Huinan from Daliuli Temple and Zong’ai from Luosha Temple both frowned in unison.
Though the three temples had come to the Central Plains together and agreed to advance and retreat as one, that was only when facing a common enemy.
Now, wanting to convert a dragon girl from someone else’s hands was purely Wuxin’s personal affair. What did it have to do with Daliuli Temple or Luosha Temple?
However…
Their three temples had good relations after all. Since Wuxin had spoken up, they would owe him a tremendous favour.
In that case…
“Amitabha!”
Huinan and Zong’ai stepped forward. Huinan sent a stream of glazed Buddhist light rolling towards Yue Honghai. Zong’ai’s hands danced like lotuses. A lotus flower appeared beneath Shen Ying and Liu Qingyan’s feet, about to envelop them both.
On the other side, Wuxin closed in again. Golden light blazed around him. While fending off the flying sword, he formed a Buddhist palm and slapped towards Lu Zheng.
Lu Zheng instinctively glanced at Zen Master Dejie, only to see the master utterly unmoved, eyes downcast, not even looking at the field.
Buddhism truly cannot be relied upon!
Lu Zheng inwardly grumbled, then reached out with both hands and pulled Shen Ying and Liu Qingyan out of the lotus’s range. A Taiyi Five Thunders Curse shot out.
Next, Lu Zheng pulled back to grab Ao Qian and Liu Qingquan, preparing to take everyone into his gourd and flee first.
Against three great monks, fighting was impossible, but they could not overwhelm him either. Escape was certainly feasible.
Whether earth escape, Wind and Rain Flying Immortal, or sword wind evasion, Lu Zheng was confident he could leave. He might not even need to cross to the modern world.
Then I will just run straight to Baiyun Mountain. If you have the guts, chase me there!
But just then…
“Roar!!!”
A dragon chant resounded through heaven and earth. Majestic dragon might permeated all directions.
“What is happening?”
“A dragon!?”
“This is… dragon might?”
Before Lu Zheng could gather everyone into the gourd, a true dragon aura suddenly enveloped the entire city god temple. Like blazing heavenly authority or Mount Tai pressing down, it bore upon the heads of Huinan, Wuxin, and Zong’ai.
“Great virtue heavenly dragon? This king will first let you witness what true great might heavenly dragon is!”
“A true dragon!”
“Dragon king!”
Huinan and the three exclaimed in unison. They waved to envelop Vitu and the others in Buddhist light for protection, then prepared to flee.
“Humph! Return to the Western Regions and properly cultivate your minds. You have not a trace of monk about you. What path do you walk? What dharma do you debate?”
“Boom!”
A tremendous crash rang from the sky. A dragon claw appeared from nowhere, striking Wuxin’s back in one blow.
“Pu!”
Wuxin spewed a mouthful of blood wildly. His face instantly turned the colour of golden paper. His pupils scattered. His Buddhist force dispersed in all directions. His form staggered, about to plummet.
Huinan and Zong’ai reached out together to catch him, supporting him from both sides.
“Pu!”
“Pu!”
The dragon force that had just entered Wuxin’s body erupted again, transmitting into theirs. Huinan and Zong’ai both spat blood.
Yet this strike was more warning than punishment. Their injuries were not severe. They simply pulled Wuxin and Shang Kun away, retreating far.
“Thank you, Dragon King, for showing mercy!”
They spoke for themselves. As for Wuxin, he was clearly breathing out more than in. Dragon force ravaged his body. Not only were his heart channels severed, but his dantian and sea of consciousness were directly shattered. He was certain to die, unable to survive three days.
…
Lu Zheng froze in place for a moment.
What was going on? How had another great expert suddenly appeared?
And a dragon? And such a powerful dragon?
Could it be…
“Daddy!” Ao Qian cried excitedly.
“Heh heh! So you still remember your father!”
A teasing voice rang out. Then two figures appeared in the field.
“Master Yu! Madam Yu!” Lu Zheng and the others stared in astonishment.
The arrivals were surprisingly Yu Jinbo and his wife, who had moved to Tonglin County two months ago!
“Eh?” Ao Qian gaped in shock.
Yu Jinbo and Madam Yu smiled faintly. Light flickered. In the next moment, their forms remained the same, but their appearances changed dramatically.
Yu Jinbo transformed into a stern-faced middle-aged man, losing three parts of his former mundane aura and gaining the majesty of one in high position.
Madam Yu also transformed, becoming a kindly middle-aged noblewoman. Her features softened further, yet her brows and eyes gained an air of nobility.
In the blink of an eye, their countenances changed completely. Their already outstanding temperament and appearance rose yet another level.
“Daddy! Mummy!”
Ao Qian cheered happily. With a whoosh, she turned into an afterimage, burrowing into Madam Yu’s embrace and rubbing her little head against her furiously.
Madam Yu patted Ao Qian’s head gently, smiling softly. “No use acting spoiled. Wait and see how your father deals with you later.”
“Mummy~~~”
“Amitabha! Greetings to Jade Dragon King!”
“Greetings to Zen Master Dejie!”
Jade Dragon King Ao Jin and Zen Master Dejie exchanged salutations. Madam Yu, the Jade Dragon King’s consort Ao Yi, also curtsied.
“Greetings to Jade Dragon King!”
“Greetings to Jade Dragon Queen!”
Only then did Lu Zheng and the others step forward to salute one by one. Du Yueyao and the others still felt as if dreaming.
After associating for one or two months, with a faint sense of superiority towards these seemingly ordinary people, they turned out to be the patriarch couple of the Jade Dragon clan, one of the four great dragon clans of the East Sea?
Too shocking!
Fortunately, everyone had good character. Their interactions had been proper, without offending them.
Ao Yi pulled over Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying, smiling warmly. “Many thanks for caring for Qian Bao’er this past year and more.”
“The Queen is too polite,” Liu Qingyan replied. “Qian Bao’er is very cute and sensible.”
Ao Jin pulled Lu Zheng aside and asked Zen Master Dejie with a smile, “Master, what do you think of this young one?”
“Exceptionally gifted. A fortune for the Daoist sect,” Zen Master Dejie nodded.
Lu Zheng waved his hands repeatedly, claiming he was unworthy of such praise. At the same time, he understood why Zen Master Dejie had not acted earlier.
Clearly, the master had already detected Ao Jin. Since Wuxin had moved against Ao Qian, her own father would naturally intervene.
If Zen Master Dejie had stepped in, at most he would have driven Wuxin away, certainly not to the point of killing. That would have saved Wuxin’s life. Yet Wuxin, unaware, would instead resent him.
Moreover, once he resolved it, Ao Jin would naturally find it inconvenient to act. Failing to give Wuxin his due outcome, Ao Jin would surely be displeased.
In that case, he would offend both sides. Why intervene?
Furthermore, with good intentions, Zen Master Dejie had sincerely advised twice before Wuxin acted. But kind words cannot persuade one fated to die. Since Wuxin’s resolve was set, the master’s final gaze upon him was filled with pity.
Xin Zhanting, standing nearby, was already numb.
In this tiny Tonglin County, how had so many great figures suddenly emerged?
“Dragon King, Zen Master Dejie, this is not a place for talk. Why not move to my humble abode?” Lu Zheng suggested.
Though the earlier clash had been confined to the city god temple, anomalies had still appeared, startling many common folk in Tonglin County. Some reported to officials, some approached. Lu Zheng sensed Constable Liu leading a squad of constables, cautiously drawing near.
Hearing Lu Zheng’s suggestion, Ao Jin and Zen Master Dejie both agreed. Thus, the group easily evaded the onlookers and arrived at the Lu family residence.
