A Scroll of Infinite Glory

Chapter 239 Seats

Guan Luoyang set the date for the fifteenth.

However, starting the afternoon of the previous day, there had been some unusual atmosphere around Tuoshan.

Ordinary rebel soldiers, and even most of the leaders of the twenty-eight strongholds of Qingzhou, might not be able to detect this change, but Fang La could clearly feel every strange aura that swept past him.

That must be skilled rebels from other places scouting the terrain in advance to see if there were any ambushes.

Some people came only once, and seemingly sensing Fang La's presence, they disappeared completely. Others, however, lingered around, clearly intending to test the locals' attitudes.

Of course, whether they were cautious or deliberately arrogant, releasing their aura to provoke others, none of the dozen or so groups of people who came before or after showed up openly.

As the crescent moon rose and gradually moved westward in the sky, the sound of horses' hooves, not exactly concealed, slowly approached the Thousand Buddha Caves.

Both horses were tall, chestnut-colored steeds with fine, smooth coats and robust builds. The saddles were equipped with bird-wing rings and victory hooks on one side.

Qiongying's spear, with its white tassel adorned with jade and pierced by a flower, had its tail threaded through a bird's wing ring and its front hanging from a victory hook. As the horse's hooves clattered, the tassel fluttered slightly in the wind, perfectly complementing her apricot-colored outfit and silver-white cloak.

Lu Junyi's horse had a large spear hanging on one side, as well as a precious carved bow and quiver on the other. He wore an ochre-red martial robe, and his beard and hair were as black as ink, giving him an imposing and unapproachable aura.

"The Eight Scenic Spots of Qingzhou are famous throughout the world. I have seen them all back then, and I still have a deep memory of the Camel Ridge. The Thousand Buddha Grottoes were once bustling with people, and the incense smoke permeated the rocks. The scent of sandalwood wafting from the Buddha could be smelled from miles away. Now, it certainly looks very different."

Lu Junyi held the reins in one hand and stroked his beard with the other, gazing at the mountain scenery. Suddenly, he squeezed the horse's flanks with both legs and circled around to the southeast at the foot of the mountain.

Although there are stone statues everywhere on Thousand Buddha Ridge, the grotto statues on the southeast cliff face are the most numerous.

The southeast side of this mountain is extremely steep. At first glance, it looks like a smooth, high wall sculpted by a giant spirit splitting the mountain. Ancient people carved caves on this cliff and sculpted the huge rocks in the caves into statues of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

From the top of the cliff to near the foot of the mountain, there are more than 600 large Buddha statues, ranging from over ten feet tall to about a foot tall.

When the wind blows across this cliff, it becomes slow and solemn, the sound of the wind rising and falling like ancient Buddhist music, a continuous chanting.

Lu Junyi smiled and pointed to the top, saying, "Look, the second Buddha statue from the right in the highest row was originally a Guanyin statue carrying a basket. Because it had been in disrepair for many years, the stone basket was damaged, so I personally wove a bamboo basket and sent it up to replace it."

The Guanyin statue high up is made of grayish-white stone, and the basket it carries is also grayish-white, but upon closer inspection, one can see some bamboo-like textures, indicating that it is indeed woven from bamboo.

However, Lu Junyi must have poured a lot of demonic power into that bamboo basket, making the bamboo and wood material more solid and stable than ordinary iron and stone. Despite the wind, frost, rain and snow, the texture is still clear. Not only is there no wear and deformation, but there is not even a trace of mold or moss.

Qiongying looked up and shook her head inwardly.

Her godfather really does seem to have a sudden whim and a refined taste all the time.

After receiving Guan Luoyang's letter, Lu Junyi volunteered to go to the meeting alone.

Qiongying decided to come along for two reasons: first, to show her sincerity, and second, because she was worried about Lu Junyi's personality.

However, since the official time was scheduled for after sunrise, it was still early, and Qiongying did not interrupt Lu Junyi's interest.

They walked around the foot of the mountain again, admiring the Thousand Buddha Ridge from various directions, before finding a gentle slope to climb up.

"Three miles to the east, hidden beneath a stream in a dense forest, lies a master who cultivates demonic arts, exudes a chilling aura, and resonates with the water's energy."

On the way up the mountain, Lu Junyi suddenly spoke, his tone calm but with a hint of joy, just as he had when commenting on the scenery earlier.

But this time, he pointed out a group of hidden masters in the surrounding area.

Not only did he roughly circle the hiding places of those people and tell Qiongying about them, but he also pointed out the characteristics of their martial arts techniques.

"Five miles to the southeast, on that low hill... beside the small waterfall and deep pool to the south... inside the mountain stronghold on the distant southwest peak..."

Qiongying had been paying attention to her surroundings, but she was far from being able to know them so well. Listening to Lu Junyi's words, she realized that while enjoying the scenery along the way, Lu Junyi had not forgotten his business.

She couldn't help but smile, and with a hint of thought, she said, "That person in the east should be Gao Tuoshan from Jiangnan. It is said that his navy consists of people with short hair and tattoos, who inherited the naval warfare magic from the time of the Wu-Yue rivalry in the pre-Qin period. Therefore, their aura is distinct, with a wild and rugged characteristic."

"The others I can guess are Shi Sheng, Wu Hu, Liu Dagu, and Li Taizi. When they rebelled, their methods were all unique and easy to identify. As for the others, I can't guess them."

As soon as Qiong Ying finished speaking, Lu Junyi's expression turned quite serious.

"These few are fine, but the one most noteworthy is the person in the Haotian Palace to the north."

Lu Junyi emphasized, "That person's aura blends seamlessly with the light and the night breeze, so strong that it can cover the mountains, yet it is difficult for people to detect."

Qiongying turned her head to look at Haotian Palace. Even though she had been warned, she still couldn't see anything unusual. Clearly, the person in Haotian Palace was far more powerful than herself.

"Could it be...?"

Qiongying guessed, "Is that the leader of Liangshan?"

"That's Fang La!"

A gentle breeze blows from the foot of the mountain, and where it passes, the grass turns a clear, green color. Thousands of dewdrops instantly become murky, rise into the air, and transform into wisps of smoke that rise into the sky.

A Taoist priest in a yellow robe with thorns tangled in his hair, carrying a wooden staff, walked to the foot of the mountain, followed by five strong men carrying bamboo baskets.

The grass and leaves in the places they passed through seemed to have been washed clean, and the air was extremely fresh and pleasant. Some of the fist-sized Bodhisattva and Arhat stone statues, which had been hidden by weeds and covered by mud, were now cleansed of dust and revealed their true appearance.

Lu Junyi turned around and looked over. His expression immediately turned serious. He praised, "The wind and smoke have cleared, the grass is fresh and green, and a drop of clear dew follows the sky. To be able to cultivate unorthodox magic to such a vibrant level, this brother is truly a talent unparalleled in the world."

The thorny Taoist smiled and said, "I am Zhang Wanxian. May I ask your names?"

After introducing herself, Qiongying asked, "The Taoist priest just said that the one on the north mountain is Fang La, the same Fang La who called himself the Holy Duke in Muzhou, plotted but failed, and fought a great battle with the Taoist officials?"

"It is this person."

Zhang Wanxian said, "When I was traveling around the world, I heard about this person's reputation in Muzhou and had a conversation with him. I would never mistake the meaning of his 'Precious Sun and Moon Transformation Heart Sutra'."

"Rumors circulated that he had died at the hands of Wang Laozhi, but judging from today's appearance, his cultivation level is much higher than it was back then."

Qiong Ying, drawing inferences from this, said, "In that case, the people setting up the gathering seats on the summit of Thousand Buddha Ridge may not be from Liangshan, but from Fang La."

Lu Junyi said, "We'll know once we go up and take a look."

The group went up the mountain together and sure enough, they saw hundreds of men in coarse cloth and narrow sleeves waiting at the summit. The seats on the wooden and stone tables, the fruits and water jugs, the wine cups and pastries, etc., were all arranged properly.

The view here is expansive, and during the day it feels spacious and high, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the moment. However, if you come at night, it will feel windy, damp, and cold.

However, when they reached the summit, they discovered that the strong winds in the mountains suddenly subsided here, replaced by a gentle breeze that was dry and refreshing, without any of the nighttime dampness.

Zhang Wanxian and the others could tell that these hundreds of people all possessed a certain level of magical cultivation and were silently casting spells, which slightly altered the climate at the summit.

However, upon seeing them come up the mountain, about twenty of the hundred or so people immediately bowed to them and then sped off down the mountain.

Zhang Wanxian smiled and said, "It seems that this is to avoid suspicion, so as not to be thought that these people are used to ambush us. Fang La's methods are somewhat different from those of back then."

Lu Junyi said loudly, "We've arrived early, and they've prepared early too, so let's take our seats as soon as possible."

Zhang Wanxian nodded in agreement, and they each found seats, sitting down comfortably not far apart.

The summit remained quiet.

Everyone present, whether it was a young girl like Qiong Ying who was not yet twenty, a seasoned veteran like Lu Junyi, or the five attendants beside Zhang Wanxian, all had enough composure and calmness to sip a little wine, enjoy the breeze and the moon, and not feel bored at all.

Their behavior caused a stir among those around them.

Not long after, a thick fog rose from the dense forest to the east, and Gao Tuoshan, dressed in dark gold armor, led his men up the mountain.

He had everything he needed: breastplate, shoulder armor, wrist guards, cloak, and golden boots. He simply removed his helmet, and wearing this full suit of armor, he sat down on the ground with a clatter, found a low table, and poured himself a drink.

Before long, people from all directions in the mountains and fields appeared and arrived at Qianfo Ridge.

Shi Sheng, the leader of the rebel army in Liangzhe Road, was a young man who looked young but was rough and clumsy, like a farmer in the fields.

Following behind him was Tao Zongwang, nicknamed "Nine-Tailed Turtle," who looked like an older farmer, even carrying a square-headed shovel.

Although they occupied a seat, their faces were tense, and they refused to touch anything on the table, revealing a slight awkwardness in this situation.

Wu Hu from Guangnan Road was a man with a hooked nose and pale skin, but he had a rather imposing presence. He carried a wine jar in one hand and walked around drinking.

He came with another rebel leader, Liu Dagu, who was also in Guangnan Road. Each of them brought a large number of followers and found a seat in an area.

After that, several more groups of people came up the mountain. Each time a group of people arrived, the men who were originally in charge of preparing seats at the top of the mountain would leave.

Soon all those people had left, while from all directions, more and more rebels continued to arrive in the wilderness.

There are roughly thirty rebel forces within the territory of the Song Dynasty. Some of them, even if they received letters from Liangshan, did not come due to various concerns.

Even so, a gathering of heroes and a vibrant atmosphere quickly formed atop the Thousand Buddha Caves.

With more people around, the quiet could no longer be maintained; the sounds of people chatting and discussing filled the space like a swarm of bees.

Time passed slowly, and the crescent moon still hung high above the western mountains, but the sky was gradually brightening.

The sounds of birdsong filled the mountains and forests, but were suddenly startled by the sound of a gong, and they took flight.

"The Crown Prince has arrived!"

The man who struck the gong shouted at the top of his lungs. From below the mountain, there was the sound of gongs and drums, horns and pipes, and people riding horses, tigers and leopards. Eight people carried an apricot-yellow sedan chair up the mountain.

Two large flags were also erected in the procession, each bearing four characters: "Crown Prince of the Li Family, Destroy the Song and Restore the Tang!"

The name of the Crown Prince surprised the people on the mountain, but once they saw the banner clearly, their surprise quickly disappeared, leaving only disdain, indifference, jealousy, and so on.

The banner belonged to Prince Li of Xichuan Road, and many people had heard of this force.

He claimed to be a descendant of the Tang Dynasty royal family. On the day his mother gave birth to him, she dreamed that a golden dragon carrying a sword entered her womb. By the time he was three years old, he was already well-versed in poetry and literature, could frighten away tigers and leopards, and could compose poems and essays. He also had immortals imparting magic to him.

In the deep mountains and ancient caves of Xichuan, lumberjacks and weary miners often hear the ballad "Prince Li, save the people, kill corrupt officials, and become the Heavenly Venerable" coming from various caves.

Qiong Ying looked at the team and chuckled, while Lu Junyi let out a soft exclamation.

"Godfather, what's wrong?"

Lu Junyi pointed to the two men riding tigers and leopards in the group and said, "I've met these two a few times before."

"The one riding the red-eyed black tiger is Optimus Prime Bao Peisong, and the one riding the one-horned spotted leopard is Iron Buddha Cui Daocheng. The two of them, along with Yizhou garrison commander Shi Wengong and border general Luan Tingyu, were known as the Four Eccentrics in the martial arts world back then."

Even after Prince Li and his entourage reached the mountain, the sounds of music and drumming continued unabated.

Among the many rebel leaders, some who disliked Prince Li spoke up to warn him.

"As a leader of a local rebel army, it is rather inappropriate for you to travel alone and make such a grand display."

Prince Li and his entourage ignored him, while Cui Daocheng patted the spotted leopard.

The leopard shook its head, took two steps forward, and roared, instantly sending a foul stench through the surrounding area.

"The people of Liangshan invited us here for a meeting, why haven't they come out to greet us yet?"

Cui Daocheng's voice, like a resounding bronze bell, echoed across the entire mountaintop: "Fellow leaders, please don't take offense at my rudeness. In truth, all of you here are extremely busy people; how could you possibly have time to waste here playing these games with the Liangshan people?"

"In my opinion, we should quickly bring out the Liangshan people and hand over the divine Gu. Then everyone here can discuss how to divide it up, so we can return to our respective armies as soon as possible and avoid any further complications. Does that make sense?"

The group was already very dissatisfied with this force, but after hearing these words, they all fell silent for a moment.

Indeed, the reason they came here, no matter what, was solely for the Divine Gu Mother mentioned in the Liangshan letter; everything else could be put aside.

However, since the appointed time had not yet arrived and the Liangshan people had not shown up, everyone had no choice but to put their business aside and wait anxiously.

However, now that Prince Li and his group are taking the lead, others can simply support them silently and thus intimidate Liangshan. Why not do it?

Among the crowd, a voice immediately echoed, "That's true. It's already dawn, the Liangshan people should show up by now."

The crowd began to discuss the matter, and gradually they started to argue, their voices pointing directly at Liangshan.

"Gentlemen, please be patient. There's still half an hour until the agreed-upon sunrise. How can we accomplish anything great if we're so uncertain?"

From the Haotian Palace to the north, a gentle, hoarse voice came. As the words approached, they became layered and seemingly all-pervasive.

The musicians under Prince Li's command, who were playing music, all broke their strings and gasped for breath, their faces turning red with frustration, unable to utter a single note for a moment.

The leaders at the summit were still able to maintain their composure, but suddenly their vision blurred for no apparent reason.

Fang La, dressed in white robes, had already arrived at the mountaintop with a group of men.

All was silent. The crowd was captivated and stopped their discussion, quietly waiting for the sunrise.

The sound of water still lingers in the distance, while the wind whispers softly nearby.

As the sun rises in the east, it illuminates the shallow waves across the fields, and the distant clouds faintly appear in the sky.

The mountains are clustered together, the water flows with a clear, melodious sound, and the clouds in the sky roll and suddenly turn blue from the mountains toward this side.

Several figures descended from the blue clouds.

Guan Luoyang landed smoothly, looked around, and smiled, "The military regulations prepared for you all were revised again last night. Thank you for waiting."

(End of this chapter)