Martial Cultivator

News of Yu Lu’s incident quickly reached Daoist Yinli. The black ox clicked its tongue in amazement, remarking that it had never expected the boy to learn so quickly how to wave the tiger’s skin as a banner.

But Daoist Yinli was indifferent. He was not concerned that Yu Lu might be an opportunist. Standing at the very bottom, striving to climb higher was only natural. As long as Yu Lu understood whose shadow he stood under, it was of no consequence.

Before long, he quickly received new information. In just a few days, this newly appointed Dao attendant had already rallied the lower-ranking disciples, forming a faint semblance of his own faction.

The black ox said worriedly, “Sage, if this continues, aren’t you worried that the boy might develop ambitions of his own?”

Daoist Yinli shook his head, saying nothing. He just continued waiting for news.

Not long after, Yu Lu came to see him, openly confessing nearly everything he had done. Daoist Yinli was very satisfied with this.

Most of the already well-established disciples within the temple held favorable opinions toward Daoist Wuyang. Since Daoist Yinli’s footing remained unsteady, trying to build influence from the top down was far less effective than doing so from the bottom up.

Those living at the lowest rungs of the hierarchy were already disheartened and discontent. Now that they had hope, their loyalty came naturally. Though it was uncertain how long it would take to truly forge a formidable force, slow and steady progress was key. Cultivators had long lifespans, there was no need to rush.

It was something that could be nurtured gradually.

As for Yu Lu, he was indeed promising, but Daoist Yinli was always cautious. There were still certain matters he would not entrust to him just yet.

Beneath an ancient pine, Daoist Yinli sat in meditation, lost in thought. Soon, a daoist arrived, bowed, and reported, “Temple Master, Yun Jianyue is expected to return in three days. Along the way, he has not contacted anyone and is returning alone.”

”Has Great Liang not sent anyone to monitor him in secret?”

Daoist Yinli asked casually, his voice somewhat cold.

The daoist shook his head and said, ”No, but a letter has arrived from the Divine Capital, addressed to you, Temple Master.”

Daoist Yinli asked indifferently, ”From whom?”

”It is from the Great Liang’s newly appointed Lord Warden Commander, that young martial artist, Chen Chao.”

The daoist took out the letter from his robe. The wax seal was still intact, unopened.

After Daoist Yinli accepted the letter, that daoist then withdrew.

Daoist Yinli quickly opened it, glanced over the contents, and sneered coldly. ”Does this scoundrel truly think I am so easily deceived?”

The letter was straightforward. It first recounted recent events in the Divine Capital, then subtly hinted that he knew some inside information about the death of his senior brother and invited Daoist Yinli to the Divine Capital for a detailed discussion.

The black ox took a glance and immediately raged, ”This man is utterly delusional! He clearly intends to lure Sage to the Divine Capital and have Sage surrounded and killed.”

Daoist Yinli chuckled. “He’s this impatient? Then I can be certain, he has no real evidence. Even if he knows something, it’s only because Chen Che told him. Without proof, there’s nothing to worry about.”

The black ox laughed. “Then Sage can rest easy.”

Daoist Yinli nodded, then suddenly shook his head. “I fear Yun Jianyue has already been swayed by his glib tongue and now believes I’m the one who killed Senior Brother.”

The black ox was indifferent, “But he has no evidence. What can he do?”

“Yes, but I understand Yun Jianyue this person. He greatly admires my senior brother. I’m afraid he believes that scoundrel’s words. Now that there’s no evidence, he will likely take desperate measures.”

Daoist Yinli smiled and said “Entering Nepenthe, huh? Even if he’s some daoist genius, he’s just too naive.”

The black ox furrowed its brows and said, “Sage, we should make preparations. This person is lurking in the dark, always a threat.”

“You animal, what do you understand? Since we know he’s lurking in the dark, what we need to do is deal with him quickly. Why leave him around?”

Daoist Yinli shook his head, his voice indifferent but brimming with confidence.

The black ox looked puzzled. “Are we going to kill Yun Jianyue?”

Daoist Yinli looked at the black ox and frowned. “How could you be so stupid? Is he someone who can be killed so easily?” ”Twin Pillars of Daoism, such a remarkable young genius, even if you want to kill him, will those old fellows allow you to kill him?”

The black ox did not understand. “But Sage, you’re still the Temple Master.”

Daoist Yinli smiled. “I already have a plan. Not only will I make Yun Jianyue stay obedient for these years, but I’ll also make most of the people in the temple loyal to me.”

Though still unclear, the black ox quickly smiled flatteringly. “Sage, your foresight is amazing. You will definitely succeed.”

Daoist Yinli ignored the black ox and just looked at him and said, “Go find Yu Lu. Tell him to find a way to let Yun Jianyue know that I’m in seclusion, but something went wrong during my cultivation, and I sustained serious injuries.”

The black ox laughed loudly. “Sage, this plan is brilliant.”

……

……

The black ox quickly found Yu Lu and arranged everything.

Yu Lu was taken aback for a moment, then immediately understood the intention of Daoist Yinli. He quickly said, ”Daoist Ox, rest assured, this disciple will definitely handle this matter properly.”

The black ox nodded in satisfaction and said, ”Also, don’t forget about the spiritual herbs. Don’t treat this matter lightly.”

Yu Lu took out a bundle of spiritual herbs from his robe and smiled, ”How could I forget about this?”

The black ox looked at him with approval, and it was clear that the black ox was quite satisfied with him.

Yu Lu quickly left.

For these past few days, he had long since stopped managing the herb fields, nor was he responsible for any tasks. Yet, he still mingled among the low-ranked disciples. Now that everyone knew he was Daoist Yinli’s Dao attendant, who would dare to do anything to him?

In a secluded courtyard, a group of young daoists had already been waiting for Yu Lu.

After Yu Lu appeared, Chen Lin quickly smiled and said, ”Senior Brother Yu, everyone has been waiting for you. This jar of alcohol is no ordinary drink, ordinary disciples can’t even get a taste of it.”

He carried the jar of alcohol, eagerly approaching Yu Lu to pour him a cup.

But Yu Lu let out a sigh and slowly sat down.

Observing his mood, Chen Lin asked cautiously, ”Senior Brother Yu, what’s wrong?”

Yu Lu forced a smile and shook his head, saying, ”Nothing, come, let’s drink!”

He then called the young daoists around him to join.

Those young daoists dared not say anything and naturally gathered around obediently.

Afterward, this group of young daoists, who had never been highly regarded in the mountain, quickly began to drink, passing cups back and forth.

After three rounds of drinks and numerous dishes, everyone was drunk.

Chen Lin who smelt strongly of alcohol, finally staggered over, saying in a low voice, ”Senior Brother Yu, you’re a magnanimous person. Last time, I offended Senior Brother, but I’m grateful that Senior Brother didn’t hold a grudge. Now, if you have any troubles, just let us know. We can help you come up with some ideas, and at the very least, it’ll ease your burden.”

Yu Lu waved his hand, burped, and continued intermittently, ”It’s not a big deal... It’s just that the Temple Master’s cultivation recently hit a snag... He didn’t show me any good attitude... We...”

Chen Lin swayed and said, ”Well, since it’s the Temple Master’s matter, there’s not much we can help with. But someone as powerful as Temple Master, it should be just a small issue... surely nothing to worry about.”

”I hope so. But Temple Master’s cultivation has really encountered a big problem this time. He’s severely injured now and will need to rest for some time...”

”By the way, you all mustn’t talk about this. If I get blamed by Temple Master, none of you will come out unscathed...”

Yu Lu drunkenly warned them to keep their mouths shut.

The young daoists all promised that they would not say a word.

Yu Lu nodded and, after saying a few more random things, passed out drunk.

……

……

Two days later, Yun Jianyue returned to the Infatuation Daoist Temple.

As the current leader of the younger generation, he had just returned to his cave residence when he saw a figure approaching the front of the cave. It was one of his fellow disciples, Zheng Hua, with whom he had a good relationship.

Zheng Hua went straight to the point, saying, ”Senior Brother Yun, word has it that the Chief Enforcer’s cultivation went awry, and he is now severely injured.”

Yun Jianyue looked at him, remained silent for a moment, then asked, ”Where did this news come from?”

Zheng Hua then recounted everything that had happened while Yun Jianyue was away from the mountain.

Yun Jianyue raised an eyebrow.

Zheng Hua asked, ”Should we do something?”

Yun Jianyue said indifferently, ”Do something? He’s the Temple Master. Do you intend to go against the temple rules?”

Zheng Hua thought for a moment before saying, ”Senior Brother, I’ve been holding this in for a long time, I have to say it. I keep feeling that Temple Master wouldn’t have passed his position to the Chief Enforcer. There’s probably something very suspicious about the Chief Enforcer. We all know that the one the Temple Master favors most is you. How could he possibly...”

”Say no more. Act as if you know nothing and don’t meddle.”

Yun Jianyue waved his hand, cutting off Zheng Hua’s words, and told him to leave at once and not speak of this matter to anyone else.

After Zheng Hua left reluctantly, Yun Jianyue returned to his cave residence, looked into the distance, and frowned, ”Chen Chao... why does everything seem to be within your plans?”