Chapter 109: The Greatest Demon of All Time
Lesser Mount Song, Northern Song Dynasty.
A rare sight graced the martial world: the Shaolin temples of the Ming, Southern Song, and Northern Song Dynasties all convened in one place.
People habitually referred to the Ming Shaolin as the Shaolin Sect, the Southern Song Shaolin as the Southern Shaolin, and the Northern Song Shaolin as the Northern Shaolin. Whenever these three met, open and covert conflicts were inevitable, as they competed in both martial arts and Buddhist teachings.
However, this time, the atmosphere was surprisingly harmonious.
This peaceful disposition extended beyond Shaolin to other sects as well. Surprisingly, it was the emergence of one man, Chu Yang, that brought a rare semblance of peace to the chaotic martial world that had been embroiled in disputes for centuries.
---
Inside the Mahavira Hall, heroes gathered.
Nearly a hundred sects had arrived to attend the martial assembly. Their leaders occupied all the seats, leaving core members and elite disciples to stand outside the hall, mere spectators.
The host, Abbot Xuan Ci, did not take the main seat. Instead, he ceded it to two figures—a Daoist and a martial artist.
The Daoist was Zhang Sanfeng, and the martial artist was Feng Qingyang.
As the only two experts to have escaped unscathed after encountering "Mr. Chu," they represented the martial world's sole hope and support. Yet, despite their elevated status, both men wore expressions of helplessness rather than joy.
Zhang Sanfeng and Feng Qingyang were well aware that their survival was not due to superior strength but because Chu Yang was not one to kill indiscriminately. In a true battle to the death, their fates would have been grim.
Their attendance at this assembly was not out of personal desire but to prevent the others from provoking Chu Yang and inciting unnecessary slaughter.
For Zhang Sanfeng, it was a monk's duty. For Feng Qingyang, it was a matter of preserving the legacy of the Mount Hua Sect.
---
Chaos erupted in the hall.
Before the assembly had even begun, disagreements arose among the gathered sect leaders.
The initial purpose of the martial assembly was to negotiate peace with "Mr. Chu" and persuade him to cease his campaign of destruction against the martial sects.
However, some leaders, emboldened by the large turnout, began entertaining another idea.
Perhaps…
Should we unite and confront this rising demon?
This sentiment split the crowd, with some advocating a more aggressive stance against Chu Yang.
As history has shown, humanity rarely learns from its past. Those suggesting an offensive approach were typically individuals who had never encountered Chu Yang and based their opinions on hearsay. Meanwhile, those whose sects had suffered devastating losses were the most ardent supporters of peace.
After all, the last time Chu Yang acted, their sect leaders were killed. A second attempt might see their entire sect annihilated.
Even a clay Buddha has its limits—let alone a man known as the "Demon Sovereign."
---
Abbot Xuan Ci looked to Zhang Sanfeng for guidance.
The abbot, helpless in the face of the escalating tensions, turned to Zhang Sanfeng, who exchanged a glance with Feng Qingyang. The latter nodded slightly.
Zhang Sanfeng rose from his seat, silencing the hall. All eyes turned to him, the crowd sensing the impending gravity of his words.
"Hahaha, please, continue your discussions. Don't mind this old Daoist."
With a hearty laugh, Zhang Sanfeng walked straight out of the hall, leaving the sect leaders dumbfounded.
"Zhang Zhenren, where are you going? The assembly isn't over!" Yue Buqun hurriedly stepped forward, blocking the Daoist's path.
"Isn't it settled already? Everyone here seems eager to overthrow Mr. Chu and restore peace to the world." Zhang Sanfeng feigned surprise.
"But we still need the support of two senior experts like yourself…" Yue Buqun replied awkwardly.
His newfound position as the Five Mountains Alliance leader had come about only because Chu Yang had eliminated the previous leader, Zuo Lengchan. Eager to solidify his authority, Yue Buqun loudly championed the idea of opposing Chu Yang.
"Support?" Zhang Sanfeng's cold gaze swept the hall. "This old Daoist may be over a hundred years old, but I still cherish life. I won't be joining you in your journey to the afterlife. Next year, on this date, I'll be sure to burn extra joss paper for you all."
With that, he brushed aside Yue Buqun and strode out of the hall. His words doused the crowd's fervor like a bucket of cold water.
Yue Buqun's face turned ashen, and the hall descended into uneasy silence.
---
Feng Qingyang followed suit.
Seizing the opportunity, Feng Qingyang leapt after Zhang Sanfeng and declared, "Daoist brother, let's not be so hasty. Everyone is still discussing matters. It's understandable for those who've never encountered that young man to speak boldly."
Zhang Sanfeng paused, then nodded. The two elders stood aside, their gazes filled with quiet scrutiny, as if awaiting the crowd's decision.
At that moment, a young novice burst into the hall, pale with panic.
"Abbot, Mr. Chu… he's here!"
Gasps filled the air, both inside and outside the hall. Just the mention of Chu Yang's name caused shivers to run down everyone's spine. Disciples from shattered sects trembled visibly.
---
A flying carriage arrived.
A horse-drawn carriage ascended the mountain steps effortlessly, without the slightest jolt, drawing everyone's attention.
"How did a carriage climb Lesser Mount Song's broken road?"
"Look! The wheels… they're floating!"
"That's impossible!"
"It's a flying carriage!"
The crowd murmured in awe, as an incredulous disciple recognized the horse pulling the carriage. "Master, isn't that my little red horse?"
His blind master snapped, "Silence!" Cold sweat covered his palms. He now realized that the "Mr. Chu" his foolish disciple had mentioned was none other than the man inside the carriage.
---
Chu Yang arrived with Huang Rong.
The man wore a cyan scholar's robe, exuding elegance, while the woman beside him in a light yellow dress appeared lively and charming. Together, they resembled an immortal couple stepping out of a painting.
The sect leaders, who had imagined Chu Yang as a savage brute, were stunned by his refined appearance.
As the carriage stopped before the hall, Abbot Xuan Ci stepped forward and addressed him.
"Mr. Chu, we invited you here today in hopes of resolving our differences peacefully."
Chu Yang smiled faintly. "Abbot, you're mistaken. Whether there's peace isn't up to me—I'm not the aggrieved party."
His words struck like thunder.
Feng Qingyang echoed, "Young friend Chu, neither Zhang Zhenren nor I mean to stand against you. We only hope there might be another way to resolve the animosity between both sides."
"I am not the victim; it is not my place to decide who forgives whom. However, in consideration of you two, I can bring Mochou out," Chu Yang replied as he jumped off the carriage and walked up to the two men.
These two elders had both done him a favor—one had taught him Tai Chi, while the other had shared the techniques of the Nine Swords of Dugu. Such gestures were not insignificant.
Huang Rong ducked into the carriage, and after some time, she emerged with Li Mochou.
Many onlookers heaved a sigh of relief, feeling that as long as she was willing to show herself, there might still be a chance for negotiation.
"Amitabha~~," said Abbot Xuan Ci as he looked at Li Mochou with compassion in his eyes. "This benefactor, I deeply regret the misfortunes your sect has suffered. But the main culprits have already been brought to justice, leaving only some minor sects. Might you show great mercy and spare their lives?"
"To save one life is better than building a seven-story pagoda…"
Li Mochou gritted her teeth and swept a venomous glare at the sect leaders behind Yue Buqun. Just seeing their faces brought back a flood of nightmarish memories.
The tragic death of Granny Sun.