Blind Ghostwriter: Starts with the full level of Nine Yang Magic Skill

Chapter 196 Fish Nineteen and Master Jingkong

Dusk fell like iron, and the small town nestled among sand dunes was bathed in the pale moonlight. The earthen walls, worn smooth by the wind and sand, gleamed coldly, and the bronze bells on the eaves had long since been eroded mute by the yellow sand. Only the inn in the west of town was lit. More than forty riders from the Six Doors crammed the already cramped main hall to the brim, and amidst the clanging of scabbards and the scraping of leather armor, steam rose from the mutton soup in the rough earthenware bowl.

Gu Mo broke off half of the hard, iron-like flatbread, and crumbs fell softly onto the rough wooden table. Several constables sitting nearby were whispering about the Qiongshan Sect's affairs that day, the old strips of cloth wrapped around their knife hilts still covered in sand.

Gu Chudong suddenly tapped the back of his hand with her bamboo chopsticks. The moonlight that leaked through the eaves shone on the silver hairpin that held her hair back, making people dizzy. At the same table were her acquaintances Chen Xiuyuan and Deputy Commander Chen Yin, while Commander Zhong Lianshan stayed in Qiongshan to handle the follow-up issues.

"Where's Brother Zhuo? Isn't he coming to eat?" Gu Chudong asked as she distributed chopsticks.

Chen Yin took the chopsticks and said, "Lord Zhuo is busy, so please let us eat first. Today's Qiongshan Sect incident will become an opportunity to influence the martial arts landscape of the Northern Desert. Not only does our Six Doors know about it, but all the martial arts sects in the Northern Desert also know about it, and they also know that our Six Doors will take this opportunity to make a move."

Gu Chudong picked up the thread and said, "So, Brother Zhuo is going to arrange for someone to do some underhanded tricks to deal with the various sects in the martial arts world, right?"

Chen Yin smiled but didn't respond. He knew very well the relationship between Zhuo Qingfeng and Gu Chudong; they were like his own sister. So, Gu Chudong could freely criticize Zhuo Qingfeng, but as his subordinate, he could only listen and not actually chime in.

“Those in positions of power should fulfill their responsibilities,” Gu Mo said. “Brother Zhuo is the Inspector of the Six Doors. His task is to suppress the martial arts world in the northern desert and establish order. There’s no such thing as underhanded tricks. Do you think the various sects in the martial arts world are lambs? They will still make their moves. It’s just a game of tactics to see who has the better strategy.”

Gu Chudong chuckled and said, "Then I'm afraid we can't help with what's coming next."

Gu Mo nodded and said, "Of course we can't help. This time, the Qiongshan Sect incident has given the Six Doors a legitimate reason to fully intervene in the martial arts world of the Northern Desert. But along with it, local gentry, powerful families, chieftains, and other forces with government backgrounds will appear. Overall, this is when the Six Doors truly begin to clash with the martial arts world of the Northern Desert."

Brother Zhuo needs to choose a spokesperson, and the local government will also have their own spokespeople. It seems like it's still a power struggle within the martial arts world, a battle for territory among various martial arts factions, reshaping the landscape. In reality, it's a game between the Six Doors and the local government, but the methods are completely different. We two are just good at fighting; we definitely can't help much.”

Gu Chudong suddenly realized, "Oh, I see!"

Chen Yin and Chen Xiuyuan ate in silence, not uttering a single word. They couldn't bring themselves to speak either; what Gu Mo said was true, but while Gu Mo could say it, they, as public officials of the Six Doors, absolutely could not.

At this moment,
A constable from the Six Doors, who was on lookout outside, came over and bowed, saying, "Master Gu, Master Jingkong and Young Master Yu Shijiu are outside requesting an audience."

Gu Mo put down his chopsticks and went out the door.

At that moment, Yu Shijiu and Master Jingkong were standing at the entrance of the inn. When Gu Mo came out, the two of them quickly stepped forward and bowed in greeting.

Gu Mo returned the greeting with a cupped hand and said, "Master, Brother Yu, have you eaten? If not, come in and have something to eat with us. I'll have someone prepare some vegetarian dishes for you."

"No, thank you," Master Jingkong said. "Master Gu, this humble monk and Benefactor Yu are about to leave."

Gu Mo asked in confusion, "It's so late, the wind and sand in the northern desert are so strong, and it's freezing cold at night, don't you want to rest?"

Master Jingkong shook his head and said, "Both Benefactor Yu and I have important matters to attend to and cannot stay any longer. We must leave tonight and thought we would like to come and thank you before we leave."

"Thank me for what?" Gu Mo asked, puzzled.

Master Jingkong said, "Some time ago, Lin Duanyun arranged for three bronze-armored corpses to kill this poor monk. Fortunately, Benefactor Yu arrived in time with your sword, Hero Gu. Otherwise, this poor monk would probably have already passed away."

Yu Shijiu also said, "Yes, Master Gu, the sword you gave me back then contained your sword intent. I used your sword intent to kill those bronze-armored corpses."

Gu Mo waved his hand and said, "Even if you couldn't save Brother Yu that day, Master Jingkong wouldn't be in any danger. With Bai Qiliao's arrangements, he would never allow you to die, Master Jingkong. He must have a backup plan in the dark. It's just that Brother Yu made a move, so his backup plan was useless."

Master Jingkong clasped his hands together, chanted a Buddhist prayer, and said, "This humble monk is also worried about this issue. I don't know what hidden tricks Bai Qiliao and Lin Duanyun each have, or how many people have practiced the Zombie Technique. Those people roaming the martial world are more of a curse than a blessing!"

Gu Mo said, "That's hard to say. It's certain that those people are evil and heretical, but to deal with them, we still need the Six Doors. Master, you might as well use your reputation to support the Six Doors. The sooner the Six Doors stabilizes the order of the martial arts world in the Northern Desert, the sooner those who practice zombie techniques will be found out. Master, you should also know that the Six Doors are the most professional in apprehending wanted criminals and maintaining the stability of the martial arts world. However, the only downside is that if you support the Six Doors, it may not be good for your reputation."

Master Jingkong smiled and said, "What use is fame to a monk like me? Hero Gu, you are right. The sooner the Six Doors stabilizes the martial arts world of the Northern Desert, the sooner the people of the Northern Desert will have a guarantee of safety. After I finish this matter, I will travel to various places to persuade the major sects to jointly establish a stable martial arts world in the Northern Desert." Gu Mo praised, "Master, you are very righteous."

Master Jingkong clasped his hands together, bowed slightly, and said nothing more.

At this moment,
Yu Shijiu took out a small wooden box from her bosom and handed it to Gu Mo, saying, "Hero Gu, this is a pill I obtained from a senior master. It has no name, but it's refined from dozens of rare and precious herbs. When using it, crush the ingredients and apply them to the wound; it's incredibly effective at treating external injuries. You're a highly skilled martial artist, so normally you definitely wouldn't need it. However, you can give it to Sister Chu Dong to carry with her, just in case. You… take it!"

Yu Shijiu is not good with words, so it must have been quite difficult for him to say so much in one breath. It was obvious that he had rehearsed it in his mind many times.

Gu Mo could clearly sense that Yu Shijiu was very nervous and worried that he would not accept it.

"Alright, then thank you very much, Brother Yu." Gu Mo said, cupping his hands in thanks.

Yu Shijiu then smiled slightly, nodded, and said, "No...you're welcome!"

Afterwards, Gu Mo chatted with Master Jingkong and Yu Shijiu for a while, focusing on Master Jingkong. Gu Mo discussed some Buddhist principles and martial arts with him. Finally, before leaving, Master Jingkong said that after returning, he would organize some scriptures and notes and send them to the Six Doors so that they could pass them on to Gu Mo.

……

The cold moon hung high, making the small town appear even more desolate under its pale light. Yu Shijiu and Master Jingkong rode side by side, their horses neighing, breaking the boundless silence.

The sandstorm howled and swept in, as if to bury everything. The two men's cloaks fluttered in the wind as their figures gradually disappeared into the night, leaving only a series of hoofprints, which were then instantly covered by the sandstorm.

Amidst the swirling yellow sand,

Master Jingkong said, "Benefactor Yu, were the two pills you gave to Hero Gu made with your spiritual blood?"

“No,” Yu Shijiu said, “Hero Gu is a man of great righteousness, and I believe that even if he knew my identity as a member of the Spirit Clan, he would not harbor any ill intentions. However, I cannot guarantee that others can do the same. Although the pills were given to Hero Gu, there is no guarantee that they will not fall into the wrong hands. If someone with ulterior motives discovers them, it will be troublesome. Even if there is only a one in ten thousand chance, I dare not gamble with the lives of my people.”

Master Jingkong nodded and said, "So, those two pills were pure pills?"

“Yes,” Yu Shijiu said, “There are elders in my clan who are skilled in alchemy. Those two pills are rare treasures with a very strong effect on treating external injuries. When I travel around the world, I inevitably get injured. The reason I can not bleed a drop is not only due to my self-healing ability, but also largely due to those treasures.”

"It's good that you won't be exposed." Master Jingkong said, "Benefactor Yu, when you travel the world in the future, you must remember that no matter who it is, you should not trust them easily. In fact, it was too risky for you to trust me back then. You should know that you can know a person's face but not their heart. You are the protector of your clan. Any moment of mercy you show could bring annihilation to your clan."

Yu Shijiu nodded and said, "I know. There can't be a second person, and there can't be another Master Jingkong in this world."

Master Jingkong chuckled and said, “Let’s go back to Shatuo Temple. The Ice Marrow Lotus that Yu Shiba left behind will ripen in the next few days. If you consume it, you will gain at least twenty years of internal energy, so that you can cope with the upcoming turmoil of the opening of the Ruins.”

Yu Shijiu asked, "Master, the Ice Marrow Lotus is a rare and precious natural treasure. Although its main function is to help our Spirit Clan activate spiritual power, ordinary people can also increase their power and prolong their lives. Yu Shijiu has entrusted you with its cultivation for several years. Speaking of which, don't you really have any reluctance at all?"

Master Jingkong chuckled and said, “If it’s not mine, it won’t be mine even if it’s in my hands for a hundred years. Moreover, when Yu Shiba gave me the Ice Marrow Lotus, I promised him that once the Ice Marrow Lotus matured, I would give it to someone named Yu Shijiu. That was my promise. Even if it could grant me immortality, I would never have the slightest greed.”

Yu Shijiu said, "That's why I said there can't possibly be another Master Jingkong in this world."

Master Jingkong said in a deep voice, "Alas, I only hope that there will be less bloodshed on the day the Ruins open!"

Yu Shijiu said, "I only hope that this time I won't encounter so many persistent people. Otherwise, I will kill anyone who steps in. Master, have you forgotten how much bloodshed He Changqing brought to the Northern Desert forty years ago? It lasted for forty years, adding countless innocent souls. Yu Shijiu only killed one less person back then, and it brought such a great disaster. Killing in the Ruins is to save my people and to save the Northern Desert!"

"Amitabha!"

(End of this chapter)