Purple Sun Sect?

No...

The Purple Sun Sect was actually established after the fall of the Great Xuan Dynasty.

If that’s the case, then the expert who went to the White Tiger remnants back then was either the master of the Purple Sun Sect’s founder... or the founder themselves!

As this thought arose, Su Mo felt a sudden palpitation in his heart.

He instinctively recalled the patriarch's remains in the Pure Sun Hall.

A myriad of thoughts surged through his mind, but then abruptly settled into tranquility.

In contrast, Yang Xiaoyun thought less and did not change her demeanor, only hearing Su Mo say:

"The Pure Sun martial arts I practice are inherited from the Purple Sun Sect, one of the Seven Great Sects of the East City.

"But I wonder, what is the background of the expert mentioned by the Grand Priestess?"

"I don't know either."

The Grand Priestess gently shook her head: "These four masters possessed unparalleled divine skills. Except for the last one, whose depth was unfathomable and who never acted, the other three, whenever they made a move, it was earth-shattering.

"These four came to White Tiger City, declaring they wanted to challenge White Tiger City.

"They said that although they were from the court, they ultimately came from the martial world.

"So they did not come with an army, but only wished to test White Tiger City's martial arts.

"If they were fortunate enough to win even a slight advantage, the Emperor’s Heart Sutra would be handed over to the court.

"And the remnants of the White Tiger would have to submit entirely.

"But if they lost, they would naturally leave without a word.

"Once these words were spoken, there was no room for negotiation.

"Unexpectedly, all the senior experts of our clan came forward, but they could not stop them...

"In the end, the Grand Priestess of that era had to step in."

At this point, she paused.

Su Mo asked softly, "What happened next?"

"There is no next..."

The Grand Priestess frowned deeply: "The records state that the Grand Priestess fought against three of the masters for three days and nights. After that, the four masters withdrew from White Tiger City, and from then on, the Emperor’s Heart Sutra was renamed the Amber Sutra. And White Tiger City also declared its submission to the Great Xuan Dynasty.

"But the fact remains that the Emperor’s Heart Sutra was not taken by them...

"The reasons for this remain unknown to anyone today."

"So that's how it is."

Su Mo nodded gently.

The Grand Priestess smiled apologetically: "The events tonight actually have their reasons. Our White Tiger City has stood here for generations, and we have never harmed any passersby.

"However, the Chief Attendant of the Imperial Court suddenly acted so rashly because of another matter... Your arrival coincides with our clan's minor ceremony. And you should also know that our clan holds a grand ceremony at the end of the year."

Su Mo and the others nodded.

They had heard many people talking about this during the day.

They knew that during the grand ceremony, the remnants of the White Tiger would expel all foreign merchants from White Tiger City.

Following this, the city was closed off for seven days to conduct a grand ceremony.

"The grand ceremony differs from the smaller one. The small ceremony, as you have seen today, involves our people dance, praise the Tiger Lord, and finally worship before the deity in the Tiger Lord's Hall.

"However, the grand ceremony requires the use of our sacred relic...

"Yet, our sacred relic is also a divine weapon within our clan.

"For many years, it has been repeatedly used to defend our White Tiger City against external threats.

"Having been passed down to this day, it has sustained damage in many areas.

"Recently, the artifact unexpectedly shattered. The clan tried countless methods to repair it, but all efforts were in vain.

"After poring over ancient texts, I learned that our sacred relic was forged from a special material.

"Ordinary iron is entirely unsuitable for repairs.

"For many days, the clan has been at their wits' end, trying everything to no avail.

"Until... we learned of the Star Sea Legacy Sand Iron, which offered a glimmer of hope.

"And after Chief Escort Su's arrival in our White Tiger City, I have been contemplating how to persuade him to relinquish some of the Star Sea Legacy Sand Iron.

"For this, our clan is prepared to pay any price.

"...However, the Chief Attendant of the Imperial Court is prone to underestimating others, thinking that obtaining the Star Sea Legacy Sand Iron from Chief Escort Su would be a simple matter.

"That's what led to tonight's events.

"Now, I no longer dare to mention the Star Sea Legacy Sand Iron, only hoping that Chief Escort Su will not hold our White Tiger City responsible for the Chief Attendant's actions."

As she spoke, she bowed deeply, her demeanor extremely sincere.

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun exchanged glances, and Su Mo then said:

"High Priest, you are too kind. To be honest, there are two possibilities as to whether the item I am transporting is the Star Sea Legacy Sand Iron.

"Furthermore, even if it is, I cannot simply hand it over to you...

"I operate a security bureau, and my livelihood hinges on trust.

"Please do not be offended, High Priest."

"Not at all."

The High Priest quickly waved her hand: "As long as Chief Escort Su does not hold our White Tiger remnants accountable for the Chief Attendant's actions, I dare not think of anything else."

At this point, she looked up at the starry sky:

"Our White Tiger remnants have endured for countless ages, and the sacred relic has always been passed down.

"However, all gatherings must eventually end, and perhaps it is time for the music to cease and the guests to depart...

"Such is fate..."

With that, she smiled lightly: "Take care, Chief Escort Su. I bid you farewell."

"Please."

Su Mo stood up and clasped his hands in a respectful salute, while Yang Xiaoyun and the others stood up as well.

After saying goodbye to everyone, the High Priest turned and left, quickly disappearing.

But as the High Priest disappeared, Su Mo's smile slowly faded.

"Xiao Mo..."

Yang Xiaoyun noticed and said softly, "What she said earlier..."

Su Mo gave a small nod, looking towards White Tiger City, his brow furrowed:

"We can't take her words at face value. At best, we can only believe two or three parts out of ten.

"The Chief Attendant’s actions are definitely linked to her.

"Her secret plot against the Chief Attendant made me suspicious of her identity, which is why I led us away from White Tiger City.

"I wanted to draw them out into the open...

"But it was her who showed up, which was pretty surprising.

"The Emperor’s Heart Sutra is truly an exceptional martial art, but offering it as an apology seems too generous.

"From her actions, she’s definitely up to something.

"In comparison, I’m more likely to believe her claim that her clan’s sacred artifact is damaged and needs top-notch materials to fix.

"Otherwise... White Tiger City has been around for so long, and there’s no word of them causing trouble with martial artists."

Yang Xiaoyun thought for a moment and said:

"Could it be that...

"Since they know we have the Star Sea Legacy Sand Iron, they made a plan, ready for two outcomes.

"The first outcome was the Chief Attendant’s actions tonight.

"If we were truly no match for the Chief Attendant, the Star Sea Legacy Sand Iron would naturally fall into their hands.

"Moreover, if we were defeated by the Chief Attendant, they could accuse us of blaspheming the Tiger Lord or causing chaos within White Tiger City.

"Thus, they would have a justification.

"Even if the Chief Attendant was no match for us, it would still serve as a test, leading to the second outcome: the High Priest personally stepping in.

"She would feign weakness and use her words to gain sympathy.

"She gave us the Emperor’s Heart Sutra, and if we practiced it, the more benefits we gained, the more we would inevitably think about this matter.

"Ultimately... even if we didn’t give them the Star Sea Legacy Sand Iron, we might still find other ways to help them obtain materials to repair their sacred artifact?"

Su Mo couldn’t help but look at Yang Xiaoyun in surprise, praising her repeatedly:

"Yang Xiaoyun, you’ve truly grown. It’s as they say, 'After three days apart, one should look at someone with new eyes.'"

Yang Xiaoyun, receiving his praise, couldn’t help but scoff:

"You’re such a schemer. You always say things like this and then refute others."

"Go ahead, I'm ready this time. Say what you want and see if you can counter my points."

"...I’m being wronged here."

Su Mo quickly cried out in defense: "Am I really that kind of person? Even if I have more to add, it’s just to help you see the bigger picture, Yang Xiaoyun."

"...So, you do have more to say?"

Yang Xiaoyun raised an eyebrow: "Go on, tell me."

Su Mo pondered for a moment before smiling and saying:

"Generally speaking, Yang Xiaoyun’s points aren’t entirely off.

"These actions might seem strange and ridiculous, but White Tiger City is tucked away in the remote southwest. From the Grand Priestess’s words, she accused the Chief Attendant of underestimating the world’s heroes, but isn’t she guilty of the same?

"Who is Sect Leader Youquan, really?

"In the seven sects of East City, no one dares to look down on him.

"Yet she didn’t even give him a second thought.

"On one hand, the Emperor’s Heart Sutra’s power gives her unshakable confidence.

"On the other, she’s been out of touch with the world’s true masters, making her underestimate everyone.

"So, it’s entirely possible they didn’t take us seriously at first.

"As White Tiger City’s Grand Priestess, she let the Chief Attendant do as he pleased. If it worked, they’d quickly get the Star Sea Legacy Sand Iron to fix their sacred relic.

"The only place I disagree with Yang Xiaoyun is this...

"The martial world is crawling with ungrateful, greedy, and cunning people.

"She gave us the Emperor’s Heart Sutra and even said the Great Xuan Dynasty once coveted it.

"This proves just how rare and valuable this technique is...

"How could we possibly resist practicing it?

"And if there’s something fishy or hidden in the Emperor’s Heart Sutra, something that would control us once we practiced it.

"Wouldn’t that be easier than counting on emotional ties or a guilty conscience?"

"There’s something hidden in the Emperor’s Heart Sutra!?"

Yang Xiaoyun’s heart skipped a beat, and her eyes darted to the scroll in Su Mo’s hand.

Su Mo, however, sighed softly:

"I’ve gone through it twice and still can’t find any hidden trick.

"But there’s one thing I’ve never understood.

"When I was fighting the Chief Attendant, how did the Grand Priestess manage to ambush him right under my nose without me noticing?

"Remember, Yang Xiaoyun, what Old Hu said? That only the Grand Priestess could master the full Emperor’s Heart Sutra.

"Why is that?

"And how has the Grand Priestess led the White Tiger remnants for thousands of years without a single change?"