The young master clutched his severed arm, his hysterical roars echoing through the secret chamber.
"That general not only seized the flag but also severed my arm! This hatred, this enmity, is irreconcilable!"
"Long Yue! Do gods truly exist in this world?"
The emaciated monk leading them nodded, "Young Master, when it comes to ghosts and gods, it is better to believe in them than not."
"I heard that general's god was invited by Liang Xiao? Do you believe it?" the young master stammered.
"If even the Young Master believes, how can this old monk dare not believe..."
The young master vexedly smacked his forehead. "Back then, I should have eradicated all traces! I should have annihilated Liang Anguo's entire family at any cost! What do we do now? Liang Xiao is about to steal our woman, and he's coming to Jinling to stir up trouble! Do you have any way to intercept Liang Xiao midway?"
"Our sect has been looking for opportunities to strike, but I've heard that Liang Xiao is extremely cautious. Even the outer shell of his carriage is reinforced with iron plates, and he is constantly guarded by escorts. It's difficult to make a move," Long Yue replied.
"You are the former Grand Tutor of the Peacock Dynasty, and you can't even handle this matter?" the young master sighed.
"Young Master, this old monk can act, but I fear it will disrupt the Master's plan..." Long Yue replied.
The young master trembled, shaking his head in resignation. "No matter what, contact the people of the Rejuvenation Sect and find an opportunity to assassinate him at any time!"
"Right!" The young master suddenly remembered something else and asked, "Is that Nie Yuan dead yet?"
"Gongsun Ye and He Jingyun suddenly intervened and saved his life. The Master is still devising a plan," Long Yue replied.
The young master said menacingly, "You must kill Nie Yuan for me! At the very least, you must blind his eyes. He has seen too much that he shouldn't have. He's a menace!"
"As you command!"
North of Chuzhou, in an unremarkable small mountain, stood an unremarkable Taoist temple.
Liang Xiao's retinue arrived at the mountain pass. Before they had taken a few steps, a unit dressed in Yulin Army attire emerged from within, warily observing Liang Xiao and his party.
"Who are you people, and why have you brought so many guards? Since you know of Liuyun Temple, how can you not know the rules of this place?" the middle-aged captain demanded sternly.
Liang Xiao did not trouble this Yulin Army detachment assigned by the capital. He simply had his guards retrieve his An Guohou seal and imperial edict from the carriage and presented them.
"An, An Guohou?!"
The Yulin Army members were greatly astonished. After repeatedly examining the imperial edict and the seal, the captain prostrated himself before Liang Xiao.
"Please forgive us, An Guohou!"
Liang Xiao ordered them to rise and praised them, "You are also diligently performing your duties. You have done very well."
The Yulin Army was directly subordinate to the Great Qian Emperor and was relatively more trustworthy than other forces.
This Yulin Army detachment was specifically responsible for protecting Liuyun Temple, which was engaged in a struggle against the Rejuvenation Sect.
After the Yulin Army granted them passage, Liang Xiao led his entourage into the mountain.
The mountains and rivers were beautiful along the way, with birds singing and flowers fragrant, creating a scene of a secluded paradise.
The guards were responsible for protecting Liang Xiao's convoy, while ten martial artists from Mount Tian followed Liang Xiao towards Liuyun Temple at the foot of the mountain.
After the Yulin Army departed, one of their soldiers returned to the camp with the unit. Seizing an opportunity, he slipped into a dense forest and found a man in black hiding deep within.
"An Guohou Liang Xiao has indeed come to this place. Report to the Sect Master immediately!"
Since Chen Shaoling was staying at the Chen Mansion, the leader of the Mount Tian martial artists this time was the sixth senior brother, Yu Qingchuan, who was also the Mount Tian swordsman that witnessed the Heavenly General running into Liang Xiao's residence that night.
"Do not reveal my identity for the time being until I meet Liuyunzi, lest I disturb the quiet cultivation of more Taoists," Liang Xiao reminded them on the road.
After the group promised, they arrived at the entrance of Liuyun Temple.
A young Taoist priest sweeping the ground was startled, "Why have so many people suddenly arrived?"
Yu Qingchuan walked up to Liang Xiao and pretended to be displeased, "Xiao He, it's only been a year or two since we parted. Have you forgotten us?"
Seeing familiar faces among the Mount Tian martial artists, Xiao He was overjoyed, "So it's Brother Yu! And who are these people?"
"They are adults entrusted by the Master of Qin to visit Liuyunzi," Yu Qingchuan replied.
Xiao He sized up Liang Xiao and his party, noticing that several young girls were present. He didn't suspect anything and replied, "Grandmaster is currently lecturing. I'm afraid he won't be able to see guests for at least half an hour. Please come in and rest first."
With that, Xiao He pushed open the gate of Liuyun Temple and walked inside.
"This young Taoist priest is neither servile nor overbearing," Zhuo Xun praised.
Li Jin Yu explained, "Those who can become Taoist priests at Liuyun Temple generally don't care about power or fame. In fact, I visited Liuyunzi myself many years ago and benefited greatly. Liuyunzi is indeed a rare recluse, with unique insights into worldly affairs. Many even believe he is the reincarnation of Lao Zhuang."
Jian Qin Wan also said, "I visited with my parents when I was eight years old. I only remember him as a kind old man. He must be eighty years old now."
Li Jin Yu chuckled helplessly, "He is kind in front of children, but at other times... you'll see when you meet him."
Yu Qingchuan and the others also smiled knowingly.
Liang Xiao observed them, a hint of doubt in his heart.
Could he be like Zhuo Zifang, actually a repressed eccentric?
The young Taoist priest Xiao He led the group to the center of Liuyun Temple. As everyone looked, they couldn't help but sigh.
The buildings were ancient. The pillars had no couplets and weren't even painted, appearing as if they were merely a pile of gray bricks, tiles, earth, and stones.
Apart from the "Liuyun Temple" sign at the main entrance, the main hall inside had no plaque!
Compared to the solemn and magnificent Buddhist temples in the Jiangnan region, Liuyun Temple could be considered impoverished and shabby!
"His Majesty has sent the Yulin Army to protect this place, why didn't they also arrange for repairs to the temple?" Zhuo Xun asked timidly.
Liang Xiao explained, "Perhaps this is the best protection. If too many people come, it will disturb their quiet cultivation, which isn't necessarily a good thing, especially since Liuyun Temple is already being targeted by the Rejuvenation Sect."
Everyone suddenly understood.
Upon entering the main hall, everyone inexplicably felt a pang of pity.
In front of the main hall, only a mud statue was enshrined. The offerings on the altar were only a few fruits. There weren't even kneeling cushions under the table.
Xiao He, however, appeared composed and said, "Apologies, I will go find my senior brothers to get you some chairs."
"Oh, no need. Aren't those long benches? We'll sit there and wait," Liang Xiao said, pointing to a row of stone seats protruding from the wall, smiling.
Xiao He nodded, "Then I will go inform Grandmaster and ask you to rest here for a moment."
Thus, everyone cleared the dust from the stone seats and sat down casually.
Jian Qin Wan chose a spot next to Liang Xiao. Looking at the dust that couldn't be cleaned no matter how much they wiped, she felt uneasy. After hesitating for a moment, she worried about causing trouble for Liang Xiao and was about to sit down when Liang Xiao pulled her onto his lap.
"It's clean here. See, the little demon is also sitting on her master's lap," someone said, revealing their shameless demeanor with a smile.
Her senior brothers were surprised and delighted, and couldn't help but start "tsk-tsk-ing" again.
Jian Qin Wan's eyes darted around, a mix of shyness and annoyance. She dared not speak and could only obediently sit on Liang Xiao's lap.
After all, Zhuo Xun was being held by the doting Li Jin Yu, who prevented her from touching the dust.
"Yue Lian?"
"I, I, I, Young Master, I'll sit wherever I want..." Yue Lian's heart was in turmoil. She quickly declined, but leaned obediently close to Liang Xiao.
After about half an hour, Xiao He finally ran back.
"Please follow me to the study hall to see Grandmaster. The lecture is almost finished."
A study hall?
Liang Xiao was taken aback and followed Xiao He with everyone to the so-called study hall.
It was just an ordinary tiled house. Thirty Taoist priests were sitting on the ground listening to the lecture, ranging from fifty years old down to fifteen.
And at the very front, an old Taoist with white hair and beard was yawning.
"The highest good is like water. Water benefits all things without contention. This means..."
As the elder recited, his head drooped, and he continued to yawn.
After a moment, a fifteen-year-old Taoist acolyte couldn't help but ask, "Grandmaster, your disciple has a matter that truly puzzles me. Why is our Liuyun Temple so poor that the main hall doesn't even have a kneeling cushion to pay respects to our Ancestor..."