Chu Xingchen did not take Wukong to the Affectionate Family Peak. Instead, he led him to Tianyan Peak.
Wukong remained rather silent along the way. It was clear that Chu Xingchen's actions had disrupted his entire plan, and he did not fully understand what had just happened.
Having someone paint over Donggua's divine sense had come at a cost — at the very least, his own movements had been thoroughly exposed.
Chu Xingchen's domineering expression had faded into calm. He did not say much as they walked.
There were Tianyan Sect disciples stationed outside the great hall of Tianyan Peak, though not many. Most of the time, their role was simply to relay messages, and they rotated in shifts.
After all, the inner sect disciples of Tianyan Sect were all exceptionally talented and steady in temperament. Assigning too many of them to minor errands would be a pure waste of resources.
The number of people on Tianyan Peak was small. Ordinarily, only Lu Xuan and Yan Yun could be found within the great hall.
In earlier years, Tianyan Peak had cultivated quite a few disciples. But once Yan Yun was confirmed as the core disciple, the rest were reassigned to other peaks to continue their training.
Unless there was significant business, the elders of the other peaks rarely visited.
That was the normal state of affairs. In emergencies, Tianyan Peak became extremely lively.
Chu Xingchen's reputation might not yet be widely known beyond the Central State, but within the Central State itself — and especially within Tianyan Sect — he was a name that commanded recognition.
Simply by virtue of being a familiar face, Chu Xingchen was able to bring a grim-faced monk up to Tianyan Peak without a word of explanation.
Inside the Tianyan Hall.
Yan Yun sat cross-legged on the main seat with her eyes closed in cultivation. Sensing someone's completely unguarded approach, she spoke with a note of resignation.
"You had better be bringing me good news."
Chu Xingchen's reply came swiftly.
"Think about it — if I had good news, would I be coming to find you?"
Yan Yun slowly opened her eyes at that. She could not refute the logic. Her gaze shifted to Chu Xingchen, then to Wukong, who was pressing his palms together in a formal bow.
She studied them both for a moment before speaking with a hint of uncertainty.
"The Buddhist Son?"
Wukong took a step forward.
"Wukong, Buddhist Son of the Central State."
Yan Yun rose to her feet and gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. Her tone was flat.
"By my reckoning, you are the first Buddhist Son to ever visit Tianyan Sect."
"Then it is my honor," Wukong replied, bowing his head.
Chu Xingchen casually found a seat and settled in.
"Save the formal talk for after I leave. Monk — tell me first. While you were beside Donggua, did you encounter anything strange?"
Wukong's response was immediate. He briefly recounted his encounter with Xu Linglong.
Chu Xingchen said nothing. He simply turned his gaze to Yan Yun.
Yan Yun did not rush to speak either. She and Chu Xingchen exchanged a look.
She did not know what this monk was truly made of. There were certain things that could not be said carelessly.
Chu Xingchen took over the conversation.
"Consider yourself fortunate, monk, that you are still standing here talking to me. What you encountered was most likely one of the Heavenly Demons."
Wukong pieced the information together and frowned.
"She was the Heavenly Demon that Senior Bai drove away?"
Yan Yun nodded gently.
"Most likely."
Wukong had many questions, but in this moment he could not bring himself to ask them. He had harbored some suspicions before, but seeing the Heavenly Demon's attitude confirmed his fears — there were likely demons lurking within the Buddhist Sect itself.
If there were demons among them, then his own identity was not nearly as credible in their eyes as he had assumed.
Many questions that could have been answered would instead go unanswered, simply because of suspicion.
Chu Xingchen watched Wukong, whose eyes were lowered in thought. He casually twirled Wanban — which was about the size of a pair of chopsticks — and asked.
"You should now understand that my actions against Donggua were a necessary measure. What do you plan to do next?"
Wukong raised his head, his tone resolute.
"Return to the Buddhist Sect."
Chu Xingchen raised an eyebrow. If this monk were truly clean, returning to the Buddhist Sect after learning all of this and attempting to pull off some scheme would essentially be carrying a lantern into the outhouse at night — courting death.
Impressed by such fearless resolve, Chu Xingchen could not resist offering a barbed compliment.
"What a heroic display — severing one's own wrist, sacrificing one's life for righteousness. Next year, I will be sure to burn some fine wooden fish for you."
Wukong understood the sarcasm perfectly. But before coming here, he had already coaxed a Buddha into returning to the sect. If he fled now, how would that be any different from selling that Buddha out?
The problem was insufficient intelligence. Donggua might have a way to communicate with the Heavenly Demons, which meant he was almost certainly going to take a loss on this deal.
The only good news was that Donggua was dead — though that was not truly good news either, in the grand scheme of things.
And so he could only stand there, looking slightly stifled.
His options were limited.
Chu Xingchen studied Wukong's expression and spoke calmly.
"If you truly have nowhere to go, for Guangming's sake, I have a place to recommend."
Wukong turned to look at him.
Chu Xingchen did not keep him in suspense.
"Xuanqing Heavenly Sect. They are short-handed there — especially a reliable monk. A Buddhist Son would be even better. More impressive for bluffing."
Wukong considered this for a moment, then shook his head.
"My heart holds righteousness. This proves that not everyone within the Buddhist Sect is vermin — at least, not the majority. As Buddhist Son, I can accomplish far more from within the sect than outside it."
Chu Xingchen nodded slowly at this. He rose to his feet and walked toward the door as he spoke.
"Whatever you choose to do is your own affair. Share whatever good intelligence you have with the next Sect Master of Tianyan Sect."
"If you have questions, you may ask her as well. Whether she answers will depend on the mood of this future Sect Master."
Yan Yun suppressed a sigh. So Chu Xingchen had brought the monk here simply to offload him onto her.
But then again, was this not also a form of trust?
And exchanging intelligence was far better than last time, when she had been stuck fulfilling Cui Hao's bizarre requests.
Wukong remained composed. He offered a slight bow to Chu Xingchen as the latter departed.
Chu Xingchen waved a hand by way of reply.
The moment he stepped through the door, Chen Baiqing — who had been waiting outside — moved to meet him.
Chen Baiqing did not say much. She simply looked at her master and offered the warm, trademark smile that belonged to him alone.
Chu Xingchen could not help himself. He reached out and vigorously rubbed Chen Baiqing's head.
"You even learned how to smile from me? Is there nothing you will not copy from your master?"
Chen Baiqing's smile did not falter.
"The good things I learn are all thanks to Master. The bad things are all Baiqing's own."
"Despicable — you have even learned my art of flattery. Though that was a bit much."
Central State. A dense forest.
Donggua lay prostrate on the ground, her trembling voice recounting everything she had seen and heard — including the fact that Wukong, representing the demons of the Buddhist Sect, was planning to betray them.
Xu Linglong stood before Donggua, her voice gentle.
"You have rendered great service this time. This information is very important."
Donggua pressed her forehead to the ground and spoke hurriedly.
"Thank you, Venerable One."
A hint of a smile appeared on Xu Linglong's face. She crouched down and placed a single finger atop Donggua's head, her tone still as soft as ever.
"That monk hit you quite a few times along the way, did he not?"
Donggua's voice shook slightly.
"Yes..."
"Get up. Those blows will not have been suffered in vain. This time, I will let you have your revenge."
Donggua looked up, her heart gripped by terror.
Xu Linglong wore the same gentle smile as she pressed her finger to Donggua's brow. Her voice was soft — almost enchanting.
"Look at those little eyes... Do not be afraid..."
Donggua felt her blood begin to boil as though set aflame. The primal force within her body churned violently.
Agony slammed into the depths of her Sea of Consciousness. Her divine soul convulsed.
She strained to shift her gaze and saw that the Flower of the Venerable had somehow bloomed across her entire body.
Through Donggua's eyes, Xu Linglong's face remained as gentle as ever.
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