Reborn as Murong Fu: This Time I'm the Protagonist

Chapter 539 Anti-Shaolin Alliance

Murong Fu said, "Over the years, it seems that Shaolin and the Beggars' Sect are the two giants of the Central Plains martial arts world, jointly deciding all major events. In reality, the Beggars' Sect is nothing more than an appendage of Shaolin. When Wang Jiantong was alive, the Beggars' Sect followed Shaolin's lead. In recent years, when Qiao Feng led the Beggars' Sect to prosperity, Shaolin secretly supported the Xingzilin Incident. Otherwise, where would Kang Min and Bai Shijing, that adulterous couple, have gotten such great power?"

"The Shaolin faction, under the guise of upholding justice, has become a one-man show, engaging in factionalism and tyranny. They neglect matters they should be involved in, and if something is contrary to the interests of Shaolin, they create excuses to interfere."

"Does the abbot of Shenshan know Ye Erniang, who was once ranked second among the Four Evils?"

Shenshan solemnly said, "Ye Erniang's abduction and murder of infants is an outrageous crime. I have long wanted to get rid of this scourge and rid the Central Plains martial arts world of a menace. However, this scourge is elusive and her martial arts skills are not low. I have always been willing but unable to succeed."

Murong Fu said, "I also wanted to get rid of this villain before, but after investigating in many ways, I learned a secret. Ye Erniang was a peasant girl from the foot of Shaoshi Mountain in her early years. She was tricked and raped by a monk and gave birth to a child. Later, the child went missing. Ye Erniang was so mad because of missing her child that she gradually lost her mind and committed this heinous crime that deserves to be punished by heaven and man."

Shenshan roared, "Hmph, Buddhist monks who do not abide by the rules and regulations are utterly wicked. Does Sect Leader Murong know who the monk who seduced Ye Erniang is? This old monk will personally rid the Buddhist sect of this scoundrel."

Murong Fu sneered, "This monk who doesn't follow the precepts is none other than the current abbot of Shaolin, Abbot Xuanci!"

Shenshan was shocked and speechless: "Is it really so?"

Murong Fu sneered, "This was admitted by Ye Erniang herself, how could it be false? The child born to Xuan Ci and Ye Erniang is now grown up and is currently a monk at Shaolin Temple. Xuan Ci knew Ye Erniang was doing evil, and he could have stopped her with just a word of advice, but he allowed her to harm the innocent and even aided and abetted her, passing on his martial arts skills to her. Master Shenshan, tell me, how can such a person claim to be compassionate while engaging in deceitful and fraudulent acts?"

Enraged, Shenshan slammed his hand on the table. With a muffled thud, a solid wood table shattered into pieces. The force of his palm strike was enough to place him among the top martial arts masters.

Murong Fu continued, “Such a shameless and lewd monk, who has disgraced the purity of Buddhism, actually takes charge of the number one sect in the martial arts world. Where can such a shameless person lead Shaolin, with its century-old reputation,? Therefore, I humbly request the abbot of Shenshan to join me in upholding justice, rectifying the situation, and reshaping the martial arts world.”

Shenshan suddenly stood up and said, "Since that's the case, what else is there to say? It is our duty to uphold justice in the martial world! Young Master Murong, please just give the order if you need anything!"

Murong Fu clapped his hands and laughed loudly, "Good! In that case, on the second day of the second month next year, please invite Master Shenshan to Shaoshi Mountain to watch a wonderful show!"

Shenshan understood immediately and said, "In the next few months, I will contact the abbots of Guoqing Temple, Xiangguo Temple and other famous temples, and we will go to Shaoshi Mountain together to uphold justice!"

Murong Fu thought to himself, "He's on the right track!"

In the following days, Murong Fu either visited in person or issued the Black Swallow Banner, and tens of thousands of people busied themselves. Undercurrents surged, and a silent storm was quietly brewing. Several days later, Mount Hua.

"Master, it's been a long time! How have you been?" Murong Fu smiled as he looked at the monk in the bright yellow robe before him. To be honest, this style of his hadn't changed at all over the years.

Upon seeing Murong Fu, Kumārajīva instinctively felt a headache coming on. Fortunately, he was extremely composed; after a couple of twitches, he regained his usual calm and collected demeanor, and greeted him with his hands clasped together, saying, "Sect Leader Murong, it's been a long time! How have you been?"

Murong Fu smiled and said, "Let's skip the formalities. Master and my Murong family are old friends. I wonder how your Lesser Formless Skill is progressing after all these years?"

Upon hearing this, Kumārajīva's face flashed with a hint of pride: "Thanks to Sect Leader Murong's generous gift, I have diligently studied and practiced these past few years, and have finally begun to grasp the basics. This Daoist sect's profound internal energy truly lives up to the saying, 'The stones from other mountains can be used to polish jade.' My ability to integrate multiple martial arts techniques these past few years is entirely due to Sect Leader Murong's blessings."

Murong Fu said, "As the saying goes, a fine sword is given to a hero. A martial arts prodigy like you, Master, is worthy to practice this profound martial art. Your Buddhist teachings are profound and your conduct is noble and pure, far superior to some charlatans who deceive the world. I have specially invited you here today because I have an important matter to discuss with you."

A sense of foreboding crossed Kumārajīva's mind; he felt that nothing good was coming. "Sect Leader Murong, please speak!"

Murong Fu said, "I wonder if Master would be interested in going to Shaoshi Mountain to discuss Buddhism and exchange martial arts with the eminent monks of Shaolin Temple?"

Kumārajīva's heart skipped a beat: from Tibet to Dali, and then to the Central Plains, one of his major purposes was to suppress his fellow Buddhists. His next target was Shaolin. After obtaining the complete version of the Lesser Formless Skill and mastering the seventy-two Shaolin arts, Kumārajīva was even more confident and planned to go to Shaoshi Mountain next month to cause trouble. How did Murong Fu find out about his plans?
Murong Fu said, “Master, please do not have any doubts. I am not here to cause trouble for you on behalf of Shaolin. I believe you have heard that my Murong family and Shaolin have had many conflicts, and the two sides are quite irreconcilable. I have come here today to sincerely discuss with you how to deal with Shaolin together.”

Kumārajīva sneered, "The Murong Sect has many experts within its ranks, and the Sect Leader himself is unparalleled in martial arts. If we were to fight now, I'm afraid I wouldn't even be able to withstand ten moves from the Sect Leader. Why does the Murong Sect Leader need to rely on this humble monk to deal with Shaolin Temple?"

Murong Fu laughed and said, "It's very simple. If I were to take action, it would be seen as using force to suppress others. After all, Shaolin has been operating in the Central Plains martial arts world for many years and is deeply rooted. If I were to take action, even if I were to demolish the Shaolin Temple, I'm afraid these Shaolin monks would just repackage it as another persecution of Buddhism. At that time, my Murong family would never have peace again. Therefore, it is most appropriate for you, Master, to take action in this matter."

After a moment's thought, Kumārajīva understood the reasoning, and then sneered, "That may be true, but what good will this do me?"

Murong Fu smiled and said, "Master, you may not know, but the current Emperor of the Song Dynasty has already assumed personal rule with the support of Empress Dowager Gao. I was just a commoner before, but now I am in charge of the Imperial City Guard of the Song Dynasty. As you know, the current Emperor's father is Emperor Shenzong. Emperor Shenzong devoted his life to managing the Northwest. If the Emperor stabilizes the situation in the court, what do you think he will do next?"

Kumārajīva thought for a moment, then his expression changed drastically: "Why don't you make your point even clearer!"

Murong Fu said, "Since Songtsen Gampo, Tibet has not had a capable leader. The current Tibet, though nominally a nation, is in reality nothing more than a loose alliance of tribes. As the Tibetan national preceptor, you, Master, are naturally well aware of the situation. In your opinion, if the Song Dynasty focuses its efforts on the northwest, what can Tibet, with its current national strength, possibly achieve?"