Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 926 Torturing the Bald Monk
Their actions were already extremely forceful, and in their words... they were even more unyielding, directly invoking the law to oppress others:

The Great Jin Code states: "If a monk or Taoist priest commits adultery, theft, robbery, or murder, he shall be punished according to secular law, flogged, and returned to secular life, and shall not be subject to further rituals."

His voice was cold, yet carried an undeniable authority: "I hope you, young monk, will take heed and not bring trouble upon yourself!"

At this moment, Ning Caichen also escorted Fu Qingfeng in.

As he intently searched for the possible source of the earlier commotion, he also spoke with a warning tone, but applied pressure from a different angle:

"Little monk, spiritual practice is not easy. Don't let a moment of confusion ruin your years of quiet cultivation and lead you astray."

His tone seemed mild, but the content was more threatening: "We are all successful candidates in the imperial examinations in Yangzhou, graduates of Chongqi Academy, and even guest advisors of the Baoan Hall in Qiantang. In the Jiangnan region, we still have some prestige and influence in our words and deeds."

"Don't make a mistake for yourself!"

The young monk, listening to the barrage of words that combined both gentle persuasion and force, especially the other party's use of secular laws and local power to pressure him, a "monk," became somewhat annoyed, and a barely perceptible blush appeared on his fair face.

Is it reasonable to use the law and power to oppress people?!
You guys aren't here to reason!
At this moment, the last of the young masters, Ji, also strolled in slowly.

Unlike Zao, who tried to avoid him, he walked straight to the front of the little monk, standing almost face to face with him, his eyes, still carrying a hint of fierceness and impatience, staring intently at him.

"Enough with the nonsense," Ji Rui said, his tone cold and direct, without the slightest hint of beating around the bush. "If you know what's good for you, hand over Lord Fu right now."

"This is a notification, not a negotiation."

“I’ve always had a bad impression of monks,” he added, his words laced with undisguised prejudice and threat. “Don’t push me to my limit.”

“If you dare utter even half a word of ‘no’…” He let out a low, chilling laugh, “Hehehe…”

Ji Rui, as one of the "Three Wonders," is specifically responsible for playing the negative role and directly confronting the other party, giving them no chance to use veiled language or beat around the bush.

At the same time, the short knife named "Self-Discipline" in his sleeve was already poised to strike, its cold blade pressed against his wrist, just waiting for the little bald monk to make the slightest move.

I'll stab him right away!

Even the white deer hidden in the void had already adjusted its angle, just waiting to deliver a hard blow to the monk's kidneys.

Looking at this man whose emotions were clearly unstable and whose behavior was extremely rough and direct, Fu Qingfeng felt a strange sense of admiration.

Her language may be a bit vulgar, even somewhat barbaric, but it did express her core thoughts and demands in a simple and direct way.

The group's eyes were like torches, all fixed on the young monk, and an invisible pressure pressed down on him as if it were a real force.

Under immense pressure, the young monk finally sighed, a look of helplessness and resignation that seemed completely out of place on his youthful face.

"Alas... it seems that things will not end well today."

He shook his head, said no more, and turned to gesture.

"You... come with me."

The young monk turned around and led the way, his steps unusually steady.

The few "scholars" behind them were all highly skilled and daring. Seeing this, they did not hesitate or fear at all and followed.

Upon arriving at the backyard, the young monk pointed to the empty space and, striving to remain calm, said, "Lord Fu is right here, following my master to comprehend the supreme truth. You gentlemen may proceed as you wish..."

"call--!"

Before he could finish speaking, a black shadow lashed out with a sharp whooshing sound!
The young monk was startled and almost instinctively dodged.

The thick stone wall behind him was unlucky, as it was struck by Hayabusa's sheathed longsword!

Boom!

The stone wall shattered with a crash, sending shards of rock flying everywhere. A large section of it was forcibly collapsed!

The terrifying sound made the little monk turn pale and almost burst into tears on the spot.

Zao's expression remained calm, but a faint heat emanated from her body, and a barely perceptible blush appeared on her fair cheeks.

Sheathed his longsword, his voice clear and cold, yet carrying an undeniable sense of pressure:

"Little master, speak like a human being."

The meaning was clear: if you keep playing coy, the next sword strike will be aimed at your head!
The young monk looked at the collapsed stone wall, swallowed hard, and all the Buddhist teachings he had prepared, such as "form is emptiness" and "a mirage," were instantly forgotten.

He could only skip all the procedures, his face long and mournful, and obediently led the group toward a stone wall at the deepest part of the courtyard.

It was just an ordinary-looking white wall with only a few blurry marks that looked like they had been left by natural weathering.

When the young monk slowly raised the black longsword in his hand again, as if to strike, his expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly shouted, "Esteemed benefactors, please look closely! Look closely!" Upon hearing this, the group focused their attention and examined the wall closely, only to realize with astonishment that it was not a white wall at all, but a huge, intricate, and lifelike mural!

The painting depicts mountains and forests, flowing streams; bustling markets, teeming with activity; palaces and courtyards, their depths unfathomable; and monks and Taoist priests moving about, each with a different expression…

Zao clearly sensed the demonic and evil aura he had been searching for!
Ning Caichen heard the once-lost, bustling sounds of the marketplace again!
Fu Qingfeng immediately covered his mouth.
In one of the courtyards depicted in the painting, she was startled to see the figure of her father, Fu Tianchou!

As the group gazed at the lifelike mural, they were involuntarily drawn in, their eyes gradually becoming unfocused, as if they were about to merge into the world depicted in the painting.

Only Ji Rui did not.

He finally understood where that familiar feeling came from; it wasn't simply about women or desire.

Rather, it is this unique aura, an aura that intertwines ultimate pleasure with decadent depravity, an aura that makes one's soul tremble yet irresistibly draws closer.

"Hmph!" He snorted coldly, and with a thought, a snow-white spirit deer instantly stepped out from the void, elegantly yet firmly blocking the gap between the crowd and the mural.

The antlers emitted a soft glow, gently yet effectively blocking the bewitching power.

Everyone snapped out of their daze, suddenly realizing what had happened, and broke out in a cold sweat.

"Illusions are created by people; this saying is similar to that of the wise. When people have lustful thoughts, they create illicit realms; when people have illicit thoughts, they create terrifying realms. Bodhisattvas enlighten the ignorant, and a thousand illusions arise together..."

Ji Rui murmured a proverb from the depths of his memory, his eyes sharp as knives, "This is the mural."

His eyes seemed to hold both memories and disgust.

The next moment, the short knife named "Self-Discipline" was already silently placed against the little monk's neck, the cold blade pressed against his skin.

"Deceive people into entering the painting?" Ji Rui's voice was low, yet it carried a chilling coldness. "What is your relationship with the demonic monk of the Pure Land Sect?!"

"This humble monk knows nothing of any demonic monk!"

The young monk's face suddenly turned deathly pale, his body stiffened, and his voice was filled with terror and immense grievance, "You...you bunch of scholars...aren't you robbers and bandits?!"

He followed his master all over the country, using this mural to enlighten many destined people, but he had never encountered anyone so unreasonable who would start a knife without saying a word!
However, Ji Rui, who had suffered from a particular psychological trauma, didn't care about any of that.

With a flick of his wrist, he produced a rope from who-knows-where and skillfully tied the little monk up tightly.

"It seems you won't tell the truth unless I ask you properly." Ji Rui winked at Zao and Ning Caichen.

The three men moved in perfect unison, surrounding the little monk who was bound like a dumpling, and began their "friendly" exchange and interrogation.

Watching the three "scholars" skillfully bind and interrogate the monk, Fu Qingfeng was momentarily at a loss, unsure whether to worry about his father or first feel sorry for the young monk...

Sanqi was a ruthless person who had actually been to the underworld and caused a great disturbance. Naturally, he had no psychological burden when it came to interrogating and extracting confessions, and his methods were so "professional" that they were appalling.

How could a mere young monk who had not seen much of the world's evil withstand the repeated "refinement" of these three outstanding individuals?
After a few rounds, the young monk completely gave up on his futile attempt to play the role of an enlightened monk who remained unfazed even when faced with swords and axes.

He confessed so frankly and thoroughly that he almost wanted to reveal the color of his master's underwear.

Master! It's not that I can't keep my mouth shut, it's just that these "scholars" are too...too cruel!
It turns out that this young monk's Dharma name is "Xinsheng," and he is one of only two monks in Longtan Temple.

His master was the abbot of this temple, Master Longtan.

According to Xin Sheng's account, his master seemed to be from the Pure Land School and was a truly enlightened master.

Longtan Temple itself is a precious treasure passed down through generations of the sect, said to have the power to grant "wish fulfillment".

Master Longtan often took him and this unique temple with him as they traveled across the northern lands.

If he gains some insight into certain places or people along the way, he will stop to contemplate them for a few months before continuing his travels.

As for the eerie mural in the backyard, it was the result of the master's cultivation. It could reflect the people, things, and scenes that people see and think about in the heart, and it was extremely mysterious.

About a month ago, the master was entrusted by an "old friend" and brought the temple to this sacred mountain in Wuhu to wait.

Two days ago, as expected, a wandering Taoist priest arrived here with a stern-faced old man and handed the old man over to his master.

The master then led the old man directly into the mural, where they have not emerged since.

That was all the little monk Xinsheng knew.

After the other party made several solemn oaths to Buddha with a mournful face, Zao slowly withdrew the sheathed divine sword from his shoulder. Ning Caichen also carefully withdrew the invisible string that was almost piercing the little monk's heart. Finally, Ji Rui slowly removed the chilling "Self-Discipline" knife from the other party's neck.

The three of them exchanged glances.

"It seems... it's true."

(End of this chapter)