Scourge Messenger

Chapter 194 Grudges

"The Duke of Chu died five years ago in the Chang'an Imperial Palace. The official story was that his plot to rebel was exposed and he was captured by the Imperial Guard Commander. In fact, he was framed and killed by the Medicine Master Moke. He fell into a pit in the absolutely safe Imperial Palace and was burned to ashes by the flames of black oil. Afterwards, the Duke of Jin exterminated the entire Zhao Yuanbao clan, and the Zhao family of Guzang was removed from the list of nobles. The title of Duke of Chu was inherited by the Zhao family of Tianshui."

The speaker was none other than Bei You. His description was so detailed, and his tone so flippant, as if he were hosting a banquet for powerful officials in the highest restaurant in Chang'an, revealing the secrets that ambitious people had tried so hard to hide amidst the clinking of glasses.

However, this was the rear camp of Shudao Mountain. Beiyou was sweating profusely from the pain of having his leg bone fixed, but he still managed to put on a mocking smile: "If I remember correctly, Prajna, you were already the Great Protector of Shudao Mountain thirteen years ago, weren't you? Did you know all along that your whole family would die without a burial place, so you came to Shudao Mountain to become a demon in advance? Hehehe, what a far-sighted plan!"

"This humble monk lost both parents at a young age and has always been cared for by my elder brother." Prajna's expression remained calm, unperturbed by Bei You's words. "Unlike my upright and caring elder brother, I was a mischievous and aggressive child from a young age, often scolded by my brother. There was a time when I preferred to stay with street thugs rather than go home and see my brother's sour face."

"Later, my elder brother inherited the family business and took command of the military government, sending me many cultivation resources. I couldn't refuse to advance further on the path of the messenger, but I was holding back a grudge, thinking that I would repay him in kind. After inquiring, I discovered that my brother's leadership of the military government was not going smoothly, and many military leaders were arrogant and did not obey his orders at all. So I found an opportunity to assassinate them, because too many people were not maintaining the defensive barrier while sleeping... I thought that my brother would definitely look at me with new eyes this time, right?"

"But the result was infighting within the military government, with so many people dying at once. Everyone guessed that it was related to my brother. This matter caused a great uproar. The military leaders of other military governments were worried that the powerful families would take action against them if they disagreed. They clamored for severe punishment of the murderer, and all the pressure fell on my brother's head."

“During that time, I was on edge, staying in a different place every night, afraid that someone would come and arrest me. But after the incident calmed down, no one bothered me until one night my brother found me and told me to go to Guangming Temple to become a monk and avoid the storm.”

"Later I learned how many times my brother had bowed his head and bled to quell the storm. In order to gain the trust of the military town, he personally led troops to conquer the third-level secret realm, narrowly escaping death several times. He used his achievements and rewards to make the military town recognize his leadership."

“During the five years I was a monk, he wrote to me every month, never mentioning his own difficulties. Instead, he always encouraged me to hone my skills, saying that once things calmed down, he would let me lead a prefecture so that the two brothers could prosper together. During those five years, I watched the sunrise and sunset, thinking every day about the scene of reuniting with my brother in the future. I slept soundly and wished that time would pass quickly.”

As he spoke, a youthful innocence appeared on Prajna's fierce face, and everyone seemed to truly see a young novice monk toiling away in the temple every day, eagerly awaiting his elder brother's arrival. No one interrupted him; even Xue Xiang and Bei You listened quietly, seemingly also very curious about Prajna's past.

"Suddenly, there were no letters for two months. I was so anxious that I left the temple to find out what was going on. I found out that my brother had been assassinated and was bedridden for many days, his life hanging by a thread. But my brother couldn't even take revenge because the Zhao family's Foundation Establishment ancestor had passed away, while the other family's Foundation Establishment ancestor was still alive. My brother could only fight within the rules and dared not risk offending the Foundation Establishment ancestor to retaliate."

“But I dare.” Prajna smiled. “At that moment, I finally understood why my brother and I were so different. Perhaps it was all fate.”

"I slashed my face, ruined my voice, and completely abandoned my past identity. I stole the abbot's staff from Anguo Temple and slaughtered three villages in Wuwei Military Town in the Nine Heavens, completely blackening the staff. As expected, my enemy was enraged and personally led a group to hunt me down. I fought with them for seven days and seven nights and finally found an opportunity to ambush him. Unfortunately, I failed to kill my enemy, but I crippled his spine."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at his scarred face, the flesh twisted and ugly like a centipede, making it impossible to recognize his original appearance. Even Bei You and Xue Xiang felt a chill in their hearts. There were many ruthless people in the Shu Road Mountains, but very few were as ruthless to themselves.

If you can be cruel to yourself, you can be even crueler to others.

The pharmacist said, "I heard that the previous Duke of Yan was paralyzed in bed for several years before passing away. So it was you who did it?"

“It wasn’t just him,” Prajna laughed. “I thought, since I’ve already done it, why leave trouble for my brother? During that time, I was killing and setting fires everywhere. In order to hide my true goal, I was naturally reckless in killing. Even after I went up to Shudao Mountain and became the Great Protector, I still kept an eye on my brother’s situation and occasionally went down the mountain to help him deal with some stones blocking his way.”

"And incidentally, you also earned the infamous title of 'Evil Monk Prajna'." Xue Xiang sneered, "Back then, everyone thought you were incredibly brave to deliberately oppose the aristocratic families' military garrisons. Who would have thought you were actually a lackey of the aristocratic families?"

Prajna spoke of her deeds with a proud expression: "I have always been very careful and have not implicated my brother at all. I have not seen my brother for many years. He probably guessed something. The Zhao family has never sent anyone to Chang Le City. Over time, no one will remember that my brother once had a naughty younger brother."

The pharmacist slowly asked, "Is it worth it for a family you can never return to?"

"You still fantasize about returning to the righteous path, don't you? So you don't understand. I didn't pay any price at all. My life was worthless. Only the demonic path can fulfill my wishes. The Zhao family has no Foundation Establishment protection. Everything depends on us brothers. The elder brother is the face of the family, while I am the substance." Prajna said seriously, "The elder brother is a Bodhisattva, and the younger brother is Prajna. This is the destiny that Heaven has given to the Zhao family."

"so……"

Prajna looked at Bhaisajyaguru, his eyebrows raised, his scars bulging, his face contorted in a ferocious grimace. The childishness, smugness, and smile of a younger brother vanished from his face, leaving only Prajna's boundless rage: "Bhaisajyaguru, today is your death anniversary, and this is your burial ground!"

"The Medicine Master Moke was utterly wicked. I could tolerate his ostracism of my brother, but he actually slaughtered the entire Zhao family! This humble monk doesn't practice virtuous deeds, only believing in an eye for an eye and justice for injustice! I only regret that I lacked the power. The Medicine Master Moke is also cautious and never leaves Chang'an. Originally, this humble monk planned to use Si Wuxie's legacy to ask the Winter Hunting Master for help, but unexpectedly, he was killed by the emperor, also falling into a pit and burning alive. Hahaha, well done! This humble monk only regrets not being there to add fuel to the fire!"

“I just didn’t expect that Bhaisajyaguru Moke had a daughter who escaped, and I didn’t expect that she would actually come to Shudao Mountain on her own initiative. This is fate, the fate that allows this humble monk to use the last bloodline of the Bhaisajyaguru family to pay tribute to his brother!” Bhaisajyaguru Yuan had fully understood the cause and effect, but there was still one thing he didn’t understand: “You recognized me when we came up the mountain, didn’t you? Why didn’t you take action at that time? We had already offended the Blood Minister.”

"Let me show you that I am the one in charge of Shudao Mountain, and I am also the strongest person there," Bei You said. "If I want to protect you, what can those two do?"

"Bullshit!" Blood Prime Minister cursed. "Just because we agree with you, does that make you the boss?"

“Yes, that’s why I must deal with you first.” Prajna admitted this point. “You are too dangerous. I cannot give you a chance to make a move.”

"Damn it, Bloodlust, kill him for me!"

"Fuck your mother! I was going to kill him anyway. Don't try to boss me around. Believe me or not, I'll break your other leg too!"

The three protectors, as always, bantered and sabotaged each other, but this time was different. Their faces were devoid of any smiles, replaced only by a heavy, almost gloomy, murderous intent. No one questioned Prajna's betrayal, or why she disregarded their years of friendship; such questions were too sentimental, utterly nauseating.

That's what villains are like; they're supposed to be laughing and joking one second and chopping people down the next—that's the style of the demonic path. There's no such thing as a breakup in a villain's world because they've never truly trusted anyone. Being betrayed is their own fault; they should reflect on whether they need to curb their arrogance and impetuosity.

But no one can let go all at once; they can only bid farewell to the three great protectors of the past little by little, and slowly put on the mask of villains again.

"Prajna," the Medicine Master interrupted their last bit of casual conversation, "at this point, anything else is superfluous. Since you want revenge, I will accompany you to the end."

“I thought you would offer some explanation,” Prajna said calmly. “As far as I know, Bhaisajyaguru values ​​his nephew more than you.”

"So what? I am still my father's daughter. My cultivation is inseparable from my father's training. More importantly, I am a pharmacist, and I am the last member of the Ba Shui Pharmacist clan." Pharmacist Yuan said slowly, "Honor or sin, since I am going to inherit the Ba Shui Pharmacist clan, I should bear everything of the Ba Shui Pharmacist clan."

Is Prajna the first person to cause trouble for Bhaisajyaguru because of Bhaisajyaguru? How could that be? During her time in the military town, she encountered more than once those who feigned friendship but actually plotted against her. After being exposed, these people all claimed that they had been harmed by Bhaisajyaguru, thus cloaking their actions in a guise of morality.

The pharmacist would not show mercy because of this. Anyone who kills should be prepared to be killed. This is the law she believes in.

“If you kill me, I will not resent you; if I kill you, I will feel no remorse either,” Yaoshiyuan said coldly. “I was already aware of this when I gave up living in anonymity.”

“I’ve heard that Bhaisajyaguru is a villain, and I’ve always felt it was unfair that my brother died at the hands of such a villain.” Prajna revealed a ferocious smile: “It’s so good that you’re not a villain. Only then can your death comfort the spirits of the Zhao family in heaven.”

The pharmacist remained silent, only glancing at the bunny girl beside him. The bunny girl shook her head, put away the return token in her hand, and said softly, "It can't be activated."

Although she had expected it, Pharmacist Yuan's heart still sank. She had just tested it and was unable to return to the Thieves' House, as if there was an invisible barrier blocking her connection with the Thieves' House. She just hadn't expected that even the Bunny Girl's return order would fail.

Such earth-shattering power far exceeds the capabilities of a third-stage cultivator; it can only be... Foundation Establishment!
Perhaps other Foundation Establishment cultivators have ways to break through this limitation, but for them, who are merely mortals, this is an insurmountable barrier!
Looking at it this way, it's clear that Prajna really did make up her mind to betray Shudao Mountain because of them. Since no Foundation Establishment Messenger came in person, no one in Shudao Mountain could stop them from escaping. In particular, Prajna was completely unaware that the Medicine Master had no return order. The only way to ensure revenge was to borrow a power that they absolutely could not resist!
The thought of being an enemy of a Foundation Establishment cultivator was enough to make even the audacious and reckless Pharmacist feel suffocated. She had only witnessed Foundation Establishment techniques twice before. The first time was Si Wuxie's grand formation, which caused all her attacks to miss. The second time was right now, which directly cut off what she thought was a foolproof escape route!
"Don't be afraid." The bunny girl tugged at her sleeve and said softly, "It's just Foundation Establishment. Even my brother has beaten it. It's not time to give up yet. I'll find a way to create opportunities for you, sister."

Is it true or not, the yellow dog fought against a Foundation Establishment cultivator?

However, after the bunny girl said that, the pharmacist seemed to be really unafraid: "Yes, we only need an opportunity, we don't need to fight the Foundation Establishment cultivator head-on at all. Once we have the chance, you don't need to worry about me, just run away. I have my own way. I'm not lying to you, so please don't stay for me."

As soon as the barrier disappears, the Pharmacist will be able to return to the Thieves' House immediately. She is really afraid that the Bunny Girl will miss the opportunity to activate the Return Order because of her.

"Don't worry, I'll run away as soon as I get the chance. When I've reached the Foundation Establishment stage, I'll repay you tenfold. How dare a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator come looking for trouble?" The bunny girl nodded confidently.

(End of this chapter)