Chapter 369 - 275: Gecheng Mountain, Vajra Institute

Chapter 369: Chapter 275: Gecheng Mountain, Vajra Institute

Otsuka Youna was dead.

This woman, the only one in the Otsuka family with any backbone, was full of doubt before she died.

For while she didn’t know if Wu Liangchen’s words were true, the public’s reaction could not be faked.

’Could it be that the ideals I’ve held onto for so long are truly wrong?’

Of course, her questions would now never be answered.

After she died, Wu Liangchen had her body, along with those of a dozen or so other Warriors, dragged out and buried.

The proper course of action would have been to completely destroy the bodies, leaving no trace, to prevent others from mourning or imitating them.

But Wu Liangchen didn’t do that. The reason was simple.

He didn’t care.

Whether people mourned or emulated them, it posed not the slightest threat to him.

And this incident, like a bombshell, quickly caused massive waves throughout Tokyo and even the entire East Sea nation.

Some scoffed, some felt a secret sympathy, and some Warriors who still had a shred of honor felt a pang of guilt.

After all, they, who should have died in battle, were still alive, while a woman had done something so brave.

But none of this could hinder Wu Liangchen’s plans.

By now, the goals of his trip were mostly accomplished. Even the main culprit, the Monarch of the East Sea nation, had been executed. Uncle Bai’s spirit in heaven should be appeased.

Furthermore, he had also learned a great deal of important information about overseas secret realms from the Folangji merchants.

All in all, this trip to the East Sea had been incredibly fruitful.

But Wu Liangchen planned to do one more thing: pay a visit to the Vajra Institute.

He had killed the mad monk and obtained the legacy of the Golden Body Cross Training Skill from him, but in doing so, he had also been marked with the brand of the Vajra Institute.

Now that he had the chance, Wu Liangchen naturally intended to see for himself what this legendary great sect was really like.

Just then, an invitation letter drifted down to him.

In this, the beginning of spring, we wish you ever-increasing health and peace, a matter for universal celebration. From the eternal Vajra Institute atop Gecheng Mountain, we bow our heads from afar and pray for Your Excellency’s martial fortune to prosper.

The Supreme Golden Body Skill that you have demonstrated is a secret of our institute not passed to outsiders. That you have obtained it is truly a supreme karmic destiny.

We humbly invite you to grace our institute, that we may together contemplate the mysteries of the unity of sword and Zen. We shall open the gates of the Demon Suppression Tower and, while chanting the Peacock King Scripture, respectfully listen to Your Excellency’s insights.

With utmost sincerity.

The letter was written in a rigorous, formal style, and even had a stylized signature at the end, showing extreme solemnity.

After reading it, Wu Liangchen couldn’t help but chuckle.

’News that I know the Golden Body Cross Training Skill just arrived, and the Vajra Institute has already eagerly sent an invitation. It seems this Cultivation Technique really is quite important.’

Seeing Wu Liangchen chuckle, Yokoyama Misaki, who was waiting at his side with her hands folded, couldn’t contain her curiosity and spoke softly.

"Lord Wu, have you decided to accept the invitation?"

"Of course. I was already planning to go take a look. Now that I have an even better excuse, I have all the more reason to go."

Ever since Takizawa Sayon had been forced to withdraw due to her injuries, Yokoyama Misaki had been like a fish in water. Through her careful service, she felt that her relationship with Wu Liangchen had become quite close.

That was why she dared to ask.

"What is it?" Wu Liangchen asked, raising his eyes to look at Yokoyama Misaki, who seemed to want to say something but was hesitating.

"Lord Wu, the Vajra Institute is a great, orthodox institute with a thousand-year legacy. Although its prestige has waned in recent years due to the Monarch’s suspicion, its foundation remains deep. You must be careful on this trip," Yokoyama Misaki said with some concern.

Wu Liangchen didn’t ignore her advice, but nodded very seriously.

"Alright, I’ll remember that."

With that, Wu Liangchen immediately packed his bags, then leaped away from Tokyo, heading straight for Gecheng Mountain to the south.

Gecheng Mountain wasn’t far from Tokyo, only about seventy or eighty kilometers away. For Wu Liangchen, a distance like that, while not instantaneous, wouldn’t take much time at all.

Soon, a towering mountain appeared before him. As he drew closer, he saw a series of vermilion torii gates ascending from the foot of the mountain, with wind chimes hanging under the eaves of each one.

Whenever the mountain breeze passed, the chimes would ring out with a pleasant sound, like the whisper of waves in a bamboo forest, refreshing the spirit and seemingly washing away all worldly cares.

Wu Liangchen arrived at the foot of the mountain. He saw stone steps winding upward until they disappeared into the clouds and mist at the horizon, like a ladder to the heavens, inspiring a sense of awe and longing.

’What a fine sight!’

Wu Liangchen looked up at the magnificent scene, his eyes narrowing slightly. With a single leap, he began to race toward the summit.

His speed was incredible; in the blink of an eye, he vanished into the mountain mist.

Just a moment later, the melodious sound of a bell suddenly echoed from Gecheng Mountain.

The sect disciples busy with their tasks all over the mountain looked up in surprise.

For this was the Guest Welcoming Bell, which was only rung for the arrival of the most supreme and honored guests.

Given the Vajra Institute’s profound heritage, not even the successive Monarchs had been afforded this treatment. Thus, the Guest Welcoming Bell had not been rung for a very, very long time.

At the same time, Wu Liangchen had already reached the main gate of the mountain.

At the entrance to the Vajra Institute stood two enormous Buddha statues.

The one on the left held a Demon-Subduing Pestle, while the one on the right formed the Outer Binding Seal. They were solemn and majestic.

And between these two divine statues, several people were waiting.

The one in the lead was an old monk with white eyebrows.

He wore a kasaya robe, and his eyebrows and beard were over a foot long, making him resemble the Long-Browed Arhat from before the Buddha. His features were kind, but his eyes held a restrained divine light that commanded respect without anger.

’A Grandmaster!’

’And a top-tier existence, even more powerful than the Martial Arts Grandmasters I’ve met before.’

Wu Liangchen’s heart tightened. ’Is this the profound foundation of a thousand-year-old sect?’

’And how did they know I would arrive at this exact moment?’

Full of doubt, Wu Liangchen landed.

At the same time, the long-browed old monk, a smile on his face, put his palms together and said, "Benefactor Wu, your presence graces us. We have failed to welcome you from afar; we beg your forgiveness."

Seeing how polite the other party was, Wu Liangchen naturally couldn’t be rude in return.

He simply nodded. "I have come to pay my respects, as per your esteemed sect’s invitation."

"Please!" The long-browed old monk turned to the side and made an inviting gesture with his hand.

Without hesitation, Wu Liangchen strode inside.

After passing through the mountain gate, he hadn’t walked far before he came to a massive cliff face, upon which was carved a statue of a Vajra guardian.

The craftsmanship of this Vajra statue was superb, and its wide, angry eyes were particularly bone-chilling.

The whites of its eyes were inlaid with white jade, and the pupils were set with whole rubies. In the reflection of the sunlight, they seemed to come alive, looking down upon you from above.

Wu Liangchen’s expression grew solemn.

It wasn’t that he was frightened by the ferocious statue, but that he could feel a magnificent and vast martial will emanating from it.

"This Vajra statue was personally carved by the founding patriarch of our Vajra Institute a thousand years ago. I wonder, what are Lord Wu’s thoughts upon seeing it?"

As a voice as clear and crisp as a mountain spring spoke, a man standing beneath the Vajra statue slowly turned to look at Wu Liangchen.