Chapter 52: The Demon Monk
Chapter 52: The Demon Monk
“Dragon Guards?”
Yu Ruyi instantly recognized the newcomers, making the group tense. Despite the fractured state of the realm, the royal family remained the supreme power. No faction dared openly oppose the Dragon Guards alone. Zuo Meng, lounging like a lazy fish nearby, noticed something odd—wasn’t this Si Mo, the Dragon Guards’ ranked expert who’d been thrashed by his three dirt dogs years ago?
After recognizing him, Zuo Meng glanced at his three dogs playing dead. Six years had changed their appearance, and their hidden auras kept them unnoticed.
“No need for alarm. We’re here to invite Palace Master Yu and the Immortal Palace’s strong individuals to join the Dragon Guards.”
“Join?”
Zhi Hua and Zhang Tu exchanged puzzled looks.
“You’ll be nominally under our banner. In return, the court will recognize your control over Suzhou.”
The Immortal Palace currently resembled rebel warlords—holding territory but vulnerable to royal annihilation. Even with their growth, they couldn’t rival the court. Si Mo’s aura alone surpassed everyone present, marking him as a peak Golden Core expert. The group fell silent, unprepared for this sudden offer. Yu Ruyi herself seemed at a loss.
“Don’t dismiss this yet. Tianya Pavilion has already accepted.”
Si Mo dropped another card. Tasked with unifying factions, he’d subdued multiple groups already. The Immortal Palace was just another stop.
“Tianya Pavilion surrendered to the court?!”
The room stiffened. Their greatest rival’s submission meant opposing Tianya Pavilion now meant defying the throne. Surviving such a conflict was impossible—even with their strength, the Dragon Guards’ intervention would doom them.
“Twenty-eight clans have pledged allegiance, not just Tianya Pavilion.” Si Mo’s tone stayed flat. His guards remained stoic—they’d seen countless prideful factions kneel before imperial might.
“Greetings, Lord Si.”
Yu Ruyi rose with a resigned bow. Reluctantly, the others followed. Though Golden Core cultivators, they paled against the court’s numbers and the enigmatic Emperor of Chu’s unfathomable cultivation. Resistance meant annihilation.
“Your courtesy honors us, Palace Master Yu.”
Si Mo returned the gesture. With their compliance secured, he signaled his guards to distribute documents. Zuo Meng, the “lazy fish” shopkeeper at Foundation Establishment level, went ignored—beneath their notice.
The Dragon Guards operated openly, unafraid of scrutiny. Power was their strategy.
“Cold Mountain Temple?!”
Zhang Tu blanched at the document’s contents.
“Correct. Last month, the Holy Emperor declared it a den of heresy. Its abbot, Demon Monk Jie Ming, must be executed.” Si Mo eyed Zhang Tu meaningfully.
Before joining the Immortal Palace, Zhang Tu had been Jie Nian—Jie Ming’s fellow disciple. This personal history explained Si Mo’s presence. Eliminating the dangerously powerful demon monk required every advantage.
“Lord Si… what crime did Jie Ming commit?”
“Selfishly amassing followers and spreading chaos. Elder Zhang Tu, do you truly believe the current turmoil stems from Immortal Cultivators? Were it not for that demon monk Jie Ming, the Great Chu court would’ve restored order long ago.” Si Mo sneered. “Draining the cultivation of Daozi and Jianzi for his own gain, that monk built temples to seat himself like a god. Declaring himself Buddha reborn, he’s deceived countless clans – the true root of this chaos!”
Zhang Tu’s face grew clammy with sweat. Cold Mountain Temple had declined long ago. When he’d first left the mountain, he’d hoped to bring his fellow disciple Jie Ming back. But over years of cultivation, he’d realized the insurmountable gap between them. He’d abandoned his old identity, even stopped using his monastic name. Staying in Suzhou all these years… was it hiding?
Never did he imagine his former junior brother would achieve such infamy. Now branded Great Chu’s official demon monk. And he remained linked as that monster’s senior brother. More sweat beaded on Zhang Tu’s brow.
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“I hear Elder Zhang and Demon Monk Jie Ming were fellow disciples?” Si Mo pressed. “That zealous monks from Cold Mountain Temple plan to ‘purify’ their order – including the ‘Living Buddha’s’ senior brother.”
“State your purpose plainly, Lord Si.”
Zhang Tu set down the ledger detailing Jie Ming’s crimes. One glance had been enough.
The Dragon Guard commander smiled. “We’ve a plan requiring your cooperation. Our men will protect Cold Mountain Temple’s monks.”
Zhang Tu sighed heavily. Yu Linglong and Zhi Hua stayed silent – this concerned their elder’s past. Zuo Meng remained invisible in his corner, sipping tea.
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