Killing Monks

"After learning the wedding date today, I went to several wedding shops, fruit shops, and fabric shops."

Guangyuan said, "I learned from the waiter that the Lu family hasn't had a happy occasion in many years."

"This was all done in an extremely rushed manner. Several shops were working overnight, and the Lu family was pressing us very hard."

Preparing for a grand celebration often requires months in advance, including purchasing, sewing, and decorating – all of which take time.

Such haste must be suspicious.

"If Lu Chengyu were to take a concubine, he wouldn't be in such a hurry," Guangyuan asserted. "Therefore, it can only be Lu Fei."

His words were reasonable and well-founded, and Chu Kuangjun nodded: "That makes sense. But he captured Lu Fei and Miss Tang just to hold a wedding?"

Suddenly, he realized something, and his expression changed: "Oh no! Lu Chengyu is going to kill Lu Fei!"

Yesterday, Daoist Mingyue mentioned the evil nature of the black knife belonging to the Lu family. Considering the hasty marriage... it can't really be a case of a loving father and filial son, can it?

This is no joyous occasion; it's a death knell!

Just as Guangyuan was about to speak, Chu Kuangjun suddenly turned serious: "Daoist is confronting someone."

Before he finished speaking, Guangyuan also sensed it.

Two powerful auras emanated from outside the Taoist temple, like undercurrents surging. Although they had not yet clashed, they had already caused the bamboo leaves in the courtyard to move without any wind.

The two exchanged a glance, then stood up simultaneously and silently crossed the side courtyard.

The bright moon shines in the front courtyard, its light as white as frost.

The Taoist priest Mingyue had his back to them, his gray-blue robe billowing slightly in the night breeze.

An old Taoist priest was standing opposite him.

The old Taoist priest was as thin as a bamboo pole, his beard and hair were all white and tangled up in a messy knot, his Taoist robe was patched on top of patched, and the cuffs were stained with mud.

Yet this disheveled old Taoist priest made Daoist Mingyue feel as if he were facing a formidable enemy, concealing his true energy and gathering it for later use.

"Where do you come from, Senior Brother?" Mingyue Daoist's voice was calm, yet it revealed extreme caution.

"From the clouds," the old Taoist replied slowly.

"Where does Senior Brother intend to go?"

"Go to the clouds."

"But this place is not cloud-covered."

"This place can also be considered a cloud." The old Taoist priest raised his head, gazing at the night sky. "Clouds come and go, but who has ever truly seen a cloud? A heart as free as a white cloud..."

Upon hearing this, Daoist Mingyue's tense aura suddenly relaxed.

He continued, "My will is like flowing water, going wherever it pleases."

The old Taoist priest grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth: "This humble Taoist is only staying for a while; when the time comes, I will leave."

"Then should I ask my junior brother to prepare some vegetarian dishes?" Daoist Mingyue's tone had returned to calm.

The old Taoist waved his hand: "If there are meat dishes and wine, that would be even better."

He spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world, but Daoist Mingyue was not annoyed. He simply nodded slightly and said, "There is still half a jar of wine left in the backyard. Please come with me, senior brother."

The two walked one after the other to the backyard, as if the tense confrontation had never happened.

"Who is that Taoist priest?" Guangyuan asked softly, gazing in the direction they had disappeared.

"Unfathomable." Chu Kuangjun's expression was solemn.

His cultivation level was slightly higher than Guangyuan's, and his perception was also more acute.

The old Taoist priest appeared disheveled and down on his luck, but he was shrouded in an aura as deep and imposing as a mountain, like a dragon lurking in the abyss. Though you could not see his form, you could feel the chill surging beneath the surface.

Guangyuan pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "This is Luoqing County, the Lu family's territory. This Taoist priest's sudden arrival at this time—is he truly just a wandering traveler?"

"Is it really that much of a coincidence?" He looked at Chu Kuangjun.

Chu Kuangjun's eyes flickered: "You mean...?"

"If he's a friend of the Lu family," Guangyuan analyzed, "the Lu family would arrange proper accommodations; why would he need to stay at this impoverished Taoist temple?"

"So," Chu Kuangjun's eyes lit up, "he might not be a friend of the Lu family, he might even be..."

"The Lu family's enemies," Guangyuan continued, "a family that acts so domineeringly must have accumulated countless grudges over the past century."

"There are probably quite a few people in the martial arts world who hate the Lu family."

"And the Lu family's enemies," Chu Kuangjun said with a slight smile, "are our allies."

Guangyuan nodded: "It's late today. Tomorrow, we'll go together to find out more about this Taoist priest."

"it is good."

The next day, it was nearly noon.

The autumn sun shone through the sparse clouds, casting dappled light and shadow on the bluestone slabs of the Taoist temple.

Guangyuan and Chu Kuangjun carried a food box with wine and a pot of locally brewed rice wine and headed towards another side courtyard of the Taoist temple.

Mingyue Temple is not very big. Once you enter the main hall, there are two side courtyards and a back courtyard.

Normally only Daoist Mingyue lives alone, but now it has suddenly become lively. Guangyuan and his companion live in the east wing, while the old Daoist was settled in the west wing last night.

The west wing was even quieter, with only an old locust tree in the courtyard and an old rattan rocking chair under it.

As soon as the two stepped into the courtyard, they saw the old Taoist priest lying in a rocking chair.

He was still wearing that tattered Taoist robe, his white hair was disheveled, and his eyes were lightly closed. As the rocking chair swayed back and forth slowly, it made a soft "creaking" sound.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the locust leaves, illuminating his face.

I don't know if she's asleep or resting with her eyes closed.

Guangyuan and Chu Kuangjun exchanged a glance, then quietly approached.

"Senior, I am Guangyuan." Guangyuan cupped his hands in greeting, his voice gentle. "My friend and I have prepared some simple food and wine and come to pay our respects."

The rocking chair was still swaying gently.

The old Taoist priest didn't open his eyes, but simply hummed in response through his nose.

Chu Kuangjun placed the food box on the stone table beside him and opened the lid.

The savory aroma of braised pork and the rich, oily scent of roast chicken spread instantly, mingling with the subtle intoxication of rice wine, drifting in the autumn air.

The creaking of the rocking chair stopped.

The old Taoist priest slowly opened his eyes.

At first glance, they were eyes that looked no different from those of an ordinary old man, with yellowish whites and cloudy pupils, as if covered by a thin veil.

But if you look closely, you will find that in the murky depths, there are faint specks of light floating, like sparse stars in the night sky, flashing occasionally.

"The wine is good, the meat is good." The old Taoist sat up, rubbing his disheveled hair. "I won't stand on ceremony."

He was about to reach for the wine pot when his gaze suddenly fell on Chu Kuangjun's face beside Guangyuan.

The movement paused.

He squinted and looked Chu Kuangjun up and down several times, scrutinizing him closely from his eyebrows and eyes to his figure.

After a long pause, he finally said, "Peerless beauty, a beauty that could topple kingdoms."

Chu Kuangjun smiled wryly: "Senior, I'm a man."

"I know," the old Taoist nodded. "He has the air of an old friend."

"Huh?" Chu Kuangjun was taken aback.

This was the first time someone had ever told him that he "had the air of an old friend."

Many people in the martial arts world praise his appearance, while others criticize him for having a feminine appearance. But this is the first person to connect him with others.

"Could it be that you have met my master before, senior?" Chu Kuangjun couldn't help but ask.

The old Taoist priest gestured for the two to sit down.

Without any ceremony, he poured himself a full bowl of rice wine, took a sip, and then slowly said:

"I've seen it."

"But my master is just an ordinary-looking old man," Chu Kuangjun said hesitantly. "I'm not like him."

The old Taoist priest glanced at him and said, "Does he still enjoy fishing as much as before?"