Chapter 294: Eliminating Witnesses at the Daoist Temple

Chapter 294: Chapter 294: Eliminating Witnesses at the Daoist Temple

Though neither side was truly convinced, at least they stopped arguing.

At this point, Daoist Master Changfeng, the Abbot, stepped forward and asked, "What is this about Junior Disciple Mingyang saying that all the backyard chores were left to one person? Our temple’s backyard duties have always been handled by disciples in rotation."

At these words, Zhu Haojie and his group immediately began to stammer and equivocate.

Seeing this, the Abbot turned to his disciples and said, "Go and bring the person responsible for the backyard chores and the disciple Junior Disciple Mingyang mentioned to the front hall."

"Yes, Master."

A few people behind Zhu Baiqi exchanged glances and lowered their heads.

Daoist Master Changfeng looked at everyone and said, "It’s truly inappropriate to discuss this matter at the entrance. Let’s go to the front hall. Daoist Friend Daoguang, please."

"Please." Daoguang and Daoist Master Changfeng walked side-by-side into the temple.

Mingjue pulled Song An along, following closely behind.

Zhu Baiqi frowned and whispered, "What’s going on?"

Zhu Haojie leaned close and whispered for a while, lowering his head as Zhu Baiqi’s face steadily darkened.

"Nonsense!"

Zhu Haojie, knowing he was in the wrong, mumbled, "Father, quickly, think of something! Once that person gets in front of Daoist Master Changfeng, everything will be exposed, and your son will surely be expelled from the temple!"

"You’ve caused such a huge mess, how am I to clean it up! Quick, before it reaches Daoist Master Changfeng, send someone to drive the person off the mountain. If they can’t be silenced, then..." Zhu Baiqi’s eyes turned ruthless, and he finally ordered his trusted confidant to act.

"Daoist Master, I fear it’s too late! The disciples around Daoist Master Changfeng are exceedingly skilled; it won’t be easy to take someone away from them!"

Zhu Baiqi said coldly, "Then silence him permanently. In any case, that person cannot appear in the front hall!"

"Father, if the person dies, won’t Senior Master conduct a thorough investigation? I’m afraid then..."

Zhu Baiqi interrupted him, "As long as there’s no concrete evidence, even if Changfeng suspects something, it won’t matter."

He then looked at his confidant disciple, "Hurry!"

"Yes!"

Seeing his confidant disciple leave, Zhu Baiqi glared at his son, "Always causing trouble!"

Noticing his son still keeping his head down, looking fearful, he softened his voice, "Your father is here, it’ll be fine."

He then looked at the disciples around Zhu Haojie, "You all keep your mouths shut tight too!"

"Don’t worry, Daoist Master! Don’t worry!"

"Father, don’t worry, they wouldn’t dare to speak carelessly," Zhu Haojie immediately said.

"Hmph!" Zhu Baiqi snorted coldly, "Let’s go, to the front hall. If we don’t go soon, your Senior Master will start to suspect."

Daoist Master Changfeng and Daoist Master Daoguang’s group arrived at the front hall, where the two sat at the head of the room, sipping tea.

"Master, I’m worried; I’m going out to check." Song An remembered the expressions of Zhu Haojie’s group earlier. After waiting for so long, they hadn’t come in, so there had to be something fishy.

Daoguang said coldly, "You stay right here for your master, you are not allowed to go anywhere!"

Mingjue also pulled him, "Junior Brother, don’t stir up more trouble."

Song An’s eyes darted around. "Master, your disciple has an upset stomach. If I don’t go out soon, I fear I might soil your and the Daoist Master’s eyes..."

As he spoke, he clutched his stomach with a pained expression, looking utterly miserable.

Daoguang’s brow furrowed tightly as he scrutinized him, analyzing how much truth was in his words.

"Master, I really can’t hold it in anymore!"

Daoguang said coldly, "Mingjue, you accompany your junior brother and keep a close eye on him!"

"Yes, Master!"

Song An pulled Mingjue and ran out, "Senior Brother, hurry, hurry!"

Once outside the main gate, Song An straightened up, but his steps didn’t slow in the slightest.

Mingjue watched him curiously, quickly following.

"Junior Brother, the outhouse is this way."

Song An pulled him, "Senior Brother, let’s go check the backyard."

"What for, in the backyard?"

"Senior Brother, I won’t run around or cause trouble. Just come with me." Song An tugged at his sleeve, moving with impressive speed.

"Junior Brother, slow down!"

...

The young Daoist disciple was chopping wood in the backyard as usual, the lively send-off for the Empress having nothing to do with him.

As he was chopping, a young Daoist Master in white robes entered the backyard.

The young disciple stopped his work and lowered his head.

"Daoist Master Changfeng wants to see you. Come with me quickly."

"Ma-Master, what does the Abbot want with me?" the young disciple stammered.

"Don’t ask too many questions, just follow me."

"...Yes."

Just as they stepped out of the courtyard, they heard the senior brother walking ahead suddenly shout, "Who’s there?"

Then they saw a dark shadow flash past from the front, and the white-robed Daoist immediately gave chase.

The young disciple reached out in surprise, about to call out, "Hey, Senior..."

But then, a white-robed Daoist stepped out from around the corner, his face covered with a cloth.

The young disciple slowly backed away, "Who are you?"

The person didn’t answer, only slowly walked towards him.

"You, who exactly are you? If you don’t answer, I’ll shout!"

"Help! Help!"

The young disciple immediately retreated back into the backyard, and the masked Daoist kicked open the courtyard door.

"Don’t come any closer!"

"Help! Help me!"

The young disciple ran frantically, dodging and weaving, picking up firewood and throwing it at the masked person.

Seeing the masked person closing in, the young disciple could only keep running forward.

He hid behind the newly hung clothes and gauze curtains.

The masked Daoist held a long sword, and the fabrics were shredded into pieces by the blade.

The young disciple squatted in a corner, desperately clamping his mouth shut, praying for that senior brother to return quickly.

The sound of tearing fabric and the not-so-heavy footsteps echoed in his ears, each beat like a hammer striking the young disciple’s heart.

"Nowhere left to run, is there?"

The masked person was only separated from him by a veil. Through the veil, the young disciple saw him raise his sword and could only close his eyes in despair.

"Ah!"

The imagined pain didn’t come; instead, a scream rang out in his ear.

The young disciple opened his eyes in surprise, only to see the green-robed man standing casually in front of him.

Seeing the young disciple staring blankly at him, Song An asked, "Are you alright?"

The young disciple shook his head numbly.

Song An turned to Mingjue at the courtyard gate and said, "Senior Brother, we arrived just in time!"

Mingjue looked at the masked Daoist with a cold face, "Who are you? How dare you commit violence in a Daoist temple in broad daylight!"

Song An looked at his attire and said, "Judging by that outfit, some black-hearted Daoist Master sent his disciple to silence him, didn’t he?"

At first, he had only thought this might be internal bullying among fellow disciples, but now it seemed serious enough to involve murder. It looked like there was a significant hidden truth!

The masked person’s eyes clearly showed panic, and he leaped towards the courtyard gate.

"Senior Brother, stop him!"

Mingjue flew into action, engaging in a struggle with the masked Daoist, and Song An also flew forward to help.

With the two senior and junior brothers working together, the masked person was quickly defeated.

Song An struck the masked person’s back with a palm, and the opponent immediately coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"Let me see who you are?" Song An stepped forward, about to unmask him.

The masked person waved a hand, and Song An quickly retreated amidst a puff of smoke.

"Chase him!"

Mingjue quickly pursued.

Song An, fearing a diversionary tactic to lure the tiger away from its mountain lair, stayed behind.

Song An extended a hand to the young disciple, "Get up."

The young disciple placed his hand in Song An’s, staring at him blankly.

"You’re just an outer disciple doing odd jobs in the backyard, so why would someone go to such great lengths to kill you?" Song An asked, puzzled.

The young disciple stared blankly at his own hand and shook his head.

Seeing that he was scared witless, Song An sighed and said, "Never mind. Your Abbot wants to see you. Come with me."

The young disciple tugged at Song An’s robe, "Senior Brother Mingyang, why does the Abbot want to see me?"

"Oh, don’t worry about that. I saw you doing so many chores alone, so I spoke a few words of justice for you. The Abbot has some questions for you; just answer truthfully."

The young disciple was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Thank you, Senior Brother Mingyang."

"No need to thank me for anything, let’s go."

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