Chapter 56: The Kunwu Blade (1)

Zhu Weiyuan whispered to the Min brothers, "This young man has a mysterious background and is unfathomable. Let us return to Lotus Pavilion to deliberate and prepare early." The group felt a tightening in their chests, rose hurriedly, and departed. Zhu Weiyuan gestured to a subordinate to keep an eye on Jian Liang. Unaware of all this, Jian Liang watched them leave, puzzled by their sudden departure.

Watching them go, Jian Liang mused, "This Chief Zhu belongs to the He Gang. I shall ask him about Brother Fang Guohuan when the opportunity arises."

Just then, five lamas dressed in crimson robes appeared in the distance, silently trailing Zhu Weiyuan and the Min brothers.

Jian Liang felt a jolt of alarm. "It seems Chief Zhu is in trouble again. What kind of treasure could have attracted these five lamas? Since the people of the He Gang are friends of Brother Fang, I should follow and see if I can assist." With this thought, he began to shadow them. The subordinate who had been watching Jian Liang was startled and hurried away to report.

After traveling for a time, Jian Liang lost sight of the crimson-robed lamas. Recalling that Huang Yan of Baizhao Mountain had mentioned Min Fengpao, the Recluse of Snake Mountain, was the master of the Lotus Pavilion, he asked a passerby for directions and soon found himself before a manor.

The lamas were nowhere to be seen. Jian Liang wondered, "Have they already entered to seize the treasure?" He listened intently, but there was no sound from within the Lotus Pavilion.

Just as he was about to knock, he reconsidered: "I am not familiar with the Min brothers. A sudden visit might cause a misunderstanding. I will wait outside and act according to the situation." Knowing the lamas would likely be lurking nearby if they hadn't entered, he began to patrol the perimeter of the courtyard walls. The sky was darkening, and the surroundings were blurring into shadows.

He had circled half the wall without finding anything unusual when he spotted a gap in one corner. He tested it and found he could barely squeeze through. "The five lamas must have a plan," he thought. "I will slip inside first." He took a deep breath, pulled in his stomach, and squeezed through the gap, creeping along the base of the wall.

Before long, he saw flickers of light from a building ahead. Realizing it was now quite dark, he crept closer.

Peering into the room, he saw figures moving. Fearing discovery, he hid behind a rockery to observe. He felt a flicker of confusion: "Min Fengpao possesses a treasure; why is the security so lax that I entered so easily?" Then he realized, "Ah, with Chief Zhu of the He Gang here, perhaps they felt extra security was unnecessary."

Suddenly, a voice rang out from within: "Friend, since you have arrived, why not show yourself?"

Jian Liang was startled. "That is Chief Zhu’s voice! He is truly formidable. Since I have been discovered, I should come out and warn them of the danger tonight." Just as he was about to emerge, several figures drifted down from the rooftop like ghosts, landing without a sound.

Jian Liang froze, hiding back behind the rockery. When he peeked out, he saw the five mysterious crimson-robed lamas.

The leader pressed his palms together and bowed to the room, saying in a deep voice, "The benefactor has keen senses to have detected our arrival." Zhu Weiyuan and the Min brothers were visibly shocked by the appearance of the five lamas.

Zhu Weiyuan had received reports that Jian Liang was approaching, and believing him to be a threat seeking the treasure, he had been waiting in the Lotus Pavilion. He had called out thinking it was Jian Liang, only to be surprised by these five unexpected intruders. He was shaken, as he hadn't noticed them descending from the roof.

The leader of the lamas spoke again in a resonant voice: "'When Snake Mountain stirs, the Kunwu emerges.' I request that the benefactors in the room return our sect's sacred object." Min Fengpao was stunned. "How do they know the name 'Kunwu'?"

The lama outside replied, "Have no doubt, benefactor. This sacred object is a ritual implement of our sect. It drifted into these lands centuries ago; today, its return is fated. Please return it to us. It brings no benefit to mortals and only invites disaster." Zhu Weiyuan, the Min brothers, and the hidden Jian Liang were all left in astonishment.

Zhu Weiyuan stepped out alone to face them. Seeing their attire, he hesitated and cupped his hands in a salute: "May I ask from where the grand masters come, and what sacred object you seek?"

"We are lamas of the Red Sect of the Western Regions," the leader replied.

"The Red Sect of the Western Regions?" Zhu Weiyuan’s expression shifted.

The lama continued, "The Kunwu Divine Blade you protect is a sacred object of our Red Sect, possessing supreme power. It is of no use to you; please return it to us."

Min Fengpao emerged and whispered to Zhu Weiyuan, "Chief Zhu, do not trust these foreign monks. They are merely coveting the treasure themselves..."

The lama heard this and shook his head: "Benefactor, you are mistaken! The Kunwu Blade is not of these lands. Our predecessors have searched for it for hundreds of years. Now that we have found it by the grace of Buddha, I hope you will act with benevolence and let it return to its origin. We shall be eternally grateful."

Zhu Weiyuan wavered, but Min Fengpao, fearing he would change his mind, shouted, "Be gone, you demonic monks! This treasure was unearthed at Snake Mountain; it is not a possession of your Red Sect. Do not spread your heresy here!"

The lama sighed. "If you remain so deluded and greedy for what is not yours, do not blame us for being offensive." Suddenly, the five lamas began to chant in unison—a strange sound that seemed to emanate from thousands of voices: "Om Mani Padme Hum!" The Sanskrit chant surged, and the entire Lotus Pavilion trembled.

"The Celestial Mantra of Sanskrit!" Zhu Weiyuan cried out in terror. "Cover your ears!" He pulled Min Fengpao back into the room and began to channel his inner energy to resist.

Behind the rockery, Jian Liang felt the impact of the sound waves as if struck by an invisible force. He steadied his mind, neutralizing the vibrating power of the chant. Having reached a high state of spiritual cultivation, Jian Liang was able to resist the "Celestial Mantra," much like Fang Guohuan had once withstood the killing sounds of the Dragon-Phoenix Zither.

Branches fell from the trees in the courtyard, and the doors and windows of the house were shaken from their frames. Jian Liang saw Zhu Weiyuan sitting cross-legged, struggling to maintain his composure, while Min Fengpao and the others were rolling on the ground in agony.

Realizing they could not hold out, Jian Liang didn't hesitate. He pulled five chess pieces from his robe and flicked them toward the lamas. The five monks were struck, the chanting stopped abruptly, and they looked on with startled expressions.

Jian Liang had used his "Formless Chess" technique to strike the Dazhui acupoints behind the lamas' necks, causing their backs to stiffen and silencing their chant. Realizing a master was present, the lamas retreated by leaping onto the roof, back-to-back.

Jian Liang was amazed they could still escape after being struck by his pieces, but he was relieved they were gone.

He emerged from behind the rockery. "Chief Zhu, are you all right?"

Zhu Weiyuan was astonished to see Jian Liang. Having witnessed the lamas flee, he knew it was Jian Liang's doing, yet he remained wary. Min Fengpao and the others lay unconscious on the ground.

Jian Liang stepped forward. "Chief Zhu, are you well? I have driven them off."

Zhu Weiyuan relaxed slightly, realizing Jian Liang meant no harm. "Many thanks, sir. It was a perilous moment; had you been a moment later, I would not have been able to hold on." He wondered what skill Jian Liang had used to repel such powerful masters.

Seeing that the others were still in pain even in their unconscious state, Jian Liang asked, "Will they be all right?"

Zhu Weiyuan checked them and nodded. "The chant was short-lived; they are merely unconscious from the shock. It is no matter. Please, could you fetch some cold water?"

Jian Liang fetched the water, and Zhu Weiyuan tended to the group.