Chapter 389: The Bright King's Choice

Chapter 389: The Choice of Wisdom King

"Senior brother, I heard that Jiamujiao from Okayama Castle sent you more than a dozen dreamscape invitation links, and you rejected every single one?"

The fair-skinned, red-lipped young monk clamored loudly as he pushed open the unlocked door in front of him.

Inside the room, more than ten statues of Bodhisattvas were enshrined on the incense tables along the left and right sides, their expressions and appearances varying wildly—some showing mercy where mercy was due, others glaring with wrath where wrath was called for.

Above the statues, lifelike projections of the Buddha floated up and down, reality and illusion complementing each other.

On the central Buddhist altar, a Tathagata Buddha smiled with lowered eyes, his bare arms half flesh and blood, half mechanical. Slender nerve bundles extended from the lotus throne beneath the Tathagata, plugging into the ordination scars on the monk’s head before him.

In the report from the Edo Castle Brocade Guard Hundred-Household Office, Wisdom King, the Hundred-Household Master who had been severely injured in his haste to capture the rebel chief of Honghu alive, was at this moment sitting cross-legged before the Buddha, his expression calm and serene, showing no trace of severe injury anywhere on his body.

"He sought you out as well?"

The bright yellow light and shadow faded, and the Buddha, whose expression had seemed so lifelike, returned to a dull and rigid state.

Pfft!

The bundle of wires pulled free from the ordination scars on Wisdom King’s head, slowly retracting into the lotus throne.

"Yeah, he dragged me into a long, rambling grievance, saying that no matter what, you have to stand up for him this time, senior brother."

Burning Lamp yanked at the corners of his mouth and eyes, pulling a hideous face at Wisdom King. "I really don't know how that guy managed to scramble into a Hundred-Household position. He has no capability, no cunning, crying and wailing like an elderly female devotee."

Wisdom King’s tone was indifferent: "There is no need to pay him any mind."

"Don't worry, senior brother, I've already heard. For his own benefit, Jiamujiao actually dared to turn his back on us during the council meeting. For a dog that can never be fed enough, it's enough that I don't go looking to trouble him myself; how could I possibly plead on his behalf?"

Burning Lamp plopped down beside Wisdom King, smacking his lips: "Senior brother, I'm just curious. What exactly is our Thousand-Household Master Su thinking? Does he really treat that Yama of Inuyama Castle like his own son, the Yamato District Brocade Guards as his personal estate, and the rest of us as house slaves?"

"He openly slaughtered the newly appointed Hundred-Household Master Zhenjun in Osaka Castle. What he did was even more brutal than the Honghu rebels. When others rebel, they at least observe some decorum; it's a polite approach before resorting to force, only seizing by might when bribery fails. He, on the other hand, just comes through the door hacking people with a blade. How is this still the Brocade Guards? It's clearly the behavior of wandering bandits and highwaymen!"

Wisdom King glanced at the indignant Burning Lamp and said flatly: "They belong to the Martial Sequence."

"One is a gathering of sects, the other fights alone, and they weren't even born of the same mother. Can that really be stretched into a nepotistic connection?"

Burning Lamp’s eyes widened, his speech coarse and entirely lacking the prudence and solemnity a monk of the Han transmission ought to possess.

"Zhenjun, whose real name was Yu Canghai, was originally a descendant of a shareholder in the Daoist Sequence's Qingcheng Group. He already had a criminal record of colluding with the Honghu rebels on the Imperial mainland, which was why the Qingcheng Group seized upon that leverage to purge him."

"Who would have thought that after arriving in the Yamato District, he would still harbor treacherous designs, covertly corresponding with King He'an. So, I can understand why the Thousand-Household Master indulged Yama in hounding him to death."

Burning Lamp grumbled dissatisfiedly: "But this time, Yama is clearly using the pretext of clearing Kamakura to trouble Jiamujiao, yet the Thousand-Household Master still lets it slide. Doesn't he worry that Yama’s actions will alienate the hearts of our people within the Brocade Guards?"

"He is the Thousand-Household Master of the Brocade Guards, and moreover, the prince who covers the sky with a single hand in the Yamato District. Securing a martial grandmaster of the third tier with an worthless district of condemned citizens is a highly profitable bargain for the Confucian Sequence."

Wisdom King’s expression remained calm and detached, without a ripple in his tone. "Even the Pacification Commissioner, Li Bufeng, has lived with his tail between his legs all these years. Even if there is some dissatisfaction within the Brocade Guards, who could stir up any real storm?"

"How tyrannical indeed."

Burning Lamp rested his chin in his hands, looking wistful: "A single piece of decaying wood can support such a vast expanse of sky. It's truly hard to imagine what kind of life we of the Buddhist Sequence led during the height of the Martial Sequence."

"He is not decaying wood; he is a lone wolf. Traveling thousands of miles, his claws and teeth remain sharp. So, let the words you spoke today stay within this scripture hall; do not carry them outside."

A flash of intense longing flickered deep within Wisdom King’s eyes before vanishing. Suddenly changing the subject, he looked at the young monk beside him with a smile: "Burning Lamp, you came here to tell me all this. Have you harbored thoughts of taking Jiamujiao under your wing?"

"As expected, I can hide nothing from you, senior brother."

Burning Lamp nodded, the lazy smile vanishing from his face as his expression turned solemn. "Su Ce's methods have become so unyielding and aggressive now; it is obvious he intends to protect Yama's smooth ascension to power!"

"We brothers followed our master's orders to labor diligently for so many years in this Yamato District, where not a single ray of Buddha's light is seen and not a whisper of Buddha's voice is heard. We fought to the death with those pirates and rebels, staining ourselves with the karma of slaughter, all so that you, senior brother, could smoothly take the position of Thousand-Household Master, radiate the Buddha's light, and deliver the Yamato people."

"Now that the time for the fulfillment of our merits is finally within sight, how can we let a Yama, who rose through nepotism, pluck our fruits?"

Burning Lamp’s emotions grew fervent. "Even a merciful Buddha possesses a spark of true fire; only when the Vajra glares in wrath can the hordes of demons be deterred. Since Su Ce chooses to act arbitrarily, we cannot just sit still and await our doom!"

"Although Jiamujiao is a man born with a treacherous bone, he is also a death-fearing creature blinded by greed. Yama nearly beat him to death this time, which is enough to make Jiamujiao see the situation clearly and stand honestly in the same alliance with us."

"Do as you see fit."

Wisdom King raised his hand and patted Burning Lamp’s shoulder, his tone casual.

These words left Burning Lamp temporarily speechless. The speech he had prepared to analyze the pros and cons with Wisdom King died in his throat, with nowhere to begin.

This monk, whose true age was far more mature than his appearance suggested, suddenly felt that his fellow disciple before him seemed somewhat unfamiliar.

In the past, Wisdom King, with his unyielding temperament that could tolerate no deception, would absolutely never again accept a useless fence-sitter like Jiamujiao. Burning Lamp merely had a faint inkling in his heart that this change in his senior brother might be related to the Thousand-Household Master, Su Ce.

"By the way, after you finish this matter, do not stay in the Yamato District for the time being. Return to the Imperial mainland."

While Burning Lamp was dazed, Wisdom King suddenly spoke.

"Ah? Why!" Burning Lamp looked bewildered.

"Regarding the matter of Black Dragon Capital, Su Ce is already dissatisfied with us. The reason he didn't move against you directly was to give me face, leaving me to handle it myself. If we do not show our stance, he will not continue to be polite."

Wisdom King raised his hand to interrupt the flushed Burning Lamp, saying in a heavy voice: "In truth, your return to the Imperial mainland is also a good thing. For one, it allows you to temporarily avoid the brunt of the storm; only by standing outside the tempest can you see its full scope clearly."

"On the other hand, it is to stabilize those within our sect. Although I played a trick of self-injury this time to temporarily stall their entry into the Yamato District, if they still fail to see the stakes clearly and remain determined to meddle in this muddy water, it will harm us sooner or later."

Burning Lamp asked unwillingly: "Then when can I return? Or am I to lose my identity as a Brocade Guard just like this?"

"How could that be."

A smile appeared on Wisdom King's face as he said calmly: "I am still waiting for you to help me govern Edo Castle, junior brother. I would not trust anyone else."

Burning Lamp bit his lip, nodding with difficulty after a long silence.

"I understand. I will go and arrange things properly now."

He looked up at Wisdom King, his expression earnest: "Senior brother, I know your words just now were meant to comfort me. To put it bluntly, I am being exiled by the Yamato District Brocade Guards this time. If I want to return, I'm afraid I will only have a chance after that person dies."

"After I leave, you will only have Kongque left as a Flag-Lieutenant by your side. That woman acts recklessly and has little brains, making her easily incited and deluded. Moreover, that crowd of nuns behind her are no good people; you must be absolutely careful to guard against this, senior brother."

"You don't need to worry about that."

Wisdom King’s gaze grew dark and inscrutable. "Kongque... she will likely be leaving soon as well."

The southern district of Inuyama Castle, near the edge of the city.

In the deserted outskirts, two 'Wuzhui' vehicles stood side by side.

"Alright, all good things must come to an end. This is far enough."

The car window rolled down, revealing Chen Qisheng's unkempt yet still undeniably handsome face.

He pressed one hand against the edge of the window, his smile brilliant: "Though, Sister Yuan, if you really want to traverse the Yamato District with this poor Daoist, I wouldn't mind either."

In the other Wuzhui car, two slender legs were crossed over the steering wheel, the gold threads embedded within the fair skin along the sides of her legs glowing faintly. Within a long pipe, a spark flared bright and dim.

A pair of crimson lips opened slightly, letting out a lazy, seductive voice: "You belong to the Daoist Sequence, and I to the Buddhist Sequence. What, do you wish to try dual cultivation of Buddha and Dao?"

Chen Qisheng's eyes lit up, the ponytail at the back of his head bouncing up and down of its own accord. "The Great Dao is boundless; this poor Daoist has sought it high and low throughout this life, never tiring!"

"Sure, how about right here? Shall I pull you into my Buddha-field?" Yuan Mingfei smiled faintly.

If one actually entered that Buddha-field thing, it was highly uncertain who would be playing whom.

The smile on Chen Qisheng's face froze. "Actually... this poor Daoist's character is rather conservative. I pursue the truths of the mortal realm and dislike illusory passions. I take your kind intentions to heart, Sister Yuan."

Yuan Mingfei's gaze wavered with boundless allure: "Are you really not coming in? That would be such a pity; the true flavor of the Buddhist Sequence is all within the Buddha-field."

"The journey is important, the journey is important." Chen Qisheng's expression was awkward.

Seeing this, Yuan Mingfei stopped teasing him, stripping the coquettishness from her face as she knit her brows slightly: "You really intend to go alone?"

"Cultivating immortality is like sailing against the current; to not advance is to retreat. At this moment, the immortal destiny lies before me, and I must go."

Chen Qisheng struck a fortune-teller-like pose, his words laced with sarcasm.

Yuan Mingfei took a sharp bite of the brass pipe, exhaling a faint puff of white smoke. "Speak plainly," she said.

Chen Qisheng chuckled, shaking his head in frustration. "I have no choice. The higher authorities have spoken: whoever brings back Mingzhi Qingxiu's head will claim the vacant spot of Earth Immortal."

"You can wait for Li Jun to finish his current task."

"We can't afford to wait any longer."

Chen Qisheng sighed. "I've worked hard to become a special guest minister of the Imperial Guards, and I don't want to continue fighting one-on-one with those Taoist bandits. But right now, I can't leave Doge Castle."

"This time, Xie Bianan finally helped me locate Mingzhi Chiyo's hiding place. If I miss this opportunity, I won't be able to sleep at night."

Yuan Mingfei looked solemn. "Taoist Six Waters Lang, you can't gain an advantage in the current Wa region."

"I know, but we have to try anyway."

"Not for longevity?"

"That's exactly why."

We're all guests living under someone else's roof, and we meet by chance, so we should keep it casual.

Yuan Mingfei nodded and said softly, "I'll tell Li Jun about your departure."

"Thank you, Sister Yuan."

Chen Qisheng didn't show any sign of being a Taoist priest from Longhushan. He stuck his head out of the window and smiled. "But remember to make it sound worse than it is. That way, when I'm really beaten and running for my life, Li Jun will come quickly to save me."

"Don't worry, I'll make it sound as bad as possible!"

The engine rumbled, the tires crushed over gravel, making a crunching sound, and dust flew everywhere.

Yuan Mingfei stared at the distant Ugui, and after a while, she muttered to herself, "Chen Qisheng, Chen Qisheng, your longevity has nothing to do with the word 'Qisheng' at all."

"She's a promiscuous Buddhist prostitute. She hasn't even been in the Wa region for a few days, and she's already hooked up with a new lover."

Suddenly, a sharp and sarcastic voice entered Yuan Mingfei's ears.

A black figure fell from the sky, crashing heavily onto the front of Ugui.

Boom!

Ugui's heavy rear end suddenly lifted, and with a deafening twisting sound, the entire front of the car was crushed by the incoming person.

A red dress flew out of the dust, landing two zhang away.

Yuan Mingfei held the red skirt with one hand and grabbed the smoking pipe with the other, pulling her messy hair behind her ears. She looked up at the figure standing on the wreckage of Ugui.

Black armor, short hair to the ears, sharp eyebrows and eyes, and a fierce temperament.

It was none other than Peacock, known as the first general of the entire Wa region!

"You're the Buddhist priest from the Sangyan Temple who serves in the Edo Castle Imperial Guards?"

Yuan Mingfei squinted, looking up and down at Peacock, teasingly. "That masculine-feminine smell is exactly the same as those nuns, as if they were molded from the same mold."

"It seems that the Imperial Guards in Doge Castle have already revealed my identity to you."

Peacock stepped over the sharp metal edges of the wreckage, moving forward. "Since that's the case, why didn't you stay hidden under the protection you traded for with your charm? How dare you come out of your house to seek death?"

Yuan Mingfei smiled slightly and asked back, "Then tell me, your lover almost got killed, and you still have the energy to come here to kill me?"

Peacock's eyes turned cold, and her ferocity surged. "Dirty Buddhist prostitute, I'll come and rip out your tongue later!"

"Son of a bitch, I was originally planning to ambush you, but I couldn't bear to listen to it anymore."

Suddenly, a rough roar rang out.

Fan Wujiu held up his embroidered spring knife and stood beside Yuan Mingfei. "You smelly bitch, I've hated you for a long time. Today, let's see if your mouth or my knife wins!"

Peacock obviously expected Fan Wujiu's appearance.

Her face was still contorted with ferocity, and she sneered at Yuan Mingfei. "You know I'll come to kill you, and I know you want to take revenge with Doge Castle's help. But unfortunately, Yan Jun isn't in Doge Castle now, and you think you can win with just Fan Wujiu?"

Hiss!

Before Peacock finished speaking, a loud explosion interrupted her.

She turned around suddenly and saw that the Ugui, which should have already left, was crashing into the horizon in an extremely violent manner.

"Why talk to her so much!"

Chen Qisheng stuck his head out of the window and shouted angrily at Fan Wujiu. "Hurry up and kill her, Taoist! I'm really in a hurry to get going!"

Clang!

A gust of wind blew from behind, and Peacock turned around, punching away the incoming sword light.

At some point, her facial features split up and down from the center of her nose, curling up to her skull and neck, revealing a frowning, bearded face.

Her body expanded at a visible speed, and her already inconspicuous female features quickly disappeared, transforming into a muscular and powerful physique.

"Yuan Mingfei!"

From the bearded face came a sharp, angry female voice.

"What Xiaobai said is really true, you don't have much brainpower."

Yuan Mingfei held onto the smoking pipe, her red skirt and black hair swaying in the wind.

"But such a simple trap, your lover didn't even warn you about it, and instead watched you jump right in. It seems he's decided to give up on you."