MTLNOVEL Chapter 907 - 908 I Knew You Were No Good at First Glance
Chapter 907: Chapter 908 I Knew You Were No Good at First Glance
A green light flashed, and before they could react, they disappeared without a trace.
“This gourd is really handy.”
“Originally, I just came to trouble the Golden Light Temple, but I didn’t expect to have some unexpected gains, these people are all core disciples of Vajra Gate, they should fetch a good price.”
“There is also the master from Great Thunderclap Temple who opens lectures on Buddhist Law, it seems he will attract quite a few cultivators there.”
Li Xiaobai put away the gourd, murmuring to himself.
Releasing a golden chariot that turned into a streak of light, he continued forward. This place was just on the edge of the Western Continent, surrounded by deep mountains and forests, sparsely populated. It was unknown how long he walked before he came out of the continuous mountains and entered the main road.
Having a main road meant there were people. Roads like these were constructed around the settlements of the commoners. Li Xiaobai slowly moved along the road, hoping to encounter a cultivator or two and inquire about the graveyard.
As he walked, the animals in the wilderness gradually became scarce, simultaneously, a mixture of fighting noises and cursing reached Li Xiaobai’s ears.
“Esteemed masters, the Five Poison Cult has always kept its dealings separate from the Buddhist Sect. Whenever your monks passed through Five Poison Cult’s territory, we did not make things difficult for them, but today, upon seeing the monks from my sect, you immediately resorted to violence, which is truly chilling to my heart!”
In front, a cultivator wearing a black robe clashed with a group of monks wielding sticks, his face full of indignation.
“Demon heretic, be slain!”
Several monks attacked in unison, not listening to his words, suppressing him relentlessly.
Above their heads were pure Sin Values; the black-robed individual had as much as two hundred thousand, which was considerably high amongst the younger generation seen so far, while the monks also had full Sin Values, fluctuating around one hundred thousand.
The black-robed cultivator’s cultivation level was impressive, single-handedly fighting against four or five monks from the Buddhist Sect and only slightly at a disadvantage. Li Xiaobai decided not to get involved in this messy situation, turning the direction of the golden chariot to take a detour.
“I am Hu Meizi, a disciple of the Five Poison Cult. These monks are utterly unreasonable. I implore you to help!”
“My elder brother is on his way here, and once he arrives, he will surely dispose of these bald donkeys. We will greatly reward you for your kindness!”
The black-robed cultivator had long noticed Li Xiaobai’s presence, and upon seeing him attempting to leave, he immediately shouted out loud.
“Brother, from the first glance, I could tell you were up to no good. With that outfit of yours, even I would want to capture you!”
“Listen to my advice, honestly go back with these masters and undergo investigation. If you are indeed innocent, I believe the masters will naturally let you go.”
“Don’t resist futilely anymore.”
Upon hearing this, Li Xiaobai stalled his chariot and loudly addressed the black-robed man, making it clear he wasn’t going to be dragged into this mess.
At those words, the black-robed man obviously froze for a moment; seizing the opportunity, the surrounding monks surged forward, pushing him into retreat.
“Suppress!”
“Refinement God Bowl!”
The leading monk suddenly threw out a bowl that swelled in the wind, turning into a dark void that immediately absorbed the black-robed man. Moments later, the man was thrown on the ground, bound tightly and weak.
One of the monks glanced at Li Xiaobai appreciatively, nodding: “I am Monk Wen Yuan. Much thanks to the master for your righteous words, which made this demon show a momentary flaw, otherwise he would not have been easy to capture.”
“It is an honor to assist you, masters. I am Liu Jinshui, and I have seen the esteemed masters.”
Li Xiaobai waved his hand, indicating it was no big deal.
“Master, your awareness is high; if all people could discern right from wrong like you, the work of Arhat Hall would be much easier.”
“You flatter me too much, I am merely a dutiful good citizen. I am new here and unfamiliar with some things, may I know what exactly the Arhat Hall is?”
Li Xiaobai asked, he had heard of Arhat Hall several times but this was the first direct interaction with its monks, sparking some curiosity.
“Are you aware of the existence of the Enforcement Team?”
Monk Wen Yuan patiently explained, now appearing as a calm and amiable monk, a stark contrast to his previously fierce demeanor.
“Of course, I must confess, I am also a member of the Enforcement Team from the Eastern Continent.”
Li Xiaobai nodded as he spoke.
“So we are indeed colleagues, then this is easier to explain. The Arhat Hall is simply the Enforcement Team within the Pure Land of Western Continent Buddhism, just under a different name. The monks in our Arhat Hall are all rigorously selected and have undergone several tests before admission, so their professionalism is unquestionable. We will take this demon head away today and hope to have a good chat some other day with Master Liu.”
Wen Yuan smiled faintly, a peaceful scene surrounding them.
“I see, thank you, master, for the clarification.”
Li Xiaobai instantly understood that Arhat Hall was essentially the Enforcement Team of the Western Continent. No wonder these monks had only Sin Values above their heads; they dealt with demons and heretics daily. It was inevitable that they killed people in such encounters, making it impossible to accumulate Merit Values.
On the ground, the man in the black robe, observing the two conversing as if they were old friends, became infuriated.
“Daoist Liu, do not be deceived by the monk’s words. This guy is nothing but a wolf in sheep’s clothing, pretending to be a member of the Arhat Hall, but in reality, he only covets the cultivation techniques and resources of us cultivators!”
“You must not be bewildered by the monk’s words, otherwise, you will be captured by them too!”
The man in the black robe roared furiously, his voice sharp and piercing, causing a throbbing pain in the ears.
“Nonsense!”
“Amitabha! Even though you, demon head, are suppressed by this poor monk, your treacherous heart still thrives. It appears necessary to take you back to the Arhat Hall for a thorough suppression.”
Monk Wen Yuan shouted loudly.
“Hmph, you monk, dare to stay longer. When my elder brother arrives, he will take your life in minutes!”
The man in the black robe was clearly disgruntled and continued to hurl insults.
Wen Yuan did not respond further. With a wave of his hand, he lifted the man to leave. However, as if suddenly reminded of something, he turned back to look at Li Xiaobai.
“Master Li, may I also take a look at your Merit Value?”
“It’s not that I don’t trust you, but as a monk, I’m curious to see the Merit of such an enlightened young man. Perhaps you could even teach me a thing or two!”
The other monks also turned their heads to look at Li Xiaobai.
“That won’t be necessary. Merit and Sin are but illusions, fleeting and insubstantial, existing only in one’s fleeting thoughts. Now that I’m conversing with the master as if basking in the spring breeze, naturally my heart harbors good intentions. Let’s not dwell on trivial numbers; suppressing the demon and leaving is the top priority.”
Li Xiaobai’s heart skipped a beat, feeling he had inadvertently revealed a giveaway that had caught the monks’ attention. Yet, he maintained a calm demeanor, waving his hand with an air of aloofness.
Unfortunately, it appeared the group of monks, simplistic as wooden fish, was not buying this show of cultivated grace.
Monk Wen Yuan’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Master, though this is a public road, it’s desolate and uninhabited. Why is it that you happen to appear here so coincidentally? Forgive my directness, but unless I see your Merit Value, I cannot rest easy. What if you are indeed that ‘elder brother’ mentioned by this demon head? If I let you go, would it not be a sin?”
With these words, the atmosphere suddenly turned solemn. The man in black, his large eyes blinking under his capacious robe, became alert. Prompted by Monk Wen Yuan’s reminder, everyone realized that this was the edge of the Western Continent—desolate, forested, and rarely trodden by humans. It was suspicious for someone to just happen to be here; there had to be an issue!
Li Xiaobai sighed. “I have always believed that true beauty lies within the spirit. Be it Merit or Sin, as long as a person’s heart is pure, what do transient appearances matter? To think that I, a genuinely straightforward young man, would be doubted by esteemed masters, it truly saddens me.”
“With such evasion, could it be that you fear our inspection?”
“As the saying goes, ‘A righteous man fears no skewed shadow.’ Why hide if there is nothing to concern you? Could it be that what rests above your head is not Merit, but Sin? ”
Wen Yuan’s suspicions about the man before him intensified—he knew there was something wrong!
He had initially intended to bluff him, but unexpectedly, his bluff had revealed the truth.
The other monks shifted subtly, enclosing Li Xiaobai with a silent, fortified stance. The smiles and congeniality from a moment ago were gone, replaced by a cold vigilance, as if ready to act at any moment.
Seeing everyone’s reactions, Li Xiaobai sighed deeply, “Well then, since the esteemed masters wish to see, I shall let you all look properly.”
With that, he suddenly swung his longsword, releasing a jet-black Sword Intent that streaked across the sky, aimed directly at Wen Yuan.
Above his head, a blood-red Sin Value appeared: one million, one hundred thousand!
Upon seeing such a number, the surrounding monks, Wen Yuan, and even the tied-up man in black robes involuntarily widened their eyes.
“A million Sin Values! A great demon, a major evil!”
“What a character, to stumble upon such a formidable villain; it’s hard to say whether this is fortune or disaster!”
Seeing the blood-red characters above Li Xiaobai’s head, the monks felt their resolve waiver. This level of cultivator was beyond their capabilities to handle; they struggled even with the likes of the black-robed disciple, let alone a veteran demon of this caliber.
“How can we judge right and wrong just by appearances? We must look at their inner essence, peek into the depths of their souls. Esteemed masters, you’re being short-sighted. Continuing like this, you won’t be able to climb your careers to the peak of life within Arhat Hall.”
Li Xiaobai, with his hands behind his back, said lightly, “I am indeed an exceptional young man, not one that can be tarnished by mere Sin Values. In fact, I am here representing the Enforcement Team of the Eastern Continent to help the Arhat Hall of the Western Continent apprehend the renegade of Buddhism, Jiumozhi. Please facilitate my tasks.”
“Truly a demon head! Now claiming to be an Enforcement Team cultivator from the Eastern Continent, yet earlier you wielded the Sword Intent of the Demon Sealing Sect from the Southern Continent, spouting nonstop lies. I, Monk Wen Yuan, even believed for a moment that you were a young man of deep thought and understanding; I didn’t realize you were hiding so much.”
“And to mention Jiumozhi too! It seems you’ve extensively studied our Western Continent. Even if it costs me my life, I won’t let a demon of your kind go!”
“Old demon, time for execution!”