Chapter 87 - 55: Dharma Vein Elder

Chapter 87: Chapter 55: Dharma Vein Elder

Inside Li Yinsheng’s Bamboo House at the summit of Bamboo Forest Peak.

"So, the personnel from Shouyi Temple stationed on the peak include not only quite a few disciples but also two Stewards and a Vice Temple Master?" Li Yinsheng asked Qi Jiushan.

"That’s right," Qi Jiushan nodded. "The Vice Temple Master of Shouyi Temple will arrive tomorrow.

"And he isn’t just coming alone; he’s bringing a whole pack of brats from Shouyi Temple with him. Every single one of them expects to collect a payment from our Huang Bamboo Temple!"

"They really are just here to mooch," Li Yinsheng shook his head. "Shouyi Temple acts so overbearingly and offends people left and right. Aren’t they afraid of inciting public outrage?"

Qi Jiushan sighed. "Li, there’s something you don’t know. Not only is Shouyi Temple inherently powerful, but..."

He leaned in closer and lowered his voice. "They also have countless inextricable ties to an Elder within the Dharma Vein.

"Although that Elder holds a highly revered status and has never explicitly acknowledged any relationship with Shouyi Temple...

"In private, everyone knows that Shouyi Temple has received numerous favors from that Elder, and their offerings of tribute to him have never once ceased."

"Oh?" Li Yinsheng was somewhat surprised. "But as far as I know, the relationship between the Dharma Vein and Daoist Temples has always been extremely restrained."

"There’s an exception to every rule," Qi Jiushan chuckled bitterly. "Though I don’t know how Shouyi Temple managed to latch onto a Dharma Vein Elder, with such a backer, the rest of us have no choice but to swallow our pride and tolerate them most of the time."

Li Yinsheng nodded in understanding.

"Besides, even without counting that Dharma Vein Elder, Shouyi Temple has at least ten Daoists in total," Qi Jiushan smiled wryly. "That is a number far beyond the reach of any other Daoist Temple. Naturally, we have to steer clear of their edge."

"Ten?" This time, Li Yinsheng was genuinely astonished.

Many Daoist Temples were overseen by only a single Daoist—Yellow Crane Temple, for example.

Daoist Temples boasting two resident Daoists made up less than half of all the temples under the Dharma Vein.

Even many of the top ten Great Daoist Temples typically only had two or three Daoists.

And yet, Shouyi Temple had at least ten Daoists? That number was truly intimidating.

While he had heard that the total number of Daoists within the Dharma Vein was even more absurd than all the Daoist Temples combined, that was the Dharma Vein, after all. It was only natural for them to be that overwhelmingly powerful. But Shouyi Temple was merely a Daoist Temple.

"I’ve heard that their disciple count surpassed a thousand several years ago. In terms of scale, they stand unmatched among all Daoist Temples," Qi Jiushan said, shaking his head.

Li Yinsheng sighed inwardly. It was no wonder Shouyi Temple acted so domineering; they certainly had the strength to back it up. He wondered if there was some sort of connection between their ties to that Dharma Vein Elder and their abnormally high number of Daoists.

"Ah, we’ve been chatting for ages, and it’s just been me venting my frustrations. I almost forgot to discuss the real business with you, Li," Qi Jiushan said, slapping his thigh.

"I came to find you about the defense of Bamboo Forest Peak. The current arrangement is that Liang, as the Vice Temple Master, will oversee all affairs, so he won’t directly participate in guarding against powerful demons.

"As the Steward of the Demon Suppression Hall, I am in charge of all matters related to demon defense. All Patrol Disciples and Demon Extermination Disciples fall under my jurisdiction.

"Additionally, I’m responsible for guarding the northern side of Bamboo Forest Peak. If a demon that the Demon Extermination Disciples can’t handle attacks North Mountain, I will step in.

"We can’t count on those three from Shouyi Temple, so I’d like to ask you, Li, along with two other Fellow Daoists, to take charge of the other three directions.

"However, Sound Transmission Talismans will be distributed to everyone tomorrow. If you encounter a demon that’s difficult to deal with on your own, you can always call upon the other Fellow Daoists for assistance.

"How about you take the east, Li?"

Li Yinsheng nodded. "No problem." There was fundamentally no difference between the four directions, so there was naturally nothing to be picky about.

"How straightforward of you, Li!" Qi Jiushan smiled before offering a reminder. "But even though you can invite other Fellow Daoists for help, if you can take down a demon by yourself, it’s best to handle it alone.

"After all, demons with decent Cultivation have tendons, bones, skin, scales, and horns that, while not exactly at the level of treasures, still hold considerable value. They are excellent materials for Alchemy or Artifact Refining.

"If you slay the beast yourself, you can simply claim the spoils. But if you team up with a fellow practitioner, squabbles over the distribution of loot are inevitable, which might damage the camaraderie."

Dawning comprehension struck Li Yinsheng. "So dividing the defense into north, south, east, and west zones also factors into this?"

"Exactly," Qi Jiushan generously admitted with a nod. "This prevents disputes among Fellow Daoists. Whichever zone a demon trespasses into, it belongs to the person in charge of that zone. No snatching is allowed.

"If you lack the strength and have no choice but to invite other Fellow Daoists to help, then you should consciously offer up some of the valuable parts so those who assist you don’t lose out.

"Of course, if we encounter something extremely dangerous, then just as I mentioned earlier, all of us—including Liang—will swarm it together!"

Li Yinsheng had no objections to this. Qi Jiushan was about to say something else when a female voice rang out from outside, interrupting him.

"Li, it’s Meng Yu. Are you there?"

Li Yinsheng had long since sensed Meng Yu’s arrival, so he wasn’t surprised in the slightest. He immediately replied, "Meng, please come in."

Meng Yu pushed the door open and entered. She was clad in a Daoist Robe of the Jade Altar Temple, a thin layer of frost settling in her gaze.

"Meng, it’s been a long time." Li Yinsheng stood up and cupped his hands with a smile. "I must thank you for recommending me this time."

Otherwise, he never would have found such a perfect opportunity to encounter so many demons in one go, providing his junior sister with invaluable combat experience.

"There’s no need for formalities. I may have actually done a disservice out of good intentions this time," Meng Yu said, a trace of guilt appearing on her face. "I didn’t expect that the Vice Temple Master and Stewards of Shouyi Temple would also come."

"It’s fine, it’s fine. No harm done," Li Yinsheng said, waving his hand with a smile.

Meng Yu pursed her lips. Upon looking at Li Yinsheng’s face, she couldn’t help but raise a hand to smooth the hair at her temples.

A strange look crossed Qi Jiushan’s face. His gaze first landed on Li Yinsheng, then shifted to Meng Yu, then back to Li Yinsheng, and again to Meng Yu, darting back and forth several times. Then, wearing an expression as though he had just understood something, he promptly stood up, cupped his hands, and took his leave.

"Haha, it just so happens that Li and I have finished discussing our business. Since Meng has arrived, I won’t disturb the two of you any longer. I’ll take my leave first. Farewell!" As he spoke, he was already striding toward the door.

In a situation like this, it would be quite inappropriate for an "outsider" like him to linger. Even though Mu Xiaoyu was still in the room, constantly drinking tea and eating pastries, that wasn’t something he could control. All he could do was leave and give the space to those who needed it.

Ignoring Li Yinsheng’s request to stay a little longer and have a cup of tea before going, Qi Jiushan strode out the door, not forgetting to pull it shut behind him. Just before leaving, he peeked through the crack in the door, stealing one last glance at Li Yinsheng and Meng Yu.

"Li is still so young yet possesses such profound Cultivation; becoming a Daoist is practically set in stone for him.

"Although Meng’s Cultivation isn’t as high as Li’s, and she is likely a few years older, her natural talent is still exceptional—not to mention she’s an Array Master.

"These two can definitely be considered an ideal match, right?" Qi Jiushan mused inwardly as he walked off into the distance.