Tianlong: Starting with Mantuo Manor as fertilizer

Chapter 82 Armory

The Formless Finger Technique is a unique skill of Shaolin.

The emperor of Dali was seriously injured by Shaolin martial arts.

This is a huge problem.

Benyin and the others put their palms together and said in unison, "We also believe it to be the Formless Finger of Calamity."

Duan Zhengchun was shocked: "Dali and Shaolin have never had any enmity, why would they do such a vicious thing?"

A thought suddenly struck him, and he realized a possibility.

Is it because of me?

He carefully considered the matter in his mind.

Are there any Shaolin-related figures among my close female friends?

That's why he got into trouble and harmed his brother?

Duan Zhengchun was checking his female confidantes one by one according to the Hundred Family Surnames.

Ku Rong, however, had already passed the question to Xie Buruo.

"You're also a Shaolin disciple. What's your opinion?"

Si Ben was puzzled: "Since he's a Shaolin disciple, of course he'd speak well of Shaolin. Is there even a need to ask?"

Instead of answering, Xie Buruo asked, "Masters, what is the most skilled martial art of the Dali Duan family?"

Benyin said, "Naturally, it's my signature move, the One-Finger Divine Skill."

Xie Buruo then asked, "If the Dali Duan family wanted to assassinate someone, would they also use the One-Finger Divine Skill?"

The four books were all taken aback, and a realization dawned on them.

Assassinating the Dali Emperor Baoding, who was known for his virtue, was already in the wrong.

If the Shaolin School truly wanted to do this, they would never be foolish enough to use their own unique techniques.

The room fell silent.

Ku Rong nodded slowly: "That's exactly right. The murderer deliberately used the Formless Finger of Calamity, clearly trying to incite a conflict between Dali and Shaolin."

Zhengchun, you must keep the news under wraps and not reveal that Zhengming was injured by the Wuxiang Jiezhi. Lest someone with ulterior motives take this opportunity to incite public sentiment and create unrest.

We should also contact Shaolin and get an explanation. The Formless Finger Technique is ultimately a Shaolin secret technique; they're even more anxious about this than we are.

Xie Buruo suddenly remembered something.

Murong Bo appeared in the Wanjie Valley area, so he probably didn't have the spare power to intercept and kill Xuan Bei at Shenjie Temple.

He then truthfully told Xuanbei whereabouts.

Duan Zhengchun immediately stood up: "I will have Danchen, no, I will have Lord Gao personally go and invite Master Xuanbei to Dali."

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Ku Rong raised his hand to stop him.

"You can send someone to deliver this message. There is another matter at the temple that requires you to stay here."

He then said to Xie Buruo, "The layman accidentally broke his sword while saving my Dali prince. This matter arose because of my Duan family, so we should do our part. Therefore, you should lead layman Xie to the armory to choose a suitable weapon."

Xie Buruo lost a precious sword.

Thinking about it now, it still breaks my heart.

Master Kurong really knows how to handle people!

Tenryu-ji Temple is a royal temple.

The weapons he possesses are probably even better than those in Mantuo Manor.

Thinking of this, Xie Buruo couldn't wait any longer and immediately followed Abbot Benyin out of the Muni Hall.

It would be better to leave than to thank you.

The first question Zen Master Kurong asked was: "Is that person truly your flesh and blood? Is he a member of my Duan family?"

Duan Zhengchun looked embarrassed: "It's unfounded."

Seeing that Zen Master Kurong had turned around with an unfriendly expression, he quickly said.

"They do look somewhat alike. And he knows a great deal about my private affairs, even more than I do myself. If he weren't my illegitimate child, how could he know so much?"

Zen Master Kurong scoffed, "I think Yu'er resembles Prince Yanqing in his youth. How can one be so accurate about appearances? It's utterly absurd!"

He gave him a wink.

This scribe recounts the matter of the Great Wheel King coming to Tianlong Temple to borrow the Six Meridians Divine Sword.

Upon hearing this, Duan Zhengchun slammed his fist on a brick, his anger flaring up.

"This is outrageous! Does this Tibetan monk think my Tianlong Temple has no one to rely on?!"

Ku Rong said calmly, "My Tianlong Temple truly has no one of its kind. If even one person were to master the Six Meridians Divine Sword, I doubt even the Great Wheel King would dare to challenge us."

This is outrageous!

"For now, I do have a plan. For one person to cultivate the Six Meridians Divine Sword is as difficult as ascending to heaven, but for six people to each cultivate one meridian, it's not extremely difficult."

Duan Zhengchun exclaimed excitedly, "Zhengchun is willing to share your burdens!"

The withered skeleton turned around with a cold face: "If you want to share the burden, you must become a monk. Otherwise, the Great Wheel King will laugh at my Tianlong Temple for needing help from the secular world."

"this----"

Duan Zhengchun was not greedy for power and fame; it was just that he couldn't bear to part with any of his female confidantes.

"You don't need to hesitate," Ku Rong sneered. "With your One-Finger Divine Skill, you're not qualified to cultivate the Six Meridians Divine Sword. I have two candidates, though."

The members of the group all looked over.

Zen Master Kurong said, "The first one is Crown Prince Yanqing. His skill is no less than Zhengming's, and he is undoubtedly a member of the Duan family. If he is willing to take action, he would be the most suitable candidate."

He spoke faster and faster, becoming quite excited.

Duan Zhengchun repeatedly said no.

Ben Can and others also advised him to think twice.

Ku Rong sighed, "Yan Qing is deeply entrenched in anger. Alas, even without your persuasion, I know this is difficult to do. The second option is that Layman Xie. If he can truly use the power of poison to increase his strength and even surpass Yan Qing, he might be qualified to cultivate one of his lineages."

Duan Zhengchun's eyebrows danced with excitement: "This is absolutely true; many people witnessed it firsthand. However, the Toad—"

Ku Rong coldly replied, "If we don't have the Vermilion Clam, can't we use other poisonous creatures instead? Zheng Ming was assassinated in Wan Jie Valley, and Zhong Wan Chou is undoubtedly responsible. Let's use this to our advantage. He's skilled at catching poisonous creatures; if he catches the Vermilion Clam, he can be spared. Otherwise, even though my Duan family is virtuous, shouldn't we be executed along with our entire family for the heinous crime of assassinating the king?"

Duan Zhengchun looked embarrassed: "Zhong Wanchou's wife is an old acquaintance of mine."

Sanben's Zen mind was immediately shaken, and he tilted his head in surprise: "You're stealing someone else's wife?"

Even Ku Rong, who had been meditating in seclusion for over a decade, felt some sympathy for Zhong Wanchou.

No wonder they hate you to the core!

Ku Rong returned to the main point: "None of that matters. What matters is whether Layman Xie is a descendant of the Duan family. If not, how could we pass on the Six Meridians Divine Sword to him? And what is his relationship with the Free and Unfettered Sect—"

Ben Can offered a suggestion: "Uncle-Master, there is no one in Buddhism who cannot be saved. If we persuade him to become a monk and stay at Tianlong Temple, the Six Meridians Divine Sword will not be leaked. What does it matter whether he is of the Duan family bloodline or not?"

Benxiang tilted his head in surprise and said, "They just saved Zhengming, and you're forcing him to become a monk for life? Do you have any conscience? Do you have any conscience at all?"

Buddha-nature?

Bencan said solemnly, "Becoming a monk is the greatest blessing in the world. No need to work, able to eat one's fill all day, and to study martial arts in peace—isn't that wonderful? I advised him to become a monk for his own good. Oh, you think becoming a monk is bad? Uncle-Master, I have rebellious intentions!"

"Shut up!"

Ku Rong preferred to meditate in seclusion for decades, partly to guard against Wu Yazi, who liked to steal scriptures, and partly because he didn't want to listen to the clamor of these little bald monks.

The futon beneath Ku Rong's seat rotated automatically, turning his back to Ku Rong.

"Let me consider this matter. The appointed time with the Great Wheel King is still five days away, so let's proceed with both approaches simultaneously. Zhengchun, go and investigate the whereabouts of Crown Prince Yanqing. I will personally go to see him. As for the matter of the Vermilion Toad, do not appear in person. Send someone to negotiate with Zhong Wanchou."

Tenryuji Armory

Two Vajra statues stood inside the gate.

One of them was holding a moon axe.

The other held a single-handed spiked club.

Because the abbot was urging Xie to go inside, he suggested they go further in.

Inside the armory, weapons of all kinds were displayed on the walls, tables, and shelves.

Xie Ruo liked everything.

He took down a long sword; its blue light was dazzling, and its chilling aura was intimidating.

He plucked a strand of hair, blew on it gently, and the hair fell onto the blade, splitting in two.

"What a fine knife!" Xie Buruo exclaimed.

Benyin looked pleased: "This sword is called the Morning Dew Sword, named for its cold light like dew, which does not stain blood. It is a top-grade sword in the treasury."

Xie Buruo's eyes lit up: "Really?"

Benyin smiled and said, "A monk does not lie."

Xie Bu Ruo hurriedly drew the broken sword from his waist and slashed at the Morning Dew Treasure Blade.

With a clang, another piece of the broken sword broke off.

Benyin saw it and patted his head with satisfaction.

Xie Ruo looked at the precious sword and loved it more and more.

Then he looked at the broken sword, which was no longer of any use, and immediately discarded it like worn-out shoes.

"A useless sword!"

It crashed to the ground with a clatter.

Benyin asked, "So, you've chosen this precious sword, layman?"

Xie Buruo shook his head and sheathed his sword: "I don't use a sword."

You're not using a knife, what are you looking at!

She should have maintained her composure and continued smiling, glancing at the broken sword lying on the ground like a discarded woman.

"The layman is a skilled swordsman." He pointed to a row of sword racks on the left.

"These are all famous swords. Some were used by our ancestors, and others were swords left behind by famous swordsmen after they lost their swords."

Xie nodded, casually pulled out a sword, and was about to use the Morning Dew Sword to test its sharpness.

Upon seeing this, Benyin quickly stopped him, asking, "What are you doing, layman?"

Xie Ruo said, "Let's test our swordsmanship!"

Ben said with heartache, "This knife is too sharp; this sword cannot withstand it."

Xie nodded and put it down, then picked up another one.

Ben interrupted again: "This one won't work either."

Thus, Xie Bu Ruo shook his head in distress every time he took a sword.

Until Ben Yin nodded, Xie Bu Ruo changed his precious sword and picked up the precious saber, then used the saber to test other swords.

The abbot, concerned about the weapons, repeatedly tried to stop them.

In the end, three equally matched swords were selected.

Their names are all quite imposing, such as Hero, Fire Kirin, and Peerless.

It's better to make a decision quickly than to accept it later.

"Isn't there anything sharper?"

Even if I had it, I wouldn't tell you!

Ben Yin spread his hands: "That's all the swords we have. If you still don't have a suitable weapon, then it's just that my Tianlong Temple is too small."

Xie Bu Ruo recalled that the reason his sword broke was because his internal strength had greatly increased after absorbing the poison of the toad, and the sword could not withstand the force.

More important than sharpness is finding a sturdy weapon.

Otherwise, as my skill grows stronger in the future, these delicate swords will not be able to withstand the true power of my Great Vajra Pestle.

He drew his sword and slashed from top to bottom. The sword, which was about half a foot long, hummed and vibrated, emitting a mournful sound.

It was all show and no substance!

Pooh!

"What are you doing! What are you doing!"

In his haste, Ben snatched the Hero's Sword back, heartbroken at the thought of losing it.

Xie tried two more sword strikes and shook his head.

"Light, light, not handy. Do you have any other weapons?"

Having retrieved the sword, his face turned ashen, and he pointed to a large iron mace on the ground.

Xie Ruo held it in his hand and used the Vajra Pestle Technique, saying, "It's still light, light, light."

Benyin said, "Among all the weapons in this temple, this Wave-Breaking Hammer is the heaviest; there is no weapon heavier than it."

Xie Buruo didn't believe it at all. He looked around the room and his gaze fell on the Vajra statue at the door.

I looked at the iron rod in its hand. It was about three feet long, completely black, and instead of wolf fangs, it had maces on its shaft.

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