Chapter 416 - 225: Prodigies Join Forces for a First Display of Might

Chapter 416: Chapter 225: Prodigies Join Forces for a First Display of Might

Hearing the three words "Closed-door Disciple," Yao Yilong’s eyelid twitched violently, and an absurd thought rose in his mind.

’What kind of spell has this Xie Yuan cast? How did he get a young monk and a Daoist, arguably the two with the strongest backing in the world, to come and cause trouble for him?’

’The Closed-door Disciple of the Xuanzhen Sect’s Sect Leader, and the prized pupil of the Prajna Temple’s abbot... Could this be the will of those two masters?’

Yao Yilong’s expression flickered with shock and uncertainty for a long moment before he finally spoke slowly:

"Distinguished disciples of Prajna Temple and the Xuanzhen Sect, the Yao family has always held your sects in high esteem and treated their members with courtesy. Why have you come to Jinling, disturbing the peace in the dead of night?"

He spoke tactfully, intending to point out their transgression while giving them a way to back down gracefully. But Huie Jue simply pressed his palms together, chuckled, and said:

"Amitabha. My master heard the Yao family possesses a Secret Technique for extending one’s life. He specially sent me to have a look."

At these words, the color drained from Yao Yilong’s face. Even in the moonlight, he looked deathly pale.

"Is this... the will of Zen Monk Ziling? Th-There’s no such thing! Monk Huie Jue, please don’t spread baseless rumors."

Huie Jue beamed.

"I haven’t even said whether it exists or not. Please, Grandmaster Yao, don’t be so tense."

Yao Yilong’s expression wavered. Not daring to say more on the matter, he cut straight to the point.

"Young masters, today has been a misunderstanding. Please, return for now."

Xie Yuan watched them get let off so easily—Mr. Qian was still lying at Huie Jue’s feet, for crying out loud—and couldn’t help a pang of envy. ’It must be nice having a powerful backer. Even your enemies have to find excuses for you, terrified of picking a fight.’

But then he saw Huie Jue shoot him a glance, a strange, unreadable smile on his face, and suddenly felt that something was wrong.

’Wait a minute. I dragged these two here to act as my shields, but the Yao family doesn’t even dare to aim at them. If he lets them go...’

’...won’t he come after me with everything he’s got?’

And sure enough, Huie Jue said languidly:

"Thank you, Grandmaster Yao. In that case, I and this Benefactor Xie will be on our way..."

"He’s not going anywhere."

Yao Yilong’s face fell.

"This man has a grudge with my Yao family. He once publicly killed a disciple from one of our branch families. I have questions for him tonight. Rest assured, Monk Huie Jue, I’m simply inviting him back to my estate for a cup of tea."

His tone was pleasant, but the underlying threat was unmistakable. If Xie Yuan actually went back with him to the Yao estate, he would never be seen again.

Huie Jue smiled and sighed.

"Benefactor Xie, it seems you’re stuck."

Xie Yuan nodded and grinned.

"Old Ghost Yao is afraid I’ll expose his dirty little secret."

Zhang Junyi shook his head.

"He’s a classic bully—preys on the weak and fears the strong. We all know it. He wouldn’t dare say a peep to us."

Xie Yuan chuckled.

"Always pick the softest persimmon to squeeze. That’s how these great families survive."

Seeing the three of them trade barbs, ignoring him completely, Yao Yilong’s face grew so dark it looked like it could drip ink. As a Grandmaster of a great family, when in his entire life had he been treated with such disrespect?

But as he watched Huie Jue and Zhang Junyi, he had no choice but to ignore their words. He turned to Xie Yuan and said in a low voice:

"Xie Yuan, you’re coming with me. I... I advise you to be sensible. Don’t make me come and get you myself."

Before Xie Yuan could reply, Huie Jue spoke up again.

"Grandmaster Yao, Benefactor Xie and I became acquainted through a friendly spar. I was just about to invite him to Prajna Temple for a visit. I must ask that you not take him away."

Xie Yuan looked at Huie Jue, surprised. ’He’s actually willing to use Prajna Temple’s name to back me up?’

Unfortunately, it was no use. Yao Yilong merely frowned and said coldly:

"Monk Huie Jue, I respect Master Zhiling and I respect Prajna Temple as the cradle of Zen in this world. That is why I have shown you deference. But you must also show my Yao family proper respect! You are a mere junior. How dare you presume to tell me what to do? Come back and talk to me when you’re a Grandmaster!"

Upon hearing this, Huie Jue sighed and said in all seriousness:

"Very well. Since you put it that way, Grandmaster Yao, I will be sure to pay you a visit once I become a Grandmaster myself."

Yao Yilong’s brow twitched. He couldn’t help but stare at Huie Jue. ’He’s just a young man making an empty threat because he can’t back down. He can’t possibly be serious, can he?’

At that moment, Zhang Junyi also spoke up, his voice clear and resonant.

"I, too, find myself getting along well with Brother Xie. I was about to invite him to Luofu Mountain to discuss the Dao. We’ll be leaving now."

Xie Yuan’s heart stirred once more. He’d had even less contact with Zhang Junyi, their only real common ground being a shared passion for dealing with corrupt officials. He never expected this Daoist, a man he’d only met by chance, to be so incredibly loyal.

Seeing Zhang Junyi also invoke the name of the Xuanzhen Sect, Yao Yilong felt immense pressure. The chosen disciples of the two greatest Major Sects in the world were both trying to protect Xie Yuan.

’This Xie Yuan... so young, yet his network is this extensive? He already has such power and these kinds of connections. Since we’re already enemies, what would happen if I let him go free?’

’Especially considering what he heard and saw at the Wu River... he’s clearly not willing to let the matter drop. In that case, he can’t blame me for what I’m about to do...’

Yao Yilong shook his head and his voice grew grave.

"Further talk is useless! My Yao family of Jinling is no band of nobodies. We have stood by the river for a thousand years. We may be weaker now, but there was a time, a millennium ago, when we invited the very founders of your two sects to Jinling City to discourse on the Dao! Today, I *will* take Xie Yuan. Juniors, back off now!"

He leveled his sword, pointing it at Xie Yuan. A sharp, chilling Sword Intent radiated into the night sky, and a frigid wind instantly swept through the long street.

Huie Jue and Zhang Junyi’s expressions tightened, their faces growing grim. Xie Yuan, for his part, silently took stock of his own trump cards, preparing to play his hand.

Huie Jue sighed, then stepped forward to stand beside Xie Yuan.

"Amitabha. If that’s how it is, then I have no choice but to join forces with Benefactor Xie once more."

"Same here."

Zhang Junyi moved to stand by Xie Yuan’s other side.

A flicker of emotion showed in Xie Yuan’s eyes. To have companions willing to step up and fight shoulder-to-shoulder against a seemingly invincible foe... the feeling made his blood race.