White-Robed Chief

“I’m Zhao Tianxing. What about you, brother?” The young man asked while smiling.

He had already taken the miraculous pill, and as he spoke, his breathing was long and slow. Through his breathing technique, he gradually recovered from his injuries. Chu Li could see that he was recovering at an extremely fast rate.

This was a truly marvelous breathing technique. It was a pity that Chu Li would not be able to use it.

Chu Li smiled. “I’m Chu Li. Greetings, Brother Zhao.”

“So, you’re Brother Chu. I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you!” The young man wore a calm expression as he held up a fist salute and smiled. “It’s an honor to meet you at last!”

Despite his words, his expression remained cool and composed. Clearly, he was still unwilling to admit defeat.

Chu Li shook his head and said, “I don’t deserve your praise. May I know which faction you belong to, Brother Zhao?”

“Hehe, I’m a disciple of the Flying Eagle Faction.” Zhao Tianxing smiled.

Chu Li raised an eyebrow and saw his true identity in his mind, so he shook his head and replied with a smile, “Brother Zhao, that isn’t right. You don’t really belong to the Flying Eagle Faction, do you?”

“Has Brother Chu been to the Flying Eagle Faction before?” Zhao Tianxing seemed shocked.

Chu Li slowly replied, “Coincidentally, I used to be on quite good terms with the Flying Eagle Faction, so I’ve been there a few times before. I don’t recall seeing you there, Brother Zhao.”

“Hehe, I’m sorry.” A slighty awkward expression appeared on Zhao Tianxing’s face as he shook his head and helplessly said, “My faction elders have instructed us not to reveal our true identity when venturing into the martial arts world to avoid getting into trouble, especially when there’s an Asura nearby!”

Chu Li nodded understandingly. “Makes sense, makes sense. Well then, may I know which faction you are actually from?”

Zhao Tianxing sighed. “Truth be told, I’m actually a disciple of the Wild Goose Faction.”

“The Wild Goose Faction…” Chu Li slowly nodded and smiled. “I’m not particularly familiar with this faction, but judging from the antique study you possess, it doesn’t seem to be some small-time faction.”

“You flatter me.” Zhao Tianxing let out a low whistle and laughed. “I’m still far from Brother Chu’s level. You have a truly well-deserved reputation!”

Chu Li replied, “I merely got lucky. Our cultivation levels are about the same.”

“Haha…” Zhao Tianxing waved a hand. “Brother Chu, you’re being too kind. My skills are truly inferior to yours!”

The two men exchanged a few conventional greetings before turning to look at the Asura on the ground.

Chu Li’s final Divine Light Fist was packed with great power, causing the Asura to fall unconscious after spitting out blood. Although he had a tough physique and would not die, he would not wake up and pose a threat to them anytime soon either.

“Amitabha…” A Buddhist chant echoed from afar before gradually approaching them.

Fa Xiang glided over with four middle-aged Buddhist monks in gray clothing and surrounded the Asura on the ground in an instant.

“Almsgiver Chu’s elegance has certainly increased since the last time we met. Congratulations.” Fa Xiang pressed his palms together in obeisance.

Chu Li pressed his palms together as well, smiling. “Great Master Fa Xiang has come bearing compliments and praises, so you must have some requests to make. Let me say this first. This Asura was defeated by Brother Zhao, so the person belongs to him, not me.”

“So, you’re Almsgiver Zhao.” Fa Xiang turned to Zhao Tianxing and bowed with his palms pressed together, narrowing his eyes slightly. “Almsgiver Zhao is indeed a young man with outstanding talent to be able to defeat an Asura. I’m Fa Xiang. Pleased to meet you!”

“Great Master Fa Xiang, you don’t have to be so courteous.” Zhao Tianxing calmly greeted him with a fist salute. “May I know what brought you here?”

“Asura can’t be killed and can only be suppressed. The Pagoda of Conquered Demons in our temple can be used to imprison him so that he will never do evil again,” said Fa Xiang with his palms pressed together, his expression solemn and merciful.

“There’s no need to trouble the Tempest Temple with the task of suppressing this Asura,” replied Zhao Tianxing, shaking his head. “My faction has the ability to do so too.”

“Oh…?” Fa Xiang was shocked. “May I know which faction are you from, Almsgiver Zhao?”

Chu Li cleared his throat and smiled as he spoke up, “Brother Zhao is a disciple of the Wild Goose Faction. Great Master, do you know of the Wild Goose Faction?”

Zhao Tianxing knitted his eyebrows together as he stared at Fa Xiang.

Fa Xiang frowned and replied, “The Wild Goose Faction is a small faction from the south. How would they have the ability to suppress this creature? This can never be. For the sake of all the people in the world, we are duty-bound to do this. Thus, we shall leave with this Asura first. Thank you, Almsgiver Zhao!”

He waved a hand as he spoke and the four monks in gray picked the Asura up and prepared to leave.

“Wait!” Zhao Tianxing said sharply. “I disagree!”

Fa Xiang frowned at him. “Almsgiver Zhao, you should be very aware of how dangerous Asuras can be. If he gets away, he’ll go around slaughtering countless people!”

Zhao Tianxing shook his head and slowly replied, “My faction is capable of suppressing him, so you won’t have to worry about that.”

“I’ve come all the way here to subdue this Asura,” Fa Xiang stated in a calm manner, frowning. “However, since Almsgiver Zhao plans to place the whole world in danger because of your own self-interest, please forgive me for not being able to agree to this. Excuse me!”

As soon as he finished speaking, he waved his hand.

The four gray-clothed monks channeled their energy and were about to leave when Zhao Tianxing appeared amongst them before snatching the Asura away.

His swift movements left them at a loss as none of the four managed to guard themselves against him, allowing him to escape without resistance.

Amitabha…” Fa Xiang chanted in a low voice. “Almsgiver Zhao, you should just acknowledge your error!”

Zhao Tianxing shook his head. “I will never let you have him.”

“Then, we’ll have to offend you this time.” Fa Xiang pressed his palms together in obeisance.

Zhao Tianxing calmly replied, “I’ve heard that the Tempest Temple always behaved in an overbearing manner. As expected, you certainly live up to your reputation. Well then, I’d like to have a taste of your skills!”

“Ah… Almsgiver Zhao, is it worth the trouble?” Fa Xiang sighed and waved a hand.

Instantly, the four monks in gray glided over to surround Zhao Tianxing with their palms pressed together. Then, they thrust their palms forward to attack him.

Zhao Tianxing flung the Asura over to Chu Li. “Brother Chu, please hold onto him for me!”

Chu Li shook his head and could not help but help as he took the Asura before standing to the side to watch the fun.

Fa Xiang turned to look at Chu Li.

Chu Li said, “Great Master, you better think of a way to defeat Brother Zhao. I’ll hand the Asura over to whichever party wins.”

“Alright then.” Fa Xiang slowly nodded.

He did not know what kind of a relationship Chu Li and Zhao Tianxing possessed and whether or not they were close friends. Nonetheless, they certainly seemed to be on friendly terms with each other, so it was unlikely that Chu Li would hand the Asura over to him just like that. Thus, he gave up on the idea and looked back at the five people currently fighting.

Zhao Tianxing soon found himself in a disadvantageous position and scoffed. “This is four against one from the start. Isn’t the Tempest Temple being too shameless?”

He had yet to fully recover from his earlier injuries, and his inner energy was in a weakened state. How was he to go against four monks at once?

“What is shame? If a monk can’t even let go of his own pride, all the Buddhist Austerities he had cultivated would have all been in vain,” replied Fa Xiang. “I have to bring the Asura back to the temple to be suppressed. Why must you be so obstinate, Almsgiver Zhao?”

“Humph, I’ll never hand him over to the Tempest Temple!” Zhao Tianxing scoffed.

Although he was at a disadvantage, he would not be defeated so easily. The four monks in gray were not anxious to attack him either, for they could tell that he was losing his inner energy and would soon be unable to resist. When that happens, he could be defeated without putting up a fight.

Zhao Tianxing suddenly let out a long whistle.

Fa Xiang frowned and looked to Chu Li, who shook his head in response.

Zhao Tianxing said, “You think I’m here on my own?!”

Fa Xiang pressed his palms together and chanted Buddha’s name. “No matter who shows up today, I must bring the Asura back with me!”

“Stupid monk, you are so arrogant!” A clear, tender voice could suddenly be heard.

Chu Li frowned, feeling as if he had heard this voice before.

A graceful-looking woman came gliding toward them. Her plum-colored gown fluttered about as she landed before Fa Xiang and stretched out her pale white hand to attack him.

Fa Xiang threw out his palm to receive her attack.

“Bang!” Fa Xiang staggered two steps backward before looking at this graceful woman in shock.

She had covered her face with a pink veil, revealing only her bright eyes, which glanced at Chu Li. “Chu Li, why are you here?”

Chu Li laughed awkwardly. “Greetings, Great Aunt.”

“It’s okay. Just call me Aunt Yue Ling like Xiao Qi.” The woman waved a hand at him.

Chu Li asked, “Aunt Yue Ling, how come you’ve left the mountain?”