Catching Monsters

Chapter 540 Do you want me dead?

Qi Xinyi's words stumped Master Hongguang.

Yes, Master Hongguang could sense that there was something wrong with the map in his hand, but what if...?

Even if this map is a fake, or even if some parts of it have been modified.

However, Master Hongguang has just studied this map carefully. Although the map is only half complete, the overall route and structure are vast and complex. It is definitely not something that can be easily fabricated.

According to Master Hongguang's speculation, this item is very likely a slightly modified version of the actual map.

Even so, this item is still extremely valuable.

It's better than actually entering the Holy Tomb and wandering around like a headless fly.

Qi Xin gripped his longsword, his face cold, and was about to forcibly take the map when, soon, another coughing sound rang out from a dark corner nearby.

"Gentlemen, if you two decide who owns this map, then I've come all this way for nothing."

When Master Hongguang saw someone else appear, even with his excellent Buddhist cultivation, his expression turned grim. He said coldly, "And who are you?"

"The Demon Spirit Cult Leader, Shan Tiangang!"

Dan Tiangang stepped forward, put his hands behind his back, and slowly said, "This map originally belonged to our Demon Spirit Sect. It was stolen by a petty thief and eventually ended up in the capital of Zhou."

"In my opinion, since the master is a monk, it would be better to return the item to its rightful owner."

Leader of the Demon Spirit Cult.

Master Hongguang remained silent, his face cold.

Suddenly, a long sword fell from the sky and pierced the ground. Then, a figure slowly landed beside the sword.

It was none other than the Sword God Xie Yifeng.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Xie Yifeng arrived, there was an elderly man who was less than 1.4 meters tall, with a hunched back, holding a cane.

The cane was a full half-body length above the old man, and a crystal-clear, jet-black skull was hanging on it.

After the old man came out, he said in a hoarse voice, "Sword God Xie Yifeng? Heh, today is really lively."

After saying that, the old man couldn't help but glance at Qi Xinyi again and said provocatively, "Back then, when you and Qi Xinyi fought in the snow mountain, didn't you make a pact to each train a disciple to fight in the same battle? Why have you been silent lately?"

Xie Yifeng, with his hands behind his back, calmly said, "Old Demon Xue, you've finally decided to come out of seclusion."

The old demon Xue mentioned by Xie Yifeng is no ordinary person in the demonic path.

His original name was Xue Qianyi. Seventy years ago, he dominated the demonic path for a long time. It is said that he came from a distinguished family and was considered a wealthy family in the area.

After he began practicing demonic arts, his family found out. His parents were furious, and his wife tried to dissuade him repeatedly.

They claimed that if the imperial court found out about their cultivation of demonic arts, their entire family would likely be implicated. Even if they managed to conceal it from the court, their future enemies in the demonic path would not let their family off easily.

Xue Qianyi was a person who valued family ties and agreed with his family's statement, so he personally killed all eighteen members of his family.

He didn't even spare his own young children.

With his family members dead, he had no more attachments.

The black skull on his cane was made from his wife's head.

A sinister smile appeared on Xue Qianyi's face as he slowly said, "This old man of mine has stayed indoors for so many years, I thought everyone had forgotten about me."

Dan Tiangang slowly approached Xie Yifeng's side and said in a low voice, "If we join forces, our chances of winning are much greater."

Shan Tiangang and Xie Yifeng were originally partners because they were both on the rebel side.

More and more experts are coming to Bailong Temple now, and perhaps only by cooperating can we have a chance to obtain this map.

Xie Yifeng nodded slowly, agreeing with the suggestion.

"Alright, if we keep dragging this out, who knows how many more people will come?" Qi Xinyi said impatiently.

"Wait a moment." Master Hongguang took a deep breath, smiled, glanced at everyone present, and then said, "It is fate that you all came here. I, Hongguang, am a monk..."

"I obtained this map with great difficulty. If you all really want it, I will have my maid make a few copies, one for each of us."

"Otherwise, if a fight really breaks out, none of us will be in a good position."

Xue Qianyi glanced at him coldly: "You Western Region demon monk are quite interesting. If everyone has a map, what's the difference between that and having no map at all?"

“We’re not the only ones preparing to enter the Holy Tomb,” Master Hongguang said slowly. “Not to mention those of us at the First Rank, I’m afraid many at the Second and Third Ranks will also try to enter and gamble on an opportunity.”

“If you don’t want it, you can leave this place.” Master Hongguang said, slowly picking up the map he was copying.

"Gentlemen, do you all want a share, or do you want to take it all for yourself? You should think it over carefully."

"This map is made of sheepskin. If you really want to take it by force, I will destroy it and no one will get it."

Master Hongguang was a decisive person. After all, he was able to become the national teacher in the Buddhist kingdom of the Western Regions, so he was quick to make choices.

With so many experts present, it would be virtually impossible for him to protect the map by himself.

Upon hearing this, Xue Qianyi narrowed his eyes slightly, but did not speak. He glanced at the others beside him.

Qi Xin, with her hands behind her back, said, "I agree."

Xie Yifeng and Shan Tiangang exchanged a glance and agreed with the suggestion.

Seeing this, Xue Qianyi took a deep breath and could only nod in agreement.

Master Hongguang gritted his teeth slightly and then let the woman from the Western Regions outside the courtyard come in and quickly make several copies of the map.

During this time, the group waited in the courtyard.

Fortunately, no more experts came.

Of course, it wouldn't matter to Master Hongguang if a few more people came; it would just mean he could make a few more copies.

At this moment, Master Hongguang also realized that the news of his obtaining the map had been leaked not long ago.

It seems this is a scheme by Jiang Yun, the Imperial Guard, to deal with me.

Thinking of this, a sinister glint flashed in Master Hongguang's eyes.

Do you really think that just because you've practiced Buddhism for so many years, you won't actually kill someone?
Soon, the maid from the Western Regions brought out several copies of the map.

The group compared the maps and found that they were not significantly different.

However, Xue Qianyi was cautious and pointed at Master Hongguang, saying, "Monk Hongguang, since these maps are all the same, I'll take yours."

Master Hongguang frowned slightly upon hearing this, but said nothing more.

After retrieving his belongings, Xue Qianyi smiled and quickly got up to leave. The others didn't linger either. After everyone had left, Master Hongguang's expression turned grim. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, saying to the maid beside him, "Quickly, let's move to the place we secretly bought. We can't stay here."

If we stay any longer, as the news spreads, who knows how many more people will come knocking on our door.

If we continue copying it, this map will be completely ruined.

……

Outside Bailong Temple, Shan Tiangang and Xie Yifeng walked together on a deserted street.

"What's wrong with this map?" Xie Yifeng asked directly. "When you looked at the map just now, your eyes were clearly a little off."

"This map was originally kept by your Demon Spirit Cult, right?"

Hearing Xie Yifeng's words, Shan Tiangang remained noncommittal and slowly said, "Some details don't match up, but it's better than nothing."

Xie Yifeng stopped and looked at Shan Tiangang: "You should have another one, right?"

Dan Tiangang suddenly stopped, gave an awkward smile, and turned around to say, "Xie Yifeng, what do you mean? If I still had the map, why would I have come to the capital in advance? Wasn't it for this thing?"

"Moreover."

Xie Yifeng said calmly, "These items came from your Demon Spirit Sect. With your intelligence, Sect Leader Shan, surely you wouldn't be without a single copy of the map?"

"Now that you've come all this way in advance and even asked for this map, it seems more like you're trying to cover up the fact that you have a real map in your possession."

Those who can cultivate to this level are not fools; they are all exceptionally intelligent.

Seeing that he could no longer hide it, Shan Tiangang could only chuckle and say, "My Demon Spirit Sect's map is only half complete."

"Its effects are not as significant as you might imagine."

Xie Yifeng slowly said, "Sect Leader Shan, the fortuitous encounter in the Sacred Tomb is probably quite significant, and there are countless experts who have entered. It is by no means possible for one person to easily seize all the opportunities."

"That place is, after all, a site left behind by a sage. In my opinion, how about the two of us join forces?"

Dan Tiangang's eyes flickered slightly. How could he not know that Xie Yifeng wanted to join forces with him?

Isn't it just coveting the real map in his own hands?

However, the words had already been spoken, and besides, they were both now in the rebel camp.

He didn't want to cause a scene, so he just smiled and said, "Brother Xie, we're not outsiders. How about this, when we enter the Holy Tomb, the two of us will travel together."

"That's fine then." Xie Yifeng nodded slightly.

……

early morning.

"Master, Master, something terrible has happened!"

At this moment, the monk Wuhui rushed to the door of Abbot Yunwu's bedroom and kept knocking.

"What happened? Why are you in such a hurry?" Abbot Yunwu frowned and pushed open the door to go out.

The monk Wuhui said, "Master Hongguang has disappeared."

"Master Hongguang has disappeared?"

Upon hearing this, Abbot Yunwu's expression changed drastically. His heart skipped a beat: "How could a perfectly healthy person just disappear?"

“Not only Master Hongguang, but also all the women from the Western Regions he brought with him disappeared without a trace overnight.”

"Where are those Imperial Guards stationed at our White Dragon Temple? Didn't they notice anything?"

Wu Hui shook his head repeatedly: "They also claim they don't know."

Upon hearing this, Abbot Yunwu breathed a sigh of relief, since strictly speaking, the task of protecting Master Hongguang was the responsibility of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Even if the person is lost, Hakuryu-ji Temple's responsibility is probably not too great.

However, he still hurriedly said, "Quickly, inform Lord Jiang Yun of this news."

Meanwhile, inside Jiang Yun's residence, he was sitting in his room, drinking morning tea, preparing to go to work at the Eastern Garrison Office after finishing his tea.

Butler Yun Pingchuan rushed in: "Sir, Master Wuhui has arrived and says he has something important to discuss with you."

"please come in."

Seeing Wu Hui rush in, Jiang Yun vaguely guessed that something must have happened at Bailong Temple last night.

In fact, according to Jiang Yun's speculation, it would be perfectly normal for a major battle to break out at Bailong Temple.

I just didn't expect that yesterday would be a peaceful Christmas Eve, and nothing happened.

Then, they listened as the monk Wu Hui recounted the story in a jumble of voices.

Master Hongguang is missing?

Upon hearing this news, Jiang Yun narrowed his eyes slightly: "I understand about this matter. I will have someone investigate his whereabouts."

Wu Hui asked with some concern, "Lord Jiang, Master Hongguang was lost at Bailong Temple after all. If His Majesty the Emperor finds out, won't he blame our temple?"

"Don't worry." Jiang Yun couldn't help but think to himself, why would Qin Hong, a eunuch serving the Emperor, want to kill Hong Guang?
Right now, the one who probably wants Hongguang to die the most is our Emperor.

……

Meanwhile, outside the vast capital of Zhou, there was a secluded and quiet inn, opened by people from the Western Regions.

Although the Western Regions and the Zhou Kingdom were far apart, they still needed to understand each other.

It was common practice for both sides to send secret spies between them.

Master Hongguang was sitting on a bed in the room, where several women from the Western Regions were making tea.

Master Hongguang held the copied map in his hand, his eyes cold, and said in a low voice, "This mere Jiang Yun, not only has a problem with the map, but also spreads rumors. With such clumsy methods, does he think he can get this poor monk into trouble?"

At this moment, a woman whispered, "Master, if that's the case, why not just kill Jiang Yun directly..."

The woman had been following Hongguang for some time and knew that this Grand Preceptor had absolutely no compassionate heart.

On the contrary, they were ruthless and merciless, killing without blinking an eye.

"Hmph." Master Hongguang narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "I have investigated Jiang Yun. There is a master named Qu Wushang in his mansion."

The woman was somewhat surprised upon hearing this, because in her view, Master Hongguang's methods were already those of the most powerful person in the world, so how could there be anyone he could be wary of?
Master Hongguang glanced coldly at the woman: "This Qu Wushang was said to be the strongest person below the Saint Realm in his younger days. You dare to make a move against the Jiang family? Do you want me dead?"

(End of this chapter)