Compared to the excitement of the crowd.
Abbot Wangyou's heart, however, was in turmoil.
Forget-Infatuation is dead?
His eyelids twitched slightly, and the hand hidden in his sleeve trembled uncontrollably.
He knew Forget-Infatuation's strength too well.
Not only had he entered the Ink Dot Realm many years ago, but he also possessed the Immortal Burying Secret Art.
Even if he couldn't win, escaping was never a problem.
But now.
Without even making a ripple, his head was hung on the Region city gate?
His ambition, which had swelled after stepping into the Ink Dot Realm.
In the face of this news.
Instantly deflated like a punctured pig's bladder.
Even if the Longyou Commandery seemed to be in decline.
A rotten boat still has three jin of nails, let alone one backed by the behemoth that is the Great Tang.
If it were truly that easy to manipulate, how could it control the Region of Longyou?
Abbot Wangyou took a deep breath.
Since the opponent could kill Forget-Infatuation, they could kill him, Abbot Wangyou.
Now he had mastered the Immortal Burying Secret Art.
With this method that seized the creation of heaven and earth.
As long as he was given time, in the future, Baosha Temple could mass-produce Ink Dot Realm Martial Artists.
Even... the Seed Lotus, was not impossible!
Even if it took a hundred years, he could afford to wait now.
Why contend for a temporary spurt of anger and lose this Dao of Longevity, which he had just acquired, here?
Thinking of this.
On Abbot Wangyou's young and handsome face, an expression of compassion instantly appeared.
He pressed his palms together and softly chanted a Buddhist prayer.
"Amitabha, Amitabha."
Abbot Wangyou slowly stepped forward, passing the crowd, and stood at the very front of the mountain gate.
"Official Sirs."
"this poor monk just heard that a monk from our temple went to Region to commit violence. This matter... is truly a huge misunderstanding."
"That Forget-Infatuation had been mentally unstable for many years and was expelled from the sect sixty years ago."
"This time he suddenly returned, this poor monk originally thought he had turned over a new leaf, who would have thought that his demonic roots were so deep, that he dared to cause trouble at the Demon Suppression Division."
Abbot Wangyou shook his head, looking regretful.
"This is his own doing, and he deserved to die."
"The Demon Suppression Division has cleaned up the sect for my Buddhist gate, this poor monk should thank all the sirs even more."
As he spoke.
He actually bowed slightly, saluting the group of Demon Suppression Guards.
Behind him.
Forgetting the Mundane, Forgetting Thought, and Wang Jue, the three chief monks, were dumbfounded.
This... this was selling him out already?
But after all, they were old foxes who had lived for decades.
The three exchanged glances and immediately understood.
Forgetting the Mundane was the first to speak: "What the Abbot said is absolutely correct! That Forget-Infatuation is a renegade disciple! He has nothing to do with our Baosha Temple!"
Although the other monks didn't understand why, they knew that now was the time to go along with it.
For a time.
Cries filled the mountain gate, all denouncing the countless crimes of the renegade disciple, Forget-Infatuation.
Abbot Wangyou straightened up, "Since it's a misunderstanding, may I ask if the troops can be withdrawn? Our Baosha Temple is willing to offer ten thousand taels of silver as a military allowance, as an apology to all the Official Sirs."
However.
The Brigade Commander did not speak.
He merely turned slightly, casting his gaze down the mountain.
The Demon Suppression Guards who were originally gathered in front of the mountain gate suddenly moved.
Whoosh—
They retreated to both sides.
Clearing a long bluestone staircase that led directly to the mountain gate.
All the Demon Suppression Guards, at this moment.
Knelt on one knee in unison, their heads bowed low.
"Welcome, Commander—!!!"
Abbot Wangyou's smile froze, and he subconsciously raised his head, looking towards the foot of the mountain.
Dawn broke, and golden light tore through the thin mist.
The first thing that caught his eye was a crimson hue.
A large crimson brocade cloak, trailing on the ground, sweeping away the fallen leaves on the bluestone steps.
Abbot Wangyou's eyelids twitched wildly.
Even though he had already entered the Ink Dot Realm, and even though he prided himself on having mastered the secret art of longevity that seized the creation of heaven and earth.
But the moment that young girl's gaze fell upon him.
He actually felt an impulse to turn and flee into the deep mountains.
The young girl's footsteps did not stop.
Until she reached the mountain gate.
Only ten steps away from Abbot Wangyou.
The red cloak billowed, bringing with it a cool, fragrant breeze.
Jiang Yuechu finally stopped.
She slightly raised her head, her gaze sweeping over the faces of the astonished and uncertain crowd.
Then.
She lightly lifted her chin and flicked it slightly to her side.
Wei He, who stood half a step beside her, instantly straightened his back.
He strode forward, took a deep breath, and his voice, like a great bell, resounded through the mountains.
"Baosha Temple of Prefecture, listen to the order!"
Abbot Wangyou's heart suddenly skipped a beat, and an ominous premonition arose.
"The monks of Baosha Temple, as outsiders, do not cultivate Buddhist Dharma, but instead cultivate demonic Dao!"
"Colluding with the Black Mountain Bear Lord, harboring demons, and causing chaos in the Region of Longyou."
"This is their first crime!"
Boom—!
As soon as these words were uttered, the monks behind the mountain gate burst into an uproar.
Wei He gave them no chance to retort, taking another step, his Aura even more imposing:
"The demonic monk Forget-Infatuation, relying on his power to commit atrocities, trespassed into the Liangzhou Military Command yamen, openly assassinated a third-rank Commander of the imperial court, attempting rebellion; his crime is unforgivable!"
"This is their second crime!"
Abbot Wangyou's face was ashen.
This was to... utterly annihilate them!
Wei He's gaze was cold and severe as he scanned his surroundings, continuing: "Illegally occupying tens of thousands of acres of fertile land, concealing population, evading taxes, and oppressing the local villagers!"
"Using the name of a pure Buddhist sanctuary to harbor filth and evil!"
"This is their third crime!"
Three major crimes, every word striking at the heart.
Wei He suddenly drew his blade, its tip pointing directly at the sky, and roared:
"By the imperial decree of Lord Jiang, Commander of the Longyou Commandery!"
"Baosha Temple, from top to bottom, is guilty of monstrous crimes, enraging both gods and men!"
"According to the Great Tang Law!"
"They shall be executed!"
"Executed—!!!"
At the foot of the mountain, thousands of Demon Suppression Guards roared in unison, their voices like a tidal wave, rushing straight into the sky.
Abbot Wangyou's body swayed, almost losing his balance.
He stared intently at the crimson-cloaked girl who stood at the bottom of the stairs, not having uttered a single word from beginning to end.
Lord Jiang... Jiang Yuechu... now.
He finally understood... so, the person who killed Forgetting Dust was the girl before him!
The Commander of the Longyou Commandery?!
Right from the start, it was a sudden revelation of hostility, a clear declaration of life or death!
"Jiang Yuechu!"
Black Qi surged around Abbot Wangyou, and demonic shadows loomed behind him.
"Do you really want a fight to the death?!"
"Our Baosha Temple has stood in the Region of Longyou for hundreds of years, with deep foundations, how can it be destroyed by a single word from you?!"
"This old monk has now entered the Ink Dot Realm! If I fight with my life, I might not be unable to cause you to lose more than half your forces!!"
Jiang Yuechu finally reacted to his words.
She slowly lifted her eyelids.
The corners of her mouth curved slightly upwards, revealing a hint of mockery.
"Ink Dot Realm?"
She reached out and untied the clasp of her great cloak.
With a furious flick of her long sleeve!
She threw forward the crimson great cloak, revealing the black robe underneath.
A ferocious beast's head flashed with cold light.
"If you had entered the Seed Lotus, perhaps it would take me two more strikes."
She flipped her wrist.
The Cold Moon Long Blade silently slid into her palm.
"As for you..."
She took a step forward.
Her figure instantly vanished from its original spot.
Only a cold voice remained.
Echoing in the wind.
"Do you even deserve to call it a fight to the death?"